Le Roy Edwin Froom - Conditionalist Faith of Our Fathers 1965-V01

T h e
C o n d i t i o n a l i s t F a i t h
o f O u r F a t h e r s
VOL UME I
T he
C ondi ti onal i st f ai th
of Our f ath ers
The Conflict of the Ages Over
the Nature and Destiny of Man
by
LERO Y EDWIN F RO O M
Prof essor of Hi sto ri cal T h eol ogy, Andr ews Uni versi ty
Au th o r of Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers
VO LUME I
T h e Bi bl i cal No r m and th e Ori gi n, De
vel opment, and Penetr ati o n of Innate
Immo r tal i ty (900 B.C . to a .d . 500)
BIBLICAL RESEARCH LIBRARY
REV I EW A ND HERA L D
WASHINGT ON, D.C .
PAINTING BY JES SCHLAIKJER, N.A. 19 5 9 BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD
Moses Was th e I n s pi r e d C h r o n i cl e r o f th e C r e ati o n o f
Man , Hi s Si nl ess State , Hi s Fal l , an d Hi s Re sto r ati o n to
Immo r tal i ty T h r o u gh a Di vi n e Re d e e me r .
P R E P A R E D U N D E R assignment from
the General Conference of Seventh-day
Adventists, and approved by a representa
tive group of more than sixty recognized
scholarstheologians, Bible teachers, edi
tors, historians, scientists, physicians, and
librarians.
C OPY RIGHT 1966 BY T HE
REVIEW AND HERALD PUBLISHING ASSOC IAT ION
WASHINGT ON, D C .
Bi bl e te xts cr e d i t e d to Mo f f a t t a r e f r o m T he Bible: A New Translation
by J a me s Mo f f a t t . C o pyr i gh t 1954 by J a me s Mo f f a tt . Us e d by pe r mi s
s i o n o f Ha r pe r a n d Ro w, Pu bl i s h e r s , I n co r po r a t e d .
Bi bl e te xts cr e d i t e d to Go o d s pe e d a r e f r o m Smi t h a n d Go o d s pe e d ,
T h e Complete Bible: An American Translation. C o pyr i gh t 1939 by
t h e Un i ve r s i t y o f C h i cago .
OFFSET IN U.S.A.
LIBRARY OF C ONGRESS C AT ALOG C ARD NO. 64-17664
4 C ONDI T I ONAL I ST FAI T H
a n d co py e d i ti n g, a n d to my f o r me r se cr e tar y, Mr s. Eu n i ce So pe r , f o r e n d
l ess typi n g an d s te n ci l i n g o f th e man u scr i pt i n th e pr o ce ss o f d e ve l o pme n t.
Lasti n g o bl i gati o n i s h e r e r e gi ste r e d f o r th e mu n i f i ce n t s u ppo r t o f
o n e o f th e ch i e f f r i e n d s o f th i s e n te r pr i s e a pr o f e ssi o n al man wh o wi sh es
to r e ma i n an o n ymo u s, bu t wi th o u t wh o se gr aci o u s h e l p man y f e atu r e s
co u l d n o t h ave be e n i n cl u d e d th a t h ave e n h an ce d th e attr acti ve n e ss an d
ef f e cti ve ne ss o f th e se vo l u me s an d mad e th e i r str ate gi c pl ace me n t po ssi bl e
i n key pl ace s a r o u n d th e gl o be .
Si n ce r e st appr e ci ati o n goes to my pu bl i sh e r s, bo th th e man age me n t
e spe ci al l y to C . E. Pal me r an d J . D. Sn i d e r a n d th e i r go o d l y gr o u p o f
pr i n t i n g ar ti san s wh o se be h i n d -th e -sce n e s ski l l s pr o d u ce d a me ch an i cal
e xce l l e n ce an d f o r mat th a t h ave wo n h i gh pr ai se .
I t i s bu t f ai r to ad d th a t scores o f i n d i vi d u al s i n Eu r o pe , Au str al i a,
No r th , So u th , an d In te r -Ame r i ca se r ve d as l o o ko u ts, e ve r o n th e al e r t f o r
e l u si ve i te ms, e spe ci al l y spo tti n g co n te mpo r ar y C o n d i ti o n al i s t state me n ts
o f me n wh o h ave br o ke n wi th th e tr ad i ti o n al po si ti o n s, wh o se i mpo r ta n t
u tte r an ce s ar e i n cl u d e d i n vo l u me 2.
Basi c to al l el se, tr i bu te i s h e r e pai d to my spo n so r s, th e Ge n e r al
C o n f e r e n ce o f Se ve n th -d ay Ad ve n ti sts, f o r au th o r i zi n g an d bu d ge tar y pr o
vi si o ns, an d e spe ci al l y to Pr e s i d e n t R. R. Fi gu h r , wi th o u t wh o se f i r m
f ai th i n th i s e n te r pr i s e th e pr o je ct wo u l d n e ve r h ave se e n th e l i gh t o f day.
As n o th i n g gi ves gr e ate r sati sf acti o n to an a u th o r th a n to ackn o wl e d ge
pu bl i cl y h i s i n d e bte d n e ss to th o se wh o h ave mad e h i s r e se ar ch -wr i ti n g
po ssi bl e , th a t pl e asu r e i s n o w mi n e .
Acknowl edgments
Ackn o wl e d gme n t i s h e r e mad e to th e man y h e l pe r s o f my pe n wi th o u t
wh o se ski l l s an d ai d th i s vo l u me co u l d n e ve r h ave be e n pr o d u ce d . I take
pa r ti cu l a r pl e asu r e i n r e co r d i n g i n d e bte d n e ss to n u me r o u s n ati o n al , State ,
u n i ve r si ty, se mi n ar y, co l l ege , pu bl i c, an d pr i vate l i br ar i e s a n d ar ch i ve s i n
bo th th e Ol d Wo r l d an d th e New.
Spe ci al me n ti o n mu st be mad e o f th e Li br ar y o f C o n gr e ss a n d i ts
match l e ss Un i o n C atal o g f aci l i ti e s, th e Ne w Yo r k Pu bl i c Li br ar y, th e Ha r
var d Un i ve r si ty, Au r o r a C o l l e ge , an d Ne w En gl an d Sch o o l o f T h e o l o gy
l i br ar i e s i n th e Un i te d State s; an d o ver se as o f th e Br i ti sh Mu se u m an d
th e u n i ve r si ti e s o f Oxf o r d an d C ambr i d ge i n Br i tai n , to ge th e r wi th th e
match l e ss F. W. Seats pr i vate l i br ar y o f Gl o u ce ste r . Al so, scores o f l ess
f amo u s i n s ti tu ti o n s i n var i o u s l an d s h ave co n tr i bu te d pr i ce l e ss i te ms to
th e sum to tal o f r ar e mate r i al s no w br o u gh t to ge th e r i n th e Conditionalist
Faith vo l ume s.
T h e gr aci o u s co o pe r ati o n o f l i br ar i an s o n bo th si des o f th e Atl an ti c
wi l l n e ve r be f o r go tte n l i ke th a t o f Ro be r t H. Hayn e s, o f Har var d , an d
D. S. Po r te r , o f Oxf o r d wh o r e n d e r e d i n val u abl e ai d th r o u gh maki n g
spe ci al mate r i al s an d f aci l i ti e s avai l abl e an d f o r ch e cki n g o n i te ms i n my
absence.
T h a n ks ar e si mi l ar l y te n d e r e d to th e d i sti n gu i sh e d gr o u p o f mo r e
th an si xty r e ad e r s o f th i s wo r k wh i l e sti l l i n man u scr i pt, an d f o r th e i r
h e l pf u l sugge sti o n s. T h e s e i n cl u d e e spe ci al l y Dr . Au br e y R. Vi n e , se cr e
tar y o f th e Fr e e C h u r ch C o u n ci l o f Br i tai n ; Dr . Mo ses R. C r o u se , o f
Au r o r a C o l l e ge ; Dr . Wi l l i am G. C . Mu r d o ch , d e an o f th e T h e o l o gi cal
Se mi n ar y o f An d r e ws Un i ve r si ty; an d Ro be r t L. Od o m, e d i to r o f th e
magazi n e Israelite. Me n ti o n mu st al so be mad e o f spe ci al i sts wh o se r ve d
as r e ad e r s o f si n gl e ch apte r s, as f o r e xampl e Pr o f . Dr . Oscar C u l l man n , o f
Lau san n e Un i ve r si ty an d th e So r bo n n e , wh o wi th o th e r s ch e cke d o n th e
ch a pte r o n th e De ad Sea scrol l s.
Gr a ti tu d e i s h e r e e xpr e sse d f o r th e co u n se l s o f my gu i d i n g co mmi tte e ,
o f wh i ch Har r y W. Lo we was th e abl e se cr e tar y. Al so to var i o u s me mbe r s
o f th e f acu l ty o f An d r e ws Un i ve r si ty, to Pr e si d e n ts Ri tte n h o u s e an d Ham-
mi l l , an d Pr o f . Ear l e Hi l ge r t, an d par ti cu l ar l y to De an Mu r d o ch , f o r h i s
str o n g backi n g o f th i s majo r r e se ar ch -wr i ti n g pr o je ct f r o m th e ver y f i rst,
an d f o r mo r al s u ppo r t wh e n th e way was di f f i cul t.
Spe ci al o bl i gati o n i s h e r e r e co r d e d f o r h i gh l y co mpe te n t e d i ti n g, ve r i
f i cati o n , i l l u s tr ati o n , co mpo si ti o n , an d r e l ate d pr o cesses th a t h ave br o u gh t
th i s w'ork to co mpl e ti o n . I am u n d e r spe ci al o bl i gati o n to Me r wi n R. T h u r -
be r , bo o k e d i to r f o r th e pu bl i sh e r s, to Mr s. Bl an ch e C l yme r f o r ve r i f i cati o n
C o ntents
PROLOGUE
F r o m A u t h o r t o R e a d e r ____________________________________________________ 9
1. C o n d i t i o n a l i s m V er s u s I mmo r t a l -So u l i s m ------------------------------------- 17
PART I BIBLIC AL NORM SET FORT H IN OLD T EST AMENT
EARLIEST C OMPREHENSI VE EVIDENC E ON LIFE, DEAT H,
AND DEST INY
2. M a n C r e a t e d i n t h e I ma ge o f G o d _______________________________ 29
3. P r o h i b i t i o n , P r o b a t i o n , T e mpt a t i o n , a n d F a l l -------------------------- 42
4. T h e G o s pe l o f G e n es i s 3:15 P r o c l a i me d __________________________ 57
5. T h e P e n a l t y o f D e a t h f o r D i s o b e d i e n c e _______________________ 69
6. R e d e mpt i o n i n t h e P e r i o d o f t h e Sa c r i f i c i a l A l t a r ---------------- 83
7. E t e r n a l D e s t r u c t i o n Is D e c r e ed D o o m o f W i c k e d _______________ 105
8. P r o ph e t i c W i t n e s s C o n c e r n i n g t h e L a s t T h i n g s ------------------ 122
9. T e c h n i c a l T e r ms a n d U sa g es P r e c l u d e I n n a t e I mmo r t a l i t y 145
10. W e a k A r g u me n t s F o r mu l a t e U n w o r t h y P l a t f o r m ------------------ 160
PART I I C OMPREHENSI VE WIT NESS OF T HE NEW
T EST AMENT C ONSUMMAT I NG T EST I MONY OF C HRI ST
AND T HE APOST LES ON T HE ORI GI N, NAT URE,
AND DEST INY OF MAN
11. C h r i s t s I n f a l l i b l e T e s t i mo n y o n L i f e V er s u s D e a t h _________ 183
12. C o o r d i n a t e s A l l A s pec t s o f L i f e , D e a t h , a n d D e s t i n y 207
13. C h r i s t 's G r e a t P a r a b l e o f t h e L o s t O p p o r t u n i t y _______________ 234
14. G r a v i t y o f A s cr i bi n g F a l s e T e a ch i n gs t o C h r i s t _______________ 252
15. C h r i s t s M a j e s t i c A n s w e r t o t h e P e n i t e n t s P l e a _____________ 270
16. C h r i s t P o r t r a y s D o o m o f W i c k ed a s U t t e r D e s t r u c t i o n 286
17. T h e o l o g i a n P a u l o n L i f e , D e a t h , a n d I mmo r t a l i t y ___________ 303
18. P a u l s L ea d i n g P r o b l e m P a s s a g e (2 C o r . 5: 1 - 9 ) _________________ 324
19. P a u l s O t h e r P r o b l e m P a s s a g es ___________________________________ 348
20. U n i q u e W i t n es s o f E pi s t l e s o f P e t e r a n d J o h n ___________________ 368
21. R e v e l a t i o n I n s pi r a t i o n s Su pr e me P o r t r a y a l o f H u ma n
D e s t i n y _______________________________________________________________ 388
22. A po c a l y ps e R e v ea l s F i n a l F a t e o f W i c k ed _______________________ 404
23. G r e e k T e r ms a n d U sa g es P s u c h e (So u l ); P n e u ma
(Spi r i t ) _______________________________________________________________ 419
24. T e r ms a n d U s a g es : " A i o n a n d A i o n i o s __________________________ 431
25. T e r ms a n d U s a g es : I mmo r t a l , I n c o r r u pt i o n , I mmo r
t a l i t y , Et e r n a l L i f e __________________________________________ 445
5
26. T e c h n i c a l T e r ms : Sl e e pi n g , W a k i n g , R e s u r r e c t i o n ------------------ 466
27. T er ms a n d U s a g es : F i n a l D i s po s i t i o n o f t h e W i c k e d ------------------ 486
28. Su mmi n g Up t h e C a s e f o r B i b l i c a l C o n d i t i o n a l i s m ------------------------ 498
PART I I I HI ST ORI C AL DEVELOPMENT OF I NNAT E-
I MMORT AL I T Y C ONC EPT (900 B.C . T O T HE T I ME OF
C HRI ST )RISE OF PLAT ONI C POST ULAT E AND
PENET RAT I ON I NT O J EWRY
29. G r e ek P h i l o s o ph y R e a c h e s Su m m i t o f P a g a n T h i n k i n g 529
30. So ph i s t s R e a c t A g a i n s t C o n f l i c t i n g Spe c u l a t i v e Sc h o o l s 547
31. P l a t o P a g a n F o u n t a i n h e a d o f I n n a t e - I mmo r t a l i t y St r e a ms _ 558
32. P a g a n P h i l o s o ph y s B a s i c A r g u me n t s f o r I mmo r t a l -So u l i s m 573
33. I mmo r t a l H u ma n So u l s P a r t o f W o r l d -So u l ____________________ 585
34. Sk e pt i c a l R e a c t i o n s E r u pt A g a i n s t P l a t o n i s m ___________________ 599
35. P a t h e t i c D e s pa i r P r e d o mi n a n t A mo n g R o ma n T h i n k e r s 617
36. A l e x a n d r i a n J e w s F o r s a k e A n c e s t r a l P l a t f o r m _______________ 632
37. A l i e n N o t e I n j e c t e d I n t o I n t e r - T e s t a me n t W r i t i n g s -------------- 657
38. I n n a t e I mmo r t a l i t y E s t a b l i s h ed by L a s t C e n t u r y b .c . ________ 671
39. M a j o r i t y A d h e r e t o H i s t o r i c C o n d i t i o n a l i s m ___________________ 681
40. 2 E s d r a s M a i n t a i n s t h e C o n d i t i o n a l i s t V i e w ___________________ 693
41. N e o pl a t o n i s ms D e v e l o pme n t J e w i s h , P a g a n , a n d C h r i s t i a n 703
42. P h i l o J u d a eu s F u s es P l a t o n i c P h i l o s o ph y W i t h J u d a i c
D o c t r i n e _____________________________________________________________ 718
43. D ea d Sea Sc r o l l s Pe r me a t e d T h r o u g h o u t W i t h
C o n d i t i o n a l i s m ______________________________________________________ 741
PART IVHIST ORI C AL C ONFLI C T S C OMPASS T HE EARLY
C ENT URI ES (A.D. 150 to A.D. 500)POSIT I ONS OF SUB-
APOST OLI C AND ANT E-NIC ENE FAT HERS, AND POST -
NIC ENE DEVELOPMENT S EVENT UAT E IN A
T HEOLOGI C AL T RI LEMMA
44. Su b a po s t o l i c W r i t er s C o n s i s t e n t l y C o n d i t i o n a l i s t __________ 757
45. I mmo r t a l i t y B e s t o w e d a t A d v e n t ; W i c k ed D es t r o y e d ________ 774
46. I mmo r t a l i t y a G i f t ; D e a t h I s U t t e r D e s t r u c t i o n _________ 785
47. J u s t i n M a r t y r A u g men t s Su b a po s t o l i c C o n d i t i o n a l i s m ________ 803
48. J u s t i n o n F i n a l A n n i h i l a t i o n o f t h e W i c k ed ___________________ 816
49. T a t i a n , T h e o ph i l u s , a n d M e l i t o C o n t i n u e C o n d i t i o n a l i s t
W i t n e s s ________________________________________________________________ 834
50. G n o s t i c -M a n i c h a e a n P e r v e r s i o n s C o m pe l R e s t a t e me n t o f
T r u t h _________________________________________________________________ 853
51. I r e n a e u s o f G a u l C o n d i t i o n a l i s t C h a mpi o n o n W es t er n
O u t po s t _______________________________________________________________ 873
52. I r e n a e u s V o i c e s P r e po n d e r a n t Be l i e f o f C h u r c h ---------------------- 886
53. N o v a t i a n o f R o me C o n d i t i o n a l i s t O ppo n e n t o f C o r n e l i u s 902
C ONT ENT S 7
54. A r n o b i u s o f A f r i c a L a s t A n t e - N i c e n e C o n d i t i o n a l i s t
Spo k e s ma n ____________________________________________________________ 917
55. A t h e n a g o r a s F i r s t E c c l e s i a s t i c t o A s s er t I n n a t e
I mmo r t a l i t y _________________________________________________________ 928
56. T e r t u l l i a n P r o j e c t o r o f E t e r n a l - T o r me n t C o r o l l a r y ____ 947
57. T e r t u l l i a n H o l d s W i c k e d E v er B u r n b u t N ev er C o n s u m e 959
58. U n i v er s a l R e s t o r a t i o n Su b s t i t u t ed f o r E t e r n a l T o r m e n t 969
59. R i s e a n d Spr e a d o f N e o pl a t o n i c R e s t o r a t i o n i s m _____________ 978
60. O r i ge n P r o j e c t o r o f U n i v e r s a l - R e s t o r a t i o n T h e o r y ______ 996
61. O r i g e n s M u l t i pl e D e pa r t u r e s F r o m t h e F a i t h ________________ 1012
62. L a c t a n t i u s E mi t t i n g L i g h t A mi d E n c r o a c h i n g D a r k n e s s 1029
63. A t h a n a s i u s T h e n C o n d i t i o n a l i s m I n t o E c l i ps e ________________ 1053
64. A u g u s t i n e I mmo r t a l -So u l i s m's H o u r o f Su pr e ma c y __________ 1070
A p p e n d i x e s _______________________________________________________________________ 1081
B i b l i o g r a p h y ___________________________________________________________________ 1087
Su b j e c t G u i d e _________________________________________________________________ 1099
I n d ex o f P e r s o n a l N a me s J ___________________________________________ 1119
Sc r i pt u r e I n d e x _______________________________________________________________ 1123
C h ar ts
P i c t o r i a l C h a r t I ___________________________________________ 524-527
C h a r t A P a g a n G r e ek P h i l o s o ph e r s o n t h e I mmo r t a l i t y I s s u e 532
C h a r t B R o ma n W r i t er s a n d P h i l o s o ph e r s F o l l o w G r e ek
P r ed ec es s o r s _________________________________________________ 616
C h a r t C C o mpa r a t i v e L i s t s o f O l d T e s t a me n t B o o k s ,
Sh o w i n g Se pt u a g i n t a n d R o ma n C a t h o l i c
E n l a r g e m e n t s 634, 635
C h a r t DT wo V i e w s o f L i f e a n d D e a t h i n J e w i s h I n t e r -
T e s t a me n t W r i t i n g s ___________________________________ 658
C h a r t E P a r a l l e l i n g P a g a n a n d C h r i s t i a n N e o pl a t o n i c
Sc h o o l s C e n t e r i n A l e x a n d r i a _____________________ 702
C h a r t F T h r e e C o n c e pt s o f L i f e a n d D e a t h A mo n g E a r l y
C h u r c h W r i t e r s _________________________________________ 758, 759
e d i cati o n
To A l l Who Seek the True Story of the Conflict
of the Centuries Over the Nature and Destiny of
Man as Revealed in the Unfolding Testimony of
History, and Attested by the Unerring Witness
of the Word, THESE VOLUMES A RE HUMBLY
DEDICATED
From Au th o r to Reader
A l i t t l e mo r e th an a ce n tu r y ago th e ce l e br ate d h i s to r i an
a n d th e o l o gi an Dr . Ph i l i p Sch af f pr e d i cte d i n h i s History of the
Apostolic Church th a t e sch ato l o gy wo u l d co n s ti tu te th e f i n al
ar e a d e s ti n e d to e n gage th e i n te r e s t a n d co n ce r n o f C h r i s ti an
sch o l ar s. T h e i ssues, h e h e l d , wo u l d r e vo l ve a r o u n d th e i n vo l ve
me n ts o f e sch ato l o gy. I t was a pr o f o u n d o bse r vati o n , f o r al l th e
f au l ts a n d e r r o r s o f tr ad i ti o n al i s m, i n th e ar e a o f o u r co n ce r n ,
h ave s pr u n g f r o m f al se co n ce pts o f e sch ato l o gy.
I t i s si gn i f i can t th a t th e majo r pe r i o d s o f ch u r ch h i sto r y
h ave be e n cal l e d u po n to u n f o l d a n d pl ace i n cl e ar l i gh t pa r
ti cu l a r aspe cts o f Bi bl e t r u t h to co u n te r act a co r r e s po n d i n g
e r r o r . Fo r e xampl e , i t was n e ce ssar y f o r th e Ni ce n e age to asse r t /.
th e d o ctr i n e o f th e e te r n al d e i ty o f C h r i s t a n d th e pe r s o n al i ty o f
th e Ho l y Spi r i tth e d o ctr i n e o f th e T r i n i t yto co u n te r th e
d e vi ati o n s o f Ar i an i sm. I n th e Au gu s ti n i an pe r i o d th e cal l was %
to vi n d i cate th e d o ctr i n e o f h u man si n f u l n e ss an d d i vi n e gr ace
as agai n st th e vagar i e s o f Pe l agi an i sm.
T h e d o ctr i n al task o f th e Pr o te s tan t Re f o r mati o n was to
r e co ve r th e i n war d a ppr o pr i a t i o n o f sal vati o n , e spe ci al l y th e
t r u t h o f ju sti f i cati o n by f ai th , o r sal vati o n as e f f e cte d by J e su s
C h r i s ti n o ppo s i ti o n to th e Ro man co n ce pt o f l e gal r i gh te o u s
ness. I n We sl e ys d ay th e su mmo n s was to th e d o ctr i n e o f Free_4'-
Gr ace i n co n tr as t to r i gi d pr e d e s ti n ar i an i s m t h a t was t h e n pr e v-
a l e n t . T h i s pr o ce ss h as go n e o n u n t i l th e wh o l e ci r cl e o f C h r i s
ti an t r u t h h as be e n l ar ge l y co ve r e d . An d n o w i n th e n i n e t e e n th ^
a n d t we n ti e th ce n tu r i e s t h e d o ctr i n e o f th e l ast th i n gs , o r e sch a
to l o gyd e a th , j u d gme n t, th e Se co n d Ad ve n t, r e s u r r e cti o n , an d
i mmo r tal i tyi s i n d e e d h avi n g i ts vi tal t u r n . T h a t i s th e ar e a
o f o u r i mme d i ate co n ce r n a n d th e ju sti f i cati o n f o r a n d bu r d e n
o f th i s wo r k.
9
T h e ti me h ad cl e ar l y co me f o r an e xami n ati o n i n d e pth
o f th e co n f l i ct o f th e ages o ve r th e n a tu r e a n d d e sti n y o f ma n .
Du r i n g th e past ce n tu r y th e r e h as be e n a r i s i n g cr e sce n d o o f
di scussi o n_ o ve r th i s i ssue. An d a gr o wi n g d e man d h as co me
f r o m me n o f man y f ai th s i n var i o u s l an d s f o r so me o n e to go to
th e bo tto m o f th i s vi tal qu e s ti o n th a t h as agi tate d th e mi n d s o f
co u n tl e ss n u mbe r s o f e ar n e st C h r i sti an s acro ss th e ce n tu r i e s
as we l l as i n tr i gu i n g th e ph i l o s o ph e r s o f pagan ti me s pr i o r to
th e C h r i s ti an Er a. T h e s e cu r r e n t appe al s h ave u r ge d t h a t th e
sal i e n t f acts be so u gh t o u t a n d s pr e ad be f o r e th e r e ad e r f o r
can d i d e xa mi n ati o n an d e val u ati o n , h o l d i n g th a t su ch a d e f i n i
ti ve stu d y i s l o n g past d u e .
T h i s pr e s e n t wo r k h as be e n u n d e r ta ke n i n r e spo n se to t h a t
cal l . T h e se ar ch f o r th e f u l l f acts h as i n vo l ve d th e co mbi n g o f
th e gr e ate st l i br ar i e s o f th e Ol d Wo r l d a n d th e Ne w, a n d th e
co o pe r ati o n o f l i br ar i an s a n d o th e r sch o l ar s i n e ve r y qu a r t e r o f
th e gl o be . T h e i n i ti a l r e s u l t o f th i s co mbi n e d e n d e avo r h as be e n
th e asse mbl age o f an u n pr e ce d e n te d I mmo r tal i ty So u r ce C o l -
l e cti o n th a t h as br o u gh t to ge th e r th e te sti mo n y o f th e ke y wi t
nesses acro ss th e years. T h e po r tr ayal h e r e pr e s e n te d i s base d
o n th e se o r i gi n al so ur ce s. An d th e tan gi bl e r e su l ts o f th i s co m
pr e h e n si ve se ar ch ar e h e r e s u bmi tte d to th e sch o l ar s o f al l f ai th s.
T h e r o l e o f th e ch u r ch h i s to r i an i n br i n gi n g f o r th a spe
ci al i ze d h i sto r y i n a d e si gn ate d f i e l d su ch as co n ce r n s th e co n
f l i ct o f th e ce n tu r i e s o ve r th e n a tu r e an d d e sti n y o f man i s n o t
an easy o n e . An d h i s r e spo n s i bi l i ty i s gr e at. T h e task cal l s f o r
th o r o u gh n e s s o f i n ve sti gati o n , te n aci ty, can d o r , co mpe te n ce ,
a n d accu r acy o f co n cl u si o n s. T h e h i s to r i an mu s t n o t be swaye d
by bi as o r pr e ju d gme n t. He mu s t ge t back o f o u twar d a ppe a r
an ce s to i n n e r causes. He mu s t u n co ve r th e u n d e r l yi n g pr i n ci
pl es a n d basi c i ssues. On l y th u s can a tr u e d e l i n e ati o n be pr o
d u ce d .
T h i s we h ave so u gh t to d o i n th e se two vo l u me s. We h ave
f e r r e te d o u t th e o r i gi n al wr i ti n gs an d se cu r e d r e l i abl e tr an s l a
ti o n s, f o r su ch co n s ti tu te th e i mpe r ati ve s f o r th i s po r tr ayal . We
h ave u se d th e mo st co mpe te n t a u th o r i ti e s f o r ch e cki n g, an d
FROM AUT HOR T O READER 11
f o r ge tt i n g th e bi o gr aph i cal f acts a n d h i sto r i cal s e tti n g f o r th e
pr e s e n tati o n . We h ave tr ave r se d th e ce n tu r i e s i n o r d e r to co m
pass th e wh o l e sto r y. An y e vasi o n o r su ppr e ssi o n o f th e f acts o f
h i sto r y i n th i s gr e at d i al o gu e o f th e ages co u l d o n l y l e ad to
bi as e d co n ce pts a n d f au l ty co n cl u si o n s. T h a t co u l d n o t be
to l e r ate d . Fi d e l i ty to f act h as be e n o u r gu i d i n g pr i n ci pl e .
We h ave be e n co mpe l l e d to pe n e tr ate to th e ve r y h e a r t o f
ch u r ch h i sto r y, a n d i ts i n e vi tabl e cl ash e s wi th th e e n cr o ach
me n ts o f ph i l o so ph y, wh i ch h ave e xe r te d su ch a po we r f u l a n d
o f te n f ate f u l i n f l u e n ce u po n th e co u r se o f man ki n d . T h e s u b
tl e ti e s o f h u man ph i l o s o ph y h ave al l to o o f te n h ad a si n i s te r e f
f e ct u po n ma n s co n ce pt o f d i vi n e t r u t h . T h u s th e th e o l o gi cal
vi ews o f th e e ar l y ch u r ch we r e al te r e d by Gr e e k Pl ato n i s m, an d
th o se o f me d i e val sch o o l me n ch an ge d by th e l o gi c a n d d i al e cti cs
o f Ar i sto tl e .
Re l ati ve l y f ew h ave be e n abl e to e man ci pate th e mse l ve s
f r o m th e d o mi n a n t ph i l o so ph y a n d pu bl i c o pi n i o n o f th e i r
o wn age . Bu t al ways th e r e h ave be e n so me , an d th e se h ave
o f te n be e n i n te l l e ctu al gi an ts. So th e d i ctate s o f ph i l o so ph y a n d
th e man d ate s o f Bi bl e d o ctr i n e h ave mo ve d f o r war d war i l y, si d e
by si d e , a l te r n a te l y attr acti n g an d r e pe l l i n g o n e an o th e r . Bu t i n
th e e n d th e tr an s ce n d e n ce o f d i vi n e r e ve l ati o n wi l l pr e vai l , an d
th e wi sd o m o f th e wo r l d wi l l be l o st i n th e wi sd o m o f Go d .
T h e pu r s u i t o f h i sto r i cal t r u t h l e d back to th e so u r ce o f
t r u t h i n d i vi n e r e ve l ati o n , i n co n tr as t to th e vagar i e s o f h u man
r e aso n . I t l e d t h r o u gh th e age l o n g str u ggl e be twe e n co n f l i cti n g
pr i n ci pl e s , a n d wi l l te r mi n a te i n th e u l ti ma te r e co ve r y a n d r e
e s tabl i s h me n t o f th e o r i gi n al t r u t h . T h a t co n s ti tu te s th e ba ttl e
l i n e o f th e ce n tu r i e s o ve r th e n a tu r e a n d d e sti n y o f man , as u n
f o l d e d i n th e se pages. T h e tr ace me n t h as be e n a f as ci n ati n g an d
r e wa r d i n g pu r s u i t, br i n gi n g assu r an ce a n d sati sf acti o n to th e
se e ke r f o r t r u t h .
Al ways, i n e ve r y majo r e po ch wh e n t r u t h i s r e vi ve d an d
co me s to gr i ps wi th e r r o r , th e r e h ave ar i se n d e vo u t sch o l ar l y
me n wh o h ave ch ampi o n e d u n po pu l a r t r u t h an d pr o te s te d a n d
u n mas ke d e r r o r . T h i s i s th e u n d e vi a ti n g te sti mo n y o f h i sto r y.
Go d h as h ad Hi s wi tn e sse s a n d Hi s war r i o r s i n e ve r y age, as He
h as to d ay. An d th i s pr i n ci pl e e mbr ace s th e co n f l i ct o f th e ages
o ve r th e n a tu r e a n d d e sti n y o f man .
Man y si gn i f i can t tr e ati se s o f th e past, h avi n g se r ve d t h e i r
i mme d i ate pu r po se , we r e al l o we d to go o u t o f ci r cu l ati o n a n d
si gh t. T o r e co ve r th e m f r o m th e ar ch i ve s o f th e Ol d Wo r l d a n d
th e Ne w h as be e n a tr e me n d o u s task. Ou r f i r st o bl i gati o n was
to r e tr i e ve th e se we l l -n i gh l o st wi tn e sse s th at pr o vi d e th e vi tal
te s ti mo n y o f t h e i r ti me s, f o r th e y we r e th e vo i ces th a t r e pr e
se n te d t h e i r ge n e r ati o n . An d th e se me n o f th e past pr e pa r e d th e
way f o r th e cu r r e n t wi d e spr e ad r e vo l t agai n st th e tr a d i ti o n a l
po si ti o n s so l o n g d o mi n an t. T h o s e e n tr e n ch e d co n ce pts s pr an g
f r o m Pr o te s tan t r e te n ti o n s o f papal e r r o r s, wh i ch i n t u r n h ad
be e n d e r i ve d f r o m th e Pl ato n i c ph i l o s o ph y th a t pe n e tr ate d th e
C h r i s ti an C h u r ch i n th e th i r d , f o u r th , a n d f i f th ce n tu r i e s. T h a t
i s th e l i n e age .
Bu t al l th e wh i l e , pr o te s ti n g agai n st su ch gr ave d i gr e ssi o n s,
th e r e h as e ve r be e n th i s l i n e o f s tal war t d i sse n ti e n tsactu al l y
ch ampi o n s o f po si ti ve Bi bl e tr u t h . T h i s ve n e r abl e pr o ce ssi o n ,
e me r gi n g f r o m th e past, co n s ti tu te s th e tr e k o f th e ce n tu r i e s i n
ma n s n o bl e mar ch to war d th e u l ti ma te r e s to r ati o n o f th e C o n -
d i ti o n al i s t f ai th . T h e s e stal war ts tr a n s mi tte d th e pr o te s t o f th e
ce n tu r i e s agai n st e n tr e n ch e d e r r o r , al o n g wi th th e r e co ve r y o f
apo sto l i c t r u t h o n th e n a tu r e an d d e sti n y o f man .
T h e se ar ch f o r th e basi c i ssues d i scl o se d th r e e co n f l i cti n g
vi ews, o r sch o o l s o f th o u gh t, r e gar d i n g th e d e sti n y o f th e wi cke d
(1) th at o f Ete r n al T o r me n t f o r th e wi cke d , (2) Ul ti mate Res-
t o r a ti o n f o r al l me n , an d (3) Ul ti mate Ut t e r Exti n cti o n o f th e
i n co r r i gi bl y e vi l . T h e ceasel ess co n f l i ct be twe e n th e se vi ews h as
o ccu pi e d man y o f th e f i ne st mi n d s o f th e ce n tu r i e s , be cau se i t
i s a qu e s ti o n o f bo th tr an s ce n d e n t i mpo r tan ce a n d d e e p pe r
so n al co n ce r n .
Mu s t i t be e i t h e r th e e te r n al mi se r y o f th e man y o r th e
e n f o r ce d bl e sse d n e ss o f al l ? Or do es th e tr u e po s i ti o n l i e be
twe e n th e two? Is th e r e a po s i ti o n th at h ar mo n i ze s th e ju sti ce ,
r i gh te o u sn e ss, a n d me r cy o f Go d ? Is th e r e a vi e w t h a t vi n d i cate s
bo th th e ch ar acte r a n d th e go ve r n me n t o f Go d , a n d me e ts th e
d e man d s o f r e aso n ? Is th e r e a po s i ti o n th a t r e co n ci l e s se e mi n gl y
co n f l i cti n g s tate me n ts i n Ho l y Wr i t? Yes, say th e wi tn e sse s,
th e r e i s. An d th i s i s bo r n e o u t by th e f i n d i n gs o f h i sto r y. T h i s
vi e w h as be e n h e l d , th e n l o st, an d f i n al l y r e gai n e d by th e ch u r ch
d u r i n g th e passage o f th e ce n tu r i e s an d wi th o u t i mpa i r i n g
co n f i d e n ce i n e i t h e r Go d o r man .
T h i s i s th e sto r y i n a n u ts h e l l , as u n f o l d e d by th e e vi d e n ce .
T h e f a te f u l spar k th a t se t of f th e ba ttl e o f th e ages o ve r th e
ve r aci ty o f Go d as to th e n a tu r e a n d d e sti n y o f man was i gn i te d
wi th i ji th e ve r y gate s o f Ed e n . I t was th e s i n i s te r wo r k o f a
mal i gn te mpte r . Its success br o u gh t abo u t th e f al l o f man ,
ch an ge d h i s e n ti r e n a tu r e , a n d je o par d i ze d h i s d e sti n y. Bu t
th i s catas tr o ph e r e s u l te d , i n t u r n , i n th e pr o vi s i o n o f r e d e mp
ti o n th r o u gh a d i vi n e Savi o u r -Su bsti tu te , wh o was pl e d ge d to
r e s to r e ma n s l o st r i gh te o u sn e ss an d l i f e , a n d u l ti mate l y to d e
str o y th e t e mpte r a n d e n d th e cr u e l e xpe r i me n t o f si n a n d ba n
i sh d e ath f o r e ve r .
T h e co n f l i ct be twe e n t r u th a n d e r r o r , pe r so n al i ze d i n
C h r i s t an d Satan a n d i n vo l vi n g al l man ki n d , l o yal an d d i sl o yal ,
h as r age d acr o ss th e ce n tu r i e s . Bu t i t wi l l e n d wi th th e d e cl ar e d
tr i u mph o f C h r i st, th e u t t e r o ve r th r o w o f Satan , si n , a n d s i n
n e r s, a n d th e r e s to r a ti o n o f Par ad i se i n th e e a r th mad e n e w,
wh e r e wi l l d we l l th e i mmo r tal i ze d sai n ts f o r e ve r . Fo r th i s may
be ci te d th e pl e d ge o f Go d i n Hi s Wo r d . I t e ve n tu ate s i n ji cl e an
u n i ve r s e f o r e ve r .
* * * * *
T h e f i r st two o f th e f o u r se cti o n s o f vo l u me 1 ar e d e vo te d
to th e f u l l Bi bl e e vi d e n ce f i r st th a t o f th e Ol d T e s ta me n t, a n d
t h e n th e f u l l e r wi tn e ss o f th e Ne w. T h e s e h ave be e n co ve r e d i n
d e pth , as th e Scr i ptu r e s co n s ti tu te th e o n l y n o r m by wh i ch
to ju d ge th e h i sto r i cal d e pa r tu r e s th a t h ave d e ve l o pe d . T h e
r e ma i n i n g par ts (I I I an d IV) ar e h i sto r i cal . Pa r t I I I po r tr ays th e
te l l tal e o r i gi n o f th e po s tu l ate o f I mmo r tal -So u l i sm, an d i ts
d e ve l o pme n t i n to a d e vastati n g system u n d e r Gr e e k Pl ato n i s m,
th e n i ts pe n e tr a t i o n i n to th e J e wi sh f ai th wi th d i r e r e su l ts. Pa r t
FROM A UT HOR T O READER 13
I V co mpasse s th e f i r st f i ve ce n tu r i e s o f th e C h r i s ti an Er a, d e
pi cti n g Pl a to n i s ms s u bs e qu e n t i n f i l tr a ti o n i n to th e C h r i s ti an
C h u r ch , th o u gh i t d i d n o t appe ar th e r e i n u n t i l a bo u t a .d . 187.
T h e n i s tr ace d th e r e s u l ta n t s pl i t o f th e C h r i s ti an f ai th ,
d e ve l o pi n g i n to th r e e co n f l i cti n g vi ews, o r sch o o l s, o n ma n s n a
t u r e a n d d e sti n y. T h i s pe r ma n e n t cl e avage was co n s u mmate d
d u r i n g th e t h i r d , f o u r th , a n d f i f th ce n tu r i e s , th u s r e s u l ti n g i n
an i r r e co n ci l abl e th e o l o gi cal tr i l e mma. T h a t e pi to mi ze s th e
sco pe o f vo l u me 1. T h e co n f l i ct ch ar acte r i zi n g th e r e ma i n i n g
ce n tu r i e s o f th e C h r i s ti an Er a h as be e n amo n g th e se th r e e
sch o o l s. An d th at, i n a wo r d , i s th e ge n e r al sco pe o f vo l u me 2.
Bu t i t al l l e ad s to a cl i max i n th e tr i u mph o f t r u t h .
Washington, D.C.
No ve mbe r 16, 1965.
L e R o y E d w i n F r o o m
PROLOGUE
C H A P T E R O N E
C o n d i ti o n al i sm Versus Immortal -
Soul i sm
I . Pu r po se an d Scope o f T h i s Vi tal Quest
Li f e , d e ath , an d d e sti n y! He r e an d h e r e af te r ! T h e s e ar e
qu a n d a r i e s t h a t h ave i n tr i gu e d th e mi n d o f man e ve r si n ce
th e d awn o f h i sto r y. Wh e r e d i d we actu al l y co me f r o m? Wh y
ar e we h e r e ? Wh e r e ar e we d e s ti n e d to go a t th e cl o se o f l i f e?
An d wh at, e spe ci al l y, o f th i s myste r y o f th e h e r e af te r ? Wh a t
actu al l y is d e a th i s i t a be gi n n i n g, o r an e n d ? T h e s e ar e so me
o f th e pe r e n n i a l a n d i n s i s te n t qu e s ti o n s aske d by mi l l i o n s o f
l i ps t h a t cl amo r f o r a sati sf yi n g a n d a u th o r i ta ti ve an swe r .
1. F u n d a m e n t a l Q u e s t i o n s T h a t D e ma n d a n A n s w e r .
J u s t wh at i s th e n a tu r e o f man i s h e mo r tal , o r i mmo r tal ?
An d wh at o f d e a th i s i t a ce ssati o n o f l i f e , o r an e n tr an ce
u po n a f u l l e r e xi ste n ce ? Abo ve al l , wh at i s o u r co n d i ti o n
d u r i n g d e a th i s i t o n e o f co n sci o u sn e ss, o r u n co n sci o u sn e ss?
An d wh e r e ar e we d u r i n g t h a t myste r i o u s i n te r ve n i n g state ?
Wh a t a bo u t ma n s f ate af te r d e ath i s h e su d d e n l y tr an s
po r te d to e te r n al bl i ss, o r co n si gn e d to e n d l e ss ago n yo r pe r
ch an ce to bl e ak o bl i te r a ti o n i f h i s l i f e h as be e n evi l ? Is h e
actu al l y to be s u mmo n e d back f r o m th e d ar k u n kn o wn ? I f so,
f o r wh at pu r po s e a n d wh at e n d ? C an we kn o w? Do e s an yo n e
kn o w? Is th e r e an y so u r ce o f tr u s two r th y a n d a u th o r i ta ti ve i n
f o r mati o n ?
Wh a t ar e th e an swe r s to th e se h a u n ti n g qu e s ti o n s th a t
h ave pl agu e d th e cu r i o u s a n d th e th o u gh tf u l acro ss th e years?
17
T o f i n d th e an swe r s to th e se a n d r e l a te d qu e s ti o n s i s th e pu r
po se o f th i s qu e st, a n d th e d e si gn o f The Conditionalist Faith
of Our Fathers. T o wh at so u r ce s, th e n , sh al l we tu r n ?
2. So l e So u r c e o f R e l i a b l e I n f o r m a t i o n . Ph i l o s o ph y
can o n l y pr o f f e r e d u cate d guesses. Lo gi c can o n l y r e aso n i n
pl au s i bl e ci r cl e s. Hi s to r y can n o t su ppl y th e an swe r i t o n l y r e
co r d s th e gr o pi n gs o f man af te r th e an swe r s th a t h e cr aves.
Pagan i sm h as we i r d an d wi l d l y cl ash i n g n o ti o n s. Eve n th e
C h r i s ti an cr e e d s ar e i n co n f l i ct. An d th e e e r i e u tte r an ce s o f
Spi r i tu al i s m, bo th an ci e n t an d mo d e r n , ar e f i l l e d wi th co n tr a
d i cti o n s t h a t n e u tr al i ze o n e an o th e r . I t i s a be wi l d e r i n g ca
co ph o n y o f d i s co r d an t vo i ces. Wh e r e , th e n , a n d to wh o m can we
tu r n ?
T h e r e i s o n l y o n e d e pe n d abl e a n d i n e r r a n t so u r ce o f e n
l i gh te n me n tGo d , wh o mad e man . We mu s t t u r n f r o m man to
Go d . An d th e r e i s o n l y o n e r e l i abl e r e ve l ati o n , th e i n s pi r e d
Wo r d o f Go d . T o Ho l y Wr i t, th e n , we sh al l t u r n to seek th e
an swe r s to th e se qu e sti o n s. Bu t f i rst, pe r mi t th i s pe r s o n al wo r d .
3. A u t h o r s P e r s o n a l D e c l a r a t i o n o f F a i t h . Be f o r e
pr o ce e d i n g f u r th e r , i t i s o n l y f ai r an d pr o pe r th a t at th i s po i n t
i n th e o pe n i n g ch a pte r th e a u th o r make a d e cl ar ati o n o f h i s
r e l i gi o u s f ai th , so th e r e wi l l be n o mi s u n d e r s tan d i n g as to th e
basi s o f h i s pr e s e n tati o n . He i s a co n se r vati ve , e van ge l i cal Pr o t
e stan t. He be l i e ve s th at th e Bi bl e i s th e i n s pi r e d Wo r d o f
Go d , i s th e so l e a n d su f f i ci e n t r u l e o f f ai th a n d pr acti ce, a n d
pr o vi d e s th e an swe r to o u r qu e sti o n s.
He be l i e ve s i n th e h i sto r i ci ty an d r e l i abi l i ty o f th e Genesi s^
r e ci tal o f th e o r i gi n o f man o n e ar th . T h e a u th o r i s a cr e a ti o n
i st, n o t a be l i e ve r i n th e po stu l ate s o f e vo l u ti o n . An d h e i s a
l i t e r al i s t as r e gar d s th e r e co r d i n th e o pe n i n g ch apte r s o f th e
f i r st bo o k i n th e Sacr e d C an o n . He acce pts th e e pi so d e s n a r
r a t e d i n Ge n e si s 1 to 3 as actu al i ti e s , n o t as l e ge n d ar y myth s.
T h i s wi l l gi ve po i n t to th e po si ti o n s h e r e af te r se t f o r th , a n d
avo i d mi s u n d e r s tan d i n gs o r ambi gu i ty as to th e basi s o f h i s
state me n ts .
C ONDI T I ONALI SM VERSUS I MMORT AL-SOULISM 19
4. Sc o pe o f t h e G r o u n d C o v e r e d . Fi r st, th e Bi bl i cal
e vi d e n ce wi l l be s tu d i e d i n d e pth , th e Ol d T e s ta me n t e vi
d e n ce , a n d th e n th e Ne w. Ne xt, th e h i sto r i cal o r i gi n an d d e ve l
o pme n t a n d wo r l d wi d e s pr e ad o f Immo r tal -So u l i sm wi l l be
e xami n e d , a n d i ts pe n e tr ati o n s i n to th e J e wi sh a n d C h r i s ti an
f ai th s pr e s e n te d wi th d o cu me n tati o n . An d th e n th e co n f l i ct
o f th e ce n tu r i e s be twe e n th e th r e e sch o o l s o f th e th e o l o gi cal
tr i l e mma th a t d e ve l o pe d wi l l be se t f o r th wi th co ve r i n g d ata
th e co n f l i ct o ve r th e n a tu r e an d d e sti n y o f man as i t ad van ce d
acro ss th e C h r i s ti an Er a. An d f i n al l y wi l l co me th e r e vi val o f
C o n d i ti o n al i s m i n i n cr e as i n g vo l u me an d te mpo d u r i n g th e
past th r e e h u n d r e d ye ar s. T h u s th e swe e p o f th e ages wi l l be
br o u gh t i n to vi ew, a n d th e o ve r -al l pi ctu r e set be f o r e us. T h a t
i s th e co n spe ctu s o f th e Conditionalist Faith vo l u me s.
Bu t be f o r e pr o ce e d i n g we s h o u l d f i r st d e f i n e th e key
te r ms, C o n d i ti o n a l i s m a n d C o n d i ti o n a l i s t, a ppe ar i n g i n
th e ti tl e a n d th e r e af te r th r o u gh o u t th i s wo r k.
5. B a s i c D e f i n i t i o n o f C o n d i t i o n a l i s m . Conditional
ism i s th<e C h r i s ti an d o ctr i n e th a t i mmo r tal i ty, o r e ve r l as ti n g
l i f e , i s o f f e r e d to man o n l y u po n Go d s te r ms an d conditions.
Immortal-Soulism, o n th e o th e r h an d , h o l d s t h a t man was cr e
ate d wi th a so u l , wh i ch h as a s e par ate e xi ste n ce f r o m th e bo d y,
an d th a t i t i s i n n ate l y a n d i n d e f e asi bl y i mmo r tal . C o n d i ti o n -
al i sts be l i e ve th a t th e man wh o do e s n o t acce pt Go d s co n d i
ti o n s f o r l i f e wi l l be u l ti mate l y d e pr i ve d o f l i f e , to tal l y d e
str o ye d . Immo r tal -So u l i sts, o n th e o th e r h an d , be l i e ve t h a t th e
man wh o d i so be ys Go d a n d pe r si sts i n h i s r e be l l i o n wi l l be cast
i n to an e te r n al l y bu r n i n g h e l l -f i r e , wh e r e h e wi l l be t o r
me n te d f o r e ve r , si n ce h i s so u l can n o t d i e .
C o n d i ti o n al i s ts be l i e ve th a t at th e d e ath th a t me e ts al l
man ki n d , go o d a n d bad al i ke , man r e sts i n th e gr ave u n t i l
th e r e s u r r e cti o n , wh e n al l me n wi l l be r ai se d , so me to
l i f e e ve r l as ti n g a n d so me to r e ce i ve t h e i r pu n i s h me n t. Du r i n g
th e i n te r i m th e y be l i e ve man i s u n co n sci o u s o f th e passi n g o f
ti me an d kn o ws n o t h i n g o f e ve n ts o ccu r r i n g o n e ar th . I mmo r
tal -So u l i sts be l i e ve th a t at d e ath man go es to so me pl ace o f
co n sci o u s e xi ste n ce . So me be l i e ve t h a t al l me n go at o n ce to
t h e i r e te r n al r e war d o r pu n i s h me n t, th e go o d to He ave n a n d
th e bad to He l l .
Oth e r s be l i e ve th a t so me at l e ast go to Pu r gato r y, be cau se
th e y ar e n o t ye t go o d e n o u gh f o r He ave n o r bad e n o u gh f o r
He l l . He r e th e y ar e al l o we d to su f f e r f o r a ti me to pu r ge th e m
o f th e i r r e ma i n i n g si ns, an d th e n th e y ar e a d mi tte d to He ave n .
Sti l l o th e r s be l i e ve t h a t th e r e i s n o He l l , a n d al l me n wi l l
e ve n tu al l y r e ach th e abo d e o f bl i ss.
I I . C onsi stency an d Obvi o us Soundness o f C o n d i ti o n al i sm
T h e ke y to th e pr o bl e m o f l i f e , d e ath , an d h u man d e sti n y,
as h e l d by th e co n f l i cti n g sch o o l s o f C o n d i ti o n al i s m an d Im-
mo r tal -So u l i sm, i s o bvi o u sl y to be f o u n d i n th e Bi bl i cal sto r y
o f ma n s cr e ati o n a n d f al l , a n d h i s r e d e mpti o n pr o vi d e d i n
C h r i st. Ad am a n d Eve we n t tr agi cal l y astr ay. Y i e l d i n g to th e
te mpte r s e n ti ci n g pr o mi se , th e y sti f l e d th e vo i ce o f Go d . T h e
a l l u r e me n t o f s u pe r i o r wi sd o m, se n su o u s e n jo yme n t, a n d th e
gl amo u r o f su ppo se d l y n a tu r a l , i n h e r e n t i mmo r ta l i ty (to be
e n jo ye d i n d i so be d i e n ce ) l e d th e m swi f tl y an d i n e xo r abl y i n to
th e way of death.
As a r e s u l t al l se e me d h o pe l e ssl y l o st. Bu t u n e xpe cte d l y,
h o pe was pr o f f e r e d to d i s tr au gh t man . Al l mi gh t ye t be r e co v
e r e d . Me n mi gh t sti l l f i n d t h e i r way back to Go d a n d t h e i r l o st
e state , wi th Par ad i s e a n d l i f e r e gai n e d th r o u gh a Re d e e me r .
C o n f e ssi o n , f ai th , o be d i e n ce , an d r e si stan ce to te mpta ti o n
mar ke d o u t th e r o ad back to th e way of life. Go d wo u l d co m
pl e te l y save co n tr i te si n n e r s wh o l o ve, se r ve , a n d o be y Hi m.
1. A d a m s P o t e n t i a l f o r I m m o r t a l i t y W a s C o n d i
t i o n a l .He r e i s Go d s go o d n e ws: Al th o u gh man was n o t cr e
ate d u n co n d i ti o n a l l y i mmo r tal , an d i s n o t to d ay bo r n i mmo r
tal , ye t h e may be co me soi f h e f o l l o ws th e pr o vi si o n s o f Go d .
Acco r d i n g to th e u n f ai l i n g pr o mi se o f th e Al mi gh ty, h e
may r e qu i r e an i mmo r tal i ty be yo n d th e r e ach o f d e ath a n d
ti me an d d e s tr u cti o n . T h a t i s th e h i gh pr i vi l e ge to be gr an te d
to th e r i gh te o u s a f avo r co n f e r r e d o n th e pe n i t e n t be l i e ve r .
Bu t i t i s always conditional.
T h e r i gh te o u s wi l l l i ve agai n , forever; bu t th e i mpe n i te n t^
wi l l f i n al l y be d e str o ye d l i ke wi se forever. Li f e i s th e r e by
co n d i ti o n al . T h e s e ar e th e f i n al e n d i n gs o f th e two ways o f
l i f e a n d d e ath . T h a t i s th e e sse nce o f C o n d i ti o n al i s m, o r C o n
d i ti o n al I mmo r tal i ty. An d su ch i s th e pi ctu r e t h a t gr o ws i n
cr e asi n gl y cl e ar a n d l u mi n o u s i n th e d awn i n g l i gh t o f th e Ge n e
si s i n tr o d u cti o n to th e Ol d T e s tame n t.
So l o n g as Ad am r e ma i n e d i n th e Gar d e n h e was al l o we d
to e at o f th e f r u i t o f th e tr e e o f l i f e . Bu t, as me n ti o n e d , h i s
po te n ti a l f o r i mmo r tal i ty was conditional. Wh e n o n ce h e
mad e a br e ach i n Go d s pr o te cti ve a n d e n abl i n g co n d i ti o n s , h e
be came su bje ct to th e d e ath pe n al ty. T h e pr i mal pa i r was cr e
ate d ve r y go o d with a view to immortality. Bu t th e y we r e
n o t i mpe r i s h abl e . T h e y d i d n o t h ave an i n h e r e n t, n a tu r a l , an d
i n d e f e asi bl e i mmo r tal i tyt h a t i s, i n capabl e o f be i n g a n n u l l e d
o r mad e vo i d .
I t was i n d e e d po ssi bl e f o r Ad am not to d i e . T h e po ssi bi l i ty
o f i mmo r tal i ty was wi th i n h i s r e ach . Bu t h e f o r f e i te d i t. An d
h o l i n e ss sti l l co me s by an act o f f r e e d i o i ce o r d e ci si o n , wi th
d e ath as th e se qu e l to wi l l f u l tr an sgr e ssi o n . So i mmo r tal i ty
f o r Ad am was cl e ar l y r e l ati ve , o r conditional, a n d th e si n o f
d i so be d i e n ce mad e h i m mo r ta l su bje ct to d e ath a n d d e s ti n e d
to d i e .
2. C o n d i t i o n a l i s m H a r mo n i z e s D i v i n e G o o d n e s s W i t h
H u ma n F r e e d o m .C o n d i ti o n al i s m pr o vi d e s a syn th e si s t h a t
co o r d i n ate s th e var i o u s d o ctr i n e s o f th e go spe l . T h e t r u t h o f
C o n d i ti o n al i s m i s f o u n d e d o n po si ti ve Bi bl i cal d e cl ar ati o n s ,
n o t o n n e gati ve s a n d i n f e r e n ce s. N e gati o n s _a n d i n f e r e n ce sN
n o t to me n ti o n par abl e s o r f i gu r ati ve o r symbo l i c e xpr e ssi o n s
can n e ve r be a saf e o r sati sf yi n g f o u n d ati o n f o r an y d o ctr i n e ,
mu ch l ess a syste m o f f u n d ame n ta l d o ctr i n e . The Creator
gave man existence and offered him immortality. Mo r al r e a
s o n i n g l i ke wi se f avo r s th e h ypo th e si s o f a tta i n a bl e o r co n d i
ti o n al i mmo r tal i ty. An d e ve r y mo r al be i n g i s s u bje ct to ce r tai n
co n d i ti o n s o f e xi ste n ce . T h u s Mo ses sai d : I h ave se t be f o r e
th e e th i s d ay life a n d go o d , an d death a n d e vi l (De u t. 30:15).
Agai n , th i s l aw i s yo u r life: an d th r o u gh th i s th i n g ye sh al l
prolong your days (De u t. 32:47). Bu t i f th i n e h e ar t t u r n
away . . . ; ye sh al l su r e l y perish, . . . ye sh al l not prolong your
days (De u t. 30:17, 18V
T h u s i t i s t h a t t h e d o ctr i n e o f C o n d i ti o n al i s m r e co n ci l e s
a n d h ar mo n i ze s d i vi n e go o d n e ss wi th h u ma n f r e e d o m. C o m-
pu l so r y i mmo r tal i zati o n o f th e wi cke d wo u l d be u n wo r th y o f
th e go o d n e ss a n d po we r o f Go d , an d tr agi c to th e h u man
r e ci pi e n t. C o n d i ti o n al i s m i s a r e t u r n to th e pr i mi ti ve go spe l
th e go spe l o f Ed e n . An d i t i s maki n g mar ke d gai n s i n ad
vo cates, as atte s te d by th e e vi d e n ce se t f o r th i n vo l u me 2.
T h e tr e me n d o u s t r u t h o f l i f e o n l y th r o u gh th e r e d e mp-_
ti ve wo r k o f C h r i s t t h r o ws a f l o o d o f l i gh t u po n th e wh o l e
sco pe a n d syste m o f r e ve al e d t r u t h . I t make s, as i t we r e , a n e w
bo o k o f th e Bi bl e . T h e go spe l pr o mi s e i n Ed e n be co me s l u mi -
n o u s. T h e t ypes a n d sh ad o ws o f th e Ol d T e s ta me n t, a n d i ts
s an ctu ar y syste m a n d ser vi ces, take o n a me an i n g n o t be f o r e
o bse r vabl e . An d t h e mo r al l aw, wh i ch i n i ts n e gati ve a n d
pr o h i bi to r y f o r m f ai l e d to make th e co me r s th e r e u n to pe r
f e ct (He b. 10:1), mu ch l ess to gi ve th e m s pi r i tu a l l i f e , take s
o n i ts h i gh e r s pi r i tu a l me an i n g u n d e r th e go spe l . Al l i s ex-
\ ^/ pr essed i n th e o n e wo r d l o ve l o ve as th e so u r ce a n d e ssence
o f s pi r i tu a l r e co ve r y a n d everlasting life. T h a t i s th e l ar ge r
pi ctu r e . Fo r Go d so l o ve d th e wo r l d , th a t h e gave h i s o n l y be
go tte n So n, t h a t wh o so e ve r be l i e ve th i n h i m s h o u l d n o t per
ish, bu t h ave e ve r l as ti n g l i f e (J o h n 3:16).
T h a t i s th e h e a r t o f th e go spe l , th e essence o f r e ve l ati o n ,
th e h o pe o f man .
3. C o n d i t i o n a l i s m A t t e s t e d B i b l i c a l l y , L o g i c a l l y ,
H i s t o r i c a l l y . T h i s , th e n , i s o u r s tate me n t o f pu r po se : Evi
d e n ce wi l l be s u bmi tte d to s u ppo r t th e co n te n ti o n t h a t C o n
d i ti o n al i s m i s (1) s o u n d Biblically, bo th i n th e En gl i sh r e n -
* C f . De u t . 4:40; 5:33; 6:2, 24; Ps. 21:4; 94:23; Pr o v. 3:1, 2, 16: 9:11. T h e f e a r o f
t h e L o r d prolongeth d a ys ; bu t th e ye a r s o f t h e wi cke d s h al l be shortened (Pr o v. 10:27).
C ONDI T I ONALI SM VERSUS IMMORT AL-SOULISM 23
d e r i n g a n d e ve n mo r e so i n t h e o r i gi n al He br e w a n d Gr e e k
ph r as e o l o gy. I t i s (2)j o u n d acco r d i n g to th e i n e xo r abl e can o n s
o f logic. An d i t i s (3) s o u n d acco r d i n g to th e u n i mpe ach abl e
te s ti mo n y o f history .
I t was d e si gn e d by Go d f o r man ; l o st th r o u gh th e h i sto r i c
d e ce pti o n vi si te d o n th e r ace by Satan i n Ed e n ; an d u n i f o r ml y
ch e r i s h e d by Go d s a n ci e n t ch o se n pe o pl e u n t i l sh o r tl y be f o r e
th e ti me o f C h r i st. An d wh e n Immo r tal -So u l i sm was ad o pte d
f r o m Gr e e k Pl ato n i s m by th e Al e xan d r i an wi n g o f th e J e ws, i t
was ch i e f l y th r o u gh Ph i l o . Bu t C o n d i ti o n al i s m was ma i n ta i n e d
by C h r i s t a n d th e apo stl es, an d su s tai n e d by th e Apo sto l i c Fa
t h e r s a n d th e e ar l i e s t o f th e An te -Ni ce n e Fath e r sa n d o n
wi th a co n ti n u i n g l i n e f o r ce n tu r i e s , as we sh al l see.
On th e co n tr ar y, I mmo r t al -So u l i sm was n o t a d o pte d i n
C h r i s ti an t h o u gh t u n t i l ce r tai n No r th Af r i can Pl ato n i c C h u r ch
Fath e r -ph i l o s o ph e r s e spo u se d i t af te r n e ar l y two h u n d r e d
ye ar s o f th e C h r i s ti an Er a h ad passe d . Bu t t h i s se gme n t, s pl i t
i n th e s u bs e qu e n t ce n tu r y i n to two an tago n i s ti c sch o o l s, d i vi d e d
o ve r Eternal Torment a n d Universal Restoration.
T h u s by a .d . 400 th e C h r i s ti an C h u r ch was d i vi d e d i n to
th r e e d i s ti n ct sch o o l s o f e sch ato l o gycr e ati n g an as to n i s h i n g
th e o l o gi cal tr i l e mma t h a t h as pe r si ste d e ve r si n ce . T h o u gh n o t
wi d e l y h e l d , C o n d i ti o n al i s m pe r si ste d th r o u gh th e Mi d d l e
Ages an d u n d e r we n t a d i s ti n ct r e vi val , be gi n n i n g wi th th e si x
te e n th -ce n tu r y Pr o te s tan t Re f o r mati o n . Fr o m th e n o n , d e spi te
th e pr e po n d e r a n t C ath o l i c an d majo r i ty Pr o te s tan t vi ews,
C o n d i ti o n al i s m h as gai n e d ste ad i l y. An d n o w, as n e ve r be
f o r e , i t i s r e ce i vi n g a tt e n ti o n an d wi n n i n g ad h e r e n ts amo n g
sch o l ar s o f al l f ai th s. T h a t , i n a wo r d , i s a t h u mbn a i l h i sto r i cal
pr e vi e w o f th e gr o u n d to be tr ave r se d . No po si ti o n co u l d be
be tt e r s u s tai n e d , as th e f acts to be su r ve ye d wi l l di scl o se.
I I I . Ete r n al T o r me n t Invo l ves Pagan Du al i sm Po stu l ate
T h e r e i s ye t a n o th e r an gl e to th i s qu e s ti o n th a t mu s t n o t
be o ve r l o o ke d . T h e po s tu l ate o f an e te r n al Par ad i se a n d an
e te r n al l y co e xi s te n t He l l i n tr o d u ce d f r o m Pl ato n i s m i n to
th e r e l i gi o u s t h i n ki n g o f se cti o n s o f J u d ai s m a n d C h r i s ti an i ty
pr e su ppo se s th e me taph ysi cal Du al i sm o f two e te r n al an d i n
co mpati bl e pr i n ci pl e s (th at al ways we r e a n d al ways wi l l be ),
wh i ch n o ti o n s pr an g o u t o f pagan e th n i c r e l i gi o n s, su ch as
Pe r si an Zo r o astr i an i sm. Bu t su ch a co n ce pt i s u tte r l y f o r e i gn
to Scr i ptu r e , bo th Ol d T e s ta me n t a n d Ne w al i ke . C o n ti n ge n t
A e vi l may be e xpl ai n e d by th e po si ti ve e xe r ci se o f l i be r ty a n d
\ wi l l . Bu t u n l e ss o n e acce pts th e d o gma o f an e te r n al Du al i sm,
^jth e pr e se n ce o f e vi l i n vo l ve s a be gi n n i n g, a n d co n s e qu e n tl y
.an d l o gi cal l y a n d i n e vi tabl y cabs f o r an e n d . Ete r n a l s i n n i n g
a n d e te r n al su f f e r i n g ar e co n tr ar y to th e te sti mo n y o f Ho l y
\\yr i t .
T o h o l d t h a t th e f i nal r e s u l t o f t h e wr o n g e xe r ci se o f h u -
man f r e e d o m me an s th e pe r pe tu a l r e vo l t a n d e te r n al su f f e r i n g
o f a gi ve n n u mbe r o f cr e atu r e s , au to mati cal l y i n vo l ve s th e
n o ti o n o f t h e e te r n al d u r a t i o n o f an e vi l pr i n ci pl e a n d a
s tate o f u n e n d i n g r e be l l i o n agai n st Go d an d go o d an d th u s an
i n f i n i ty o f e vi l as e te r n al l y o ppo se d to th e i n f i n i ty o f go o d .
Bu t to h o l d su ch a th e o r y i s to i n je ct an al i e n pagan Du al i sm
i n to th e t r u e co n ce pt o f th e Su pr e me Be i n g. Acco r d i n g to Scr i p
t u r e t h e r e i s o n l y o n e Abs o l u te , I n f i n i te , Omn i po te n t On e
Go d , t h e e te r n al I AM, Who only hath immortality (1 T i m.
6:16). An d th e d ay i s ve r i l y co mi n g, acco r d i n g to Ho l y Wr i t,
wh e n He wi l l be al l i n a l l ' (1 C o r . 15:28). Oppo s i ti o n wi l l
h ave ce ase d a n d passe d f o r e ve r .
T h e d e d u ci bl e co n cl u si o n f r o m su ch an i n s pi r e d po s tu
l ate i s th a t o f th e e n d , o r u l ti ma te e xti n cti o n , o f th e d e vi l a n d
th e pr i n ci pl e o f e vi l , an d o f al l wh o pe r si st i n f o l l o wi n g h i m.
Wh e n Go d i s al l i n a l l si n a n d d e ath wi l l be n o mo r e , an d
th e r e wi l l be n o pl ace f o r an y be i n gs, ce l e sti al o r h u man , wh o
ar e wi th o u t r i gh t mo r al r e l a ti o n to Go d . T h e co n ce pt o f th e
\ Ete r n al T o r me n t o f th e wi cke d i n vo l ve s a sh o cki n g cal u mn y
âgai n s t bo th th e ju sti ce a n d th e ve r y n a tu r e o f Go d , as r e vo l ti n g
u po n matu r e th o u gh t as i t i s d an ge r o u s an d u n -Bi bl i cal . An d
is, th e d o gma o f i n d e f e asi bl e i mmo r tal i ty f o r man i s to assi gn
to th e so u l th e i mpo ssi bi l i ty o f n e i t h e r be gi n n i n g n o r e n d , su ch
as th e Ne o pl ato n i c C h r i s ti an ph i l o s o ph e r , Or i ge n o f Al e xan d r i a,
h e l d , wh i ch i s pe r i l o u sl y aki n to pan th e i s m, th e o r i gi n al
so u r ce o f th i s pe r ve r te d co n ce pt.2
As mi gh t be assu me d , Ol d T e s ta me n t e sch ato l o gy i s si m
pl e , l o gi cal , a n d maje sti c, wi th o u t a si n gl e e l e me n t d e tr i me n ta l
to th e l o f ti e s t co n ce pts o f De i ty an d th e d i vi n e ph i l o so ph y o f
h i sto r y, a n d wi th n o th i n g to r e vo l t th e mo r al sensesn o th i n g
o f th e we i r d e xtr avagan ce s r e pl e te i n pagan s pe cu l ati o n an d
myth . An d th e Ne w T e s ta me n t e vi d e n ce o n l y i n te n si f i e s th i s
n o bl e vi ew.
2Se e Hi s to r i ca l Se ct i o n , Pa r t I V , page s 969-977.
PART I
Bi bl i cal Norm Set Fo r th i n
Ol d T estament
Earliest Comprehensive Evidence on
Life, Death, and Destiny
C H A P T E R T WO
M an C reated i n th e Image of God
We be gi n o u r Bi bl i cal su r ve y wi th Ge n e si s. I t i s th e be d -
r o ckja po n wh i ch al l s u bs e qu e n t r e ve l ati o n r ests, a n d i s f o u n d a
t i o n a l to al l t h a t f o l l o ws th e r e af te r . We sh al l th e r e f o r e se ar ch
i n to th e al l -i n cl u si ve d e cl ar ati o n s o f Ge n e si s 1 to 3 wi th co n
s i d e r abl e d e tai l , f o r th i s i s th e co r e , yes, th e th r o bbi n g h e a r t o f
al l t h a t f o l l o ws i n th e co n f l i ct o ve r th e d e sti n y o f man .
Acco r d i n g to th e u n i f o r m te s ti mo n y o f Sacr e d Scr i ptu r e ,
th e h e ave n a n d th e e a r th wi th i ts i n h abi ta n ts , we r e br o u gh t
i n to be i n g by f i at cr e ati o n:
I n th e be gi n n i n g Go d cr e ate d th e h e ave n an d th e e a r th (Ge n . 1:1).
By the word of the Lord we r e th e h e ave n s mad e ; an d al l th e h o st o f th e m
by th e br e a th o f h i s mo u th (Ps. 33:6). Fo r h e spake, and it was done;
h e commanded, and it stood fast (v. 9).
T h e f i r st ch apte r o f Ge n e si s d e scr i be s th e cr e ati o n o f l i vi n g
cr e atu r e s af te r th e e ar th an d th e ve ge tati o n h ad be e n se t i n
o r d e r :
Go d sai d , Le t th e wate r s br i n g f o r th abu n d a n tl y th e mo vi n g cr e atu r e
th a t h a t h l i f e , a n d f o wl th a t may f l y abo ve th e e ar th i n th e o pe n f i r mame n t
o f h e ave n . An d Go d cr e ate d gr e at wh al e s, an d ever y l i vi n g cr e atu r e th a t
mo ve th , wh i ch th e wate r s br o u gh t f o r th abu n d an tl y, af te r th e i r ki n d ,
a n d e ve r y wi n ge d f o wl af te r h i s ki n d : an d Go d saw th a t i t was go o d . . . .
An d Go d sai d, Le t th e e ar th br i n g f o r th th e l i vi n g cr e atu r e af te r h i s ki n d ,
cattl e , an d cr e e pi n g th i n g, an d be ast o f th e e a r th af te r h i s ki n d : a n d i t
was so. An d Go d mad e th e be ast o f th e e a r th af te r h i s ki n d , . . . an d eve r y
I . In tr o d u cto r y Survey o f Re co r d o f C r e ati o n
29
1 9 5 3 BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD HARRY ANDERSON, ARTIST
Man, th e C ro wn o f C r e ati o n , Pl aced Ami d th e Be au ti e s an d Pe r f e cti o n o f Ed e n ,
Was Wi th o u t Be n t to Si n an d Had th e Po te n ti al i ty o f Endl ess Li f e an d Happi n e ss
Wi th o u t a Sh adow.
30
. . v
MAN C REAT ED I N T HE IMAGE OF GOD 31
th i n g th a t cr e e pe th u po n th e e ar th af te r h i s ki n d : an d Go d saw th a t i t
was go o d . An d Go d sai d , Le t us make man i n o u r i mage, af te r o u r l i ke
ness. . . . So Go d cr e ate d man i n h i s o wn i mage . . . ; mal e an d f e mal e
cr e ate d h e th e m (vs. 20-27).
C h a pte r two r e capi tu l ate s th e sto r y o f cr e ati o n wi th ad d i
ti o n al d e tai l s:
T h e Lo r d Go d f o r me d man o f th e d u s t o f th e gr o u n d , an d br e ath e d
i n to h i s n o str i l s th e br e a th o f l i f e; an d man be came a l i vi n g so u l (v. 7).
An d o u t o f th e gr o u n d mad e th e Lo r d Go d to gr o w e ve r y tr e e th a t i s
pl e as a n t to th e si gh t, an d go o d f o r f o o d (v. 9). An d o u t o f th e gr o u n d
th e Lo r d Go d f o r me d e ve r y be ast o f th e f i el d, an d eve r y f owl o f th e a i r
(v. 19).
I n th i s r e ci tal th r e e e xpr e ssi o n s cal l f o r spe ci al n o ti ce at
th e ve r y be gi n n i n g o f o u r su r ve y, Go d cr e ate d man i n h i s o wn
i mage , man be came a l i vi n g so u l , a n d br e a th o f l i f e .
I I . C r e ati o n i n Image o f Go d No t a Val i d Ar gu me n t
1. I ma g e o f G o d D o e s N o t C o n n o t e I m m o r t a l i t y
f o r M a n .T h e co n te n ti o n i s f r e qu e n tl y pu t f o r th th a t man
possesses n a tu r a l , i n n ate , a n d r e al l y i n d e f e as i bl e i mmo r ta l i ty
be cau se o f th e ph r ase appe ar i n g i n Ge n e si s 1:27Go d cr e ate d
man in his otvn image, i n th e image of God cr e ate d h e h i m.
T h e r e ar e , i n f act, f i ve su ch d e cl ar ati o n s i n th e I n s pi r e d C h r o n
i cl e :
An d Go d sai d, Le t us make man in our image, after our likeness
(Ge n . 1:26).
An d Go d cr e ate d man in his own image, in the image of God
cr e ate d h e h i m (v. 27, twi ce).
Go d cr e ate d man , in the likeness of God mad e h e h i m (ch ap. 5:1).
I n th e image of God mad e h e ma n (ch ap. 9:6).
T h e s e te xts d o n o t, o f co u r se , state i n wh at r e spe ct Go d
cr e ate d man i n Hi s o wn i mage. T h a t spe ci f i cati o n i s l e f t u n - i
d e f i n e d . Ho we ve r , i t i s a r e co gn i ze d pr i n ci pl e o f s o u n d exege- /
si s t h a t th e certain mu s t n o t be i n te r pr e te d i n te r ms o f th e un- I .
jcertain. No r s h o u l d vi o l e n ce be d o n e to th e pr e po n d e r a n t wi t- p
ne ss o f Scr i ptu r e o r e ve n to th e l o gi cal d e man d s o f r e aso n .
An i n f e r e n ce mi gh t po ssi bl y be d r awn h e r e as to th e i m-
b i b l i c a l r e s e a r c h l i b r a r y
mo r tal i ty o f man if th i s o n e e xpr e ssi o n sto o d al o n e . Bu t i f
Ad am an d al l o f h i s d e sce n d an ts ar e i mmo r tal by cr e ati o n , a n d
th e r e f o r e by n a tu r e , th e n su r e l y so me h i n t to th i s e f f e ct
s h o u l d be f o u n d i n th i s i n i ti a l n ar r ati ve , o r at l e ast so me wh e r e
wi th i n th e e n ti r e r an ge o f Bi bl i cal wr i ti n gs, wh i ch ar e spr e ad
o ve r so me f i f te e n h u n d r e d years, a n d i n cl u d e pr o ph e ts a n d
apo stl e s, a n d e ve n e mbr ace th e wi tn e ss o f J e su s C h r i s t Hi mse l f .
Bu t i mmo r tal i ty, Scr i ptu r e i nsi sts, i s an a t t r i bu t e r e s tr i cte d to
Go d al o n e . He i s th e bl e sse d a n d o n l y Po te n tate , t h e Ki n g o f
ki n gs, an d Lo r d o f l o r d s; who only hath immortality (1 T i m.
6:15, 16).
2. No V a l i d R e a s o n f o r Si n g l i n g O u t I m m o r t a l i t y .
Bu t cr e ati o n i n th e d i vi n e l i ke n e ss, o r i mage (Ge n . 1:26)
r e pe ate d i n th e r e co r d f o r e mph asi si s n o mo r e an e vi d e n ce
o f ma n s I n n a te I mmo r tal i ty th an o f h i s e te r n al pr e -e xi ste n ce ,
o mn i sci e n ce , o mn i po te n ce , o mn i pr e se n ce , o r an y o th e r str i ctl y
d i vi n e a tt r i bu t e . An d n o n e o f th e se o th e r a ttr i bu te s h ave be e n
ascr i be d to man , e ve n i n h i s pr i s ti n e si nl e ssne ss i n Ed e n . T h a t
Go d mad e man f o r i mmo r tal i ty i s cl e ar . Be yo n d t h a t s o u n d
a n d saf e po s i ti o n we ar e n o t ju sti f i e d i n go i n g.
T h e r e i s n o val i d r e aso n , th e n , wh y i mmo r ta l i ty al o n e
s h o u l d be si n gl e d o u t as th e o n e u n i qu e ch ar acte r i s ti c i n te n d e d
by th e ph r ase i mage o f Go d . Ge n e si s 1:26 a n d 5:1 al so spe ak
o f ma n s be i n g cr e ate d i n th e l i ke n e ss o f Go d . T h i s l i ke -
n ess to Go d i n cl u d e d a mo r al ch ar acte r n o t s h ar e d by th e br u t e
cr e ati o n o ve r wh i ch man was gi ve n d o mi n i o n . Bu t wh ate ve r th e
pr e ci se n a tu r e o f t h a t o r i gi n al l i ke n e ss, i t was ma r r e d by
ma n s d i so be d i e n ce , d u r i n g wh i ch tr agi c e xpe r i e n ce h i s o r i gi
n a l pu r i ty a n d po s i ti o n we r e mar r e d o r l o st.
Man i n h i s s i n f u l co n d i ti o n can n o t cl ai m th e f u l l be n e f i t
o f th i s o r i gi n al e n d o wme n t, wh ate ve r i t may h ave i n cl u d e d .
Bu t, we r e pe at, the record nowhere states that this included
immortality. We mu s t th e r e f o r e co n cl u d e th a t cr e ati o n i n th e
d i vi n e i mage , o r l i ke n e ss, n o mo r e pr o ve s ma n s i mmo r tal
i ty t h an i t pr o ve s h i s e te r n al pr e -e xi ste n ce , o mn i sci e n ce , o mn i p
o te n ce , o r po ssessi o n o f an y o th e r e xcl u si ve l y divine attr i -
bu t e LGo d mad e man for i mmo r tal i ty. T h a t i s be yo n d r e aso n -
abl e ch al l e n ge . L e t u s te st th i s o u t by th e same can o n s o f l o gi c
i n vo ke d . Le t us vi su al i ze i t by pu t ti n g i t i n syl l o gi sti c f o r m.
3. F u n d a m e n t a l F a l l a c y R e v e a l e d b y P a r a l l e l Sy
l o g i s ms . As to th e f u n d ame n tal f al l acy i n vo l ve d i n th i s f o r ay
i n to l o gi c, i n th e co n te n ti o n n o te d , th e a r gu me n t may be f ai r l y
se t f o r th , i n syl l o gi sti c f o r m, th u s:
Major Premise: Go d i s immortal (1 T i m. 1:17)
Minor Premise: Man was cr e ate d i n th e image of God
C o n c l u s i o n : Therefore man is immortal.
Bu t su ch a pl au s i bl e ye t spe ci o u s d e d u cti o n , base d o n
th i s actu al l y mi s l e ad i n g syl l o gi sm, i s co mpl e te l y qu as h e d by a
par al l e l i n g syl l o gi sm t h a t e xpo ses th e i n h e r e n t f al l acy o f su ch
u n s o u n d r e as o n i n g. No te i t:
1. Go d i s o mn i po te n t, o mn i sci e n t, an d o mn i pr e s e n t:
2. Man was mad e i n th e image of God:
3. Therefore man is omnipotent, omniscient, and omni
present.
Obvi o u sl y, th e ar gu me n t f r o m l o gi c br e aks d o wn u n d e r
th e i mpact o f th i s l o gi cal par al l e l i sm, as we l l as th e co n tr ave n
i n g te s ti mo n y o f Scr i ptu r e . We co n s e qu e n tl y mai n ta i n th a t
th e r e i s n o s o u n d logical basi s, mu ch l ess Bi bl i cal f o u n d ati o n ,
f o r asse r ti n g t h a t i n cr e ati n g man i n h i s o wn i mage Go d be
sto we d o n h i m th e o n e d i sti n cti ve a t t r i bu t e o f i mmo r tal i ty
al o n e , bu t n o t th e o th e r pr e r o gati ve s o f De i tyunless God
were to so state in His Word. T h i s He h as n o t d o n e . On e can n o t
l o gi cal l y i n si st, th e n , o n s i n gl i n g o u t immortality, wh e n by
co mmo n co n s e n t i t i s r e co gn i ze d t h a t man do es n o t possess
th e o th e r i n s e par abl e ch ar acte r i sti cs r e s tr i cte d to De i ty.
Pe r s o n al i ty, d o mi n i o n o ve r th e an i mal cr e ati o n , an d
mo r al age ncy? Yes; f o r th e se ar e d e cl ar e d , bu t not n atu r al
mo r tal i ty. (T h e te ch n i cal ar gu me n ts wi l l be pr e s e n te d
r ate l y.) Man was d r i ve n o u t o f th e Gar d e n , a n d ch e r u bi m an d
f l ami n g swo r d we r e se t u p to pr e ve n t access to th e i n d i spe n sa-
(Ge n . 1:27)
bl e tr e e o f l i f e lest h e pu t f o r th h i s h a n d , a n d take al so o f
2
th e tr e e o f l i f e , and eat, and live for ever (Ge n . 3:22V
T h u s th e i mage o f Go d ar gu me n t co l l apse s by d e f au l t.
Does No t C o nno te Immo r tal i ty
An o th e r e xpr e ssi o n co n ce r n i n g ma n s cr e ati o n , th a t i s l i ke
wi se o f te n i n vo ke d to su stai n Immo r tal -So u l i sm, i s th e i n t r i
gu i n g te r m l i vi n g so u l . He r e i s th e f ami l i ar te xt ci te d : An d
th e Lo r d Go d f o r me d man o f th e d u s t o f th e gr o u n d , an d
br e a th e d i n to h i s n o str i l s th e br e a th o f l i f e ; an d man be came
a living s o u l (Ge n . 2:7).
T h e f act th a t Scr i ptu r e d e cl ar e s th at man became a l i vi n g
s o u l i s pe r s i s te n tl y ci te d by so me as e s tabl i s h i n g ma n s po s
se ssi o n o f i n h e r e n t i mmo r tal i ty. Bu t wh i l e man be came a liv
ing sou\, h e d i d n o t th e r e by ji u to ma ti ca l l y be co me an im-
\ . mortal so u l , o r be i n g. T h e same He br e w te r m, l i vi n g s o u l ,
i s a ppl i e d to th e l o we r an i mal s . I n f act, nephesh (so u l ) i s
f o u r ti me s a ppl i e d to th e l o we r an i mal s before i t i s u s e d o f
man i n Ge n e si s 1:20, 21, 24, 30. An d o u t of^th e f i r s t th i r -
te e n usages i n Ge n e si s, nephesh i s n i n e ti me s u se d o f th e
l o we r an i mal s.
T h u s th e e xpr e ssi o n l i vi n g so u l , as appl i e d to Ad am,
do e s n o t th e r e by pr o ve th a t h e was e n d o we d wi th i mmo r tal i ty
wh e n h e was cr e ate d . I f i t do es, th e n th e an i mal s we r e l i ke
wi se i n ve ste d wi th i mmo r tal i ty, f o r th e y we r e al so cal l e d l i v
i n g so u l s (Ge n . 1:20)wh i ch al l wi l l a d mi t u n qu e s ti o n a bl y
;o es to o f ar . T h e o bvi o u s d i f f e r e n ce be twe e n a living s o u l
a n d a l i f e l e ss s o u l i s, o f co u r se , t h a t th e o n e h as l i f e , wh e r e as
th e o t h e r d o e s n o t. T h e te r m living so u l , th e n , actu al l y i m
pl i e s mo r t a l i ty, f o r th e wo r d s o u l i s al so appl i e d to me n wh o
ar e d e ad .
1. L i v i n g So u l N o t a Se pa r a t e E n t i t y .Fu r th e r , Go d
d i d n o t take a se par ate l y l i vi n g so u l an d i n s ta l l i t i n a l i f e l e ss
bo d ya t e n a n t, as i t we r e , a s e par ate e n ti ty d i s ti n ct f r o m i t .
I t was by th e d i vi n e i n br e a th i n g o f th e br e a t h o f l i f e i n to th e
MAN C REAT ED IN T HE IMAGE OF GOD 35
l i f e l e ss bo d y t h a t man became a l i vi n g soula si n gl e e n ti ty, an
i n s e par abl e u n i t, a u n i qu e i n d i vi d u al i ^yEh e h e ar t be gan to be at,
th e bl o o d to ci r cu l a te, th e br a i n to th i n k, a n d al l th e pr o cesses
o f l i f e spr an g i n to acti o n . I n d e ath th e pr o ce ss i s si mpl y r e ve r se d
t h e l i f e -gi vi n g br e a th i s wi th d r awn , th e h e a r t ceases to be at, th e
ci r cu l a ti o n o f th e bl o o d sto ps, t h e (mi n d )ce ase s to f u n ct i o n , a n d
a l l th e vi tal pr o ce sse s e n d . T h e o r gan i sm be gi n s to d i si n te gr ate ,
a n d th e bo d y r e tu r n s to th e d u s tth e same l i f el ess co n d i ti o n
wh e n ce i t came. T h e i n d i vi d u al i s d e ad .
2. I n n a t e D e a t h l e s s n e s s N o t P a r t o f O r i g i n a l E n d o w
m e n t .In as mu ch as Go d d e cl ar e d th at af te r h i s tr an sgr e ssi o n
man was d e s ti n e d to r e t u r n u n to d u s t (Ge n . 3:19), i t i s cr ystal
cl e ar t h a t n o t o n l y was h e not i mmo r tal th e n bu t t h a t u p to
t h a t po i n t i mmo r tal i ty h ad n o t be e n assu r e d h i m. Mo r e
o ve r , th a t h e was n o t as ye t i mmo r tal i s l i ke wi se sh o wn by h i s
e xpu l s i o n f r o m th e Gar d e n lest h e pu t f o r th h i s h an d , an d
take al so o f th e tr e e o f l i f e , and eat, and live for ever (Ge n . 3:
22). T h e te r m l i vi n g s o u l i s th e r e f o r e cl e ar l y n o t to be
e qu a te d wi th immortal soulan e xpr e ssi o n n e ve r o n ce o ccur -
r i n g i n Scr i ptu r e . T h i s f act i s u n assai l abl e .
I t mu st be o bvi o u s, th e n , th a t Ge n e si s 2:7 do e s n o t co u n
te n an ce th e as su mpti o n o f i n n ate d e ath l e ssn e ss as an o r i gi n al e n
d o wme n t o f ma n s n a tu r e , n o r do e s th e cr e ati o n sto r y as a
wh o l e . Ad am was si mpl y cr e ate d a candidate f o r i mmo r -
tal i ty, wh i ch was to be co n f e r r e d u po n h i m u po n th e f u l f i l l
me n t o f co n d i ti o n s . Hu n d r e d s o f o u ts ta n d i n g Bi bl e s tu d e n ts o f
al l f ai th s, s pr e ad o ve r th e ce n tu r i e s , atte s t th a t th e r e i s n o t a
si n gl e passage i n th e Bi bl e i n wh i ch man , i n h i s e ar th l y l i f e , i s
s po ke n o f as i mmo r tal , e i th e r as a wh o l e , o r i n an y pa r t o f h i s
be i n g1 (T h e se ar e d i scu sse d i n vo l u me 2.)
Bu t i n a d d i ti o n to th i s n e gati ve aspe ct o f o mi ssi o n , th e
i n s pi r e d r e co r d o f cr e ati o n co n tai ns po si ti ve e vi d e n ce o f ma n s
3
t i s s i gn i f i can t to n o te t h a t nephesh i s u s e d , i n co n t r a s t, o f ma n as a ct u a l l y d e a d /
l t h i r t e e n pas s age s : T h e d e a d , f i ve ti me s (L e v. 19:28; 21:1; 22:4; Nu m. 5:2; 6:11);
d e a d bo d y, t h r e e ti me s (Nu m. 9:6, 7, 10); a n d "bo d y, f i ve ti me s (L e v. 21:11; Nu m. 6:6;
19:11, IT ; H agga i 2: l 3)a t o t a l o f t h i r t e e n o f s u ch s i gn i f i can t u sage s .
can d i d acy o n l y f o r i mmo r tal i ty i n th e o r i gi n al th r e a t o f d e ath
i n case o f d i so be d i e n ce , a n d f i n al l y i n th e d o o m o f d e ath su bse
qu e n tl y jDr o n o u n ce d i n Ed e n . Man was not created immortal,
bu t o n l y a can d i d ate f o r i mmo r tal i ty.
IV. Br e ath o f Li f e Equ ate d Wi th Spi r i t an d
Spi r i t o f Go d
T h e e xpr e ssi o n br e ath o f l i f e , 2 i n Ge n e si s 2:7e l se
wh e r e cal l e d th e br e a th o f th e L o r d a n d br e a th o f th e Al
mi gh tyi s f r e qu e n tl y e qu a te d wi th s pi r i t, an d s pi r i t o f
Go d . T h u s i n J o b: I f h e se t h i s h e a r t u po n man , i f h e
ga th e r u n t o h i mse l f h i s s p i r i t [ruach] a n d h i s b r e a t h [nesha-
mah]; al l f l esh sh al l pe r i sh [e xpi r e ] to ge th e r , a n d man sh al l
t u r n agai n u n t o d u s t (J o b 34:14, 15).
1. B r e a t h B r e a t h o f G o d Sp i r i t Sp i r i t o f
G o d . T h e br e a th o f l i f e i s e l se wh e r e cal l e d Go d s gi f t:
T h u s sai th Go d th e Lo r d , h e t h a t cr e ate d th e h e ave n s . . . ;
h e th a t s pr e ad f o r th th e e ar th . . . ; h e t h a t gi ve th b r e a t h
[neshamah] u n t o th e pe o pl e u po n i t, a n d s pi r i t [ruach] to th e m
t h a t wal k t h e r e i n (Isa. 42:5). I t i s th i s br e a t h t h a t gi ves
l i f e to man : T h e Spi r i t [ruach] o f Go d h ath mad e me , a n d th e
breath [neshamah] of the Almighty hath given me life (J o b
,3J l 4).
Li f e i s co n s e qu e n tl y d e pe n d e n t u po n th i s br e a t h . Al l
th e wh i l e my b r e a t h [neshamah] is in me, a n d th e s pi r i t [ruach]
\
of God is in my nostrils (J o b 27:3). Bu t po ssessi o n o f th e
br e a th o f l i f e do e s n o t i n i tse l f co n f e r i mmo r tal i ty, f o r we
r e a d th a t at th e Fl o o d al l f l esh d i e d . . . , a n d e ve r y man : all in
whose nostrils was the b r e a t h of life [He b. nishmath ruach
chayyim, br e a t h o f th e s pi r i t o f l i f e ] (Ge n . 7:21, 22).
2. B r e a t h o f L i f e , Sp i r i t o f L i f e Sa m e P r i n c i pl e
o f L i f e . T h a t th e breath of life o f Ge n e si s 2:7 t h a t Go d
2 I n th e He br e w t h e r e a r e two wo r d s f o r br e a t h neshamah, a n d mo r e co mmo n l y ruach.
I n ge n e r a l , t h e y a r e u s e d i n t e r ch a n ge a bl y f o r br e a t h a n d s pi r i t .
th u s br e a th e d i n to ma n s n o s tr i l s i s i d e n ti cal wi th th e s pi r i t
t h a t Go d gave , i s se e n f r o m th e r e ve r sal o f th e cr e ati o n pr o ce ss
r e co r d e d i n Eccl e si aste s 12:7T h e n sh al l th e d u s t r e t u r n to
th e e a r t i t was: a n d th e s p i r i t [ruach] return unto God who
Br e ath a n d s pi r i t o bvi o u sl y ar e o n e a n d th e same pr i n ci pl e
o f l i f e . T h i s f act i s e n f o r ce d by th e s tr i ki n g pr i n ci pl e o f pa r a l
l e l i sm i n He br e w l i te r a tu r e . He r e ver ses co mpr i si n g two
cl au se s ar e co n s tan tl y u se d , i n wh i ch th e se co n d cl au se i s th e
r e pe t i t i o n o f th e th o u gh t o f th e f i r st cl au se , o n l y i n d i f f e r e n t l a n
gu age . T h u s : Al l th e wh i l e my b r e a t h [ neshamah] i s i n me ,
a n d th e s p i r i t [ruach] o f Go d i s i n my n o s tr i l s (J o b 27:3).
An d agai n , i n d e s cr i bi n g d e ath , J o b says, I f h e [Go d]
gath e r u n to h i mse l f h i s s p i r i t [ruach] a n d h i s b r e a t h [nesha
mah]; al l f l esh sh al l pe r i s h to ge th e r , a n d man sh al l t u r n
agai n u n to d u s t (J o b 34:14, 15).
Si mi l ar l y i n Eze ki e l s vi si o n o f th e d r y bo n e s, th e l i f e th a t
h ad van i sh e d wo u l d be r e s to r e d wh e n Go d wo u l d cau se
b r e a t h [spi r i t, ruach] to e n te r i n to yo u , a n d ye sh al l l i ve
(Eze. 37:5)l An d He r e i te r ate s : An d I wi l l . . . br i n g u p f l esh
u po n yo u , a n d co ve r yo u wi th ski n , a n d pu t b r e a t h [spi r i t,
ruach] i n yo u , a n d ye sh al l l i ve (v. 6). T h e n , r e pe a ti n g Hi s
pr o mi se t h a t He wo u l d br i n g th e m o u t o f th e i r gr ave s, He
pr o mi se s, a n d sh al l pu t my s p i r i t [ruach] i n yo u , a n d ye
sh al l l i ve (v. 14).
3. S p i r i t , o r B r e a t h , N e v e r I d e n t i f i e d W i t h
S o u l . I n co n f o r mi ty wi th th i s, th e psal mi st Davi d at th e pr o s
pe ct o f d e ath co mmi t te d h i s spi r i t i n to th e saf e ke e pi n g o f
Go d I n to th i n e h a n d I co mmi t my s p i r i t [ruach]: t h o u h ast
r e d e e me d me (Ps. 31:5). An d J e su s Hi mse l f u se d th e se ve r y
same wo r d s: Fath e r , i n to th y h an d s I co mme n d my s p i r i t
[Gr . pneuma]: a n d h avi n g sai d th u s, h e gave u p th e gh o s t
(Lu ke 23:46^. An d i t s h o u l d be n o te d t h a t wh i l e Scr i ptu r e
V j /T h u s Go d i s ca l l e d "t h e Go d o f t h e s p i r i t s [pl u r a l o f He b. ruach] o f al l f l e sh
(Nu m. 16:22; 27:16). C f . L u ke 23:46: _* T a t h e r 7 i n t o t n y' h a n d s I co mme n d " my s pi r i t [Gr .
pneuma]: a n d h a vi n g s a i d t h u s , h e gave u p t h e gh o s t [e xpi r e d , o r br e a t h e d Hi s l a s t ].
gave it.
38 C ONDI T I ONALIST FAI T H
i d e n ti f i e s, o r e qu ate s, br e a th o f l ife** wi th s pi r i t, spirit i s
n o t o n ce i d e n ti f i e d wi th soul. T h a t i s si gn i f i can t, a n d s h o u l d
n o t be f o r go tte n .
4. P o s s es s o r s o f B r e a t h o f L i f e Su b j e c t t o D e a t h .
I t i s to be pa r ti cu l ar l y o bse r ve d th at h avi n g th e br e a th o f l i f e
i s n e ve r sai d to make i ts po ssesso r d e ath l e ss, o r i mmo r ta l . T h i s
i s cl e ar l y se en f r o m th e f o l l o wi n g te xts:
An d , be h o l d , I [Go d], e ve n I, d o br i n g a f l o o d o f wate r s u po n th e
e ar th , to d e s tr o y al l f l esh [every ki n d o f be i n g], wh e r e i n i s th e b r e a t h
[rach] of life [chayyim, pl u r al f o r al l ki n d s an d man i f e stati o n s], f r o m u n
d e r h e ave n ; an d ever y th i n g th a t i s i n th e e ar th sh al l d i e [cease to br e a th e,
e xpi r e ] (Ge n . 6:17).
T h e y [No ah an d h i s f ami l y], an d eve r y be ast af te r h i s ki n d , an d
al l th e cattl e af te r th e i r ki n d , an d ever y cr e e pi n g th i n g th a t cr e e pe th
u po n th e e ar th af te r h i s ki n d , an d eve r y f o wl af te r h i s ki n d , ever y bi r d
o f eve r y so r t. An d th e y we n t i n u n to No ah i n to th e ar k, two a n d two
o f al l f l esh , wh e r e i n i s th e b r e a t h [ruach] of life (Ge n . 7:14, 15).
T h i s br e a th o f l i f e , gi ve n by Go d to man at h i s f o r ma
ti o n , r e tu r n s to Go d at d e ath (Eccl . 12:7). Of th e Fl o o d , th e
r e co r d i s:
An d a l l f l esh died th a t mo ve d u po n th e e ar th , bo th o f f owl , an d
o f cattl e , an d o f be ast, an d o f ever y cr e e pi n g th i n g th a t cr e e pe th u po n
th e e ar th , and every man: ALL i n wh o se n o str i l s wa s th e b r e a t h \nesha-
o f l i f e [R.V., br e ath o f th e s pi r i t o f l i f e ], o f al l th at was i n th e d r y
died [ceased to br e a th e ] (Ge n . 7:21, 22)^J
I t th e r e f o r e f o l l o ws t h a t man d o e s n o t possess i mmo r ta l -
i ty be cau se h e possesses th e br e ath , o r s pi r i t, o f l i f e f o r i t
may be po ssessed by h i m for time only a n d n o t f o r e te r n i ty. I t
may be s e par ate d f r o m man f o r e ve r .
V. C l ar i f yi n g Di sti ncti o ns Between Soul an d Spi r i t
T h e r e l ati o n s h i ps , d i sti n cti o n s , an d co n tr asts be twe e n
s pi r i t an d s o u l can be se e n f r o m Ge n e si s 2:7. T h e i n-
* T o th e s e s h o u l d be a d d e d , An d e ve r y living substance t h a t I h ave ma d e wi l l I
destroy [ bl o t o u t , ma r gi n ] f r o m o f f t h e f ace o f t h e e a r t h (Ge n . 7:4).
br e a t h i n g o f th e br e a th [o r s pi r i t ] o f l i f e i n to th e f i r st h u
man bo d y-o r gan i sm, mad e o r co n s ti tu te d i t a l i vi n g so u l . Pr i o r
t h e r e to t h e s o u l , as r e gar d s Ad am, h a d n o e xi ste n ce . T h e
ma n Ad am was f u l l y mad e a n d co mpl e te i n bo d i l y f o r m be
fore h e be gan to l i ve , f o r Go d f o r me d man o f th e d u s t o f th e
gr o u n d (v. 7). No th i n g was wan ti n g to make h i m a livijig
man o r be i n g, o r e n ti ty, o r l i vi n g so u l bu t th e br e a th o f
l i f e . Wh e n Go d br e a th e d th i s i n to h i m, h e th e n be came a
living s o u l .
1. S o u l D e p e n d e n t U p o n P r e s e n c e o f S p i r i t . As
l o n g as th e br e a th o f l i f e , o r s pi r i t, r e mai n s i n man , th e s o u l
co n ti n u e s t o be o r l i ve . Bu t wh e n th e s pi r i t d e par ts , h e i s
n o l o n ge r a l i vi n g so u l . He n ce , th e e xi ste n ce o f th e so u l , as pr o
d u ce d by th e pr e se n ce o f th e s pi r i t, must always depend upon J
the continuance^ of that presence. I n o th e r wo r d s, wi th th e r e
ce pti o n o f th e s p i r i t [ruach], th e s o u l [nephesh] co me s i n to
be i n g an d r e mai n s i n be i n g. An d wh e n th e s pi r i t i s wi th d r awn ,
man t h e r e u po n ceases to be a l i vi n g, s e n ti e n t be i n g. T h u s th e
psal mi st says, Hi s [man s] b r e a t h [ruach, spi r i t] go e th f o r th ,
h e r e t u r n e t h to h i s e ar th [He b. adamah, gr o u n d o r so i l ]; i n
t h a t ve r y d ay h i s th o u gh ts pe r i s h (Ps. 146:4).
2. S p i r i t a n d S o u l H a v e S e r i e s o f C o n t r a s t s .Spi r i t
a n d s o u l ar e th e r e f o r e d i s ti n ct an d d i sti n gu i s h abl e . T h e y
co n s ti tu te , e sse n ti al l y, cau se an d ef f ectco n n e cte d bu t s e par ate
a n d d i s ti n ct, co o r d i n ate d bu t co n tr as ti n g. T h u s th e s pi r i t
pr o d u ce d l i f e i n man , maki n g h i m a living so u l , capabl e
o f th i n ki n g, f e e l i n g, a n d acti n ga n d wi th moral responsibil
ity. T h e so u l i s th e l i vi n g pe r so n o r be i n g h i mse l f , n o t a sepa-
r ate , i n d e pe n d e n t s o me th i n g. An d i t mu st n e ve r be f o r go tte n
th a t s pi r i t an d so u l ar e n e ve r co n f u se d i n Scr i ptu r e , n o r ar e
th e y u se d i n te r ch an ge abl y.
At d e ath th e s o u l (th e man h i mse l f ) go es to shedl (th e
gr ave , gr ave d o m, o r th e state o f d e ath ), wh i l e th e s pi r i t go es
back to Go d , f r o m wh o m i t o r i gi n al l y came . T h a t i s to tal l y
d i f f e r e n t. Fu r th e r , t h e so u l sins (Eze. 18:4, 20). Bu t t h a t i s n o t
'sai d o f th e s pi r i t. I n d e ath th e t wo ar e di sse ve r e d , an d i t r e
qu i r e s a r e s u r r e cti o n f r o m d e ath to a n o th e r l i f e to r e -e stabl i sh
th e d i sse ve r e d co n n e cti o n .
3. Sp i r i t R e t u r n s t o G o d W h o G a v e I t .Of th e
f i n al d i spo s i ti o n o f th e ruach (spi r i t, o r br e ath ), th e Ol d T e s
tame n t wr i te r s r e co r d :
T h o u take st away th e i r b r e a t h [ruach], th e y d i e , an d r e t u r n to th e i r
d u st. T h o u se n d e st f o r th th y s pi r i t [ruach], th e y ar e cr e ate d : an d th o u
r e n e we st th e f ace o f th e e a r th (Ps. 104:29, 30).
Hi s b r e a t h [ruach] go e th f o r th , h e r e tu r n e t h to h i s e ar th [He b.
adamah, gr o u n d o r so i l ] (Ps. 146:4).
T h e r e i s n o man th at h a t h po we r o ve r th e s pi r i t [ruach] to r e ta i n
th e s pi r i t [ruach]) n e i th e r h ath h e po we r i n th e d ay o f d e a th (Eccl . 8:8).
Af te r d e s cr i bi n g man i n ad van ce d age wi th i ts ch ar acte r -
i sti c d e te r i o r a ti o n , f o l l o we d by d e ath i tse l f (Eccl e si aste s 12)
su ch f i gu r e s ar e e mpl o ye d as, th e si l ve r co r d [spi n al co r d ] be
l o o se d, o r th e go l d e n bo wl [h e ad o r sku l l ] be br o ke n , o r th e
pi tch e r be br o ke n at th e f o u n ta i n [f ai l u r e o f th e h e a r t ] (vs.
6, 7). T h e sage o f Eccl e si astes n e xt says: T h e n sh al l j h e d u s t
[by me to n ymy, pu t f o r bo d y, mad e o f d u st] r e t u r n to th e e a r th
as i t was: a n d th e s p i r i t [ruach, n o t nephesh\ sh al l r e t u r n u n to
Go d wh o gave i t (Eccl . 12:7).
4. T o Sa v e a So u l I s t o Sa v e a M a n .T h e qu e s ti o n
al so ar i se s as to th e me a n i n g o f save a so u l . I t i s si mpl y to
save wh a t i s th e e qu i va l e n t o f a so u l th e man h i ms e l f . Man
was mad e to h ave e te r n al l i f e , bu t l o st i t by si n. He was to h ave
co n ti n u e d o n pe r pe tu al l y h ad Ad am n o t s i n n e d . Man d i e s
th e first d e ath be cau se Ad am si n n e d . Bu t h e may be saved
f r o m, a n d avo i d , th e second d e ath by r e d e mpti o n . Savi n g a
so u l , th e n , i s savi n g a pe r so n from death; o r , i n o t h e r wo r d s,
i t i s savi n g h i m unto life. T h a t i s th e wo n d e r o f th e go spe l i n
o pe r ati o n .
5. B i b l i c a l P o r t r a y a l o f D e a t h .Of Abr a h a ms d e ath
i t i s wr i tte n : T h e n Abr ah am gave u p th e gh o st [yi e l d e d u p h i s
s pi r i t], a n d d i e d i n a go o d o l d age . . . ; a n d was gath e r e d to
\ 40 C ONDI T I ONAL I ST FAI T H
h i s pe o pl e [i d i o mati c e u ph e mi s m f o r d e ath a n d bu r i a l ]. An d
h i s so ns Isaac an d Ish mae l bu r i e d h i m i n th e cave o f Mach -
pe l a h (Ge n . 25:8, 9).
Of J a co bs d e ath a n d bu r i a l th i s i s th e r e co r d : He [J aco b]
. . . yi e l d e d u p th e gh o st, a n d was gath e r e d u n to h i s pe o pl e .
Fo r h i s so ns car r i e d h i m i n to th e l an d o f C an aan , a n d bu r i e d
h i m i n th e cave o f th e f i el d o f Mach pe l ah (Ge n . 49:33;
50:13).
An d o f Davi d s d e ath , a n d So l o mo n s, i t i s wr i tte n , So
Davi d s l e pt wi th h i s f ath e r s [l ai d d o wn to sl e e p], a n d was
bu r i e d i n th e ci ty o f Davi d (1 Ki n gs 2:10); An d So l o mo n
sl e pt wi th h i s f ath e r s, an d was bu r i e d i n th e ci ty o f Davi d
(1 Ki n gs 11:43).
C H A P T E R T H R E E
, Probati on, T emptati on
and Fal l
I. On e Pr o h i bi ti o n Pl ace d Upo n Man i n Ede n
Go d br o u gh t f o r th a pe r f e ct wo r l d an d pl ace d pe r f e ct
cr e atu r e s u po n i t. T h e r e co r d i s: Go d saw e ve r y th i n g t h a t h e
h ad mad e , an d , be h o l d , i t was ve r y go o d (Ge n . 1:31). Af te r
th e ve ge tabl e a n d an i mal l i f e we r e cr e ate d , man , ^t h e cr o wn o f
cr e a ti o n , was br o u gh t i n to e xi ste n ce . He was a be i n g wo r th y
o f h i s C r e ato r , f o r h e was mad e i n th e i mage o f Go d (v. 27) .
An d Go d cr e ate d a co mpan i o n f o r Ad ama h e l pme e t co r r e
s po n d i n g to h i m, bo n e o f h i s bo n e , f l esh o f h i s f l esh . T h e y we r e
i n n o ce n t a n d pe r f e ct, an d we r e f r e e mo r al age n ts, capabl e o f
u n d e r s tan d i n g r i gh te o u sn e ss, wi sd o m, ju sti ce , an d mo r al o bl i
ga ti o n ^Bu t be f o r e th e y co u l d be mad e e te r n al l y se cu r e , t h e i r
l o yal ty mu st be te ste d . He r e i s th e Bi bl e sto r y:
T h e Lo r d Go d pl a n te d a gar d e n e astwar d i n Ed e n ; an d th e r e h e
pu t th e man wh o m h e h ad f o r me d . An d o u t o f th e gr o u n d mad e th e
Lo r d Go d to gr o w eve r y tr e e th a t i s pl e asan t to th e si gh t, an d go o d f o r
f o o d ; th e tr e e o f l i f e al so i n th e mi d st o f th e gar d e n , an d th e tr e e o f
kn o wl e d ge o f go o d an d e vi l (Ge n . 2:8, 9).
An ti th e Lo r d Go d to o k d i e man , an d pu t h i m i n to th e gar d e n
o f Ed e n to dr ess i t an d to ke e p i t. An d th e Lo r d Go d co mman d e d th e
man , sayi ng, Of eve r y tr e e o f th e gar d e n d i o u mayest f r e e l y e at: bu t o f
th e tr e e o f th e kn o wl e d ge o f go o d an d evi l , th o u sh al t n o t e at o f i t: f o r
i n th e d ay th a t th o u e ate st th e r e o f th o u sh al t su r e l y d i e (vs. 15-17).
Eve r yth i n g o n e ar th was pl ace d u n d e r ma n s co n tr o l e x
ce pt o n e tr e e . T h e e ati n g o r e ve n th e to u ch i n g o f th e f r u i t o f
t h a t tr e e (Ge n . 3:3) was th e o n e pr o h i bi ti o n pl ace d u po n
42
RUSSELL HARLAN, ARTIST I 9 5 9 BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD
Adam an d Eve, as Fr e e Mo r al Agents, We r e Pl ace d Un d e r T e s t i n Ed e n , Over
Obe d i e n ce to Go d s On e Pr o h i bi ti o n .
Ad am an d Eve. T h e si nl ess pa i r we r e th u s pl ace d i n a pe r f e ct
e n vi r o n me n t, s u bje cte d to a si mpl e basi c te st, an d d u l y war n e d
o f th e co n se qu e n ce o f d i so be d i e n ce . A su bje ct o f th e d i vi n e
go ve r n me n t, man was pl ace d u n d e r th e l aw o f o be d i e n ce as
an i n d i s pe n s abl e co n d i ti o n o f co n ti n u i n g we l f ar e an d exi st-
e n ce . I f h e tr an sgr e sse d h e r e h e i n cu r r e d gu i l t, a n d d i saste r
wo u l d f o l l o w.
Ad am mi gh t h ave be e n cr e ate d po we r l e ss to tr an sgr e ss
a me r e au to mato n . Bu t wi th o u t f r e e d o m o f ch o i ce , o be d i e n ce
wo u l d h ave be e n f o r ce d , n o t base d vo l u n ta r i l y o n so ve r e i gn
43
ch o i ce . T h e r e wo u l d t h e n h ave be e n n o essen ti a l d e ve l o pme n t
o f ch ar acte r . He n ce , pe r f e ct pe r pe tu al o be d i e n ce was th e con-
d i ti o n o f e te r n al h appi n e ss. T h i s was th e co n d i ti o n o f pe r pe tu al
access to th e i n d i s pe n s abl e vi go r i mpa r te d by th e tr e e o f l i f e .
F i r s t P a r e n t s P l a c e d o n P r o b a t i o n .Ou r f i r st par e n ts ,
as d we l l e r s i n Ed e n , we r e th u s pl ace d o n pr o bati o n . T h e i r h o l y
e state , and life itself, co u l d be r e ta i n e d o n l y on condition. T h e
i ssu e was cl e ar l y d r awn . T h e r e was th e tr e e o f l i f e i n th e Ga r
d e n an d th e u n e qu i vo cal s tate me n t o f Go d co n ce r n i n g th e tr e e
o f kn o wl e d ge o f go o d an d e vi l , I n th e d ay t h a t t h o u e ate st
th e r e o f th o u s h al t su r e l y d i e . I n ef f ect Go d sai d , Yo u may
ch o o se to o be y o r to d i so be y. C o n ti n u e d l i f e i n My d o mai n i s
co n d i ti o n e d u po n o be d i e n ce . I f yo u d i so be y, d e ath wi l l be th e
r e s u l t. T h u s th e ch o i ce s we r e cl e ar l y se t f o r th , an d th e r e s u l ts
life o r death.
I t i s co mmo n l y r e co gn i ze d t h a t Go d al o n e i s i n f i n i te an d
abs o l u te i n l i be r ty o f wi l l , pu r po se , an d acti o n . Bu t th e mo r al
cr e atu r e s o f Hi s e ar th l y cr e ati o n t h a t i s, man ki n d we r e al so
e n d o we d by th e i r C r e ato r wi th f r e e d o m o f wi l l . T h e y we r e f r e e
mo r al age n ts. An d n o l o f ti e r co n ce pti o n o f cr e ati ve po we r a n d
pu r po s e can be co n ce i ve d . Man , th e cr o wn o f cr e ati o n , was
br o u gh t i n to be i n g wi th a vi e w to e xe r ci si n g t h a t wi l l wi th
f r e e d o m, th o u gh th e l i be r ty o f th e cr e atu r e i s n e ce ssar i l y bu t
r e l ati ve as co mpar e d wi th th a t o f th e C r e ato r .
T h e r e i n l i e s th e e xpl an ati o n o f th e o r i gi n o f go o d an d
e vi l . T h e co n ti n ge n cy o r po ssi bi l i ty o f a f al l i s, o f co u r se , i n
h e r e n t i n su ch a cr e ati ve pr o vi si o n . An d th e e ssence o f th e Fal l
i s, i n r e al i ty, th e abu se o f t h a t ve ste d l i be r ty. So sin i s th e
co n se qu e n ce o f th i s co l l i si o n be twe e n th e wi l l o f man a n d th e
wi l l o f Go d th e asse r ti o n o f se l f o ve r agai n st Go d .
1. F r e e d o m o f W i l l I s E s s e n c e o f B e i n g .Ad am was
n e i t h e r an a u to ma to n n o r an u n d e ve l o pe d n e wbo r n babe , bu t
I I . Fr e e d o m o f Wi l l Is Mo r al Acco untabi l i ty
a ma tu r e man a co mpl e te l y r e s po n s i bl e be i n g. He mu s t make
h i s o wn ch o i ce s. T h o u gh cr e ate d si nl e ss, h e h ad to d e ve l o p a
r i gh te o u s a n d h o l y ch ar acte r . An d ch ar acte r i s d e ve l o pe d
t h r o u gh r i gh t an d so ve r e i gn ch o i ce s. T h e r e co u l d be n o vi r tu e i f
th e r e we r e n o po ssi bi l i ty o f be co mi n g vi ci o u s. An d vi r tu e
mu s t be a tt a i n e d f o r co n ti n u e d l i f e a n d f e l l o wsh i p wi th Go d .
T h e o n l y co u r se t h a t man was n o t f r e e to take was t h a t o f n e ve r
ch o o si n g. I n f act, r e f u s al o f a f r e e mo r al age n t to make ch o i ce
i s i mpo ssi bl e . So o n e r o r l ate r ch o i ce mu s t be mad e be twe e n
t r u t h a n d e r r o r , o be d i e n ce a n d tr an sgr e ssi o n .
T h e f al l o f th e cr e atu r e , th e n , i s a d e te r mi n a te ch o i ce o r
e xe r ci se o f h i s o wn wi l l i n a d i r e cti o n co n tr ar y to Go d s wi l l
th e i n f i n i te an d abs o l u te wi l l o f Go d . I t i s th e r e be l l i o n o f a
f r e e mo r al age n t. I f th i s a tt i t u d e pe r si sts, a n d n o r e me d y i s
f o u n d , th e r e s u l t mu s t e ve n tu al l y be th e d e s tr u cti o n o f th e r e
be l l i o u s s i n n e r , f o r th e wages o f si n i s d e a th (Ro m. 6:23).
T h i s po i n t i s vi tal , an d ju sti f i e s r e i te r a ti o n : T h e n a tu r a l an d
i n e vi tabl e co n se qu e n ce o f su ch a l i f e -an d -d e ath co l l i si o n be
twe e n th e two wi l l s i s th a t th e cr e a tu r e s wi l l mu s t u l ti mate l y
ce ase to be . He mu s t pe r i s h (J o h n 3:16). Oth e r wi se th e
PROHI BI T I ON, PROBAT I ON, T EMPT AT I ON, AND FALL 45
C r e a to r s wi l l wo u l d n o l o n ge r be abs o l u te , bu t l i mi te d a n d
n e gate d by th e cr e a tu r e s pe r s i s ti n g d e f i an ce .
Bu t man as a cr e atu r e was br o u gh t i n to be i n g f o r th e
r i gh t a n d f r e e e xe r ci se o f h i s wi l l . Li be r ty i s th e r e f o r e th e ve r y
basi s o f h i s e xi ste n ce . I n d e e d , i t co n s ti tu te s th e essence o f h i s
be i n g. T h e r e f o r e th e r e mo val o f su ch l i be r ty me an s th e d e
s tr u cti o n o f h i s ve r y be i n g an d th e t e r mi n a ti o n o f h i s e xi ste n ce
as a mo r al e n ti ty. An d i t i s, o f co u r se , th e cr e a tu r e t h a t wi l l
u l ti ma te l y be o bl i te r a te d i n a f atal co l l i si o n o f th e two wi l l s.
An y o th e r o u tco me wo u l d be u n t h i n ka bl e f o r th e co n ti n u -
an ce o f a mo r al cr e atu r e wi th o u t l i be r ty, o r wi th h i s f r e e d o m
r u n amu ck, wo u l d be th e co n ti n u an ce o f so me th i n g wi th o u t
ju s ti f i abl e pu r po se . T h e cr e atu r e wo u l d be n o l o n ge r wo r th y
e i t h e r o f Go d o r o f co n ti n u an ce .
/
2. E n d l e s s D e f i a n c e W o u l d T h w a r t G o d . T h e e n d
l ess e xi ste n ce o f su ch d e f i an ce wo u l d be a co n tr ad i cti o n o f th e
r o o t co n ce pt o f th e o mn i po te n ce a n d wi sd o m o f Go d . T h e r e
f o r e th e l o gi cal co n se qu e n ce o f th e Fal l wi l l be th e u l ti ma te
to tal e xti n cti o n o f th e d e f i an t cr e atu r e f o r me d to l i ve i n l i be r ty.
Bu t h e h ad n o w ch o se n to mi su se th a t l i be r ty. Hi s essence o f
be i n g wi l l be take n away, an d wi l l r e ve r t to n o th i n gn e ss, as
Go d be co me s al l i n a l l (1 C o r . 15:28).
I t i s abs u r d an d u n t h i n ka bl e to mai n tai n , as so me d o , t h a t
Go d , th e al mi gh ty C r e ato r , wo u l d s tar t s o me th i n g He co u l d
n o t sto p.
Bu t th a t go l d e n d ay wh e n Go d i s al l i n a l l h as n o t ye t
co me to pass. De f i an t cr e atu r e s sti l l e xi st. An d wh i l e th e Fal l
o ccu r r e d back i n Ed e n , e vi l by ch o i ce sti l l pe r si sts. Hu ma n a n d
an ge l i c be i n gs, go o d an d e vi l , sti l l e xi st an d f l o u t a n d de f y Go d
al o n g wi th Satan h i mse l f , th e pe r so n i f i cati o n o f si n . Wh i l e
man sti l l e xe r ci se s h i s f r e e d o m, h e do e s n o t h ave al l o f h i s
o r i gi n al l i be r ti e s an d pr i vi l e ge s. Bu t h e i s sti l l h e l d i n e scap
abl y acco u n tabl e f o r h i s d e ci si o n s. Fo r th e se h e mu s t gi ve a n
swer , an d acce pt r e spo n s i bi l i ty at th e ju d gme n t ba r o f Go d .
T h a t i s th e l o gi c o f th e case, a n d th e Bi bl i cal pr i n ci pl e at
stake .
3. U l t i m a t e D e s t r u c t i o n f o r I n c o r r i g i b l e D e f i a n c e .
T h e f r e e cr e atu r e th a t sets h i mse l f u p i n co n f l i ct wi th Go d s
wi l l , can n o t co n ce i vabl y co n ti n u e to e xi st f o r e ve r as a f r e e
cr e atu r e . T h e r e i s o bvi o u sl y a l i mi t, be cau se Go d s l i be r ty an d
po we r ar e i n f i n i te , as we l l as Hi s go o d n e ss an d ju sti ce . Go d
h as r e s tr i cte d , o r r e pr e sse d , Hi s o wn co mpl e te l i be r ty f o r a
ti me , an d i mpo se d u po n Hi mse l f ce r tai n r e s tr ai n ts so as to
l e ave r o o m f o r th e s i n f u l cr e a tu r e s l i be r ty u n t i l th e cl o se o f
h u ma n i tys pe r i o d o f pr o ba ti o n .
Bu t i f su ch cr e atu r e -d e f i an ce we r e to be co n ti n u e d e te r
n al l y, su ch r e be l l i o n wo u l d th war t Go d s abs o l u te l i be r ty, l o ve,
an d ju sti ce , wh i ch mu st u l ti mate l y f i l l th e u n i ve r s e an d al l
e xi ste n ce f o r al l e te r n i ty to co me .
Ul ti mate an d u t t e r d e s tr u cti o n o f th e i n co r r i gi bl y d e f i an t
i s th e r e f o r e th e l o gi cal a n d u n avo i d abl e co n se qu e n ce o f th e
Fal l . Such is the verdict of logic.
Ami d Al l th e Gl o r i e s o f
Ed e n , Eve Had Eve r yth i n g
Ne e d f u l f o r C o mpl e te Hap
pi ne ss an d C o n ti n u i n g Li f e ,
bu t Became Fasci n ate d by
th e Fo r bi d d e n Fr u i t.
I I I . T e mptati o n at T r e e of Kno wl edge o f Go o d an d Evi l
At th e ve r y be gi n n i n g o f l i f e s path way i n Ed e n , te mpta
ti o n co n f r o n te d th e f i r st pai r . He r e i s th e Bi bl e acco u n t:
No w th e se r pe n t was mo r e s u bti l th an an y be ast o f th e f i el d wh i ch
th e Lo r d Go d h a d mad e . An d h e sai d u n to th e wo man , Yea, h ath Go d
sai d , Ye sh al l n o t e at o f eve r y tr e e o f th e gar d e n ? An d th e wo man sai d
u n to th e se r pe n t, We may e at o f th e f r u i t o f th e tr e e s o f th e gar d e n :
bu t o f th e f r u i t o f th e tr e e wh i ch i s i n th e mi d st o f th e gar d e n , Go d h ath
sai d , Ye sh al l n o t e at o f i t, n e i th e r sh al l ye to u ch i t, l est ye d i e . An d
th e se r pe n t sai d u n to th e wo man , Ye sh al l n o t su r e l y d i e : f o r Go d d o th
kn o w th a t i n th e day ye e at th e r e o f , th e n yo u r eyes sh al l be o pe n e d ,
a n d ye sh al l be as gods, kn o wi n g go o d an d evi l . An d wh e n th e wo man
saw th a t th e tr e e was go o d f o r f o o d, an d th a t i t was pl e asan t to th e
eyes, an d a tr e e to be d e si r e d to make o n e wi se, sh e to o k o f th e f r u i t
th e r e o f , an d d i d e at, an d gave al so u n to h e r h u s ban d wi th h e r ; an d h e
d i d e a t (Ge n . 3:1-6).
Eve was e vi d e n tl y passi n g th r o u gh th e mi d s t o f th e gar
d e n wh e n a r e mar kabl e tal ki n g s e r pe n t i n th e f r u i t-l ad e n
br an ch e s o f th e f o r bi d d e n tr e e attr acte d h e r atte n ti o n . He r
an swe r to th e s e r pe n ts i n tr i gu i n g qu e s ti o n sh o ws th a t sh e
cl e ar l y u n d e r s to o d Go d s pr o h i bi ti o n an d th e pe n al ty f o r di s-
o be d i e n ce . Bu t th e s e r pe n t f l atl y d e n i e d Go d s th r e at, Ye sh al l
n o t su r e l y d i e , a n d co n ti n u e d se d u cti ve l y, Go d d o th kn o w
t h a t i n th e d ay ye e at th e r e o f , th e n yo u r eyes sh al l be o pe n e d ,
a n d ye sh al l be as go ds, kn o wi n g go o d a n d e vi l .
T h e f o r bi d d e n f r u i t o f th e tr e e o f th e kn o wl e d ge o f go o d
a n d e vi l was d o u btl e s s s u i tabl e f o r f o o d , f o r th e r e was n o po i so n
i n Par ad i se . I t appe al e d to Eve s se nse o f be au ty. An d i t co m
me n d e d i tse l f to th e i n te l l e ct as a tr e e th at, i f t r u e to i ts n ame ,
s h o u l d su r e l y i mpa r t wi sd o mju s t as th e tr e e o f l i f e i mpa r te d
l i f e . An d th i s wi sd o m, acco r d i n g to th e a l l u r e me n t o f th e s e r
pe n t , wo u l d l i f t ma n s i n si gh t to a par i ty wi th th a t o f Go d .
Eve was th u s assu r e d t h a t th e y wo u l d a tt a i n a mo r e e xal te d
sph e r e o f e xi ste n ce , an d e n te r i n to a br o ad e r ar e a o f kn o wl
e d ge i f o n l y th e y wo u l d par take . T h e s e r pe n t was e vi d e n tl y
e n sco n ce d i n th e tr e e , a n d r e t r i bu t i o n h ad n o t be e n vi si te d
u po n i t. An d th e s e r pe n t pr o mi s e d an unconditional i mmo r
tal i ty, wh e r e as Go d s pr o mi se was co n d i ti o n al o n o be d i e n ce .
Wo u l d th e y i n d e e d pr o gr e ss i n kn o wl e d ge , an d be gai n e r s by
vi o l ati n g th e co mman d o f Go d ? Wo u l d th e y actu al l y be co me
l i ke Go d Hi mse l f ?an d th e a ttr i bu te s o f Go d wo u l d , o f co u r se ,
i n cl u d e i mmo r tal i ty, o mn i sci e n ce , e t ce te r a, wi th al l t h a t su ch
ch ar acte r i sti cs i n vo l ve . T h a t was th e basi c i ssue. T h a t was th e
l i f e -an d -d e ath qu e s ti o n . Ma n s d e sti n y was i n vo l ve d i n th e o u t
co me .
Eve, al as, was l e d to be l i e ve th e s e r pe n ts wo r d s, a n d
th e r e by to d i sbe l i e ve an d d e n y th e wo r d o f Go d . Fi r st, touch
ing th e f r u i t, sh e d i d n o t d i e . T h e n sh e ate o f i t wi th o u t i m
me d i ate d e ath . T h e n sh e l e d Ad am to acce pt an d e at. T h a t i s
th e tr agi c r e co r d .
IV. Satan Hi mse l f th e Un d e r co ve r T e mpte r i n Ed e n
I t i s d i f f i cu l t to co n ce i ve o f Eve s h o l d i n g co n ve r se wi th a
gr o ve l i n g sn ake , as we kn o w i t to d ay, o r gi vi n g h e e d to i t. Bu t
we can u n d e r s ta n d h e r f as ci n ati o n wi th a r a d i a n t cr e atu r e , a p
pe ar i n g l i ke an an ge l o f l i gh t (2 C o r . 11:14)an d a ppa r
e n tl y po sse ssi n g s u pe r n a tu r a l kn o wl e d ge , al o n g wi th i ts d i s
co n ce r ti n g qu e s ti o n s . T r a d i t i o n h as co me to po r tr ay a s l i th e r
i n g sn ake a n d a s h i n i n g appl e i n co n n e cti o n wi th th e Fal l
th e f o r me r base d o n a mi sco n ce pti o n ; th e l a tte r a pu r e f abr i ca
ti o n . T h u s th i s tr agi c e pi so d e i s mad e th e bu t t o f th e je e r s an d
jo ke s o f th e i n f i d e l an d th e tar ge t o f th e cr i ti cs attacks. Bu t l e t
us t u r n f r o m al l su ch tr i vi a, as we r e ve r e n tl y seek th e t r u t h .
T h e sce n e o f th i s a r tf u l a n d cr af ty te mpta ti o n i n Ed e n
was l ai d ami d th e gl o r i e s o f th e si gn i f i can t tr e e s o f th e Gar d e n .
An d th e u n d e r co ve r t e mpte r was n o n e o th e r th an Satan h i m
sel f , wo r ki n g t h r o u gh th e me d i u m o f an e n ch an ti n g s e r pe n t
(He b. nachash)th e n ame i mpl yi n g f asci n ati o n o r e n ch an t
me n t 1e vi d e n tl y o n th e o r d e r o f a saraph.2 T h e e n ch an ti n g
s e r pe n t o f Ed e n was cl e ar l y n o t th e wr i th i n g sn ake o f to d ay,
n o w s l i th e r i n g al o n g o n i ts be l l y. I t was th e n a cr e a tu r e o f
gl o r i o u s be au ty, mo r e s u bt i l (He b. aram, wi se) t h an an y
o t h e r cr e atu r e i n Ed e n , po sse ssi n g po we r s a n d capaci ti e s n o
l o n ge r e n jo ye d .
So th i s mo st attr acti ve an d i n te l l i ge n t o f al l cr e atu r e s, th e n
d o u btl e ss h avi n g wi n gs, l i ke th e saraph, was th e d azzl i n g me
d i u m th a t attr acte d th e a tt e n ti o n o f Eve an d to wh i ch sh e pai d
su ch d e f e r e n ce . Bu t back o f i t was n o n e o th e r t h a n th e o l d
s e r pe n t (2 C o r . 11:3), h e r e o pe r a ti n g u n d e r a gu i se . Af te r
i ts cr u e l ach i e ve me n t, Satan s to o l was cu r se d by Go d an d
th e n mad e to gl i d e an d spi r al al o n g o n i ts be l l y (Ge n . 3:14),
a n d h as e ve r si n ce be e n a l o ath so me , wr i th i n g r e pti l e . T h a t
was o n e o f th e se co n d ar y r e su l ts o f th e Fal l .3
1Nachash ma y be tr a n s l a t e d e n ch a n t , f a s ci n a te , be wi t ch , o r as h a vi n g o ccu l t po we r s o f
kn o wl e d ge , o r d i vi n a ti o n . I t was s o me t h i n g gl o r i o u s a n d s ci n t i l l a ti n g. Se e Ge n . 44:5, 15: Le v.
19:26; De u t . 18:10; 2 K i n gs 17:17; 21:6; 2 C h r o n . 33:6.
- T h e f i e r y s e r pe n t s , o r bu r n i n g o n e s o f Nu mbe r s 21:6, 9, we r e r e mi n d e r s o f t h e gl o r i o u s
ce l e s ti al be i n gs o f I s a i a h 6:2, nachash be i n g vi r t u a l l y s yn o n ymo u s wi t h iaraph, i n d i ca t i n g br i l
l i a n ce a n d f as ci n ati o n ([Bu l l i n ge r ], The Companion Bible, o n Nu m. 21:6, 9, n o t e s ; cf . I s a. 6:2,
n o t e . Se c al so App. 19, pp. 24, 25).
3T h e an n a l s o f a n t i qu i t y r e ve a l t h a t i n a n ci e n t ti me s t h e s e r pe n t was al ways r e ga r d e d
wi t h awe . As i t h a d n o e ye l i d s a t r a n s pa r e n t me mbr a n e ta ki n g t h e pl a ce o f th o s e mo vabl e
ve i l s i t was s e e mi n gl y a cr e a t u r e wi t h e ye s al ways o pe n . Acco r d i n gl y i t was co n s i d e r e d t h e mo s t
vi gi l a n t a n d i n t e l l i ge n t o f al l an i ma l s . I n f a ct , t h e n a me d r a go n , a ki n d o f s e r pe n t , me an s t h e
o n e t h a t se e s, a n d was be l i e ve d to se e a t n i gh t . An o th e r r e co gn i ze d ch a r a ct e r i s t i c was t h a t u n d e r
a n i n o f f e n si ve a ppe a r a n ce i t o f te n co n ce al e d a d e a d l y ve n o m.
T h e Gr e e k h e r a l d s , f o r i n s ta n ce , we r e s ymbo l i ze d by two s e r pe n t s f a ci n g e a ch o t h e r ,
s i gn i f yi n g wi s d o m o n bo t h s i d e s . An d back i n Egypt t h e go d s a n d ki n gs we r e al ways r e pr e s e n t e d
as h a vi n g th e uraeus, o r co i l e d s e r pe n t , u po n t h e h e a d . I n Gr e e ce , Pal l as A t h e n a , go d d e ss o f
wi s d o m, wo r e a n e ckl ace o f e n t wi n e d s e r pe n t s , s o me ti me s wi th o n e a t h e r f e e t .
50 C ONDI T I ONALI ST FAI T H
V. Lu ci f e r s Re be l l i o n i n He ave n T r an sf e r r e d to Ear th
1. P r i d e a n d J e a l o u s y F o me n t e d R e b e l l i o n i n H e a v e n .
He r e l e t us go back i n ti me . Bi bl e s tu d e n ts wi d e l y r e co gn i ze
t h a t Isai ah 14:12-18 an d Eze ki e l 28:12-18 ar e I n s pi r a t i o n s po r
tr ayal s o f th e o r i gi n , n a tu r e , an d d e sti n y o f Satan .4T h e s e pas
sages te l l us h o w Lu ci f e r , th e e xal te d l i gh t be ar e r , d e ge n e r ate d
t h r o u gh si n i n to o n e wh o came to be cal l e d th e d e vi l (l i te r al l y,
slanderer) a n d Satan (th e adversary). C r e ate d to be o n e o f
th e co ve r i n g ch e r u bs, th e h i gh e st an d wi sest o f th e an ge l i c be
i ngs, Lu ci f e r be came l i f te d u p be cau se o f h i s be au ty an d wi s
d o m (Eze. 28:17).
J e al o u sy o f Go d gr i ppe d h i s h e ar t, an d h e d e te r mi n e d to
e xal t h i s th r o n e abo ve h i s f el l o ws, a n d to be l i ke th e Mo st
Hi gh (Isa. 14:13, 14). T h e Bi bl e i s e xpl i ci t i n te ach i n g th e pe r
s o n al i ty o f Satan an d h i s par t i n e f f e cti n g th e f al l o f man . He
h i ms e l f i s pr e s e n te d as a cr e ate d be i n g, l i ke wi se wi th po we r o f
ch o i ce , wh o to o k ad van tage o f h i s l i be r ty i n o r d e r to br i n g
a bo u t e vi l an d to l e ad o th e r s i n to h i s o wn e s tr an ge me n t an d r e
be l l i o n .
Mo ve d by je al o u sy a n d a mbi ti o n , Lu ci f e r f o me n te d r e be l
l i o n i n h e ave n , a t h i r d o f th e an ge l s jo i n i n g h i s d e f e cti o n (Re v.
12:4; J u d e 6). Bu t h e was d e f e ate d a n d cast o u t o f h e ave n
(Re v. 12:7-10; Lu ke 10:18), wi th th e an ge l s t h a t s i n n e d
(2 Pe te r 2:4), wh o we r e cast i n to pi ts o f d ar kn e ss (A.S.V.).
Satan was d r i ve n f r o m h i s f i rst e s tate an d mad e th e ae r i al
r e gi o n s a n d th e e ar th th e sce n e o f h i s s u bs e qu e n t r e l e n tl e ss
war f ar e agai n st Go d an d man (Eph . 6:11, 12).
He be came th e pr i n ce o f th e po we r o f th e a i r (Eph .
2:2), an d h as assu me d th e pr i n ce s h i p o r go d sh i p o f th i s wo r l d
(2 C o r . 4:4; J o h n 12:31; 14:30; 16:11), wi th mal i gn po we r to
te mpt man ki n d . Hi s co h o r ts e mbr ace th e e vi l pr i n ci pal i ti e s
a n d po we r s an d s pi r i tu a l h o sts o f wi cke d n e ss i n h i gh pl ace s
(Eph . 6:12). Li e s, d e ce pti o n , f o r ce , cr u e l ty, di se ase , su f f e r i n g,
4C h u r ch wr i te r s as e a r l y as T e r t u l l i a n a n d J e r o me so h e l d . An d th i s h as al so be e n a
co mmo n u n d e r s t a n d i n g e ve r s i n ce t h e Mi d d l e Age s.
T. K. MARTIN, ARTIST AFTER GUSTAVE DOR
Lu ci f e r , Rad i an t He ad o f th e Ho sts of
He ave n , T h r o u gh Si n Became th e Embo d i
me n t o f Al l Evi l , th e Fath e r o f Li es, th e
T e mpt e r an d Su bve r te r , th e Gr e at Decei ver.
Satan an d Hi s Evi l Mi n i o n s We r e C ast Ou t
o f He ave n , an d T h e n ce f o r th C o n ce n tr ate d
o n Br i n gi n g Ru i n to th e In h abi tan ts o f
Ear th T h r o u gh o u t th e C e n tu r i e s.
a n d death ar e h i s mal i gn we apo n s. He r e i s th e f actu al r e co r d
i n th e Apo cal ypse :
An d th e r e was war i n h e ave n : Mi ch ae l [C h r i st] an d h i s an ge l s f o u gh t
agai n st th e d r ago n [Satan]; an d th e d r ago n f o u gh t an d h i s ange l s, an d
pr e vai l e d n o t; n e i th e r was th e i r pl ace f o u n d an y mo r e i n h e ave n . An d
th e gr e at d r ago n was cast o u t, th at o l d s e r pe n t, cal l e d th e Devi l , an d
Satan , wh i ch d e ce i ve d ! th e wh o l e wo r l d : h e was cast o u t i n to th e e ar th ,
an d h i s [f al l e n ] an ge l s we r e cast o u t wi d i h i m (Re v. 12:7-9).
So i n th e u l ti ma te th e gr e at co n tr o ve r sy i s be twe e n C h r i st
an d Satan , an d wi l l co n ti n u e o n wi th o u t r e s pi te u n t i l C h r i st
gai n s an e te r n al , a n n i h i l a t i n g vi cto r y o ve r Satan a n d h i s f o l
l o we r s. T h a t i s th e d e s ti n e d o u tco me .
2. E d e n B e c o me s t h e N e w B a t t l e g r o u n d . Af te r th e
cr e ati o n o f man an d h i s pl ace me n t i n Ed e n , Satan i n h i s e po ch al
51
te mpta ti o n o f man u se d a capti vati n g, wi n ge d s e r pe n t o f
d azzl i n g be au ty, spe aki n g th r o u gh i t to d e ce i ve an d be gu i l e
Eve th r o u gh th e s u btl e ty o f h i s ar gu me n ts (Ge n . 3:1). I n th i s
way Satan se cu r e d th e d o wn f al l o f Ad am, a n d th u s o f th e
r ace . Bu t th e co ve n an t-pr o mi se s u bs e qu e n tl y mad e to Ad am
assur e s th e u l ti ma te d e s tr u cti o n o f Satan th r o u gh th e Se e d o f
th e wo man (Ge n . 3:15).
Satan th e n be gan h i s l o n g a n d r e l e n tl e ss war f ar e agai n st
Go d an d man , wi th r e s o r t to e ve r y f o u l me an s a n d e vi l d e vi ce .
C ast o u t o f h i s f i r st e state , th e d e vi l o pe r ate s as h e ad o f a vast
h o st o f r e be l f al l e n ange l s, o th e r wi se cal l e d wi cke d spi r i ts,
o r d e mo n s (Matt. 7:22). T h i s d e vi ce was l ate r d e s ti n e d to be
d e ve l o pe d i n to a maste r system o f d e ce pti o n , to be co ve r e d i n
vo l u me two . Bu t Satan s po we r wi l l be br o ke n . T h a t was as
s u r e d by C h r i s ts t r i u mph a n t d e ath o n th e cro ss (J o h n 12:31;
16:11). At o u r L o r d s se co n d ad ve n t Satan wi l l be bo u n d f o r a
th o u s an d ye ar s (Re v. 20:3, 7). T h e n , a t th e i r cl o se, th e d e vi l
wi l l make h i s s u pr e me a n d f i nal e f f o r t to o ve r th r o w th e ki n g
d o m o f Go d (vs. 7-9).
Bu t Satan s r e be l l i o n wi l l e n d i n f ai l u r e . He wi l l be u t
te r l y d e f e ate d a n d d e str o ye d , to ge th e r wi th h i s f al l e n an ge l s
a n d al l th e h u man r ace wh o h ave f o l l o we d h i m. T h e y wi l l be
cast at l ast i n to th e l ake o f f i r e an d br i ms to n e (v. 10). (T h e
po pu l ar n o ti o n , i t s h o u l d be i n je cte d , th a t Satan , wi th h o r n s
a n d h o o f s a n d pi tch f o r k, n o w r e i gn s i n h e l l i s u tte r l y u n -Bi b-
l i cal .) Be cause o f th e vi tal be ar i n g o f Satan , h i s e vi l an ge l s, an d
h i s basi c d e ce pti o n s o n th e f ate o f man , l e t us s cr u ti n i ze th e
i n s pi r e d r e ci tal s ti l l mo r e cl o sel y.
3. L u c i f e r : H i g h e s t A n g e l Be c o me s L o w e s t D e v i l .
Acco r d i n g to Ho l y Wr i t th e o r i gi n al f al l to o k pl ace i n
He ave n (Re v. 12:7-9), wh e n ce Lu ci f e r , so n o f th e mo r n i n g
o r d ay s ta r (Isa. 14:12, mar gi n ), a u th o r an d i n s ti gato r o f si n ,
f e l l f r o m He ave n . T h e t r u e se cr e t sto r y i s r e ve al e d by i n s pi r a
ti o n th r o u gh th e pr o ph e t Isai ah , wh o di scl o ses wh at Lu ci f e r h ad
sai d i n h i s h e a r t :
"I wi l l asce n d i n to h e ave n [th e co u n ci l s o f He ave n ], I wi l l e xal t my
th r o n e abo ve th e star s o f Go d [th e ange l s, J o b 38:7]: I wi l l si t al so u po n
th e mo u n t o f th e co n gr e gati o n . . . : I wi l l asce n d abo ve th e h e i gh ts . . . ;
I wi l l be l i ke th e mo st Hi gh (Isa. 14:13, 14).
He th u s aspi r e d to be l i ke Go d i n po we r an d gl o r y, but
not in character. An d o f h i s mal i gn wo r k af te r h i s f al l th e I n
spi r e d Re co r d f u r t h e r state s th a t h e i s th e o n e wh o h as mad e
th e wo r l d as a wi l d e r n e ss, a n d d e str o ye d th e ci ti e s th e r e o f ,
wi th h i s e vi l mach i n ati o n s. An d f u r th e r , si gn i f i can tl y, h e
o pe n e d n o t th e h o u se o f h i s pr i s o n e r s [o r , d i d n o t l e t h i s
pr i s o n e r s l o o se h o me war d s, mar gi n ] (v. 17), wh o l i e (sl eep)
i n th e pr i s o n h o u se o f d e ath , e vi d e n tl y th e gr ave .
Eze ki e l state s t h a t th i s f al l e n ce l e sti al be i n g was cr e ate d
(Eze. 28:13, 15), an d h e n ce was n o t e te r n al l y pr e -e xi ste n t.
He h ad be e n o n e o f th e a n o i n t e d , th e gl o r i o u s co ve r i n g
ch e r u b (v. 16), s tan d i n g i n th e ve r y pr e se n ce o f Go d . C h e r u
bi m (me n ti o n e d man y ti me s as a tt e n d i n g th e th r o n e o f De i ty)
we r e assi gn e d to gu ar d th e gate s o f Ed e n . An d ch e r u bi m we r e
pl ace d u po n th e me r cy se at o f th e ar k i n th e symbo l i c pr o vi
si o n s o f r e d e mpti o n i n Ol d T e s ta me n t ti me s. Lu ci f e r was
cl e ar l y a s u pe r te r r e s tr i al be i n g, th e mi gh ti e s t o f th e an ge l s.
T h e po r tr ayal f u r t h e r r e ve al s th at be f o r e h i s f al l , Lu ci f e r was
pe r f e ct i n al l h i s ways (v. 15), as we l l as i n be au ty (v. 12).
T h i s , o f co u r se , was be f o r e i n i qu i ty [pe r ve r s i ty] to o k po s
se ssi o n o f h i s h e ar t.5
Satan be came l i f te d u p be cau se o f h i s s u pe r l ati ve be au ty
a n d wi sd o m, an d th e s pl e n d o r o f h i s br i gh tn e ss (v. 17). I n
appe ar an ce h e s ci n ti l l ate d l i ke a cr o wn o f je we l s (v. 13). He was
l i ke wi se a mi gh ty mu si ci an (v. 13). So i n th e se tr e me n d o u s
passages we h ave th e i n s pi r e d d e pi cti o n o f th e a u th o r o f si n
a n d i ts be gi n n i n gs i n th e u n i ve r se . Si n actu al l y be gan wh e n
Lu ci f e r sai d , J willi n d e te r mi n i n g to u s u r p th e pl ace a n d
pr e r o gati ve s o f Go d , a n d th u s pl aci n g h i s wi l l o ve r agai n st th e
wi l l a n d go ve r n me n t o f Go d (Isa. 14:12, 13). Si n was th e n ce
l ate r pr o je cte d i n to th e n e wl y e stabl i sh e d Ed e n i c ci r cl e o n e ar th .
BI n th i s ch a pt e r Go d ch o s e t h e e a r t h l y prince o f T yr u s wh o s o u gh t to as s u me th e
pr e r o ga t i ve s o f Go d (Eze . 28:1, 2), a n d wh o se h e a r t was l i f te d u p be cau s e o f h i s wi s d o m a n d
h i s r i ch e s , bu t wh o wo u l d be o ve r t h r o wn (vs . 3, 10)to symbo l i ze n o n e o t h e r t h a n Sa ta n
h i ms e l f , u n d e r t h e co n t r a s t i n g t e r m king o f T yr u s (vs . 12, 13).
Satan s i d e n ti ty a n d pr e se n ce th e r e ar e atte s te d by I n
s pi r a ti o n s te l l tal e d i scl o su r e , T h o u h ast be e n i n Ed e n th e gar
d e n o f Go d (Eze. 28:13). T h e r e h e was d i scl o se d as th e same
s h i n i n g o n e , wi th po we r to e n ch an t, f asci n ate , an d be wi tch .
T h u s i t was actu al l y Satan wh o , th r o u gh th e me d i u m o f th e
s e r pe n t, be gu i l e d Eve an d o ve r wh e l me d Ad am.
4. S a t a n s D u a l L i e H a d b u t S i n gl e P o i n t . Satan s
f i r st u tte r an ce i n Ed e n , mad e th r o u gh th e me d i u m o f th e se r
pe n t, was, Yea, h a th Go d sai d ? I n o th e r wo r d s, C an i t be
th a t Go d h ath sai d? I t was o ste n si bl y th e aski n g o f a qu e s ti o n .
Bu t i t was actu al l y d e si gn e d to e l i ci t a co n cu r r i n g an swe r . T h e
te mpte r was h e r e i mpu gn i n g th e ve r aci ty o f Go d . He was chal
lenging the divine declaration of the fact of the mortability of
man. Y e s h a l l n o t s u r e l y d i e (Ge n . 3:4) was Satan s i n i
ti al l i e to man . An d C h r i st e xpr e ssl y d e cl ar e d th a t Satan (th e
o l d s e r pe n t, a n d d e vi l ) i s th e f a t h e r o f l i e sf i r st u t
te r e d i n Ed e n . I t was an ad r o i t, i n ge n i o u s appr o ach . Sai d J e su s,
He [th e d e vi l ] . . . abo d e n o t i n th e t r u t h , be cau se th e r e i s
n o t r u t h i n h i m. Wh e n h e spe ake th a l i e , h e spe ake th o f h i s
o wn : f o r h e i s a l i ar , an d th e f ath e r o f i t (J o h n 8:44).
Wh ate ve r Satan says i?i contradiction to Gods word of
truth i s man i f e stl y a l i e. So i n Ge n e si s 3:4, wh e n h e sai d to o u r
f i r st par e n ts , Ye sh al l not su r e l y d i e , th e f ath e r o f l i es was
man i f e s tl y a n d h i sto r i cal l y te l l i n g h i s f i r st l i e o n e ar th , f o r Go d
h ad ju s t sai d to Ad am an d Eve, T h o u shall su r e l y d i e (Ge n .
2:17)i f yo u tr an sgr e ss. Satan s d e cl ar ati o n was co n s e qu e n tl y
a d i r e ct, bal d , u n mi ti ga te d co n tr ad i cti o n . By th e i n s e r ti o n o f
th e si n gl e n e gato r y wo r d not i n to Go d s d e cl ar ati o n o f t r u t h ,
Satan pe r ve r te d an i mmu tabl e ve r i ty i n to a d i abo l i cal f al se h o o d
t h a t h as r e ve r be r ate d t h r o u gh o u t al l s u bs e qu e n t ti me .
Bu t t h a t was n o t al l . Satan i mme d i ate l y ad d e d a second lie,
l i ke wi se o n th e same i mmo r ta l i ty aspe ct o f ma n s n a tu r e . I t
was: Ye sh al l be as gods [th at i s, as Go d , ElohimJ' (ch ap. 3:5).
Bu t acco r d i n g to i n s pi r ati o n , abs o l u te an d i n al i e n abl e i mmo r
tal i ty i s ch ar acte r i s ti c of , an d be l o ngs o n l y to , Go d (1 T i m.
6:16; cf . 1:17). Man s i mmo r ta l i ty can be bu t relative an d
conditional, f o r i t wi l l be co n f e r r e d , acqu i r e d , r e ce i ve d .
I n th e ve r y l o gi c o f th e case, I n n a te I mmo r tal i ty can n o t
be an i n h e r e n t qu al i ty i n an y created or derived be i n g. An d
man , as a cr e atu r e , i s n o e xce pti o n . Hi s l i f e i s n o t i n n ate o r
i n al i e n abl e , bu t o n l y a n d al ways a cqu i r e d . He n ce i t may be
br o u gh t to an e n d . I t ca n n o t be o ve r str e sse d th a t o n l y Go d
h as abs o l u te , pr i mo r d i al , i n d e f e asi bl e i mmo r ta l i ty. C o n se -1
qu e n tl y, an y cr e a tu r e s a r r o ga n t cl ai m to e qu al i ty wi th Go d
an d Hi s e xcl u si ve i mmo r tal i ty i s as gr o u n d l e ss as i t i s pr e - 1
s u mptu o u s .
T h e r e i s, o f co u r se , s o me th i n g e xtr e me l y f l atte r i n g to th e
pr i d e o f man i n th e i d e a o f po ssessi ng a Go d l i ke n a tu r e t h a t i s
abso l u te l y i n d e s tr u cti bl e . Bu t i mmo r tal i ty i s o n e o f th e mo st
maje sti c je we l s i n th e u n i qu e an d so l i tar y d i ad e m o f De i ty,
as i t h as be e n i mpr e ssi ve l y ph r ase d . I t i s e xcl u si ve l y Go d s, f o r
Go d i s th e bl esse d an d o n l y Po te n tate , th e Ki n g o f ki n gs, an d
Lo r d o f l o r d s; who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light
ivhich no man can approach unt o (1 T i m. 6:15, 16). T h e r e
f o r e ma n s a tte mpt to pl ace th e cr o wn o f i mmo r tal i ty u po n h i s
o wn h e ad i s e f f r o n te r y, an d mad e o n l y at gr ave st pe r i l . Sa
t a n s pr e s u mpti o n n e ve r h ad gr e ate r au d aci ty, n o r h u man gu l
l i bi l i ty a mo r e tr agi c e xampl e . In d e e d , i t to o k th e d e ath o f
th e So n o f Go d to d e mo n s tr ate th e h e i n o u sn e ss o f t h a t o r i gi n al
d u al l i e i n Ed e n .
VI. Essence o f Fal l Was Bel i evi ng Satan s Li e
I t can n o t be o ve r str e sse d th a t Satan s basi c attack was o n
th e ve r aci ty o f th e wo r d o f Go d as to the nature of man. T h a t
i s wh y th i s e n ti r e e pi so d e o f th e f al l i s basi c to o u r stu d y o f
th e i ssue, an d th at i s wh y we d we l l u po n i t. An d th e ve r y
f act th at Satan s co n te n ti o n h as be e n pe r pe tu ate d pr i mar i l y
th r o u gh al l th e majo r pagan r e l i gi o n s an d ph i l o so ph i e s, an d
n o t th r o u gh th e l o n g l i n e o f He br e w pr o ph e ts , i s l i ke wi se o f
u tmo s t si gn i f i can ce . I t was th r o u gh pagan ch an n e l s th a t Im-
mo r tal -So u l i sm f o u n d i ts f ate f u l way i n to ce r tai n majo r sec
ti o n s o f J u d ai s m an d C h r i sti an i ty.
So th e acce ptan ce o f Satan s mi s r e pr e s e n tati o n o f th e
wo r d s o f Go d , a n d h i s bo l d d e n i al o f th e C r e a to r s d e cl ar ati o n
as to th e mo r ta bi l i ty o f man , be came th e e po ch al t u r n i n g po i n t
o f th e r ace at th e ve r y d awn o f h u man h i sto r y.
An d n e ve r was Satan s astu te n e ss mo r e cr af ty th an wh e n
h e se cu r e d th e we l l -n i gh u n i ve r s al acce ptan ce , i n th e pagan
ci r cl e s o f a n ti qu i ty, o f h i s o r i gi n al l i e i n s u bs ti tu ti o n f o r Go d s
t r u t h , f o r l e t i t be r e pe ate d the essence of the Fall con
sisted in believing Satans lie instead of Gods truth. An d th e
co n te n ti o n , Ye sh al l n o t su r e l y d i e , f i r st wh i spe r e d i n to th e
e ar s o f Eve wi th i n th e co n f i n e s o f Par ad i se , h as co n ti n u e d to
e ch o o n t h r o u gh al l th e d i ve r si f i e d co r r i d o r s o f ti me to th i s
ve r y day.
I n d u e ti me , i n pagan an ti qu i ty, Satan se cu r e d th e we l l -
n i gh wo r l d wi d e acce ptan ce o f h i s d e cl ar ati o n o f th e u n i ve r sal
I n n a te I mmo r ta l i ty o f th e so u l . On l y amo n g Go d s an ci e n t
pe o pl e , th e He br e ws, to wh o m we r e co mmi tte d th e pr o te cti ve
o r acl e s o f Go d (Ro m. 3:2), was i t n o t acce pte d u n t i l sh o r tl y
be f o r e th e ti me o f C h r i st, i n th e i n te r -T e s tame n t pe r i o d , a
pe r i o d mar ke d by gr ave d e par tu r e s . An d th e n i t was ad o pte d
o n l y by a se cti o n o f J e wr y, ch i e f l y i n Al e xan d r i a, as we sh al l see,
an d wi th d i sastr o u s co n se qu e n ce s.
C H A P T E R F O U R
T h e Gospel of Genesi s 3:15
Le t us r e t u r n to Ad am an d Eve i n th e Gar d e n o f Ed e n .
We l e f t th e m e ati n g o f th e f o r bi d d e n f r u i t, t h e i r eyes bl i n d e d
by th e d e ce pti o n o f Satan . Do u btl e ss by th e ti me th e l ast o f th e
f r u i t h ad be e n co n su me d , th e y be gan to r e al i ze th a t th e y h ad
d i so be ye d th e i r C r e ato r . C u t of f f r o m th e tr e e o f l i f e an d
d o o me d to d e ath , Ad am a n d Eve f ace d a f u tu r e bl e ak wi th d e
spai r . T h e Bi bl e d e scr i be s th e i r d i s i l l u s i o n me n t an d awake n i n g
to t h e i r co n d i ti o n : An d th e eyes o f th e m bo th we r e o pe n e d ,
a n d th e y kn e w th at th e y we r e n ake d ; a n d th e y se we d f i g l eaves
to ge th e r , a n d mad e th e mse l ve s apr o n s (Ge n . 3:7).
1. T h e T e r r o r s o f D i s o b e d i e n c e . T h e y we r e n o t o n l y
n ake d , th e y we r e af r ai d . Go d h ad th r e a te n e d th e m wi th d e ath
i f th e y par to o k o f th e r e se r ve d tr e e . An d al mo st as i f i n e ch o
to th e i r th o u gh ts th e y h e ar d th e vo i ce o f th e Lo r d Go d wal k
i n g i n th e gar d e n i n th e co o l o f th e day: a n d Ad am a n d h i s wi f e
h i d th e mse l ve s f r o m th e pr e se n ce o f th e Lo r d Go d amo n gst
th e tr e e s o f th e ga r d e n (Ge n . 3:8).
Bu t th e y so o n d i sco ve r e d th a t r u n n i n g f r o m Go d was u se
l ess, f o r Go d se e me d d e te r mi n e d to f i n d th e m. T h e sto r y co n
ti n u e s:
An d th e Lo r d Go d cal l e d u n to Ad am, an d sai d u n to h i m, Wh e r e ar t
th o u ? An d h e sai d, I h e a r d th y vo i ce i n th e gar d e n , an d I was af r ai d ,
be cau se I was n ake d ; an d I h i d mysel f . An d h e sai d, Wh o to l d th e e th a t
57
RUSSELL HARLAN, ARTIST 1 9 5 3 BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD
T e r r o r Str i ke s th e He ar t o f
Eve as Sh e Real i zes th e
En o r mi ty o f He r Act i n En
ti ci n g Adam to Eat th e Fr u i t
o f th e Fo r bi d d e n T r e e o f th e
Gar d e n .
th o u wast n ake d ? Has t th o u e ate n o f th e tr e e , wh e r e o f I co mman d e d th e e
th at th o u sh o u l d e st n o t eat? An d th e man sai d, T h e wo man wh o m th o u
gave st to be wi th me , sh e gave me o f th e tr e e , an d I d i d e at. An d th e
Lo r d Go d sai d u n to th e wo man , Wh at i s th i s th at th o u h ast d o n e ? An d
th e wo man sai d, T h e se r pe n t be gu i l e d me, an d I d i d e a t (Ge n . 3:9-13).
As th e gu i l ty pa i r sto o d f r i gh te n e d an d ash ame d be f o r e
t h e i r C r e ato r , He t u r n e d to th e se r pe n t, an d th r o u gh i t
cu r se d th e t e mpte r wh o cau se d th e f al l o f Hi s f i r st e ar th ch i l
d r e n . As Ad am an d Eve l i ste n e d th e y h e ar d Hi m say:
I wi l l pu t e n mi ty be twe e n th e e an d th e wo man , an d be
twe e n th y se e d a n d h e r se ed; i t sh al l br u i s e th y h e ad , an d
th o u sh al t br u i s e h i s h e e l (Ge n . 3:15).
2. T h e F i r s t G l i mme r o f H o pe .He r se e d . Ad am
an d Eve h ad be e n co mman d e d by Go d to mu l ti pl y an d r e
pl e n i sh th e e ar th . Bu t so s h o r t a ti me h ad e l apse d si n ce th e i r
cr e ati o n th at th e y h ad as ye t n o ch i l d r e n . I f th e se e d o f Eve
58
was to cr u s h th e h e ad o f th e s e r pe n t, th e n Go d d i d n o t i n te n d
to car r y o u t Hi s th r e a t o f d e ath f o r a ti me , at l east. He r e was th e
f i r st gl i mme r o f h o pe . So me o n e o f Eve s d e sce n d an ts appar e n tl y
was to wi n a vi cto r y o ve r th e s e r pe n t. T h e d ar kn e ss be gan to
l i f t.
T h i s pr o mi se , d i ml y u n d e r s to o d at f i rst, was gr ad u al l y e x
pa n d e d u n t i l th e f u l l pl an o f Go d f o r r e s to r i n g gu i l ty man to
h o l i n e ss was r e ve al e d to Ad am's d e sce n d an ts.
T h o u gh Expe l l e d Fr o m Eden
Because o f Si n, Re d e mpti o n
T h r o u gh a Re d e e me r Was
Pr o mi se d at th e Very Gates
o f Eden. In f i n i te Lo ve Fo u n d
a Way.
I I . Gl o r i o us Go spel Pro vi si o ns Begi n at Gates o f Ed e n
T h e pr o cl amati o n o f th e go spe l o f sal vati o n , wi th i ts r e ve
l ati o n o f s u bs ti tu ti o n a r y ato n e me n t an d par d o n , an d pr o mi se
o f r e s to r e d l i f e , an d assu r an ce o f i mmo r tal i ty, br o u gh t th e
l i gh t o f h o pe agai n to man . Go d d o e s n o t a n n u l Hi s l aws n o r
a br o gate Hi s co mman d s. Ne i th e r d o e s He wo r k co n tr ar y to
th e m. Bu t He d o e s co n tr ave n e th e h avo c wr o u gh t by si n
th r o u gh i n tr o d u ci n g a n e w pr o vi si o n o f l o ve -bo r n gr ace . He
th u s tr an sf o r ms an d r e sto r e s, an d th r o u gh Hi s gr ace He br i n gs
a bl e ssi n g o u t o f d i saste r . T h a t was th e Ed e n i c co ve n an t o f l i f e
a n d sal vati o n mad e th a t f ate f u l day. Ho pe spr an g an e w.
1. B e co me s F a t h e r o f R a ce U n d e r N e w P r o ba t i o n .
T h i s n e w d i spe n s ati o n o f gr ace an d me r cy pr o vi d e d th e se co n d
ch an ce f o r man . I t e xte n d e d Ad ams e ar th l y l i f e , mad e pr o vi
si o n f o r r e gai n i n g h i s l o st i n n o ce n cy, a n d gave assu r an ce o f
u l ti ma te i mmo r tal i ty f o r man . I t e n abl e d Ad am to be co me th e
f ath e r o f th e h u man r ace . Bu t th e f act th a t th e l i f e o f th e s i n n e r
was te mpo r ar i l y e xte n d e d do e s n o t se t asi d e th e po ssi bi l i ty o f
pu n i s h me n t f o r s u bs e qu e n t si ns. T h e y mu s t be me t. T h e wages
o f s i n sti l l co n ti n u e to be d e a th (Ro m. 6:23). Gr ace do e s
n o t n u l l i f y th e l aw an d wi l l o f Go d .
2. T r e e o f C a l v a r y B e co me s T h i r d T r e e o f E d e n .
Ma n s r e d e mpti o n r e vo l ve s a r o u n d th e third (as i t may be
cal l e d ) o f th e se th r e e e po ch al tr e e s o f Ed e n th e tr e e o f l i f e ,
e stabl i sh e d f o r s u s tai n i n g ma n s l i f e th r o u gh o u t e te r n i ty; th e
te s ti n g tr e e o f th e kn o wl e d ge o f go o d an d e vi l , u se d by Satan
to acco mpl i sh ma n s r u i n ; an d n o w th e tree o f C al var y (1 Pe te r
2:24; Acts 5:30; 10:39)as th e cross was si gn i f i can tl y cal l e d
pl an te d as i t we r e at th e ve r y gate s o f Ed e n f o r ma n s r e d e mp
ti o n an d th e r e s to r ati o n o f h i s f o r f e i te d l i f e , t o assu r e access
agai n i n th e e a r th mad e n e w to th e wi th d r awn tr e e o f l i f e
(Re v. 2:7; 22:2).
So i t was th a t ma n s o r i gi n al si n be came th e s tar ti n g po i n t
f o r al l th e s u bs e qu e n t d i scl o su r e s o f Go d s u n f ath o mabl e l o ve
an d gr ace . An d as by si n th e man Ad am l o st h i s po te n ti al , o r
pr o vi s i o n al , i mmo r tal i ty, so by th e Man C h r i s t J e su s f u l l pr o
vi si o n h as be e n mad e f o r i ts r e s to r ati o n . T h u s th e d i smal d o o m
o f th e d e ath se n te n ce u po n Ad am was ch an ge d to a gl o r i o u s
assu r an ce o f l i f e co n d i ti o n e d o n th e acce ptan ce o f th e go spe l
pr o vi si o n s se t f o r th . Bu t th e pl an o f r e d e mpti o n an d r e s to r e d
i mmo r tal i ty me an t th e tr ave r s i n g o f th e pa th o f Ge th s e man e
T HE GOSPEL OF GENESIS 3:15 PROC LAIMED 61
an d Go l go th a, wi th th e sh ad o ws o f th e to mb to f o l l o w, f o r th e
Di vi n e Su bs ti tu te an d Savi o u r o f me n . T h a t was th e pr i ce to
be pai d f o r th e r e scu e o f man f r o m th e d o o m o f d e ath .
3. P l a c e d o n P r o ba t i o n , G i ve n Se co n d C h a n ce . So i t
was th a t i n ste ad o f l e tti n g th e l aw o f tr an sgr e ssi o n , wi th i ts d i r e
d e ath pe n al ty, take i ts wo n te d co u r se , th e Lo r d Go d Hi mse l f
(J e h o vah th e C r e ato r Ge n . 2:4) i n vo ke d th e pr o vi si o n o f pro
bation, d e vi se d i n th e l o ve, me r cy, an d wi sd o m o f Go d be f o r e
e ve r th e e a r th came i n to be i n g. T h r o u gh th i s pl an th e se co n d
pe r so n o f th e Go d h e ad wo u l d be co me man , take ma n s pl ace ,
r e ce i ve h i s pe n al ty, an d d i e i n h i s ste ad (J o h n 1:29). T h u s th e
pr i n ci pl e o f s u bs ti tu t i o n an d vi car i o u s ato n e me n t t h r o u gh th e
d e ath ô f a n o th e r was i n s ti tu te d , th at man mi gh t be J o r gi ve n
an d r e s to r e d f o r wi th o u t sh e d d i n g o f bl o o d i s n o r e mi ss i o n
(He b. 9:22).
I n th e mi n d a n d co ve n an t a n d pr o vi si o n o f Go d , C h r i st
th e Lamb o f Go d was sl ai n f r o m th e f o u n d ati o n o f th e
wo r l d (Re v. 13:8), th u s pr o vi d i n g l o st an d e str an ge d man
wi th h i s se co n d ch an ce , n o t af te r d e ath bu t d u r i n g h i s e ar th l y
l i f e ti me . C h r i s t s d e ath me t e ve r y r e qu i r e me n t o f l aw an d ju s
ti ce , bl e n d e d wi th gr ace an d me r cy,1 a n d so o f f e r e d par d o n ,
r e s to r ati o n , a n d l i f e to l o st man .
I I I . Pr o mi se d Seed Is Maste r Key to Ato n e me n t Mysteri es
T h e pr o mi s e d Seed o f Ge n e si s 3:15 i s th e maste r key th at
u n l o cks th e d i vi n e r e ve l ati o n o f r e d e mpti o n o f th e r ace . Eve r y
th i n g ce n te r s i n a n d a r o u n d th i s assu r an ce o f th e Seed (Gen.'"
3:15; 12:7; 22:18; Ps. 89:3, 4; 2 Sam. 7:12). An d th e pr o mi s e d
Se e d was C h r i s t, to co me i n th e f l e s h 2: No w to Abr ah am a n d
h i s se ed we r e th e pr o mi se s mad e . He sai th n o t, An d to seeds, as
1T h e s acr i f i ce o f C h r i s t was penal (Ga l . 3:13; 2 C o r . 5:21); substitutional (L e v. 1:4;
Ga l . 3:13; 2 C o r . 5:21): voluntary (J o h n 10:18); redemptive (1 C o r . 6:20: Gal . 3:13;
Eph . 1:7); propitiatory (Ro m. 3:25); reconciliatory (2 C o r . 5:18. 19; C o l . 1:21, 22); a n d
efficacious (J o h n 12:32, 33; Ro m. 5:9, 10; 2 C o r . 5:21; Eph . 2:13; He b. 9:11, 12, 26; 10:10-17;
1 J o h n 1:7; Re v. 1:5).
2J o h n 7:40-42; Acts 3:25, 26; Ro m. 1:3; Gal . 3:16, 19; 2 T i m. 2:8.
o f man y; bu t as o f o n e , An d to th y seed, wh i ch i s C h r i s t
(Gal . 3:16).
1. H i gh w a y o f t h e Se e d B e gi n s .T h i s i n i ti al pr o m
i se o f th e Seed, th e Re d e e me r , i n vo l ve s th e d e e pe st myste r i e s
o f th e ato n e me n tC h r i s t mad e to be si n f o r u s (2 C o r .
5:21), vi car i o u sl y be ar i n g o u r ju d gme n t, typi f i e d by th e u p
l i f te d br aze n s e r pe n t, mad e i n th e symbo l i c l i ke n e ss o f th e f i er y
s e r pe n ts th a t h ad br o u gh t d e ath to Isr ae l (Nu m. 21:5-9; J o h n
3:14, 15), ju s t l i ke th e s e r pe n t i n Ed e n . Eve n so was C h r i s t to
be l i f te d u p. An d h e r e be gi n s wh at h as aptl y be e n cal l e d th e
Hi gh way o f th e Se e d , 3s tr e tch i n g magn i f i ce n tl y acro ss th e
ce n tu r i e s a ch ai n o f pr o mi se s an d pr o ph e ci e s co n ce r n i n g
C h r i st, f u l f i l l e d th r o u gh Abe l , Se th , No ah , Sh e m, Abr ah am,
Isaac, J aco b, J u d a h , Davi d an d r e ach i n g to I mma n u e l -C h r i s t/
2. C o n f l i c t o f t h e A ge s B e gi n s .T h e Seed o f th e
wo man , i n th e pr e d i cti o n , wo u l d br u i s e , o r cr u sh , th e s e r pe n t s
h e ad h e ad i n He br e w symbo l i sm si gn i f yi n g th e e ssence o f th e
be i n g. T h i s was a pr o mi se o f th e u l ti ma te d e s tr u cti o n o f Satan ,
a pr e d i cti o n t h a t th e ve r y r o o t o f al l e vi l wo u l d f i n al l y be de-
str o ye d by C h r i st. T h e r e , back i n Ed e n , be gan th e gr i m co n
f l i ct o f th e ages be twe e n C h r i s t an d Satan Satan be i n g th e
pr i n ce o f th e po we r o f th e a i r (Eph . 2:2), at th e h e ad o f a
h o st o f f al l e n an ge l s (Matt. 25:41)e vi l s pi r i ts se e ki n g po sses
si o n o f l i vi n g me n , a n d s i mu l ati n g th e d e ad th r o u gh i mpe r s o n -
ati n g pe o pl e wh o h ave d i e d . T h i s l ast f e atu r e wi l l be n o te d
l ate r .
3. P e r s o n a l A ppl i ca t i o n o f t h e F a l l t o Us.Bu t th a t
wh i ch i s o f pa r a mo u n t i mpo r tan ce to us to d ay i s th e actu al ,
i n co n te s tabl e , an d u n i ve r sal f act o f si n . An d th e pa r a l l e l i n g
f act t h a t u n t i l an d u n l ess o n e i s bo r n agai n , o r r e ge n e r ate d
s pi r i tu al l y, h e i s to d ay i n a state o f e n mi ty a n d r e be l l i o n a gai n st
3T h e Ol d T e s t a me n t pr o vi d e s a pr o ph e t i c bi o gr a ph y o f C h r i s t i n th e f l e sh , l i ste d h e r e f o r
th o s e d e s i r i n g-t r r f o l I u w_ T tr l s t h r o u gh : Ge n . 3:15; l 2:3; T O7ICT T F; I s a. 7:14; 9:6; 11:1-5;
2 Samu e l 7; Mi ca h 5:2; Da n i e l 9; Ho s e a 11:1: Is a. 40:9-11; Ma i . 3:1; I s ai a h 42 a n d 53;
Ze ch . 11:13; 12:10; 13:7; Ps. 41:9; Ex. 12:46; Psal ms 22 a n d 16; 68:18; 110:1; 118:22, 23.
4Ge n . 6:8-10; 9:26, 27; 12:1-4; 17:19-21; 28:10-14; 49:10; 2 Sam. 7:15-17; M a t t . 1:1,
20-23; 1 J o h n 3:8; J o h n 12:31.
Go d . As a co n se qu e n ce , e ve r l asti n g l i f e i s f o r f e i t to us as ve r i l y
as to Ad am. Li ke wi se e xcl u d e d f r o m Par ad i se , we ar e bo r n
i n to a wo r l d s mi tte n wi th a cu r se , bo r n o f f al l e n pr o ge n i to r s ,
bo r n u n d e r th e se n te n ce o f d e ath .
Bu t f r o m th i s bl e ak pr o spe ct th e gate s o f e te r n al gl o r y
o pe n to r e pe n ti n g si n n e r s to d ay be cau se o f th e pr o mi se d
se e d . I t was th i s gr aci o u s gr an t o f pr o bati o n ar y ti me a n d o p
po r tu n i ty th a t o pe n e d th e way to e te r n al l i f e r e sto r e d , to be
r e ce i ve d th r o u gh C h r i s t (J o h n 3:16; 2 T i m. 1:10).
IV. C o ats o f Ski ns T ypi f i e d Ri gh teo usness of C h r i st
Ad ams tr an sgr e ssi o n i n vi o l ati n g th e s ti pu l ate d a n d r e
ve al e d wi l l o f Go d , an d th u s s te ppi n g o ve r th e bo u n d ar y l i n e
f r o m o be d i e n ce to d i so be d i e n ce , was sin. An d th e wages o f si n
i s al ways d e ath (Ro m. 6:23). Man h ad d i so be ye d th e e xpr e ss
co mman d o f Go d , an d h ad l o st h i s i n n o ce n ce a n d pu r i ty. He
was n o w i n r e be l l i o n agai n st Go d , wh i ch co n d i ti o n r e s u l te d
i n a co n sci o u sn e ss o f a l i e n ati o n a n d se par ati o n . If man was n o t
to pe r i sh , si n mu s t be pu n i s h e d an d th e s i n n e r r e s to r e d to
pu r i ty, o be d i e n ce , an d f e l l o wsh i p wi th Go d .
Bu t h i s si n co u l d o n l y be co ve r e d by th e r i gh te o u s o be d i
e n ce o f an o th e r , wh o al o n e co u l d pr o vi d e th e r e qu i s i te r i gh t
eo u sn e ss th at wo u l d e n abl e man , po l l u te d by si n an d e str an ge d
f r o m Go d , to s tan d wi th o u t al i e n ati o n i n Hi s pr e se n ce agai n .
1. D i vi n e P r o pi t i a t i o n P r o vi d e d . T h e Di vi n e Re co r d
si mpl y state s th a t th e Lo r d Go d (J e h o vah , th e i r C r e ato r
Ge n . 2:4) mad e co ats o f ski n s an d cl o th e d t h e m (Ge n . 3:
21), th u s f o r th e f i r st ti me typi f yi n g C h r i s t J esus, wh o i s mad e
u n to us wi sd o m, an d r i gh te o u sn e s s (1 C o r . 1:30). T h e s e d i
vi n e l y pr o vi d e d gar me n ts r e pl ace d th e man -mad e co ve r i n g o f
f i g l eaves (Ge n . 3:7), an d mad e i t po ssi bl e f o r e a r t h s f i r st s i n
n e r s to stan d i n Go d s pr e se n ce agai n .5T h e s e ski n s we r e pr o b
5Se e I s ai a h 61:10 Fo r h e h a t h cl o th e d me wi th th e ga r me n t s o f s al va ti o n , h e h a t h
co ve r e d me wi th t h e r o be o f r i gh t e o u s n e s s . An d i n Re ve l at i o n 19:8 t h e ga r me n t f o r th e s ai n ts ,
s ymbo l i zi n g r i gh te o u s n e s s , i s ca l l e d t h e f i n e l i n e n , wh i ch i s t h e r i gh te o u s n e s s o f s a i n t s .
abl y f r o m th e an i mal s o f f e r e d u p i n sacr i f i ce, as pa r t o f th e
symbo l i c wo r sh i p o f th e sacr i f i ci al syste m t h e n e stabl i sh e d , an d
as a type o f d i vi n e pr o pi ti a ti o n so o n to be r e ve al e d i n gr e ate r
f u l l n e ss.
T h us ma n s C r e ato r be came h i s Re d e e me r . An d as Bu n yan
we l l ph r as e d i t, th e s i n n e r was s h r o u d e d u n d e r th e pr o vi d e d
r i gh te o u sn e ss o f C h r i st.0I t i s al so e sse n ti al to n o te th a t sal vati o n
a pa r t f r o m r i gh te o u sn e ss, o be d i e n ce , a n d sacr i f i ce i s u n kn o wn
e i t h e r i n th e Ol d T e s ta me n t o r i n th e Ne w. Go d th u s pr o vi d e d
th e r e qu i s i te r i gh te o u sn e ss by th e sacr i f i ce i n C h r i st.
2. D e e pe s t M ys t e r i e s o f A t o n e me n t U n f o l d e d .T h e
d e e pe s t myste r i e s o f th e ato n e me n t th u s be gi n to appe ar
C h r i s t be co mi n g ma n s s i n -be ar e r a n d h i s si n -o f f e r i n g, taki n g
ma n s pl ace a n d pu n i s h me n t, an d pr o vi d i n g f o r ma n s r e s to r a
ti o n . An d th e r i gh te o u sn e ss pr o vi d e d i s n o n e o th e r t h a n Christ
H imself, wh o f u l l y me t i n o u r ste ad an d be h al f e ve r y d e man d
o f th e l aw, a n d i s Hi mse l f mad e u n to us wi sd o m, an d r i gh t
e o u sn e ss (1 C o r . 1:30). Or as th e apo stl e Pau l gr aph i cal l y
pu ts i t: He h ath mad e h i m to be si n f o r us, wh o kn e w n o
si n ; th a t we mi gh t be mad e th e r i gh te o u n e ss o f Go d i n h i m
(2 C o r . 5:21).
V. C h r i sts C e n tr al Pl ace i n Go spel o f Ed e n
1. B e co me s So n o f M a n t o R e s t o r e L o s t M a n .T h e
h e ad sh i p o f th e h u man r ace was ve ste d , t h r o u gh cr e ati o n , i n
th e f i r st, an d n o w f al l e n , Ad am. An d f u l l r e d e mpti o n f r o m th e
r u i n o f th e f al l o f man i s br o u gh t abo u t by th e si n l e ss, spo tl e ss
C h r i s t (1 Pe te r 1:19), th e se co n d , o r j 'l a s t Ad am (1 C o r .
15:45, 47)Hi mse l f tr u l y h u man ye t tr u l y d i vi n e , th e o n e
a n d o n l y Go d -man .
C h r i s t Hi mse l f i n Hi s o wn pe r so n was th e d i vi n e me d i u m
an d me th o d o f sal vati o n . T h u s i t was th a t th e Wo r d , o r So n o f
Go d , was mad e f l esh (J o h n 1:1-3, 14) i n o r d e r to r e d e e m man .
Se e Ro m. 3:26; 4:6; 10:4; 2C o r . 5:21; Phi l . 3:9.
T h e Pi vo tal Po i n t o f Al l Sacred Hi sto r y, th e Ato n i n g De ath o f C h r i st Fo l l o wed
by Hi s T r i u mph a n t Re su r r e cti o n , Was th e Pl edge o f th e Re su r r e cti o n an d I m
mo r tal i zati o n o f Al l th e Re d e e me d o f Al l Ages.
He was mad e f l esh i n o r d e r th a t He mi gh t su f f e r a n d d i e i n
ma n s ste ad (He b. 10:5; Ps. 40:6; Isa. 42:1; Ph i l . 2:7; Ro m.
8:3). I n Bi bl i cal ph r as i n g He to o k u po n Hi mse l f h u ma n n a tu r e
th a t th r o u gh d e ath h e mi gh t d e str o y h i m t h a t h ad th e po we r
o f d e ath , t h a t i s, th e d e vi l ; a n d d e l i ve r th e m wh o th r o u gh f e ar
o f d e a th we r e al l t h e i r l i f e ti me s u bje ct to bo n d age (He b. 2:
14, 15).
T h r o u gh th i s act o f amn e sty C h r i s t t h e n a n d th e r e i d e n t i
f i ed Hi ms e l f wi th man , not only for the time that He lived
here among men but for all eternity. An d ti me may be d e f i n e d
as t h a t po r ti o n o f e te r n i ty mar ke d of f f o r th e cr e ati o n , pr o ba
ti o n , a n d r e d e mpti o n o f th e h u man r ace an d th e f i n al d i spo si
ti o n o f si n . Or , i t may be cal l e d th e gr e at par e n th e s i s be twe e n
th e e te r n i ty o f th e past an d th e e te r n i ty o f th e f u tu r e , wi th
C h r i s t th e ce n tr al f i gu r e o f bo th ti me an d al l e te r n i ty.
Ei gh ty-se ve n ti me s i n th e Ne w T e s tame n t, C h r i s t d esi g
n a t e d Hi ms e l f as th e So n o f ma n th e f i r st ti me i n Matth e w
8:20. T h i s was Hi s r aci al n ame , Hi s h u man a ppe l l ati o n as th e
r e pr e s e n tati ve man an d Re d e e me r o f th e r ace (Lu ke 19:10),
ju s t as i n th e Ol d T e s ta me n t He i s f r e qu e n tl y cal l e d th e So n
o f Davi d , i n th e l i n e o f th e Se e d . I n o t h e r wo r d s, So n o f ma n
i s pr i ma r i l y Hi s h u man t i t l e, ju st as So n o f Go d i s Hi s d i vi n e
n ame . Bu t th r o u gh Hi s i n ca r n ati o n He so co mpl e te l y i d e n ti -
f i ed Hi mse l f wi th th e h u man r ace , as i ts Re d e e me r , th at wh e n
He r e t u r n s to e a r t h th e se co n d ti me i n gl o r y He comes as the
Son of man (Matt. 24:27-31; Lu ke 12:40). (I n th e Ol d T e s
t ame n t He so appe ar s i n Dan i e l 7:13.)
So i t was th a t i n d u e ti me C h r i s t died f o r th e s i n n e r i n
h i s ste ad . He be came a cu r se f o r h i m, be came si n f o r h i m,
gave Hi ms e l f f o r h i m, was mad e an o f f e r i n g a n d a sacr i f i ce
to Go d f o r h i m, r e d e e me d h i m, ju sti f i e d h i m, saved h i m f r o m
wr ath , pu r ch ase d h i m by Hi s o wn bl o o d , r e co n ci l e d h i m
by Hi s o wn d e a th ,r save d h i m by Hi s o wn l i f e and thereby
>provided for his forfeited life a restored life forevermore.
I t was a case o f t r u e a n d co mpl e te s u bs ti tu t i o n, t h a t th e r e ci p
i e n ts o f Hi s sal vati o n mi gh t r e ce i ve H is r i gh te o u sn e ss an d pa r
take o f Hi s e n d l e ss l i f e (He b. 7:16). T h a t i s th e wo n d e r a n d
th e gl o r y o f th e go spe l o f Ge n e si s 3:15, e n f o l d e d i n e mbr yo i n
t h a t f i r st si mpl e pr o mi se an d pr o ph ecy.
2. A s s u me s H i s T r u e a n d C e n t r a l P l a c e . He r e , th e n ,
th e go spe l o f Ge n e si s be gi n sth e i n s pi r e d acco u n t o f th e be
gi n n i n gs o f h u man r e d e mpti o n , pr o gr e ssi ve l y u n f o l d i n g
t h r o u gh o u t th e Bo o k o f Go d . T h e Bi bl e i s th e r e f o r e si mpl y th e
wo n d r o u s r e co r d o f Go d s pr o vi si o n to r e s to r e th e di vi n e i m
age t h a t f al l e n man h ad l o st, a n d to r e co ve r f o r h i m th e i m
mo r ta l i ty t h at h ad be e n f o r f e i te d . T h i s pu r po s e be came th e
s u pr e me o bje ct o f th e i n car n ati o n o f th e So n o f Go d , l e ad i n g
to Hi s a to n i n g d e ath , t r i u mph a n t r e s u r r e cti o n , an d assu r e d r e
t u r n . I t i s a r e ve l ati o n o f su pr e me l o ve be yo n d co mpar i s o n an d
h u man co mpr e h e n s i o n .
Ou r mo r tal co n d i ti o n as me mbe r s o f a s i n f u l r ace necessi -
tate s a n e w bi r t h i n o r d e r th at we may be f i tte d f o r th e l i f e
t h a t sh al l n e ve r e n d . An d as Go d o n l y h ath i mmo r ta l i ty
(1 T i m. 6:16), th e De i ty as wel l as th e h u man i ty o f th e Savi o u r ,
as th e On e th r o u gh wh o m al o n e th i s n e w l i f e i s o btai n e d , i s
th e r e f o r e basi c. He n ce th e sal vati o n th at He o f f ers i s n o t a
casu al matte r , o r e ve n a h e ave n l y bo o n , bu t a pr i me n e ce s
si ty to be s o u gh t f o r e ar n e stl y an d acce pte d gr ate f u l l y.
Re d e mpti o n i s an act o f gr age i n wh i ch C h r i st assu me s Hi s
tr u e an d ce n tr al pl ace i n th e pl an an d pr o vi si o n o f sal vati o n .
T h u s n o t o n l y Hi s f i r st co mi n g bu t Hi s se co n d ad ve n twi th
i ts a tt e n d a n t r e s u r r e cti o n o f j h e d e ad , f i nal ju d gme n tâ n d be
sto wal o f e ve r l as ti n g l i f e al l co me to assu me th e i r vi tal pl ace
i n th e be l i e f o f th e ch u r ch bo th o f Ol d T e s ta me n t an d o f Ne w
T e s ta me n t ti me s. An d al l th i s stems f r o m Ge n e si s 3:15.
3. P r o c e s s e s a n d P r o v i s i o n s o f R e d e m pt i o n a n d R e s t o
r a t i o n . T h e u n i f o r m te sti mo n y o f bo th th e Ol d an d th e Ne w
T e s ta me n t i s th a t th e s u pr e me o bje ct o f r e d e mpti o n i s to
ch an ge ma n s f al l e n n a tu r e , n o t o n l y f r o m si n to h o l i n e ss bu t
f r o m mo r tal i ty to u l ti ma t e i mmo r tal i tyf r o m a n a tu r e n o w
pe r i s h abl e i n al l i ts par ts to o n e th at i s to be i n co r r u pti bl e an d
d e s ti n e d to l i ve f o r e ve r .
As se en, th i s pr o vi s i o n f o r th e be sto wal o f e ve r l asti n g l i f e
i n vo l ve d th e i n ca r n ati o n o f th e Wo r d , o r So n o f Go d , wh o was
be f o r e al l th i n gs a n d cr e ate d al l th i n gs (J o h n 1:1-4, 10; Eph .
3:9; C o l . 1:16, 17; He b. 1:2), bu t wh o be came f l esh (He b. 2:14;
1 T i m. 3:16), taki n g u po n Hi mse l f o u r n a tu r e , ye t wi th o u t
s i n (He b. 4:15). An d as C h r i st, th e Me ssi ah , th e An o i n te d
On e , He d i e d o n th e cro ss as o u r ato n i n g Sacri f i ce. He th e n ce
f o r th be came th e mi gh ty me d i ato r f o r man be f o r e th e Fath e r ,
th u s u n i ti n g gr ace a n d me r cy wi th th e ju sti ce : an d r i gh te o u s
ness o f Go d , a n d so vi n d i cati n g Hi s d i vi n e l aw a n d go ve r n me n t.
Hi s d i vi n e n a tu r e i s wo n d r o u sl y u n i te d wi th ma n s n a tu r e
i n th e pr o vi s i o n o f r e ge n e r ati o n , th r o u gh th e i n co mi n g an d
i n d we l l i n g o f th e Ho l y Spi r i t, wh o i s t h e Spi r i t o f Li f e o f
n o n e o th e r th an th e Lo r d a n d Gi ve r o f l i f e (Ro m. 8:2, 10).
T h u s i t i s th a t h o l i n e ss an d i mmo r tal i ty ar e mad e avai l abl e
to th e be l i e ve r by th e l i f e, d e ath , r e s u r r e cti o n , a n d me d i a ti o n
o f J e su s C h r i s t (2 T i m. 1:10). C o n se qu e n tl y, r e d e mpti o n f r o m
d e ath to e n d l e ss l i f e d e pe n d s o n th i s u n i o n o f h u ma n i ty an d
d i vi n i ty, first in Christ th r o u gh Hi s i n car n ati o n , and then in us
t h r o u gh r e ge n e r a t i o n . T h e n a tu r e wh i ch h as broken th e l aw\
be co me s u n i te d wi th th e l i f e an d n a tu r e o f th e Gi ve r , Up
h o l d e r , a n d Keeper o f th e l aw. T h u s s i n s vi cti ms ar e sn atch e d
f r o m th e gr e at d e s tr o ye r s h a n d f o r e ve r mo r e .
4. E n a bl i n g P r o vi s i o n s o f R e d e mpt i o n .I t was po ssi bl e ;
f o r Ad am i n h i s pe r f e ct state o f si nl e ssne ss be f o r e th e Fal l to
d e ve l o p a r i gh te o u s ch ar acte r by l o yal o be d i e n ce to Go d s co m
man d s. Bu t th i s h e f ai l e d to d o . No w, n o t o n l y be cau se o f
Ad a ms si n , bu t be cau se o f o u r o wn si ns as we l l , o u r n a t u r e s as
we l l as h i s ar e f al l e n . We ar e n o t i n n o ce n t as was Ad am wh e n
cr e ate d , a n d th e r e f o r e can n o t ach i e ve r i gh te o u sn e ss by me an s
o f o u r o wn o be d i e n ce , be cau se we o u r se l ve s ar e po we r l e ss to
o be y. Ou r f al l e n n a tu r e s mu s t be tr an s f o r me d , a n d d i vi n e
po we r o btai n e d .
C h r i st came to pr o vi d e bo th th e r e qu i s i te r i gh te o u sn e s s
a n d th e e n a bl i n g po we r a n d gr ace . He l i ve d ami d t e mpta t i o n
bu t wi th o u t si n . He to o k o u r si ns vi car i o u sl y th a t He mi gh t
f i r st impute Hi s r i gh te o u sn e ss to us to co ve r o u r past si ns,
an d th e n impart Hi s r i gh te o u sn e ss by maki n g Hi s e n a bl i n g
gr ace an d po we r avai l abl e to car e f o r o u r pr e s e n t s pi r i tu a l
n e e d s an d d e f i ci e n ci es. T h a t was th e d i vi n e pl an o f r e d e mp
ti o n , as spe l l e d o u t u n d e r th e go spe l , f i r st i n i t i a t e d i n Ed e n
af te r th e Fal l .
C H A P T E R F I V E
T h e Penal ty of Death f or
Di sobedi ence
Wh e n Go d pl ace d man i n th e Gar d e n He to l d h i m pl ai n l y,
Of e ve r y tr e e o f th e gar d e n th o u maye st f r e e l y e at: bu t o f
th e tr e e o f th e kn o wl e d ge o f go o d an d e vi l , th o u sh al t n o t e at
o f i t: f o r i n th e d ay th a t th o u e ate st th e r e o f th o u s h al t su r e l y
d i e (Ge n . 2:16, 17).
T h e message o f Go d co u l d h ar d l y h ave be e n cl e ar e r . He
d e cl ar e d th at He wo u l d pu n i s h d i so be d i e n ce wi th d e ath . T h i s
Ad am a n d Eve u n d e r s to o d f u l l we l l , f o r Eve r e f e r r e d to th e
d e ath t h r e a t wh e n sh e par l e ye d wi th th e se r pe n t. An d as i n
ti mate d , i t was d o u btl e s s f e ar o f pu n i s h me n t th a t pr o mpte d
th e gu i l ty pa i r to f l ee i n t e r r o r wh e n th e y h e ar d Go d cal l i n g
th e m i n th e Gar d e n . Le t us r e t u r n to th e f r i gh te n e d pa i r s ta n d
i n g be f o r e th e i r i n s u l te d Make r th a t f ate f u l d ay i n Ed e n .
I. A Second C h ance Pr o vi d e d f o r th e Si nner
1. A R e pr i e ve G r a n t e d A d a m a n d E ve .Go d h as ju s t
cu r se d th e se r pe n t, a n d i n d o i n g so He h as i n ti ma te d to Ad am
a n d Eve th a t a r e pr i e ve h as be e n gr an te d i n f act, th a t a se co n d /
ch an ce i s be i n g o f f e r e d th e m. T h i s i s n o d i savo wal o f Go d s
o r i gi n al i n te n ti o n to pu n i s h d i so be d i e n ce wi th d e ath . As we
h ave al r e ad y se en, th i s d e ath pe n al ty d e se r ve d by th e m h ad ,
al r e ad y be e n acce pte d by Hi s So n, t h e se co n d pe r so n o f th e
Go d h e a d . I n th i s se n se C h r i s t was sl ai n f r o m th e f o u n d a ti o n
o f th e wo r l d (Re v. 13:8). Pr o vi si o n f o r payi n g th e d e bt o f
si n was al r e ad y mad e be f o r e Go d f ace d Hi s e r r i n g cr e atu r e s
wi th th e i r gu i l t.
69
Expe l l e d Fr o m th e Gar d e n ,
Adam an d Eve We r e C u t Of f
Fr o m Access to th e T r e e o f
Li f e, an d Faced th e T e r r i f y
i n g Pr o spe ct o f De ath , as
Fo r e war n e d by th e Al mi gh ty.
An d n o w Go d tu r n s to man o n pr o ba t i o n , wi th h i s se co n d
ch an ce be f o r e h i m, an d se ts f o r th th e ch an ge d co n d i t i o n s o f h i s
l i f e :
Un to th e wo man h e sai d, I wi l l gr e atl y mu l ti pl y th y so r r o w an d
th y co n ce pti o n ; i n so r r o w th o u s h al t br i n g f o r th ch i l d r e n ; an d th y d e si r e
sh al l be to th y h u s ban d , an d h e sh al l r u l e o ve r th e e . An d u n to Ad am
h e sai d, Be cause th o u h ast h e ar ke n e d u n to th e vo i ce o f th y wi f e, an d
h as t e ate n o f th e tr e e , o f wh i ch I co mman d e d th e e , sayi ng, T h o u sh al t
n o t e at o f i t: cu r se d i s th e gr o u n d f o r th y sake; i n so r r o w sh al t th o u e at
o f i t al l th e days o f th y l i f e; th o r n s al so an d th i stl e s sh al l i t br i n g f o r th
to th e e ; an d th o u s h al t e at th e h e r b o f th e f i el d; i n th e swe at o f th y f ace
s h al t th o u e at br e ad , ti l l th o u r e tu r n u n to th e gr o u n d ; f o r o u t o f i t wast
th o u take n : f o r d u st th o u ar t, an d u n to d u st sh al t th o u r e tu r n . . . .
An d th e Lo r d Go d sai d, Be h o l d , th e man i s be co me as o n e o f us,
to kn o w go o d an d e vi l : an d no w, l e st h e pu t f o r th h i s h an d , an d take
al so o f th e tr e e o f l i f e , an d e at, an d l i ve f o r eve r : th e r e f o r e th e Lo r d
Go d se n t h i m f o r th f r o m th e gar d e n o f Ed e n , to ti l l th e gr o u n d f r o m
wh e n ce h e was take n . So h e d r o ve o u t th e man ; an d h e pl ace d at th e
e ast o f th e gar d e n o f Ed e n C h e r u bi ms, an d a f l ami n g swo r d wh i ch tu r n e d
ever y way, to ke e p th e way o f th e tr e e o f l i f e (Ge n . 3:16-24).
70
T HE PENALT Y OF DEAT H FOR DISOBEDIENC E 71
2. Si g n i f i c a n c e o f P r o b a t i o n f o r R a c e .Du st th o u
a r t, an d u n t o d u s t sh al t th o u r e t u r n . T h u s Go d passe d se n
te n ce o n th e si n n e r s be f o r e Hi m. Af te r a l i f e o f to i l , so r r o w,
an d car e , d i ss o l u ti o n back i n to d u s t wo u l d be th e f ate o f e ve r y
man o n e ar th . C h i l d r e n wo u l d be bo r n , ge n e r ati o n wo u l d f o l
l o w ge n e r ati o n , bu t d e ath wo u l d cl o se th e h i sto r y o f e ach
l i f e . T h e i mme d i ate cau se f o r th i s ch an ge d co n d i ti o n o f af f ai r s
was s e par ati o n f r o m th e tr e e o f l i f e. Go d d i d n o t i n te n d to
h ave a r ace o f i mmo r tal si n n e r s o n Hi s n e wl y cr e ate d e ar th .
So He wi th d r e w th e tr e e o f l i f e f r o m ma n s access. An d man be
came mo r tal subject to death. T h e po te n ti al i mmo r tal i ty wi th
wh i ch man was e n d o we d at cr e ati o n was wi th d r awn , an d man
l o o ke d f o r war d to th e e n d o f l i f e.
T h e e n ti r e h u man r ace , an d e ach pe r so n bo r n th e r e i n ,
was th u s assu r e d o f a pe r i o d o f pr o bati o n f o r te sti n g, ju s t as
Ad am h ad i n th e be gi n n i n g. Sal vati o n f r o m si n i s o f f e r e d to al l ,
an d e ach may acce pt o r r e je ct i t. T h i s r aci al pr o bati o n gave
ti me f o r Satan to f u l l y d e ve l o p h i s pl an s an d d e mo n s tr ate h i s
pr i n ci pl e s be f o r e th e u n i ve r se . An d i t al so pr o vi d e d ti me f o r
Go d to d e mo n s tr ate , th r o u gh th e gi f t o f Hi s So n, h o w sal vati o n
may be a tt a i n e d an d i mmo r tal i ty r e ce i ve d th r o u gh th e pr o vi
si o n s o f th e go spe l .
I I . Adam Di ed J u d i ci al l y o n Day of T r an sgr e ssi o n
Pe r pl e xi ty i s o f te n e xpr e sse d o ve r th e cl au se , Fo r in the
day th a t th o u e ate st th e r e o f th o u s h al t su r e l y d i e (Ge n . 2:17).
T h e si mpl e f act i s th at, j u d i ci al l y an d i mpl i ci tl y, Ad am d i d d i e
o n th e d ay t h a t h e si n n e d . He th e r e u po n be came a mo r tal ,
d yi n g cr e a tu r e . Hi s d o o m was f i xed, h i s f ate se al e d . He passe d
u n d e r th e i r r e vo cabl e s e n te n ce o f d e a th . Hi s l i f e was f o r f e i t,
a n d he began to die. Al th o u gh h e mi gh t l i ve o n f o r an h o u r , a
we e k, a ye ar (o r 930 years, as Ad am d i d Ge n . 5:5), i t was bu t a
r e spi te u n d e r co n d e mn ati o n , a d e l ay, o r stay, o f e xe cu ti o n . If ,
h o we ve r , h e we r e to l i ve f o r e ve r , t h e r e mu st be a r e scu e, a r e
d e mpti o n , an act o f amn e sty a n d gr ace. Oth e r wi se , th e d e ath
d e bt i n cu r r e d mu st be pai d i n f u l l . He mu s t i n d u e ti me die.
T h a t i s th e f u n d ame n tal po i n t.
1. R h e t o r i c a l F i gu r e o f P r o l e ps i s E mpl o ye d . T h i s
war n i n g o f i mme d i ate d e ath i s h e l d by man y abl e Bi bl e s tu
d e n ts to be an i n stan ce o f wh at i n r h e to r i c i s cal l e d prolepsis
an a n ti ci pati o n o f th a t wh i ch i s f u tu r e as i f i t we r e al r e ad y
pr e s e n t. I t j s a co mmo n f i gu r e o f spe e ch . T h u s , wh e n o n e i s
f al l i n g o ve r a pr e ci pi ce , h as take n po i so n , o r h as co mmi tte d a
capi tal cr i me , h e i s o f te n r e f e r r e d to as a d e ad ma n e ve n i f
h e s h o u l d l i ve o n f o r days, weeks, mo n th s , o r e ve n years.
Wh e n th e an ge l o f d e ath h ad s mi tte n th e i r f i r st-bo r n , th e
af f r i gh te d Egypti an s cr i e d o u t, We be al l d e ad me n (Ex.
12:33). Wh e n Aa r o n s r o d bu d d e d i n co n d e mn ati o n o f th e
r e be l s, th e Isr ae l i te s e xcl ai me d , f i e h o l d , we d i e , we pe r i s h ,
we al l pe r i s h (Nu m. 17:12). Eve n Go d Hi mse l f e mpl o ye d
s i mi l ar wo r d s i n ad d r e ssi n g th e pr e s u mptu o u s Abi me l e ch : Be
h o l d , thou art but a dead man, f o r th e wo man wh i ch th o u h ast
ta ke n (Ge n . 20:3).
2. O t h e r I n s t a n ce s A r e N o t M i s u n d e r s t o o d .A s tr i k
i n gl y s i mi l ar e xpr e ssi o n o ccu r r e d wh e n Ph ar ao h sai d to Mo se s,
Ge t th e e f r o m me , take h e e d to th yse l f , see my f ace n o mo r e ;
f o r in that day thou seest my face thou shalt die (Ex. 10:28).
Ye t n o o n e wo u l d th i n k th e ki n g f ai th l e ss to h i s wo r d i f , u n
d e r se n te n ce , Moses wai te d f o r so me ti me f o r e xe cu ti o n . Agai n ,
wh e n So l o mo n gave ch ar ge to Sh i me i co n ce r n i n g th e t e n u r e o f
h i s f o r f e i te d l i f e , h e d e cl ar e d : I t sh al l be , th a t on the day
t h o u go e st o u t, a n d passest o ve r th e br o o k Ki d r o n , th o u
s h al t kn o w f o r ce r tai n th at thou shalt surely die (1 Ki ngs
2:37). Ye t n o n e wo u l d co n te n d th a t h e mu s t f l ee, be ar r e s te d ,
tr i e d , an d e xe cu te d al l o n th e same twe n ty-f o u r h o u r d ay. T h u s
h e e xcl ai ms, T h y bl o o d sh al l be u po n th i n e o wn h e a d . T h e
i n t e n t i s cl e ar .
So, o u t o f i t al l , o n e th i n g i s su r e : T h e e xe cu ti o n o f th e
Ed e n i c s e n te n ce u po n Ad am, T h o u sh al t surely die, wo u l d
i n d i cate a n yth i n g r a t h e r th an th e th o u gh t th at man was to l i ve
o n i n e n d l e ss i mmo r ta l i ty.1 Had th e r e be e n n o r e d e mpti o n ,
Ad am wo u l d h ave u tte r l y pe r i sh e d .
3. Sa n d s i n T i me s H o u r gl a s s B e gi n F a l l i n g. T h e
d e a th t h a t Go d th r e a te n e d actu al l y be gan i n Ed e n o n th e
ve r y d ay o f tr an sgr e ssi o n , as Ad am came u n d e r s e n te n ce o f
d e ath . Wh e n , af te r Ad a ms tr an sgr e ssi o n , Go d d e cl ar e d to h i m,
Du s t t h o u ar t, a n d u n t o d u s t s h al t th o u r e t u r n (Ge n . 3:19),
He was bu t passi n g th e s e n te n ce o f wh i ch He h ad pr e vi o u sl y
war n e d , I n th e d ay t h a t th o u e ate st th e r e o f thou shalt surely
die (Ge n . 2:17).
Fr o m t h a t d ay pr e pa r a ti o n was u n d e r way f o r th e u l ti ma te
e xe cu ti o n o f th e se n te n ce . On t h at ve r y d ay Ad am was e je cte d
f r o m th e Gar d e n o f Ed e n , wh e r e gr e w th a t l i f e -gi vi n g tr e e o f
l i f e , th e e ati n g o f th e f r u i t o f wh i ch wo u l d h ave pe r pe tu a te d
o be d i e n t l i f e f o r e ve r . He was n o w cu t of f f r o m th e ch an n e l
t h r o u gh wh i ch d e ath l e ssness was d e si gn e d to f l ow to h i m. T h e
san d s i n t i me s h o u r gl ass o f e xi ste n ce h ad n o w be gu n to f al l .
4. F i n a l i t y o f D e a t h I mpo s e d N o t Spe ci f i e d .Bu t as
to th e duration, o r f i n al i ty, o f th e d e ath d e cr e e d f o r d i so be d i
e n ce wh e th e r i t wo u l d be f i nal a n d i r r e vo cabl e , wi th n o
awake n i n g: o r , wh e th e r l i f e wo u l d be r e s to r e d th r o u gh a
r e s u r r e cti o n , f o r f i nal awar d o r pu n i s h me n tn o t o n e wo r d was
sai d i n ad van ce . T h a t o mi ssi o n was su r e l y d e si gn e d , maki n g i t
po ssi bl e f o r Go d to br i n g f o r war d at th e a ppr o pr i ate ti me a n d
ci r cu ms tan ce th e pr o vi si o n o f gr ace th r o u gh C h r i s t th a t He h ad
pu r po s e d be f o r e si n e n te r e d th e wo r l d . Bu t th e sentence of
death, wh e th e r th e f i r st n a tu r a l d e ath , o r th e f i n al se co n d d e ath ^
was passe d u po n al l me n .
I I I . Enco mpassi ng Invo l ve ments o f De ath Pe n al ty
Man , be cau se o f h i s si n , was n o w o n h i s way to d e s tr u cti o n .
Wi t h o u t d i vi n e i n te r ve n ti o n h e wo u l d h ave be e n d o o me d to
1I n twe n ty o t h e r pl ace s t h e s ame t e r m, s u r e l y d i e , o ccu r s , a n d al l o f t h e m r e f e r to
literal d e a t h . Se e Ge n . 20:7; 1 Sam. 22:16; 1 K i n gs 2:37, 42; J e r . 26:8; Eze . 3:18; 33:8, 14; e t c.
r e t u r n to th e n o th i n gn e ss, o r n o n be i n g, wh e n ce th e C r e ato r
h ad br o u gh t h i m i n to e xi ste n ce at cr e ati o n . Bu t d i vi n e me r cy
h ad al r e ad y i n te r ve n e d . T h e pr o mi se d Seed, o r Savi o u r , was to
co me an d e xh au st th e d e ath pe n al ty, an d r e gai n th e l o st l i f e
e te r n al l i f e f o r man . T h e bl o w t h a t i n ju sti ce s h o u l d f al l o n
ma n was to f al l o n C h r i st. De ath at th e cl o se o f l i f e s t e n u r e ,
th e r e t u r n to d u s t, was to be si mpl y a sl e e p, f r o m wh i ch al l
wo u l d be awake n e d by a r e s u r r e cti o n f r o m th i s i n i ti al , o r
f i r st, d e ath .
Go d set Hi s atte s te d seal u po n th e go spe l o f th e r e s u r r e c
t i o n by r ai s i n g J e su s f r o m th e d e ad Hi s r e s u r r e cti o n be co mi n g
th e pl e d ge o f o u r o wn i n d u e co u r se . Oth e r wi se th e r e wo u l d be
n o assu r an ce , n o tan gi bl e gu ar an te e , o f l i f e be yo n d th e gr ave .
Bu t th e pr o mi se an d pr o vi si o n o f C h r i st, th e Re d e e me r , pr o
vi d e t h a t assu r an ce . T h u s th e l i gh t o f th e r a d i a n t go spe l o f l i f e
was i n je cte d i n to th e i mpe n e tr abl e d ar kn e ss o f d e ath at th e
ve r y gate s o f Ed e n .
1. D e a t h E mbr a ce s T o t a l P u n i s h me n t f o r Si n .
De ath was th e to tal pe n al ty t h a t was f o r e war n e d u po n Ad am by
Go d as pu n i s h me n t f o r t h a t pr i mal si n . Al l t h a t Go d pu r po s e d
to i n f l i ct u po n Ad am an d h i s po ste r i ty be cau se o f tr an sgr e s
si o n was co mpr e h e n d e d wi th i n t h a t si n gl e wo r d d e a th . I n
th e d ay t h a t th o u e ate st th e r e o f th o u sh al t su r e l y die, was th e
so l e mn bu t al l -i n cl u si ve d e cr e e (Ge n . 2:17). T h a t cl e ar l y
me a n t co mpl e te l oss o f l i f e , d e pr i va ti o n o f be i n g, f o r f e i tu r e o f
e xi ste n ce .
2. J u s t i c e R e qu i r e s P e n a l t y B e U n d e r s t o o d . El e me n
tal ju sti ce r e qu i r e s th a t th e pe n al ty f o r a tr an sgr e ssi o n be e x
pl i ci tl y s tate d , so i t may be u n mi s takabl y u n d e r s to o d by al l
wh o may be i n vo l ve d . An d i n th i s i n stan ce t h a t pe n al ty i s d e
cl ar e d , acco r d i n g to th e te r m d i e , as ju s t n o te d , to be l oss
o f l i f e , ce ssati o n o f be i n g an d e xi ste n ce n o t, as so me l ate r
came to co n te n d , e te r n al l i vi n g e xi ste n ce i n e n d l e ss ago ny.
I t wo u l d be a str an ge way o f u n d e r s t a n d i n g a l aw, wh i ch r e
qu i r e s th e pl ai n e s t an d mo st d i r e ct wo r d s, th a t by death s h o u l d
be me a n t eternal life in misery and perpetual torment, as l ate r
ad vo cate d f i r st i n pagan i sm, th e n i n J e wr y, a n d f i n al l y i n a ma
jo r s e gme n t o f C h r i sti an i ty.
C h r i s t mu s t h ave su f f e r e d th e ve r y pe n al ty to wh i ch si m
man was s e n te n ce d a t th e be gi n n i n g, f o r C h r i s t bo r e o u r
C o n s e qu e n tl y, an e te r n al l i f e i n mi se r y can f o r m n o t r u e
o f th e me a n i n g o f d e ath (Ro m. 5:7, 8; 6:10; He b. 2:9), C]
d i d not e n d u r e Ête r n al T o r me n t . He was r ai se d th e th i r d
T h e u l ti ma t e pe n al ty f o r si ns i s th e can ce l l ati o n o f l i f e wh e n
th e t r u e o bje cti ve h as be e n l o st (Eze. 18:4, 13, 18). An d i n as
mu ch as Go d gave l i f e i n i ti al l y to th e h u man r ace , He co u l d by
th e same po we r withdraw th at l i f e i f man si n n e d . An d th a t i s
ju s t wh at th e d e ath se n te n ce me an s.
3. S e co n d D e a t h C o m pl e t e s t h e D e a t h P e n a l t y .
T h e i n i ti a l d e ath , at th e e n d o f th e n a tu r a l l i f e (an d wh i ch
i n th e Bi bl e i s cal l e d a sl eep)* i s a co n s e qu e n ce o f r aci al o r uni -_
ve r sal si n . T h e f i r st, o r n a tu r a l , d e ath i s n o t th e pe n al ty to be
pai d f o r o u r personal si ns. De sce n d an ts ar e n o t pu n i s h e d f o:
th e si ns o f t h e i r an ce sto r s, u n l e ss th e y pe r si st i n th e i r an ce sto r s
si n s. T h e i n i ti a l d e ath th a t o ve r to o k Ad am an d Eve was n o t th<
e n d . T h e pu n i t i ve d e ath f o r u n r e pe n te d si n i s t h e second
d e ath , a n d d o e s n o t co me u n t i l af te r th e se co n d r e s u r r e cti o n f o r
th e e xe cu ti o n o f ju d gme n t.
T h a t wi l l be a d e ath o f both so u l an d bo d y, wh i ch i n
vo l ves f i n al a n d i r r e tr i e vabl e l oss o f th e to tal l i f e , (Matt. 10:28;
Mai . 4:1; Re v. 20:14). So ma n s first d e ath i s n o t th e e n d ; i t
iônl y the first, or natural, death, wh i ch passe d u po n al l me n
(Ro m. 5:12). T h e se co n d d e ath , wh i ch wi l l br i n g a bo u t th e
co mpl e ti o n o f th e d e ath pe n al ty, wi l l be e xe cu te d o n l y u po n
t h e o bd u r ate l y evi l .
Le t us co n s i d e r i t a n o th e r way: T h e wi cke d d i e th e f i r st
ti me in t h e i r si ns, bu t th e se co n d ti me (af te r th e i r r e s u r r e c
ti o n , Re v. 20:5, 6), th e y d i e for th e i r si ns (Eze. 18:26). I t i s.
appo i n te d u n t o all me n o n ce to d i e (He b. 9:27). Al l d i e th e
f i r st ti me be cau se th e y be came mo r tal as a r e s u l t o f Ad ams
tr an sgr e ssi o n . I n th e ma t te r o f th i s f i r st d e ath me n h ave n o
ch o i ce . Bu t i t is a matte r o f co mpl e te a n d i n e scapabl e ch o i ce as
to wh e th e r we d i e th e f i r st d e ath in our sins, o r ar e saved a n d
saf e in Christ. Fo r i f we d i e in Christ, th e n th e se co n d d e ath
wi l l h ave n o po we r o ve r us (Re v. 20:6). An d th e se co n d d e ath ,
wh i ch i s e te r n al , can be ave r te d by acce pti n g C h r i s ts pr o vi si o n
o f sal vati o n .
4. Sec o n d D e a t h I s L o ss o f L i f e , N o t C o n t i n u a n c e .
We wo u l d str e ss th i s po i n t, t h a t th e second d e a th f o r u n
r e pe n te d o f a n d u n pa r d o n e d si n i s n o t to be co n f o u n d e d
wi th th e f i r st d e ath , wh i ch al l me n , wh e th e r save d o r l o st,
u n d e r go al i ke as th e ch i l d r e n o f Ad am. T h i s i s o f te n mi s
u n d e r s to o d .
T h e second d e ath appl i e s o n l y to future pu n i s h me n t
f o r th e se co n d d e ath i s th e pu n i s h me n t f o r personal,
unconfessed sin, j u s t as e ve r l as ti n g l i f e i s th e r e war d o f individ-
ual righteousness, r e ce i ve d th r o u gh an d i n C h r i st.
T h u s loss o f l i f e was th e d o o m pr o n o u n ce d agai n st si n .
Bu t th i s l oss o f l i f e i s n o t si mpl y i mpl i e d i n Scr i ptu r e . I t i s d e
f i n i ti ve l y s tate d to be th e pu n i s h me n t d e te r mi n e d T h e so u l
t h a t s i n n e th , i t sh al l d i e (Eze. 18:4, 20; ^3:18) ^ \ /
T h e Ol d T e s ta me n t e xpl i ci tl y an d r e pe ate d l y d e scr i be s th i s
l oss o f l i f e , o r e xi ste n ce , as th e r e ve r si o n o f th e o r gan i ze d be i n g
i n t o i ts o r i gi n al e l e me n tsr e d u cti o n to wh at i t was be f o r e i t
was cal l e d i n to be i n g. He r e ar e a f ew o f th e l e ss-kn o wn te xts:
T h e destruction o f th e tr an sgr e sso r s a n d o f th e si n n e r s
sh al l be to ge th e r , an d th e y . . . sh al l be consumed (Isa. 1:28).
Pr e par e th e m f o r th e d ay o f slaughter (J e r . 12:3).
T h e slain o f th e Lo r d sh al l be man y (Isa. 66:16).
T h e y sh al l go f o r th , an d l o o k u po n th e carcases o f th e me n
t h a t h ave tr an sgr e sse d (Isa. 6(k24).
He sh al l d e str o y th e m (Ps._28:5).
T h e tr an sgr e sso r s sh al l be destroyed together: th e e n d o f
th e wi cke d sh al l be cut off (Ps. 37:38).
T h e y sh al l be r o o te d o u t o f th e l a n d (Ps. 52:5).
Le t th e m be blotted out of the book of the living ^Ps.
69:28); e t ce te r a.
Eve r y cl e ar -cu t Ol d T e s ta me n t d e cl ar ati o n o n th e pu n i s h
me n t o f th e wi cke d state s i t to be l oss o f l i f e , n o t co n ti n u an ce
d i ss o l u ti o n o f l i f e i n to i ts o r i gi n al e l e me n ts, as th o u gh o n e h ad
n e ve r be e n ca l l e d i n to e xi ste n ce as an entity. An d wh i l e th e
r e d e e me d ar e to h ave l i f e i mmo r tal wh i ch kn o ws n o e n d , th e
l o st wi l l s u ccu mb to th e se co n d d e atl r _ wh i ch kn o ws n o
awake n i n g.
5. Do o m A ppl i e s t o M a n a s a W h o l e .Go d s se n te n ce
d e cl ar e d , Du st t h o u a r t, an d u n t o d u s t sh al t th o u r e t u r n
(Ge n . 3:19). T h i s pr o n o u n ce me n t was mo r e e xpl i ci tl y e x
pl ai n e d after ma n s tr an sgr e ssi o n , as r e l ate d to h i s pe r so n . Bu t
th e r e i s n o t h i n g i n th e co n te xt t h a t mi n i mi ze s o r ch an ge s th e
me an i n g o r f o r ce o f th e wo r d s o r l i mi ts th e i r al l -i n cl u si ve a ppl i
cati o n .
T h e r e i s n o h i n t o f a d i s ti n cti o n be twe e n bo d y a n d so u l i n
th e appl i cati o n o f Ad ams d e s ti n e d d o o m. T h e whole man
s i n n e d . An d th e s e n te n ce a ppe ar i n g i n th e I n s pi r e d Re co r d ap
pl i e s to man as a wh o l e . Acco r d i n gl y, as wi th th e se n te n ce so
wi th i ts e xe cu ti o n th e man , wi th o u t r e d e mpti o n , wo u l d at
d e a th u tte r l y a n d f o r e ve r cease to l i ve . Su ch wo u l d h ave be e n
th e f i n al , tr agi c o u tco me h ad i t n o t be e n f o r th e d i vi n e pl an
an d pr o vi si o n o f sal vati o n . T h i s i n vo l ve s ma n s be i n g br o u gh t
back to l i f e , th r o u gh r e s u r r e cti o n , f o r pr o n o u n ce me n t o f se n
te n ce base d u po n a ju s t ju d gme n t, an d th e n f o r f i n al r e war d
o r pu n i s h me n t.
IV. Supr e me Ar gu me n t Agai nst Ete r n al T o r me n t
1. D e a t h P e n a l t y St e ms F r o m L a w a n d A u t h o r i t y .
Pu n i s h me n t i mpl i e s th e e xi ste n ce o f l aw. An d l aw i n vo l ve s a u
th o r i ty. Bu t n o l aw can h ave bi n d i n g f o r ce u n l e ss i t i s bu t-
tr e sse d by pe n al ty f o r i n f r a ct i o n . Mo r e o ve r , pu n i s h me n t i s i n-\
f l i cte d u po n th e vi o l ato r by th e same a u th o r i ty f r o m wh i ch th e
l aw pr o ce e d s. T h e r e can th e r e f o r e be n o l e gi ti mate pe n al ty
th r e ate n e d , n o r pu n i s h me n t i n f l i cte d , wh e r e th e r e i s n o l aw o r
a u th o r i ty (Ro m. 5:13). Bu t Go d , th e C r e ato r o f man , h ad gi ve n
an e xpr e ss co mman d an d war n i n g to o u r f o r e be ar s i n Ed e n
(Ge n . 2:16, 17). An d Ad am an d Eve h ad vi o l ate d th e e xpl i ci t
co mman d an d br o ke n th e d e cl ar e d l aw, o r wo r d , o f Go d , a n d
so h ad i n cu r r e d th e s tatu to r y pe n al ty f o r e war n e d .
As we h ave se e n , d e ath i n th e se nse o f f o r f e i tu r e o f l i f e a n d
e xti n cti o n o f be i n g th r o u gh wi th d r awal o f l i f e was th e state d
pe n al ty f o r i n f r acti o n o f th e d i vi n e co mman d . T h i s i s th e u n i
f o r m te ach i n g o f th e Bi bl e f r o m co ve r to co ve r i n al l i ts mu l t i
pl e f o r ms o f s tate me n twh e th e r o f d o ctr i n e , war n i n g, s tat
u te , e xh o r tati o n , pr o mi se , o r pr e d i cti o n , a n d as ampl i f i e d i n
par abl e , f i gu r e , an d i l l u s tr ati o n . T h e u n i f o r m pe n al ty i n al l
f o r ms i s, T h e so u l th a t sinneth, i t sh al l die (Eze. 18:4, 20);
o r i n th e Ne w T e s tame n t, T h e wages o f si n i s death (Ro m.
6:23). Or , to ch an ge to o n e o f th e f i gur e s, th e i n e vi tabl e har
vest f r o m th e so wi n g o f th e se ed o f si n i s d e s tr u cti o n (Matt.
13:30). T h e essence o f i t al l i s th a t si n , wh e n i t i s f i n i sh e d ,
br i n ge th f o r th d e a t h (J ame s 1:15).
2. Q u e s t i o n S e t t l e d a t H i gh e s t L e v e l .We r e pe at,
d e a t h me an s ce ssati o n o f l i f e , not eternal life in torment.
Str an ge co n te n ti o n o f so me t h a t to perish i s to live on forever!
T h a t , o f co u r se , i s a co mpl e te co n tr ad i cti o n . He r e i s th e s u
pr e me ar gu me n t agai n st th e al i e n co n ce pt o f th e Ete r n al T o r
me n t o f th e s i n n e r : I f th e d e ath t h a t th r e a te n e d Ad am we r e
e te r n al to r tu r e , t h e n i t wo u l d h ave n e ce ssi tate d t h a t o u r Sav
i o u r , as ma n s co mpl e te Su bs ti tu te , mu st be t o r me n te d e te r n a l l y
i n o r d e r to r e ce i ve ma n s al l o tte d pu n i s h me n t a n d pay h i s
d e s i gn ate d d e bt. Bu t n o o n e i s pr e par e d to co n te n d t h a t su ch i s
t r u e as r e gar d s o u r Savi o u r .
If , o n th e co n tr ar y, th e pe n al ty o f death is loss of life, as
e xe cu te d u po n C h r i s t o n th e cro ss, th e n J e su s mu st d i e by
l i te r al l y gi vi n g u p Hi s l i f e i n o u r ste ad , th u s me e ti n g th e f u l l
d e man d s o f th e l aw f o r o u r si ns. And this is precisely what He
did. T h a t i s co n s i d e r ati o n o f th e qu e s ti o n at th e h i gh e st l eve l .
T h a t i s th e s u pr e me an d d e ci si ve e vi d e n ce . C h r i s t died, ju st
as Ad am was to d i e .
V. Sl eep th e Be au ti f u l Eu ph e mi sm f o r De ath
1. F i r s t a Sl e e p, W i t h R e s u r r e c t i o n A wa ke n i n g.
Si n ce th e Bi bl e state s, I t i s a ppo i n te d u n t o [al l ] me n o n ce
to d i e , a n d af te r d e ath th e ju d gme n t (He b. 9:27), th e
f i r st, o r n a tu r a l , d e ath , i s si mpl y a te mpo r ar y ce ssati o n o f
l i f e , wh i ch th e Bi bl e pi ctu r e s as a sl e e p. T h e ^go s pe l make s
pr o vi si o n f o r a n o th e r l i f e th r o u gh th e r e s u r r e cti o n awake n i n g
a vsecond a n d eternal life f o r al l wh o acce pt th e go spe l o f
C h r i s t (2 T i m. 1:10) an d ar e f i tte d f o r i t.
T h e same go spe l al so r e ve al s th e i r r e vo cabl e se co n d
d e a th , f r o m wh i ch th e r e i s a r e s u r r e cti o n u n to d amn ati o n f o r
th o se wh o r e je ct th e go spe l (J o h n 5:28, 29), a n d n o h o pe f o r
th o se wh o l ack f i tness f o r i mmo r tal i ty. Al l th o se wh o r e je ct th e
so l e me an s o f sal vati o n wi l l be l o st f o r e ve r . T h e r e wi l l be n o i m
mo r tal si n n e r s. Bu t l e t us e xami n e th e f i gu r e o f sl e e p.
2. I mpl i ca t i o n s o f t h e M e t a ph o r o f S l e e p.T h e Ol d
T e s ta me n t co n si ste n tl y spe aks o f d e ath u n d e r th i s me taph o r
o f sl e e pl i ke f al l i n g asl e e p at n i gh t. So th i s i n te r me d i a te
state , be twe e n d e ath an d th e r e s u r r e cti o n , i s f o r go o d an d e vi l
al i ke , a n d i s th u s l i ke n e d to th e h o u r s o f u n co n sci o u s r e st. T h e
r e s u r r e cti o n i s co mpar e d to th e e xpe r i e n ce o f awake n i n g to a
n e w day. De ath i s r e pe ate d l y d e cl ar e d to be a d e e p, u n co n
sci o u s, u n br o ke n sl e e p u n t i l th e r e s u r r e cti o n mo r n .
T h u s i n Ho l y Wr i t, Man l i e th d o wn , an d r i s e th n o t:
ti l l th e h e ave n s be n o mo r e , th e y sh al l n o t awake , n o r be r ai se d
o u t o f t h e i r sleep (J o b 14:12). T h e psal mi st sai d , Li gh te n
mi n e eyes, l e st I sl e e p th e sleep of death (Ps. 13:3). An d th e
pr o ph e t Dan i e l ad d s, Man y o f th e m th a t sleep i n th e d u s t o f
th e e ar th sh al l awake at th e r e s u r r e cti o n (Dan . 12:2). T h i s
i s th e u n var yi n g te sti mo n y o f th e Ol d T e s tame n t. An d th e
Ne w T e s ta me n t do e s n o t d e vi ate f r o m th i s i n th e sl i gh te st
d e gr e e . Ra th e r , i t e l abo r ate s u po n i t.
Sl e ep, th e n , i s a co n d i ti o n o f su spe n d e d acti vi ty a n d u n
co n sci o u s r e st. T h u s th e d e ad ar e r e pe ate d l y d e cl ar e d to be
at r e s t (J o b 3:17, 18; 17:16; Dan . 12:13; Re v. 14:13). An d
th i s i n te r me d i a te state i s d e f i n e d as o n e o f i n acti vi ty an d si l e n ce
(Ps. 6:5; cf . Re v. 14:13). T h e He br e w co n ce pt o f th i s u n
co n sci o u s sl e e p, i n sheol, o r gr ave d o m, i s se e n i n su ch s tate
me n ts by th e psal mi st as:
Hi s br e ath go e th f o r th , h e r e tu r n e t h to h i s e ar th [dust]; i n th a t
ver y d ay his thoughts perish (Ps. 146:4).
I n d e a th [sheol, th e gr ave ] th e r e i s n o r e me mbr an ce o f th e e "
(Ps. 6:5).
T h e d e ad pr ai se n o t th e Lo r d , n e i th e r an y th a t go d o wn i n to
si l e n ce (Ps. 115:17).
3. T i me O b l i t e r a t e d t o t h e S l e e pe r . Sl e e p o bl i te r ate s
th e space, o r span , be twe e n d e ath an d th e r e s u r r e cti o n . I t h as
n o pe r ce pti bl e passage o f ti me . T h i s Bi bl i cal co n ce pt o f d e ath
as a sl e e p make s th e Se co n d Ad ve n t e qu al l y n e a r to e ve r y ge n e r
ati o n a n d to e ve r y i n d i vi d u al be l i e ve r to th e f i r st as ve r i l y as
to th e l ast. T o bo th , o u r Lo r d i s e qu al l y n i gh , e ve n a t th e d o o r .
De ath , as a sl e e p, i s n o t th e r e f o r e a l o n g, co n sci o u s, s tr e tch
i n g bl an k o f ce n tu r i e s o r mi l l e n n i u ms . A ce n tu r y i s as s h o r t as
a mo me n t, a mi l l e n n i u m as br i e f as th e twi n kl i n g o f an eye.
T h e n e xt co n sci o u s i n s tan t a f te r f al l i n g asl e e p wi l l be th e d ay
o f r e d e mpti o n . De ath i s f o l l o we d by r i si n g, go i n g to sl e e p by
awake n i n g.
Su ch a gr aci o u s pr o vi si o n , i t i s to be n o te d , r o bs d e ath o f
i ts gl o o m a n d i ts se nse an d d r e ad o f l o n g s e par ati o n . T h u s th e
twi l i gh t h o u r o f d e ath i s su cce e d e d , th r o u gh th e r e s u r r e cti o n ,
by th e d awn o f e te r n al d ay f o r th e r i gh te o u s. Bu t, al as, i t i s
f o l l o we d by an e ve r l asti n g n i gh t o f u t t e r d e s tr u cti o n f o r th e
wi cke d , af te r t h e i r r e s u r r e cti o n f o r th e e xe cu ti o n o f th e ju d g
me n t (Re v. 20:5, 6, 14, 15; 21:8).
4. S l e e p I s U n d e vi a t i n g Syn o n ym f o r D e a t h .
Sl e e p i s co n s e qu e n tl y th e co mmo n Bi bl i cal syn o n ym f o r
d e a th . Be gi n n i n g wi th i ts i n i ti a l a ppl i cati o n to Mo ses (Be
h o l d , th o u s h al t sleep wi th th y f ath e r s , 2 De u t. 31:16), a n d
t h e n to Davi d (T h o u s h al t sleep wi th th y f ath e r s , 2 Sam.
3 T h a t th i s me a n t Mo se s was to die i s pl a i n l y s t a t e d i n De u t e r o n o my 32:48-51. He died
a n d was bu r i e d (De u t . 34:5-7; J o s h u a 1:1, 2).
7:12), a n d J o b (No w sh al l I sleep i n th e d u s t; a n d t h o u sh al t
se e k me i n th e mo r n i n g, bu t I sh al l n o t be , J o b 7:21), we f i n d
th a t th i s be a u ti f u l e u ph e mi s m r u n s l i ke an u n br o ke n th r e a d
al l th r o u gh th e Ol d an d Ne w T e s tame n ts , e n d i n g wi th Pe t e r s
si n ce th e f ath e r s f e l l asl e e p (2 Pe te r 3:4).s
T h i s ch o se n syn o n ym f o r d e ath o ccu r s n o l ess th a n si xty-si x
ti me s i n se ve n te e n bo o ks o f th e Sacr e d C an o n , i n cl u d i n g i ts
co n si d e r e d u se by J e su s Hi mse l f (Matt. 9:24; Mar k 5:39;
Lu ke 8:52; J o h n 11:11). T h e s e f r e qu e n t o ccu r r e n ce s ar e so
i mpo r ta n t a n d si gn i f i can t, an d i mpr e ssi ve , t h a t al l Ol d T e s ta
me n t usages ar e t abu l a te d h e r e f o r r e f e r e n ce , t h a t th e eye
may qu i ckl y r u n d o wn th i s me an i n gf u l t abu l a ti o n . T h u s th e
sco pe a n d we i gh t o f e vi d e n ce qu i ckl y be co me appa r e n t. T h e
te r m, i t wi l l be o bse r ve d , i s u se d o f go o d an d e vi l al i ke o f
Ah ab as we l l as o f Davi d . He r e ar e th e te xts:
De u t. 31:16T h o u [Moses] sh al t sleep wi th th y f ath e r s .
2 Sam. 7:12"T h o u [Davi d] sh al t sleep wi th th y f ath e r s .
1 Ki ngs 1:21T h e ki n g sh al l sleep wi th h i s f ath e r s.
1 Ki n gs 2:10So Davi d slept wi th h i s f ath e r s .
1 Ki ngs 11:21Davi d slept wi th h i s f ath e r s .
1 Ki n gs 11:43So l o mo n slept wi th h i s f ath e r s.
1 Ki ngs 14:20He [J e r o bo am] slept wi th h i s f ath e r s .
1 Ki n gs 14:31Re h o bo am slept wi th h i s f ath e r s.
1 Ki ngs 15:8Abi jam slept wi th h i s f ath e r s.
1 Ki ngs 15:24Asa slept wi th h i s f ath e r s .
1 Ki ngs 16:6Baash a slept wi d i h i s f ath e r s.
1 Ki ngs 16:28Omr i slept wi th h i s f ath e r s .
1 Ki ngs 22:40Ah ab slept wi th h i s f ath e r s .
1 Ki ngs 22:50J e h o s h aph a t slept wi th h i s f ath e r s .
2 Ki ngs 8:24J o r am slept wi th h i s f ath e r s.
2 Ki ngs 10:35J e h u slept wi th h i s f ath e r s .
2 Ki ngs 13:9J e h o ah az slept wi th h i s f ath e r s.
2 Ki ngs 13:13J o ash slept wi th h i s f ath e r s .
2 Ki ngs 14:16J e h o ash slept wi th h i s f ath e r s.
2 Ki ngs 14:22T h e ki n g slept wi th h i s f ath e r s.
2 Ki ngs 14:29"J e r o bo am slept wi th h i s f ath e r s.
2 Ki ngs 15:7Azar i ah slept wi th h i s f ath e r s.
2 Ki ngs 15:22Me n ah e m slept wi th h i s f ath e r s.
3T h e s e ve n t e e n Ne w T e s t a me n t r e f e r e n ce s a r e : M a t t . 9:24; 27:52; Ma r k 5:39; L u ke 8:52;
J o h n 11:11 (t wi ce ); Acts 7:60; 13:36; 1 C o r . 7:39 (koima, f al l a s l e e p ; se e Ro t h e r h a m);
11:30; 15:6. 18, 20; 1 T h e s s . 4:13, 14, 15; 2 Pe t e r 3:4i n al l f o u r Go spe l s, th e Acts, a n d two
o f Pa u l s Epi s tl e s , as we l l as i n Pe t e r .
2 Ki ngs 15:38"J o th am slept wi th h i s f ath e r s .
2 Ki ngs 16:20Ah az slept wi th h i s f ath e r s .
2 Ki ngs 20:21He ze ki ah slept wi th h i s f ath e r s .
2 Ki ngs 21:18Man asse h slept wi th h i s f ath e r s .
2 Ki ngs 24:6J e h o i aki m slept wi th h i s f ath e r s .
2 C h r o n . 9:31So l o mo n slept wi th h i s f ath e r s.
2 C h r o n . 12:16"Re h o bo am slept wi th h i s f ath e r s .
2 C h r o n . 14:1Abi jah slept wi th h i s f ath e r s .
2 C h r o n . 16:13Asa slept wi th h i s f ath e r s .
2 C h r o n . 21:1J e h o s h aph a t slept wi th h i s f ath e r s.
2 C h r o n . 26:2T h e ki n g slept wi th h i s f ath e r s .
2 C h r o n . 26:23Uzzi ah slept wi th h i s f ath e r s .
2 C h r o n . 27:9J o th a m slept wi th h i s f ath e r s .
2 C h r o n . 28:27Ah az slept wi th h i s f ath e r s."
2 C h r o n . 32:33He ze ki ah slept wi th h i s f ath e r s .
2 C h r o n . 33:20"Man asse h slept wi th h i s f ath e r s .
J o b 3:13I sh o u l d h ave slept."
J o b 7:21No w sh al l I sleep i n th e d u s t.
J o b 14:12No r be r ai se d o u t o f th e i r sleep."
Ps. 13:3Le st I sl e e p th e sleep o f d e a th .
Ps. 76:5T h e y h ave sl e pt th e i r sleep.
Ps. 76:6C ast i n to a d e ad sleep.
Ps. 90:5T h e y ar e as a sleep.
J e r . 51:39Sl e e p a pe r pe tu al sleep.
J e r . 51:57Sl ee p a pe r pe tu al sleep.
Dan . 12:2T h e m th a t sleep i n th e d u st o f th e e a r th .
Sl e e p, th e n , i s be yo n d qu e s ti o n th e e stabl i sh e d Bi bl i cal
te r m f o r ma n s state i n d e ath .
C H A P T E R SI X
i n th e Peri od of th e
Sacri f i ci al Al tar
T h e basi c d i f f e r e n ce be twe e n th e pl an o f r e d e mpti o n i n
Ol d T e s ta me n t an d i n Ne w T e s ta me n t ti me s i s l ar ge l y o n e o f
pe r spe cti ve an d d i r e cti o n . T h e Ol d T e s ta me n t be l i e ve r s l o o ke d
forward to a su f f e r i n g Me ssi ah to co me , On e wh o wo u l d take
away si n by th e s u bs ti tu ti o n a r y sacr i f i ce o f Hi mse l f . T h e l ate r
Ne w T e s ta me n t be l i e ve r s l o o ke d back to th e tr e me n d o u s tr an s
acti o n o f th e cross as th e acco mpl i sh e d f act, an d upward to an
asce n d e d mi n i s te r i n g Pr i e s t a n d ju s t J u d ge , wh o i s to co me
agai n at th e e n d o f th e age as co n qu e r i n g Ki ng.
T h e Pe r so n i s th e same i n bo th cases, bu t th e me th o d o f
man i f e s ti n g f ai th i n Hi s so ve r e i gn ef f i cacy d i f f e r s. I n th e Ol d
T e s ta me n t, savi n g f ai th was e xh i bi te d by symbo l i c sacr i f i ces
an d ser vi ces po i n ti n g f o r war d to th e Lamb o f Go d to co me ,
wh o wo u l d take away th e si n o f th e wo r l d . Bu t f r o m th e cross
o n war d , wi th th e gr e at tr an s acti o n o f C al var y an acco mpl i sh e d
f act, sal vati o n was n o w by si mpl e f ai th i n a cr u ci f i e d , r i se n ,
asce n d e d , mi n i s te r i n g, an d r e t u r n i n g Lo r d . No te i ts e a r l i e r o p
e r ati o n , f i r st wi th th e ch i l d r e n o f th e pr i mal pai r , th e n amo n g
th e patr i ar ch s, a n d f i n al l y amo n g th e pr o ph e ts o f Isr ae l , i n Ol d
T e s ta me n t ti me s.
I . C ai n an d Abel T e ste d by Sacri f i ci al Of f er i ng System
Ne xt i n h i sto r i cal se qu e n ce af te r th e e xpu l s i o n f r o m Ed e n
th e te st was appl i e d to C ai n a n d Abe l , Ad am an d Eve s f i r st
d e sce n d an ts, as r e co r d e d i n Ge n e si s 4. T h i s pa r ti cu l a r te st
83
By Hi s Of f e r i ng Abel Re c
o gni zed th e Pr i n ci pl e o f
Ato n i n g Bl o o d Su bsti tu ti o n ,
an d Ar o u se d th e Hatr e d o f
Sel f -suf f i ci ent C ai n Wi th Hi s
Di so be d i e n t, Bl o odl ess Of
f er i ng.
was l i ke wi se d e si gn e d to pr o ve wh e th e r th e y to o wo u l d be l i e ve
i n an d o be y th e wo r d o f Go d . I n acco r d an ce wi th pr e vi o u s i n
s tr u cti o n Abe l br o u gh t o f th e f i r stl i n gs o f h i s f l o cka type
o f th e co mi n g C h r i s t, th e Lamb o f Go d , wh i ch take th away
th e si n o f th e wo r l d (J o h n 1:29). C ai n , o n th e co n tr ar y,
br o u gh t o n l y an o f f e r i n g o f th e f r u i t o f th e gr o u n d , wh i ch
was n o t i n co mpl i an ce wi th th e d i vi n e d i r e cti ve .
T h e br o th e r s o bvi o u sl y u n d e r s to o d th e pu r po se o f th e
syste m o f o f f e r i n gs t h a t Go d h ad o r d ai n e d , d e si gn e d to e xpr e ss
pe r so n al f ai th (He b. 11:4) i n th e a to n i n g d e a th o f a co mi n g
Savi o u r . T h i s i n vo l ve d th e symbo l i c si n o f f e r i n gs. T h e s e bl o o d y
sacr i f i ces d r amati ze d th e u n d e r l yi n g pr i n ci pl e t h a t wi th o u t
s h e d d i n g o f bl o o d i s n o r e mi s s i o n (He b. 9:22).1
Su ch was th e o r d ai n e d way o f acce ptabl e appr o ach to Go d ,
i n s t i tu t e d i mme d i ate l y af te r th e Fal l .
1 T h i s i s t h e e sse n ce a n d f o u n d a t i o n o f t h e d o ct r i n e o f s u bs t i tu t i o n a n d bl o o d a t o n e me n t
l i f e f o r a l i f e . T h e wage s o f s i n i s d e a t h (Ro m. 6:23), a n d wi t h o u t s h e d d i n g o f
bl o o d [a n d t h u s gi vi n g u p t h e l i f e ] i s n o r e mi s s i o n (He b. 9:22).
84
REDEMPT I ON I N T HE PERIOD OF T HE SAC RIFIC IAL ALT AR 85
1. F a t a l L a ck i n C a i n s B l o o d l e s s O f f e r i n g.Abe l f o l
l o we d Go d s i n str u cti o n s . T h e r e f o r e Go d h ad r e spe ct u n to
Abe l a n d to h i s o f f e r i n g (Ge n . 4:4). Bu t C ai n br o u gh t o n l y
a bl o o d l e ss o f f e r i n g o f th e f r u i t o f th e gr o u n d th e pr o d
u ct o f h i s o wn l abo r . T h e f u n d ame n tal pr i n ci pl e o f sub-
st i t u ti o n a r y sacr i f i ce was th u s o mi tte d th e d e cl ar e d r eco g-
n i ti o n o f th e n e e d o f a Re d e e me r . T h a t i s wh y by f ai th Abe l
o f f e r e d u n t o Go d a mo r e e xce l l e n t sacr i f i ce th an C a i n (He b.
11:4). T a ki n g Go d at Hi s wo r d , h e h ad gr aspe d th e basi c
pr i n ci pl e o f sal vati o n si n , pe n al ty, d e ath , s u bs ti tu ti o n , an d
r e s to r a ti o n wi th r i gh te o u sn e ss an d l i f e r e ce i ve d t h r o u gh th e
vi car i o u s, sacr i f i ci al a to n e me n t o f an o th e r . Abe l s sacr i f i ce
cl e ar l y r e pr e s e n te d C h r i st, l ad e n wi th th e s i n n e r s si ns, i n th e
s i n n e r s pl ace a n d ste ad . C a i n s bl o o d l e ss o f f e r i n g may h ave
be e n an ackn o wl e d gme n t o f th e so ve r e i gn ty o f Go d a n d an
act o f wo r sh i p, bu t th e r e was n o r e co gn i ti o n o f th e f o r f e i tu r e
o f h i s o wn l i f e be cau se o f h i s si n n o r o f h i s n e e d o f sal vati o n
f r o m i ts pe n al ty o f d e ath .2
Abe l , o n th e o th e r h an d , po u r i n g o u t th e l i f e bl o o d o f th e
i n n o ce n t vi cti m, ackn o wl e d ge d th e f o r f e i tu r e o f h i s o wn l i f e
a n d s o u gh t th e me r cy o f Go d th r o u gh th e sacr i f i ci al s u bs ti tu te .
We h ave d we l t u po n th i s be cau se th e se two br o th e r s r e pr e s e n t
th e two r e l i gi o u s cl asses t h a t h ave e xi ste d an d wi l l co n ti n u e
to e xi st to th e e n d o f ti me . He r e agai n i s r e ve al e d th e go spe l
i n Ge n e si s, th e Abe l cl ass r e co gn i zi n g th e Re d e e me r âs th e
so l e h o pe o f man . An d by Ne w T e s ta me n t ti me s bo th th e
Re d e e me r s n ame a n d Hi s i d e n ti ty ar e bo l d l y pr o cl ai me d by
th e apo stl e s as ma n s o n l y h o pe . Ne i th e r i s th e r e sal vati o n i n
an y o th e r : f o r th e r e i s n o n e o th e r n ame u n d e r h e ave n gi ve n
a mo n g me n , wh e r e by we mu s t be save d (Acts 4:12).
I t may al so be o bse r ve d t h a t C a i n s mu r d e r o f Abe l was th e
f i r st e xampl e o f th e e n mi ty t h a t Go d d e cl ar e d wo u l d e xi st be
twe e n th e s e r pe n t an d th e se e d o f th e wo man i n o t h e r wo r d s,
3 T h e s t a t e me n t o f C a i n i n Ge n e s i s 4:13 i s r e a l l y a n i n qu i r y, I s mi n e i n i qu i t y to o gr e a t
t o be f o r gi ve n I So i t i s wi t h tKc Se ptu a gi n t7 V u l ga t e , 'Syf i a cr -AratFl c ^T a r gu i i i o f On ke l o s y
Sa ma r i t a n Pe n t a t e u ch , a n d Gr e e k a n d L a t i n Fa t h e r s . (Se e T h e Companion Bible, n o te o n
Ge n . 4:13.)
W I LL I A M BOUGUEREAU, ARTIST
T h e Fi r st De ath , T h a t o f Abel , as th e Fr u i t o f Si n Br o u gh t Angui sh to th e
He ar ts o f Ou r Fi r st Par e n ts. Bu t De ath C al l ed f o r Re sto r ati o n Pr o vi d e d
T h r o u gh C h r i st.
be twe e n Satan an d h i s su bje cts an d C h r i s t an d Hi s f o l l o we r s.
2. L a r ge r I n v o l v e me n t s o f Si n , D e a t h , a n d S a l v a t i o n .
So i t was th a t th e pr o mi se o f a Re d e e me r was i mme d i a te l y
f o l l o we d by t h e i n s t i t u t i o n o f a pe r pe tu a l r e mi n d e r a n d a
pe n i t e n ti a l ackn o wl e d gme n t o f ma n s si n a sacr i f i ci al co n f e s
si o n o f f ai th i n th e pr o mi s e d Re d e e me r . T h i s pr o vi s i o n was to
i mpr e ss co n s tan tl y u po n f al l e n man th e so l e mn t r u t h t h a t i t
was sin t h a t h ad cau se d death. Li f e , t h a t o n l y Go d co u l d gi ve ,
was to be take n f o r i f man h ad r e ma i n e d o be d i e n t to Go d ,
th e r e wo u l d h ave be e n n o d e ath o f man o r be ast.
I n ti me man came cl e ar l y to u n d e r s ta n d th at h i s si n wo u l d
cau se th e d e ath o f th e co mi n g spo tl e ss, si n l e ss Lamb o f Go d ,
ma n s d i vi n e Su bs ti tu te (2 C o r . 5:21: He b. 9:14; 1Pe te r 1:19).
No t h i n g co u l d actu al l y e xpi ate ma n s si n save th e d e ath o f
Go d s o wn So n, wh o wo u l d gi ve Hi mse l f a r an so m to save th e
gu i l ty.
86
Mo r e o ve r , th e co mi n g o f th e Re d e e me r wo u l d al so vi n d i
cate th e ch ar acte r a n d ve r a ci ty o f Go d an d Hi s wo r d an d wi l l
be f o r e th e u n i ve r se , an d e stabl i sh th e ju sti ce an d i n te gr i ty o f
th e go ve r n me n t an d l aw o f Go d . T h u s C h r i s t sai d, wh e n He
came , No w i s th e ju d gme n t o f th i s wo r l d : n o w sh al l th e
pr i n ce o f th i s wo r l d be cast o u t. An d I, i f I be l i f te d u p f r o m
th e e ar th , wi l l d r aw al l me n u n to me (J o h n 12:31, 32).
T h a t act o f d yi n g f o r th e sal vati o n o f man wo u l d n o t o n l y
make th e r e s to r e d Par ad i se acce ssi bl e to me n bu t wo u l d ju sti f y J &
Go d i n d e al i n g wi th th e r e be l l i o n o f Satan as we l l as o f d e f i
a n t man . I t wo u l d r e ve al th e su bve r si ve n a tu r e o f si n an d es-
tabl i s h th e pe r pe t u i ty o f th e wo r d a n d l aw o f Go d an d th u s Z
sh o w to al l th a t th e J T vage s o f si n i s d e a th (Ro m. 6:23).
T h i s sacr i f i ci al r i te , e stabl i sh e d by Go d Hi mse l f , came to
h ave a pl ace i n perverted f o r m, i t sh o u l d be ad d e d , i n mo st o f
th e an ci e n t r e l i gi o n s o f man ki n d . T h o u gh man ki n d h ad d e
par te d f ar f r o m Go d , an d h ad l o st th e tr u e kn o wl e d ge o f Hi m,
ye t th i s o n e basi c pr i n ci pl e o f f o r f e i tu r e o f l i f e be cau se o f \
si n , an d o f r e d e mpti o n th r o u gh a s u bs ti tu te as th e o n l y gr o u n d
o f h o pe , sti l l r e mai n e d i n var yi n g d e gr e e s an d i n d i s to r te d
f o r ms i n mo st r e l i gi o n s, wh i ch me r e l y so u gh t to pl acate th e i r
f al se go ds th e r e by.
I I . Un f o l d i n g Po r tr ayal to Abr ah am In cl u d e d Re su r r e cti o n
As we h ave se e n , th e e n ti r e wo r sh i p system o f th e pa tr i a r
ch al age ce n te r e d , i n f act, i n th e r i te o f sacr i f i ce as typi f yi n g
th e Gr e at Sacr i f i ce t h a t was to co me . As su ch i t was an e n acte d
ce r e mo n i al pr o ph e cy, o r type , o f th e go spe l r e al i ti e s to f o l l o w.
In th i s d i vi n e i n s t i tu t i o n th e o f f e r e r ackn o wl e d ge d th e f o r f e i
tu r e o f h i s o wn l i f e i n th e d e ath o f th e s u bs ti tu ti o n ar y vi cti m h e
o f f e r e d to Go d , a n d pl ace d h i s h o pe i n th e pr o mi se d Sacri f i ce
to co me , wh e n ma n s Re d e e me r wo u l d gi ve u p Hi s o wn s i n
l ess l i f e to r e d e e m si n n e r s f r o m d e ath .
An d i n i t al l th e sh e d bl o o d was th e e ssence an d f o u n d a
ti o n o f th e d o ctr i n e o f s u bs ti tu ti o n a n d ato n e me n tf o r , as o b-
se r ve d , wi th o u t sh e d d i n g o f bl o o d [i n wh i ch i s th e l i f e (Ge n .
9:4)] i s n o r e mi ss i o n (He b. 9:22).
Al l th r o u gh patr i ar ch al ti me s th e si n o f f e r i n g r e pr e s e n te d
C h r i s t s be ar i n g th e be l i e ve r s si ns, taki n g th e s i n n e r s pl ace ,
a n d d yi n g i n h i s ste ad th e si n o f f e r i n gs be i n g bo th substitu
tionary a n d expiatory (Matt. 26:28; 1 Pe te r 2:24; 3:18;
2 C o r . 5:21). T h u s Abr a h a ms sacr i f i ce o f Isaac was a
d r amati c po r tr ayal o f th e gr e at pr o ph e s i e d sacr i f i ce o f C h r i s t
f o r th e r e d e mpti o n o f man ki n d (He b. 11:8-10, 17), f o r Abr a
h am r e jo i ce d to see my [C h r i s ts] day: an d h e saw i t, a n d
was gl ad (J o h n 8:56). Le t us scr u ti n i ze th i s h i sto r i c e pi so d e
i n so me d e tai l .
1. A br a h a ms T e s t o f F a i t h i n G o s pe l P r o vi s i o n .Abr a
h a ms te st o f f ai th wi th th e par al l e l i n g su bmi ssi o n o f Isaac i n
f ai th was a co n spi cu o u s e xampl e o f th i s basi c pr i n ci pl e i n th e
pa tr i ar ch al age. Isaac, actu al l y a ch i l d o f mi r acl e , was po r tr aye d
as Abr a h a ms o n l y s o n (Ge n . 22:16)a si gn i f i can t te r m. Bu t
l o o ki n g be yo n d th e str an ge co mman d o n Mo u n t Mo r i ah , Abr a
h am gr aspe d th e i mpl i cati o n s o f th e d i vi n e wo r d , i n acco u n t
i n g th a t Go d was abl e to r ai se h i m [Isaac] u p, e ve n f r o m th e
d e a d (He b. 11:19).
Wh e n Isaac asked , Wh e r e i s th e l amb f o r a bu r n t o f f e r
i n g? Abr a h a ms r e spo n se was, Go d wi l l pr o vi d e h i ms e l f a
l amb f o r a bu r n t o f f e r i n g (Ge n . 22:7, 8). An d wh e n Abr a
h a ms h an d was l i f te d to sl ay, i t was staye d by th e vo i ce cal l i n g,
Abr ah am, Abr a h a m. An d th e wo r d s f o l l o we d , Lay n o t t h i n e
h an d u po n th e l ad . . . : f o r n o w I kn o w th a t th o u f e ar e st Go d ,
se e i n g th o u h ast n o t wi th h e l d th y so n, thine only son f r o m
me (vs. 11, 12). On e can al mo st h e ar th e path o s i n th o se
wo r d s, f o r wh e n Gods o n l y So n d i e d o n C al var y t h e r e was n o
h an d to stay !
T h e n i t was th at Abr ah am saw a r am cau gh t i n a
th i cke t (v. 13). An d taki n g th i s substitute, h e of f e r e d i t i n
th e ste ad o f h i s s o n . So i t was th at Abr ah am gave a n e w n ame
to th e pl ace J e h o vah -ji r e h (th e Lo r d wi l l see, o r , pr o
vi d e , v^14, mar gi n ). An d h e r e o n Mo u n t Mo r i ah , Go d r e -
T h e Obe di e nce o f Abr ah am an d Isaac Was Re war d e d by th e Pr o vi d e d Su bsti tu te
Ram Seen i n th e Ne ar by T h i cke t. C h r i st Di ed i n Ou r Stead.
n e we d Hi s co ve n an t. T h u s was th e go spe l pr e ach e d u n to
Abr ah am (Gal . 3:8). T h a t i s wh y C h r i s t sai d to th e J e ws, Y o u r
f ath e r Abr ah am r e jo i ce d to see [t h a t h e s h o u l d se e , mar gi n ]
my day; an d h e saw i t, a n d was gl ad (J o h n 8:56, R.V.). Bu t
th e r e i s an o th e r i mpo r ta n t an gl e .
2. P r o vi s i o n o f R e s u r r e c t i o n R e co gn i ze d by P a t r i
a r ch s .By f ai th Abr ah am o f f e r e d u p Isaac, acco u n ti n g
t h a t Go d was abl e to r ai se h i m u p, e ve n f r o m th e d e ad ; f r o m
wh e n ce al so h e r e ce i ve d h i m i n a f i gu r e (He b. 11:17, 19).
Wh i l e th e bi n d i n g a n d l ayi n g o f Isaac u po n th e a l t a r pr e f i g
u r e d th e su f f e r i n gs an d d e ath o f C h r i st, Isaacs be i n g take n
89
th e n ce al i ve cl e ar l y si gn i f i e d C h r i st's r e s u r r e cti o n f r o m th e
d e ad . Wi th h i gh e st pr o pr i e ty, th e n , Abr ah am may be sai d to
h ave wi tn e sse d , i n f i gu r e , th e r ai s i n g o f Isaac f r o m th e d e ad . So
th e pr i n ci pl e an d pr o vi si o n o f th e r e s u r r e cti o n we r e kn o wn l i ke
wi se bo th to Abr ah am an d to Isaac. I n d e e d , th e h o pe s o f al l th e
patr i ar ch s o f o l d i n a l i f e to co me we r e f o u n d e d u po n th i s ex-
pe ctati o n o f a r e s u r r e cti o n f r o m th e d e ad .
T h u s Davi d spo ke o f h i s f l esh r e s ti n g i n h o pe be cau se Go d
wo u l d n o t l eave h i s so ul i n shedl (th e gr ave ), n o r su f f e r Hi s
Ho l y On e to see co r r u pt i o n (Ps. 16:10)a n d th i s was i n th e
e l e ve n th ce n tu r y b.c. Late r , i n th e ti me o f th e pr o ph e ts , Isai ah
e xpr e ssl y d e cl ar e d : T h y d e ad me n sh al l l i ve, to ge th e r wi th
my d e ad bo d y sh al l th e y ar i se . Awake an d si ng, ye t h a t d we l l
i n d u s t: f o r th y d e w i s as th e d e w o f h e r bs, an d th e e ar th sh al l
cast o u t th e d e a d (Isa. 26:19).
By th e ti me o f C h r i s ts f i r st ad ve n t, ma n s co mi n g r e s u r r e c
ti o n to e te r n al l i f e was so th o r o u gh l y e stabl i sh e d as a be l i e f
amo n g mo st o f th e J e ws t h a t Mar th a, i n r e pl y to C h r i s ts as
s u r an ce o f th e r e s u r r e cti o n o f Lazar u s, r e s po n d e d : I kn o w
t h a t h e sh al l r i se agai n i n th e r e s u r r e cti o n at th e l ast d ay
(J o h n 11:24). So be l i e f i n th e r e s u r r e cti o n h ad be e n kn o wn
f r o m a n ti qu i ty. An d i n Dan i e l 12 th e r e i s e xpl i ci t d e cl ar ati o n
o f th e awake n i n g o f so me o f th e r i gh te o u s f r o m amo n g th o se
wh o sl e e p i n th e d u s t o f th e e a r t h (Dan ^l 2^2).
C l e ar l y, th e n , Isaac th e so n was a type o f C h r i st, o be d i
e n t u n to d e a t h (Ph i l . 2:5-8); an d Abr ah am a type o f t h e
Fath e r , wh o s par e d n o t h i s o wn So n, bu t d e l i ve r e d h i m u p
f o r us a l l (Ro m. 8:32). An d th e r am was a symbo l o f s u bs ti tu
ti o n C h r i s t as o u r o f f e r i n g, i n o u r ste ad (He b. 10:5-10),
an d th e n th e r e s u r r e cti o n was pr e f i gu r e d (He b. 11:17-19).
3. O n l y t h e D a wn ; N o t Y e t t h e N o o n t i d e . T h e e l e v
e n th ch a pte r o f He br e ws i s an i mpo r ta n t wi tn e ss to th e i m
me mo r i al a n ti qu i t y o f th i s be l i e f th e patr i ar ch s al l d i e d i n
f a i th , l o o ki n g f o r a ci ty wh i ch h ath f o u n d ati o n s , wh o se
bu i l d e r an d make r i s Go d (He b. 11:13, 10L T h e e n ti r e ch ap
te r i s a d e cl ar ati o n o f th e f ai th o f th e f ath e r s i n a f u tu r e l i f e f o r
1 9 4 7 BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD
J aco bs Mysti c Lad d e r , C o n n e cti n g Ear th
Wi th He ave n , Was a Symbol o f C h r i st, Bo th
Go d an d Man Ou r Sol e Ho pe o f He ave n
an d So urce o f Immo r tal i ty.
Abr ah am, Fath e r o f th e Fai th f u l , Bel i eved
Go d an d Lo o ked f o r a C o mi n g Re d e e me r an d
th e Re sto r ati o n o f th e Lo st Ed e n an d Fo r
f e i te d Li f e.
th e sai n ts, a n d i n a r e s u r r e cti o n f r o m th e d e ad . An d i n ti me ,
a f te r th e r e s u r r e cti o n o f J e su s, th e r e s u r r e cti o n came to h ave
th e ce n tr al pl ace i n th e go spe l pl an o f r e d e mpti o n .
Bu t th e pa tr i ar ch s expectation o f r e ce i vi n g an e ve r l asti n g
i n h e r i ta n ce mu s t be d i s ti n gu i s h e d f r o m th e i r u n d e r s ta n d i n g o f
th e pr e ci se me th o d . A r ay o f d i vi n e l i gh t, as i n th e d awn ,
sh o n e u po n th e m. Bu t th e o pe n i n g a n d u n f o l d i n g o f th e
n o o n ti d e f l o o d l i gh t o f t r u t h , a n d th e f u l l o r d e tai l e d e xpl an a
ti o n o f i ts pr o vi si o n s th r o u gh th e s pe ctr u m o f th e Ne w T e s ta
me n t, we r e n o t as ye t se en. C h r i st, i n th e pu r po se o f Go d , was
bo th th e l i f e an d th e l i gh t o f th e wo r l d f r o m th e d ay o f
Ad ams si n . Bu t th e gl o r i e s o f Hi s co mi n g we r e o n l y gr ad u al l y
pe r ce i ve d by th e sai n ts o f o l d . As Pe te r says:
91
92
C ONDI T I ONAL I ST FAI T H
Of wh i ch sal vati o n th e pr o ph e ts h ave e n qu i r e d an d se ar ch e d d i l i
ge n tl y, wh o pr o ph e si e d o f th e gr ace th a t sh o u l d co me u n to yo u: se ar ch i n g
wh at, o r wh at ma n n e r o f ti me th e Spi r i t o f C h r i st wh i ch was i n th e m
d i d si gni f y, wh e n i t te sti f i e d be f o r e h an d th e suf f e r i ngs o f C h r i st, an d
th e gl o r y th a t sh o u l d f o l l o w. Un to wh o m i t was r e ve al e d , th a t n o t u n to
th e mse l ves, bu t u n to us th e y d i d mi n i ste r th e th i n gs, wh i ch ar e n o w
r e po r te d u n to yo u by th e m th a t h ave pr e ach e d th e go spe l u n to yo u wi th
th e Ho l y Gh o st se n t d o wn f r o m h e ave n ; wh i ch th i n gs th e an ge l s d e si r e
to l o o k i n to (1 Pe te r 1:10-12).
I I I . T wo Ways to Gl o r yT r an sl ati o n an d Re su r r e cti o n
T h e f i f th ch apte r o f Ge n e si s, i n wh i ch th e taki n g away o f
th e an te d i l u vi a n pr o ph e t En o ch (se ve n th f r o m Ad amJ u d e
14) i s r e co r d e d , r e ad s l i ke a f u n e r a l h ymn . Each s tr o ph e e n d s
wi th th e d i r ge an d h e d i e d . Bu t i n th e se ve n th r e cu r r e n ce th e
sequ e n ce i s i n te r r u pt e d , a n d th e u s u al r e f r a i n i s r e pl ace d wi th
th e si gn i f i can t s tate me n t, An d En o ch wal ke d wi th Go d : a n d
h e was n o t; f o r God took him (Ge n . 5:24).
En o ch , wh o was t h u s tr an s l ate d t h a t h e s h o u l d n o t see
d e a th (He b. 11:5), be came a type o f th e bl e sse d d e s ti n y o f
th e l i vi n g r i gh te o u s wh o , i n th e l ast days o f e ar th , ar e l i ke wi se
t o be translated a t th e se co n d co mi n g o f C h r i s t (1 T h e ss. 4:
15-17). En o ch s tr an s l ati o n was th u s a l i vi n g pr o o f i n a n te d i
l u vi an ti me s o f th e wo n d r o u s pr o vi si o n t h a t i mmo r tal l i f e wi th
Go d was s ti l l to be th e d e s ti n e d po r ti o n o f th e r i gh te o u s. An d
El i ja h s l ate r translation to h e ave n si mi l ar l y, an d e ve n mo r e
si gn i f i can tl y, r e pr e s e n te d th o se to be tr an s l ate d at th e Se co n d
Ad ve n t.
On th e co n tr ar y, th e bo d i l y r e s u r r e cti o n o f Mo ses was a
type o f th o se wh o wi l l be resurrected f r o m th e d e ad , bu t wh o
r e s t i n Go d i n th e sl e e p o f d e a t h u n t i l th e cal l o f th e Li f e -
gi ve r (Ps. 13:3). En o ch , Mo ses, an d El i jah we r e tr e ate d as e x
ce pti o n s i n t h a t th e y we r e take n to He ave n e ar l y i n Ol d
T e s ta me n t ti me s. T h e r e i s n o Bi bl i cal h i n t o f d e l i ve r an ce f r o m
d e ath e xce pt th r o u gh r e s u r r e cti o n o r t r an s l ati o n , an d th i s wi l l
co mmo n l y o ccu r a t th e Se co n d Ad ve n t.
T h e l ate r appe ar an ce o f th e resurrected Moses an d th e
translated Elijah o n th e Mo u n t o f T r a n s f i gu r a ti o n (Matt. 17:
2), tal ki n g to J e su s, mad e th e m th e f o r e r u n n e r s o f th e two cat
ego r i e s. T h e y co n s ti tu te d f o r e gl e ams o f th e gl o r y th a t i s to co me
f o r th e r i gh te o u s . So th e r e ar e ju s t two ways to gl o r y, as pr e
se n te d i n th e Ol d T e s ta me n t (1) bo d i l y tr an s l ati o n an d (2)
r e st i n Go d i n th e d e ath sl e e p u n t i l th e r e s u r r e cti o n at th e
cal l o f C h r i s t th e Li f e -gi ve r .
T h e Re su r r e cte d Moses an d
th e T r an s l ate d El i jah o n th e
Mo u n t o f T r an sf i gu r ati o n
Pr e f i gu r e d th e T wo Ways to
Gl o r y Re su r r e cti o n an d
T r an sl ati o n .
1. E n o ch a n d E l i j a h T r a n s l a t e d W i t h o u t D yi n g.
En o ch an d El i jah , as ju s t n o te d , we r e tr an s l ate d wi th o u t pass
i n g t h r o u gh d e ath . I n th e ti me o f En o ch th e ti d e o f h u man gu i l t
h ad r e ach e d su ch h e i gh ts t h a t d e s tr u cti o n th r o u gh o ve r wh e l m
i n g d i vi n e ju d gme n t was d e cr e e d . Bu t r i gh te o u s En o ch , wh o
h ad wal ke d wi th Go d o n e ar th , was take n u p th r o u gh th e gate s
o f th e Ho l y C i tyth e f i r st amo n g me n to e n te r th e r e . As th e
Epi stl e to th e He br e ws spe ci f i cal l y pu ts i t, h e was translated
that he should not see death; . . . f o r be f o r e h i s tr a n s l a ti o n h e
h ad th i s te sti mo n y, th a t h e pl e ase d Go d (He b. 11:5).
He was n o t pe r mi tte d to f al l u n d e r th e po we r o f d e ath ,
an d th u s h i s l i f e r e pr e s e n ts th e state o f h o l i n e ss o f th e l i vi n g
sai n ts wh o wi l l l i ke wi se be r e d e e me d f r o m th e e a r t h (Re v.
14:3) at th e ti me o f C h r i s ts se co n d ad ve n t, wh e n gro ss i n i qu i ty
wi l l pr e vai l , ju s t as was th e case be f o r e th e Fl o o d . An d i n th i s
same way th e sai n ts o f th e l ast days, cl ad i n th e r i gh te o u sn e ss
o f C h r i st, wi l l be tr an s l ate d ju s t be f o r e th e d e s tr u cti o n o f th e
wo r l d by th e f i n al d e l u ge o f f i r e (2 Pe te r 3:3-13).
2. M o s e s R e s u r r e c t i o n : F i r s t t o B r e a k B o n d s o f
D e a t h . Bu t d e ath r e i gn e d f r o m Ad am to Mo ses (Ro m. 5:
14) u po n al l wh o came u n d e r i ts po we r . I s r ae l s gr e at l e ad e r
Mo ses, gr e ate s t o f al l th e Ol d T e s ta me n t pr o ph e ts (De u t. 34:
10), a f te r vi e wi n g th e Lan d o f Pr o mi se f r o m Mo u n t Ne bo a n d
e n vi s i o n i n g th e f u tu r e tr i u mph o f th e f ai th f u l , died and was
buried (vs. 1-6). Bu t Mi ch ae l '3J :h e Ar ch an ge l (o n e o f th e man y
n ame s appl i e d to C h r i s t i n th e Ol d T e s tame n t) cal l e d f o r th
th e s l e e pi n g pr o ph e t. Satan was an ge r e d an d d i smaye d , f o r h e
h ad cl ai me d h i m as o n e o f h i s pr i ze pr i so n e r s o f th e gr ave .
C h ri sjt, h o we ve r , d i d n o t d e i gn to e n te r i n to co n tr o ve r sy
wi th Satan , n o t e ve n to r e mi n d h i m th a t i t was h e wh o , t h r o u gh
e n ti ci n g Ad am an d Eve to si n , h ad br o u gh t u n i ve r sal d e a th
u po n th e h u man r ace . C h r i s t si mpl y sai d, T h e Lo r d r e bu ke
t h e e (J u d e 9), a n d Satan f l ed as Mo ses ar o se f r o m th e d e ad .
T h i s was th e f i r st i n stan ce o f br e aki n g th e d e ath po we r o f th e
gr ave , a n d as se r ti n g th e l i f e -gi vi n g su pr e macy o f C h r i st. T h u s
assu r an ce was gi ve n o f f i nal r e s u r r e cti o n to al l wh o s h o u l d
d i e go d l y i n Ol d T e s ta me n t ti me s. T r a n s l a ti o n an d r e s u r
r e cti o n ar e th e r e f o r e th e two ways to gl o r y.
Late r , wh e n C h r i st th e Me ssi ah h ad appe ar e d amo n g me n
to d i e i n t h e i r ste ad , an d so o n to br e ak f o r e ve r th e po we r o f
3 Sjpe Ma t t h e w He n r ys Commentary, o n Da n . 10:10; C l a r ke s Commentary, o n J u d e
9: J . Dr -o l a s go w, Commentary on the Apocalypse, o n Re v. 12:7; L a n ge s Commentary, o n Re v.
12:1-12, Exe ge ti ca l anHC n f i ca l Syr i o pr i cVI cvv. p. 238; Calvins Commentaries, o n 'Da n i e l ,
vo l . 2, pp. 253, 368, al so p. 13.
REDEMPT I ON IN T HE PERIOD OF T HE SAC RIFIC IAL ALT AR 95
Satan o ve r th e to mb an d gi ve assu r an ce o f Hi s r e s u r r e cti o n
po we r , th e two an ci e n t wo r th i e s apppe ar e d wi th J e su s o n th e
Mo u n t o f T r a n s f i gu r a ti o n . Mo ses, pr o to type o f th e sl e e pi n g
sai n ts to be r ai se d , was pr e s e n t al o n g wi th El i jah , wh o h ad
be e n tr an s l ate d wi th o u t passi n g th r o u gh d e ath (Matt. 17:3),
as an e ar n e s t o f th e l i vi n g sai n ts d e s ti n e d to be take n to He ave n
wi th o u t tas ti n g d e ath wh e n C h r i s t r e tu r n s i n po we r an d gl o r y
(Matt. 24:30, 31). T h i s e pi so d e d e mo n s tr ate d vi si bl y bo th
Go d s power to r ai se th e d e ad an d ma n s capabi l i ty o f l i f e be
yo n d th e gr ave . T h i s th e apo stl e Pau l ampl i f i e s i n h i s d e s cr i p
ti o n o f th a t tr e me n d o u s h o u r :
"We sh al l n o t al l sl e ep, bu t we sh al l al l be ch an ge d , i n a mo me n t, i n
th e twi n kl i n g o f an eye, at th e l ast tr u mp: f o r th e tr u mpe t sh al l so u n d , an d
th e d e ad sh al l be r ai se d i n co r r u pti bl e , an d we [th e l i vi n g] sh al l be ch an ge d
(1 C o r . 15:51, 52).
"An d th e d e ad i n C h r i st sh al l r i se f i rst: th e n we wh i ch ar e al i ve an d
r e mai n sh al l be cau gh t u p to ge th e r wi th th e m i n th e cl o uds, to me e t th e
Lo r d i n th e ai r : an d so sh al l we e ve r be wi th th e L o r d (1 T h e ss. 4:16, 17).
IV. An n u al Ro u n d o f T abe r n acl e Servi ces T ypi f i ed
Go spel Re al i ti e s
T h e wh o l e Ol d T e s ta me n t pr i n ci pl e o f sacr i f i ce was f u r
th e r ampl i f i e d u n d e r th e mi n i s tr ati o n s i n th e san ctu ar y o f o l d ,
f i r st i n th e tabe r n acl e se r vi ce i n th e wi l d e r n e ss a n d th e n i n
th e T e mpl e th a t l ate r to o k i ts pl ace i n th e J e wi sh e co n o my. By
th e r o u n d s o f typi cal o f f e r i n gs an d pr i e stl y ser vi ces th e pe o pl e
we r e tau gh t d ay by d ay t h e ce n tr al t r u t h s r e l ati ve to th e co m
i n g d e ath a n d mi n i s tr ati o n f o r th e si ns o f th e pe o pl e o f C h r i st
th e Me ssi ah .
An d o n ce e ach ye ar , at th e cl o se o f th e r o u n d o f typi cal
ser vi ces, th e i r mi n d s we r e car r i e d f o r war d to th e cl o si n g e ve n ts
i n th e gr e at co n tr o ve r sy be twe e n C h r i st a n d Satan an d to th e
f i nal pu r i f i cati o n o f th e u n i ve r s e f r o m al l si n a n d si n n e r s. Si nce
Satan was th e o r i gi n a to r o f si n , a n d ma n s a r ch te mpte r a n d
th u s th e d i r e ct i n s ti gato r o f al l th e si ns th at cau se d th e d e ath
o f th e So n o f Go d ju sti ce d e man d s th a t Satan sh al l su f f e r th e
S. E. BOHLMANN, ARTIST VERNON NYE, ARTIST
1 9 6 3 BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD 1 9 5 8 BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD
Bo th i n th e Patr i ar ch al Age an d i n th e T h e Sl ayi ng o f th e Lamb o f Ol d Symbo l i zed
Late r Pe r i o d o f th e T abe r n acl e , th e Sacri f i ci al th e C o mi n g Lamb o f Go d Wh o i n Actu al i ty
Of f e r i n g Po i n te d Fo r war d to C h r i st Wh o T ake s Away th e Si ns o f th e Re pe n tan t
Wo u l d Di e i n Man s Stead. an d Fo r gi ve n Si nner .
f i nal , f ate f u l pu n i s h me n t f o r th e instigation an d perpetuation
o f si n . T h a t , to o , was pr e f i gu r e d i n symbo l o n th e Day o f Ato n e
me n t. C h r i s t d i e d vi car i o u sl y f o r my pa r t. Satan mu s t al so d i e
f o r h i s pa r t i n al l si n.
1. Y e a r l y E n a c t m e n t o f P l a n o f R e d e mpt i o n . T h e
san ctu ar y se r vi ce was, i n f act, a ye ar l y e n acte d po r tr ayal an d
gr aph i c pr o ph e cy i n type o f th e wh o l e pl an o f r e d e mpti o n . Al l
th e o f f e r i n gs, o f th e se ve r al ki n d s, we r e po r tr ayal s f o r e sh ad o w
i n g i n type var i o u s aspects o f th e o n e al l -su f f i ci e n t an d al l -
e mbr aci n g an d co mpl e te a n d pe r f e ct a to n i n g sacr i f i ce f o r si n by
96
C h r i s t th e Lamb o f Go d o n C al var y. An d al l th e f u n cti o n s o f
al l th e pr i e sts, bo th co mmo n an d h i gh pr i e st, i n th e mu l ti pl e
ye ar l y r o u n d we r e bu t symbo l i c o f th e o n e al l -co mpr e h e n si ve
a n d al l -ef f i caci o us pr i e s th o o d an d ju d i ci a l mi n i s tr y o f C h r i st.
Bu t i n th e an ti typi cal f u l f i l l me n t C h r i s t was both o f f e r i n g
a n d o f f e r e r , both vi cti m an d pr i e st. T h e mu l ti pl e ser vi ces o f
th e san ctu ar y we r e si mpl y a f o r e sh ad o wi n g o f th e su bl i me go s
pe l r e al i ti e s , ce n te r i n g i n th e ato n i n g d e ath , t r i u mph a n t r e s u r
r e cti o n a n d asce n si o n , an d pr i e stl y me d i ati o n i n He ave n be
f o r e th e Fath e r , o f C h r i s t o u r Savi o u r an d Pr i e st, o u r J u d ge
a n d co mi n g Ki n g. An d th e me an i n g o f al l th e se san ctu ar y types
o f o l d i s to be u n d e r s to o d a n d i n te r pr e te d i n th e l i gh t o f th e
gr e at a n ti typi cal r e al i ti e s i n C h r i st. He i s bo th th e gr an d
ce n te r a n d th e vast ci r cu mf e r e n ce o f sal vati o n f o r man .
2. J u s t i c e a n d M e r cy M e t i n T ype a t t h e A r k .T h e
bl o o d o f th e si n o f f e r i n gs r e pr e s e n te d th e pr i n ci pl e o f th e Su b
s ti t u te acce pte d i n th e s i n n e r s ste ad . T h e r e pe n t a n t s i n n e r
br o u gh t h i s o f f e r i n g to th e d o o r o f th e tabe r n acl e . Pl aci n g h i s
h a n d o n th e vi cti ms h e ad an d co n f e ssi n g h i s si ns, h e i n f i gu r e
tr an s f e r r e d th e m to th e i n n o ce n t sacr i f i ce. T h e n th e an i mal
was sl ai n by th e s i n n e r s o wn h an d , an d th e bl o o d was pl ace d
by th e pr i e s t o n th e h o r n s o f th e a l ta r o f bu r n t o f f e r i n g.
T h e l aw o f Go d , e n s h r i n e d i n th e ar k, was th e gr e at
r u l e o f r i gh te o u sn e ss a n d ju d gme n t. An d th e vi n d i cati o n o f
t h a t l aw i n vo l ve d th e d e ath o f th e tr an sgr e sso r . Bu t abo ve th e
l aw was th e me r cy se at, o ve r wh i ch th e pr e se n ce o f Go d was
man i f e s te d i n gl o r y, an d f r o m wh i ch , by vi r tu e o f th e ato n i n g
sacr i f i ce , pa r d o n was gr an te d to th e r e pe n t a n t s i n n e r . T h u s th e
wo r k o f C h r i s t f o r o u r r e d e mpti o n was symbo l i ze d by th e sanc-
t u ar y se r vi ce , wh e r e me r cy an d t r u t h ar e me t to ge th e r ; r i gh t-^
e o usne ss a n d pe ace h ave ki sse d e ach o t h e r (Ps. 85:10).
3. Si n a n d R i gh t e o u s n e s s , D e a t h a n d L i f e , P o r t r a y e d .
T h e Le vi ti cal r i te s we r e o n l y symbo l s, th e i r ef f i cacy d e pe n d
i n g so l e l y u po n th e e f f e ctu al sacr i f i ce o f C h r i st, wh i ch th e y
pr e f i gu r e d . Bu t th i s basi c t r u t h Isr ae l , al as, came to f o r ge t.
4
T h e sh e d bl o o d o f th e an i mal vi cti ms was o n l y th e e mbl e m o f
r e d e mpti o n to be e f f e cte d actu al l y th r o u gh th e bl o o d o f C h r i s t
sh e d o n C al var y. T h i s t r u t h Isr ae l as a n a ti o n f ai l e d to gr asp
wh e n Me ssi ah came . T h e sl ayi n g o f th e i n n o ce n t an i mal ,
th r o u gh th e s h e d d i n g o f i ts bl o o d by th e s i n n e r , was a symbo l i c
e n actme n t o f th e o f f e r i n g o f a substitute, th e bl o o d o f wh i ch
h ad be e n sh e d i n ste ad o f h i s o wn , an d th e l i f e o f wh i ch h ad
be e n e xti n gu i s h e d i n ste ad o f h i s o wn l i f e. I t was Go d s pl an .
T h u s th e pr i n ci pl e was co n ti n u al l y e mph asi ze d t h at sin
i s an o f f e nse agai n st Go d . An d th e e sse n ti al r i gh te o u sn e ss o f
Go d r e qu i r e s t h a t si n be pu n i s h e d , an d th at death, wh i ch i s
th e wages o f s i n , i s th e d i vi n e l y d e si gn ate d pu n i s h me n t.
T h e s i n n e r i s u n abl e o f h i s o wn po we r to e scape th e pu n i s h
me n t d u e to h i s o f f enses. Bu t Go d i n Hi s gr ace a n d me r cy pa r
d o n s th e gu i l ty o f f e n d e r by way o f th e s u bs ti tu ti o n an d o f f er -
i g o f an e xpi ato r y vi cti m.
Bu t, be i t n o te d , th e s i n n e r was n o t to s u bje ct th e an i mal
to u n e n d i n g to r tu r e , bu t was to pu t i t to d e ath by taki n g away
i ts l i f e . T h i s was th e t r u e r e pr e s e n tati o n o f d e ath , th e r e qu i s i te
pu n i s h me n t f o r si n th e d e a th th r e a te n e d to Ad am, th e o n e
i n vo l ve d i n th e o r i gi n al tr an sgr e ssi o n , a n d str e sse d i n e ve r y
bo o k i n th e Ol d T e s tame n t.
4. P e n a l P u n i s h me n t D e a t h N o t L i f e I mpr i s o n me n t .
I n th e p^n al e co n o my o f th e Mo sai c l aw th e r e was n o su ch
pu n i s h me n t as i mpr i s o n me n t f o r l i f e , mu ch l ess i mpr i s o n me n t
f o r l i f e u n d e r co n ti n u o u s t o r tu r e . T h e pe n al ty f o r th e gr ave st
o f f enses was al ways an d o n l y death. An d i t i s to be r e me mbe r e d
th a t th i s l aw o f r e t r i bu t i o n , u n d e r th e th e o cr acy, was i n s ti
tu te d by Go d Hi mse l f . We can d r aw n o o th e r co n cl u si o n t h a n
t h a t f o r a n ci e n t Isr ae l , capi tal pu n i s h me n t by d e ath , u n d e r th e
d i vi n e as we l l as h u man a d mi n i s tr a ti o n , was th e s u pr e me pen-
al ty se t f o r th i n th e l aw.
I n d e e d , i n th e e n ti r e system o f sacr i f i ces, pa tr i ar ch al an d
Mo sai c, bo th o f wh i ch we r e o r d ai n e d by Go d , th e s u bs ti tu te
vi cti m was n e ve r su bje ct to pr o l o n ge d to r tu r e , o r i mpr i s
o n e d f o r l i f e , bu t was pu t to d e ath . By th i s th e o f f e r e r ackn o wl -
e d ge d t h a t h e h ad f o r f e i te d n o t me r e l y h i s l i be r ty o r h i s we l l
be i n g bu t h i s lifeh i s ve r y be i n g. T h e sacr i f i ce was n o t me r e l y
an o f f e r i n g, bu t the offering of a life in the place of the offerer.
Un d e r th e th e o cr acy o f Isr ae l th e l e gi sl ati ve , e xe cu ti ve ,
an d ju d i ci a l po we r s an d pr o cesses we r e al l u n i te d , an d death
was th e pe n al ty f o r th e majo r vi o l ati o n s. Bu t th e r e i s n o t a wo r d
abo u t e n d l e ssl y pr o l o n ge d su f f e r i n g o f bo d y a n d so u l . We r e
pe at: T h e pe n al ty o f th e l aw was n e ve r e ve n l i f e i mpr i s o n me n t,
bu t o n l y a n d al ways d e a t h capi tal pu n i s h me n t, l oss o f l i f e ,
cu tt i n g of f , u t t e r d e s tr u cti o n , pe r i s h i n g, be i n g bl o tte d o u t.
T h a t i s th e te s ti mo n y o f I s r ae l s th e o cr acy.
5. S i n n e r I n cu r r e d D o o m o f D e a t h . T h e taki n g away
o f th e l i f e , d r amati cal l y po r tr aye d al l th r o u gh th e pa tr i ar ch al
an d Mo sai c d i spe n sati o n s, atte s te d th a t man , r e f u s i n g to l i ve
th e i n te n d e d l i f e o f h o l y o be d i e n ce to th e l i vi n g Go d , h ad
ju stl y i n cu r r e d th e d o o m o f d e ath , an d th a t i t was d i vi n e go o d
ness al o n e t h a t wi th h e l d th e str o ke o f f i nal d e ath f r o m man .
Man co u l d h o pe f o r a r e s to r ati o n to u n e n d i n g l i f e o n l y th r o u gh
th e sacr i f i ce o f On e wh o , by Hi s a to n i n g d e ath an d r e s u r r e ct
ti o n , s h o u l d th e r e by abo l i sh d e ath a n d bring immortality to
light (2 T i m. 1:10).
Abo ve al l , C h r i s ts d e ath sh o we d th at a f i nal r e je cti o n o f
th e r e me d y o f f e r e d sti l l l e f t me n l i abl e to th e pe n al tybu t
n o w wi th th e ad d e d gu i l t o f tr a mpl i n g u n d e r f o o t th e d i vi n e
pr o vi si o n i n th e pl an o f r e d e mpti o n .
T h u s u n d e r s to o d , th o se typi cal sacr i f i ces take o n t r e me n
d o u s si gn i f i can ce . As o n e po n d e r s th e n u mbe r l e s s e f f u si o n s o f
bl o o d , i t i s easy to u n d e r s tan d th e an ci e n t te sti mo n y to th e
ju s t d e se r ts o f si n th e so u l th at s i n n e th , i t sh al l d i e (Eze.
18:4, 20). I t was a co n ti n u i n g d r amati c r e pr e s e n ta ti o n to Is
r ae l o f si n a n d pu n i s h me n t, r e me d y an d r e d e mpti o n . I t po r
tr aye d th e r e s u l ts f o l l o wi n g f r o m th e f al l o f man . Bu t wi th i t
co me s th e wo n d r o u s co r o l l ar y, If th e wi cke d wi l l t u r n f r o m
al l h i s si n s . . . , h e sh al l su r e l y l i ve , h e sh al l n o t d i e (v. 21).
6. E n t i r e Sa c r i f i c i a l Sy s t em F u l f i l l e d i n C h r i s t .
AT h e C h r i st-ce n te r e d ch ar acte r a n d e mph asi s o f th e Mo sai c
s an ctu ar y se r vi ce can n o t be o ve r str e sse d . Be f o r e l e avi n g th i s
aspe ct, n o te si x po i n ts r e ve al i n g th e go spe l i n pr o to type an d
i n essence:
(1) T h e Passo ve r l amb was a type o f Christ (Ex. 12:3-
14; 1 C o r . 5:7).
(2) T h e d ai l y, o r co n ti n u al , bu r n t o f f e r i n g was a type o f
Christ (Ex. 29:39-42; He b. 9:25, 26).
(3) T h e si n o f f e r i n g was a type o f Christ (Le v. 4:32, 33;
Isa. 53:6, 7; J o h n 1:29).
(4) T h e tabe r n acl e i tse l f an d i ts se r vi ces al l co n s ti tu te d
a type o f th e i n car n ate Christ an d Hi s r e d e mpti ve wo r k (Ex.
25:8; 29:43-45; J o h n 1:14; 2:19-21).
(5) Al l o th e r ce r e mo n i al o bse r van ce s we r e bu t sh ad o ws
o f th e r e al i ty, wh i ch i s Christ an d Hi s savi n g wo r k (C o l . 2:16,
17; He b. 10:1).
(6) Fi n al l y, th e typi cal syste m o f sacr i f i ces was abo l i s h e d
by th e i n car n ati o n a n d d e ath o f Christ (Matt. 27:50, 51; Eph .
2:14-16; C o l . 2:14; He b. 10:4-9). T h e types h ad se r ve d t h e i r
pr e f ato r y pu r po se .
7. C h r i s t A c t u a l l y a n d T r u l y D i e d i n A t o n e me n t .
T h e s e sacr i f i ces al l po i n te d spe ci f i cal l y to C h r i st, th e Lamb
\ o f Go d , wh i ch take th away th e si n o f th e wo r l d (J o h n 1:29).
"Hf th e pu n i s h me n t d u e to o u r si n s i s n o t actual death, t h e n
C h r i s t co u l d n o t h ave mad e an a to n e me n t f o r us by His death.
Of th e f act th a t He actu al l y d i e d th e r e can be n o val i d qu e s
ti o n . An d t h a t He d i e d an i gn o mi n i o u s an d pai n f u l d e a th i s
u n d e n i abl e . Bu t Hi s ago n y o n th e cross was br i e f co mpar e d
wi th th e pr o l o n ge d ago n y t h a t man y o th e r s su f f e r e d e ve n th e
\ t h i e f o n th e o t h e r cro ss (J o h n 19:32, 33). I t was t h e r e f o r e
^C h r i s ts death, n o t si mpl y Hi s su f f e r i n g, th a t was ef f i caci o u s
u n t o a to n e me n t.
De ath i s d e f i n i te l y, th e n , th e forfeiture of life. I n th e l i gh t
f o f r e ve l ati o n , i n th i s amazi n g, s u bs ti tu ti o n ar y, a to n i n g tr an s ac
ti o n , th e o n e an d o n l y Go d -man , be co mi n g su ch t h r o u gh th e
i n ca r n ati o n , paid the exact and full penalty designated by law
\ 100 C ONDI T I ONAL I ST FAI T H
REDEMPT I ON I N T HE PERI OD OF T HE SAC RIFIC IAL ALT AR 101
that was due to us. He died, actu al l y a n d tr u l y d i e d , ju s t as
an y o th e r man d i e s, a n d as we mu s t al l d i e bu t we wi th o u t
an y h o pe o f r e s u r r e cti o n , save t h r o u gh Hi m.
T h e n , by th e al mi gh ty po we r o f th e Di vi n e Spi r i tbe
i n g pu t to d e ath i n th e f l esh , bu t qu i cke n e d by th e Spi r i t
(1 Pe te r 3:18)C h r i s t J e su s r o se vi cto r i o u s o ve r th e po we r o f
th e gr ave , an d so be came abl e al so to save th e m to th e u t t e r
mo st t h a t co me u n to Go d by h i m (He b. 7:25). T h a t i s o u r
so l e h o pe .
8. D e a t h P e n a l t y U n d er t h e D i v i n e L a w .Si n ce th e
wages o f si n i s d e a th (Ro m. 6:23), th e n a tu r e an d e ssence o f
th e d e ath pe n al ty u n d e r th e d i vi n e l aw i s o f vi tal i mpo r tan ce
i n th i s Ol d T e s ta me n t su r ve y. T h e l aw e n te r e d , t h a t th e
o f f e n ce mi gh t a bo u n d (Ro m. 5:20), a n d th a t si n by th e
co mman d me n t mi gh t be co me e xce e d i n g s i n f u l (Ro m. 7:13).
T h i s was br o u gh t o u t as a f u n d ame n tal pr i n ci pl e i n th e Pau l i n e
th e o l o gy. T h e l aw o f Go d was n o t me r e l y a h u man i n s t i tu ti o n ,
appl yi n g o n l y to Isr ae l . T h e J e wi sh o r gan i zati o n was a th e o c
r acy, a d i vi n e e co n o myth e Ru l e r an d mo r al Go ve r n o r o f th e
u n i ve r se be co mi n g th e Ru l e r o ve r Isr ae l .
I n atte s tati o n o f Hi s r i gh te o u sn e ss He gave th e m a l aw
h o l y, a n d ju s t, a n d go o d (Ro m. 7:12)a s pi r i tu a l l aw
(Ro m. 7:14), r e qu i r i n g n o t o n l y o u twar d o be d i e n ce bu t i n
war d pu r i ty o f mo ti ve , an d an o be d i e n ce s pr i n gi n g f r o m l o y
al ty to Go d . I t was d e si gn e d to e xh i bi t th e e xce e d i n g s i n f u l
ness o f man an d i ts d i sastr o u s pe n al ty u po n th e si n n e r . I t was
i n d e e d th e Praeparatio Evangelica, o r pr e pa r a ti o n f o r th e go s
pe l .
V. C h r i st, Pr o ph e si e d Fi r st Fr u i ts, Ro se o n Preci se Day
Acco r d i n g to Ol d T e s ta me n t type an d Ne w T e s ta me n t
f u l f i l l me n t, C h r i s t was th e pr o ph e s i e d f i r st f r u i ts o f Ol d T e s ta
me n t r e s u r r e cti o n assu r an ce an d pr o vi si o n . Pau l d e cl ar e s:
Bu t n o w i s C h r i st r i se n f r o m th e d e ad , an d be co me the firstfruits of
them that slept. Fo r si nce by man [Adam] came d e ath , by man [C h r i st]
came al so th e r e s u r r e cti o n o f th e d e ad . Fo r as i n Ad am al l d i e , e ve n so i n
C h r i st shall all be made alive. Bu t eve r y man i n h i s o wn o r d e r : Christ the
firstfruits; af te r war d th e y th at ar e C h r i s ts at h i s co mi n g (1 C o r . 15:20-23).
Spe aki n g be f o r e Agr i ppa, Pau l d e cl ar e d wh at Moses an d
th e pr o ph e ts pr e d i cte d t h a t C h r i s t s h o u l d su f f e r , an d th a t
h e s h o u l d be th e f i r st th at s h o u l d rise from the dead, an d
s h o u l d sh e w l i gh t u n to th e pe o pl e (Acts 26:23). No w, th i s
pr e ci se l y s ti pu l ate d ce r e mo n y o f th e f i r s tf r u i ts was gi ve n as
a type to Isr ae l , wi th th i s cl e ar i n s tr u cti o n :
Wh e n ye be co me i n to th e l an d wh i ch I gi ve u n to yo u, an d sh al l r e ap
th e h ar ve st th e r e o f , th e n ye sh al l bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your
harvest u n to th e pr i e st: an d h e sh al l wave the sheaf before the Lord, to be
acce pte d f o r yo u (Lev. 23:10, 11).
1. F i r s t F r u i t s a F i xe d P a r t o f A n n u a l Se r vi ce .T h i s
ce r e mo n y o f th e f i r st f r u i ts be came a f i xed pa r t o f th e a n n u a l
typi cal se r vi ce , pr e f i gu r i n g th e an ti typi cal actu al i ti e s o f r e
d e mpti o n th r o u gh C h r i st, t h a t we r e to co me . Each ye ar th e
sh e af o f th e f i r st f r u i ts o f th e h ar ve st was gath e r e d an d wave d
be f o r e th e Lo r d , an d was acce pte d f o r Isr ae l . T h e y mi gh t th e n
f r e e l y par take o f th e gr ai n o f th e h ar ve st. No w n o te th e u n i qu e
appl i cati o n o f th e f i r st f r u i ts to th e r e s u r r e cti o n .
2. E ve r y M a n i n H i s O wn O r d e r .T h e r e ar e actu al l y
t h r e e -r e s u r r e ct i o n s i n vo l ve d , wi th e ve r y man i n h i s o wn
o r d e r (1 C o r . 15:23). Obse r ve th e d i sti n cti o n s :
(1) T h e basi c f i r st r e s u r r e cti o n was th a t o f th e Man Christ
Jesus, the first fruits (1 C o r . 15:23; Acts 26:23), at Hi s r e s u r
r e cti o n . T h i s was th e essence a n d ce r ti f i cati o n o f th o se to f o l
l o w.
(2) Ne xt, "they that are Christs [th e r i gh te o u s] at his
[C h r i s ts se co n d ] coming (1 C o r . 15:23). T h i s i s co mmo n l y
d e s i gn ate d th e r e s u r r e cti o n o f th e r i gh te o u s o u t f r o m, o r
f r o m amo n g, al l th e d e ad . I t i s cal l e d th e first r e s u r r e cti o n ,
a n d co mpr i se s th e bl e sse d a n d h o l y (Re v. 20:5, 6). I t i s
th e better r e s u r r e ct i o n (He b. 11:35); th e r e s u r r e cti o n unto
life (J o h n 5:29; 1 C o r . 15:51-53; Ph i l . 3:20; 1 T h e ss. 4:16,
17); o r r e s u r r e cti o n o f th e just (Lu ke 14:14; Acts 24:15).
T h o s e wh o par take o f i t ar e cal l e d ch i l d r e n o f Go d , be i n g th e
children of the [f i rst] resurrection (Lu ke 20:35, 36). T h i s
take s pl ace at th e Se co n d Ad ve n t.
(3) An d f i n al l y th e rest o f th e d e a d (Re v. 20:5) co me
f o r th th e r e mai n d e r , o r wi cke d . T h i s i s cal l e d th e r e s u r r e c
ti o n o f th e unjust (Acts 24:15); th e r e s u r r e cti o n of damna
tion (J o h n 5:29), an d to shame and everlasting contempt
(Dan . 12:2). T h i s o ccu r s at th e close o f th e mi l l e n n i u m,
wh e r e as th a t o f th e r i gh te o u s co me s at th e beginning o f th e
th o u s an d ye ar s (Re v. 20:5, 6). T h e two ar e th u s i n vi vi d co n
tr ast. Bu t th e y co mpr i se th e wh o l e o f h u man i ty.
3. F i r s t -F r u i t s R es u r r e c t i o n F u l f i l l e d o n V er y D a y
o f T y pe . No w, i t i s tr e me n d o u s l y i mpr e ssi ve to n o te th e
e xactn e ss o f th e ti me o f pr o ph e s i e d f u l f i l l me n t. I n th e type , \
th e Passo ve r l amb was al ways sl ai n o n th e fourteenth d ay o f
th e f i r st mo n th (Abi b; Nu m. 9:2, 3, 5). I t was e ate n o n th e
f i f te e n th , wh i ch was th e f i r st d ay o f u n l e ave n e d br e ad . An d
o n th e sixteenth day, th e mo r r o w a f te r th i s a n n u a l s abba t h
(Le v. 23:11), th e f i r st f r u i ts (wh i ch h ad pr e vi o u sl y be e n cu t)
we r e pr e s e n te d be f o r e th e Lo r d . So i t was th a t i n th e an ti -
typi cal r e al i ty, C h r i st, o u r passo ve r (1 C o r . 5:7), d i e d o n
Fr i d ay af te r n o o n , th e fourteenth o f Abi b, i n t h e ye ar o f th e
cr u ci f i xi o n .* He r e ste d i n th e gr ave o ve r th e Sabbath , th e
fifteenth. An d o n th e mo r r o w a f te r th e s abbath , th a t i s, o n
th e sixteenth, C h r i st, th e f i rst f r u i ts , ar o se tr i u mph a n t l y f r o m
th e to mb a n d pr e s e n te d Hi mse l f be f o r e th e Fa th e r f o r acce pt
an ce e xactl y acco r d i n g to pr o ph e ti c s ti pu l ati o n . (I n th i s par ^\
ti cu l ar ye ar th e an n u a l typi cal s abbath co i n ci d e d wi th th e
we e kl y se ve n th -d ay Sabbath . As su ch i t was a h i gh d ay.)
T h u s i t was th a t th e r e s u r r e cti o n o f C h r i st, th e an ti -
typi cal Wave Sh e af , o r First Fruits, to o k pl ace o n th e pr e ci se
d ay s ti pu l ate d i n th e pr o ph e ti c type . He was th e gr an d f u l f i l l
me n t. Fo r mo r e th an a th o u s an d ye ar s a f te r i ts e s tabl i s h me n t,
t h a t typi cal ce r e mo n y to o k pl ace an n u a l l y i n Isr ae l . Fr o m th e
REDEMPT I ON IN T HE PERIOD OF T HE SAC RIFIC IAL ALT AR 103
4Fo r d e t a i l e d s tu d y, wi t h d i a gr a m, se e L . E. Fr o o m, Prophetic Faith, vo l . 4, pp.
1245-1247.
n e wl y r i pe n e d h ar ve st th e f i r st h e ad s o f r i pe n e d gr ai n we r e
gath e r e d , an d waved as a thank offering be f o r e th e Lo r d . An d
n o t u n t i l th e wave sh e af was pr e s e n te d co u l d th e si ckl e be pu t
to th e gr ai n f o r th e use o f th e pe o pl e .
I n th e gr e at an ti typi cal r e al i ty C h r i st, as th e d i vi n e Fi r s t
Fr u i ts o f th e r e s u r r e cti o n , was th e gr e at path f i n d e r , as i t we r e ,
o f th e s pi r i tu a l h ar ve st o f th e r e d e e me d to be gath e r e d a t Hi s
se co n d ad ve n t by me an s o f th e f i r st r e s u r r e cti o n . T h u s C h r i s ts
o wn r e s u r r e cti o n , af te r th e cro ss, be came th e i n vi o l abl e pl e d ge
o f assu r e d r e s u r r e cti o n o f th e r i gh te o u s d e ad at Hi s r e t u r n .
T h a t i s i ts br o ad e r si gn i f i can ce . Fo r i f we be l i e ve t h a t J e su s
d i e d a n d r o se agai n , e ve n so th e m al so wji i ch sleep in Jesus
wi l l Go d br i n g wi th h i m (1 T h e s s. 4:14),B
Su ch i s th e r e mar kabl e assu r an ce o f o u r r e s u r r e cti o n base d
u po n th e Mo sai c type .
vxT h e ph r a s e br i n g with h i m d o e s n o t, as s o me co n t e n d , i mpl y t h a t wh e n J e s u s co me s
aga i n He wi l l br i n g back wi th Hi m t h e so u l s o f th e s ai n ts wh o h ave be e n i n He a ve n s i n ce t h e i r
d e a t h . On t h e co n t r a r y, th o s e wh o a r e n o w s i l e n tl y a s l e e p i n d e a t h a n d n o t e n ga ge d i n
u n ce a s i n g a ct i vi t y i n He a ve n , mu s t f i r s t be r ai s e d f r o m t h e d e a d , ju s t as J e s u s r o s e , be f o r e th e y
ca n be wi th t h e i r Re d e e me r .
Fu r t h e r mo r e , t h e Gr e e k wo r d ago , f o r br i n g, me an s to lead, lead along, o r take along
as a ge n e r a l l e ad s . T h u s i n Acts 1: I h e ch i e f ca pt a i n "co mma n d e d h i m [Pa u l ] to be carried
[ago] i n t o t h e ca s t l e (v. 34). I n th e Emph a t i c Di a gl o t t , 1 T h e s s al o n i an s 4:14 r e a d s l e ad f o r t h .
He br e ws 13:20 r e a d s , No w t h e Go d o f pe a ce , t h a t brought again f r o m t h e d e a d o u r L o r d
J e s u s , e t ce t e r a . So wh e n C h r i s t co me s He wi l l r ai s e , o r br i n g a ga i n , t h e d e a d f r o m t h e i r
d e a t h s l e e p, a n d th e y wi l l th u s be l e d f o r t h to me e t t h e i r L o r d , wh o co me s wi t h al l Hi s h o l y
an ge l s .
C H A P T E R S E V E N
Ete r n al Destructi on Is Decreed
Doom of Wi cked
I. Utte r De str u cti o n Ul ti mate Fate o f In tr actabl y Wi cke d
We n o w co me to th e f i n al ph ase o f th e tr agi c e pi so d e o f
si n th e u l ti ma te a n d u t t e r d e s tr u cti o n o f th e u n r e pe n t a n t
s i n n e r i f h e wi l l f u l l y cl i n gs to h i s si n . Acco r d i n g to th e I n s pi r e d
Wo r d al l su ch wi l l be d e str o ye d r o o t an d br a n ch . T h i s
me an s Satan an d h i s e vi l an ge l s, to ge th e r wi th al l th e i n co r
r i gi bl y wi cke d wh o h ave jo i n e d i n th e gr e at r e be l l i o n agai n st
Go d a n d Hi s go ve r n me n t a n d l aw, a n d h ave s pu r n e d Hi s pr o f
f e r e d r e d e mpti o n a n d r i gh te o u sn e ss. He r e i s a typi cal pas
sage f r o m th e l ast ch apte r o f th e l ast bo o k o f th e Ol d T e s ta
me n t:
Fo r , be h o l d , d i e d ay co me th , d i a t shall burn as an oven; an d al l th e
pr o u d , yea, an d all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: an d th e day th a t
co me th sh al l burn them up, sai th th e Lo r d o f h o sts, th a t i t sh al l leave them
neither root nor branch (Mai . 4:1).
T h e wr i te r s o f th e Ol d T e s ta me n t seem to h ave e xh au ste d
th e r e so u r ce s o f th e l an gu age a t th e i r co mman d t h e He br e w
to n gu e t o af f i rm th e co mpl e te d e s tr u cti o n o f th e i n t r actabl e
s i n n e r . T h e majo r He br e w ve r b r o o ts (su ch as d e str o y, pe r i sh ,
co n su me , cu t of f , bu r n u p) ar e l i te r al , an d ar e u se d to si g
n i f y th e t o tal e xti n cti o n , o r e xci si o n , o f su ch a n i mate be i n gs .
Ot h e r e xpr e ssi o n s ar e f i gu r ati ve co u ch e d i n me taph o r ,
si mi l e , symbo l , an al o gy, me to n o my, syn e cd o ch e , co mpar i
so n, a n d al l e go r y. Bu t th e y ar e al l d e si gn e d to f u r t h e r e n f o r ce
th i s f o u n d ati o n al e mph asi s. T h e s e mu s t be n o te d i n so me de-
105
MENTE, AFTER FRANCIS DANBY, A.R.A.
T h e Ul ti mate an d Utte r De str u cti o n o f th e Wi cke d Wi l l Fo r e ve r En d th e
T e r r o r s, Sorr ows, an d Memo r i es o f Si n. T h e n th e Fi r e s Wi l l Go Ou t.
tai l , as we can o n l y d e te r mi n e th e i r r e al si gn i f i can ce by su r ve y
i n g t h e i r o ve r -al l Biblical usage.
1. Sco r e s o f O l d T e s t a m e n t V e r bs Si gn i f y D e s t r o y .
T h e Ol d T e s ta me n t uses so me f i f ty ve r bs (al o n g wi th t h e i r
Gr e e k e qu i val e n ts i n th e Se ptu agi n t a n d th e Ne w T e s tame n t),
si gn i f yi n g d i f f e r e n t aspe cts o f destruction wh e n s e tti n g f o r th
th e u l ti ma te d o o m o f th e wi cke d . Man y o f th e m d e cl ar e abso
l u te ce ssati o n o f e xi ste n ce . Oth e r s po i n t str o n gl y i n t h a t d i r e c
ti o n , a n d th e cl e ar mu s t al ways e xpl ai n th e o bscu r e . T o ge t h e r
th e y co n s ti tu te o ve r wh e l mi n g te sti mo n y. I n d e e d , n o s tr o n ge r
te r ms ar e t o be f o u n d i n an y l an gu age t h a n th o se e mpl o ye d i n
bo th th e Ol d a n d th e Ne w T e s ta me n t to co n n o te u l ti ma te to tal
e xti n cti o n o f be i n g f o r th e wi cke d . No te th e sco pe o f th e te r ms.
2. I mpo s i n g A r r a y o f L i t e r a l E n gl i s h E qu i v a l e n t s .I n
o r d e r f o r us to ge t th e o ve r -al l pi ctu r e , h e r e i s an i mpo s i n g l i st
o f En gl i sh e qu i val e n ts u se d i n tr a n s l a ti n g th e Ol d T e s ta me n t
te r ms: Destroy, end, consume, devour, take away, tread down,
burn, burn up, cut off, hew down, cut down, break in pieces,
106
ET ERNAL DEST RUC T I ON IS DEC REED DOOM OF WIC KED 107
quench, go out, extinguish, slay, break down, overthrow, cast
down, destroy utterly, sink down in a pit, beat down, melt
away, die, mortify, put to death, strike, melt, pluck out, fall,
dash in pieces, scatter as dust, pass away, trample underfoot,
root out, bring to nought. No l o o ph o l e s ar e l e f t.
On l y Go d can d i ssi pate th e br e a t h , ef f ace th e pe r s o n al
i ty, a n d d e str o y th e s i n f u l ego , o r e n ti ty, co mpr i si n g man . An d
He h as f u l l y a n d i r r e vo cabl y d e cl ar e d th e f ate o f th e i n co r r i gi
bl y wi cke d . Su ch i s th e wi tn e ss o f th e l i te r al d e pi cti o n s.
3. G a l a x y o f F i g u r a t i v e E x pr e s s i o n s Su ppo r t t h e L i t
e r a l .An d h e r e ar e so me o f th e var i e d f i gu r ati ve o r pr o ve r
bi al e xpr e ssi o n s t h a t h ar mo n i ze wi th , an d co n si ste n tl y bu ttr e ss,
th e n o n f i gu r ati ve l i te r a l d e cl ar ati o n s co n ce r n i n g th e u l ti ma te
e n d o f e xi ste n ce f o r pe r s i s te n t e vi l d o e r s: T h e y wi l l be as a ves
sel broken to pieces, as ashes trodden underfoot, as smoke that
vanisheth, as chaff carried away by the wind, as tow that is
burned, as bundles of dry tares, as thorns a n d stubble, as vine
branches pruned off, as wax that is melted, as th e fat of sacrifices
al l co mbu s ti bl e an d al l d e s tr u cti bl e by fire. An d al l o f th e se
e xpr e ssi o n s, i t wi l l be o bse r ve d , l i ke wi se pr e cl u d e th e n o ti o n o f
su f f e r i n gs i n f i n i te l y pr o l o n ge d .
Agai n , th e wi cke d wi l l pass l i ke th e morning cloud, l i ke th e
early dew, l i ke a dream when one awakens. Ot h e r f i gu r e s i n
th e Scr i ptu r e symbo l i sm ar e : th e lost sheep, t h r e a te n e d wi th
spe e d y d e a th by h u n ge r a n d th i r s t o r th e wo l f s jaws; th e
withered tree, wi th o u t r o o t o r br an ch ; th e garment t h a t i s
mo th -e ate n ; th e ax and the fire, a n d th e leprosy t h a t co n su me s
th e ti ssue s. Eve r ywh e r e a n d al ways th e co n ce pt pr e vai l s o f th e
decomposition, o f th e breaking up of the organism a n d final
cessation of the existence of beingnever th a t o f i mmo r tal
l i f e i n e n d l e ss su f f e r i n g.
4. I t e r a t e d a n d R e i t e r a t e d i n K e y C h a pt e r s . A s tr i k
i n g bu t typi cal e xampl e o f Ol d T e s ta me n t te ach i n g i s f o u n d
i n Psal m 37. He r e ar e n i n e d i f f e r e n t e xpr e s si o ns co n ce n tr a te d
i n th e o n e psal m, i tal i ci ze d to br i n g o u t th e i n te n t:
Vs. 1, 2Fo r th e y [wo r ker s o f i n i qu i ty] sh al l so o n be cut down l i ke
th e gr ass.
9Evi l d o e r s sh al l be cut off.
10Fo r yet a l i ttl e wh i l e , an d th e wi cke d shall not be.
20T h e wi cke d sh al l perish, . . . into smoke shall they consume
away.
22T h e y th a t be cu r se d o f h i m shall be cut off.
28T h e se ed o f th e wi cke d sh al l be cut off.
34T h e wi cke d ar e cut off.
36He passed away, an d , l o, he was not: . . . h e could not be
found.
38T h e tr an sgr e sso r s sh al l be destroyed together: th e e n d o f th e
wi cke d sh al l be cut off.
Or take th e e i gh te e n th ch a pte r o f J o b, wi th se ve n d e cl ar a
ti o n s:
Vs. 5T h e light o f th e wi cke d shall be put out.
6Hi s candle sh al l be put out wi th h i m.
12"Destruction sh al l be r e ad y at h i s si d e .
13 I t [d e str u cti o n ] sh al l devour the strength o f h i s ski n .
16Hi s r o o ts sh al l be dried up be n e ath , an d abo ve sh al l h i s
branch be cut off.
17"Hi s r e me mbr an ce sh al l perish from the earth.
18He sh al l be . . . chased out of the world.
20:9"T h e eye . . . sh al l see him no more.
A wi d e r an ge o f i n d i vi d u al d e cl ar ati o n s o f s i mi l ar i n t e n t
an d e qu al i n te n s i ty i s scatte r e d al l th e way f r o m Ge n e si s to
Mal ach i .
I I . Mu l ti pl e T e r ms Si gni f y C o mpl ete De str u cti o n o f Be i ng
We h e r e l i st al ph abe ti cal l y f o r r e f e r e n ce so me se ve n ty
va r i a n t e xpr e ssi o n s d e n o ti n g th e o n e th o u gh t o f d e s tr u cti o n ,
pe r i s h i n g, co n s u mpti o n by f i r e , t u r n i n g to ash e s, an d
ce ssati o n o f be i n g, as po r tr ayi n g th e f ate o f th e wi cke d . No te
th e i mpr e ssi ve , cu mu l ati ve ar r ay:
Ash es u n d e r so l es o f f e e tMai . 4:3.
Be as th o u gh th e y h ad n o t be e n Obad i ah 16; J o b 20:9; Ps. 37:10.
Be n o mo r e Ps. 104:35; Pr o v. 10:25.
Be co me as n o th i n gIsa. 41:11, 12.
Bl o sso m go u p as d u stIsa. 5:20-24.
Bl o t o u t n ame f o r e ve r Ps. 9:5.
Bl o t o u t o f e xi ste n ce De u t. 29:20; Ps. 69:28.
Br e ak i n pi e ce sJ o b 34:24; Ps. 2:9.
Br i n g d o wn to pi t o f d e s tr u cti o n Ps. 55:23.
Bu r n l i ke to wIsa. 1:31.
Bu r n th e m u pMai . 4:1.
Bu r n e d u p as cu t th o r n sIsa. 33:12.
C an d l e o f wi cke d pu t o u tJ o b 21:17.
C ast d o wn to d e s tr u cti o n Ps. 73:18.
C ast d o wn , u n abl e to r i sePs. 36:12.
C ast of f f o r e ve r 1 C h r o n . 28:9.
C h af f wh i ch wi n d d r i ve s awayPs. 1:4.
C h ase d o u t o f wo r l d J o b 18:18.
C o n su me Ps. 59:13; 104:35; Isa. 29:20.
C o n su me away i n to smo kePs. 37:20.
C o n su me d J o b 22:20.
C o n su me d o u t o f th e e a r th Ps. 104:35.
C u t d o wn l i ke gr assPs. 37:2.
C u t of f Ps. 37:9, 22, 28, 34; 94:23; Pr o v. 2:22; Nah u m 1:15.
C u t of f r e me mbr an ce f r o m e a r th Ps. 34:16.
Dash i n pi ecesPs. 2:9.
De str o yPs. 145:20; Pr o v. 13:13.
De str o ye d f o r e ve r Ps. 52:5; 92:7.
De str o y u tte r l yEx. 22:20; Ps. 21:10.
De vo u r Ps. 50:3.
De vo u r as s tu bbl e Nah u m 1:10.
Di e Eze. 18:4, 20.
Di sso l vedPs. 75:3.
Dr i ve n away l i ke ch af f Ps. 1:4.
Eate n u p l i ke gar me n tIsa. 51:8.
Fi r e sh al l d e vo u r th e mPs. 21:9.
Lamp o f wi cke d pu t o u tPr o v. 13:9; 24:20.
Le ave n e i th e r r o o t n o r br an ch Mai . 4:1.
Li gh t o f wi cke d be pu t o u tJ o b 18:5.
Me l t away as wate r sPs. 58:7.
Me l t l i ke waxPs. 68:2.
Name pu t o u t f o r e ve r Ps. 9:5.
No t bePs. 37:10; Pr o v. 12:7.
Ove r th r o wn Pr o v. 12:7.
Pe r i sh Ps. 37:20; 49:20; Isa. 41:11, 12.
Pe r i sh f o r e ve r J o b 20:7.
Pl u ck th e e o u tPs. 52:5.
Pu t away l i ke dr o ssPs. 119:119.
Pu t o u t l i gh tJ o b 18:5, 6.
Pu t o u t n ame f o r e ve r Ps. 9:5.
Pu t to d e a th Lev. 27:29.
Qu e n ch e d as f i r e o f th o r n sPs. 118:12.
Qu e n ch e d as to wIsa. 43:17.
Rai n o f f i re an d br i ms to n e Ps. 11:6.
Re tu r n to d u stGe n . 3:19; Ps. 104:29.
Ro o t o u tPs. 52:5; Pr o v. 2:22.
Ro o ts d r i e d u pJ o b 18:16.
Scatte r e d Ps. 92:9.
See h i m n o mo r e J o b 20:9.
Sh al l n o t be Ps. 37:10.
Sl ayPs. 34:21; 62:3; 139:19; Isa. 11:4.
Stu bbl e . . . take n away by wh i r l wi n d Isa. 40:24.
Swal l o w th e m u pPs. 21:9.
T e a r . . . i n pi e ce sPs. 50:22.
T r e a d d o wn Ps. 60:12.
T u r n e d i n to h e l l [sheol, gr ave ]Ps. 9:17.
Utte r l y co n su me d Ps. 37:20 (LXX 72:19).
Wh i r l wi n d passe th , wi cke d n o mo r e Pr o v. 10:25.
Wi th e r as gr e e n h e r bPs. 37:2.
Su ch an ar r ay i s o ve r wh e l mi n g. Bu t o n e co n cl u si o n can be
d r awn .
I t i s to be par ti cu l a r l y n o te d t h a t al l th e se va r i a n t te r ms
ar e si mpl y an u n f o l d i n g o r e xpan si o n o f th e o r i gi n al pe n al ty
t h r e a te n e d i n Ed e n death, o r returning to the dust (Ge n .
2:17; 3:19). T h e y si mpl y i n d i cate th e mo d e o f d e s tr u cti o n
a n d th e r e su l ts. Su mmar i zi n g, th e se mu l t i pl e t e r ms f al l u n d e r
f o u r ge n e r al cate go r i e s. An gl i can Vi car R. S. C al l an d e r , o f
Gl o u ce ste r , En gl an d , h as accu r ate l y a n a l yzed an d su mma r i zed
th e m as i n d i cati n g:
(1) Death by fire, or burning, set forth as the designated
m o d e of final punishment1(Ps. 21:9; Mai . 4:1, 3; cf . Re v. 20:14,
15; Matt. 13:40, 42; 25:41, 46).
(2) Perishing as the r e s u l t of such punishment (Ps. 37:
28; cf . 2 Pe te r 2:12; J o h n 3:14, 15).
(3) Death, or cessation of being, as the e n d of such pun
ishment (Eze. 18:4, 20; Ro m. 6:23; Re v. 21:8).
(4) Utter destruction as the permanent e f f e c t of such
punishment (Ps. 55:23; 92:7; 145:20; cf . Matt. 7:13; 10:28).
An d i n s u ppo r t o f th e se co n cl u si o n s th e Ne w T e s ta me n t
co n f i r ms, ad d s to , an d gi ves pr e ci s i o n su ch as spe ci f yi n g th e
second d e a th , o f Re ve l ati o n 20:6 a n d 21:8, by d e s tr u cti o n
i n th e lake of fire.
I I I . Ete r n al T o r me n t No Par t o f De ath Pe n al ty
I t wi l l be o bse r ve d th a t i n th i s vast ar r ay o f Scr i ptu r e pas
sages th e r e i s u n i f o r m te sti mo n y as to utter destruction
wi t h o u t a si n gl e s tate me n t i mpl yi n g Ete r n a l T o r me n t f o r t h e
f i n al l y i mpe n i t e n t wi cke d . An d e ve n i f a J e w pe r pl e xi n g te xts
ar e f o u n d , th e y co u l d n o t r e aso n abl y be al l o we d to r e ve r se th e
pr e po n d e r an t-* e mph asi s o f Scr i ptu r e o r n u l l i f y i ts o ve r
wh e l mi n g te sti mo n y. T h e n o t i o n o f Ete r n a l T o r me n t came
o u t o f pagan i sm, as a co r o l l ar y to th e po s tu l ate o f th e u n i ve r sal
I n n a t e I mmo r t a l i t y o f th e so u l . Bu t t h a t pr e s u mpti o n d i d n o t
pe n e tr a t e J e wr y u n t i l a bo u t 150 B.C ., o r be gi n to i n f i l tr a te th e
C h r i s ti an ch u r ch u n t i l n e ar l y a .d . 200.*
Go d 's bl e ssi n gs i n th i s l i f e e xte n d to a thousand genera
tions o f th o se wh o l o ve Hi m a n d ke e p Hi s co mman d me n ts,
1T h i s ma y be ch e cke d by s ca n n i n g t h e f o l l o wi n g pas s age s f r o m n e a r l y a s co r e o f
OT bo o ks , a n d a f e w s ampl e Ne w T e s t a me n t pas s age s , as s h o wi n g be yo n d pe r a d ve n t u r e t h e
u n i f o r m t e s t i mo n y o f Scr i pt u r e to fire as Go d s d e s i gn a te d mo d e o f d e s t r u ct i o n f o r t h e wi cke d :
(OT ) Ge n . 19:24, 25: Ex. 32:10: L e v. 10:2; Nu m. 11:1; 16:35; De u t . 32:22, 24;
2 K i n gs 1:12: Ps. 21:9; 97:3; 140:10; I s a . 1:28, 31; 9:18, 19; 10:16-18; 30:33; 33:11, 12; 4^: 14;
66:15, 16, 24; J e r . 4:4; 21:12; L a m. 2:3, 4; Eze . 15:6, 7; 21:31, 32; 22:21, 22, 31; 28:18;
Amo s 5:6; Na h u m 1:5, 6; Ma i . 4:1.
(NT ) M a t t . 3:10, 12; 13:49, 50; 25:41; L u ke 17:29, 30; He b. 6:4-8; 2 Pe t e r 3:7; J u d e 7;
Re v. 20:9, 10, 15. (Wh i l e s o me te r ms a r e f i gu r a ti ve , th i s i n n o way mo d i f i e s t h e pr e po n d e r a n t
t e s t i mo n y.) Ou r Go d i s a co n s u mi n g f i r e to t h e wi cke d (He b. 12:29; cf . Ex. 24:17; De u t . 4:24;
9:3; I s a . 33:14).
2Se e Ou t l i n e C h a r t A, pa ge 522, a n d pe r t i n e n t ch a pt e r s i n Pa r t s I I I a n d I V .
112
wh i l e He pu n i s h e s o n l y to th e third and fourth generation
o f th o se wh o h ate Hi m (Ex. 20:5, 6; De u t. 7:9). I f th e pu n
i sh me n ts o f th e f u tu r e l i f e we r e to go o n f o r e ve r , par al l e l i n g
th e bl i ss o f th e r i gh te o u s, i t wo u l d l o gi cal l y f o l l o w t h a t Go d
wo u l d l i ke wi se pu n i s h to th e th o u s a n d th ge n e r ati o n . Bu t e ve n
h e r e th e r e i s i n ti ma t i o n th a t th e wi cke d ar e d o o me d to u l t i
mate an d u t t e r e xti n cti o n .
1. T o r t u r e No P a r t o f J e w i s h Sa c r i f i c i a l R i t e .As
pr e vi o u sl y po i n te d o u t, i n th e Le vi ti cal sacr i f i ci al o f f e r i n gs th e
vi cti m i n t h e sin offering sto o d f o r th e s i n n e r . I t typi f i e d
C h r i s t, a to n i n g vi car i o u sl y f o r th e gu i l t o f ma n s s i n C h r i s t
be ar i n g o u r si n s a n d s tan d i n g i n o u r pl ace a n d s te ad . T h o s e
wh o o f f e r e d th e si n o f f e r i n g we r e n e i th e r r e qu i r e d n o r al l o we d
to i n f l i ct pr o l o n ge d t o r t u r e u po n th e sacr i f i ci al o f f e r i n gbe i t
l amb, go at, bu l l o ck, o r t u r t l e d o ve bu t si mpl y to i mpo se
d e ath . J n th e burnt offerings th e an i mal was al r e ad y d e ad be
f o r e i t was bu r n e d u po n t h e al ta r , wh e r e i t was wh o l l y co n -
s u me d (Le v. 4-7). T h e r i te , th e r e f o r e , was n o t base d o n
e xte n d e d su f f e r i n g bu t o n th e s u ppr e ssi o n o f th e l i f e . I n J e w
i sh pr acti ce , i f th e e xe cu ti o n was pr o l o n ge d th e sacr i f i ce h ad
to be r e je cte d .
2. T o r t u r e No P a r t o f M o s a i c P e n a l C o d e .Li ke wi se
i n th e pe n al co d e o f th e Mo sai c th e o cr acy th e h e avi e st pu n i s h
me n t pr e s cr i be d was th e i mpo s i ti o n o f th e d e ath o f th e o f f e n d e r
(Le v. 20:2; 24:14-16; Nu m. 15:33-36; De u t. 17:5; 22:21).
Lo n g-co n ti n u ed t o r t u r e was f o r e i gn to Ol d T e s ta me n t l e gi s
l ati o n . T h e o d i o u s pr acti ce o f t o r tu r e , so co mmo n i n a n ci e n t
pagan ci vi l i zati o n s, h ad n o e qu i val e n t i n th e co d e o f Isr ae l .
(C r u ci f i xi o n , i t s h o u l d be n o te d , was o f Ro ma n o r i gi n .) I n case
o f s to n i n g, u n d e r Isr ae l , car e was take n th a t th e f i r st sto n e cast
sh o u l d be l a r ge e n o u gh to cr u sh th e vi cti ms ch e st, r e s u l ti n g i n
-x. d e a th .
^ Death, n o t to r t u r e , as th e wages o f si n (Ro m. 6:23). i s
co n si ste n tl y se t f o r th i n Scr i ptu r e . T h e pu n i s h me n t f i tte d th e
cr i me .
IV. Ete r n al Desti ny Revol ves Ar o u n d I n te n t of Li f e
an d De ath
1. L i f e a n d D e a t h K e ys T h a t U n l o ck I n s pi r e d I n
t e n t . T h e i ssues o f e te r n al d e sti n y t u r n o n th e i n te n t o f Ho l y
Scr i ptu r e , as se e n i n t h e pr o l o gu e (o f Ge n e si s) a n d i n th e
e pi l o gu e (o f th e Re ve l ati o n ). T h e te r ms l i f e a n d d e a th
ar e th e d u a l keys th a t u n l o ck th e Bi bl i cal i n t e n t as to th e
d e sti n y o f man . Eve r yth i n g tu r n s u po n th e se two a n ti th e ti ca l
e xpr e ssi o n s.
As me n ti o n e d , l i f e an d d e ath ar e e ve r se t f o r th as o ppo
si tes, l i ke bl ack an d wh i te . Fo r o n e to say t h a t death i s si mpl y
an o t h e r ki n d o r state o f life i s l i ke i n si s ti n g t h a t black i s
var i ati o n o f white. Bu t i f d e ath we r e a ce r tai n state o f l i f e , i t
wo u l d s i mpl y be a continued manifestation of that same life.
T h e usage o f Bi bl i cal l an gu age pr o te sts su ch vi o l e n ce . T o die
i s to cease to live, o r exist, n o t to su f f e r o n f o r e ve r , si mpl y away
f r o m th e pr e se n ce o f Go d , bu t to ke e p o n l i vi n g.
2. P l a t o n i c P e r v e r s i o n o f D e a t h a s P e r p e t u a l L i f e .
Wh e n man i s u n d e r co n s i d e r ati o n , lifei n th e h i sto r i cal an d
gr ammati cal se n se r e f e r s to h i s e xi ste n ce as man i f e s te d th r o u gh
an i ma ti o n , acti o n , a n d se n sati o n . Death, o n th e co n tr ar y, i s th e
e n d o f t h a t e xi ste n ce , th e te r mi n a ti o n o f al l acti o n a n d se n sa
ti o n . Bu t u n d e r th e Pl ato n i c i n f l u e n ce , wi th i ts n o t i o n o f th e
abs o l u te a n d i n d e f e as i bl e i mmo r tal i ty o f th e h u man so u l , a n d
th e co n s e qu e n t f l au n ti n g o f th e to tal te s ti mo n y o f Scr i ptu r e ,
th e tr a d i ti o n a l i s t to o k h i s s tan d o n th e pr e mi se t h a t th e i n
h e r e n t l i f e o f th e so u l can n o t cease.
As a r e s u l t th e death o f th e so u l i n e vi tabl y came to si gn i f y
i ts perpetual life in the midst of sin and sufferingwithout
any possible end. Eve r d yi n g, th e so u l n e ve r th e l e ss co u l d n e ve r
d i e . De ath was co n s e qu e n tl y r e pl ace d by pai n t h a t i s i n t e r mi
n abl e , wh i l e life was mad e syn o n ymo u s me r e l y wi th h o l i n e ss
a n d bl e sse d n e ss i n th a t e xi ste n ce . I t was a tr ave sty o f t r u t h bo th
i n wo r d a n d i n i n te n t.
3. I n n a t e I m m o r t a l i t y P o s t u l a t e R e ve r s e s T r u e
E xe ge s i s . Bu t th e po s tu l ate o f th e I n n ate I mmo r tal i ty o f âl l
so u l s i n vo l ve s an i n e scapabl y u n n a t u r al a n d a r bi tr a r y i n t e r pr e
t a ti o n o f Scr i ptu r e a r e ve r sal o f true exegesisso th a t i n s te ad
o f death be i n g th e pe n al ty f o r th e u n r e pe n t a n t si n n e r , wi th
unending life so l e l y f o r th e r i gh te o u s, eternal life i s i n ste ad
asse r te d to be th e f i n al d e s ti n y o f bo th righteous and wicked
o n l y wi th th e o n e cl ass i n bl i ss an d th e o t h e r i n t o r me n t.
Bu t su ch a pr o ce d u r e i s u n d e n i a bl e eisegesisa r e ad i n g i n to
t h e te xt o f wh at i s n o t th e r e , a n d o f wh at i s, mo r e o ve r , f u n d a-
me n tal l y co n tr a r y to th e u n i f o r m, o ve r wh e l mi n g te s ti mo n y o f
Scr i ptu r e .
4. C h r i s t s D e a t h , N o t S u f f e r i n gs , C o n s t i t u t e d A t o n
i n g S a cr i f i ce .T h e r e i s o f te n , o f co u r se , i n te n s e s u f f e r i n g
wi th d e a th but always ending in destruction. Ho we ve r , i t i s
n o t_th e s u f f e r i n g bu t th e destruction t h a t i s th e u l ti mate . Suf f e r
i n g pr e ce d e s i t. T h u s i t was wi th th e d e ath o f C h r i st, i f we
ar e to co n s i d e r th i s po i n t at th e h i gh e st l eve l . T h e r e i s f r e qu e n t
al l u s i o n to Hi s su f f e r i n gs i n o u r be h al f . Bu t, d r e a d f u l as
th e se we r e , C h r i s t s su f f e r i n gs al o n e d i d n o t co n s ti tu te Hi s
a to n i n g d e a th . T h e y we r e o n l y th e acco mpan i me n ts th e r e o f .
h e f u n d a me n t al po i n t i s t h a t Christ did not endure
Eternal Torment. He pa i d th e d e s i gn ate d pe n al ty d u e t o
Ad am a n d th e r ace wh i ch was death. T h e d e ath o f C h r i s t
o n C al var y, th o u gh i n cl u d i n g f e ar f u l me n tal a n d bo d i l y su f f e r
i n g, r e qu i r e d th e e xti n cti o n o f Hi s l i f e . T h i s pr i n ci pl e was
i l l u s tr ate d back i n th e case o f Ol d T e s ta me n t Isr ae l :
"I f th o u wi l t n o t o bse r ve to d o al l th e wo r d s o f th i s l aw th a t ar e
wr i tte n i n th i s bo o k, th a t th o u maye st f e ar th i s gl o r i o u s an d f e ar f u l n ame ,
T h e Lo r d T h y Go d ; th e n th e Lo r d wi l l make th y pl agu e s wo n d e r f u l , a n d
th e pl agu e s o f th y seed, e ve n gr e at pl agu e s, an d o f l o n g co n ti n u an ce , a n d
so r e si cknesses. . . . Al so eve r y si ckness, an d eve r y pl agu e , wh i ch i s n o t
wr i tte n i n th e bo o k o f th i s l aw, th e m wi l l th e Lo r d br i n g u po n th e e , until
thou be destroyed. . . . An d i t sh al l co me to pass, th a t as th e Lo r d r e jo i ce d
o ve r yo u to d o yo u go o d , an d to mu l ti pl y yo u; so th e Lo r d wi l l r e jo i ce o ve r
yo u to destroy yo u , a n d to bring you to nought (De u t. 28:58-63).
e ath i s ce asi n g to l i ve .
T h u s al l su f f e r i n g te r mi n ate s i n f i n al d e s tr u cti o n , an d
co me s to n o u gh t. T h a t i s th e o ve r -al l Bi bl e e vi d e n ce .
5. D e s t r u c t i o n , N o t E t e r n a l T o r me n t , t h e P u n i s h
me n t .Man was pl ace d i n th e Gar d e n o f Ed e n wi th th e
e xpl i ci t war n i n g t h a t i n th e d ay th a t t h o u e ate st th e r e o f [of
th e tr e e o f th e kn o wl e d ge o f go o d an d evi l ] th o u s h al t su r e l y
die (Ge n . 2:17). Sh o u l d h e d i so be y h e wo u l d be su bje ct to
capi tal pu n i s h me n tdeath, by f o r f e i ti n g h i s l i f e . T h e r e i s
n o t h i n g i n th e l an gu age e mpl o ye d th a t co nve ys an y co n ce pt
o th e r t h an u t t e r d e s tr u cti o n as pu n i s h me n t f o r tr an sgr e ssi o n .
T h e r e i s n o i n ti ma t i o n o f a pr o l o n ge d , mu ch l ess e n d l e ss,
e xi ste n ce i n to r me n t.
Li f e a n d d e ath mu s t h ave appe ar e d as o ppo si te s to Ad am
th e th r e a t o f d e a t h be i n g th e o ppo si te o f l i vi n g f o r e ve r .
We mu st th e r e f o r e r e pe a t t h a t th e r e was abso l u te l y n o Bi b
l i cal d e cl ar ati o n o f d e a th as an endless life in interminable
misery as th e pe n al ty f o r si n.
V. Stock Obje cti o n s In vo ke d C o l l apse Un d e r Scr uti ny
I n bo th T e s tame n ts th e r e ar e ce r tai n sto ck-o bje cti o n te xts
th a t ar e al ways i n vo ke d . T h r e e su ch passages i n th e Ol d T e s ta
me n tI sai ah 33:14; Isai ah 66:24; a n d Dan i e l 12:2ar e
pr e sse d i n to se r vi ce by th o se co n te n d i n g f o r th e Ete r n a l T o r
me n t o f th e wi cke d .
1. I s a i a h 33:14C o n t e n t i o n C o l l a ps e s U n d e r Scr u - \
t i n y .T h e f i r st o f th e th r e e te xts r e ad s: Wh o amo n g us sh al l
d we l l wi th th e d e vo u r i n g f i re? wh o amo n g us sh al l d we l l wi th /
e ve r l asti n g bu r n i n gs ?
T h e s e wo r d s ar e o f te n br o u gh t f o r th by Immo r tal -So u l i sts
as d e s cr i bi n g th e to r me n ts o f th e l o st, an d to i mpr e ss o n e wi th
th e t o r r i d gl ar e o f th e pi ti l e ss pr o spe ct o f e te r n al mi se r y. Bu t
e ve n a cu r s o r y gl an ce a t t h e co n te xt wi l l sh o w t h a t th e f u t u r e J
state i s n o t u n d e r d i scu ssi o n i n th i s te xt. I t i s si mpl y a po r tr ayal
o f th e i n su f f e r abl e te mpo r al mi se r i e s be i n g i n f l i cte d u po n
I sr ae l by h e r e n e mi e s an d by Go d s th r e a te n e d r e t r i bu t i o n . I t
i s an e xcl amato r y e xpr e ssi o n to th e ef f ect t h a t n o o n e can e n
d u r e su ch bu r n i n gs a s tr o n g n e gati ve , to i n d i cate t h a t wh at
i s d o o me d to f i r e can n o t co n ti n u e to e xi st; t h a t n o n e can d we l l
wi th su ch d e vo u r i n g f l ames.
T h e passage h as n o r e l a ti o n to th e f ate o f th e l o st, bu t
r a t h e r to th e d e s o l ati o n o f Pal e s ti n e by t h e Assyr i ans. Ver ses
10-12 d e scr i be Se n n ach e r i bs i n vad i n g ar my, e ve n t h r e a te n i n g
J e r u sal e m i tse l f bu t n e ve r th e l e ss awai ti n g s u d d e n a n d u t t e r
d e s tr u cti o n , as al r e ad y f o r e to l d i n ch a pte r 27:4wh e n th e
Lo r d wo u l d go th r o u gh t h e m a n d bu r n th e m to ge th e r .
An d th e f u l f i l l me n t i s po r tr aye d i n ch a pte r 37:36, wh e n th e
an ge l o f th e Lo r d smo te i n th e camp o f th e Assyr i an s a h u n
d r e d an d f o u r sco r e a n d f i ve th o u s an d : a n d wh e n th e y [th e
Isr ae l i te s] ar o se e ar l y i n th e mo r n i n g, be h o l d , th e y [th e As
syr i an s] we r e al l d e ad co r pse s. T h a t i s a si mpl e s tate me n t o f
h i sto r i cal f act.
Acco r d i n g to th e a n ci e n t cu sto m o f th e Easte r n n ati o n s
th e se bo d i e s we r e to be bu r n e d. T h e e f f ect o f th i s d i spl ay o f
d i vi n e po we r was to al ar m th o se wh o h a d n o t tr u s te d i n Go d,
a n d to l e ad th e m to e xcl ai m, Wh o amo n g us sh al l d we l l wi th
th i s d e vo u r i n g f i re? wh o amo n g us sh al l d we l l wi th th e se e ve r
l as ti n g bu r n i n gs ? ______ __________________________
T h e s e wo r d s h ave n o t th e r e mo te s t r e f e r e n ce to f u tu r e r e t r i
bu t i o n i n Ge h e n n a, o n l y to pr e s e n t pu n i s h me n ts o n e a r t h . T h e y
e ch o th e o u t cr i es o f te r r i f i e d pi n n e r s i n J e r u s al e m wh o f e ar e d
t h a t th e pe r pe tu a l co n f l agr ati o n s o f war an d th e d e vas tati o ns
o f f i r e a n d swo r d by t h e i n vad e r a n d Go d s wr ath wo u l d
e n d i n t h e i r o wn d e s tr u cti o n , f o r wh o can d we l l i n th e se pe r
pe tu a l bu r n i n gs ? 8I n ver ses 10 to 12 o f Isai ah 33 th e Lo r d
ad d r e sse s th e m:
No w wi l l I r i se , sai th th e Lo r d ; no w wi l l I be e xal te d . . . . Ye sh al l
conceive ch af f , ye sh al l br i n g f o r th stubble: yo u r br e ath , as fire, shall
devour you. An d th e pe o pl e sh al l be as the burnings of lime [f u e l f o r l i me-
3 I f a f u r t h e r a ppl i ca t i o n i s d e s i r e d ,_i t i s we l l to r e me mbe r t h a t o u r Go d i s a co n s u mi n g
f i r e (He b. 12:29). He i s t h e Su n o f Ri gh te o u s n e s s , wh o se br i gh t n e s s gl o r i f i e s t h e s ai n t s bu t
i s a f i r e o f ve n ge a n ce t h a t bu r n s u p t h e wo r th l e s s (Ma i . 4:2, 3; He b. 6:8; Re v. 20:9).
ki l n s]: as thorns cut up [co mmo n Pal e s ti n i an f u e l f o r such ] shall they be
burned in the fire.
T h e n th e te xt i n qu e s ti o n (ver se 14) f o l l o ws i mme d i ate l y.
We wo u l d si mpl y ad d t h a t i n d i f f e r e n ce to th e sense o f Scr i p-
t u r e i n an a tt e mpt to êstabl i sh a pr e d e te r mi n e d po i n t i s u n
wo r th y o f h e r me n e u ti cs a n d i s f atal to so u n d co n cl u si o ns. T h e
f i r e o f ve r se 14 i s man i f e s tl y th e same as t h a t o f ve r se 12
th e f l ame o f war ki n d l e d i n Pal e s ti n e Joy th e Assyr i an s, an d
Go d s pr e d i cte d r e t r i bu t i o n . So th e f i r st co n te n ti o n co l l apse s.
2. I s a i a h 66:24 Ca r c a s s es , U n d y i n g W o r m, U n
q u e n c h a b l e F i r e . We n e xt s cr u ti n i ze Isai ah 66:24: An d
th e y sh al l go f o r th , a n d l o o k u po n th e carcases o f th e me n th a t
h ave tr an sgr e sse d agai n s t me : f o r t h e i r worm shall not die,
neither shall their fire be quenched; an d th e y sh al l be an
abhorring u n t o al l f l e sh .
T h e sce n e i s se t i n ve r se s 22, 23: Fo r as th e new heav
ens and new earth, wh i ch I wi l l make , sh al l r e ma i n be f o r e me ,
a n d al l f l e sh sh al l co me to wo r s h i p be f o r e th e Lo r d . T h e n
f o l l o ws th e d e cl ar ati o n o f th e ve r se qu o te d . T h e wo r m a n d
th e f i r e i n th i s passage can o n l y l e gi ti mate l y symbo l i ze th e
u t t e r d e s tr u cti o n o f d e ad a n d i n se n s i bl e carcases o r co r pse s,
as e xpr e ssl y state d . T h e te xt d o e s n o t th e r e f o r e s u ppo r t th e
th e o r y o f an e te r n al , co n sci o u s su f f e r i n g o f s e n ti e n t, d i se m
bo d i e d so u l s o f th e l i vi n g d amn e d , wh i ch h ave be e n co n
si gn e d to an e ve r -bu r n i n g h e l l .
An y a tt e mpt to d e d u ce th e i mmo r ta l i ty o f th e l o st f r o m th i s
t e xt mu s t f i r st assu me th e i n d e s tr u cti bi l i ty o f car case s. Bu t
a n u n qu e n ch abl e f i r e i s n o t n e ce ssar i l y o n e t h a t wi l l n o t u l t i
mate l y go o u t. Ra t h e r , i t i s o n e t h a t mu s t co n su me an d d e str o y
u n t i l n o t h i n g r e mai n s (cf . J e r . 7:20).
T h e cl au se , th e i r wo r m sh al l n o t d i e , u n qu e s ti o n a bl y si g
n i f i e s th a t th e wo r ms sh al l n o t cease to be u n t i l t h e i r so r d i d mi s
si o n h as be e n acco mpl i s h e d . T h e co n te n ti o n o f e te r n al , co n
sci o us, h u man s u f f e r i n g co u l d be s u s tai n e d o n l y by taki n g o u t
th e wo r d d i e , i n th e se n se o f ce asi n g to l i ve , be cau se o n l y as
118
so take n , wi th a n e gati o n , co u l d th e passage be co n s tr u e d _to
spe ak o f e te r n al su f f e r i n g.
An d i t i s o f co u r se o bvi o u s t h a t su ch wo r ms 4ar e n o t
e n d o we d wi th i mmo r tal i ty, o r wi th po we r s o f co n ti n u o u s r e
pr o d u cti o n t h r o u gh o u t e te r n i ty i n a bl azi n g f i r e. We r e pe a t
t h a t a f i r e t h a t n e ve r sh al l be qu e n ch e d do e s n o t n e ce s
sar i l y me an i t mu s t bu r n f o r e ve r . J u d e , i n ve r se se ve n , d e
cl ar e s t h a t So d o m a n d Go mo r r h a ar e se t f o r th as e xampl e s o f
eternal fire. Bu t Pe te r te l l s u s t h a t th e y we r e t u r n e d i n to
ash es, co n d e mn e d . . . wi th an o ve r th r o w [Gr . katastrophe]
(2 Pe te r 2:6). T h u s J u d e s e te r n al f i r e i s e qu i val e n t to
Pe t e r s ash e s. I t si gni f i e s u l ti ma t e e xti n cti o n .
Un qu e n ch a bl e f i r e i s th e r e f o r e a f i r e t h a t i s d e s ti n e d
u l ti mate l y to go o u t, bu t t h a t can n o t be pu t o u t u n t i l i t h as
co n s u me d al l u po n wh i ch i t f ee ds. I t th u s d e n o te s i n e vi ta bl e
an d u t t e r d e s tr u cti o n , a n d th e e te r n al r e su l ts o f su ch awe so me
pu n i s h me n t. Wi t h th i s agr e e s C h r i s t s so l e mn Ne w T e s ta me n t
d e cl ar ati o n t h a t He wi l l burn up th e ch af f wi th u n qu e n ch abl e
T h e a bh o r r i n g cl e ar l y r e f e r s to th e n au se o u s spe ctacl e o f
th e pu tr e f yi n g car case s. T h e r e f e r e n ce to th e wo r m i s n o t
to th e r e mo r se o f a to r me n te d co n sci e n ce as so me co n te n d , bu t
to l i te r a l maggo ts (He b. tola), br e d i n pu t r i d su bstan ce s
(Ex. 16:20; De u t. 28:39; Isa. 14:11). An d i t i s to be n o te d
t h a t the worm is distinct from that upon which it feeds. T h e
al l u s i o n i s u n mi s taka bl y to t h e gh astl y scenes o f th e a n ci e n t
Va 1l ey o f Hi n n o m, o r T o ph e t , wi th i ts f l ames a n d i ts wo r ms
wh e r e th o se pe r mi tt e d to wal k o ve r th e f i el ds o f th e sl ai n
co u l d see th e vast n u mbe r o f th e d e ad a n d pu tr e f yi n g bo d i e s
o f th e i r f o r me r e n e mi e s. An d t h e case i n po i n t, i n I s ai ah s
ti me , was th e 185,000 sl ai n o f Se n n ach e r i bs h o s t.
So i t i s n o t th e i mmo r ta l s o u l bu t th e mu l t i t u d e o f t h e
d e ad wh o pe r i s h e d t h a t e n gage s th e u n qu e n ch a bl e f i r e a n d
* Al l u s i o n s to th e wo r m t h a t f e e d s u po n t h e ca r ca s e s , o r d e a d bo d i e s , a ppe a r f r e
qu e n t l y i n t h e Ol d T e s t a me n t , a n d a r e a ct u a l l y u s e d t o e xcl u d e a l l h o pe o f r e s t o r a t i o n , a n d
to d e cl a r e t h a t t h e pu n i s h me n t i s e t e r n a l a n d wi t h o u t h o pe . (Se e l o b 17:i 4: 19:26: 24:20;
I s a . 14:11.)
th e i n s ati abl e wo r m. T h a t was th e Ol d T e s ta me n t type . An d
i n th e f i n al , a n t i typi cal f u l f i l l me n t, an d th e pu n i ti ve d e s tr u c
ti o n o f th e wi cke d , th e r e i s d e pi cte d th e f e ast f o r th e se wo r ms
a t th e s u ppe r o f th e gr e at Go d / to wh i ch t h e f o wl s o f h e ave n
ar e i n vi te d (Re v. 19:17, 18V5
3. D e pr i v e d o f L i f e , N o t C o n s i g n ed t o M i s e r y . I t i s
f u r t h e r ar gu e d t h a t i n Mar k 9:43-48 C h r i s t qu o te s th e l ast
t wo cl au se s o f Isai ah 66:24 i n pr o o f o f th e e te r n al su f f e r i n gs o f
th e wi cke d i n Ge h e n n a, an d th u s gi ves d i vi n e s u ppo r t to th e
co n te n ti o n . Bu t bo th th e pr e mi se an d th e co n cl u si o n mu s t be
d e n i e d . C h r i s t was n o t u t te r i n g wo r d s i n pr o o f o f e te r n al su f
f e r i n g. No t a syl l abl e d i d He e xpr e ss to th a t ef f ect. He was
wa r n i n g t h e d i sci pl e s th at i t i s be tte r to e n te r i n to life h a l t o r
mai me d r a t h e r t h a n h avi n g two h an d s o r f e e t to be cast i n to
th e u n qu e n ch a bl e f i r e o f Ge h e n n af o r i t i s be tte r t h a t one of
the members s h o u l d perish th an th e whole body be cast i n to ,
Ge h e n n a (Mar k 9:43).
I n Mar k 9, C h r i st co n tr asts th e living an d th e perishing.
Bu t th e pe r i s h i n g o f o n e me mbe r , by i ts be i n g cu t of f , i s to
deprive it of life, n o t to co n si gn i t to e n d l e ss mi se r y. I t th e r e
f o r e f o l l o ws th a t th e pe r i s h i n g o f th e wh o l e bo d y l i ke wi se
r e s u l ts i n s i mi l ar bu t to tal d e s tr u cti o n . C o n s e qu e n tl y, th e
pe r so n s wh o se wo r m sh al l n o t d i e ar e th o se wh o h ave be e n re-
d u ce d to peger (d e ad co r pse s). So th e se co n d ci tati o n , f r o m
Isai ah 66:24, o bvi o u sl y d o e s n o t appl y to Ete r n al T o r me n t.
T h e a n ci e n t f i r e o f Ge h e n n a was n o t a f i r e i n to wh i ch l i vi n g \
pe r so n s we r e cast, to be ke pt a l i ve u n d e r t o r tu r e , bu t o n e i n to
wh i ch co r pse s we r e cast to be co n su me d. I t was n o t f i r e d e
si gn e d t o pr e y u po n living be i n gs, bu t u po n th e car case s o f
an i mal s, a n d th e dead bodies o f mal e f acto r s, h e n ce th e co n
si ste n cy o f asso ci ati n g f i re an d wo r m to ge th e r . Wh a t po r ti o n
o f t h e d e ad bo d y th e f i re f ai l e d to co n su me , th e wo r m wo u l d
sei ze u po n an d d e vo u r . Eve n i f o n e we r e cast a l i ve i n to su ch a
5 C f . I s a. 66:15, 16Be h o l d , t h e L o r d wi l l co me wi t h f i r e , a n d wi t h h i s ch a r i o t s l i ke
a wh i r l wi n d , to r e n d e r h i s a n ge r wi t h f u r y, a n d h i s r e bu ke wi t h f l ame s o f f i r e . . . . An d th e
s l ai n o f t h e L o r d s h al l be ma n y.
120
f i er y pl ace (as th e wi cke d wi l l be cast i n to th e co mi n g Ge
h e n n a), h i s l i f e wo u l d so o n be co me e xti n ct, an d h i s l i f el ess
r e mai n s wo u l d so o n be u tte r l y co n su me d by t h ese age n ts o f
d e s tr u cti o n . So th i s co n te n ti o n l i ke wi se co l l apses.
4. D a n i e l 12:2R e s u r r e c t i o n s t o L i f e a n d t o J u d g
me n t .T h e t h i r d te xt, o f te n ci te d , r e ad s: An d man y o f th e m
t h a t sl e e p i n th e d u s t o f th e e a r th [th e i n s pi r e d d e pi cti o n o f
d e ath ] sh al l awake [i n th e r e s u r r e cti o n ], some to e ve r l asti n g
l i f e , an d some to sh ame an d e ve r l as ti n g co n te mpt [th r u s ti n g
away].
T h e awakening o f so me cl e ar l y appl i e s to th e r e s u r r e c
ti o n o f th e r i gh te o u s, d e s ti n e d to e te r n al l i f e . As h as be e n
sh o wn , th o se d o o me d to sh ame an d e ve r l as ti n g co n te mpt ar e
e xcl u d e d f r o m e te r n al l i f e . T h e i r br i e f awake n i n g i s bu t f o r
th e e xe cu ti o n o f th e ju d gme n t. T h e co n te mpt i s f e l t by th e
r i gh te o u s su r vi vo r s after th e ju d gme n t an d d e s tr u cti o n o f t h e
co n te mpti bl e h ave be e n me te d o u t.
T h u s th e e ve r l as ti n g appl i e s to th e r i gh te o us, an d th e
co n te mpt o r mo r e accu r ate l y a bh o r r e n ce i s t h a t o f th e
r i gh te o u s o ve r th e i n co r r i gi bl y wi cke d , wh o pe r i sh . T h i s te xt
af f o r d s o n e o f th e cl e ar e r Ol d T e s ta me n t f o r e gl e ams o f th e two
f o l d r e s u r r e cti o n o n e gr o u p to l i f e , an d th e o th e r to ju d g
me n t e xpr e ssl y s tate d i n th e Ne w T e s ta me n t (Lu ke 14:14;
J o h n 5:28, 29; 1 C o r . 15:23; Re v. 20:4, 5).
So me asse r t th a t th e e ve r l as ti n g co n te mpt i n vo l ve s th e co n
t i n u e d co n sci o u s e xi ste n ce o f th o se wh o ar e th e r e ci pi e n ts o f
th e co n te mpt r e f e r r e d to . Bu t th e e pi th e t e ve r l as ti n g i s n o t
a ppl i e d to th e wo r d s h ame (abh o r r e n ce , R.V., mar gi n )
th e same He br e w deraon u se d i n Isai ah 66:24 i n r e f e r r i n g to
th e co r pse s o f th e sl ai n t h a t l i e u n bu r i e d . Deraon me an s an
o bje ct o f a bh o r r e n ce . He n ce i t i s n o t t h e su bje cti ve co n sci o u s
ness o f th e gu i l ty, bu t th e o bje cti ve abh o r r e n ce i n wh i ch t h e i r
me mo r y i s h e l d bv o th e r s, t h a t i s d e cl ar e d to be e ve r l as ti n g
(cf . J e r . 20:11, R.V.; 23:40).
5. C o n c l u s i o n : C o n t e n t i o n s o f T h r e e C i t a t i o n s C o l -
l a ps e . T h e s e ar e th e sto ck Ol d T e s ta me n t passages f r e qu e n tl y
ci te d i n s u ppo r t o f th e Pl ato n i c po s tu l ate o f th e Ete r n a l T o r
me n t o f th e wi cke d . Bu t su ch an i n te r pr e ta t i o n i s i n d i r e ct co n-
f l i ct wi th t h e pr o ph e t s o wn po s i ti o n a n d te s ti mo n y e l se wh e r e .
Fu r th e r mo r e , th e se th r e e te xts ar e d e cl ar e d by man y o f th e \ </
mo st co mpe te n t Bi bl e sch o l ar s to h ave n o r e l e van cy to a su p-i
po se d u n e n d i n g to r me n t.
Obvi o u sl y, th e y ar e th e o l o gi zi n g h an d -d o wn s f r o m Ne o -
pl ato n i c C h r i s ti an ph i l o s o ph e r s o f th e t h i r d a n d f o u r t h ce n
t u r i e s. T h e y came f r o m me n ste e pe d i n th e th e o r y o f th e u n i
ve r sal , I n n a t e I mmo r ta l i ty o f th e so u l , a n d i ts co r r e s po n d i n g
co r o l l ar y, th e Ete r n a l T o r me n t o f th e wi cke d . T h e y ar e u n
wo r th y o f val i d C h r i s ti an e xegesi s. Al l th r e e co n te n ti o n s co l
l apse u n d e r scr u ti n y.
C H A P T E R E I G H T
Pr o ph e ti c Wi tness C oncerni ng th e
Last T h i ngs
I. T h e T wo Advents Fo cal Po i n ts o f Al l Pr o ph ecy
I t h as be e n we l l sai d t h a t e sch ato l o gy i s th e cr o wn , o r
caps to n e , i n th e e d i f i ce o f syste mati c r e l i gi o u s t h o u gh t. I t sys
te mati ze s, i n l o gi cal se qu e n ce a n d r e l ati o n s h i p, th e r e ve al e d
f acts r e ga r d i n g th e pr o ph e ti cal l y h e r al d e d l ast days, so as to syn
th e si ze th e te xtu a l e vi d e n ce a n d r e so l ve se e mi n g co n tr ad i cti o n s ,
as we l l as to syste mati ze an d co o r d i n ate th e vast ar r ay o f pe r t i
n e n t e vi d e n ce .
1. M a s t e r K e y t o M a n s D e s t i n y .T r u e e sch ato l o gy, o r
th e d o ctr i n e o f th e l ast th i n gs , th e r e by becomes the master key
that unlocks the problem of the origin, nature, and destiny of
man, dealing especially with the climactic finale of human his
tory and destiny. Fo r o u r pu r po se h e r e , eschatology 1may t h e r e
f o r e be d e f i n e d as t h a t su bd i vi s i o n o f syste mati c th e o l o gy th a t
tr e ats o f th e l ast days, o r ti me o f th e e n d , pr e ce d i n g an d l e ad
i n g u p to th e actu al e n d o f th e age , o r wo r l d , th e gr e at d ay
o f th e L o r d . I t cu l mi n ate s i n th e Se co n d Ad ve n t a n d r e s u r r e c
ti o n , th e f i n al ju d gme n t, th e f u tu r e l i f e , an d th u s th e f i n al
d e s ti n y o f al l man ki n d , go o d an d e vi l a n d th e f i n al d i spo si
ti o n o f Satan a n d si n .
2. I s s u es o f T i m e a n d E t e r n i t y . T i me may we l l be
te r me d t h a t po r ti o n o f e te r n i ty mar ke d o f f f o r th e r e d e mpti o n
1I n th e o l o gi cal pa r l a n ce , eschatology (th e d o ct r i n e o f t h e l a s t th i n gs ) i s h e r e u s e d i n
co n t r a s t wi t h anthropology (t h e d o ct r i n e o f t h e o r i gi n a n d d e s ti n y o f ma n ), a n d soteriology
(t h e pl a n o f Go d i n r e f e r e n ce to t h e s a l va ti o n o f ma n ).
122
PROPHET I C WI T NESS C ONC ERNI NG T HE LAST T HI NGS 123
o f a l o st r ace , r u i n e d as we h ave se e n by th e tr age d y o f si n .
Hi s to r y tr ace s th e tr an sacti o n s o f ti me . An d ti me h as be e n
co mpasse d agai n a n d agai n i n Bi bl e pr o ph e cy, po r tr ayi n g th e
tr an s ce n d e n t d e ve l o pme n ts i n th e car r yi n g o u t o f Go d s gr e at
r e d e mpti ve pr o vi si o n s o f th e d i vi n e pl an o f th e ages.
T h e apo stl e Pe te r d e pi cts pr o ph e cy i n th e se wo r d s:
Fo r th e pr o ph e cy came n o t i n o l d ti me by th e wi l l o f man :
bu t h o l y me n o f Go d spake as th e y we r e mo ve d by th e Ho l y
Gh o s t (2 Pe te r 1:21). An d f u r th e r : We h ave al so a mo r e su r e
wo r d o f pr o ph e cy; wh e r e u n to ye d o we l l th at ye take h e e d , as
u n to a l i gh t th at s h i n e th i n a d ar k pl ace , u n t i l th e d ay d awn ,
an d th e d ay star ar i se i n yo u r h e a r ts (v. 19).
3. K ey t o D i v i n e M o v e me n t s o f t h e A g e s .T h e j a v o
gr e at ar e as o f jpjr o ph e cy as co n ce r n s th e Re d e e me r , Pe te r d e
cl ar e s, i n vo l ve d th e te sti f yi n g be f o r e h an d th e su f f e r i n gs o f
C h r i s t [pr e d i cti o n s o f th e f i r st ad ve n t], a n d th e gl o r y t h a t
s h o u l d f o l l o wpr o ph e ci e s o f th e Se co n d Ad ve n t a n d t h e co n
su mma ti o n o f th e pl an o f r e d e mpti o n f l Pe te r 1:10. I D.
T h e r e f o r e th e two j>e apJ qcal po i n ts o f pr o ph e cy ar e th e f i r st
an d se co n d ad ve n tswi th tKeT a tte r i n gl o r y an d maje sty at
th e l ast d ay. So th e twi n a n d i n s e par abl e ce n te r s o f Bi bl e
pr o ph e cy ar e t h e tr an sce n d e n ce o f th e cro ss an d th e t r i u mph a n t
r e t u r n o f th e Re d e e me r .
I n d e e d , Go d s pl an o f r e d e mpti o n can n o t be co mpl e te d
a pa r t f r o m th e se co n d co mi n g o f C h r i s t an d th e e ve n ts co n
n e cte d th e r e wi th . T h e Se co n d Ad ve n t i s t i e d i n wi th th e f i r st
as th e n e ce ssar y a n d co mpl e me n tal pa r t o f th e same d i vi n e
pr o vi si o n f o r t h e r e d e mpti o n o f man . I t i s th e l ast, o r co n s u m
mati n g, ph ase o f Hi s o r i gi n al co mi n g i n th e f l esh . T h e i n car
n a t e, cr u ci f i e d , r i s e n , gl o r i f i e d Re d e e me r wi l l assu r e d l y co me
agai n . T h u s th e u n i ty an d co o r d i n a ti o n o f th e pl an o f sal va
ti o n i s d i scl o se d as co mpl e te an d h ar mo n i o u s .
4. O n l y T r u e P h i l o s o ph y o f H i s t o r y . On ce th e t r a n
sce n d e n t t r u t h o f t h e two co o r d i n ate a n d co n se cu ti ve ad ve n ts
i s gr aspe d , o n e possesses th e ke y to th e d i vi n e mo ve me n ts o f
HARRY ANDERSON, ARTIST 1 9 5 8 BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD
As T h e r e Was Li f e i n a Lo o k f o r th e Se r pe n t-smi tte n Isr ae l i te s, So T h e r e Is
Li f e i n th e Lo o k o f Fai th at C h r i st, Wh o Was Li f te d Up at C al var y f o r Si n-
smi tte n Hu man i ty.
th e agespast, pr e s e n t, a n d f u tu r e . He h as th e o n l y t r u e
ph i l o s o ph y o f h i sto r y, f o r a r o u n d th e se two ad ve n ts r e vo l ve th e
i ssues o f ti me a n d e te r n i t y. Bu t th e cl i max o f th e pl an o f r e
d e mpti o n , wi th i ts gl o r i o u s co n s u mmati o n , i s pr e ce d e d by an
u n f o l d i n g s e qu e n ce o f mi gh ty e po ch s a n d e ve n ts, po r tr aye d
ste p by ste p i n Ol d T e s ta me n t pr o ph e cy. T h i s r e l a ti o n s h i p o f
pa r t to pa r t i s d i scl o se d t h r o u gh th e gr e at o u t l i n e pr o ph e ci e s
o f Dan i e l . Bu t t h e se al l t e r mi n a t e i n th e f i n al ph ase o f th e r e
d e mpti ve pl an o f th e ages, as al l h i sto r y mo ve s i r r e si s ti bl y o n
to th e f i n al , tr a n s ce n d e n t e ve n ts pr e d i cte d by man y i n s pi r e d
pe n me n o f o l d .
So th e ce n tr al th e me o f pr o ph e cy al l th e way f r o m Ge n e si s
to Mal ach i a n d o n t h r o u gh to th e Re ve l ati o n i s th e u n f o l d -
124
PROPHET I C WIT NESS C ONC ERNI NG T HE LAST T HI NGS 125
i n g sto r y o f th e r e d e mpti o n o f l o st ma n . T h a t i s i ts l o f ty pu r
po se . Fr o m th e f i r st wh i spe r o f h o pe i n Ed e n to th e l ast pae an o f
t r i u mph i n th e Apo cal ypse , th e r e s to r a ti o n o f th e i mage o f Go d
i n th e so u l i s th e d o mi n a n t n o te o f i n spi r e d r e ve l ati o n . Pr o ph
ecy pr e se n ts th e f u l l swe e p o f th i s gl o r i o u s pl an o f r e d e mpti o n .
An d e sch ato l o gy d e al s wi th th e l ast po r ti o n th e r e o f .
I I . Ou tl i n e Pr o ph eci es Mar k Ou t Hi gh way o f th e C e ntur i e s
T h e o u tl i n e pr o ph e ci e s o f t h e Ol d T e s ta me n t ar e mo st
co mpl e te l y pr e se n te d by th e pr o ph e t Dan i e l . T h e s e se t f o r th a
co n ti n u o u s se qu e n ce o f e po ch s, as we l l as majo r e ve n ts, s pan
n i n g th e ce n tu r i e s f r o m th e ti me o f Dan i e l o n war d an d r e ach
i n g to th e cl i max o f th e ages. I n te r wo ve n i n to th e se o u tl i n e
co ve r age s ar e th e gr e at pr o ph e ti c ti me pe r i o dsth e 70 we e ks,
th e 1260, 1290, 1335, a n d 2300 year-dayswh i ch ar e co n ce r n e d
wi th th e speci f i c e ve n ts, e po ch s, an d acti vi ti e s. An d th e se , i n
co mbi n ati o n , co n s ti tu te th e inspired timetable of the cen
turies.2
1. C o n t i n u i t y , C o m p r e h e n s i v e n e s s , a n d R e p e t i t i o n .
T h e ch ar acte r i s ti cs o f Da n i e l s o u tl i n e pr o ph e ci e s ar e co n ti
n u i t y, co mpr e h e n s i veness, an d th e principle of repetitionas
th e pr o ph e t f o u r ti me s co ve r s th e gr an d o u tl i n e , r e pe ati n g f o r
e mph asi s a n d ampl i f i cati o n , a n d e s tabl i s h i n g be yo n d al l qu e s
ti o n t h e l an d mar ks mappi n g o u t th e h i gh way o f th e ce n tu r i e s .
T h e e s tabl i s h me n t o f th e e te r n al ki n gd o m o f Go d i s th e t e r mi
n u s i n e ach u n f o l d me n t, wh e n al l e ar th l y d o mi n i o n s ar e s u pe r
se d e d by th e e te r n al ki n gd o m o f Go d , wi th th e r e d e e me d
sai n ts as i ts ci ti ze n s f o r e ve r mo r e .
T h e s e l o n g-r an ge o u tl i n e pr o ph e ci e s, e xte n d i n g to th e
e n d o f th e age, th e r e f o r e i n vo l ve i n t h e i r cl o si n g se cti o n s
th e var i o u s aspects o f eschatologye mph asi zi n g th e l ast
th i n gs, a n d spe ci f i cal l y th e cl i macti c cl o se o f th e age, i n vo l v
i n g th e Se co n d Ad ve n t, r e s u r r e cti o n , ju d gme n t, e s tabl i s h me n t
2 Fo r d o cu me n te d e vi d e n ce se e L . E. Fr o o m, Th e Prophetic Faith o f Our Fathers,
4 vo l u me s .
T h e Me tal l i c Image o f a Man, Symbo l i zi ng T h e Ki ngdo ms o f Man Wi l l Be Sh atte r e d by
th e Sequence o f Nati o n s Fr o m th e Pr o ph e t th e Sto ne Symbo l o f th e Ki n gd o m o f God,
Dan i e l s Day, Le ads o n to th e Last Days o f Soon to En d th e Re i gn o f Si n, T e r r o r , an d
Desti ny a t th e Wo r l d s En d . De ath Fo rever .
RUSSELL HARLAN, ARTIST
PAUL REMMEY, ARTI ST
o f th e e ve r l as ti n g ki n d go m, th e f u tu r e r e war d s o f th e r i gh t
e o us, an d th e f i n al d e s tr u cti o n o f th e wi cke d . Scr u ti n y o f th e
t e r mi n al se cti o n s o f Da n i e l s mu l ti pl e pr o ph e ci e s i s th e r e f o r e
e sse n ti al to o u r qu e st.
2. D e s t i n y o f W o r l d P o w er s o f H i s t o r y P o r t r a y ed .
T h e symbo l i sm o f th e ' gr e at me tal l i c i mage o f Dan i e l 2, r e c
o gn i ze d as co n s ti tu ti n g th e ABC o f al l o u t l i n e pr o ph e cy, pr e
se n ts th e f ar -r e ach i n g vi sta o f th e l i f e span an d d e sti n y o f th e
gr e at wo r l d po we r s o f h i sto r y, a n d l i f ts th e ve i l o n th e d e e p
a n d se cr e t th i n gs (v. 22)pa r ti cu l ar l y as to wh at sh al l be
i n th e latter days (vs. 28, 29).
126
A h u ge symbo l i c co l o ssus o f a man , co mpr i se d o f go l d ,
si l ve r , br o n ze , i r o n , an d cl ay, i s su cce e d e d by a mysti c sto n e th at
smi te s th e i mage o n th e f e e t, gr i n d i n g th e e n ti r e i mage
to po wd e r , a n d be co mi n g a mo u n ta i n wh i ch f i l l s th e
wh o l e e ar th . T h e s e f o u r co n se cu ti ve me tal s symbo l i cal l y po r
tr ay th e co u r se o f wo r l d e mpi r e s u n t i l th e s h a tte r i n g sto n e ,
r e pr e s e n ti n g th e ki n gd o m o f Go d , e n d s ma n s r u l e an d make s
way f o r Go d s e te r n al ki n gd o m. I t pr e se n ts th e vast swe e p
o f th e ages.
3. C o u r s e o f E mpi r e G i v es W a y t o G o d s K i n g d o m.
T h e n , pa r a l l e l i n g th i s symbo l i sm o f Dan i e l 2, co me t h e f o u r
symbo l i c be asts i n Dan i e l 7, r i s i n g i n su cce ssi o n o u t o f th e sea
o f n a ti o n s th e Babyl o n i an l i o n , Pe r si an be ar , Gr e ci an l e o par d ,
a n d Ro man n o n d e s cr i pt be ast (th e same f o u r wo r l d po we r s)
f o l l o we d by a mu l t i pl e -ki n gd o m pe r i o d , i n wh i ch we n o w
l i ve . T h e n i s to f o l l o w th e e s tabl i s h me n t o f th e ki n gd o m o f
Go d .
So th e s ci n ti l l a ti n g me tal i mage a n d pu l ve r i zi n g sto n e (ch ap.
2), th e wi l d be asts r i s i n g f r o m th e sea (ch ap. 7), a n d t h e ba t
t l i n g r am a n d th e s pe e d i n g h e -go at cl ash i n g i n ch a pte r 8, a l l po r
tr ay th e r i se a n d f al l o f th e se gr e at n ati o n s o f th e past, i n Go d s
ch a r te d co u r se o f e mpi r e , a n d th e i r f i n al te r mi n u s .
T h u s wh i l e th e r e i s a d i s ti n ct e sch ato l o gi cal e mph asi s r u n
n i n g al l th r o u gh th e Ol d T e s ta me n t pr o ph e ts , Dan i e l n o t o n l y
pr e se n ts th e al l -e n co mpassi n g o u tl i n e o f th e majo r e po ch s o f
h i sto r y bu t gi ves th e mo st co mpl e te an d co mpr e h e n s i ve h e r a l d
i n g o f th e ti me o f th e e n d , l e ad i n g to th e ti me o f th e r e s u r
r e cti o n o f th e r i gh te o u s, th e e s tabl i s h me n t o f th e e te r n al ki n g
d o m o f Go d , an d th e f i n al d e s tr u cti o n o f th e wi cke d .
4. No w L i v i n g i n T i me o f E n d .T h e i d e n ti ty o f Dan
i e l s f o u r wo r l d po we r sBabyl o n , Me d o -Pe r si a, Gr e e ce , an d
Ro me i n th e gr an d o u tl i n e , wi th Ro me , th e f o u r th e mpi r e , d i
vi d e d i n to te n majo r d i vi si o n si s atte s te d by h u n d r e d s o f
l e ad i n g sch o l ar s o f al l f ai th s acro ss th e ce n tu r i e s . I t i s si gn i f i can t
th a t th e r e was wi d e spr e ad r e co gn i ti o n i n th e e ar l y d e cad e s o f
128
C ONDI T I ONALIST FAI T H
th e n i n e t e e n t h ce n tu r y o f th e f act th a t ma n ki n d h as n o w e n
te r e d th e pr o ph e s i e d ti me o f th e e n d . *
T h e e vi d e n ce i s so o ve r wh e l mi n g an d so we l l e stabl i sh e d
atte s te d by me n o f so man y l an d s an d man y f ai th st h a t i t
can n o t be br u s h e d of f as si mpl y vi si o n ar y spe cu l ati o n . T h e r e
h as be e n a f u n d ame n tal u n d e r s ta n d i n g ste mmi n g f r o m th e
pr o ph e ti c bo o ks o f th e Ol d a n d Ne w T e s tame n ts , base d u po n
th e se u n mi s takabl e pr e d i cti o n s o f th e pr o ph e ts o f o l d .
5. Su b l i mi t y o f R e v e l a t i o n Su r pa s s es H u ma n C o mpr e
h e n s i o n .T h e s u bl i mi ty o f th e scenes pr e s e n te d by th e
pr o ph e t Dan i e l su r passe s h u man co mpr e h e n s i o n . T h e s e scenes
di scl o se th e pl an s a n d pu r po se s o f Go d f o r e n d i n g th e tr agi c
i n n o vati o n o f si n , f o r r e co gn i zi n g an d r e war d i n g th e ch ar acte r s
t h a t wi l l s tan d t h r o u gh o u t e te r n i ty, t h a t wi l l pu t an e n d to
th e a u th o r o f si n , qu as h f o r e ve r h i s l i e i n Ed e n , an d te r mi n a te
h i s d e ce pti o n o f th e h u man r ace .
T h i s d i vi n e pl an o f r e d e mpti o n , as h e r e o u tl i n e d , e xe mpl i
f i es th e wi sd o m a n d l o ve o f Go d , a n d i s i mpe r ati ve f o r th e r e
co ve r y o f l o st man . I t co n s ti tu te s Go d s match l e ss s o l u ti o n f o r
t h e si n pr o bl e m. I n i t ju sti ce a n d me r cy me e t, a n d e ve r l as ti n g
r i gh te o u sn e ss an d pe ace ar e e s tabl i s h ed.
He r e agai n th e two ad ve n ts co n s ti tu te th e essence o f th e
po r tr ayal . Fo r as su r e l y as th e i n ca r n ati o n l e d to th e cro ss, t h e
cro ss to t h e to mb, an d th e e mpty _to mb t o th e th r o n e , so
su r e l y d o th e mi n i s tr a t i o n be f o r e th e th r o n e a n d th e ju d gme n t
sce n e s l e ad to C h r i s ts co mi n g agai n i n gl o r y a n d th e e s tabl i s h
me n t o f Hi s e te r n al ki n gd o m.
T h i s d i vi n e po r tr ayal an d pr o vi si o n to u ch e s th e d e e pe st
d e pth s a n d r e ach e s th e h i gh e st h e i gh ts i n th e wh o l e r an ge o f
h u man co n te mpl a ti o n o f ma n s si n an d Go d s r e d e mpti ve r e m-
3 Be gi n n i n g a t t h e o u ts e t o f t h e n i n e t e e n t h ce n t u r y, sco r e s o f r e l i gi o u s l e ad e r s o f al l
f a i t h s o n bo t h si d e s o f t h e A t l a n t i c a n d i n d e pe n d e n t l y o f o n e a n o t h e r be ga n to d e cl a r e t h e i r
co mmo n co n vi cti o n t h a t ma n ki n d h a d e n t e r e d t h e f a t e f u l t i me o f t h e e n d , o r l a t t e r d a ys ,
o r e po ch o f t h e l as t th i n gs , r e pe a t e d l y f o r e t o l d by Ol d T e s t a me n t pr o ph e t a n d Ne w T e s t a me n t
apo s tl e . I n t h e co u r s e o f t h e ce n t u r y, t h a t co n vi cti o n be ca me wo r l d wi d e amo n g co n s pi cu o u s s t u
d e n t s o f pr o ph e cy i n al l f a i th s , u n t i l t h e be l i e f i s n o w wi d e s pr e a d t h a t t h e s e co n d co mi n g o f
C h r i s t , wi t h al l i ts co n cu r r e n t e ve n ts a n d i n vo l ve me n ts , i s d r a wi n g n e a r . Fu l l d o cu me n t e d
d i scu s s i o n a ppe a r s i n L . E. Fr o o m, T h e Prophetic Faith o f Our Fathers, vo l s. 3 a n d 4.
HERBERT RUOEEN, ART IST 1 9 5 5 BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD
T h e Fi n al Eve n t i n Hu man Hi sto r y Is th e Wo r l d -sh atte r i n g Seco nd Ad ve n t
Wi th Its Re su r r e cti o n an d Besto wal o f Immo r tal i ty Upo n th e Ri gh te o u s.
e dyma n s t o ta l r u i n by s i n be i n g me t by Go d s co mpl e te sal
vati o n i n C h r i st. I t co n s ti tu te s, we r e pe at, th e o n l y t r u e ph i l o s
o ph y o f h i sto r y. I n d e e d , th e r e i s n o t h i n g mo r e pr o f o u n d i n
t h e wh o l e r an ge o f h u ma n d e s ti n y t h a n ma n s f o r t u n e a n d f ate
i n t h e h an d s o f d i vi n e pu r po se a n d po we r , n o w o n i ts way to
co n s u mmati o n .
As state d , i t co mpasse s th e wh o l e o f ti me th a t po r ti o n o f
e te r n i ty mar ke d of f f o r th e r e d e mpti o n o f a l o st r ace . I t co n
s ti tu te s th e u l ti ma te i n d i vi n e r e ve l ati o n a n d r e d e mpti ve
ach i e ve me n t. Go d i s h o l y a n d r i gh te o u s , an d can n o t co n d o n e
si n . Ne i th e r can He i gn o r e si n . He mu s t th e r e f o r e ju d ge si n ,
a n d pr o pi t i a t i o n mu s t be mad e i n o r d e r to save man . An d t h a t
ve r y act o f e xpi ati o n , by C h r i st, r e co n ci l e s man to Go d . T h u s ^
l o st man i s r e s to r e d to h i s l o st e state .
5
129
I I I . Si gni f i cance o f Day o f th e Lo r d an d C o gnate T e r ms
1. T r a n s c en d en t D a y o f t h e L o r d . T h e r e ar e sev
e r al s i mi l ar te r ms o f i n cr e asi n g i n te n s i ty th a t appe ar i n th e
wr i ti n gs o f th e Ol d T e s ta me n t pr o ph e ts . T h e s e ar e : T h e d ay
(Mai . 4:1); l atte r d ay (J o b 19:25); d ay o f th e L o r d (Isa.
2:12; 13:6, 9; Eze. 30:3; J o e l 2:11; Amo s 5:18; Zech . 14:
1); d ay o f h i s co mi n g (Mai . 3:2); gr e at d ay o f th e L o r d
(Ze ph . 1:14); gr e at an d th e t e r r i bl e d ay o f th e L o r d (J o e l
2:31); gr e at an d d r e ad f u l d ay o f th e L o r d (Mai . 4:5);
d ay o f th e L o r d s an ge r (Ze ph . 2:2, 3); d ay o f th e L o r d s
wr a th (Ze ph . 1:18). J o b an d Dan i e l bo th r e f e r to th e l atte r
d ays (J o b 19:25; Dan . 2:28; 10:14), a n d Dan i e l al l u d e s to th e
co mi n g ti me o f th e e n d (Dan . 8:17; 11:35, 40; 12:9)/
an d to th e ti me o f t r o u bl e (Dan . 12:1). He r e ar e two e x
ampl e s:
T h a t d ay i s a day o f wr ath , a d ay o f tr o u bl e an d di str ess, a d ay o f
wastene ss an d d e so l ati o n , a d ay o f d ar kn e ss a n d gl o o mi ness, a d ay o f
cl o u d s an d th i ck d ar kn e ss, a d ay o f th e tr u mpe t an d al ar m agai n st th e
f e n ce d ci ti es, an d agai n st th e h i gh to wer s. An d I wi l l br i n g d i str e ss u po n
me n , th a t th e y sh al l wal k l i ke bl i n d me n , be cau se th e y h ave si n n e d agai n st
th e Lo r d : an d th e i r bl o o d sh al l be po u r e d o u t as d u st, an d th e i r f l esh as
th e d u n g. Ne i th e r th e i r si l ver n o r th e i r go l d sh al l be abl e to d e l i ve r th e m
i n th e day o f th e Lo r d s wr ath ; bu t th e wh o l e l an d sh al l be d e vo u r e d by
th e f i re o f h i s je al o u sy: f o r h e sh al l make e ve n a spe edy r i d d an ce o f al l
th e m th at d we l l i n th e l a n d (Ze ph . 1:15-18).
An d th e r e sh al l be a ti me o f tr o u bl e , su ch as n e ve r was si nce th e r e
was a n ati o n e ve n to th a t same ti me : an d at th a t ti me th y pe o pl e sh al l
be d e l i ve r e d , e ve r y o n e th a t sh al l be f o u n d wr i tte n i n th e bo o k (Dan . 12:1).
2. Se c o n d A d v en t t o T e r mi n a t e L a t t e r D a y s . T h e
Ol d T e s ta me n t i s r e pl e te wi th pr o ph e ci e s o f th e Se co n d Ad ve n t
an d i ts a tt e n d a n t e ve n ts. Fr o m En o ch to Mal ach i , th e pr o ph e ts
gr aph i cal l y f o r e to l d C h r i s ts co mi n g i n po we r a n d gl o r y to
br i n g sal vati o n a n d to e xe cu te ju d gme n t. T h e Ad ve n t was to al l
th e h o pe o f al l age s, th e d e si r e o f al l s ai n ts .^J f ob e xpe cte d h i s
Re d e e me r to stan d o n th e e a r th at th e l a tte r d ay. T h e n f o l
l o w th e h o l y h o pe s o f o th e r s:
T h e Ne w T e s t a me n t wr i te r s u s u al l y r e f e r to th i s pe r i o d as t h e l a t t e r t i me s (1 T i m.
4:1), l a s t d ays (2 T i m. 3:1), o r e qu i va l e n t ph r as e s .
CLYDE PROVONSHA, ARTIST 1 9 4 8 BY THE SOUTHERN PUBLISHING ASSN.
T r an sce n d e n t, Awesome Gl o ry Wi l l Mar k C h r i s ts Re
tu r n to Ear th to C o n su mmate th e Pl an o f Re d e mpti o n .
T h e n Wi l l Ou r Immo r tal i ty Be Besto wed.
Fo r I kn o w th a t my r e d e e me r l i ve th , an d th a t h e sh al l stand at the
latter day upon the earth: an d th o u gh af te r my ski n wo r ms d e str o y th i s
bo d y, ye t i n my f l esh sh al l I see Go d : wh o m I sh al l see f o r mysel f , an d
mi n e eyes sh al l be h o l d , an d n o t a n o t h e r (J o b 19:25-27).
"Ou r God shall come, an d sh al l n o t ke e p si l e n ce : a f i re sh al l d e vo u r
be f o r e h i m, an d i t sh al l be ver y te mpe stu o u s r o u n d abo u t h i m. He sh al l
cal l to th e h e ave n s f r o m abo ve , an d to th e e ar th , t h a t h e may ju d ge h i s
pe o pl e . Gath e r my sai n ts to ge th e r u n to me ; th o se t h a t h ave mad e a co ve
n a n t wi th me by sacr i f i ce (Ps. 50:3-5).
"Fo r he cometh to judge the earth: h e sh al l ju d ge th e wo r l d wi th
r i gh te o u sn e ss, an d th e pe o pl e wi th h i s t r u t h (Ps. 96:13).
Be h o l d , th e Lo r d h ath pr o cl ai me d u n to th e e n d o f th e wo r l d , Say
ye to th e d au gh te r o f Zi o n, Be h o l d , thy salvation cometh; be h o l d , h i s r e war d
i s wi th h i m, an d h i s wo r k be f o r e h i m (Isa. 62:11).
An d I wi l l sh ake al l n ati o n s, a n d the desire of all nations shall come:
an d I wi l l f i l l th i s h o u se wi th gl o r y, sai th th e Lo r d o f h o sts (Haggai 2:7).
An d the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to h i s te mpl e , e ve n
th e me sse n ge r o f th e co ve n an t, wh o m ye d e l i gh t i n : be h o l d , he shall come,
sai th th e Lo r d o f h o sts. Bu t wh o may abi d e th e d ay o f h i s co mi ng? an d
wh o sh al l stan d wh e n h e appe ar e th ? f o r h e i s l i ke a r e f i n e r s f i re, an d l i ke
f u l l e r s' so ap: an d h e sh al l si t as a r e f i n e r an d pu r i f i e r o f si l ve r (Mai . 3:1-3).
An d as r e co r d e d i n th e Ne w T e s tame n t:
En o ch al so , th e se ve n th f r o m Ad am, pr o ph e si e d o f th ese, sayi ng,
Be h o l d , th e Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to e xe cu te
ju d gme n t u po n a l l u n go d l y si n n e r s an d br i n g sal vati o n to Hi s sai n ts
(J u d e 14, 15).
An d as En o ch was tr an s l ate d th at h e s h o u l d n o t see
d e a th (He b. 11:5; Ge n . 5:24), a n d th e r e f o r e l i ve s to d ayi n
He ave n abo ve wi th h i s C r e ato r an d Re d e e me r i t f o l l o ws
t h a t the first preacher, or prophet, of the Second Advent is still
living!
3. R es u r r e c t i o n I s C l i ma c t i c F ea t u r e o f A d v e n t . A
sco r e o f var i e d e xpr e ssi o n s ar e u se d , al l me an i n g th e same
th i n g, to i n d i cate bo d i l y r e s u r r e cti o n f r o m th e gr ave , l i vi n g
agai n a t th e co mi n g an d cal l o f th e Li f e -gi ve r . He r e ar e th e
key wo r d s i n t h e i r var i o u s e xpr e ssi o n s:
Awake (J o b 14:12).
Awake, wi th th y l i ke n e ss (Ps. 17:15).
"Be h o l d th y f ace i n r i gh te o u sn e ss (Ps. 17:15).
Ar i se (Isa. 26:19).
Rai se d o u t o f th e i r sl e e p (J o b 14:12).
FRANKLIN BOOTH, ARTIST 1 9 4 4 BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD
T h e En d o f T i me Impe n d sth e C l i max o f th e Ages, th e En d o f Si n an d De ath ,
th e Besto wal o f Li f e, an d Be gi n n i n g o f Ete r n i ty.
I n my f l esh sh al l I see Go d (J o b 19:26).
Re me mbe r e d (J o b 24:20).
My ch an ge co me (J o b 14:14).
T h y d e ad me n sh al l l i ve (Isa. 26:19).
T o ge th e r wi th my d e ad bo d y sh al l th e y ar i se (Isa. 26:19).
Li ve agai n (J o b 14:14).
T h o u s h al t cal l , an d I wi l l an swe r th e e (J o b 14:15).
133
Re d e e m . . . f r o m th e po we r o f th e gr ave (Ps. 49:15).
Swal l o w u p d e ath i n vi cto r y (Isa. 25:8).
Pu t my s pi r i t i n yo u, an d ye sh al l l i ve (Eze. 37:14).
T h e y l i ve d , a n d sto o d u p (Eze. 37:10).
Sh al l awake (Dan . 12:2).
Ran so m th e m f r o m th e po we r o f th e gr ave an d r e d e e m th e m
f r o m d e a th (Ho se a 13:14).
4. E t e r n a l R e s t o r a t i o n I s R e w a r d o f R i gh t e o u s .
T h e l o st Par ad i se wi l l be r e s to r e d an d i mmo r tal i ty co n f e r r e d
an d e n d l e ss jo y an d pe ace wi l l be th e r e war d o f th e r i gh te o u s
f o r e ve r mo r e :
Fo r as th e n e w h e ave n s an d th e n e w e ar th , wh i ch I wi l l make , sh al l
r e mai n be f o r e me , sai th th e Lo r d , so shall your seed and your name
remain" (Isa. 66:22).
Bu t th e sai n ts o f th e mo st Hi gh shall take the kingdom, and possess
the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever (Dan . 7:18).
An d the kingdom and dominion, an d th e gr e atn e ss o f th e ki n gd o m
u n d e r th e wh o l e h e ave n , shall be given to the people of the saints of the
most High, wh o se ki n gd o m i s an everlasting kingdom, an d al l d o mi n i o n s
sh al l ser ve an d o be y h i m (v. 27).
T h o s e th a t wai t u po n th e Lo r d , th e y shall inherit the earth. . . . Bu t
th e me e k shall inherit the earth; an d sh al l d e l i gh t th e mse l ve s i n th e
abu n d an ce o f pe ace (Ps. 37:9-11).
I n th y pr e se n ce i s f ul ness o f jo y; at thy right hand there are pleasures
for evermore" (Ps. 16:11).
5. W i c k e d t o R e c e i v e P u n i t i v e D e s t r u c t i o n .Man y
te r ms ar e e mpl o ye d to spe ci f y th e u l ti ma te a n d u t t e r d e s tr u c
ti o n o f th e wi cke d i n vo l vi n g co mpl e te ce ssati o n o f be i n g, be
co mi n g as th o u gh th e y h ad n o t be e n . T h e l e ad i n g e xpr e ssi o n s
ar e :
Bu r n th e m u p (Mai . 4:1).
De str o ye d (Ps. 37:38); wi cke d wi l l h e d e str o y (Ps. 145:20).
C o n su me , co n su me away (Ps. 37:20).
Pe r i s h (Ps. 37:20; 68:2).
C u t of f (Ps. 37:22, 34; 94:23).
No t be (Ps. 37:10, 36).
T h e y sh al l be ash e s (Mai . 4:3).
Li ke th e ch af f . . . th e wi n d car r i e d th e m away (Dan . 2:35).
T h e co mpl e te n e ss o f th e Ol d T e s ta me n t pi ctu r e i s i m
pr e ssi ve . A tr e me n d o u s po r tr ayal o f th e pl an o f Go d i s
pr e s e n te d .
IV. So l emn Pro cessi o n o f Pr o ph e ti c Wi tnesses T e sti f y
1. P a n o r a mi c Su r v ey o f O l d T e s t a me n t W i t n es s es .
As we h ave al r e ad y o bse r ve d , th e pr o ph e s i e d ti me o f th e e n d
(Dan . 8:17, 19), cl i maxi n g wi th th e d ay o f th e L o r d , i s t h a t
f i nal se gme n t o f ti me l e ad i n g u p to an d te r mi n a ti n g wi th th e
e n d th e e n d o f th e age, o r pr e s e n t wo r l d o r d e r . I t t h e r e
f o r e l e ad s to an d th r o u gh th e ti me o f Go d s ju d gme n ts , th e
cl o se o f h u ma n pr o bati o n , th e Se co n d Ad ve n t an d r e s u r r e cti o n ,
th e f i nal r e war d s an d pu n i s h me n ts , th e co n f e r r i n g o f th e co ve
n a n te d i mmo r ta l i ty u po n th e r i gh te o u s, a n d th e u t te r d e s tr u c
ti o n a n d d i s s o l u ti o n o f si n n e r s f o r e ve r mo r e an d th u s th e e n d
i n g o f th e si n pr o bl e m.
A sco r e o f Ol d T e s ta me n t pr o ph e ts pr o cl ai m th e co mi n g
o f th e d ay o f th e L o r d wi th al l o f i ts i n vo l ve me n ts e m
br aci n g th e e te r n al o ve r th r o w o f wi cke d n e ss an d th e e ve r l ast
i n g e s tabl i s h me n t o f r i gh te o u sn e ss. T h e r e ar e a bo u t e i gh t
cate go r i e s o f f r e qu e n tl y r e i te r a te d e ve n ts th a t ar e str e sse d :
(1) T h e co mi n g o f th e Lo r d i n po we r a n d gl o r y, (2) th e
r e s u r r e cti o n o f th e r i gh te o u s, (3) th e co n vu l si o n s o f n a tu r e ,
(4) th e a t t e n d a n t f i r e an d d e s tr u cti o n , (5) th e r e s u l ta n t d e so
l ati o n , (6) th e ju d gme n t an d pu n i s h me n t f o r si n , (7) th e
ki n gd o m o f bl e sse d n e ss; a n d (8) th e n e w h e ave n s a n d th e n e w
e ar th . T h i s s e qu e n ce o f tr e me n d o u s e ve n ts o f co u r se i n vo l ve s
d i vi n e i n te r po s i ti o n i n th e af f ai r s o f man ki n d an d th e ph ysi cal
wo r l d .
I t may we l l be n o te d th a t man y o f th e ch ar acte r i s ti c Ne w
T e s ta me n t e xpr e ssi o n s i n th i s f i e l d ar e d r awn d i r e ctl y f r o m th e
Ol d T e s ta me n t. T h e r e th e co mi n g an d th e ki n gd o m o f Me s
si ah ar e co n s tan tl y str e sse d by I n s pi r ati o n , f ar be yo n d th e n a r
r o w pr o vi n ci al co n ce pts i n cr e asi n gl y e n vi si o n e d an d a d o pte d by
th e J e ws. J e h o vah as th e r i gh te o u s J u d ge a n d th e f u tu r e ki n g
d o m o f Go d f o r th e r e ge n e r ate o f al l pe o pl e s we r e co n stan tl y
po r tr aye d i n vi vi d ph r asi n gs.
Le t us n o w take a swe e pi n g su r ve y o f th e wi tn e ss o f th e
Ol d T e s ta me n t pr o ph e ts , an d n o te th e i r te sti mo n y.
2. C o n s t a n t Su c c es s i o n o f E s c h a t o l o g i c a l G l i mps e s .
T h e cl i max o f h u man h i sto r y h as i n tr i gu e d me n th r o u gh
o u t th e ce n tu r i e s . Bu t, f ar mo r e si gn i f i can tl y, i t h as e n gr o sse d
th e th o u gh ts a n d pe n s o f Go d s pr o ph e ts . Esch ato l o gi cal
gl i mpse s o f th e l ast th i n gs a ppe ar i n co n s tan t su cce ssi o n i n
t h e i r i n s pi r e d wr i ti n gs. He r e ar e so me o f th e man y Ol d T e s t a
me n t d e cl ar ati o n s :
(1) J o bte l l s o f th e gr e at r e s u r r e cti o n d ay, wh e n th e
h e ave n s d e par t, a n d th e Li f e -gi ve r cal l s f o r th th e s l e e pi n g
d e ad :
Man l i e th d o wn , an d r i se th n o t: ti l l th e h e ave n s be n o mo r e , th e y sh al l
n o t awake , n o r be r ai se d o u t o f th e i r sl e ep. . . . Al l th e days o f my appo i n te d
ti me wi l l I wai t, ti l l my ch an ge co me. T h o u sh al t cal l , an d I wi l l an swe r
th e e (J o b 14:12-15).
(2) Da v i d d e cl ar e s t h a t ju d gme n t by f i r e f r o m He ave n
h as be e n pr e pa r e d f o r si n n e r s: Upo n th e wi cke d h e sh al l r a i n
sn ar e s, f i r e a n d br i ms to n e , a n d an h o r r i bl e te mpe st: th i s sh al l
be th e po r ti o n o f t h e i r cu p (Ps. 11:6).
(3) So l o mo n sets f o r th th e e xpe ctati o n o f a ju d gme n t
at th e e n d o f th e wo r l d :
Le t us h e ar th e co n cl u si o n o f th e wh o l e matte r : Fe ar Go d , an d ke e p
h i s co mman d me n ts .. . . Fo r Go d sh al l br i n g ever y wo r k i n to ju d gme n t, wi th
e ve r y se cr e t th i n g, wh e th e r i t be go o d, o r wh e th e r i t be e vi l (Eccl .
12:13, 14).
(4) D a n i e l gi ves a mu l t i pl e te sti mo n y. Amo n g o t h e r
po i n ts h e f o r e war n s:
An d th e r e sh al l be a ti me o f tr o u bl e , such as n e ve r was si nce th e r e was
a n ati o n e ve n to th a t same ti me : an d at th a t ti me th y pe o pl e sh al l be
d e l i ve r e d , e ve r y o n e th a t sh al l be f o u n d wr i tte n i n th e bo o k. An d man y
o f th e m th a t sl e e p i n th e d u st o f th e e ar th sh al l awake, so me to e ve r l asti n g
l i f e , an d so me to sh ame an d e ve r l asti n g co n te mpt .(Dan. 12:1, 2; cf . Matt.
25:46).
(5) E z e k i e l passi n g o ve r Isai ah f o r th e mo me n t, we f i n d
th a t Eze ki e l str esses th e r e s po n s i bi l i ty o f th e so u l to Go d , t h e n
d e cl ar e s, T h e so u l th at s i n n e th , i t sh al l d i e (Eze. 18:4).
An d h e e mph asi ze s th e r e s u r r e cti o n o f th e bo d y i n h i s gr aph i c
po r tr ayal o f th e vi si o n o f th e d r y bo n e s r e cl o th e d wi th f l esh
by Go d s co mman d , a n d f i l l e d agai n wi th th e br e a t h , o r
s pi r i t, o f l i f e (Eze. 37ê spe ci al l y vs. 5, 6, 14).
(6) H o s ea h o l d s f o r th th e h o pe o f th e f u tu r e t r i
u mph o f r i gh te o u sn e ss i n th e Me ssi an i c ki n gd o m, an d af f i rms
th e h o pe o f th e r e s u r r e cti o n : I wi l l r an so m th e m f r o m th e
po we r o f th e gr ave ; I wi l l r e d e e m th e m f r o m d e ath : O d e ath ,
I wi l l be th y pl agu e s; O gr ave , I wi l l be th y d e s tr u cti o n
(Ho se a 13:14).
(7) J o e l l o o ks f o r war d to th e l atte r day, wh e n th e r e
wi l l be wo n d e r s i n th e h e ave n s a n d i n th e e a r t h an d ce l e sti al
si gns se e n be f o r e th e gr e at a n d th e te r r i bl e d ay o f th e Lo r d
co me (J o e l 2:30, 31). T h e n h e assu r e s t h a t a r e mn a n t wi l l be
d e l i ve r e d , a n d th e n ati o n s ju d ge d , as th e Lo r d sh al l r o ar o u t
o f Zi o n , an d u t t e r h i s vo i ce f r o m J e r u s a l e m (ch ap. 3:16).
An d f i n al l y, a new J e r u s al e m wi l l be co me Go d s d we l l i n g pl ace
f o r e ve r (ch ap. 3). He pi ctu r e s th e d ar k an te ce d e n t d ay o f
th e L o r d i n vi vi d te r ms:
Bl o w ye th e tr u mpe t i n Zi o n , an d s o u n d an al ar m i n my h o l y mo u n
tai n : l e t al l th e i n h a bi ta n ts o f th e l an d tr e mbl e : f o r th e d ay o f th e Lo r d
co me th , f o r i t i s n i gh at h an d ; a d ay o f d ar kn e ss an d o f gl o o mi ness, a d ay
o f cl o uds an d o f th i ck d ar kn e ss. T h e day o f th e Lo r d i s gr e at a n d ver y
te r r i bl e ; an d wh o can abi d e i t? (J o e l 2:1, 2, 11).
(8) A mo s attacks th e po pu l a r cu r r e n t co n ce pt o f th e
d ay o f th e Lo r d as vi n d i cati n g n o t me r e l y Isr ae l bu t r i gh te o u s
ness. An d h e cr i e s, Wo e u n t o yo u th a t d e si r e th e d ay o f th e
Lo r d ! to wh at e n d i s i t f o r yo u? th e d ay o f th e Lo r d i s d ar kn e ss,
a n d n o t l i gh t (Amo s 5:18). An d h e l i ke wi se war n s o f ce l e s
ti al si gnsh o w th e Lo r d o f h o sts i n t h a t d ay . . . wi l l cau se
th e su n to go d o wn at n o o n , a n d . . . wi l l d ar ke n th e e ar th i n
th e cl e ar d ay (ch ap. 8:9).
(9) H a b a k k u k f o r e te l l s th e gl ad ti me wh e n , wi th al l
t r i bu l a ti o n s past, th e e ar th sh al l be f i l l e d wi th th e kn o wl e d ge
o f th e gl o r y o f th e Lo r d , as th e wate r s co ve r th e se a (Hab.
2:14).
(10) Ze ph a n i a h war n s o f th e appr o ach i n g d ay o f th e
L o r d (Ze ph . 1:14): A d ay o f wr ath , a d ay o f t r o u bl e an d
d i str e ss, a d ay o f wasten e ss an d d e so l ati o n , a d ay o f d ar kn e ss an d
gl o o mi n e ss, a d ay o f cl o u d s a n d th i ck d ar kn e s s (v. 15).
Bu t wh e n th e te mpe st i s past th e n al l th e r i gh te o u s wi l l
se r ve Go d wi th o n e co n s e n t (ch ap. 3:8, 9).
(11) Z e c h a r i a h pr e se n ts bo th th e gl o o m an d th e gl o r y
o f th e l a t te r d ays, as we l l as th e Me ssi an i c Er a, i n wh i ch th e
Ge n ti l e s ar e to be co n ve r te d (Zech . 2:11).
(12) M a l a c h i te l l s o f th e me sse n ge r o f th e co ve n an t
wh o wi l l s u d d e n l y co me to h i s te mpl e , bu t co me s i n ju d g
me n t: Wh o may abi d e th e d ay o f h i s co mi n g? an d wh o sh al l
s tan d wh e n h e appe ar e th ? f o r h e i s l i ke a r e f i n e r s f i r e (Mai .
3:2).
Hi s f i n al ch apte r d e scr i be s gr aph i cal l y th e gr e at a n d th e
t e r r i bl e d ay o f th e L o r d th e d ay t h a t sh al l bu r n as an
o ve n , co n s u mi n g th e wi cke d l i ke s tu bbl e , r e d u ci n g th e m
to ash e s, a n d l e avi n g th e m n e i t h e r r o o t n o r br a n ch (ch ap.
4:1). T h e n sh al l th e e te r n al Su n o f r i gh te o u sn e ss ar i se wi th
h e al i n g i n h i s wi n gs (v. 2).
T h e s e al l po r tr ay, i n var i o u s i n s pi r e d ph r asi n gs, th e l ast
th i n gs , th e e ve n ts o f th e l atte r d ays, ti me o f th e e n d , an d
gr e at d ay o f th e L o r d . T h a t i s Ol d T e s ta me n t e sch ato l o gy.
V. Isai ah Star Wi tness o n I n spi r ati o n s Wi tness Stand
I s a i a h po r tr ays th e gl o r i e s o f th e n e w h e ave n s a n d th e
n e w e a r th to co me . Bu t f i r st h e pi ctu r e s th e pr e ce d i n g ge n e r al
ju d gme n ts. T h e te sti mo n y o f th e se pr o ph e ti c wi tn e sse s h as a
s tr i ki n gl y s i mi l ar pa tte r n , cl i maxi n g wi th th e Se co n d Ad ve n t
a n d th e co n cu r r e n t l i te r al r e s u r r e cti o n o f th e r i gh te o u s. He r e
i s I s ai ah s ch ar acte r i s ti c po r tr ayal o f th e d r e ad scenes o f d e so l a
ti o n , wh e n th e Lo r d r e tu r n s i n ju d gme n t: Be h o l d , th e Lo r d
make th th e e ar th e mpty, a n d make th i t waste , a n d t u r n e t h i t
u psi d e d o wn , an d s catte r e th abr o ad th e i n h abi ta n ts th e r e o f
(Isa. 24:1).
T h e n f o l l o ws a succe ssi o n o f vi vi d d e scr i pti o n s: T h e e a r th
i s to be u t te r l y e mpti e d an d d e s po i l e d d e vo u r e d wi th a cu r se
br o ke n d o wn an d d e so l ate d th e i n h abi ta n ts gath e r e d to
ge th e r as pr i s o n e r s i n th e pi tbu t vi si te d agai n af te r man y
days (ch ap. 24). T h e n co me s th e ti me wh e n h e [th e Lo r d ]
wi l l swal l o w u p d e ath i n vi cto r y, an d al l te ar s wi l l be wi pe d
away. T h a t i s wh e n th e sai n ts, wh o h ave wai te d f o r t h e i r Lo r d ,
ar e saved (ch ap. 25).
He sets f o r th a f e r vi d e xpe ctati o n o f r e s u r r e cti o n wh e n
th y d e ad me n sh al l l i ve , to ge th e r wi th my d e ad bo d y sh al l
th e y ar i s e , a n d th e e ar th sh al l cast o u t th e d e ad (ch ap. 26:
19). T h e r e i s al so al l u s i o n to th e co mi n g o f th e Lo r d to pu n i s h
e a r t h s i n h abi ta n ts f o r th e i r i n i qu i ty. An d at th at ti me th e
e ar th al so sh al l di scl o se h e r bl o o d , a n d sh al l n o mo r e co ve r h e r
s l a i n (ch ap. 26:21).
T h u s th e i n d i gn a ti o n o f th e L o r d u po n al l n ati o n s i s
d i scl o se d , an d th e y ar e u tte r l y d e s tr o ye d (ch ap. 34:2)be
cau se i t i s th e d ay o f th e L o r d s ve n ge an ce (v. 8). T h e n
th e s tr e ams an d th e l a n d ar e t u r n e d i n to bu r n i n g
pi tch , a n d th e d u s t th e r e o f i n to br i ms to n e , as vast d e s tr u c
ti o n r e i gn s (v. 9). T h e tr e me n d o u s ph ysi cal u ph e aval s o f th e
l ast days ar e po r tr aye d , bu t al ways wi th h o pe :
Li f t u p yo u r eyes to th e h e ave n s, an d l o o k u po n th e e a r th be n e ath :
f o r th e h e ave n s sh al l van i sh away l i ke smo ke, an d th e e ar th sh al l wax o l d
l i ke a gar me n t, an d th e y th at d we l l th e r e i n sh al l d i e i n l i ke man n e r : bu t
my sal vati o n sh al l be f o r ever , an d my r i gh te o u sn e ss sh al l n o t be abo l i sh e d
(Isa. 51:6; cf . 2 Pe te r 3:7-13; Re v. 21:1).
Wh i l e th e r e i s war n i n g t h a t d ar kn e ss sh al l co ve r th e
e ar th , an d gr o ss d ar kn e ss th e pe o pl e , th e r e i s assu r an ce th at
th i s wi l l be f o l l o we d by th e co mi n g o f th e gl o r y o f th e Lo r d
(Isa. 60:1, 2). An d th e r e i s r a d i a n t pr o mi se o f a n e w h e ave n s
a n d a n e w e a r t h , to su pe r se d e th e pr e s e n t si n -an d -d e ath -
po cke d e ar th : Fo r , be h o l d , I cr e ate n e w h e ave n s a n d a n e w
e ar th : a n d th e f o r me r sh al l n o t be r e me mbe r e d , n o r co me i n to
mi n d (Isa. 65:17; cf . Re v. 21; 22).
Bu t th e L o r d s co mi n g i n awe so me f i er y ju d gme n t i s agai n
po r tr aye d :
Fo r , be h o l d , th e Lo r d wi l l co me wi th f i re, an d wi th h i s ch ar i o ts l i ke
a wh i r l wi n d , to r e n d e r h i s an ge r wi th f u r y, an d h i s r e bu ke wi th f l ames o f
f i r e. Fo r by f i re an d by h i s swo r d wi l l th e Lo r d pl e ad wi th al l f l esh : an d
th e sl ai n o f th e Lo r d sh al l be man y (Isa. 66:15, 16).
T h e n I s ai ah s po r tr ayal s e n d wi th th e gl o r i o u s assu r an ce
to th e r e d e e me d : Fo r as th e n e w h e ave n s a n d th e n e w
e ar th , wh i ch I wi l l make , sh al l r e mai n be f o r e me , s ai th th e
Lo r d , so sh al l yo u r se ed an d yo u r n ame r e ma i n (v. 22).
Bu t Isai ah , th e go spe l pr o ph e t, l i ke wi se gi ves a tr e me n
d o u s po r tr ayal o f C h r i s t s first ad ve n t, wh e n th e Re d e e me r
s h o u l d co me to Zi o n (Isa. 59:20). Isai ah te l l s gr aph i cal l y o f
th e mi ssi o n o f C h r i s t s f i r st ad ve n t, be gi n n i n g wi th Hi s bi r t h
(ch aps. 7:14; 9:6), t h e n Hi s r o l e as Su f f e r i n g Se r van t, a n d o n
to Hi s gl o r i o u s tr i u mph . (Mi cah e ve n n ame s h i s bi r th pl a ce
Mi cah 5:2.) T r e me n d o u s i s th e d e tai l o f I s ai ah s i n s pi r e d po r
tr ayal o f th e an gu i s h o f th e Re d e e me r s l ast h o u r s, as h i s vi sage
was so mar r e d mo r e th an an y man , a n d h i s f o r m mo r e th an
th e so ns o f me n (Isa. 52:14), as He gave Hi s back to th e
s mi te r s , a n d Hi s ch e e ks to th e m th a t pl u cke d of f th e h a i r ,
an d h i d n o t Hi s f ace f r o m sh ame an d s pi t t i n g (ch ap. 50:6).
C h r i s t s su f f e r i n gs a n d d e ath ar e al l d i scl o se d i n ch apte r
53: De spi se d an d r e je cte d a man o f so r r o wsbe a r i n g
o u r gr i e f scar r yi n g o u r so r r o wstaki n g th e i n i qu i ti e s o f us
al l s mi tte n o f Go d , an d af f l i cte d wo u n d e d f o r o u r tr a n s
gr e ssi o n sbr u i s e d f o r o u r i n i qu i ti e s br o u gh t as a l amb
to th e s l a u gh te r take n f r o m pr i s o n an d f r o m ju d gme n t
cu t o f f o u t o f th e l an d o f th e l i vi n gmaki n g Hi s gr ave wi th
th e r i ch an d Hi s so u l mad e an o f f e r i n g f o r si n n u mbe r e d
wi th th e tr an sgr e sso r sju s ti f yi n g man ya n d maki n g i n t e r
ce ssi o n f o r th e r an s o me d tr an sgr e sso r s. I t i s th e i n co mpar abl e
pr o ph e ti c po r tr ayal o f th e a to n e me n t o n C al var y.
VI. Majo r Re su l ts Spr i n g Fr o m Day o f th e Lo r d
1. S c e n e s o f J u d g m e n t D o m i n a t e C l o s i n g P o r t r a y a l .
Le t us n o w su mmar i ze . Fi r st, scenes o f judgment, to d e
te r mi n e th e r e war d o f th e r i gh te o u s a n d th e pu n i s h me n t o f
th e wi cke d , appe ar i n th e mu l t i pl e po r tr ayal :
Ou r Go d sh al l co me, an d sh al l n o t ke e p si l e n ce : a f i re sh al l d e vo u r
be f o r e h i m, an d i t sh al l be ver y te mpe stu o u s r o u n d abo u t h i m. He sh al l
cal l to th e h e ave n s f r o m abo ve , an d to th e e ar th , that he may judge his
people. Ga th e r my sai n ts to ge th e r u n to me ; th o se th a t h ave mad e a co ve n an t
wi th me by sacr i f i ce. An d th e h e ave n s sh al l d e cl ar e h i s r i gh te o u sn e ss:
for God is judge himself (Ps. 50:5-6).
Fo r h e cometh to judge the earth: h e sh al l judge the world wi th
r i gh te o u sn e ss, an d th e pe o pl e wi th h i s t r u t h (Ps. 96:13).
Fo r Go d sh al l br i n g ever y wo r k i n to judgment, wi th eve r y se cr et
th i n g, wh e th e r i t be go o d , o r wh e th e r i t be e vi l (Eccl . 12:14).
I be h e l d ti l l th e th r o n e s we r e cast d o wn , an d th e An ci e n t o f days d i d
si t, wh o se gar me n t was wh i te as sno w, an d th e h ai r o f h i s h e ad l i ke th e
pu r e wo o l : h i s th r o n e was l i ke th e f i ery f l ame, an d h i s wh ee l s as bu r n i n g
f i re. A f i ery str e am i ssued an d came f o r th f r o m be f o r e h i m: th o u san d
th o u san d s mi n i ste r e d u n to h i m, an d te n th o u san d ti me s te n th o u san d
sto o d be f o r e h i m: th e judgment was set, an d th e bo o ks we r e o pe n e d
(Dan . 7:9, 10).
2. N e w E a r t h B e c o m e s E t e r n a l H o m e o f R e d e e m e d .
T h e n e w h e ave n s an d n e w e ar th , cr e ate d an e w by Go d , be
co me th e e te r n al h o me o f th e r e d e e me d an d n o w i mmo r tal i ze d
sai n ts, pa r a l l e l i n g th e tr an s ce n d e n t scenes a n d pr o vi si o n s o f
Re ve l ati o n 21 a n d 22 an d 2 Pe te r 3:13. T h i s i s i n th e e te r n al
ki n gd o m o f gl o r y t h a t sh al l n e ve r e n d :
An d th o u , O to we r o f th e f l ock, th e str o n g h o l d o f th e d au gh te r o f
Zi o n , u n to th e e sh al l i t co me, even the first dominion; th e ki n gd o m sh al l
co me to th e d au gh te r o f J e r u s al e m (Mi cah 4:8).
Bu t th e me e k sh al l inherit the earth; an d sh al l d e l i gh t th e mse l ve s i n
th e abu n d a n ce o f pe ace (Ps. 37:11; cf . Matt. 5:5).
Wa i t o n th e Lo r d , an d ke e p h i s way, an d he shall exalt thee to inherit
the land: wh e n th e wi cke d ar e cu t of f , th o u sh al t see i t (Ps. 37:34).
I n th y pr e se n ce i s fulness of joy; at th y r i gh t h a n d th e r e ar e pleasures
for evermore (Ps. 16:11).
Be h o l d , th e r i gh te o u s sh al l be recompensed in the earth (Pr o v.
11:31).
Fo r , be h o l d , I cr e ate new h e ave n s an d a n e w e ar th : a n d th e f o r me r
sh al l n o t be r e me mbe r e d , n o r co me i n to mi n d . The voice of weeping
shall be no more heard in her (Isa. 65:17, 19; cf . Re v. 21:4).
Fo r as th e n e w h e ave n s an d th e n e w e ar th , wh i ch I wi l l make , sh al l
r e mai n be f o r e me, sai th th e Lo r d , so shall your seed and your name remain
(Isa. 66:22).
An d th e ki n gd o m an d d o mi n i o n , an d th e gr e atn e ss o f th e ki n gd o m
u n d e r th e wh o l e h e ave n , sh al l be given to the people of the saints of the
most High, wh o se ki n gd o m i s an e ve r l asti n g ki n gd o m (Dan . 7:27).
3. O b l i t e r a t i o n o f Si n E v e n t u a t e s i n C l ea n U n i v er s e .
T h e f i n al d i spo sal o f si n a n d i ts a u th o r , to ge th e r wi th al l
wh o h ave f o l l o we d h i m, wi l l e ve n tu ate i n a cl e an u n i ve r se ,
i n wh i ch si n a n d i ts d i r e r e s u l ts wi l l n o t r i se u p th e se co n d
ti me :
He wi l l make an u tte r e n d : af f l i cti o n sh al l n o t r i se u p th e se co n d ti me
(Nah u m 1:9).
Fo r , be h o l d , I cr e ate n e w h e ave n s an d a n e w e ar th : an d th e f o r me r
sh al l n o t be r e me mbe r e d , n o r co me i n to mi n d (Isa. 65:17).
T h e y sh al l n o t h u r t n o r d e str o y i n al l my h o l y mo u n ta i n : f o r th e e ar th
sh al l be f u l l o f th e kn o wl e d ge o f th e Lo r d , as th e wate r s co ve r th e se a
(Isa. 11:9; cf . Re v. 21:4).
Fo r th e n wi l l I tu r n to th e pe o pl e a pu r e l an gu age , th a t th e y may al l
cal l u po n th e n ame o f th e Lo r d , to se r ve h i m wi th o n e co n s e n t (Ze ph . 3:9).
4. R es u r r e c t i o n a n d M i l l e n n i u m C l a r i f i e d i n N e w
T e s t a me n t . T h e e sch ato l o gy o f th e Ol d T e s ta me n t i s n o t, o f
co u r se , as f u l l y d e ve l o pe d o r e xpo u n d e d as i n th e Ne w T e s ta
me n t, wh i ch co mpl e me n ts a n d co mpl e te s th e Ol d . Fo r e xampl e ,
th e two r e s u r r e cti o n s (o f r i gh te o u s a n d wi cke d , o r ju s t a n d u n
ju st), wh i ch take pl ace a th o u s an d ye ar s apar t, as cl e ar l y pr e
s e n te d i n th e Apo cal ypse (Re v. 20:5, 6), ar e o n l y i mpl i e d i n th e
Ol d T e s ta me n t. T h e s e s e par ate d e ve n ts ar e so me ti me s gr o u pe d
to ge th e r , an d n o t sh ar pl y d i s ti n gu i s h e d as to ti mi n g, as i n th e
Ne w. Si mi l ar l y, th e d o ctr i n e o f th e mi l l e n n i u m was n o t as ye t
cl e ar l y d e ve l o pe d i n th e Ol d T e s ta me n t, be i n g r e se r ve d f o r th e
f u l l e r pr e s e n tati o n o f th e Apo cal ypse .
Ne ve r th e l e ss, t h e mi l l e n n i u m d e f i n i te l y follows th e sec
o n d co mi n g o f C h r i st. Acco r d i n g to Dan i e l , i t i s after th e So n
o f man co me s wi th th e cl o u d s o f h e ave n t h a t He i s gi ve n
d o mi n i o n , an d gl o r y, an d a ki n gd o m, th a t al l pe o pl e , n ati o n s, an d l a n
guage s, sh o u l d se r ve h i m: h i s d o mi n i o n i s an e ve r l asti n g d o mi n i o n , wh i ch
sh al l n o t pass away, an d h i s ki n gd o m th a t wh i ch sh al l n o t be d e str o ye d .
An d th e ki n gd o m an d d o mi n i o n , a n d th e gr e atn e ss o f th e ki n gd o m u n d e r
th e wh o l e h e ave n , sh al l be gi ve n to th e pe o pl e o f th e sai n ts o f th e mo st
Hi gh , . . . an d al l d o mi n i o n s sh al l ser ve an d o be y h i m (Dan . 7:14, 27).
T h e mi l l e n n i u m i s pr e l i mi n ar y to th i s e te r n al ki n gd o m.
Acco r d i n g to th e psal mi st th e appe ar i n g o f th e Lo r d i n f l am
i n g f i r e u po n Hi s ad ve r sar i e s prepares the way f o r th e e stabl i sh
me n t o f Hi s gl o r i o u s ki n gd o m, as He co me s f i r st to ju d ge an d
th e n to r u l e th e wo r l d wi th r i gh te o u sn e ss an d th e pe o pl e s
wi th e qu i t y (Ps. 98:9; 96:13). T h e mi l l e n n i u m i s co n se
qu e n tl y an i n te r i m pe r i o d .5
5. B a r r e n C o n d i t i o n o f E a r t h D u r i n g M i l l e n n i u m .
T h e Ol d T e s ta me n t gi ves f l ash pi ctu r e s o f th e ch ao ti c co n d i
ti o n o f th e e a r th d u r i n g th e mi l l e n n i al peri o d.* Bu t co n tr ar y
to co mmo n e xpe ctati o n th e sai n ts spe n d th e mi l l e n n i u m i n
He ave n wi th C h r i st, wi th wh o m th e y asce n d at Hi s se co n d a d
ve n t (1 T h e s s . 4:16, 17; cf . 1C o r . 15:51, 52), r e t u r n i n g to th i s
e ar th at i ts cl o se .7T h e co n d i ti o n o f th e e ar th d u r i n g th i s pe r i o d
i s o n e o f d e so l ati o n a n d r u i n , be i n g i n h abi te d o n l y by Satan
an d h i s e vi l mi n i o n s (Re v. 20:1-3, 7). T h i s i s str i ki n gl y po r
tr aye d i n th e Ol d T e s ta me n t. T h e n at i ts cl o se th e e a r th wi l l
f o r a ti me be co me th e sce n e o f th e co mpl e te d e s tr u cti o n o f al l
e vi l be i n gs i n th e Ge h e n n an l ake o f f i r e (Re v. 20:9, 10). Ol d
T e s ta me n t i n ti ma ti o n s o f th e d e vastati o n ar e :
I be h e l d th e e ar th , an d , l o, i t was wi th o u t f o r m, an d vo i d ; an d th e
h e ave n s, an d th e y h ad n o l i gh t. I be h e l d th e mo u n tai n s, an d , l o , th e y
tr e mbl e d , a n d al l th e h i l l s mo ve d l i gh tl y. I be h e l d , an d , l o , th e r e was
n o man , a n d al l th e bi r d s o f th e h e ave n s we r e f l ed. I be h e l d , an d , l o , th e
f r u i tf u l pl ace was a wi l d e r n e ss, an d al l th e ci ti e s th e r e o f wer e br o ke n d o wn
at th e pr e se n ce o f th e Lo r d , an d by h i s f i er ce an ge r . Fo r th u s h a t h th e
Lo r d sai d, T h e wh o l e l an d sh al l be d e so l ate ; ye t wi l l I n o t make a f u l l
e n d (J e r . 4:23-27).
T h e Lo r d h ath a co n tr o ve r sy wi th th e n ati o n s, h e wi l l pl e ad wi th
al l f l esh ; h e wi l l gi ve th e m th a t ar e wi cke d to th e swo r d, sai th th e Lo r d .
. . . An d th e sl ai n o f th e Lo r d sh al l be a t th a t d ay f r o m o n e e n d o f th e
e ar th e ve n u n to th e o th e r e n d o f th e e ar th : th e y sh al l n o t be l ame n te d ,
n e i th e r gath e r e d , n o r bu r i e d ; th e y sh al l be d u n g u po n th e gr o u n d (ch ap.
25:31-33).
5 T h e cl e a r d i s ti n cti o n o f t h e Ne w T e s t a me n t as t o t h e te mpo r a r y d i s po s i ti o n o f t h e
l i vi n g wi cke d , a t C h r i s t s s e co n d a d ve n t , i s n o t br o u gh t o u t cl e a r l y i n t h e Ol d T e s t a me n t . Bu t
a t C h r i s t s s e co n d co mi n g t h e l i vi n g wi cke d a r e cu t o f f , s l ai n by t h e br i gh t n e s s o f Hi s co mi n g
th u s br i n gi n g a bo u t t h e first death o f al l r e ma i n i n g l i vi n g s i n n e r s (as i s t h e l o t o f al l me n ),
e xce pt t h e l i vi n g r i gh t e o u s wh o a r e t r a n s l a t e d a n d i mmo r ta l i ze d wi t h o u t e xpe r i e n ci n g d e a t h
(1 C o r . 15:51, 52;.l T h e s s . 4:15-17).
Bu t t h e wi cke d wh o a r e s l ai n by t h e br i gh t n e s s o f t h e Se co n d Ad ve n t wi l l co me u p i n
t h e s e co n d r e s u r r e ct i o n , a t th e cl o se o f t h e mi l l e n n i a l t h o u s a n d ye ar s (Re v. 20:5), f o r f i n al
ju d gme n t a n d t h e n u t t e r a n d f i n a l d e s t r u ct i o n th r o u gh t h e s e co n d d e a t h .
6 Fu l l e r po r t r a ya l o f Ne w T e s t a me n t e s ch ato l o gy a ppe a r s i n co n n e cti o n wi t h t h e Ne w
T e s t a me n t pr e s e n t a t i o n . Se e pp. 388-418.
7Se e L . E. Fr o o m, Prophetic Faith, vo l . 4.
144
T h e e ar th i s u tte r l y br o ke n d o wn , th e e ar th i s cl e an di sso l ved, th e
e a r th i s mo ve d e xce e d i n gl y. T h e e ar th sh al l r e e l to an d f r o l i ke a d r u n ka r d ,
a n d sh al l be r e mo ve d l i ke a co ttage ; an d th e tr an sgr e ssi o n th e r e o f sh al l
be h e avy u po n i t; an d i t sh al l f al l , an d n o t r i se agai n . An d i t sh al l co me
to pass i n th a t day, th a t th e Lo r d sh al l pu n i s h th e h o st o f th e h i gh o n e s
th a t ar e o n h i gh , an d th e ki n gs o f th e e ar th u po n th e e ar th . An d th e y
sh al l be gath e r e d to ge th e r , as pr i so n e r s ar e gath e r e d i n th e pi t, an d sh al l
be sh u t u p i n th e pr i so n , an d af te r man y days sh al l th e y be vi si te d
(Isa. 24:19-22).
Bu t th i s wi l l pass, a n d th e gl o r i e s o f th e e te r n al ki n gd o m
o f th e sai n ts co n ti n u e o n f o r e ve r .
As mi gh t be assu me d , th e Ol d T e s ta me n t e sch ato l o gy
i s si mpl e , l o gi cal , an d maje sti c. I t i s wi th o u t a si n gl e e l e
me n t d e gr ad i n g to th e h i gh e st co n ce pts o f De i ty an d th e d i vi n e
ph i l o s o ph y o f h i sto r y, an d wi th n o th i n g to r e vo l t th e mo r al
sensesn o t h i n g o f th e we i r d e xtr avagan ce s r e pl e te î n pa ga n
s pe cu l ati o n an d myth . I t d e al s wi th th e gl o r i o u s d e sti n y o f th e
r i gh te o u s a n d th e i r r e me d i abl e d o o m o f th e wi cke d at th e e n d
o f th e age. T h a t i s th e e vi d e n ce o f e sch ato l o gy.
C H A P T E R N I N E
T e ch n i cal T erms and Usages
Precl ude Innate Immortal i ty
An Exami n ati o n o f Nephesh, Neshamah, an d Riiach
T h i s ch apte r , an d th e o n e to f o l l o w, wi l l take o n mo r e o f
a te ch n i cal t u r n th an h as be e n o u r wo n t. Bu t so me wh e r e al o n g
th e way we mu s t pau se to e xami n e mo r e cr i ti cal l y th e Ol d
T e s ta me n t te r ms t h a t we h ave o ccasi o n al l y to u ch e d u po n . An d
th i s i s o bvi o u sl y th e pl ace . So me may n o t be to o ke e n l y i n t e r
e ste d i n th i s s e man ti c an gl e , bu t su ch a s cr u ti n y i s e sse n ti al to
a cl e ar u n d e r s ta n d i n g o f th e gr o u n d we ar e tr ave r si n g. Su ch a
f o l l o w-th r o u gh wi l l mo r e th an r e pay th e e f f o r t r e qu i r e d to
gr asp th e f acts i n vo l ve d .
I. Must Un d e r stan d Key Ol d T e stame n t T e r ms T h r o u gh Usage
Wo r d s r e pr e s e n t th o u gh ts , i deas. Wh e n e mpl o ye d to po r
tr ay wh at can e asi l y be se e n su ch as tan gi bl e an d pe r ce pti
bl e o bje ctsth e r e i s f ar l ess l i ke l i h o o d o f mi s u n d e r s tan d i n g
t h an wh e n u se d to d e pi ct i n vi si bl e th i n gs o r abs tr act i deas.
Mo r e o ve r , th e d i f f i cu l ty i s i n e vi tabl y i n cr e ase d wh e n su ch
te r ms h ave to be tr an s l ate d f r o m th e i d i o ms o f o n e l an gu age
i n to th e ph r asi n gs o f an o th e r . An d th i s i mpe d i me n t i s i n t e n
si f i ed wh e n r e n d e r i n g f r o m an an ci e n t to n gu e i n to a mo d e r n
l an gu age . T h a t i s be cau se o f d i ss i mi l ar i ty o f th o u gh t, h abi t,
cu sto ms, a n d f o r ms o f e xpr e ssi o n .
Fu r th e r mo r e , th e pr e se n ce o f an y par abl e s, me taph o r s ,
a n d o th e r f i gu r e s o f spe e ch co mpo u n d th e d i f f i cu l ti e s. T h e r e
f o r e th e task o f tr a n s f e r r i n g th e me an i n g wi th pr e ci si o n i s n o t
145
an easy o n e . Al so , as i s can d i d l y ad mi tte d , th e th e o l o gi cal
vi e wpo i n t o f th e tr an s l ato r h as o f te n h ad a d e f i n i te be a r i n g o n
th e tr an s l ati o n . Bu t to th e se ch al l e n ge s we mu st n o w t u r n .
T h e r e ar e f i ve Ol d T e s ta me n t He br e w key words t h a t we
mu s t su r ve y i n o r d e r to d e te r mi n e th e i r t r u e i mpo r t. An d th i s
mu s t be gai n e d th r o u gh a comprehensive tracement of their
Biblical usage. T h i s po i n t can n o t be o ve r str e sse d . T h e r e aso n
f o r th i s pr o ce d u r e wi l l be co me i n cr e asi n gl y a ppa r e n t as we
co n ti n u e . T h e s e te r ms ar e (1) nephesh (so u l ), (2) ruach
(spi r i t), (3) neshamah (br e ath ), (4) shedl (th e gr ave ) a n d
(5) Ge Hinnom, o r gehenna (d e vo u r i n g f i r e)wi th t h e i r
s i mi l ar i ti e s an d co mpar i so n s, co n tr asts an d r e l ati o n s h i ps .
I I . Me an i n g o f Nephesh i n th e He br e w o f th e Ol d T e stame n t
T h e wo r d s o u l i n th e K.J .V. o f th e En gl i sh Bi bl e i s tr an s
l ate d f r o m th e He br e w wo r d nephesh i n al l bu t two cases. Si n ce
th e wo r d s o u l h as mo r e t h an o n e me an i n g i n En gl i sh , i t i s
i mpo r ta n t to i n qu i r e wh at th e wo r d nephesh r e al l y me an s, i f
we ar e to u n d e r s ta n d th e te ach i n g o f th e Bi bl e co r r e ctl y.
1. N e p h e s h H a s S e v e r a l C o m m o n M e a n i n g s . T h e
He br e w wo r d nephesh, l i ke th e En gl i sh wo r d so u l , h as mo r e
th an o n e me an i n g, so me be i n g n o t syn o n ymo u s wi th th e En g
l i sh me an i n gs o f s o u l .
Ko e h l e r an d Bau mgar tn e r i n th e i r l e xi co n gi ve th e f o l
l o wi n g me an i n gs f o r nephesh:
1. T h r o a t.
2. Br e ath , th e br e ath i n g su bstan ce , maki n g man an d an i mal l i vi n g
be i n gs; th e so ul (str i ctl y d i sti n ct f r o m th e Gr e e k n o ti o n o f so ul ), th e se at
o f wh i ch i s i n th e bl o o d .
3. Li vi n g be i n g.
4. So ul as e qu al to l i vi n g be i n g, i n d i vi d u al , pe r so n .
5. Br e ath , so u l , pe r so n al i ty.
6. Br e ath as e qu al to l i f e .
7. Br e ath as e qu al to so ul as th e se at o f mo o ds, e mo ti o n s, an d passi o n s.1
1 Lexicon in Veteris Testamenti Libros, L u d wi g K o e h l e r a n d Wa l t e r Ba u mga r t n e r , e d s .,
vo l . 2, pp. 626, 627.
Qu i te par al l e l wi th th i s i s th e ge n e r al cl assi f i cati o n o f th e
var i o u s usages o f nephesh ad o pte d by Bu i l i n ge r i n h i s l e xi co n :
(1) C r e a t u r e be a s t , t h i n g.
(2) P e r s o n ma n , me n , h i m, me , yo u r s e l ve s , " h i ms e l f ,
we , h e , mys e l f , " h e r , t h e e , h e r s e l f , t h ys e l f , t h e ms e l ve s ,
d e a d , bo d y, o n e , a n y, t h e y, o wn , f e l l o w, d e a d l y, mo r
t a l l y, s o u l .
(3) L i f e an d L i v es "gh o st, br e a th .
(4) D e s i r e mi n d , h e a r t, l u st, pl e asu r e , "d i s co n te n te d ,
wi l l , gr e e d y, h e ar ty, a ppe ti t e . 2
2. A G e n e r a l D e f i n i t i o n o f N e ph e s h .Wi th th i s mu ch
be f o r e us, pe r h aps i t i s a ppr o pr i a te to a tte mpt a d e f i n i ti o n
o f nephesh. As a s tar t, a t l e ast, we can qu o te a mo d e r n bo o k
t h a t i s th e co mbi n e d wo r k o f man y sch o l ar s wi th a th o r o u gh
kn o wl e d ge o f mo d e r n sch o l ar sh i p an d th e o l o gy, to qu o te th e
jacke t-f l ap d e s cr i pti o n o f th e bo o k. He r e i s th e d e f i n i ti o n :
SOUL (nephesh) me an s th e l i vi n g be i n g. We mi gh t r e n d e r i t pe r s o n
o r pe r so n al i ty, so l o n g as we r e me mbe r th a t i n He b. th o u gh t e ve n an
an i mal i s a nephesh. I n passages o f d i gn i f i e d o r po e ti c d i cti o n th e wo r d i s
u se d i n ste ad o f th e pe r so n al pr o n o u n (my so u l I o r me); o r to gi ve a
r e f l e xi ve sense (h i s so u l h i mse l f , etc.). Ro u gh l y spe aki n g, i t me an s mi n d
as d i sti n ct f r o m ma tte r (to qu o te th e te r mi n o l o gy o f a o n ce f ami l i ar d u a l
i sm), bu t al ways i n cl u d e s mo r e th a n mi n d i n th e l i mi te d sense o f th e
r e aso n i n g f acu l ty. I t i n cl u d e s f e e l i n gs, i n te r e st, an d i n cl i n ati o n ; cf .
J e r . 15: l . 3
3. B a s i c I d ea T h a t o f I n d i v i d u a l H i ms e l f . Nephesh
co me s f r o m th e r o o t naphash, a ve r b u se d th r e e ti me s i n th e
Ol d T e s ta me n t (Ex. 23:12; 31:17; 2 Sam. 16:14), i n e ach case
wi th th e me an i n g to r e vi ve o n e s e l f o r to r e f r e s h o n e se l f .
T h e ve r b seems to go back to th e basi c me an i n g o f br e ath i n g,
a n d i n th e th r e e ti me s i t i s u se d th e o r d i n a r y En gl i sh r e a d e r
mi gh t be te mpte d to tr an s l ate i t co l l o qu i al l y as catch o n e s
br e a t h o r take a br e a t h e r , as af te r so me e xtr e me ph ysi cal
e xe r ti o n .
Nephesh as me an i n g th e i n d i vi d u al h i mse l f , i s be st i l l u s
t r a te d by th e po r tr ayal o f ma n s cr e ati o n . As tr an s l ate d f r o m
2E. W. Bu jl i n ge r , A Critical Lexicon and Concordance, a r t .. So u l , p. 721.
3 A Theological Word Book of the Bible, Al an Ri ch ar d so n , e a., a r t. Mi n d , He a r t ,
T EC HNI C AL T ERMS PREC LUDE I NNAT E I MMORT ALI T Y 147
p. 144.
th e He br e w i n th e R.S.V., i t r e ad s: T h e L o r d Go d f o r me d
man o f d u s t f r o m th e gr o u n d , a n d br e ath e d i n to h i s n o s tr i l s
th e br e a th o f l i f e ; a n d man be came a l i vi n g be i n g (Ge n . 2:7).
Si n ce e ach pe r s o n i s a d i s ti n ct u n i t o f l i f e , th e u n i qu e n e s s o f
i n d i vi d u al i ty se ems to be th e i d e a e mph asi ze d i n th e He br e w
wo r d nephesh. An d si n ce th e o bvi o u s e vi d e n ce o f l i f e i s br e a th
a n d br e ath i n g, i t i s easy to u n d e r s ta n d h o w nephesh i s u se d
o f man as a l i vi n g be i n g. T h u s th e R.S.V. tr an s l ati o n i s an
accu r ate r e n d e r i n g o f th e He br e w wo r d .
Nephesh i s al so u se d o f an i mal s, an d i s a ppr o pr i ate l y r e n
d e r e d cr e a tu r e i n bo th th e K.J .V. an d R.S.V. Si nce an i mal s
br e ath e as e vi d e n ce o f l i f e , th e He br e w use o f th e wo r d h e r e
se ems a ppr o pr i ate . As a ma t te r o f f act, an i mal s ar e cal l e d
nephesh chayah (l i vi n g cr e atu r e s , K.J .V.) i n Ge n e si s 1.
T h e basi c i d e a th a t nephesh i s th e i n d i vi d u al h i mse l f ,
r a t h e r th an me r e l y a co n s ti tu e n t pa r t o f th e i n d i vi d u al , se ems
to u n d e r l i e th e var i o u s usages o f nephesh. Fr o m th i s basi c i d e a
spr i n gs th e i d i o mati c use o f nephesh f o r th e pe r so n al pr o n o u n
my s o u l f o r I an d me ; th y s o u l f o r yo u , e t ce te r a,
to use th e co mmo n En gl i sh tr an s l ati o n s i n th e Bi bl e .
T h e majo r i ty o f th e o ccu r r e n ce s o f nephesh may be pr o p
e r l y tr an s l ate d by pe r s o n , i n d i vi d u al , l i f e , o r by th e
a ppr o pr i ate pe r so n al pr o n o u n .
T h e r e ar e al so a s u bs tan ti al n u mbe r o f pl ace s i n th e Bi bl e
wh e r e nephesh appl i e s to th e i n n e r be i n g, i f by th i s te r m we
wi l l u n d e r s ta n d nephesh as th e se at o f mi n d , h e ar t, e mo ti o n s,
wi l l , e t ce te r a.
I I I . Nephesh as T r an sl ate d i n th e Engl i sh Versi o ns
1. E n g l i s h T r a n s l a t i o n R ev ea l s Si g n i f i c a n t F a c t s .
I t se ems pr o pe r to ask a t th i s po i n t wh e th e r th e En gl i sh
ve r si o n s r e al l y co n ve y to th e co mmo n En gl i sh r e ad e r th e t r u e
me an i n g o f nephesh. A su r ve y wi l l r e ve al so me i n te r e s ti n g f acts.
On e i n te r e s ti n g an d u se f u l an al ysi s i s to be f o u n d i n The
Companion Bible, Appe n d i x 13. T h e f o l l o wi n g f acts a n d f i g
u r e s ar e take n f r o m i t:
T EC HNI C AL T ERMS PREC LUDE I NNAT E I MMORT AL I T Y 149
Nephesh o ccur s i n th e Ol d T e s tame n t 754 ti mes. I n th e K.J .V. an d th e
R.V. i t i s tr an s l ate d so u l 472 ti mes, an d by 44 d i f f e r e n t wo r d s i n 282
o th e r o ccu r r e n ce s.
Nephesh i s u se d o f th e l o we r an i mal s o n l yi n 22 i n stan ce s.
Nephesh i s u se d o f l o we r an i mal s and man 7 ti mes. (T h e f i rst usage
o f nephesh i s Ge n e si s 1:20.)
Nephesh i s u se d o f man as an individual53 ti mes.
Nephesh i s u se d o f man as exercising certain powers or performing
certain acts96 ti mes.
Nephesh i s u se d o f man as possessing animal appetites and passions
22 ti mes.
Nephesh i s u se d o f man as exercising mental faculties an d man i f e sti n g
f e e l i n gs, af f ecti o ns, an d passi o ns231 ti me s i n 20 d i f f e r e n t ways.
Nephesh i s u se d o f man cut off by God, an d be i n g sl ai n o r ki l l e d
i n 54 passages.
Nephesh i s use d o f man as mortal, subject to death, bu t f r o m wh i ch h e
can be d e l i ve r e d i n 243 passages.
Nephesh i s u se d o f man as actually deadi n 13 passages.
Fi n al l y, nephesh i s u se d o f man (al l r e n d e r e d so u l ) as go i n g (1) to
sheol, (2) to th e gr ave , (3) to h e l l , (4) to th e pi t h e n ce a gr ave ,
(5) a d e e p pi t , an d (6) i n to si l e n ce . *
An o th e r su mmar y pr e se n ts th e f acts i n a sl i gh tl y d i f f e r e n t
way.
I n th e K.J .V. th e He br e w wo r d nephesh i s tr an s l ate d as f o l l o ws:
471 ti me s soul (ever y te xt i n th e Ol d T e s ta me n t wh e r e soul i s u se d
e xce pt two , J o b 30:15 an d Isa. 57:16).
118 ti me s life (lifes, lives).
29 ti me s person.
15 ti me s mind.
15 ti me s heart.
9 ti me s creature.
7 ti me s body.
5 ti me s dead.
4 ti me s man.
3 ti mes me.
3 ti mes beast.
2 ti mes ghost.
1 ti me fish.
Nephesh i s al so tr an s l ate d o n e o r mo r e ti me s as we, he, thee, they, her,
4 Base d o n [Bu l l i n ge r ] T he Companion Bible, Appe n d i x 13, pp. 19-21. C o mpl e te r e f e r e n ce s
f o r e a ch cl as si f i cati o n a n d u s e a ppe a r o n th e s e page s , wh i ch a r e th u s i n va l u a bl e f o r r e f e r e n ce
o r s tu d y.
herself, him (an d o th e r f o r ms o f th e pe r so n al pr o n o u n ), an d as will, appe
tite, lust, thing, breath, etc.8
On e th i n g i s a bu n d a n tl y cl e ar f r o m th i s an al ysi s. T h e
He br e w wo r d nephesh was u se d i n a var i e ty o f co n te xts wi th a
var i e ty o f me an i n gs. T h i s i s co mmo n i n a l an gu age th a t i s as
wo r d po o r as He br e w. T o pr e s e n t th e co r r e ct me an i n g i t i s
n e ce ssar y to u se man y d i f f e r e n t En gl i sh wo r d s, d e pe n d i n g f o r
gu i d an ce o n th e co n te xt.
2. I n t e r e s t i n g V a r i a t i o n s i n R.S.V.Le t us n o w t u r n to
th e Re vi se d Stan d ar d Ve r si o n , a n d make so me co mpar i so n s. At
th e ti me o f th i s wr i ti n g th e R.S.V. i s th e l ate st gr o u p-pr o d u ce d
En gl i sh tr an s l ati o n o f th e co mpl e te Ol d T e s tame n t. Oth e r s ar e
i n pr e pa r a ti o n , a n d may r e ve al a d d i ti o n al f acts f o r o u r qu e st.
A ch e ck o f th e co mpu te r -pr o d u ce d C o n co r d an ce o f th e Re vi se d
Sta n d ar d Ve r si o n r e ve al s th a t th e wo r d s soul a n d souls ar e u se d
200 ti me s i n th e Ol d T e s tame n t. A cro ss-ch eck wi th th e En gl i s h
ma n s He br e w a n d C h al d e e C o n co r d an ce , wh i ch l i sts e ve r y te xt
i n wh i ch nephesh o ccu r s, wi th th e En gl i sh tr an s l ati o n i n th e
K.J .V., r e ve al s t h a t o n l y 190 ti me s i s nephesh tr an s l ate d soul
i n th e R.S.V.
T h i s i s i n te r e s ti n g, f o r i t r e ve al s t h a t th e tr an s l ato r s we r e
awar e o f th e d i f f i cu l ti e s pr e s e n te d by th e wo r d soul a n d h ave
u se d th e o th e r En gl i sh me an i n gs o f nephesh i n 281 mo r e cases
t h a n th e K.J .V. I n th e R.S.V. man y o f th e uses o f soul f o r
nephesh r e f e r to th e mi n d , wi l l , e mo ti o n s, d e si r e s. I n a f ew
cases soul i s r e ta i n e d wh e r e life o r person wo u l d be a ppr o pr i
ate .
3. P r o b l e m s C o n f r o n t t h e T r a n s l a t o r s . On e te xt i n
pa r t i cu l a r i s wo r th y o f me n ti o n be cau se i t i s o f te n u se d by th o se
wh o be l i e ve i n an i mmo r tal so u l th a t can s e par ate f r o m th e
bo d y. I n th e R.S.V., Ge n e si s 35:18 r e ad s: As h e r so u l was
d e pa r t i n g (f o r sh e d i e d ), sh e cal l e d h i s n ame Be n o n i . I t
wo u l d a ppe ar t h a t h e r e th e r e vi se r s d i d n o t f o l l o w th e pr i n ci pl e s
th e y h ad be e n u s i n g i n th e o th e r te xts. Nephesh co u l d ve r y we l l
6T h e s e f i gu r e s a r e bas e d o n a co mpar i s o n o f T h e En gl i s h ma n s He br e w a n d C h a l d e e
C o n co r d a n ce , Y o u n gs An al yt i ca l C o n co r d a n ce , a n d St r o n gs Exh a u s t i ve C o n co r d a n ce . T h e r e a r e
pr o ba bl y mi n o r e r r o r s i n th e s e bo o ks, so t h e f i gu r e s var y s l i gh tl y.
h ave be e n tr an s l ate d life, si n ce th e te xt go es o n to e xpl ai n th a t
sh e d i e d .
Se ve r al mo d e r n tr an s l ato r s h ave r e co gn i ze d th i s, f o r th e y
tr an s l ate th i s ve r se i n h ar mo n y wi th He br e w usage to gi ve
th e co r r e ct En gl i sh me an i n g.
Be r ke l e y: Wi th h e r l ast br e ath f o r sh e e xpi r e d . . .
Fe n to n : Bu t sh e br e a th i n g o u t h e r l i f e f o r sh e was d yi n g . . .
Mo f f att: As h e r l i f e we n t f r o m h e r (f o r sh e d i e d ) . . .
Kn o x: . . . h e r l i f e was e bbi n g away i n h e r pan gs . . .
Qu i te par al l e l to th i s te xt i s 1 Ki ngs 17:21, 22:
An d h e str e tch e d h i mse l f u po n th e ch i l d th r e e ti mes, an d cr i e d u n to
th e Lo r d , a n d sai d , O Lo r d my Go d , I pr ay th e e , l e t th i s ch i l d s so u l co me
i n to h i m agai n . An d th e Lo r d h e ar d th e vo i ce o f El i jah ; an d th e so u l o f th e
ch i l d came i n to h i m agai n , an d h e r e vi ve d .
T h i s ch i l d was d e ad , f o r i n ve r se 17 i t i s sai d, Hi s si ck
ness was so so r e , th a t th e r e was n o br e a th l e f t i n h i m. He h ad
s to ppe d br e ath i n g.
He r e th e R.S.V. co n ti n u e s th e use o f th e wo r d s o u l
f r o m th e K.J .V., bu t agai n i n a ppa r e n t vi o l ati o n o f i ts pr i n ci
pl es i n o t h e r te xts. Se ve r al mo d e r n tr an s l ati o n s f o l l o w th e
He br e w co n si ste n tl y:
Mo f f att: . . . th e ch i l d s l i f e came back an d h e r e vi ve d .
Kn o x: . . . th e bo ys l i f e r e tu r n e d to h i m, an d h e r e vi ve d .
Be r ke l e y: . . . th e l i f e o f th e ch i l d r e tu r n e d to h i m, an d h e l i ve d
agai n .
Smi th -Go o d spe e d : . . . th e l i f e o f th e ch i l d came back to h i m agai n ;
so th at h e l i ve d .
Ro th e r h am: . . . th e l i f e o f th e bo y came agai n wi th i n h i m an d h e
l i ve d .
I t s h o u l d be ad d e d th a t i n th e n e w J e wi sh Pu bl i ca ti o n So
ci e ty tr a n s l ati o n , o f wh i ch o n l y th e Pe n tate u ch i s avai l abl e at
pr e se n t, th e tr an s l ato r s h ave d e si gn e d l y o mi tte d th e En gl i sh
wo r d soul al to ge th e r , be cau se i n t h e i r o pi n i o n i t do e s n o t co r
r e ctl y r e pr e s e n t th e He br e w me an i n g i n an y te xt.
4. T h r e e C l ea r C o n c l u s i o n s C o n c e r n i n g N e ph e s h .
I t i s n o w po ssi bl e to d r aw so me d e f i n i te co n cl u si o n s a bo u t
nephesh.
152 C ONDI T I ONAL1ST FAI T H
(1) Nephesh is not an independent entitys o me th i n g
t h a t i s s e par ate , o r se par abl e , f r o m th e i n d i vi d u al h i mse l f ;
s o me th i n g pu t i n to o n e wh e n h e i s br o u gh t i n to be i n g, an d
th a t l i ves o n af te r h e i s d e ad , a so r t o f d o u bl e , a n o th e r sel f .
T h e r e ar e n o t two pe r so n al i ti e s i n man . Man i s an i n te ge r , a
si n gl e pe r s o n al i ty, a u n i t.
(2) Nephesh does not denote something peculiar to
man alone, d i s ti n gu i s h i n g h i m f r o m th e an i mal s be n e ath h i m
i n th e scal e o f be i n g. T h e r e i s assu r e d l y a r ad i cal d i f f e r e n ce , a
f i xe d gu l f , be twe e n th e l o we st type o f man a n d th e ve r y h i gh e s t
o r d e r o f br u te o r be ast. Bu t nephesh i s not th e d i f f e r e n ti a ti n g
f acto r , f o r th e te r m nephesh i s appl i e d to l o we r an i mal s as we l l
as man .
(3) Nephesh definitely does not designate something
in man that is immortal and indestructible.
I f nephesh d o e s n o t d e n o te a se par ate e n ti ty th a t may s u r
vi ve d e ath a n d se par ate f r o m th e bo d y, i s i t po ssi bl e th a t th e
wo r d s pi r i t can car r y su ch a co n n o tati o n ? T h e En gl i sh wo r d
s pi r i t i s o f te n th e tr an s l ati o n o f th e He br e w wo r d ruach.
So l e t us stu d y th i s wo r d to d i sco ve r i ts r e al me an i n g.
IV. Ruach an d Neshamah Have a Var i ety o f Meani ngs
1. C o n t e x t M u s t I n d i c a t e B e s t T r a n s l a t i o n . T h e
He br e w wo r d ruach o ccu r s so me 380 ti me s i n th e Ol d T e s t a
me n t. I n th e majo r i ty o f cases (so me 360 o ccu r r e n ce s) i t i s tr a n s
l ate d by th r e e En gl i sh wo r d swi n d , br e a t h , a n d s pi r i t.
T h u s th e same wo r d i s u se d to car r y se ve r al d i f f e r e n t me an i n gs,
an d th e co n te xt mu s t i n d i cate th e En gl i sh wo r d th a t be st tr an s
l ate s th e He br e w me an i n g.
I n th e case o f th e tr an s l ati o n s pi r i t, th e wo r d h as se ve r al
d i f f e r e n t appl i cati o n s . I t i s u se d 76 ti me s i n th e se nse o f vi tal i ty,
co u r age , te mpe r , o r an ge r . I t i s u se d to d e scr i be th e l i vi n g pr i n
ci pl e i n man a n d an i mal s 25 ti me s; as th e se at o f th e e mo ti o n s
3 ti me s, mi n d 9 ti me s; as wi l l , vo l i ti o n , o r h e ar t, 3 ti me s; a n d
as mo r al ch ar acte r 16 ti me s. As appl i e d to Go d , ruach, s pi r i t ,
i s u se d so me 90 ti mes." T h e wo r d i s al so u se d o f an ge l s, bo th
go o d an d bad . Si n ce Go d an d th e an ge l s ar e u su al l y i n vi si bl e
to h u man si gh t, th e y may be co n si d e r e d s pi r i t be i n gs, spi r i ts,
an d ar e so spo ke n o f i n th e Bi bl e .
Si nce br e ath , wi n d , mo r al ch ar acte r , vi tal i ty, pr i n ci pl e o f
l i f e , an d s pi r i t be i n gs ar e al l i n vi si bl e , th e u n d e r l yi n g i d e a o f
ruach seems to su gge st an i n vi si bl e f o r ce , po we r , o r be i n g,
wh i ch acts to pr o d u ce vi si bl e r e su l ts.
We ar e d e al i n g wi th man a n d h i s n a tu r e , an d we may
th e r e f o r e pr o pe r l y i gn o r e al l th e uses o f ruach (spi r i t) th a t
r e f e r to Go d a n d an ge l s. We ar e i n te r e s te d i n br e a th as e vi
d e n ce o f l i f e , an d i n th e pr i n ci pl e o f l i f e wi th wh i ch Go d h as
e n d o we d man .
2. N e s h a m a h a n d R u a c h i n P o e t i c P a r a l l e l i s m .
I n He br e w th e r e i s an appr o xi mati n g syn o n ym f o r ruach
i n th e wo r d neshamah. I n f act, i t i s th i s wo r d th at i s u se d i n
th e r e co r d o f th e cr e ati o n o f man . T h e Lo r d Go d f o r me d
man o f th e d u s t o f th e gr o u n d , a n d br e a th e d i n to h i s n o str i l s
th e br e a th [neshamah] o f l i f e ; an d man be came a l i vi n g s o u l
(Ge n . 2:7). Neshamah i s n o t a co mmo n wo r d , f o r i t appe ar s
o n l y 24 ti me s i n th e He br e w o f th e Ol d T e s tame n t. I t i s tr an s
l ate d 17 ti me s as br e ath ; 3 ti me s bl ast; 2 ti me s s pi r i t; o n ce
so ul s; an d o n ce i n s pi r ati o n . I t i s u se d wi th ruach i n two co m
po u n d e xpr e ssi o n s:
br e ath [neshamah] o f th e s pi r i t [ruach] o f l i f e (Ge n . 7:22, mar gi n ).
"bl ast [neshamah\ o f th e br e a th [ruach] o f h i s n o str i l s (2 Sam. 22:16;
Ps. 18:15, wi th th y i n pl ace o f h i s ).
Neshamah a n d ruach ar e al so u se d i n po e ti c par al l e l i s m
i n a n u mbe r o f verses:
By th e bl ast [neshamah] o f Go d th e y pe r i sh , an d by th e br e a th [ruach]
o f h i s n o str i l s ar e th e y co n s u me d (J o b 4:9).
Al l th e wh i l e my br e ath [neshamah] i s i n me, an d th e s pi r i t [ruach] of
Go d i s i n my n o str i l s (J o b 27:3).
Bu t th e r e i s a s pi r i t [ruach] i n man : an d th e i n s pi r ati o n [neshamah]
6T h e s e f i gu r e s a r e bas e d o n T h e En gl i s h ma n s He br e w a n d C h a l d e e C o n co r d a n ce a n d
St r o n gs Exh a u s t i ve C o n co r d a n ce . T h e r e ma y be mi n o r d i f f e r e n ce s i n t h e co u n t i n d i f f e r e n t
co n co r d a n ce s , so n o cl ai m i s h e r e ma d e f o r a bs o l u te a ccu r a cy. Bu t t h e e xa ct n u mbe r o f ti me s
a wo r d i s u s e d o r t r a n s l a t e d a gi ve n way i s n o t o f pr i me s i gn i f i can ce to o u r qu e s t.
154
o f th e Al mi gh ty gi ve th th e m u n d e r s ta n d i n g (J o b 32:8). Bu t i t i s th e
s pi r i t i n a man , th e br e ath o f th e Al mi gh ty, th a t make s h i m u n d e r s ta n d
R.S.V.
T h e s pi r i t o f Go d [ruach] h ath mad e me, an d th e br e ath [neshamah]
o f th e Al mi gh ty h ath gi ve n me l i f e (J o b 33:4).
I f h e set h i s h e a r t u po n man , i f h e gath e r u n to h i mse l f h i s s pi r i t
[ruach] an d h i s br e ath [neshamah]; al l f l esh sh al l pe r i sh to ge th e r , an d man
sh al l tu r n agai n i n to d u s t (J o b 34:14, 15).
He . . . gi ve th br e a th [neshamah] u n to th e pe o pl e u po n i t, an d s pi r i t
[rxiach] to th e m th at wal k th e r e i n (Isa. 42:5).
3. T h e L i f e P r i n c i p l e T h a t G o d I m p a r t s . C o n s i d e r
J o b 33:4, be f o r e ci te d , f o r a mo me n t. T h e s pi r i t o f Go d i s o b
vi o u sl y i d e n ti cal wi th th e br e ath o f th e Al mi gh ty. An d th e
br e a th o f th e Al mi gh ty i s th e so u r ce o f th e br e ath o f l i f e
(o r br e a th [th at i s] l i f e )as i n Ge n e si s 2:7wh i ch Go d
br e a t h e d i n to ma n s n o s tr i l s , th e r e by cau si n g th e i n an i ma te
Ad am to be co me a l i vi n g so u l [be i n g].
Wh e n neshamah a n d /o r ruach ar e u se d i n th i s sense th e y
r e f e r to th e l i f e pr i n ci pl e wh i ch Go d i mpar ts to e ach n e w
i n d i vi d u al o n th i s e ar th . I t i s e qu al l y cl e ar th a t th e same l i f e
pr i n ci pl e i s gi ve n to th e an i mal s al so . I n th e a n n o u n ce me n t o f
th e Fl o o d to No ah , Go d sai d , Be h o l d , I, e ve n I, d o br i n g a
f l o o d o f wate r s u po n th e e ar th , to d e str o y al l f l esh , wh e r e i n i s
th e br e ath o f l i f e , f r o m u n d e r h e ave n (Ge n . 6:17). I n th e
d e s cr i pti o n o f th e f l o o d catas tr o ph e , i n f u l f i l l me n t o f th i s
th r e a t, i t i s r e co r d e d , An d al l f l esh d i e d th a t mo ve d u po n th e
e ar th , bo th o f f o wl , an d o f cattl e , an d o f be ast, a n d o f e ve r y
cr e e pi n g t h i n g t h a t cr e e pe th u po n th e e ar th , a n d e ve r y man :
al l i n wh o se n o str i l s was th e br e ath o f l i f e , o f al l th a t was i n th e
d r y l an d , d i e d (Ge n . 7:21, 22).
Par e n th e ti cal l y we s h o u l d say r i gh t h e r e t h a t th e br e a th
o f l i f e co mmo n to al l br e a th i n g cr e atu r e s d o e s n o t d e gr ad e
man to th e l e ve l o f a be ast o r e l e vate a be ast to th e l eve l o f a
man . Go d h as o r gan i ze d th e var i o u s cr e atu r e s o f Hi s h an d wi th
d i f f e r e n t qu a l i ti e s a n d n atu r e s . J u s t as th e br e a th o f l i f e d o e s
n o t make a l i o n l i ke a r a bbi t , n e i t h e r do e s i t make a man l i ke
a be ast. Man mad e i n th e i mage o f Go d i s f ar r e mo ve d f r o m
e ve n th e mo st i n te l l i ge n t an i mal .
4. R u a c h H a s No Se pa r a t e C o n s c i o u s E x i s t e n c e .
T h e r e i s n o th i n g i n th e Ol d T e s ta me n t th a t e ve n h i n ts th at
ruach as th e l i f e pr i n ci pl e h as a se par ate co n sci o u s e xi ste n ce , th at
i t i s th e man h i mse l f as d i sti n ct f r o m th e bo d y. I t i s gi ve n
to man wh e n h e co me s i n to e xi ste n ce , an d i s wi th d r awn , o r s u r
r e n d e r e d , wh e n h e di es. I t i s a gi f t f r o m Go d , an d i n o n e
se nse al ways be l o n gs to Hi m, th o u gh man may cal l i t h i s o wn
wh i l e h e l i ves. T h e pr e ach e r i n Eccl e si astes 8:8 d e pi cts th e
h e l pl e ssn e ss o f man wh e n Go d wi th d r aws th e pr i n ci pl e o f l i f e
h i s br e ath : T h e r e i s n o man th a t h ath po we r o ve r th e s pi r i t
[ruach] to r e ta i n th e s pi r i t [ruach]; n e i t h e r h ath h e po we r i n
th e d ay o f d e a th .
No , man d o e s n o t h ave an u n d yi n g s pi r i t th at co n ti n u e s
i n co n sci o u s e xi ste n ce i n an o th e r sph e r e .
T h e r e i s o n e mo r e te xt i n wh i ch ruach appe ar s, tr an s l ate d
s pi r i ts , wh i ch may tr o u bl e so me . I t i s Nu mbe r s 16:22, wi th
th e same e xpr e ssi o n o ccu r r i n g agai n i n ch apte r 27:16. I t
r e ad s: An d th e y f el l u po n t h e i r f aces, an d sai d , O Go d , th e
Go d o f th e spi r i ts [ruach] o f al l f l esh , sh al l o n e man si n , an d
wi l t th o u be wr o th wi th al l th e co n gr e gati o n ? T h e n e w J e w
i sh Pu bl i ca ti o n So ci ety T o r a h r e n d e r s th i s as O Go d , So u r ce
o f th e br e ath o f al l f l esh . T h i s wo u l d a ppe ar to be a be tte r
En gl i sh r e n d e r i n g o f th e He br e w me an i n g, an d cl e ar s u p any
d i f f i cu l ty th e te xt mi gh t seem to pr e se n t.
V. Re l ati o n o f Spi r i t o r Br e ath to Li f e an d De ath
1. B r e a t h o f L i f e a n d Spi r i t o f G o d t h e C a u s e
o f L i f e .T h e br e a th o f l i f e , o r s pi r i t, wh i ch br o u gh t l i f e
o r i gi n al l y to man , i s e xpr e ssl y d e cl ar e d to h ave be e n i n
br e a th e d by Go d . T h e patr i ar ch J o b i n ch ar acte r i s ti c He br e w
par al l e l i s m, i n r e f e r r i n g back to th e cr e ati o n o f man , u tte r s
th e se i mpr e ssi ve wo r d s: T h e s pi r i t [ruach] of God h ath
mad e me , an d th e br e a th [neshamah] o f th e Al mi gh ty h a th
gi ve n me l i f e (J o b 33:4).
An d i n s pe aki n g o f ma n s d e ath , J o b state s t h a t i t i s
br o u gh t a bo u t by th e r e ve r sal o f th e cr e ati o n pr o ce ssGo d
gath e r i n g back to Hi mse l f Hi s s pi r i t [ruach] a n d h i s br e ath
[,neshamah] (J o b 34:14), wh i ch He o r i gi n al l y i n br e a th e d , o r
i n f u se d , i n to man . He n ce th e s pi r i t t h a t Go d take s back f r o m
man at d e ath i s Go d s o wn vi tal i zi n g s pi r i t, o r br e a th , i mpar te d
to man , a n d th e n r e t u r n i n g to i ts o r i gi n a ti n g So u r ce . T h i s ap
pe ar s al so i n Eccl e si astes: T h e n sh al l th e dust [by me to n o my,
th e bo d y] r e t u r n to th e e a r th as i t was: a n d th e s pi r i t [ruach;
n o t nephesh, so u l ] sh al l r e t u r n u n t o Go d wh o gave i t (ch ap.
12:7).
2. S p i r i t D i s t i n c t F r o m L i f e I t P r o d u c es .I n d e ath
ma n s ruach (spi r i t) go es back to Go d , f r o m wh o m i t came
wh e n man was f o r me d . Wh i l e i t i s th e pr e se n ce o f th e s pi r i t,
o r br e ath , o f Go d th a t bestows l i f e o n man , i t i s to be pa r
ti cu l ar l y n o te d t h a t Go d s s pi r i t, o r br e a t h (J o b 33:4), i s
distinct from the life it has brought into beingju s t as cau se
i s d i f f e r e n t f r o m effect.
T h i s d i f f e r e n ti ati o n i s h i gh l y i mpo r tan t. If th e life o f man
we r e i d e n ti cal wi th th e spirit t h a t pr o d u ce d i t, i t wo u l d po s
sess al l th e e sse n ti al a ttr i bu te s o f th e s pi r i t. Bu t th i s i s saf e
gu ar d e d i n th e Scr i ptu r e acco u n t, wh i ch d e scr i be s th e s pi r i t
as th e cause o f l i f e , bu t d i s ti n ct an d d i s ti n gu i s h abl e f r o m i t.
T h u s th e effect may pe r i sh , bu t th e cau se do e s n o t pe r i sh .
T h e l i f e o f man may d i sappe ar an d be co me e xti n ct, wh i l e th e
s pi r i t, o r br e ath , f r o m th e Al mi gh ty do e s n o t. I t si mpl y r e tu r n s
to Hi m f r o m wh o m i t came .
Man has th e br e ath , o r s pi r i t, o f Go d wi th i n h i m. Bu t th e
s pi r i t may be wi th d r awn , si n ce i t i s o n l y a l o an f r o m Go d f o r
th e d u r a t i o n o f ma n s l i f e ti me . J o b si gn i f i can tl y d e scr i be s l i f e
as al l th e wh i l e my br e a th [neshamah] i s i n me , a n d th e s pi r i t
[ruach] o f Go d i s i n my n o s tr i l s (J o b 27:3). J o b kn e w th a t
h i s s pi r i t, o r br e a th , was n o t h i s o wn , wi th an i n d e pe n d e n t an d
i n n ate r i gh t to ke e p i t, bu t was th e s pi r i t, o r br e ath , of God
i n h i s n o s tr i l s s u bje ct to wi th d r awal at h i s Make r s wi l l . J o b
r e co gn i ze d h i mse l f as i n tr i n s i cal l y bu t d u s t (J o b 10:9; 34:15).
3. R e s t o r a t i o n o f S p i r i t a t R e s u r r e c t i o n .As th e e n
tr an ce o f th e s pi r i t i n to man o r i gi n al l y gave h i m l i f e , so i n th e
same way th e r e s to r ati o n o f th e s pi r i t, at th e r e s u r r e cti o n , r e
ne ws h i s l i f e . T h i s i s f o r e sh o wn by Eze ki e l s vi si o n o f th e val l e y
o f th e d r y bo n e sth e n ve r y d r y (Eze. 37:2) a n d e n ti r e l y
l i f e l e ss, h avi n g o n ce h ad l i f e bu t n o w wi th n o br e a th [spi r i t,
ruach\ i n th e m (v. 8). An d th e n th r o u gh th e acti o n o f th e
f i gu r ati ve w i n d [br e ath , o r s pi r i t, ruach] l i f e was r e s to r e d
by Go d s cau si n g Hi s s pi r i t, o r br e ath , to e n te r i n to th e m
agai n . T h u s :
Be h o l d , I wi l l cause br e ath [spi r i t, ruach] to e n te r i n to yo u [th e d r y
bo n e s], a n d ye sh al l l i ve : an d I wi l l l ay si news u po n yo u, an d wi l l br i n g u p
f l esh u po n yo u, an d co ve r yo u wi th ski n, an d pu t br e ath [spi r i t, ruach] i n
yo u, a n d ye sh al l l i ve . An d sh al l pu t my s pi r i t [ruach] i n yo u, an d ye sh al l
l i ve (Eze. 37:5, 6, 14).
T h e l i f e th a t was r e l i n qu i s h e d wh e n th e s pi r i t l e f t th e
bo d y i s th u s r e n e we d . An d i t was th i s r e n e wal , o r r e s to r ati o n
o f th e s pi r i t, o r br e a th th e br e a th o f Go d t h a t cau se d l i f e
t h a t was th e h o pe an d th e pr o mi se o f a f u tu r e l i f e f o r th e
Ol d T e s ta me n t wo r th i e s. Wh e n th e y kn e w th e y we r e d yi n g,
a n d we r e so o n to si n k back i n to th e i r o r i gi n al e ar th , th e y co m
me n d e d t h e i r s pi r i ts i n to th e saf e ke e pi n g o f Go d . T h u s th e
psal mi st Davi d , u po n th e pr o spe ct o f d e ath , sai d : I n to th i n e
h an d I co mmi t my s pi r i t [ruach]: t h o u h ast r e d e e me d me , O
L o r d Go d o f tr u t h . . . . I tr u s t i n th e L o r d (Ps. 31:5, 6).
He mad e th e same co mmi ttal t h a t C h r i s t l ate r mad e
(Lu ke 23:46). I t was be cau se h e h ad be e n r e d e e me d th a t
Davi d was abl e to co mme n d h i s s pi r i t wi th co n f i d e n ce i n to
th e h an d s o f Go d . Re i te r a ti n g th e n : Go d gave man h i s s pi r i t
at cr e ati o n . Bu t man f o r f e i te d h i s r i gh t to th e cau sati ve s pi r i t,
an d i n co n se qu e n ce i t i s r e n d e r e d back to Go d at (th e f i rst)
d e ath , go i n g back to Hi m to wh o m i t be l o n gs.
An d wh i l e th e s pi r i t i s r e n d e r e d back to Go d as a f o r f e i t
be cau se o f th e o r i gi n al si n , i ts r e s to r ati o n i s pl e d ge d by co ve
n a n t t h r o u gh C h r i st. I t i s th e be l i e ve r s i n pr o mi se a pr o mi se
t h a t wi l l n o t be br o ke n , f o r i t i s i mpo ssi bl e f o r Go d to l i e
(He b. 6:18). I t i s ke pt saf e f o r h i m. T h e s e par ati o n i s f o r th e
ti me wh e n th e sl e e pe r l i es si l e n tl y i n th e d u s t o f gr ave d o m,
wh i ch passage o f ti me wi l l se em as bu t th e twi n kl i n g o f an
eye.
VI. Fu n d ame n tal Di sti n cti o n Between Man an d Beast
1. I mmo r t a l i t y N o t C o n f e r r e d by I n b r e a t h e d
B r e a t h .We wo u l d o n ce mo r e stress th e f act th a t th e r e i s n o
ju sti f i abl e basi s f o r th e f r e qu e n t asse r ti o n th a t th e i n br e a th i n g
o f th e br e a th o f l i f e i n to ma n s n o str i l s mad e th e r e s u l ta n t
living soul [nephesh chayah] i mmo r tal . Man i s n o t i n t r i n
si cal l y th e br e a th o f l i f e . He si mpl y has th e br e ath o f l i f e.
Ad am h ad l i f e th r o u gh th e br e ath o f l i f e , o r s pi r i t o f
Go d , t h a t was i n br e ath e d , i n f u se d , o r i n spi r e d i n to h i m at
cr e ati o n (Ge n . 2:7). T h i s pr i n ci pl e an d pr o vi si o n o f l i f e came
to man f r o m Go d , th e so l e o r i gi n o f l i f e , a n d a t d e ath i t go es
back to Go d , wh o gave i t (Eccl . 12:7). T o d i e i s to e xpi r e ,
a n d to e xpi r e i s to e mi t th e l ast br e ath .
De ath i s th e r e f o r e th e s e par ati o n o f th e br e ath o f l i f e
f r o m th e bo d y. Man s pr e s e n t ph ysi cal l i f e , as wi th al l th e a n i
mal cr e ati o n , i s d e pe n d e n t u po n th e breath. Wh e n t h a t i s
go n e , bo th man and be ast d i e . I n that r e spe ct man h as n o
pr e -e mi n e n ce o ve r th e be ast (Eccl . 3:19). An d th i s i s i r r e spe c
ti ve o f wh e th e r go o d o r e vi l . Su ch i s Go d s u n i ve r s al l aw.
2. T o t a l l y D i f f e r e n t F r o m Br u t e C r e a t i o n . Bu t, i n
th e si gh t o f Go d th e r e i s a vast d i f f e r e n ce be twe e n th e n a tu r e
a n d ch ar acte r an d val u e o f th e r e spe cti ve l i ves o f man an d be ast.
Man was e xpr e ssl y mad e i n th e i mage o f Go d (Ge n . 1:26, 27;
9:6; cf . 1C o r . 11:7; 15:49); th e be ast was n o t.
Fu r th e r mo r e , ma n s po we r o f speech, h i s moral nature,
h i s d i s ti n cti ve capabi l i ty f o r r e l i gi o n an d wo r sh i p, an d h i s
capabi l i ty o f constant progression and fellowship with God ar e
to tal l y d i f f e r e n t f r o m t h a t o f th e br u te cr e ati o n , wh i ch e ve r
r e mai n s at th e same l evel o f i n te l l i ge n ce , a n d do e s n o t h ave
f e l l o wsh i p wi th Go d . Man i s a so n o f Go d (Lu ke 3:38);
th e be ast i s n o t.
I n a d d i ti o n , a f u n d ame n ta l d i f f e r e n ce was e stabl i sh e d by
Go d i n th e relationships and destiny o f man a n d be ast. T h u s
man was gi ve n d o mi n i o n o ve r th e l o we r an i mal cr e ati o n (Ge n .
1:26); n e ve r th e r e ve r se . An d wh i l e bo th man an d be ast r e t u r n
to d u s t, th e br u te si mpl y ceases to be th e r e af te r , wh e r e as man
sl e e ps u n d e r th e watch car e o f Go d u n t i l th e r e s u r r e cti o n . Ac
co r d i n g to th e Wo r d , ma n s s pi r i t, o r br e a t h , go es back to
Go d wh o gave i t (Eccl . 12:7; cf . Nu m. 27:16; J o b 12:10; 34:14,
15; Ps. 104:29, 30; Isa. 42:5; Zech . 12:1; He b. 12:9), a n d i s
h i d wi th C h r i s t i n Go d awai ti n g th e gl ad r e u n i o n o f s pi r i t, o r
br e ath , an d bo d y a t th e f i n al r e s u r r e cti o n day.
3. A t D e a t h B ea s t C ea s es t o Be .Such ar e th e f u n d a
me n tal d i sti n cti o n s be twe e n man a n d be ast. T h e y ar e as f ar
a pa r t as th e po l e s, a n d we r e so d e si gn e d , cr e ate d , a n d ke pt by
Go d . At d e ath th e be ast pe r man e n tl y ceases to be , h as n o awak
e n i n g, n o f u tu r e l i f e . T h a t i s i ts e n d . Bu t r e d e e me d a n d r e ge n
e r ate d man wi l l be cal l e d f o r th f r o m h i s sl e e p by C h r i s t th e
Li f e -gi ve r , to a l i f e t h a t me asu r e s wi th th e l i f e o f Go d , a n d i n
e te r n al co mmu n i o n th e r e af te r wi th Go d .
Le t n o n e say, th e n , t h a t be cau se bo th h ave l i f e an d br e a th
f r o m Go d , man h as n o f u n d ame n tal pr e -e mi n e n ce o ve r th e
be ast. T h e r e i s n o pr e -e mi n e n ce in thisth at bo th d i e , o r cease
to l i ve . T h e y bo th e xpi r e . But there the similarity ends. Upo n
man al o n e wi l l be co n f e r r e d th e gi f t o f i mmo r tal i ty, to be be
sto we d at th e Se co n d Ad ve n t an d i ts co n cu r r e n t r e s u r r e cti o n .
T h u s man i s i n d e e d th e cr o wn o f cr e ati o n , mad e i n th e i mage
o f Go d (Ge n . 5:1; Acts 17:29; 1 C o r . 11:7).
C H A P T E R T E N
Arguments Formul ate
Unwo r th y Pl atf orm
T wo o th e r vi tal He br e w te r ms mu s t be co n s i d e r e d e r e we
t u r n to ce r tai n f avo r i te Ol d T e s ta me n t pr o bl e m te xts co n s tan tl y
i n vo ke d by Immo r tal -So u l i sts i n se e ki n g to su s tai n t h e i r vi e w
o f th e pe r s i s ti n g co n sci o u sn e ss o f d i se mbo d i e d spi r i ts, o r so u l s,
a f te r d e ath an d o f th e Ete r n al T o r me n t o f th e i n co r r i gi bl y
wi cke d . We wi l l t h e n br i n g th i s su r ve y o f th e Ol d T e s ta me n t
o n th e n a tu r e an d d e sti n y o f man to a cl o se. So we n o w t u r n ,
f i r st to shel an d th e n to G Hinnom.
I. Shels Mo st Su i tabl e Re n d e r i n g Is Gr ave d o m
I n se e ki n g to gr asp th e me an i n g an d to u n d e r s ta n d th e
u sage o f th e basi c He br e w te r ms t h a t co n ce r n th e destiny o f
man , we co me to th e f ami l i ar wo r d shel, wh i ch we s h o u l d r e
me mbe r i s al ways co n n e cte d wi th d e ath . No w, th e r e ar e two
pr i n ci pal r e aso n s f o r th e pr e val e n t d i f f i cu l ty i n gr as pi n g th e
t r u e i n t e n t o f shel (1) co n f l i cti n g tr an s l ati o n s , a n d (2)
po pu l a r mi sco n ce pti o n s pr e val e n t co n ce r n i n g He l l . T h e s e
mu s t be cl ar i f i e d a n d th e t r u e i n t e n t asce r tai n e d .
1. D i f f i c u l t y C r e a t e d b y V a r i a n t T r a n s l a t i o n s .
Fi r st o f al l , va r i a n t tr an s l ati o n s o f th e He br e w wo r d shel
h ave mad e i t d i f f i cu l t f o r th e En gl i sh r e ad e r to gr asp th e basi c
me an i n g o f th e wo r d . Fo r e xampl e , i n i ts si xty-f i ve o ccu r r e n ce s
i n th e Ol d T e s ta me n t shel h as be e n gi ve n th r e e d i f f e r e n t an d
actu al l y co n tr ad i cto r y r e n d e r i n gs . I n th e Au th o r i ze d Ve r si o n ,
160
WEAK ARGUMENT S FORMULAT E UNWORT HY PLAT FORM 161
sheol i s twe n ty-se ve n ti me s r e n d e r e d as h e l l , th i r ty-f i ve
ti me s as th e gr ave , a n d th r e e ti me s as th e pi t . (I t sh o u l d
be n o te d at th e o u ts e t th a t gr ave , as h e r e use d, me an s the
gr ave i n co n tr as t to a gr ave [qeber] o r me r e bu r i a l pl ace .)
Ad d e d to th i s pr i mar y di f f i cu l ty i s th e f act th at n i n e o th e r
wo r d s be si d e s sheol ar e al so tr an s l ate d pi t . Fu r th e r mo r e ,
six o th e r wo r d s, i n a d d i ti o n to sheol, ar e tr an s l ate d gr ave . 1
T h i s o bvi o u sl y co mpl i cate s th e s i tu ati o n .
I n th e Re vi se d Ve r si o n sheol i s tr an s l ate d as h e l l f o u r
te e n ti me s, as gr ave f i f te e n ti me s, an d as pi t si x ti me s. I n
th i r ty i n stan ce s sheol i s l e f t u n tr a n s l a te d ju s t th e pl ai n tr an s
l i te r a ti o n s h e o l . I n th e Re vi se d Stan d ar d Ve r si o n sheol i s
t r a n s l i te r a te d i n al l bu t two o ccu r r e n ce s1Ki ngs 2:9 an d So ng
o f So l o mo n 8:6, i n bo th cases be i n g r e n d e r e d gr ave . T h e J e w
i sh Pu bl i ca ti o n So ci e ty T o r a h tr an s l i te r ate s sheol i n al l cases.
As a co n ve n i e n ce f o r th o se wh o wi sh to ch e ck th e var i o u s
tr an s l ati o n s , th e si xty-f i ve i n stan ce s ar e l i ste d i n th e n o te be
l o w.2
2. H e l l a W h o l l y U n s u i t a b l e T r a n s l a t i o n .T h e
se co n d majo r h an d i cap to co r r e ct u n d e r s tan d i n g i s th e po pu l ar
mi s co n ce pti o n t h a t He l l (o n e o f th e pr i n ci pal wo r d s by wh i ch
sheol i s tr an s l ate d i n th e En gl i sh ve r si o n s) i s co mmo n l y co n
si d e r e d to be a pl ace o r state o f f i ery, e n d l e ss, present to r me n t
f o r th e wi cke d .
As me n ti o n e d , i n a to tal o f th i r ty-e i gh t i n stan ce s o u t o f
th e si xty-f i ve, i n th e Au th o r i ze d Ve r si o n sheol i s r e n d e r e d
e i th e r th e gr ave o r th e pi t . No w, i f sheol we r e to si gn i f y
th e l ake bu r n i n g wi th f i r e an d br i ms to n e i n wh i ch th e wi cke d
ar e ge n e r al l y be l i e ve d wr i th i n g i n e n d l e ss co n sci o u s mi se r y,
th e n wh y s h o u l d sheol e ve r be r e n d e r e d gr ave , o r pi t ,
wh i ch i t i s i n mo r e th an h al f th e passages? T h e qu e s ti o n i s pe r -
1Se e Bu l l i n ge r , A Critical Lexicon and Concordance, a r t ., He l l , p. 368.
2T h e si xty-f i ve i n s ta n ce s i n wh i ch sheol o ccu r s a r e : Ge n . 37:35; 42:38 ; 44:29, 31; Nu m.
16:30, 33; De u t . 32:22; 1 Sam. 2:6; 2 Sam. 22:6; 1 Ki n gs 2:6, 9; J o b 7:9; 11:8; 14:13; 17:13,
16; 21:13; 24:19; 26:6: Ps. 6:5; 9:17; 16:10; 18:5; 30:3; 31:17; 49:14 (2), 15; 55:15; 86:13;
88:3; 89:48: 116:3; 139:8; 141:7; Pr o v. 1:12; 5:5; 7:27; 9:18; 15:11, 24; 23:14; 27:20; 30:16;
Eccl . 9:10; So n g o f So l o mo n 8:6; Is a. 5:14; 14:9, 11, 15; 28:15, 18; 38:10, 14; 57:9; Eze . 31:15,
16, 17; 32:21, 27; Ho s e a 13:14 (2); Amo s 9:2; J o n a h 2:2; Ha b. 2:5.
PAINTING BY HARRY ANDERSON 19 4 5 BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD
Pl ace d o n Pr o bati o n i n Si nl ess Ed e n , Ad am an d Eve We r e 6
C an d i d ate s f o r Ra d i a n t I mmo r tal i ty i f Obe d i e n t.
ti n e n t, a n d th e an swe r i s si mpl e a n d basi c: In Old Testament
times shedl me a n t th e u n s e e n se cr e t r e s ti n g pl ace o f all th e
d e ad not the place of torment for the wicked.
I n th e f i r st o ccu r r e n ce o f shedl (i n Ge n . 37:35, Fo r I wi l l
go d o wn i n to th e gr ave [shedl] u n to my so n mo u r n i n g),
th e r e vi se r s i n th e Re vi se d Ve r si o n ad d e d a mar gi n al n o te ,
He b. shedl, th e n ame o f th e abo d e o f th e d e ad , an s we r i n g to
th e Gr e e k hades, Acts 2:27. C e r tai n te xts se em to su gge st th i s
d e f i n i ti o n (I f I wai t, th e gr ave i s mi n e h o u s e , J o b 17:13),
a n d i t pr e se n ts n o d i f f i cu l ti e s i f we d o n o t take i t to i mpl y
t h a t th e d e ad ar e living i n shedl, wh i ch i s co n tr ar y to o t h e r
pl ai n te xts d e s cr i bi n g th e state o f man i n d e ath .
3. G r a v e d o m M o s t Su i t a b l e R e n d e r i n g f o r
Sh e o l .A car e f u l e xami n ati o n o f th e si xty-f i ve shedl pas
sages wi l l sh o w th a t th e wo r d gravedom 3n o t pr i ma r i l y th e
pl ace o f i n te r me n t o r th e locality o f d e par te d spi r i ts, bu t th e
condition of death o r the death-stateo f f er s th e n e ar e s t s u i t a
bl e pr e po n d e r a n t r e n d e r i n g. T h e i n s e r ti o n o f gr ave d o m f o r
shedl i n to th e si xty-f i ve te xts wh e r e shedl appe ar s, wo u l d
cl ar i f y th e wh o l e pr o bl e m, an d af f o r d th e n e ar e s t po ssi bl e
u n i f o r m me an i n g.
T h u s h ar mo n y an d co n si ste n cy wo u l d r e s u l t, a n d a se m
bl an ce o f o r d e r co me o u t o f mu ch co n f u si o n . Ad d e d to th i s i s
th e f act th a t th e Ne w T e s ta me n t Gr e e k hades, e qu i va l e n t o f th e
He br e w shedl, may l i ke wi se be co n si ste n tl y tr an s l ate d grave
dom. T h i s i s f u r t h e r r e aso n f o r appr o vi n g th i s te r m.4
4. Su s pe n s i o n o f L i f e i n Sh e o l A w a i t i n g R es u r r ec
t i o n .I n th e Pe n tate u ch an d th r o u gh o u t th e s u bs e qu e n t
bo o ks o f th e Ol d T e s tame n t, shedl i s se t f o r th as th e pl ace o r
state o f d e ath , o r th e d e ad , wh e r e d e e pe st d ar kn e ss an d si l e n ce
o btai n s , a n d i n wh i ch th e r e i s to tal abse n ce o f l i f e i n an y f o r m.
I n shedl al l h u man acti vi ti e s cease. I t i s th e awe so me te r mi n u s
3Empl o ye d by s u ch e mi n e n t s ch o l ar s as C a n o n He n r y C o n s tabl e , Pr o f . E. W. Bu l l i n ge r ,
C o n gr e ga ti o n a l i s t C h a pl a i n J . H. Pe tt i n ge l l , a n d ma n y o th e r s , as wi l l be s e e n i n vo l u me 2.
* Se e Bu l l i n ge r , A Critical Lexicon, a r t ., He l l , p. 368; al so The Companion Bible,
A ppe n d i x 35, p. 33.
WEAK ARGUMENT S FORMULAT E UNWORT HY PLAT FORM 16S
to war d wh i ch al l h u man l i f e mo ves. T h e d e ad wh o ar e th e r e i n
gi ve n o si gn o f l i f e. I n shedl n o th i n g i s se en o r h e ar d . T h e r e
i s n o t h o u gh t o r pe r ce pti o n , n o acti vi ty o f an y ki n d . Go o d an d
bad al i ke ar e th e r e co n f i n e d i n d ar kn e ss, wi th su spe n si o n o f
al l l i f e .
I n shedl th e r e i s n o wo r k, n o r d e vi ce , n o r kn o wl e d ge ,
n o r wi sd o m (Eccl . 9:10). Each i s wr appe d i n h e avy, u n co n
sci o u s sl e e p,5th e r e to awai t th e cal l o f th e Li f e -gi ve r o n th e r e s
u r r e cti o n mo r n . Be yo n d an y qu e s ti o n shedl i s th e pl ace o f
d e ath , d ar kn e ss, an d si l e n ce gravedom.
T h e f act i s par ti cu l ar l y i mpr e ssi ve t h a t shedl, o r gr ave
d o m, stan d s i n co mpl e te co n tr as t wi th th e state o f th e l i vi n g
(De u t. 30:15, 19; 1 Sam. 2:6-9), an d i s n e ve r co n n e cte d wi th
th e l i vi n g e xce pt by co n tr ast. As to i ts d u r a ti o n , th e d o mi n i o n
o f shedl, o r th e gr ave , l asts u n t i l , an d wi l l e n d o n l y wi th , th e
r e s u r r e cti o n wh i ch i s i ts o n l y e xi t. I wi l l r an s o m th e m f r o m
th e po we r o f th e grave [sheol]; I wi l l r e d e e m th e m f r o m
d e ath . . . ; O grave [sheol], I wi l l be th y d e s tr u cti o n (Ho se a
13:14. C f . Ps. 16:10 wi th Acts 2:27).
Man h i mse l f , as a pe r so n o r i n d i vi d u al , goes d o wn i n to
shedl, th e state o f d e ath , an d r e mai n s i n shedl d u r i n g th e e n ti r e
pe r i o d o f d e ath . He r e ar e co n f i r mato r y te xts:
As th e cl o u d i s co n su me d an d van i sh e th away: so he that goeth doiun
to the grave [shedl] sh al l co me u p n o mo r e (J o b 7:9)th a t i s, n o t u n ti l
th e r e su r r e cti o n .
T h e y [th e wi cked] spe n d th e i r days i n we al th , an d i n a mo me n t go
d o wn to th e grave [sheol] (J o b 21:13).
Li ke sh e e p th e y [th e f o o l i sh ] ar e l ai d i n th e grave [shedl]; d e ath sh al l
f e e d o n th e m (Ps. 49:14).
5. D a r k n e s s o f S h e 6 l D i s s i p a t e d b y L i g h t o f R e s u r
r e c t i o n .T h e co n ce pt o f d e ath an d shedl as e qu i val e n ts r u n s
al l th r o u gh th e Ol d T e s ta me n t (Pr o v. 5:5; 7:27; So n g o f So l o
mo n 8:6; Isa. 28:15; Hab. 2:5). Re s u r r e cti o n was u n d e r s to o d
an d an ti ci pate d . Bu t th e sadness o f th e Ol d T e s ta me n t He br e w
co n te mpl ati o n o f entrance i n to th e d ar k, s i l e n t, l i f el ess state o f
5Ge n . 37:35; J o b 14:12, 13; Ps. 6:5; 49:19; Eccl . 9:5-10; Is a. 38:18.
sheol, gi ves way to th e Ne w T e s ta me n t C h r i s ti an e mph asi s o n
th e exit f r o m th e gr ave u n d e r th e go spe l , wh e r e sheols d o mi n
i o n i s br o ke n a n d i ts r u l e abr o gate d by th e t r i u mph a n t r e s u r
r e cti o n o f C h r i s t f r o m i ts po we r a n d d o mai n . J o bs wo r d s th u s
so mbe r l y ti e shedl, d ar kn e ss, co r r u pti o n , a n d th e d u st, to
ge th e r i n gr ave d o m.
I f I wai t, th e grave [shedl] i s mi n e h o u se : I h ave mad e my be d i n th e
darkness. I h ave sai d to corruption, T h o u a r t my f ath e r : to th e worm, T h o u
a r t my mo th e r , an d my si ster . An d wh e r e i s no w my h o pe ? . . . T h e y sh al l go
d o wn to th e bar s o f th e pit [shedt], wh e n o u r r e st to ge th e r i s in the dust
(J o b 17:13-16).
Ho we ve r , u n d e r th e go spe l , th e e xi t f r o m gr ave d o m
t h r o u gh th e assu r an ce o f r e s u r r e cti o n , be co me s l u mi n o u s a n d
ce n tr al . T h u s sadness gi ves way to gl ad n e ss.
6. S h e o l : P l a c e o f D e a t h , N o t L i f e . Shedl i s
th e r e f o r e th e pl ace o r state o f d e ath . No t o n ce d o e s th e Ol d
T e s ta me n t spe ak o f sheol i n co n n e cti o n wi th l i f e . On l y i n th e
po e ti cal i mage r y o f Isai ah 14 ar e th o se i n sheol sai d to pe r f o r m
th e acts o f l i vi n g be i n gs, as wi l l be n o te d i n Pa r t IV. Shedl
i s th e r e f o r e i n var i abl y co n n e cte d wi th d e ath . Ha n n a h th e
pr o ph e te ss spe aks o f Go d as th e On e wh o br i n ge th down to
th e gr ave [shedl], a n d br i n ge th u p (1 Sam. 2:6). I n o th e r
wo r d s, shedl i s cl e ar l y, a n d al ways, th e pl ace o f d e ath .
Wh a t man i s h e th a t l i ve th , an d sh al l n o t see d e ath ? sh al l h e d e l i ve r
h i s so u l f r o m th e h a n d o f th e grave [shedl]} (Ps. 89:48).
T h e so r r o ws o f d e a th co mpasse d me, an d th e pai n s o f hell [shedl]
gat h o l d u po n me (Ps. 116:3).
7. S h e 6 l a n d D e a t h A r e F r e q u e n t l y S y n o n y m o u s .
Shedl an d d e a th ar e o f te n e qu i val e n ts. Pr o ve r bs spe aks o f
th e str an ge wo man wh o se f e e t go d o wn to death [maweth];
h e r ste ps take h o l d o n hell [sheol] (Pr o v. 5:5). He r
h o u se i s th e way to hell [shedl], go i n g d o wn to th e ch ambe r s
o f death (ch ap. 7:27). So, we r e pe at, shedl a n d d e a th ar e u se d
i n Ho l y Wr i t as syn o n yms. T h u s : We h ave mad e a co ve
n a n t wi th death, a n d wi th hell [shedl] ar e we a t agr e e me n t
(Isa. 28:15). An d Ha bakku k d e scr i be s th e pr o u d as o n e wh o
e n l ar ge th h i s d e si r e as hell [shedl], an d i s as death (Hab.
2:5). T h i s i s i n var i abl e f r o m th e e ar l i e st bo o k o f th e Ol d T e s
tame n t t h r o u gh to i ts cl o se.
We th e r e f o r e r i gh tl y co n cl u d e th a t shedl i s th e gr ave , o r
gr ave d o mth e s i l e n t, i n vi s i bl e pl ace to wh i ch Go d to l d s i n f u l
Ad am h e mu s t go d u s t th o u ar t, an d u n to d u s t s h al t t h o u r e
t u r n (Ge n . 3:19)n o t to a l an d o f l i vi n g gh o sts. T h a t was
th e u n d e r s ta n d i n g th a t J o b h ad o f shedl, o r th e gr ave , as
n o te d :
I f I wai t, th e grave [sheol] i s mi n e h o u se : I h ave mad e my be d i n th e
d ar kn e ss. I h ave sai d to co r r u pti o n , T h o u ar t my f ath e r : to th e wo r m, T h o u
ar t my mo th e r , an d my si ster . . . . T h e y sh al l go d o wn to th e bar s o f th e
pit [shedl], wh e n o u r r e st to ge th e r i s i n th e dust (J o b 17:13-16).
I I . Or i gi n o f Ge h e n n a (Ge Hinnom) Symbol o f
Fi n al De str u cti o n
T h e Ol d T e s ta me n t o r i gi n s o f Ne w T e s ta me n t e xpr e ssi o n s
ar e si gn i f i can tl y i l l u s tr ate d by th e te r m Ge h e n n a, f r e qu e n tl y
e mpl o ye d by C h r i s t Hi mse l f , bu t i n vo l vi n g d e f i n i ti ve al l u si o n s
an d backgr o u n d s r o o te d i n th e h i sto r y o f an ci e n t Isr ae l , as f o r
e xampl e i n Isai ah 66:23, 24.
1. H i s t o r i c a l B a c k g r o u n d o f G e h e n n a . Hi s to r i
cal l y, th e Val l e y o f Hi n n o m (o r Ge Hinnom) was a n ar r o w
gl e n swe e pi n g d o wn f r o m th e so u th we ste r n wal l o f J e r u s al e m,
an d wate r e d by th e br o o k Ki d r o n . Un d e r th e e a r l i e r He br e w
ki n gs i t was l ai d o u t i n th e f o r m o f pl e as an t gar d e n s, gr o ves,
an d po o l s. He r e th e we al th y h ad th e i r s u mme r h o me s. An d at
th e s o u th e as te r n e xtr e mi ty was th e f ame d gar d e n o f So l o mo n
wi th i ts T o ph e t , r o yal mu si c gr o ve , an d i ts si n ge r s. Bu t Hi n
n o m came to be po l l u te d by i d o l atr o u s sh r i n e s an d h i gh
pl ace s i n wh i ch th e cr u e l an d l i ce n ti o u s r i te s o f Egypt a n d
Ph o e n i ci a we r e i n tr o d u ce d , su ch as wo r sh i p o f th e f i r e-go ds by
Ah az (se ve n th ce n tu r y B .c.) .a
0Ot h e r r e f e r e n ce s i n cl u d e h i gh pl ace s [i d o l atr o u s pl a ce s ] o f T ophet (J e r . 7:31); th e y
s h al l bu r y i n T o p h e t (v. 32, al so 19:6); e ve n ma ke th i s ci t y as Tophet (19:12); d e f i l e d
as t h e pl a ce o f To p het (v. 13, al so 2 K i n gs 23:10). I t i s to be ca l l e d t h e val l e y o f s l a u gh t e r .
ISRAEL INFORMATION SERVICE, NEW YORK
Val l ey o f Hi n n o m, o r Sl au gh te r , So u th o f J e r u sal e m, Used f o r th e Bu r n i n g
o f C arcasses an d Ru bbi sh , Became a Symbo l o f Ge h e n n a, an d th e Utte r De str u c
ti o n o f th e Wi cke d.
T h i s po l l u ti o n was i n te n si f i e d u n d e r So l o mo n s successo rs,
l i ke Man asse h i n th e si xth ce n tu r y b .c . (2 C h r o n . 33:1-10).
T h e h i d e o u s f i res o f Mo l e ch we r e ki n d l e d , an d th e sh r i e ks o f
ch i l d r e n be i n g i mmo l ate d r e s o u n d e d th r o u gh th e be a u ti f u l
val l e y, as i d o l atr o u s J e ws passe d th e i r i n f an ts th r o u gh th e
f i r e to Mo l e ch 7be co mi n g symbo l i c o f th e wai l i n g an d gn as h
i n g o f te e th to co me . So Tophet came to me an pl ace o f bu r n
i n g, a n d th e Val l e y o f Hi n n o m, o f s l a u gh te r (J e r . 7:32). I t
th u s be came a type , i n pr o ph e cy, o f al l t h a t was f l agr an tl y
wi cke d an d abo mi n abl e to th e f ai th f u l , a n d o f th e f i n al ju d g
me n t by d e s tr u cti o n . I n su cce e d i n g ce n tu r i e s bl o o d f l o wed
th e r e i n str e ams. An d co r pse s, bu r i e d a n d u n bu r i e d , f i l l e d
man y o f th e h o l l o wsth e bo n e s o f J e ws, Pe r si an s, Gr e e ks,
Ro man s, Mo sl e ms, an d C r u sad e r s.
2. A s s o ci a t e d W i t h U ps u r ge o f N e cr o ma n cy. Bu t
th e r e i s ye t a n o th e r an d r e l ate d an gl e t h a t n e e d s to be n o te d :
An d h e [Manasseh ] cau se d h i s ch i l d r e n to pass th r o u gh th e f i re i n
7 L e v. 18:21; 2 K i n gs 23:10; 2 C h r o n . 28:3; 33:6; J e r . 7:31.
166
th e val l ey o f th e so n o f Hi n n o m: also he observed times, and used enchant
ments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with
wizards: h e wr o u gh t mu ch evi l i n th e si gh t o f th e Lo r d , to pr o vo ke h i m
to an ge r (2 C h r o n . 33:6).
T h u s th e h e ath e n f i res o f Mo l e ch we r e asso ci ate d wi th an
u ps u r ge o f n e cr o man cy, wi tch cr af t, an d wi zar d r y.8 T h e y al l
we n t to ge th e r . An d th e i r l ate r d e s tr u cti o n , u n d e r J o si ah , be
came a symbo l o f th e f i n al a n d u t t e r d e s tr u cti o n o f al l pe r ve r
si o n si n cl u d i n g th e f al se te ach i n gs an d pr acti ce s o f al l e ge d
co mmu n i cati o n wi th th e l i vi n g s pi r i ts o f th e d e ad , u n d e r th e
s i mu l ati n g d e ce pti o n s o f e vi l an ge l s.
3. J o s i a h T r a n s f o r ms V a l l e y I n t o R ef u s e P i t .I n th e
si xth ce n tu r y B .C ., wh e n J o s i ah came to th e th r o n e , as pa r t o f
h i s r e l i gi o u s r e f o r mati o n th e gr o ve s we r e bu r n e d d o wn , th e
pl e asan t gar d e n s l ai d waste, a n d th e i d o l atr o u s sh r i n e s gr o u n d
to po wd e r . T o r e n d e r th e val l e y f o r e ve r u n cl e an th e bo n e s o f
th e d e ad we r e str e wn o ve r i ts su r f ace . T h e n ce f o r th i t be came
a vast r e f u se pi t, i n to wh i ch th e o f f al o f th e ci ty was cast, an d
th e carcasses o f an i mal s, al o n g wi th th e d e ad bo d i e s o f cr i mi
n al s so wi cke d as to be ad ju d ge d u n wo r th y o f bu r i a l . He r e
wo r ms pr e ye d u po n th e i r pu tr e f yi n g f l esh , an d f i res we r e ke pt
bu r n i n g to co n su me th e co r r u pti o n . I t was th e pl ace wh e r e
r e f u se was bu r n e d u p.
Wh ate ve r was wo r th l e ss was cast i n to th e Ge h e n n a f i res,
th e r e to be u tte r l y co n su me d . An d i n case an y pa r t r e mai n e d
u n bu r n e d i t was d e vo u r e d by wo r ms. So th e r e was n o t h i n g l e f t.
T h u s Isai ah wr o te pr o ph e ti cal l y: Fo r T o ph e t i s o r d ai n e d o f
o l d ; . . . th e pi l e th e r e o f i s f i r e an d mu ch wo o d ; th e br e a th o f
th e Lo r d , l i ke a str e am o f br i ms to n e , d o th ki n d l e i t (Isa.
30:33).
By Ne w T e s ta me n t ti me s th e i d o l atr y h ad ce ase d an d th e
a n ci e n t h u man sacr i f i ces we r e n o l o n ge r o f f e r ed. Bu t th e f i r es
we r e sti l l bu r n i n g co n ti n u al l y f o r th e d e s tr u cti o n o f th e r e f u se
o f J e r u s al e m. He n ce th e Gr e e k te r m Gehenna (tr an s
l i te r a ti o n o f th e He br e w Ge Hinnom) was u se d by C h r i s t to
8On Spi r i t u a l i s m s e e l a s t twe l ve ch a pt e r s o f vo l u me 2 o f Conditionalist Faith.
d e si gn ate th e f i n al f i res o f th e d e s tr u cti ve ju d gme n ts o f Go d .
T h e d r e ad wo r d Gehenna o ccu r s twe l ve ti me s i n th e Ne w
T e s ta me n t,9e l e ve n o f wh i ch i ssu e d f r o m th e l i ps o f J e su s Hi m
se l f i n so l e mn war n i n g o f th e co n se qu e n ce s o f si n. Ge h e n n a
i s syn o n ymo u s wi th th e co mi n g l ake o f f i r e o f Re ve l ati o n
19:20; 20:10, 14, 15.
4. V i v i d Sy mb o l o f F i n a l D o o m P o r t r a y ed . T h u s i t
was t h a t th e symbo l i sm o f th e f i r es o f th e val l e y came to po r
tr ay th e f i n al d e s tr u cti o n o f th e wi cke d i n th e qu e n ch l e ss f i r es
o f Ge h e n n a. He n ce Isai ah pr o ph e s i e d o f th e d e vo u r i n g wo r m
an d f i r e:
An d th e y sh al l go f o r th , an d l o o k u po n th e carcases o f th e me n th a t
h ave tr an sgr e sse d agai n st me : f o r th e i r worm sh al l n o t d i e , n e i th e r sh al l
th e i r fire be qu e n ch e d ; an d th e y sh al l be an abh o r r i n g u n to al l f l esh
(Isa. 66:24).
T h e d e ad bo d i e s o f th e wi cke d l i e i n th e val l e y, u n bu r i e d
an d r o tti n g, sl o wl y bu r n i n g ami d th e h e aps o f J e r u s a l e ms
r e f u se , d e vo u r e d by th e u n d yi n g wo r m an d qu e n ch l e ss f l ame
u n t i l th e wh o l e i s co n su me d . Bu t th e wo r m co n su me s o n l y
dead f l esh th u s e xcl u d i n g th e i d e a o f s e n si bi l i ty a n d u n e n d
i n g to r me n t. An d th e f i r e pr e cl u d e s th e co n cu r r e n t pr e se n ce
o f th e wo r m.
Bu t th e two to ge th e r symbo l i ze co mpl e te d e s tr u cti o n o f
th e be i n g t h a t h as ce ase d to l i ve. An d th e work o f th e wo r m
a n d f i r e i s e te r n al n o t i n th e i r d u r a t i o n bu t i n th e i r e te r n al
r e su l ts. T h e si gh t was an awf u l war n i n g to al l be h o l d e r s, si gn i
f yi n g an e n d , a d i ss o l u ti o n , a d i s i n te gr ati o n , an d a f i n al d i s ap
pe ar an ce th e d o o m o f th e wi cke d d e ad !
I I I . T h r e e Su ppo r ti n g C i tati o n s Br e ak Do wn Un d e r Scr uti ny
1. R ec o u r s e t o W ea k A r g u men t s a n U n w o r t h y P r o c e
d u r e . I t i s r e gr e tta bl e to see h o w, wh e n be r e f t o f str o n g, cl e ar ,
po si ti ve s tate me n ts f r o m th e Wo r d d e cl ar i n g I n n a te I mmo r
9T h e twe l ve Ne w T e s t a me n t r e f e r e n ce s to Gehenna (al ways r e n d e r e d h e l l ) a r e :
M a t t . 5:22, 29, 30; 10:28; 18:9; 23:15, 33; Ma r k 9:43, 45, 47; L u ke 12:5; J a me s 3:6.
tal i ty f o r al l me n an d d e pr i ve d o f cl e ar -cu t assu r an ce s o f
pe r si sti n g, co n sci o u s e xi ste n ce o f th e so u l (o r s pi r i t) f o l l o w
i n g th e cr i si s cal l e d d e a th h o w man y Immo r tal -So u l i sts
gr asp a t ce r tai n h azy, d i s pu te d passages, par abl e s, an d f i gu r a
ti ve state me n ts to su stai n th e i r vi ews.
Su ch a pr o ce d u r e wo u l d al mo st appe ar to be an act o f
d e s pe r ati o n th a t wo u l d be d i s d ai n e d as u n wo r th y u n d e r vi r
tu al l y al l o th e r ci r cu mstan ce s. Re co u r se to su ch d o u bt f u l e vi
d e n ce wo u l d se em to i n d i cate an i n h e r e n t we akn e ss o f th e i r
case. A d u bi o u s as so r tme n t o f su ch pr o ps do e s n o t pr o vi d e a
tr u s two r th y pl atf o r m f o r a f u n d ame n ta l be l i e f . I t wi l l n o t be ar
mu ch we i gh t o r s tr ai n , an d can n o t e n d u r e cl o se scr u ti n y. Ne v
e r th e l e ss, d r af t u po n su ch i s f r e qu e n tl y mad e .
We mu s t n o t cl o se th i s Ol d T e s ta me n t su r ve y wi th o u t
e xami n i n g, br i e f l y, a f ew su ch ci tati o n s an d co n te n ti o n s th at
ar e co mmo n l y i n vo ke d . T h e n we wi l l l o o k i n to th e i n e vi tabl e
Sau l a n d th e wi tch o f En d o r e pi so d e al ways br o u gh t f o r war d
f r o m Ol d T e s ta me n t an n al s as pr i mar y te sti mo n y.
Wi t h o u t d i r e ct pr o o f o f I n n a te I mmo r tal i ty, r e co u r se i s
o f te n h ad to i n d i r e ct s u ppo r ts so me o f th e m o f r a t h e r s tr an ge
ch ar acte r . C u r i o u s Ol d T e s ta me n t ci tati o n s ar e cl ai me d by
ce r tai n be l i e ve r s i n th e i mmo r tal i ty o f th e so u l to s u ppo r t th e
po s tu l ate o f d i se mbo d i e d l i f e af te r d e ath . Fi r st, th e r e i s th e
case o f th e pr o ph e t J o n a h i n she61, i n th e be l l y o f th e gr e at f i sh
(J o n ah 2). Se co n d , th e r e i s I s ai ah s par abo l i c t a u n t i n g o d e o n
th e ki n g o f Babyl o n i n sheol (Isa. 14:4-11). An d t h i r d , th e r e
ar e th e par abo l i c d i r ge s by Eze ki e l o n th e f ate o f Ph ar ao h an d
o t h e r mo n ar ch s, l i ke wi se i n sheol (Eze. 31; 32). T h e s e wi l l
suf f i ce.
2. J o n a h N o t D e a d : So Ca s e I s D i s mi s s ed .As to th e
f i r st e pi so d e , i t can be d i smi sse d wi th a co u pl e o f par agr aph s
f o r th e si mpl e r e aso n th a t J o n a h was not dead, but living and
conscious wh i l e i n th e sheol, o r gr ave as i t we r e , o f th e f i sh s
be l l y. C o n se qu e n tl y th i s d r amati c e pi so d e can h ave n o be ar i n g
o n th e qu e s ti o n o f co n sci o u sn e ss i n d e ath . J o n ah s r e co r d e d
pr aye r , o f f e r e d wh i l e i n th e be l l y o f th e f i sh , was th i s: I cr i e d
W I L L I A M HUTCHINSON, ARTIST 1 9 5 5 BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD
T h e Epi so de o f J o n ah , Swal l owed by th e Gr e at Fi sh Wh e n C ast Ove r bo ar d Al i ve,
Had No th i n g to Do Wi th Li f e Af te r De ath f o r J o n ah Re mai n e d Al i ve.
by r e aso n o f mi n e af f l i cti o n u n to th e Lo r d , an d h e h e ar d me ;
o u t o f th e be l l y o f hell [she'ol; o r mar gi n , the grave] cr i e d
I, a n d th o u h e ar d e s t my vo i ce (J o n ah 2:2).
J o n a h we n t d o wn i n to she61 h e sai d, wh e n h e d e
sce n d e d i n to th e wate r s i n th i s l i vi n g s u bma r i n e , wh e r e n o n e
bu t d e ad me n h ad e ve r be e n be f o r e . I t se e me d to h i m th at
h e was pr acti cal l y d e ad . T h e d ar kn e ss a n d h o r r o r o f h i s e x
tr e mi ty mad e i t a ve r i tabl e gr ave . So J o n a h cr i e d o u t as i f h e
we r e al r e ad y d e ad an d h e su r e l y wo u l d h ave be e n d e ad i n t h a t
l i vi n g to mb h ad n o t Go d h e ar d a n d spe e d i l y d e l i ve r e d h i m.
Bu t to d r aw f r o m th i s gr aph i c n a r r ati ve o f life in extrem
ity an y val i d co n cl u si o n as to ma n s co n ti n u i n g co n sci o u sn e ss
i n death i s r e as o n i n g f r o m a to tal l y f al se pr e mi se . T h e r e ci tal
i s not dealing with death. T h e case mu st co n s e qu e n tl y be d i s
mi sse d f o r th wi th , as th e co n te n ti o n br e aks d o wn be f o r e i t
star ts.
IV. I sai ah s Par abo l i c T a u n ti n g Ode o n Ki ng o f Babyl o n
T h e t a u n t i n g o d e , o r par abl e , o f Isai ah 14:4-11, i s l i ke
wi se pr e s u me d by var i o u s Immo r tal -So u l i sts to te ach th a t
shedl i s a l an d o f acti ve gh o st l i f e , wi th gh o stl y me mo r i e s an d
170
th o u gh ts o f l i f e o n e ar th . Bu t i n th e n ar r ati ve i tse l f Isai ah
twi ce pl ai n l y i d e n ti f i e s sheol wi th th e gr ave (vs. 9, mar gi n ,
an d 11), wh i l e pe r s o n i f yi n g f o r th e mo me n t th e e e r i e sh ad e s
o f th e d e ad as i n f u s e d wi th l i f e, i n o r d e r to u t te r Go d s d o o m
u po n th e tyr an n i cal ki n g o f Babyl o n .
I n th e sto r y co n qu e r e d ki n gs ar e par abo l i cal l y r e pr e
se n te d as h avi n g th r o n e s i n sheol, an d s i tti n g u po n th e m as
th e y h ad sat i n th e r o yal pal ace s f r o m wh i ch th e y h ad be e n
r u d e l y e je cte d by th e co n qu e r i n g ar ms o f Ne bu ch ad n e zzar .
An d n o w, wh e n th e h au gh ty ki n g o f Babyl o n , h i mse l f d e
f e ate d a n d d e ad an d d e sce n d i n g to th e gr ave , jo i n s th e m i n
th e i r d a r k d o mai n , th e se d e par te d mo n ar ch s ar e po r tr aye d as
r i s i n g u p f r o m th e i r sh ad o wy th r o n e s to mo ck th e f al l e n tyr a n t
wi th f e i gn e d o be i san ce bu t actu al l y wi th i n s u l t an d d e r i s i o n
ju s t as i n l i f e th e y r e n d e r e d h i m f e i gn e d h o mage .
1. P e r s o n i f i e d T r ees R e j o i c e O v er F a l l e n M o n a r c h .
T h e wh o l e e ar th r e jo i ce d i n Ne bu ch ad n e zzar s o ve r th r o w,
an d h e r e th e sheol-eans r e jo i ce o ve r th e d o wn f al l o f th i s
tyr an n i cal ki n g o f Babyl o n , as th e sce n e sh i f ts f r o m e ar th to
she ol, r e gi o n o f th e d e ad . Eve n th e f i r tr e e s an d th e ce d ar s
(v. 8) ar e i n tr o d u ce d as u t te r i n g a d e r i si ve t a u n t o ve r th e
f al l e n tyr an t, an d vo i ci n g th e i r n e w se cu r i ty n o w t h a t h e i s n o
mo r e .
Bu t th i s i mpr e ssi ve par abl e was al l i n i mage r yth e i n
s pi r e d po e t cr e ati n g o n e o f th e cl assi c o d e s o f th e Ol d T e s ta
me n t, to cast co n te mpt u po n th e pr i d e o f Babyl o n , wh i l e i ts
br o ad wal l s an d mi gh ty gate s sti l l sto o d i mpe r i o u s l y o n th e
pl ai n s o f C h al d e a. I t was al l i n th e s tr i ki n g f i gu r e o f prosopo
poeia/ o r pe r so n i f i cati o n , by wh i ch th e d e ad ar e r e pr e s e n te d
as spe aki n g.
I n th e same passage th e pr o ph e t make s th e f i r tr e e s an d
ce d ar s o f Le ban o n to spe ak (vs. 8-10)th u s to po r tr ay, th r o u gh
l n St u d e n t s o f l i t e r a t u r e a n d l a n gu age a r e we l l a wa r e o f t h e f i gu r e o f prosopopoeia, o r
pe r s o n i f i ca ti o n , wh e r e i n things a r e f r e qu e n t l y r e pr e s e n t e d as pe r s o n s . I n t h e Sa cr e d Wr i ti n gs
th e se i n cl u d e t h e me mbe r s o f t h e h u ma n bo d y (Ge n . 48:14; Ps. 35:10); an i mal s (Ge n . 9:5;
J o b 12:7); pr o d u ct s o f t h e e a r t h (Na h u m 1:4); i n a n i ma t e th i n gs (Ge n . 4:10); ki n gd o ms , s tate s ,
a n d co u n t r i e s (Ps . 45:12)wi t h h u ma n acti o n s a t t r i bu t e d to th i n gs (Ge n . 18:20; Ps. 85:10).
th i s l i te r ar y d e vi ce , h o w d e ath wi l l r e d u ce th e ki n g o f Baby
l o n to th e same l eve l as h i s su bje cts, an d be co me f e l l o w pr i s o n
e r s i n th e r e al m o f d e ath .
2. P a t h s o f G l o r y L e a d b u t t o G r a v e . So th i s sheol,
to wh i ch th e se r o yal i n h abi ta n ts we r e mad e to d e sce n d , was
actu al l y th e s i l e n t gr ave (v. 11; v. 9, mar gi n ), o r gravedom.
An d th e se ki n gs ar e so r e pr e s e n te d u n d e r th i s f i gu r e o f pe r
s o n i f i cati o n , th u s to d e scr i be t h e i r r e al co n d i ti o n , a n d to say to
th e ki n g o f Babyl o n :
Ar t th o u al so be co me weak as we? ar t th o u be co me l i ke u n to us? T h y
po mp i s br o u gh t d o wn to th e grave [sheol], an d th e n o i se o f th y vi o l s:
th e worm [rimmah, maggo t] i s spr e ad u n d e r th e e , an d th e worms co ve r
th e e (Isa. 14:10, 11).
T h u s i n th e mi n d an d te ach i n g o f Isai ah shedl was n o n e
o t h e r th an th e gr ave , th e pl ace wh e r e wo r ms r e ve l i n t h e i r
f e ast o n th e d e ad wo r ms be i n g gr o ssl y mate r i al , n o t s pi r i tu al .
No o n e was to assu me th a t th e ch ar acte r s po r tr aye d actu al l y
acte d o r spo ke as pi ctu r e d . T h e te r m pr o ve r b, 11as h e r e u se d ,
si mpl y me an s a par abo l i c t a u n t (v. 4, ta u n t i n g spe e ch ,
mar gi n ).
I t was n e ve r I sai ah s pu r po se , i n th i s i mpr e ssi ve o d e , to
r e ve al th e co n d i ti o n s o f th e d e ath state . Rath e r , i t was to f o r e
cast i n gr aph i c pi cto r i al l an gu age Go d s co mi n g ju d gme n t
u po n I s r ae l s gr e at o ppr e sso r , a n d to sh o w th a t th e path s o f
cr u e l gl o r y l e ad bu t to th e gr ave . T h u s th e se co n d a r gu me n t
i n be h al f o f co n sci o u s pe r si ste n ce o f th e so u l af te r d e ath l i ke
wi se co l l apses.
V. Ezeki el s Par abo l i c Di r ge Over Ph ar ao h o f Egypt
T h e t h i r d pl an k i n th i s wo bbl y pl atf o r m o f i n d i r e ct e vi
d e n ce i n be h al f o f Immo r tal -So u l i sm i s th i s: I n Eze ki e l 31
an d 32 a par abo l i c d i r ge o f s i mi l ar s tr ai n o ve r Egypt pr o cl ai ms
th e d o o m pr o n o u n ce d o n I s r ae l s f o esEgypt, Babyl o n , Assu r ,
11T h e He b. mashat i s r e n d e r e d pr o ve r b n i n e t e e n ti me s , a n d pa r a bl e e i gh te e n ti me s
i n t h e Ol d T e s t a me n t , pa r a bl e be i n g pr e f e r a bl e h e r e .
El am, a n d Ed o m. T h e same f i gu r e o f pe r so n i f i cati o n i s e m
pl o ye d i n d e s cr i bi n g th e o ve r th r o w o f Ph ar ao h th e o ppr e sso r .
He r e Ph ar ao h a n d h i s h o sts, sl ai n i n battl e agai n st th e ki n g
o f Babyl o n , ar e po r tr aye d i n si mi l ar f ash i o n . T h e s tr o n g
amo n g th e mi gh ty ar e r e pr e s e n te d as spe aki n g f r o m th e i r
gr ave s i n th e mi d s t o f h e l l (shedl), o r gr ave d o m, as h e e n te r s
t h a t d ar k d o mai n to awai t h i s f ate .
1. S h e o l C o n t r a s t e d W i t h S t a t e o f L i v i n g . T h u s
shedlth e n e th e r par ts o f th e e a r t h (Eze. 32:18, 24), f u l l o f
gr ave s, a n d so th e l an d a n d state o f th e deadi s co n tr as te d
wi th th e l an d a n d state o f th e l i vi n g. T h e vi cti ms o f s l au gh te r
h ad go n e d o wn to shedl wi th t h e i r we apo n s o f war , a n d
wi th t h e i r swo r d s l ai d u n d e r th e i r h e ad s (v. 27). An d wh e n
Ph ar ao h , f i gu r ati ve l y po r tr aye d as l yi n g amo n g th e m, saw
th e mu l t i t u d e o f h i s e n e mi e s th a t al so we r e sl ai n , h e was
co mf o r te d by th e si gh t (vs. 31, 32). I t i s al l h i gh l y f i gu r ati ve
a n d i mpr e ssi ve , an d n o t at al l l i te r al . Bu t pr e d i cti o n o f bi t t e r
o ve r th r o w i s spo ke n o f th e co n qu e r o r o f Isr ae l . He r e i s th e
d i r ge :
T h u s sai th th e Lo r d Go d ; I n th e d ay wh e n h e we n t d o wn to th e
grave [sheol] I cau se d a mo u r n i n g: I co ve r e d th e d e e p f o r h i m, an d I
r e s tr ai n e d th e f l o o ds th e r e o f , an d th e gr e at wate r s wer e stayed: an d I cau se d
Le ban o n to mo u r n f o r h i m, an d al l th e tr e e s o f th e f i el d f ai n te d f o r h i m.
I mad e th e n ati o n s to sh ake at th e so u n d o f h i s f al l , wh e n I cast h i m d o wn
to hell [sheol] 12wi th th e m th a t d e sce n d i n to th e pit [shedl]: an d al l th e
tr e e s o f Ed e n , th e ch o i ce an d be st o f Le ban o n , al l th a t d r i n k wate r , sh al l
be co mf o r te d in the nether parts of the earth. T h e y al so we n t d o wn i n to
hell [shedl] wi th h i m u n to th e m t h a t be sl ai n wi th th e swo r d; an d th e y th a t
we r e h i s ar m, t h a t d we l t u n d e r h i s sh ad o w i n th e mi d st o f th e h e a th e n
(Eze. 31:15-17).
2. P a r a b o l i c S c o u r g e N o t C o n s t r u e d L i t e r a l l y . T h e
po r tr ayal was wh o l l y par abo l i c, l i ke J o t h a ms f amo u s par abl e
to Abi me l e ch , maki n g th e tr e e s e l e ct a ki n g o ve r th e m, ch o o s
i n g a br ambl e , e t ce te r a, i n J u d ge s 9:8-15. T h e n th e i mage r y
o f th e par abl e i s o pe n l y appl i e d : T h i s i s Ph ar ao h a n d al l h i s
12I t i s to be n o te d t h a t th e th r e e te r r as gr ave , h e l l , a n d pi t i n th e se verses ar e
al l var i an t tr an sl ati o n s o f th e sel f same He br e w wo r d shel.
mu l t i t u d e , sai th th e Lo r d Go d (Eze. 31:18). T h e n th e r e f o l
l ows, i n ch a pte r 32, an e n u me r ati o n o f th e var i o u s f o rces o f
th e sl ai n th a t i n l i f e h ad cau se d su ch te r r o r , bu t ar e n o w i n
she'ol (gravedom), wh o se gr ave s ar e se t i n th e si des o f th e pit
[she61] (ch ap. 32:23)t h e i r pr i n ce s a n d mi gh ty war r i o r s
sl ai n by th e swo r d (v. 29), wh i ch h ave go n e d o wn to hell
[sheol, th e gr ave ] wi th th e i r we apo n s o f war (v. 27).
T h e y ar e th e r e si mpl y pe r so n i f i e d as spe aki n g o u t o f th e
mi d s t o f hell [sheol] (v. 21). Bu t th e par abo l i c d i r ge i s n o t
to be co n s tr u e d l i te r al l y. Sheol i s th e pl ace o f th e si l e n ce o f
d e ath . Bu t th e par abl e h ad n o th i n g to d o wi th th e i n te r me
d i ate state . T h e l esso n was th at, h avi n g r ai se d u p a h e a th e n
n a ti o n to ch aste n Hi s o wn pe o pl e be cau se o f th e i r mo r al d e pa r
tu r e s, wh e n th at i n s tr u me n t h as e xe cu te d Hi s wi l l , Go d wi l l
n o t al l o w i t to go be yo n d Hi s pu r po se , bu t wi l l se n d r e t r i
bu t i o n u po n i t f o r i ts o wn si ns a n d cr u e l ti e s.
Su ch l i te r ar y de vi ce s ar e sampl e s o f te sti mo n y so me ti me s
u n wo r th i l y br o u gh t f o r war d to bo l ste r th e th e o r y o f co n sci o u s
ness i n d e ath , a n d o f th e pe r si ste n ce o f d i se mbo d i e d so u l s o r
spi r i ts i n th e n e th e r wo r l d . Bu t th e se h ave n o actu al be ar i n g
o n th e qu e s ti o n .
VI. Saul Decei ved by Necr o mancy o f Me di um o f En d o r
T u r n i n g f r o m th e f i gu r ati ve si d e , l e t us n o w e xami n e a
pr o bl e m passage, co n s tan tl y ci te d i n s u ppo r t o f I mmo r tal -
So u l i sm. Mo d e r n Spi r i tu al i s m, o r s pi r i ti s m, i s n o t n e w i n i ts
o pe r ati o n s . Its an ci e n t co u n te r pa r t an d f o r e r u n n e r h ad a l
r e ad y mad e i ts tr agi c appe ar an ce back i n an ci e n t I s r ae l s day,
an d be f o r e . Bu t so gr ave was th i s co r r u pt i n g an d f o r bi d d e n
pr acti ce co n s i d e r e d by Go d , an d so s i n i s te r we r e i ts i n vo l ve
me n ts, t h a t u n d e r th e th e o cr acy th o se wh o so u gh t o u t th e pr ac
ti ti o n e r s o f th i s e vi l a r t we r e to be cu t o f f , o r e xco mmu n i
cate d , f r o m th e co mmo n we al th o f Isr ae l .
So h e i n o u s was th e f r au d u l e n cy o f th i s pr e te n d e d co m-
T. MORAN, ARTIST
T h e Wi tch o f En d o r Pe r
pe tr ate d a C r u e l Ho ax o n
Ki n g Saul Wh e n a Fami l i ar
Spi r i t Si mu l a t e d t h e
Pr o ph e t Samuel a C api tal
Of f ense i n th e T i me o f th e
T h e o cr acy.
mu n i ca ti o n wi th th e d e ad r e gar d e d th a t th e me d i u ms, wh e n
a ppr e h e n d e d , we r e to be s u mmar i l y pu t to death by sto n i n g.
T h e so l e mn war n i n g agai n st n e cr o man cy o r co n s u l ti n g wi th
f ami l i ar s pi r i ts , was wr i tte n th u s i n to l aw by Isr ae l : Re gar d
n o t th e m t h a t h ave f ami l i ar spi r i ts, n e i t h e r se ek af te r wi zar d s,
to be d e f i l e d by th e m: I am th e L o r d yo u r Go d (Le v. 19:31).
1. E v i l S p i r i t s P e r s o n a t i n g t h e D e a d .Fami l i ar s pi r
i ts we r e n o n e o th e r th an e vi l s pi r i ts , o r d e mo n sfallen an
gels personating the deada ppe ar i n g at th e be ck a n d cal l o f a
me d i u m wh o h ad e n te r e d i n to s i n i s te r l e agu e wi th th e m. An d
h e r e was th e d r e ad pe n al ty th e n pr o vi d e d f o r su ch tr an sgr e s
si o n , f i r st f o r th e se e ke r an d th e n th e me d i u m:
T h e so u l th a t turneth after such as h ave f ami l i ar spi r i ts, . . . I wi l l
e ve n se t my f ace agai n st th a t so ul , an d wi l l cut him off f r o m amo n g h i s
pe o pl e (Lev. 20:6).
A man al so o r wo man th a t hath a f ami l i ar spi r i t, o r th a t i s a wi zar d,
shall surely be put to death: th e y sh al l sto n e th e m wi th sto n e s (v. 27).13
T h a t was th e gr avi ty o f th e e vi l traf f i c.
Late r , th i s f u r t h e r a d mo n i ti o n was gi ve n by th e pr o ph e t
Isai ah :
An d wh e n th e y sh al l say u n to yo u, Seek u n to th e m th a t h ave f ami l i ar
spi r i ts, an d u n to wi zar ds th a t pe e p, an d th a t mu tte r : sh o u l d n o t a pe o pl e
se ek u n to th e i r Go d? f o r th e l i vi n g to th e dead? To the law and to the
testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is
no light in them (Isa. 8:19, 20).
T h i s pe e pi n g an d mu tt e r i n g r e f e r s to th e i n co h e r e n t i n
can tati o n s o f th e pagan myste r i e s, wh i ch th e y si mu l ate d . Su ch an
i n s pi r e d a d mo n i ti o n su r e l y co n s ti tu te s a mo st so l e mn war n i n g
agai n st al l a n ci e n t o r mo d e r n s pi r i ti s m, an d i s an appe al to
h e e d th e d e cl ar ati o n s o f th e Wo r d r e gar d i n g th e tr u e n a tu r e
a n d co n d i ti o n o f man i n d e ath . An d i t sh o u l d be ad d e d th a t
th e tr a d i ti o n a l be l i e f th a t d e ath i s bu t l i f e co n ti n u i n g o n i n
s pi r i t f o r m, i s th e f o u n d ati o n al basi s o f Spi r i tu al i s m i n i ts
var i o u s f o r ms, wh i ch h as bl i gh te d th e ce n tu r i e s , cl i maxi n g i n
th e se l a t te r ti me s.
2. S a u l s R e c o u r s e t o F o r b i d d e n C r a f t o f N e c r o
m a n c y . Ne ve r th e l e ss, th e case o f Saul an d th e wi tch o f En-
d o r i s co n s tan tl y a n d f e r ve n tl y i n vo ke d by th o se ma i n ta i n i n g
th e co n ti n u e d co n sci o u sn e ss o f th e d e ad . Le t us th e r e f o r e e x
ami n e th e ci r cu mstan ce s o f th a t d r amati c e pi so d e . I s r ae l s apo s
tate Ki n g Sau l , wh e n th e Lo r d r e f u se d to an swe r h i m, s o u gh t
o u t a wo man [o r me d i u m] th a t h ath a f ami l i ar s pi r i t (1 Sam.
28:7), to i n qu i r e o f h e r . He r e i s th e sto r y:
Di sgu i si n g h i mse l f to avo i d r e co gn i ti o n , Sau l came to th e
wo man , si gn i f i can tl y u n d e r th e su gge sti ve s h e l te r o f n i gh t,
a n d aske d h e r to br i n g u p th e pr o ph e t Samu e l , wh o h ad be e n
d e ad f o r so me ti me , to e l i ci t i n f o r mati o n f r o m h i m (v. 8).
Af te r be i n g assu r e d by an o ath th at sh e wo u l d n o t be be tr aye d
o r h ar me d f o r co o pe r ati o n (vs. 9, 10), sh e th e n br o u gh t up
13C o mpa r e De u te r o n o my 18:10-12 wh e r e wi tch e s a n d wi zar d s , co n s u l te r s wi th f a mi l i a r
s pi r i t s , o r n e cr o ma n ce r s (i .e ., s e e ke r s u n t o th e d e a d ) a r e d e cl a r e d to be a n abo mi n a t i o n u n t o t h e
L o r d . T h e mo d e r n co u n t e r pa r t i s d e a l t wi t h f u l l y i n t h e cl o si n g ch a pt e r s o f vo l u me 2.
(n o t d o wn , o r f o r th ) out of the earth (v. 13)al l e ge d l y
so me s u bte r r a n e a n r e gi o n o n e o f th e go d s i n ch ar acte r i s ti c
s pi r i t man i f e s tati o n , wh o m sh e d e scr i be d as an o l d ma n , an d
co ve r e d wi th a ma n t l e (v. 14).
T h i s mate r i al i zati o n to o k pl ace i n th e qu e s ti o n abl e abo d e
o f a f o r bi d d e n , o u tl awe d so rcer ess, i n vo ki n g th e al l e ge d
s h ad e o f th e o l d pr o ph e t sai d to be we ar i n g a ma n t l e . (I t
mi gh t be aske d , If i t was Samu e l s s pi r i t, su ppo se d to be
wi th Go d , wh y th e man tl e ? I f i t was Samu e l s bo d y, u p f r o m
th e gr ave , wo u l d i t n o t r a t h e r be wi th gr ave cl o th e s, as wi th
Lazar u s [J o h n 11:44]?)
3. Sa u l D e c e i v e d ; Sl a i n f o r H i s T r a n s g r es s i o n s .T h e
r e co r d t h e n state s th at Sau l pe r ce i ve d t h a t i s, understood
indirectly, f o r h e h i mse l f saw n o th i n gth a t i t was Samu e l .
Bu t th i s e vi l s pi r i t, i mpe r s o n ati n g Samu e l , f i r st ch i d e d Saul
f o r d i s qu i e ti n g h i m wh e n th e Lo r d h ad d e par te d f r o m th e ki n g.
T h i s al l e ge d s pi r i t th e n pr o ce e d e d to pr e d i ct Sau l 's d e f e at
an d d e ath . Pe r h aps th i s l yi n g s pi r i t h e r e gave a t r u e me s
sage, as i n th e case o f Ah ab o f o l d (2 C h r o n . 18:19-22). Bu t
th e sad s e qu e l was si mpl y th i s:
So Sau l died for his transgression wh i ch h e co mmi tte d agai n st th e
Lo r d , e ve n against the word of the Lord, wh i ch h e ke pt n o t, a n d al so f o r
aski n g co u n se l o f o n e th a t h ad a f ami l i ar spi r i t, to e n qu i r e o f i t; an d e n
qu i r e d n o t o f th e Lo r d : therefore he [th e Lo r d ] slew him, an d tu r n e d th e
ki n gd o m u n to Davi d th e so n o f J e sse " (1 C h r o n . 10:13, 14).
So back th r o u gh th e ce n tu r i e s th i s qu e s ti o n o f th e n a tu r e
an d d e s ti n y o f man , an d pu r po r t e d co mmu n i cati o n wi th th e
d e a d , h as be e n a vi tal i ssue, co n s tan tl y f r au gh t wi th d i saste r
f o r th o se d i so be yi n g th e Wo r d o f Go d . Sau l s act was a tr a n s
gr e ssi o n , pu n i s h abl e wi th d e ath . Wh y, th e n , i s su ch te sti mo n y
val i d ? Bu t l e t us pr o be i n to th i s u n savo r y e pi so d e a l i ttl e
d e e pe r .
4. C r u x o f t h e W h o l e P o r t r a y a l .T h e cr u x o f th i s
wh o l e o ccu r r e n ce h i n ge s o n wh e th e r th i s appe ar an ce , o r ma
te r i al i zati o n , was wr o u gh t by th e po we r o f Go d o r was man e u -
178
As i n th e Sances o f An ci e n t
Ne cr o mancy, So th e Me d i u ms
o f Mo d e r n Spi r i tu al i sm Pr o
d u ce C o n n i vi n g Spi r i ts to
Si mu l ate th e De ad an d De
l u d e th e Li vi ng.
ve r e d by Satan . I f by Satan , we may we l l l o o k f o r d e ce pti o n , f o r
h e be gan h i s d u pl i ci ty back i n Ed e n by asse r ti n g th e I n n a t e
I mmo r ta l i ty o f man , an d h as e ve r si n ce pe r si ste d i n h i s tr i cke r y
by te n aci o u sl y pe r pe t u a t i n g h i s o r i gi n al co n te n ti o n wh e r e ve r
a n d wh e n e ve r h e can gai n a f o o th o l d .
No te th e f acts cl o sel y: Sau l was vi o l ati n g Go d s e xpr e ss
co mman d by co mmu n i cati n g wi th su ch a ch ar acte r an d by e n
gagi n g i n a s i n i s te r pr acti ce s te r n l y f o r bi d d e n by Go d . He was
d e ce i ve d by th i s f ami l i ar s pi r i t s i mu l ati n g Samu e l , wh o f i r st
o f al l si gn i f i can tl y pu t th e me d i u m o n h e r gu ar d as to th e i d e n
ti ty o f Sau l . An d th e appe ar an ce i n th e n i gh t, u n d e r th e i n
can tati o n s o f an a ba n d o n e d wo man , was th at o f an o l d
man wi th a ma n t l e .
I t i s to be pa r ti cu l a r l y n o te d th a t Sau l h ad to ask th e
me d i u m, Wh a t sawe st thou? What form is he of? (1
Sam. 28:13, 14). Sau l h i mse l f n e ve r saw th e s i mu l ati n g s pi r i t
1 9 5 9 BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD W ILL IA M HEASLIP, ARTIST
t h a t was br o u gh t u p t h r o u gh th e age n cy o f Satan . An d wh i l e
th e appearance was actu al , i t was si mpl y a man i f e s tati o n o f a n
ci e n t n e cr o man cy, so r ce r y, wi tch cr af t, spi r i ti sm. I t was a gr o ss
d e ce pti o n , a s i mu l ati o n o f Samu e l by a d e pr ave d s pi r i t,
pal me d of f o n th e d e s pe r ate apo state ki n g, a n d wi th f atal r e su l ts.
5. C r u e l H o a x a n d I t s M o d e r n C o u n t e r p a r t . On e
majo r d i f f e r e n ce be twe e n a n ci e n t an d mo d e r n s pi r i ti s m i s th a t
th e me d i u m o f En d o r th e n pr e te n d e d to br i n g th e s pi r i ts u p
f r o m th e l o we r r e gi o n s. No w th e i r pr e s e n t co u n te r par ts cl ai m
to br i n g th e m d o wn f r o m th e u ppe r sph e r e s.
Ho w d ar e an y f i r m be l i e ve r i n th e Wo r d o f Go d pr e su me
to appe al to th i s e pi so d e o f Sau l an d th e wi tch o f En d o r to
pr o ve th e co n ti n u i n g l i vi n g e xi ste n ce , o r i mmo r tal i ty, o f th e
s o u l u n l e ss h e i s pr e par e d to d e n y th e e xpr e ss d e cl ar ati o n s
o f th e I n s pi r e d Wo r d , an d to ma i n ta i n th a t an ci e n t n e cr o man cy
a n d mo d e r n s pi r i ti s m ar e a divine gi f t, a n d th at th e bl as ph e
mo u s pr e te n s i o n s an d co n tr ad i cti o n s o f su ch l yi n g spi r i ts ar e to
be acce pte d i n ste ad o f th e ve r i ti e s o f th e Scr i ptu r e s o f tr u th ?
T h e Wo r d o f Go d e xpr e ssl y d e cl ar e s th a t wh e n a man
d i e s i n t h a t ve r y d ay h i s th o u gh ts pe r i s h (Ps. 146:4). Bu t
fallen angels d o h ave s u pe r n a tu r a l kn o wl e d ge an d mysti f yi n g
mal i gn po we r s. An d th e y h ave u n can n y po we r s o f d e ce pti o n .
Of th e se we ar e to be war e . We tr e spass at o u r pe r i l .
I n ci d e n tal l y, th e i n vo ke d s pi r i t to l d Sau l (th r o u gh th e
me d i u m), T o mo r r o w s h al t th o u a n d th y so ns be wi th me
(1 Sam. 28:19). Mi gh t i t n o t be pe r t i n e n t to ask, Wh e r e was th i s
r e n d e zvo u s to be?i n th e gr ave ? o r i n He ave n , wh e r e th e Im-
mo r tal -So u l i st wo u l d e xpe ct th e L o r d s pr o ph e t to be? o r pe r
ch an ce i n so me ki n d o f Pu r gato r y o r i n te r me d i a te pl ace? Where,
we ask, a n d i n wh at state? Fu r t h e r qu e s ti o n : Do Go d s pr o ph e ts
a n d apo s tate ki n gs go to th e same pl ace i f co nsci o us?
6. G r a n d e u r o f G o d s W o n d r o u s P r o v i s i o n . I n th e
f ace o f su ch ar ti f i ci al n e gati vi sms, h o w co mf o r ti n g i t i s to h ave
n o t o n l y th e cl e ar , po si ti ve , co n s i s te n t te sti mo n y o f th e Ol d
T e s ta me n t co n ce r n i n g th e actu al mo r tal i ty o f man , bu t th e
180
gl o r i o u s assu r an ce o f i mmo r tal i ty f o r th e r i gh te o u s as a gi f t
f r o m Go d t h r o u gh C h r i st, be sto we d at Hi s se co n d ad ve n t a n d
i ts a tt e n d a n t r e s u r r e cti o n .
Ho w go o d to kn o w t h a t i n th e i n te r i m o f d e ath man
qu i e tl y sl e e ps u n t i l th e gr e at awake n i n g. An d f i n al l y, t h a t th e
i n co r r i gi bl y wi cke d wi l l , af te r d u e a n d ju s t pu n i s h me n t f o r
t h e i r si nsa n d t h e i r r e je cti o n o f th e o ve r tu r e s an d savi n g pr o
vi si o n s o f Go d be u l ti mate l y a n d u tte r l y d e str o ye d , passi n g
o u t o f e xi ste n ce .
T h e i n f i n i te l o ve, r i gh te o u sn e ss, ju sti ce , gr ace , a n d me r cy
o f Go d , as th e wo n d r o u s h o pe o f man , s tan d o u t i n i mpr e s
si ve gr a n d e u r al l th e way f r o m Ge n e si s to Mal ach i . T h e i n
s pi r e d te s ti mo n y o f th e Wo r d i s co n s i s te n t a n d sati sf yi n gan d ,
abo ve al l , a u th o r i ta ti ve an d f i nal . Happy th e l o t o f al l wh o pu t
t h e i r tr u s t i n th e r e ve al e d pr o vi si o n s o f Go d . An d al l th i s i s
ampl i f i e d an d i n te n si f i e d i n th e Ne w T e s ta me n t po r tr ayal , n o w
to be s tu d i e d i n f u l l n e ss i n Pa r t I I .
PART II
C ompreh ensi ve Wi tness of th e
New T estament
Consummating Testimony of Christ and the
Apostles on the Origin, Nature, and Destiny
of Man
C H A P T E R E L E V E N
C h r i s t s Inf al l i bl e T esti mony on
Li f e Versus Death
I. Def i ni ti ve T e sti mo n y o f J esus, Supr eme Wi tness o f Al l T i me
1. J e s u s C h r i s t St a r W i t n e s s o f A l l T i m e .T h e
apo stl e J o h n pr e se n ts th e Lo r d J e su s C h r i s t pr e -e mi n e n tl y as
Go d . T h a t i s th e ch ar acte r i s ti c d i f f e r e n ce be twe e n J o h n s Go s
pe l a n d t h a t o f th e Syn o pti sts, wh o l ar ge l y e mph asi ze Hi s h u man
si d e . T o ge t h e r th e y make u p th e pe r f e ct po r tr ayal . So J o h n pr e
se n ts th e God-man. J e s u s u tte r an ce s co n s e qu e n tl y h ave an
a u th o r i ty u n appr o ach abl e by an y o th e r wi tn e ss o r spo ke sman .
Be yo n d ch al l e n ge , He i s th e s u pr e me au th o r i ty, th e Star Wi t
ness, th a n wh o m th e r e i s n o n e gr e ate r an d f r o m wh o m th e r e i s
n o h i gh e r co u r t o f appe al . Hi s d e cl ar ati o n s ar e co n s e qu e n tl y th e
u l ti ma te i n th i s ar e a o f i n qu i r y. J e su s i s th e On e f o r wh o m th e
wo r th i e s o f o l d h ad wai te d al l t h r o u gh Ol d T e s ta me n t ti me s.
No w He spe aks.
As mi gh t be e xpe cte d , Hi s wi tn e ss i s pr i mar i l y af f i r mati ve
r a t h e r th an n e gati ve . He e mph asi ze s life r a t h e r th an death,
th o u gh He d e al s d e f i n i ti ve l y wi th bo th . Bu t He i s d e f i n i te l y
af f i r mati ve an d po si ti ve , a n d i s n e ve r e vasi ve. He gave n o a n
swer s wi th d u al i n te n t, as was th e cu sto m o f th e De l ph i c o r a
cl es. Fu r th e r , Hi s te ach i n gs ar e ch an ge l e ss a n d abi d i n g, n o t
tr an s i to r y o r e ph e me r al . An d He i s i n e r r a n t , n o t f au l ty an d
f al l i bl e . T h e r e ar e n o r e vi si o n s o r r e ve r sal s o f Hi s po si ti o n s.
An d C h r i s t i s u n e qu i vo cal i n Hi s u tte r an ce s . Hi s d e cl ar ati o n s
can n o t be cl asse d as d o u btf u l d i s pu ta ti o n s (Ro m. 14:1),
th o u gh th e y we r e th e s u bje ct o f acr i mo n i o u s d e bate . Hi s r e-
183
T h e Bi r th o f th e C h r i st C h i l d Un i te d Go d Wi th Man an d Made I t Po ssi bl e
f o r Hi m to Li ve an d Di e o n Ear th , an d Ri se as C o n qu e r o r o f De ath Fo r e ve r mo r e .
spo n se s ar e f r an k a n d f i r m, n e ve r e l u si ve o r ambi gu o u s . An d
He spo ke wi th a u th o r i ty (Matt. 7:29).
2. F a t a l C l a s h C o me s O v e r M a n s D e s t i n y .Fr o m Hi m,
th e n , we sh al l ge t th e t r u t h , th e wh o l e t r u t h , an d n o t h i n g bu t
th e t r u t h o n th e n a tu r e a n d d e sti n y o f man . An d t h a t i s ju s t
184
C HRI ST S I NFALLI BLE T EST I MONY ON LIFE VS. DEAT H 185
wh at we n e e d , an d pr e ci se l y wh at we wan t. As n o te d , C h r i s ts
pr e s e n tati o n s we r e al ways str ai gh tf o r war d , e xpl i ci t, an d f ai th
f u l . Bu t be cau se o f Hi s f i d e l i ty to t r u t h co n ce r n i n g l i f e an d
d e ath , Hi s u tte r an ce s o f n e ce ssi ty r an co u n te r to tr agi c J ewi sh
d e pa r tu r e s t h a t h ad be co me e n tr e n ch e d i n th i s ar e a o f vi tal
te ach i n g.
C h r i s t came to e ar th . He came to d i e th a t o th e r s mi gh t
h ave l i f e mo r e a bu n d a n t l i f e , e te r n al l i f e , an d i mmo r tal i ty,
f o r th r o u gh si n man h ad f o r f e i te d th a t i mpe r ati ve . He came to
d i spe l e r r o r a n d co n f u te f al se h o o d , th at t r u t h mi gh t be e xal te d
a n d r i gh t mi gh t pr e vai l . He came to seal th e d o o m o f e r r o r an d
to cr u sh i ts a u th o r . An d He was e ve r f ai th f u l to Hi s He ave n -
bo r n mi ssi o n . Bu t f i r st l e t us go back to th e be gi n n i n gs, an d to
th e f o u n d ati o n s o f th e pl an o f r e d e mpti o n man i f e s te d i n th e i n
car n ati o n , as d i scl o se d i n th e o pe n i n g ch apte r s o f J o h n s Go spe l .
I I . T r an sce n d e n t Scope an d Si gni f i cance o f I n car n ati o n
T h e i n car n ati o n o f th e So n o f Go d was th e mo st s tu pe n d o u s
e ve n t i n th e h i sto r y o f th e wo r l d yes, o f th e u n i ve r s e to
th a t ti me . Go d th e n be came man . T h r o u gh th i s myste r i o u s
me an s C h r i s t be came i d e n ti f i e d wi th th e h u man r ace . T h e
pl an o f r e d e mpti o n , co n ce i ve d i n th e i n scr u tabl e wi sd o m an d
i n f i n i te po we r o f Go d f r o m th e f o u n d ati o n o f th e wo r l d (Re v.
13:8), was f o r mu l ate d to me e t th e co n ti n ge n cy o f s i n s tr agi c
e n tr an ce i n to th e n e wl y cr e ate d e ar th , an d th e f atal f al l o f
man . T h e i n car n ati o n , th e n , i s th e co r e o f Go d s r e d e mpti ve
me th o d f o r th e r e co ve r y o f l o st man an d h i s f o r f e i te d l i f e. I t i s
th e ce n te r , th e e sse n ti al , th e tr an s ce n d e n t h e a r t o f C h r i s ti an i ty
(J o h n 3:16).
1. M a s t e r K e y t o A l l R e d e m pt i v e H i s t o r y . T h e i n
car n a ti o n was n o t a s tr an ge i so l ate d e ve n t, br e aki n g su d d e n l y
i n to h u man h i sto r y. Eve r yth i n g be f o r e l e d u p to i t; an d al l th a t
f o l l o we d af te r th e cro ss an d th e r e s u r r e cti o n , th e asce n si o n
an d h e ave n l y mi n i s tr y, an d th e f i nal r e s ti tu ti o n o f al l th i n gs
gr e w o u t o f i t a n d we r e d e pe n d e n t u po n i t. I t was th e i n i ti a l
ste p, an d th u s co n s ti tu te s th e maste r key to al l r e d e mpti ve h i s
to r y.
Eve r yth i n g mo ve d to war d th e i n ca r n ati o n u n ti l i ts ac
co mpl i s h me n t. T h e messages o f pr o ph e ts an d seer s al l f o r e cast
an d l e d u p to i t. T h e Go spe l s ar e th e r e co r d o f i ts acco mpl i sh
me n t, an d th e Ne w T e s ta me n t i s th e u n f o l d i n g o f i ts wo n
d e r s. I t was th e myste r i o u s se cr e t, h e l d i n si l e n ce th r o u gh
e te r n al ti me s (1 C o r . 2:7; Eph . 3:3-5; C o l . 1:26). An d i t was i n
th i s ch o se n way th at C h r i s t br o u gh t l i f e an d i mmo r tal i ty
to l i gh t th r o u gh th e go spe l (2 T i m. 1:10).
T o e f f ect th e r e s to r ati o n o f man , Go d be came man an d
d we l t amo n g me n . An d th e s u pr e me pu r po se o f th i s e n tr an ce o f
th e Ete r n al So n i n to o u r n a tu r e was to acco mpl i sh ma n s r e
d e mpti o n , to save h i m f r o m d e s tr u cti o n , a n d to r e sto r e th e
e n d l e ss l i f e h e h ad f o r f e i te d . T h e i n car n ati o n i n vasi o n o f h u
man h i sto r y was to sn atch th e sce pte r f r o m th e mal i gn u s u r pe r
an d ef f ect h i s o ve r th r o w. I n th i s d i vi n e pl an C h r i s ts h u man i ty
was r e pr e s e n tati ve , f o r He be came th e se co n d Ad am, th e h e ad
o f a n e w r ace , an d th u s pr o vi d e d th e way back to Go d . So i t was
th a t C o d ad o pte d h u man i ty i n th e pe r so n o f Hi s So n.
2. B e c o m i n g M a n , H e R e t a i n s H u m a n i t y F o r e v e r .I n
th e i n car n ati o n , e te r n i ty e n te r e d i n to th e co n d i ti o n s o f ti me .
At Hi s i n car n ati o n C h r i st be came wh at He was n o t be f o r e . He
acce pte d th e l i mi ta ti o n o f a h u man bo d i l y l i f e as th e mo d e
o f Hi s e xi ste n ce wh i l e o n e ar th . An d u po n Hi s asce n si o n He
car r i e d Hi s gl o r i f i e d bo d y i n to h i gh e st He ave n (Acts 1:9-11;
7:56; cf . Dan . 7:13), th e r e to r e ta i n i t f o r e ve r , f o r wh e n He
r e t u r n s at th e Se co n d Ad ve n t He co me s as th e So n o f man
(Matt. 24:39; 25:13, 31; 26:64; Mar k 8:38; 13:26; Lu ke 21:36;
Re v. 14:14).
T h u s th e i n ca r n ati o n i s th e mo st s tu pe n d o u s e ve n t th at
h u man th o u gh t can co n ce i ve wh e th e r i n i tse l f o r i n i ts co n se
qu e n ce s, wh i ch h ave n o l i mi t. I t was actu al u n i o n o f th e C r e a
to r wi th th e cr e atu r e , e f f e cte d i n th e pe r so n o f th e Ete r n al
So n o f Go d . Wh e n He be came man He d i d n o t cease to be
HARRY ANDERSON, ARTIST 1 9 5 7 BY THE NEW YORK CENTER
T h e On l y Scars to Be Bo r n e T h r o u gh o u t Ete r n i ty Wi l l Be Upo n th e Pe r so n of
Ou r Savi o ur , Wh o Di ed i n Ou r Stead.
Go d , bu t be came th e o n e an d o n l y Go d -man . He br i d ge d th e
gu l f be twe e n Go d a n d man . T h r o u gh th i s me an s He assu me d
th e h e ad sh i p o f th e h u man r ace , an d be came th e se co n d
ma n , th e l ast Ad am (1 C o r . 15:45-47).
I n th i s way h u man i ty was we d d e d to d i vi n i ty i n th e ad o p
t i o n o f pe r pe tu al h u man i ty by J e su s C h r i st. Bu t, we r e pe a t f o r
e mph asi s, i n th e u n i o n o f th e Go d h e ad wi th h u man i ty, d i vi n i ty
d i d n o t d e str o y th e h u man i ty, an d th e h u man i ty r e mai n e d i n
i ts i n te gr i ty th a t d i vi n i ty mi gh t be r e ve al e d i n an d th r o u gh i t.
I n Hi s i n car n ati o n C h r i s t be came th e f o cal po i n t o f r e d e mp
t i o n s co n ve r gi n g l i gh ts. I n Hi m was e mbo d i e d l i gh t, life,
l o ve, r i gh te o u sn e ss, wi sd o m, po we r , an d gl o r yth e se ve n f o l d
r e ve l ati o n o f Go d s po we r to save.
3. R e t a i n s O n l y S ca r s o f Si n i n U n i v e r s e . C h r i s t d i d
n o t ch o o se be twe e n d yi n g at o n e ti me i n ste ad o f at an o th e r .
Rath e r , He ch o se be twe e n d yi n g an d n o t d yi n g. Hi s d e ath was
a d e ath f o r sin, an d si n i s r e be l l i o n agai n st Go d . Hi s d e ath
can ce l e d th e cu r se , l i f te d th e ban , pu r ch as e d o u r par d o n , an d
r e s to r e d l o st man a n d h i s f o r f e i te d life. T h a t i s wh y th e i n car n a
ti o n i s o f su ch tr an s ce n d e n t si gn i f i can ce .
J e su s C h r i st u n i te d He ave n a n d e ar th i n o n e pe r s o n Go d
an d man an d si n ce Hi s r e t u r n to He ave n He h as n o t ce ase d to
187
be man . I n Hi s o wn bo d y He wi l l be ar th e o n l y scar s o f si n l e f t
i n e te r n i tyth e scars o n Hi s h an d s, Hi s si de , a n d Hi s f e e t.
Si n s u gl y scars o n man wi l l be h e al e d f o r e ve r . Wh e n C h r i s t
r e t u r n e d to th e th r o n e He car r i e d wi th Hi m th e man h o o d He
h ad assu me d , an d bo r e i t i n to th e gl o r y i n wh i ch th e Ete r n al
Wo r d h ad d we l t f r o m th e be gi n n i n g. He i s th u s i d e n ti f i e d
wi th man f o r e ve r . T h a t was th e pr i ce o f o u r r e d e mpti o n . T h a t
was th e co st o f o u r r e co ve r y o f th e l i f e l o st i n Ed e n . T h a t i s th e
wo n d e r o f Hi s l o ve an d gr ace .
4. P u r po s e o f I n c a r n a t i o n Was F i v e f o l d .Su mmar i z
i n g, we may say t h a t th e pu r po se o f C h r i s ts i n car n ati o n was
(1) T o r e ve al Go d to th e wo r l d (J o h n 1:14, 18; 17:6, 26;
1 T i m. 3:16).
(2) T o r e d e e m man by be ar i n g th e si n o f man (Isa. 53:
4-16; J o h n 1:29, mar gi n ; He b. 9:28; 1Pe te r 2:24; 1J o h n 3:16).
(3) T o br i n g Go d a n d man to ge th e r (Ge n . 28:12;
Matt. 1:23; J o h n 1:51; 1 Pe te r 3:18).
(4) To bring back endless life to dying man (J o h n 3:15,
16; 4:14; 5:24; 10:28; 11:25, 26; 14:19; 17:3).
(5) T o d e str o y th e d e vi l a n d h i s wo r ks (J o h n 12:31; 16:33;
Ro m. 8:1-4; He b. 2:14; 1 J o h n 3:8).
I I I . Ete r n al Li f e T h r o bbi n g He ar t o f J o h n s Go spel Story
T h e Go spe l o f J o h n , wr i tte n by th e d i sci pl e wh o m J e su s
l o ve d (J o h n 21:20), i s th e be st-l o ve d bo o k o f al l ti me . Su b
l i me i n th o u gh t an d u n su r passe d i n wo r d , i t h as, mo r e t h an an y
o th e r Ne w T e s ta me n t message, captu r e d th e h e a r t o f ma n
ki n d . No w J o h n s po r tr a i t o f C h r i s t i s pr e -e mi n e n tl y th e po r
tr ayal o f Hi s d e i ty. An d l o ve an d l i f e , as r e ve al e d an d e m
bo d i e d i n C h r i st, ar e th e pr e d o mi n an t po i n ts o f e mph asi s
th r o u gh o u t.
I t may r i gh tl y be sai d th a t th e ce n tr al message an d co n s tan t
e mph asi s o f th e Go spe l o f J o h n i s th a t o f life eternal through
Jesus Christ as Go d s so l e pr o vi si o n f o r e scapi n g th e s i n n e r s
C HRI ST S INFALLI BLE T EST I MONY ON LIFE VS. DEAT H 189
d e s i gn ate d d o o m o f u t t e r an d u l ti ma te d e s tr u cti o n (J o h n 3:
16). T h e basi c d i s ti n cti o n be twe e n th e l o t o f th e saved a n d th e
f ate o f th e l o st i s pr e -e mi n e n tl y o n e o f l i f e l i f e wi th o u t e n d ,
l i f e through C h r i s t al o n e , an d with Hi m f o r e ve r i n Hi s e te r n al
ki n gd o m to co me . Bu t o n l y as o n e senses th e d r e ad f u l d e sti n y
o f s i n f u l man a pa r t f r o m C h r i st, as i n vo l vi n g to tal d e ath an d
u t t e r d e s tr u cti o n , d o e s th e go spe l o f l i f e s tan d o u t i n i ts s u b
l i me gr a n d e u r an d gl o r y. No w l e t us go back to th e be gi n n i n gs.
1. F r o m B l e a k n e s s o f Si n t o R a d i a n c e o f Sa l v a t i o n .
T h e o pe n i n g ch apte r s o f th e Ol d T e s ta me n t pa r t o f th e Bo o k
o f Go d se t f o r th th e acco u n t o f th e si n an d f al l o f o u r f i r st
par e n ts f r o m th e i r e state o f o r i gi n al i n n o ce n ce , an d th e d o o m
th e y br o u gh t u po n th e mse l ve s an d th e i r po ste r i ty. T h i s f o r me d
th e bl e ak backgr o u n d f o r th e r a d i a n t go spe l o f sal vati o n th a t
i mme d i ate l y be gan to u n f o l d wi th ste ad i l y i n cr e asi n g cl ar i ty.
T h e l aw se t f o r th th e f e ar f u l pe n al ty o f death, th a t th e
go spe l mi gh t pr e s e n t i ts wo n d r o u s o f f e r o f life. Af te r th e d a r k
ness o f si n , came th e gl o r i o u s l i gh t o f sal vati o n . T h u s a me s
sage o f h o pe was co mmi n gl e d e ve n wi th th e th u n d e r s o f Si n ai .
Fr o m th e ti me o f Ed e n o n war d th e d e pr e ssi o n o f th e l o n g
n i gh t o f e s tr an ge me n t f r o m Go d was r e l i e ve d by th e o u ts h i n
i n g o f th e twi n star s o f h o pe an d pr o mi se , as me n watch e d an d
wai te d f o r th e a ppe ar i n g o f th e Savi o u r th r o u gh o u t Ol d T e s ta
me n t ti me s.
2. N e w T e s t a m e n t a N e w R e v e l a t i o n o f L i f e .We
n o w co me to th e Ne w T e s ta me n t ti me s. T h e Ne w T e s ta me n t
i s n o t me r e l y a f u l l e r an d cl e ar e r r e ve l ati o n o f th e d i vi n e tr u th s
al r e ad y d i scl o se d i n th e Ol d . I t i s al l th at. Bu t i t i s vastl y mo r e
i t i s a n e w r e ve l ati o n . Wh i l e e mbr aci n g an d co n f i r mi n g,
an d h ar mo n i zi n g wi th , al l th e t r u t h s u n f o l d e d i n th e Ol d T e s
tame n tan d r e ve al i n g th e m e ve n mo r e cl e ar l yth e Ne w T e s
tame n t co n tai n s, we str ess, o th e r a n d h i gh e r tr u th s t h a t d i s
ti n gu i s h i t as a d i sti n ctl y new revelation. We u se th i s e x
pr e ssi o n ad vi se d l y. An d th i s, as ju s t state d , i s pr e -e mi n e n tl y a
r e ve l ati o n o f life through Jesus Christ alone. T h e Ol d T e s ta
me n t co n tai n s i n u n d e ve l o pe d f o r mi n type a n d symbo l ,
pr o ph e cy an d pr o mi se i n kl i n gs o f t r u t h o n l y u n f o l d e d i n f u l l
ness i n th e Ne w T e s tame n t. T h e r e i s an u n mi s takabl y pr o gr e s
si ve u n f o l d i n g o f r e ve l ati o n .
An d t h a t br o ad an d d e e p l i n e o f d e mar cati o n be twe e n th e
Ol d an d th e Ne w i s th i s cl e ar r e ve l ati o n o f l i f e an d i mmo r tal i ty
f o r mo r tal man , th r o u gh C h r i st, effected by a new birth now
and a resurrection from the dead at Christs second advent.
An d al o n g wi th th e se co me s th e i n se par abl e co r o l l ar y o f th e
u l ti ma te d e s tr u cti o n o f al l e vi l th r o u gh th e al mi gh ty po we r
o f th e So n o f Go d o u r Savi o u r , n o w se t f o r th i n f u l l n e ss a n d i n
e scapabl e cl ar i ty.
3. B r o u g h t A b o u t b y N e w Spi r i t u a l I n g e n e r a t i o n .
T h i s l i f e i s a n e w an d h i gh e r l i f e th an o u r n a tu r a l l i f e , an d
h e to wh o m i t i s gi ve n be co me s a n e w cr e a tu r e . T h u s : If
an y man be in Christ, h e i s a n e w cr e atu r e [ktisis, cr e a ti o n ]
(2 C o r . 5:17).
I n a way, i t i s th e Ge n e si s sto r y al l o ve r agai n . A n e w l i f e
i s ge n e r ate d i n a r e spo n si ve man by th e Spi r i t o f Go d . An d i t
i s as s u pe r i o r to th e o l d Ad ami c l i f e as i t i s mo r e e n d u r i n g.
T h e f i r st ge n e r ati o n i s n a tu r a l an d e ar th l y, an d be cau se o f si n
l ead s to d e ath . T h e se co n d i s s u pe r n a tu r a l , f r o m abo ve , an d
l ead s to e te r n al l i f e wi th i ts wo n d r o u s, u l ti ma te i mmo r tal i ty
be sto we d at th e r e s u r r e cti o n .
T h i s n e w l i f e i s be go tte n n o t o f f l esh an d bl o o d , n o r o f th e
wi l l o r po we r o f man , bu t so l e l y o f Go d (J o h n 3:3-7; 1 Pe te r
1:23). An d i t wi l l , i n ti me , be i n ve ste d wi th a n e w an d tr an s
f o r me d s pi r i tu a l bo d y, l i ke u n to C h r i s ts gl o r i o u s bo d y, th a t
wi l l r i se to me e t C h r i s t th e Li f e -gi ve r a t Hi s se co n d co mi n g
(1 C o r . 15:49-53), th u s to take i ts pu r ch ase d an d d e s ti n e d
pl ace i n Hi s e ve r l asti n g ki n gd o m.
Hi n ts an d f o r e gl e ams o f th i s n e w l i f e ar e s catte r e d th r o u gh
o u t th e pages o f th e Ol d T e s tame n t. T h e s e ar e bu t an ti ci pato r y.
Le t i t n e ve r be f o r go tte n th at o n l y i n th e Ne w T e s ta me n t i s i t
d i s ti n ctl y r e ve al e d as th e gift of God through Jesus Christ
(Ro m. 6:23; J o h n 3:16), by wh o se o wn d e ath an d r e s u r r e c
ti o n e te r n al l i f e i s u n i mpe ach abl y assu r e d to th e be l i e ve r .
IV. T wo Pr o ge n i to r s, T wo Bi r th s, T wo C o n tr asti n g Desti ni es
T wo match i n g l i n e s o f t h o u gh t r u n th r o u gh J o h n s Go s
pe l (1) T h e i n ca r n ati o n o f De i ty (th e d i vi n e n atu r e ) i n th e
pe r so n o f J e su s C h r i s t o f Nazar e th th a t i n vo l ve d th e u n i o n o f
th e d i vi n e a n d h u man i n C h r i st, i n o r d e r th a t He mi gh t r e d e e m
man . He was bo th Go d an d man , ye t n o t two bu t o n e , i n th e
u n i ty o f o n e pe r so n . An d (2) th e par al l e l af f i r mati o n , f r o m th e
f i r st par agr aph to th e l ast, th at th i s i n car n ati o n o f th e d i vi n e
Wo r d h ad f o r i ts s u pr e me o bje ct th e gi vi n g o f e ve r l asti n g
l i f e to man ki n d th r o u gh r e d e mpti ve u n i o n wi th C h r i st, th e
Li gh t o f l i f e . Bu t i t was th e se twi n tr u th s th a t ar o u se d th e
i n cr e d u l i ty a n d awake n e d th e i n te n se h o s ti l i ty o f man y o f th e
J e ws.
At th e ve r y o u ts e t o f th e Go spe l o f J o h n th e s u bl i me d e c
l ar ati o n i s mad e : I n h i m [J esus] was l i f e 1[th at i s, th e f o u n
tai n o f l i f e ]; a n d th e life was th e l i gh t o f me n (J o h n 1:4).
Li f e , as we h ave se e n , i s o n e o f th e two ch ar acte r i s ti c
wo r d s o f J o h n s Go spe l , a ppe ar i n g man y ti me s i n th i s s h o r t
mi ssi ve . J e su s came n o t, as d i d J o h n th e Bapti st, me r e l y to
be ar wi tn e ss o f th e l i gh t o f l i f e , bu t pr e -e mi n e n tl y as th e
actu al Li f e -gi ve r , th e way, th e t r u t h , a n d th e life (J o h n 14:6).
He i s th e ve r y so u r ce an d e mbo d i me n t, th e h e r al d an d be-
sto we r o f e te r n al l i f e . T h e first man Ad am was mad e a living
soul [psuchen zosan]; bu t th e l ast Ad am was mad e a quick
ening spirit [pneuma zoopoioun], o r l i f e -gi vi n g s pi r i t (1
C o r . 15:45). An d J o h n s wh o l e Go spe l i s th e u n f o l d i n g an d a p
pl yi n g o f t h a t gl o r i o u s t r u t h an d pr o vi si o n . Bu t l e t us pau se to
d e f i n e an d d i f f e r e n ti ate t h a t l i f e .
1. S i g n i f i c a n c e a n d S c o p e o f t h e T e r m L i f e . C e r
1T h a t l i f e was ma n i f e s te d (J o h n 1:4); i s o bt a i n e d (3:16); i s po sse sse d (4:14); i s
s u s t a i n e d (6:35); i s mi n i s t e r e d (7:38); i s a bo u n d i n g (10:10); a n d i s r e s u r r e ct i ve (11:24, 25).
tai n wo r d s ar e ch ar acte r i s ti c i n J o h n s Go spe l . On e o f th e mo st
co n s pi cu o u s an d s tr i ki n g i s l i f e (zoe), wh i ch appe ar s 36
ti me s. T h e ve r b l o ve (agapad) i s u se d 37 ti me s. An d l i gh t
(phos) i s f o u n d 23 ti me s, a n d i s u se d e spe ci al l y o f C h r i s t a n d
o f Go d (J o h n 1:4, 5; 8:12; 1J o h n 1:5). Bu t th e zo e-l i f e h o l d s
a u n i qu e pl ace . I t i s e sse n ti al th a t we gr asp J o h n s use o f th e
te r m l i f e . T h e r e ar e th r e e Gr e e k wo r d s r e n d e r e d by th e
o n e wo r d l i f e . No te th e f u n d ame n tal d i sti n cti o n s:
(1) Zoe (l i f e ) i s th e o ppo si te o f d e ath , wh i ch i s th e e n d
o f l i f e th e r e s u l t o f th e s e n te n ce an d pu n i s h me n t o f Go d
agai n s t si n . Zde i s l i f e i n al l man i f e stati o n s. I t i s th e pr i n ci pl e
a n d e ssence o f l i f e . Its o n e an d o n l y so u r ce i s Go d th e Li vi n g
On e , th e Fo u n ta i n o f Li f e . We l i ve o n l y i n an d by Hi s l i f e .
He o r i gi n ate s an d su stai n s l i f e by gi vi n g i t o u t o f Hi mse l f . I n
h i m we l i ve , an d mo ve , an d h ave o u r be i n g (Acts 17:28).
(2) Psuche (l i f e ) i s u se d o f th e l i f e o f man wh i ch can
be l o st, d e str o ye d , saved, l ai d d o wn , e t ce te r a58 ti me s i n th e
Ne w T e s ta me n t, a n d i s r e n d e r e d l i f e 39 ti me s an d s o u l 19
ti me s. I t i s u se d o f man as an i n d i vi d u al 14 ti mes.
(3) Bios i s man n e r o f l i f e , th e pe r i o d o r d u r a t i o n o f l i f e ,
th e me an s o f l i vi n g.2
J o h n uses zoe i n a th e o l o gi cal se nse to d e scr i be th e l i f e
t h a t co me s to th e C h r i s ti an t h r o u gh C h r i st. Actu al l y h e cal l s
i t zoen aionion (e te r n al l i f e , e ve r l as ti n g l i f e) 16 ti me s i n h i s
Go spe l . I n o th e r cases th e co n te xt make s i t cl e ar th a t i t i s
e te r n al l i f e th a t h e i s tal ki n g abo u t.
T h i s l i f e {zoe) be l o n gs to th o se to wh o m i t i s co mmu n i
cate d . I t i s th e l i f e th e C h r i s ti an h as n o w in Christ, as th e gi f t o f
Go d (Ro m. 6:23), by f ai th i n C h r i st (J o h n 6:27; 10:28). He
t h a t h a th th e So n h ath l i f e [zoen\\ a n d h e th at h ath n o t th e
So n o f Go d h a th n o t l i f e (1 J o h n 5:12).
I n ge n e r al , th e o th e r Ne w T e s ta me n t wr i te r s use zoe i n
th i s th e o l o gi cal se nse , e ve n wh e r e th e wo r d e te r n a l i s n o t
co n n e cte d wi th i t. No w l e t us co n ti n u e .
2Se e Bu l l i n ge r , Critical Lexicon, p. 462; The Companion Bible, Appe n d i xe s 170 (p. 191)
a n d 110 (p. 153).
2. N a t u r a l D y i n g L i f e ; Su pe r n a t u r a l E n d l e s s L i f e .
Fr o m Ad am, o u r n a tu r a l pr o ge n i to r , we o btai n e d o n l y a mo r
tal , tr an s i to r y l i f e r e ce i ve d th r o u gh natural ge n e r ati o n . No t h
i n g el se, an d n o t h i n g h i gh e r , co u l d co me f r o m o r t h r o u gh h i m.
Bu t i n o u r gl o r i o u s Spi r i tu al Pr o ge n i to r i s ve ste d th e l i f e t h a t
i s s pi r i tu a l a n d u n d yi n g, wh i ch He gi ves th r o u gh re-ge n e r a
ti o n . T h i s d i s ti n cti o n be twe e n th e n a tu r a l l i f e an d th e s u pe r
n a tu r a l i s ve r y r e al , an d i s e ve r ywh e r e d r awn th r o u gh o u t th e
Ne w T e s ta me n t, a n d par ti cu l ar l y i n th e Go spe l o f J o h n .
I n ge n e r al th e two wo r d s psuch a n d z i n th e Gr e e k ar e
u se d to d e si gn ate a n d d i f f e r e n ti ate th e m. Bu t th e tr an s l ati o n
o f th e se two d i s ti n ct an d o f te n a n ti th e ti ca l te r ms by th e si n gl e
wo r d l i f e (as th e En gl i sh do e s n o t h ave th e d u al e qu i val e n ts)
h as o bscu r e d th i s d i s ti n cti o n . Ne ve r th e l e ss, th e r e ar e two se pa
r ate pr o ge n i to r s , two se par ate bi r th s , an d two s e par ate d e s
ti n i e s. C h r i s t came t h a t wh o so e ve r be l i e ve th i n Hi m mi gh t be
save d from d e ath an d unto l i f e . He came to co n f e r e te r n al
l i f e u po n r e pe n tan t, be l i e vi n g, mo r tal me n .
T h i s was th e su bl i me a n d r e vo l u ti o n ar y t r u t h th a t C h r i st,
at th e ve r y o u ts e t o f Hi s pu bl i c mi n i s tr y, e n u n ci ate d an d
pr e sse d h o me to Ni co d e mu s. No te th e pr e ci se ph r asi n g:
Ver i l y, ver i l y, I say u n to th e e , Exce pt a man be bo r n agai n , h e
can n o t see th e ki n gd o m o f Go d . T h a t wh i ch i s born o f th e flesh i s flesh;
an d th at wh i ch i s born o f th e Spirit i s spirit. Mar ve l n o t th a t I sai d
u n to th e e , Ye mu st be bo r n agai n .
As Moses l i f te d u p th e se r pe n t i n th e wi l d e r n e ss, e ve n so mu st
th e So n o f man be l i f te d u p: t h a t wh o so e ve r be l i e ve th i n h i m sh o u l d n o t
pe r i sh , bu t h ave e te r n al l i f e .8Fo r Go d so l o ve d th e wo r l d , th a t h e gave
h i s o n l y be go tte n Son, th a t wh o so e ve r be l i e ve th i n h i m sh o u l d n o t per
ish, bu t h ave e ve r l asti n g l i f e . Fo r Go d se n t n o t h i s So n i n to th e wo r l d
to co n d e mn th e wo r l d ; bu t th a t th e wo r l d th r o u gh h i m mi gh t be save d
(J o h n 3:3, 6, 7, 14-17).
3. N i c o d e mu s t h e P h a r i s e e H e l d t o I n n a t e I m m o r t a l
i t y .Ni co d e mu s, th e Ph ar i se e an d be l i e ve r i n I n n a te I mmo r
tal i ty, h ad bu t vagu e n o ti o n s o f l i f e be yo n d th e pr e se n t. He
3 Z aidnios (l i f e e ve r l a s t i n g). No te t h a t t h e a d je cti ve e ve r l a s ti n g (aidnios) a ppe a r s
o n l y wi t h z, n e ve r wi t h psuch. (Se e J o h n 3:15, 16, 36; 4:14, 36; 5:24, 39; 6:27, 40, 47,
54, 68; 10:28; 12:25, 50; 17:2, 3.) Aidnios o ccu r s wi t h z 16 ti me s i n J o h n s Go spe l a n a
6 ti me s i n 1 J o h n .
7
As Moses Li f te d Up th e Brazen Se r pe n t of Ol d T h a t th e Dyi ng Isr ae l i te s Mi gh t
Have Li f e, So Must C h r i st Be Li f te d Up o n C al var y f o r Dyi n g Hu man i ty, to
Re sto r e Lo st Immo r tal i ty.
o bvi o u sl y h e l d to a pr o l o n gati o n o f ma n s natural l i f e be yo n d
th e pr e s e n t state , n o t th e r e ce pti o n o f a new l i f e . I t was th e
same o l d i mmo r ta l l i f e o f th e s o u l o f Pl ato n i c ph i l o so ph y,
194
J esus T e l l s th e Wo man o f
Samar i a o f th e Li vi n g Wate r
th e Eve r l asti n g Li f eT h a t
He C ame to Gi ve to He r an d
to Every Oth e r T h i r s ti n g
So ul Wh o Wo u l d Seek I t.
acce n tu ate d by Ph i l o , af te r th e so u l h as e scape d f r o m th e e n
cu mbe r i n g bo d ya ki n d o f gh o stl y, i n n ate , i mmo r tal e n ti ty
t h a t h e a n d o th e r s h ad i mbi be d f r o m th e wi d e spr e ad pe n e
t r ati o n s o f Gr e e k ph i l o so ph y cu r r e n t amo n g th e Ph ar i se e s. Ni co -
d e mu s th e r e f o r e n o t o n l y h ad n o co n ce pti o n o f t h a t n e w
s pi r i tu a l l i f e , wh i ch co me s f r o m a n e w s pi r i tu al bi r t h an d
wh i ch i s pr e s e n te d i n th e Ne w T e s ta me n t as th e so l e f o u n d a
ti o n f o r ma n s h o pe o f i mmo r tal i tybu t al as h e was d e s ti tu te
o f th e me an s o f co n ce i vi n g i t, f o r th e natural [psuchikos]
man r e ce i ve th n o t th e th i n gs o f th e Spi r i t o f Go d : f o r th e y ar e
f o o l i sh n e ss u n t o h i m: n e i t h e r can h e kn o w th e m, be cau se th e y
ar e spiritually [pneumatikos] d i s ce r n e d (1 C o r . 2:14).
4. L i v i n g W a t e r Spr i n g i n g U p U n t o E v e r l a s t i n g
L i f e .I t was th i s same e sse n ti al d o ctr i n e t h a t C h r i s t n e xt a t
te mpte d to te ach , f r o m a sl i gh tl y d i f f e r e n t appr o ach , i n co n ve r s
i n g wi th th e wo man at th e we l l i n Samar i a. Bu t n e i t h e r co u l d
h e r mi n d , u n i l l u mi n e d by th e Spi r i t o f Go d , a ppr e h e n d su ch
s pi r i tu a l r e al i ti e s. Sh e u n d e r s to o d th e i mpr e ssi ve f i gur e s u se d by
H. HOFMANN, ARTIST
195
C h r i s t o n l y i n t h e i r l o we r mate r i al sense. Bu t s cr i ptu r al f i gur e s
ar e e mpl o ye d to r e pr e s e n t r e al i ti e s, a n d n o t so me th i n g f an ci f u l .
T h i s s pi r i tu a l l i f e o f wh i ch C h r i s t spo ke was n o t u n r e a l bu t
actu al e ve n mo r e r e al an d s u bs tan ti al t h a n th e n a tu r a l l i f e
o f man . Obse r ve C h r i s ts appr o ach :
I f th o u kn e we st th e gift of God [e te r n al l i f e th r o u gh C h r i st], a n d
wh o i t i s th a t sai th to th e e , Gi ve me to d r i n k; th o u wo u l d e st h ave
aske d o f h i m, an d h e wo u l d h ave gi ve n th e e l i vi n g wate r [hudor ion]. . . .
Wh o so e ve r d r i n ke th o f th i s wate r sh al l th i r s t agai n : bu t wh o so e ve r d r i n k-
e th o f th e wate r th a t I sh al l gi ve h i m sh al l n e ve r th i r st; bu t th e wate r th a t
I sh al l gi ve h i m sh al l be i n h i m a well [pege, f o u n tai n , spr i n g] o f
wate r s pr i n gi n g u p i n to everlasting life (J o h n 4:10-14).
5. C e n t r a l D o c t r i n e o f J o h n s G o s pe l . T h e Go spe l o f
J o h n i s pr e -e mi n e n t i n s e tti n g f o r th th i s gr e at d o ctr i n e o f life
eternal only through Christ. T h e d o ctr i n e o f a f u tu r e l i f e was
d e f i n i te l y r e ve al e d i n th e a n ci e n t He br e w Scr i ptu r e s. An d i n
t h e i r e ar l i e r ce n tu r i e s d u r i n g th e ti me o f th e l i vi n g He br e w
pr o ph e ts Isr ae l h ad ge n e r al l y h e l d th e r e to . Bu t i n th e l ate r
i n te r -T e s ta me n ta l pe r i o d , u n d e r th e i mpact o f Gr e e k ph i l o s o
ph y, th e J e wi sh r e l i gi o n h ad be e n gr ave l y mar r e d an d co r
r u pte d .
T h e Ph ar i se e s h ad co me to h o l d th e ph i l o so ph i cal d o ctr i n e
o f th e n a tu r a l i mmo r tal i ty o f th e n a tu r a l l i f e o f man as the
peculiar inheritance of the children of Abraham. T h i s bl i n d e d
t h e i r eyes to th e t r u t h t h a t C h r i s t br o u gh t to th e m. T h e i r
mi n d s we r e cl o se d , th e i r u n d e r s ta n d i n g d ar ke n e d , so th e y co u l d
n o t co mpr e h e n d .
T h a t was th e gr e at bar r i e r .
T h e n wh e n C h r i st sh o we d th e f al l acy o f t h e i r h o pe s i n
an y i mmo r tal i ty e xce pt th r o u gh Hi mse l f , an d t h a t th e r e was
n o th i n g i n th e Ol d T e s ta me n t Scr i ptu r e swh i ch th e y me ti cu
l o u sl y i n vo ke d to ju sti f y t h e i r ph i l o s o ph i cal h o pe s an d e x
pe ctati o n s, th e y we r e af f r o n te d a n d an ge r e d . I f th e y wo u l d bu t
se ar ch th e s cr i ptu r e s , C h r i s t sai d wi stf u l l y, go i n g to th e
h e a r t o f th e i ssue, th e y wo u l d f i n d n o d o ctr i n e o f i mmo r tal i ty
f o r man , save th r o u gh th e pr o mi se d Li f e -gi ve r . T h a t was th e
s tu mbl i n g bl o ck.
6. C o n t r o v e r s y O v e r B r e a d F r o m H e a v e n a n d R e s u r
r e c t i o n .I n th e si xth ch apte r o f J o h n , C h r i s ts pr o l o n ge d d i s
cu ssi o n wi th th e J e ws i s r e co r d e d , d e si gn e d to pr o ve t h a t He i s
i n d e e d th e Br e ad o f Li f e , th a t wh i l e th e f ath e r s actu al l y ate
man n a i n th e wi l d e r n e ss, n e ve r th e l e ss th e y died; bu t t h a t He
i s th e l i f e -gi vi n g Br e ad th a t came d o wn f r o m He ave n th at,
s h o u l d a man e at th e r e o f , h e wo u l d not die th e se co n d , o r f i n al ,
d e ath (J o h n 6:50). T h i s basi c d e cl ar ati o n He i te r ate d an d r e
i te r ate d to th e m i n var i o u s ways.
Bu t He was actu al l y pr e ssi n g u po n o n e po i n t t h a t Hi s
wo r k o n e a r th was to give life, everlasting life, an d to pr e ve n t
me n f r o m u l ti mate l y dying a n d perishing i n th e se co n d d e ath .
He d e cl ar e s t h a t wh o so e ate th Hi s f l esh a n d d r i n ke t h Hi s bl o o d ,
hath eternal life; a n d th a t He wi l l raise him up at the last
day (v. 54).
As th e l i vi n g Fa th e r h a th se n t me , C h r i s t d e cl ar e d ,
a n d I l i ve by th e Fath e r : so h e t h a t e ate th me , e ve n h e
shall live by me. An d h e t h a t e ate th o f th i s br e ad sh al l l i ve
f o r e ve r (vs. 57, 58). He i n si sts, Exce pt ye e at th e f l esh o f th e
So n o f man , a n d d r i n k h i s bl o o d , ye h ave n o l i f e in you (v. 53).
T h i s vi tal d i sco u r se , d e l i ve r e d i n C ape r n au m, pr e se n ts th e cr u x
o f th e co n f l i ct wi th th e J e ws, an d di scl o ses th e basi c ba tt l e
gr o u n d o f th e e n ti r e co n tr o ve r sy. Wh a t i s sai d be yo n d th i s i s
bu t a r e pe t i t i o n o f wh at i s h e r e d e cl ar e d , o n l y wi th a pe r si st
e n ce an d f u l l n e ss th a t ar o u s e d gr e at co n s te r n ati o n a n d mar ke d
an tago n i s m o n th e pa r t o f th e J e wi sh l e ad e r s. No w l e t us ge t th e
se tti n g.
7. J e w i s h C h a l l e n g e o f A d v e n t , R e s u r r e c t i o n , D a m
n a t i o n . C h r i s t was a t J e r u s al e m at o n e o f th e f easts, a n d h ad
h e al e d th e i mpo te n t man a t th e po o l . He d e cl ar e d t h a t th e
po we r o f r ai s i n g th e d e ad an d gi vi n g th e m l i f e r e sts wi th Hi m
sel f . He a te d co n tr o ve r sy e n su e d , o ste n si bl y be cau se i t was th e
Sabbath d ay, a n d th e J e ws ch al l e n ge d C h r i s ts r i gh t a n d a u
th o r i ty to h e al o n th a t co n se cr ate d day. Obse r ve i t i n so me d e
tai l , i n th e pr e ci se wo r d s o f J o h n , f o r h e r e i s th e h e a r t o f
C h r i s ts co n ti n u i n g co n tr o ve r sy wi th th e J e ws. He r e He l e ad s
o n i n to Hi s se co n d ad ve n t, an d th e r e s u r r e cti o n o f l i f e an d
th e r e s u r r e cti o n o f d a mn a ti o n . No te Hi s bo l d cl ai ms a n d
s e ar ch i n g d e cl ar ati o n s :
Fo r as th e Fath e r r ai se th u p th e d e ad , an d quickeneth [zdopoieo,
make al i ve , gi ve th l i f e to ] th e m; e ve n so th e So n qu i cke n e th wh o m h e
wi l l (J o h n 5:21).
Ver i l y, ve r i l y, I say u n to yo u, He th a t h e a r e th my wo r d , an d be l i e ve th
o n h i m th a t s e n t me, h ath e ve r l asti n g l i f e, an d sh al l n o t co me i n to con
demnation [krisin, ju d gme n t]; bu t i s passed f r o m [o u t of ] d e ath u n to
l i f e (v. 24).
Fo r as th e Fath e r h ath l i f e in himself; so h ath h e gi ve n to th e Son
to h ave l i f e in himself (v. 26).
Bu t u n d e r th e i mpact o f Gr e e k ph i l o so ph y, su ch life as a
spe ci al gi f t f r o m Go d h ad be e n wh o l l y o bscu r e d by th e pe r va
si ve f al se h o pe o f I n n a te I mmo r tal i ty. T h e y we r e th e r e f o r e
o f f e n d e d at C h r i s ts d e cl ar ati o n th a t th e r e was l i f e o n l y i n
Hi mse l f . Bu t, He sai d:
Mar ve l n o t at th i s: f o r th e h o u r i s co mi n g, i n th e wh i ch al l t h a t ar e
i n th e graves [n o t i n He ave n o r He l l ] sh al l h e a r h i s vo i ce, an d sh al l co me
f o r th ; th e y t h a t h ave d o n e go o d , u n to th e resurrection of life; an d th e y
t h a t h ave d o n e evi l , u n to th e r e su r r e cti o n o f d amn ati o n [kriseos, ju d g
me n t, co n d e mn ati o n u n to d e ath ; cf . v. 24] (vs. 28, 29).
[Ye] Se ar ch th e scr i ptu r e s; f o r i n th e m ye th i n k ye h ave e t e r n a l
l i f e : an d th e y [th e Scr i ptu r e s] ar e th e y wh i ch te sti f y o f me [th e Li f e-
gi ve r ]. An d ye wi l l n o t co me to me, th a t ye mi gh t h ave l i f e (vs. 39, 40).
8. B l i n d e d b y P l a t o n i s m , J e w s R e j e c t L i f e - T r u t h .
T h e r e was n o aba te me n t i n C h r i s ts co n ti n u i n g e mph asi s. He
pr o cl ai me d th e same t r u t h af te r th e mi r acl e o f th e l o aves an d
f i sh es, wi th i ts f e e d i n g o f th e f i ve th o u s an d (J o h n 6). He r e
agai n C h r i s t pr esses o n Hi s pe r s i s te n t th e me o f l i f e an d d e ath .
He d e cl ar e d t h a t man can n o t o f h i mse l f l i ve f o r e ve r . T h i s
e mph ati c asse r ti o n i s r e pe ate d twe n ty-e i gh t ti me s i n th e f i r st
si x ch apte r s o f J o h n .
L a bo u r n o t f o r the meat wh i ch pe r i s h e th , bu t f o r t h a t
me at wh i ch e n d u r e t h u n t o everlasting life, wh i ch th e So n o f
man sh al l gi ve u n t o yo u (J o h n 6:27).
As th e l i f e o f th e bo d y i s s u s tai n e d by mate r i al f o o d, so th i s
h i gh e r l i f e th i s s pi r i tu a l l i f e wh i ch He gi vesmu s t l i ke wi se
C HRI ST S INFALLI BLE T EST I MONY ON LIFE VS. DEAT H 199
h ave i ts s pi r i tu a l l i f e an d n o u r i s h me n t, a n d f r o m th e same
d i vi n e so u r ce . T h i s ph ysi cal l i f e can n o t be s u s tai n e d f o r e ve r ,
e ve n i f man n a we r e s u pe r n a tu r a l l y gi ve n f r o m He ave n , as o f
o l d . T h e J e wi sh f ath e r s, wh o ate th e man n a i n th e wi l d e r n e ss,
we r e al l dead (vs. 49, 50). So C h r i s ts i mme d i ate h e ar e r s
mu s t d i e n o t o n l y a n a tu r a l d e ath bu t al so th e second d e ath i f
th e y h ave n o h i gh e r , d i vi n e pr i n ci pl e o f l i f e i n ge n e r ate d i n to
th e m. An d th i s n e w l i f e , r e ce i ve d f r o m C h r i st, can be mai n
tai n e d o n l y by th e cl o sest u n i o n wi th Hi m. T o su ch a l i f e th e r e
wi l l be n o e n d .
9. M a n y F o l l o w e r s T u r n A w a y B e c a u s e o f C l a i m s .
T h i s e n ti r e ch apte r 6 i s r e mar kabl e f o r th e co n s tan t r e i t e r a
ti o n o f th i s o n e basi c t r u t h . Bu t th e J ews co u l d n o t, o r wo u l d
n o t, r e ce i ve i t. C h r i s ts bo l d a n d to th e m br aze n cl ai ms as to
be i n g th e Di vi n e Gi ve r o f th e h i gh e r , s u pe r n a tu r a l l i f e we r e a b
h o r r e n t to th e m. T h e co n ce pt o f th e I n n a t e I mmo r tal i ty o f th e
so u l h ad so capti vate d a n d po ssessed th e i r mi n d s as to bl o ck
co mpl e te l y t h e i r u n d e r s ta n d i n g o f th e gr e at go spe l t r u t h o f
the life and immortality received solely by a new birth through
a Divine Saviour. An d n o t o n l y we r e th e scr i be s an d Ph ar i se e s
af f r o n te d , bu t man y al so o f C h r i s t s f o r me r f o l l o we r s we r e o f
f e n d e d at Hi s d o ctr i n e (v. 61). Be i t par ti cu l ar l y o bse r ve d th a t
i t was th i s e mph asi s th at cau se d th e f i n al br e ak wi th th e J e ws
an d th e s e par ati o n o f n u me r o u s d i sci pl e s.
From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no
more with him. T h e n sai d J e su s u n to th e twel ve, Wi l l ye al so go away?
T h e n Si mo n Pe te r an swe r e d h i m, Lo r d , to wh o m sh al l we go? th o u h as t
th e wo r d s o f eternal life (J o h n 6:66-68).
He r e i s th e Bi bl i cal r e ci tal . T h o u gh i t mi gh t a ppe ar te d i
o u s, i t i s th e h e a r t o f th e te sti mo n y o f th e Ne w T e s ta me n t
go spe l wi tn e ss. Re ad th e i n s pi r e d wo r d s:
An d J e su s sai d u n to th e m, I am* th e bread of life [artos ts zs]:
h e th a t co me th to me sh al l n e ve r h u n ge r ; an d h e th a t be l i e ve th o n me
sh al l n e ve r th i r s t (v. 35).
4T h i s i s t h e f i r s t o f a s e r i e s o f I a m u t t e r a n ce s I AM t h e br e a d o f l i f e (J o h n
6:35, 41 j 48, 51); t h e l i gh t o f t h e wo r l d (8:12; 9:5); t h e d o o r o f th e s h e e p (10:7); t h e
r e s u r r e ct i o n a n d t h e jo e -l i f e (11:25); t h e t r u e a n d l i vi n g way (14:6); a n d t h e t r u e vi n e
An d th i s i s th e wi l l o f h i m th a t se n t me, th a t eve r y o n e wh i ch se e th
th e So n, an d be l i e ve th o n h i m, may h ave everlasting life: an d I will raise
him up at the last day 5 (v. 40).
Ver i l y, ver i l y, I say u n to yo u, He th a t be l i e ve th o n me hath ever
lasting life. I am th a t br e ad o f l i f e . Y o u r f ath e r s d i d e at man n a i n th e
wi l d e r n e ss, a n d are dead. T h i s i s th e br e ad wh i ch co me th d o wn f r o m
h e ave n , th a t a man may e at th e r e o f , an d not die" (vs. 47-50).
I am th e living bread [ho artos ho zon, th e Li vi n g On e ] wh i ch
came d o wn f r o m h e ave n : i f an y man e at o f th i s br e ad , h e sh al l live for
ever: an d th e br e ad th a t I wi l l gi ve i s my f l esh [Mysel f ], wh i ch I wi l l gi ve
f o r th e life o f th e wo r l d " (v. 51).
Br e ad i s f i gu r ati ve o f th e mai n te n an ce o f su bstan ce . T h a t
i s wh at C h r i s t came to su ppl y.
Ver i l y, ver i l y, I say u n to yo u, Exce pt ye eat the flesh [He b. i d i o m
f o r be l i e vi n g an d r e ce i vi n g] o f th e So n o f man , an d d r i n k h i s bl o o d
[bl o o d , symbo l o f l i f e ], ye h ave n o l i f e i n yo u. Wh o so e ate th my f l esh ,
an d d r i n ke th my bl o o d , hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at
the last day" (vs. 53, 54).
As th e living Father h ath se n t me , an d I l i ve by th e Fath e r : so h e
th a t e ate th me , e ve n h e sh al l l i ve by me. T h i s i s th a t br e ad wh i ch came
d o wn f r o m h e ave n : n o t as yo u r f ath e r s d i d e at man n a, an d are dead:
h e th a t e ate th o f th i s br e ad shall live for ever [o ppo si te o f se co n d d e a th ]
(vs. 57, 58).
I t i s th e spirit th a t qu i cke n e th [zdopoieo, to make al i ve , to
gi ve l i f e to , e spe ci al l y e te r n al l i f e ]; th e f l esh pr o f i te th n o th i n g: th e
wo r d s th a t I spe ak u n to yo u, th e y ar e spirit, an d th e y ar e life (v. 63).
T h a t was C h r i s ts u n wave r i n g wi tn e ss to th e J e ws i n Hi s
cr i si s h o u r .
V. Re je cti o n C omes Over Amazi ng Zoe-Li f e C l ai ms
1. C o n f l i c t D e v e l o p s I n t o Su p r e m e C r i s i s . I t i s i n
J o h n 8, af te r J e su s h ad d e cl ar e d , I am th e l i gh t o f th e wo r l d : h e
th a t f o l l o we th me sh al l n o t wal k i n d ar kn e ss, bu t sh al l h ave
th e light of life (v. 12), th a t Hi s cl ai ms we r e sh ar pl y ch al
l e n ge d . Ne ve r th e l e ss He agai n af f i r me d t h a t Go d i n He ave n
was Hi s Fath e r . An d n o w He str e sse d th e ma t te r a n d r e l a ti o n
sh i p o f death, l i f e s o ppo s i te an d r e d e mpti o n s al te r n ati ve . An d
6 L a s t d a y, u s e d o n l y i n J o h n , a n d a ppe a r i n g s i x ti me s 6:39, 40, 44, 54; 11:24;
12:48me a n i n g a t t h e e n d o f t h e age , a n d co mi n g o f C h r i s t.
C HRI ST 'S I NFALLI BLE T EST I MONY ON LIFE VS. DEAT H 201
su ch d e a th wo u l d , He d e cl ar e d , r e s u l t f r o m r e je cti o n o f Hi m.
So l e mn l y He sai d:
I go my way, an d ye sh al l seek me , an d sh al l die in your sins [l o si ng
th e tr u e , e t e r n al l i f e ]: wh i th e r I go, ye can n o t co me (v. 21).
Ye ar e f r o m be n e ath ; I am f r o m abo ve : ye ar e o f th i s wo r l d ; I am
n o t o f th i s wo r l d . I sai d th e r e f o r e u n to yo u, th a t ye sh al l die in your
sins: f o r if ye believe not that I am he [th e sol e Gi ve r o f l i f e], ye sh al l
die in your sins (vs. 23, 24).
C h r i s t s d e cl ar ati o n o f Hi s d e i ty, an d pr o n o u n ce me n t o f
ju d gme n t, ar o u s e d t h e i r d e e pe st i n d i gn a ti o n . Af te r th e y h ad
mal i ci o u sl y ch ar ge d Hi m wi th be i n g bo r n o f f o r n i ca ti o n
(v. 41) i n ste ad o f f r o m abo ve as He cl ai me d (v. 23), a n d
C h r i s t h ad r e af f i r me d th a t He i n d e e d pr o ce e d e d f o r th an d
came f r o m Go d (v. 42), He n e xt ste r n l y ch ar ge d th e m wi th
be i n g ch i l d r e n o f yo u r f ath e r th e d e vi l [th e accu se r an d tr a-
d u ce r ] (v. 44). An d He ad d e d wi th pe n e tr ati n g si gn i f i can ce :
He was a mu r d e r e r [f o r d e ath came th r o u gh h i m] f r o m th e be gi n
n i n g [of th e h u ma n r ace], an d abo d e n o t i n th e tr u th . . . . Wh e n h e
spe ake th a lie, h e spe ake th o f h i s o wn : f o r h e i s a liar, a n d th e f ath e r o f
i t (J o h n 8:44).
C h r i s t th u s h ar ke d back to th e o r i gi n al l i e i n Ed e n Ye
sh al l not su r e l y d i e (Ge n . 3:4)wi th al l i ts t r a i n o f u n u t t e r
abl e wo e. T h e n f o l l o ws C h r i s ts tr e me n d o u s d e cl ar ati o n , If a
man ke e p my sayi ng, he shall never see death (J o h n 8:51).
T h a t i s, h e sh al l n o t be vi si te d wi th th e forever-death, e te r n al
d e ath , th e se co n d d e a th , f r o m wh i ch th e r e i s n o r e s u r r e c
ti o n .
J e s u s f i n al af f i r mati o n was, Be f o r e Abr ah am was [came
i n to e xi ste n ce , o r was bo r n ], I a m (v. 58). I t was f o l l o wi n g th i s
i n cr e d i bl e u tte r an ce t h a t th e y to o k u p sto n e s to cast at Hi m.
2. A g a i n S o u g h t t o St o n e H i m B e c a u s e o f C l a i m s .
T h e same t r u t h s ar e e n f o r ce d i n ch apte r 10, u n d e r th e me ta
ph o r s o f th e d o o r o f th e s h e e p (v. 7)by wh i ch th e y we r e to
e n te r i n to l i f e a n d th e go o d s h e ph e r d (v. 11). Of th e
d o o r C h r i s t sai d :
I am the door: by me i f an y man e n te r i n , h e sh al l be saved,
an d sh al l go i n an d o u t, an d f i n d pastu r e . . . . I am co me th a t th e y
mi gh t h ave life, an d t h a t th e y mi gh t h ave i t more abundantly (vs. 9,
10).
C h r i st, th e n , i s th e so l i tar y d o o r to e te r n al l i f e . T h r o u gh
Hi m mo r tal man agai n h as r i gh t o f access to th e tr e e o f l i f e
(Re v. 2:7).
T h e n as to th e Go o d Sh e ph e r d :
I am d i e go o d s h e ph e r d , an d kn o w my sh e e p, an d am kn o wn o f
mi n e . As th e Fath e r kn o we th me, e ve n so kn o w I th e Fath e r : an d I l ay
d o wn my life [psuchen, th e n atu r a l l i f e, an d not, be i t n o te d , zoe]
f o r th e sh e e p. An d o th e r sh e e p I h ave , wh i ch ar e n o t o f th i s f o l d :
th e m al so I mu st br i n g, an d th e y sh al l h e ar my vo i ce; an d th e r e sh al l
be o n e f o l d , an d o n e sh e ph e r d (J o h n 10:14-16).
An d I gi ve u n to th e m eternal life; an d th e y sh al l never perish,
n e i th e r sh al l an y man pl u ck th e m o u t o f my h a n d (v. 28).
I t was f o r th i s bo l d two f o l d cl ai m t h a t th e y to o k u p sto n e s
agai n to s to n e h i m (v. 31; cf . 8:59) f o r bl asph e my, be cau se ,
th e y sai d , T h o u make st th yse l f Go d (ch ap. 10:33). T h e y
s o u gh t agai n to take [ar r e st] h i m: bu t h e e scape d o u t o f t h e i r
h a n d (v. 39). T h e cr i si s was o n i n d e ad e ar n e st. T h u s th e r e
was d e e p si gn i f i can ce to C h r i s ts o u tspo ke n u tte r an ce s o n th e
n a tu r e a n d d e sti n y o f man .
3. M i r a c u l o u s R a i s i n g o f L a z a r u s F r o m D e a t h .T h i s
gr e at t r u t h o f C h r i s t as th e Li f e -gi ve r i s n e xt gr aph i cal l y i l
l u s tr ate d i n ch a pte r 11, i n th e d r amati c e pi so d e at th e gr ave o f
Lazar u s. Mar y an d Mar th a h ad so me kn o wl e d ge o f th e d o c
tr i n e s o f th e r e s u r r e cti o n , th e ju d gme n t, an d th e l i f e to co me .
T h e y d i d n o t sh ar e th e vi ews o f th e Sad d u ce e s. So wh e n J e su s
came , Mar th a sai d to Hi m, Lo r d , i f th o u h ad s t be e n h e r e , my
br o th e r h ad n o t d i e d (v. 21). T h e n J e su s assu r e d h e r , T h y
br o th e r sh al l rise agai n [anistemi, s tan d u p] (v. 23). An d
wh e n sh e bo l d l y co n f e sse d th at sh e kn e w th a t h e r br o th e r wo u l d
r i se agai n i n th e r e s u r r e cti o n at th e l ast d ay (v. 24), J e su s
i mme d i ate l y u t te r e d a n o th e r o f Hi s gr e at I a m sayi ngs:
I am th e r e su r r e cti o n , an d the life [he zbe]: h e th a t be l i e ve th i n
me , th o u gh h e wer e d e ad [eve n th o u gh h e sh o u l d d i e ], ye t sh al l h e l i ve:
an d wh o so e ve r l i ve th [o r i s al i ve at My se co n d co mi n g] an d be l i e ve th i n
COURTESY OF STANDARD PUBLISHING COMPANY
203
T h e T r an sf i gu r ati o n Symbo l
i zed th e T wo C ate go r i e s o f
th e Re de e me d Moses by
Re su r r e cti o n an d El i jah by
T r an sl ati o n to Occu r Si
mu l tan e o u sl y at th e Seco nd
Adve nt.
me shall never die [n e ve r pe r i sh i n th e f i nal , i r r e vo cabl e se co n d d e a th *]
(vs. 25, 26).
So, acco r d i n g to C h r i s t i t i s n o t co n sci o u s su r vi val o f th o se
wh o be l i e ve o n Hi m t h a t o ccasi o ns i mmo r tal i ty, bu t t h e i r
f u tu r e r e s u r r e cti o n f r o m th e d e ad . T h o s e wh o h ave d i e d
th e f i r st, o r n a tu r a l , d e ath , be l i e vi n g i n C h r i st, wi l l be r ai se d .
An d th o se be l i e ve r s wh o wi l l be al i ve at Hi s co mi n g agai n sh al l
be ch an ge d , tr an s f o r me d wi th o u t d yi n g. An d to ge th e r bo th
sh al l s i mu l tan e o u sl y e n te r u po n t h a t l i f e t h a t sh al l n e ve r e n d ,
an d o ve r wh i ch th e se co n d d e ath h as n o po we r wh e n th e y
sh al l h ave r e ce i ve d th e i r i mmo r tal i ty.
T h i s d e cl ar ati o n by o u r Lo r d br o u gh t th e r e co gn i ti o n a n d
co n f e ssi o n f r o m Mar th a, I be l i e ve th a t t h o u a r t th e C h r i s t [th e
Me ssi ah ], th e So n o f Go d , wh i ch s h o u l d co me i n to th e wo r l d
6 T h e f i r s t d e a t h i s o n l y a r e l a ti ve l y s h o r t s l e e p (Ps . 146:4; 1 C o r . 15:20, 21, 51-55;
1 T h e s s . 4:13-18). I t i s a br i e f l yi n g d o wn to r e s t f r o m t h e e vi l to co me (I s a . 57:1, 2).
d u r i n g wh i ch t i me t h e l i f e o f t h e r i gh t e o u s i s h i d wi t h C h r i s t i n Go d (C o l . 3:3). Ph ys i cal
d e a t h co me s to r i gh t e o u s a n d wi cke d al i ke , bu t t h e r i gh t e o u s h ave t h e pr o mi s e t h a t th e y wi l l
n o t be h u r t o f t h e second d e a t h (Re v. 2:11; cf . 20:6).
(v. 27; cf . Matt. 16:16). T h e n i t was th a t J e su s, at th e to mb,
l i f te d Hi s vo i ce a n d co mman d e d , Lazar u s, come forth
(J o h n 11:43), ju s t as i f He we r e ar o u s i n g h i m f r o m a d e e p
sl e e p. An d h e th a t was d e ad came f o r t h (v. 44). Lazar u s,
r e ce i vi n g l i f e , h e ar d an d o be ye d th e su mmo n s. Lazar u s, i t
s h o u l d be n o te d , was s l e e pi n g i n th e gr ave (v. 44), n o t s i n gi n g
pr ai se s i n He ave n , wh e n C h r i s t cal l e d h i m.7
I t was a s ta r tl i n g e xe r ci se , wh i l e J e su s was h e r e o n e ar th ,
o f th e d i vi n e , l i f e -gi vi n g po we r He cl ai me d to possess. T h e r e i s
n o h i n t t h a t an y s o u l h ad l e f t Lazar u s bo d y an d h ad as
ce n d e d to He ave n , th e n ce to be br o u gh t back. J e su s d i d n o t
ad d r e ss an i n d e pe n d e n t, co n sci o u s so u l . He d i d n o t say,
So u l o r s pi r i t o f Lazar u s, co me back d o wn to e ar th , a n d l i ve
agai n i n th e f l e sh . T h e f o u r days i n th e to mb we r e to Lazar u s
a pe r i o d o f o bl i vi o n an d u n co n sci o u sn e ss (Ps. 146:4). He gave
n o acco u n t o f th e gl o r i e s a n d acti vi ti e s o f He ave n f o r Lazar u s
h ad n o t h i n g to r e l ate . He h ad be e n asleep, i n u n co n sci o u s sl e e p.
No w h e was awake n e d .
De ath mi gh t be d e f i n e d as th e gr e at h i atu s , th e a ppo i n te d
br e ak be twe e n th e i n i ti a l pr o bati o n ar y e ar th l y l i f e , a n d th e l i f e
t h a t i s to co me f o l l o wi n g th e r e s u r r e cti o n . I t i s th e l i ttl e pe r i o d
o f qu i e sce n ce be f o r e th e f u l l i mmo r tal l i f e f o r e te r n i ty f o r th e
r e d e e me d .
As a r e s u l t th e r e was a l ar ge i n cr e ase o f d i sci pl e s (J o h n 11:
45), wh i ch f act al ar me d th e J e wi sh l e ad e r s. T h e n co me s th e si g
n i f i can t s tate me n t: T h e n from that day forth [th e d ay o f th e
r ai s i n g o f Lazar u s] th e y [th e J e wi sh l e ad e r s] to o k co u n se l to
ge th e r [i n t h e i r C o u n ci l , o r San h e d r i n , J o h n 11:47] f o r to pu t
h i m to d e a t h (v. 53)se e ki n g so me ju r i d i ca l pr e te xt. T h e y
th u s r e je cte d th e Life, r e f u se d th e Light, an d s pu r n e d th e Love
i n car n ate . An d th e r e co r d f u r t h e r state s t h a t th e n ce f o r th J e
sus wal ke d n o mo r e o pe n l y amo n g th e J e ws (v. 54). So th e y
s o u gh t f o r Hi m, t h a t th e y mi gh t take h i m (v. 57).
4. B u r d e n o f C h r i s t s H i g h P r i e s t l y P r a y e r . A n d j u s t
7I t 5s s pe ci f i cal l y th o s e wh o a r e "i n t h e i r gr a ve s wh o m C h r i s t wi l l cal l f o r t h a n d r ai s e
u p a t t h e l a s t d a y (J o h n 6:39, 40, 44, 54; 11:24; 12:48).
be f o r e th e cl o se o f Hi s e ar th l y l i f e a n d mi ssi o n , th i s same d o c
t r i n e o f Life Only in Christ was f i n al l y se t f o r th i n Hi s i n t e r
cesso r y h i gh pr i e stl y pr aye r , r e co r d e d i n J o h n 17.
T h e s e wo r d s spake J e su s, a n d l i f te d u p h i s eyes to h e ave n , an d
sai d , Fath e r , th e h o u r i s co me; gl o r i f y th y So n, th a t th y So n al so may
gl o r i f y th e e : as th o u h as t gi ve n h i m po we r o ve r al l f l esh , th a t h e sh o u l d
gi ve eternal life to as man y as th o u h as t gi ve n h i m. An d th i s i s life eternal,
t h a t th e y mi gh t kn o w th e e th e o n l y tr u e Go d , an d J e su s C h r i st, wh o m
th o u h ast se n t. I h ave gl o r i f i e d th e e o n th e e ar th : I have finished the
work which thou gavest me to do" (J o h n 17:1-4).
T h a t was th e cl i max o f th e r e mar kabl e an d cu mu l ati ve
se r i e s o f l i f e i n ci d e n ts C h r i s ts u n ch an gi n g bu r d e n a n d wi t
ness to th e cl o se o f Hi s l i f e a n d mi n i s tr y.
5. L i f e So l e l y i n C h r i s t J o h n s P a r a m o u n t T h e m e .
T h e f o r e go i n g l e ad i n g ci tati o n s ar e al l f r o m th e Go spe l o f
J o h n , th o u gh th e r e ar e o th e r s i mi l ar passages. T h e co n cl u si o n
se ems i n e scapabl e t h a t th i s was o n e o f th e mai n th e me s o f
J o h n s Go spe l , as al so o f h i s Epi stl e s. T h i s i s e vi d e n t f r o m th e
f act t h a t i n th e f i r st si x ch apte r s o f J o h n h e d e cl ar e s, i n var yi n g
f o r ms, i n n o l ess t h a n twe n ty-e i gh t ti me san d mo r e t h a n f i f ty
ti me s i n h i s se ve r al wr i ti n gs t h a t Christ is the sole source of
eternal life, o f wh i ch o u r Lo r d te sti f i e d so e ar n e stl y a n d wi th
su ch co n s tan t r e i t e r a ti o n d u r i n g th e br i e f pe r i o d o f Hi s e ar th l y
i n car n ati o n .
T h i s was th e bo o n He came to br i n g to d yi n g me n . T o
pr o vi d e th i s He gave u p Hi s o wn n a tu r a l l i f e (J o h n 10:11,
14), wh i ch pu r ch as e d s al vati o n a n d r e s to r e d th e wo n d r o u s l i f e
th a t He f r e e l y o f f er s to al l wh o t r u l y be l i e ve i n Hi m.
6. C o n t i n g e n t I m m o r t a l i t y G i v e s H o n o r t o C h r i s t .
T h i s l i f e i s n o t s o me th i n g t h a t me n can r i gh tf u l l y cl ai m as
t h e i r o wn i n al i e n abl e , o r i n h e r e n t, pr e r o gati ve . Rath e r , i t i s a
l i f e C h r i s t h as pu r ch as e d back f o r man by th e s h e d d i n g o f Hi s
o wn pr e ci o u s bl o o d , t h a t may be o u r s by gi f t. An d i t i s to be
r e me mbe r e d th a t ma n s i mmo r tal i ty, e ve n i n th e e n d l e ss days
o f e te r n i ty, wi l l e ve r a n d o n l y be contingent i mmo r tal i ty
d e pe n d e n t al ways u po n Go d . T h e r e i s co n s e qu e n tl y n o pl ace
206
f o r pr i d e , i n d e pe n d e n ce , o r sel f -suf f i ci ency co n ce r n i n g th e
d i vi n e pr o vi si o n o f l i f e.
T h i s gl o r i o u s d o ctr i n e o f l i f e a n d i mmo r tal i ty, wh i ch i l
l u mi n ate s th e page s o f J o h n s Go spe l , wh i l e h u mbl i n g to th e
pr i d e o f man , e xto l s th e h o n o r a n d gl o r y o f C h r i st. Bu t e ve r
si n ce th e days o f Ed e n , Satan h as so u gh t to r o b C h r i s t o f Hi s
pe cu l i ar gl o r y as th e Gi ve r o f eternal life to Hi s f o l l o we r s. C h r i s t
i n d e e d saves f r o m si n , su f f e r i n g, a n d mi se r y. Bu t He do e s i n
f i n i te l y mo r e ; He saves f r o m actu al , f i n al death, perishing, de
struction (Ro m. 5:9; 1 T h e ss. 1:10)th e se co n d d e a th ,
f r o m wh i ch th e r e wi l l be n o awake n i n g.
I t i s be cau se C h r i s t h as r i se n t r i u mph a n t o ve r d e ath , an d
e ve r l i ve th , t h a t we sh al l r i se at Hi s t r u mpe t cal l (1 C o r .
15:22; 1T h e ss. 4:16, 17), to l i ve f o r e ve r mo r e wi th Hi m. An d th e
l i f e , wh i ch He be sto ws, i s a l i f e o f u n e n d i n g jo y an d bl e sse d n e ss
i n Hi s e ve r l as ti n g ki n gd o m a n d pr e se n ce . T h a t i s th e f u l l n e ss o f
th e go spe l o f sal vati o n , th e mo r e a bu n d a n t l i f e , th e e n d l e ss l i f e
f o r al l e te r n i ty! Su ch i s Go d s u n s pe akabl e gi f t.
T h i s r e ve l ati o n o f th e e te r n al l i f e th r o u gh C h r i st, i n th e
Go spe l o f J o h n , su r e l y make s i t l u mi n o u s wi th n e w me an i n g
a n d si gn i f i can ce . I t th r o ws a f r e sh an d r a d i a n t l i gh t u po n th e se
f ami l i ar passages t h a t make s th e m ce n tr al i n o u r co mpr e h e n
si ve su r ve y o f th e te sti mo n y o f th e Su pr e me Wi tn e ss co n ce r n
i n g th e n a tu r e a n d d e sti n y o f man .
C H A P T E R T W E L V E
l i nates Al l Aspects of Li fe.
Death , and Desti ny
I . Si gni f i cance o f C h r i sts Li f e an d De ath i n
Pl an o f Re d e mpti o n
Be f o r e we t u r n to an o th e r r e l ate d t r u t h , l i ke wi se tau gh t
by C h r i s t an d ce n te r i n g i n Hi m, l e t us n o te agai n th e f o u n d a
ti o n a l pr i n ci pl e s a n d pr o vi si o n s o f sal vati o n i n , a n d o n l y i n ,
C h r i s t J e su s. T h i s i s e sse n ti al to th e bal an ce d u n d e r s ta n d i n g o f
al l spe ci al o u two r ki n gs, man i f e stati o n s, an d te ach i n gs e man at
i n g f r o m a n d ce n te r i n g i n Hi m.
1. C h r i s t R e v e a l e r o f G o d a n d R e d e e m e r o f M a n .
J e su s C h r i s t came as th e r e ve al e r o f Go d , an d th e r e d e e me r
o f man f r o m th e po we r bo th o f si n an d o f d e ath . An d bo th o f
th e se e n e mi e s He o ve r came i n Hi s o wn pe r so n , an d mad e Hi s
vi cto r y e f f e cti ve f o r us th r o u gh Hi s t r i u mph a n t r e s u r r e cti o n ,
a n d th u s br o u gh t life and immortality to light, an d mad e
th e m o pe r ati o n al th r o u gh th e go spe l (2 T i m. 1:10). T h a t ,
i n a wo r d , i s th e tr e me n d o u s sco peth e h e i gh t, d e pth , l e n gth ,
a n d br e a d th o f sal vati o n th r o u gh J e su s C h r i st o u r Savi o u r
a n d Sacr i f i ce , Pr i e s t an d J u d ge , a n d co mi n g Ki n g.
We h ave al r e ad y n o te d th e f o u n d ati o n al i n car n ati o n si d e .
No w l e t us o bse r ve i ts o u two r ki n g i n C h r i s ts ato n i n g d e ath .
C h r i s t s si nl e ss l i f e an d vi car i o u s a to n i n g d e ath me t al l th e ju s t
an d h o l y r e qu i r e me n ts o f th e d i vi n e l aw (Ro m. 7:12), i n
o r d e r t h a t d i vi n e l o ve a n d gr ace mi gh t be po u r e d f o r th f r e e l y,
a n d r e cl ai m an d f o r gi ve si n f u l , d yi n g man , a n d r e s to r e h i m bo th
207
Fr o m Be th l e h e ms Man ge r , to th e T e mpl e Re co gn i ti o n , to Hi s In au gu r ati o n
as Messi ah at Hi s Bapti sm, J e sus Pr e par e d f o r Hi s Mi ssi o n to Re sto r e Li f e to
Dyi ng Men.
to h o l i n e ss a n d to his forfeited life. I n acco mpl i s h i n g th i s,
C h r i s t l i ve d si n l e ssl y a n d d i e d vo l u n tar i l y as o u r ato n i n g Su b
s ti tu te . As a n o th e r h as i mpr e ssi ve l y pu t i t, He bo r e th e f u l l
co n se qu e n ce s o f th e si n i n wh i ch He h ad n o pe r so n al par t, t h a t
we mi gh t sh ar e th e f u l l be n e f i ts o f Hi s t r i u mph i n wh i ch we
h ad n o pe r s o n al par t.
I t was a case o f co mpl e te s u bs ti tu ti o n . I t i s th e r e f o r e al l
o f gr ace . An d ef f i caci o us, ato n i n g gr ace n o t o n l y accounts r i gh t
e o u s bu t actu al l y makes r i gh te o u s al l wh o r e ce i ve i t, t h r o u gh
justification a n d th e n sanctification. An d th e se wi l l be f o l
l o we d i n t u r n by glorification a t C h r i s ts r e t u r n . Su ch r i gh t
e o u sn e ss, i t mu s t be ad d e d , i s th e pr e r e qu i s i te f o r se e i n g Go d
(He b. 12:14) a n d d we l l i n g i n Hi s pr e se n ce f o r e ve r mo r e . T o
pr o vi d e th e se f o r man was th e pr i mar y pu r po s e f i r st o f C h r i s ts
i n ca r n ati o n a n d t h e n spe ci f i cal l y o f Hi s passi o n . T h a t i s th e
wo n d e r o f Hi s l o ve an d th e mar ve l o f Hi s gr ace . Le t u s n o w
l o o k at th e d e a th si d e mo r e cl o sel y.
2. L i f e -g i v i n g Sc o pe a n d Si g n i f i c a n c e o f C h r i s t s
D e a t h .C h r i s ts a to n i n g d e ath , wi th i ts vast si gn i f i can ce , was
208
C OORDI NAT ES ASPEC T S OF LIFE, DEAT H, AND DEST INY 209
PERCY LEASON, ARTIST 1 9 5 9 BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD
De ath , Bu r i al , an d Re su r r e cti o n o f C h r i st Was th e Means Wh e r e by C h r i st
T o o k Ou r Pl ace. Hi s Re su r r e cti o n Is th e Assur ance o f Ou r Re su r r e cti o n .
al l f o r e o r d ai n e d , f o r e to l d , a n d th e n actu al i ze d i n C h r i st. T h e
f ate f u l h i sto r y o f si n an d d e ath , an d th e a n ti th e ti ca l r i gh te o u s
ness an d l i f e , may be su mmar i ze d th u s, as atte s te d i n bo th
T e s tame n ts . T h i s i s th e Bi bl i cal f o u n d ati o n f o r o u r h o pe a n d
co n f i d e n ce . He r e i s an e pi to me i n si x po i n ts:
(1) C h r i s t i s th e so u r ce o f al l l i f e (J o b 12:9, 10; Ps. 36:9;
66:8, 9; J e r . 2:13; J o h n 5:27; Acts 17:24, 25, 28).
(2) Li f e f r o m Go d was i mpa r te d to man i n th e o r i gi n al
cr e ati o n (Ge n . 2:7; J o b 33:4; Isa. 45:12; J e r . 27:5).
(3) T h i s l i f e was f o r f e i te d th r o u gh si n (Ge n . 2:17; 3:19;
Ro m. 5:12, 15, A.R.V.).
(4) T h e So n o f Go d h as l i f e i n Hi mse l f , an d came to br i n g
th a t l i f e back to l o st man (J o h n 1:4; 5:21, 25; 6:33, 47-51;
10:10, 27, 28; 14:6; 17:2; Ro m. 6:23; C o l . 3:4; 1 J o h n 1:1-3).
(5) T h i s l i f e i s a cqu i r e d by acce pti n g a n d r e ce i vi n g th e
So n o f Go d f o r al l He o f f e r e d Hi mse l f to be (J o h n 3:15,
16, A.R.V.; 3:36; 4:14; 6:40; 20:31; 1 T i m. 1:16; 2 T i m. 1:1;
1 J o h n 5:11-13).
(6) Eve r y s i n n e r wh o tr u l y tu r n s to C h r i s t i s th u s save d
f r o m me r i te d d e a th C h r i s t d yi n g i n h i s ste ad (J ame s 5:19,
20). An d th e r e pe n t a n t s i n n e r i s r e s to r e d to l i f e , an d d e s ti n e d
to r e ce i ve gl o r i o u s i mmo r tal i ty at th e r e s u r r e cti o n o r tr an s l a
ti o n day.
RUSSELL HARLAN, ARTIST VERNON NYE, ARTIST
1 9 5 2 BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD 1 9 4 7 BY SOUTHERN PUBLISHING ASSN.
T h e Ir r e vo cabl e Deci si o ns o f th e J u d gme n t Man, th e Si n n e r , Does No t Face th e Se ar ch i n g
Wi l l De te r mi n e Every I n d i vi d u al s Fu tu r e J u d gme n t Al o ne. He Has an Advo cateth e
Wh e th e r Ete r n al Li f e o r Eve r l asti n g De ath . On e Wh o Di ed to Re de e m Hi m, Aro se to
An d We Sh al l Al l Stan d Bef o re th e J u d g- J u sti f y Hi m, an d Ascended to Me d i ate f o r
me n t Bar o f C h r i st. Hi m.
3. C h r i s t s D e a t h Su m m i t o f Sa c r i f i c e f o r M a n . No te
t h a t d e a th ph ase i n gr e ate r d e pth . T h e l ayi n g d o wn o f Hi s
l i f e , by C h r i st, was th e co n s u mmati n g act i n Hi s tr an s ce n d e n t
sel f -sacri f i ce f o r man . T h i s act o f sati sf acti o n an d su bmi ssi o n , i n
be h al f o f th e r ace , to th e f u l l d e ath pe n al ty d e se r ve d by th e
r ace be cau se o f si n i s tr u l y u n f ath o mabl e to th e h u man mi n d .
I t scal es th e s u mmi t as we l l as pl u mbs th e d e pth s o f d i vi n e
l o ve a n d gr ace . As to i ts ce n tr al i mpo r tan ce , 33 pe r ce n t o f
Matth e ws Go spe l i s d e vo te d to th e r e co r d o f th e l ast we e k o f
C h r i s ts l i f e ; o f Ma r ks, 37 pe r ce n t; a n d o f J o h n s, 42 pe r ce n t.
T h a t i s th e pr o po r ti o n a te e mph asi s gi ve n by I n s pi r ati o n .
210
Le t i t n e ve r be f o r go tte n th a t C h r i s t d i d n o t ch o o se be
twe e n d yi n g a t o n e ti me r a t h e r th an an o th e r , bu t i n ste ad , be
tween dying and not dying for man. He d i e d vo l u n tar i l y,
vi car i o u sl y, a n d vi cto r i o u sl y. He d i e d to can ce l th e cu r se , to l i f t
th e ban , to be sto w d i vi n e gr ace , to pu r ch ase par d o n , to r an so m
s i n s capti ve s, to r e s to r e l i f e a n d to o n ce an d f o r al l d e f e at
an d e n d Satan s mal i gn wo r k o f r e be l l i o n , e n sl ave me n t, a n d
mu r d e r o f th e h u man r ace . C h r i s t d i e d as th e r e pr e s e n tati ve
o f man Hi s d e ath , as we h ave se e n , be i n g vo l u n tar y, vi car i
o u s, si n l e ss, a n d sacr i f i ci al . I t was pu r po s e f u l , pr o pi ti ato r y,
r e co n ci l i ato r y, o n ce -f o r -al l , a n d al l -suf f i ci e nt. I t af f o r d e d com
plete a to n e me n t f o r al l wh o wi l l acce pt i t, a n d th u s co me u n
d e r th e appl i cati o n o f i ts pr o vi si o n s.
4. R e j e c t i o n o f C h r i s t s R e d e mpt i v e P r o v i s i o n s Su
pr e me Si n . I n th e l i gh t o f al l th i s, i t th e r e f o r e f o l l o ws th at, i n
asmu ch as C h r i s t i s th e s u pr e me r e ve l ato r , me d i ato r , so l e
pr o pi ti a to r , an d th e r e co n ci l i ato r o f Go d a n d man , th e mo st
f e ar f u l a n d f atal f o r m o f si n a n d r e be l l i o n i s wi l l f u l r e je cti o n
o f C h r i s t as o u r a to n i n g sacr i f i ce , an d o f wh at He h as d o n e
a n d wh at He o f f er s Hi mse l f to be as th e r e s to r e r o f th e l o st
life, an d th e so l e gi ve r o f Immortality. T h e r e je cti o n o f C h r i s t
an d Hi s te ach i n g o n th i s s u pr e me pr o vi si o n o f l o ve i s th e r e f o r e
th e gr ave st o f si ns, an d th e r e je cto r d e se r ve s a n d wi l l e xpe r i e n ce
e ve r l as ti n g d e ath . T h a t i s th e gr avi ty o f th e gr o u n d we ar e
tr ave r si n g.
I I . Pi vo tal Pl ace o f C h r i sts T e ach i n gs o n Li f e , De ath ,
an d Desti ny
C h r i s t came bo th to r e s to r e o bscu r e d an d l o st tr u t h s a n d
to e n u n ci a te n e w tr u th s t h a t co n f i r me d , e xpl ai n e d , e xpan d e d ,
a n d co mpl e te d th e o r i gi n al t r u t h s o f th e Ol d T e s ta me n t
mu ch o f wh i ch co n ce r n e d th e o r i gi n , n a tu r e , a n d e te r n al
d e sti n y o f man . T h e s e tr u t h s h ad f i r st be e n e n u n ci ate d af te r
C r e a ti o n a n d th e Fal l a n d we r e i n cr e asi n gl y r e ve al e d d u r i n g
th e pa tr i ar ch al pe r i o d . T h e y we r e f u r t h e r d e ve l o pe d d u r i n g
th e Mo sai c d i spe n s ati o n , a n d co n ti n u e d to be cl ar i f i e d a n d u n
f o l d e d d u r i n g th e pe r i o d o f th e pr o ph e ts.
Bu t i n th e two ce n tu r i e s pr e ce d i n g th e bi r t h o f C h r i s t
f al se ph i l o s o ph i cal te ach i n gs r e gar d i n g ma n s e sse n ti al n a tu r e
a n d d e s ti n y mad e f atal i n r o ad s i n to l ar ge se gme n ts o f J e wi sh
th o u gh t. T h e s e I n n a t e I mmo r tal i ty co n ce pts came d i r e ctl y o u t
o f Gr e e k pagan i sm, as we sh al l see, th r o u gh th e ch an n e l o f
Pl ato n i c ph i l o so ph y, an d pr o f o u n d l y af f e cte d th e He br e w co n
ce pt o f man a n d h i s d e sti n y a n d h i s r e l ati o n s h i p to Go d a n d
i mmo r tal i ty.
1. P r o c l a m a t i o n o f T r u t h a n d C o n f u t a t i o n o f E r r o r .
Mu ch o f C h r i s ts gr e at mi ssi o n was th e pr o cl amati o n o f t r u t h
an d th e co n f u ta ti o n o f e r r o r co n ce r n i n g th e basi c r e l a ti o n
sh i ps be twe e n Go d a n d man . An d th e t r u t h He pr o cl ai me d was
pe r so n al i ze d an d e mbo d i e d i n Hi mse l f . He was th e pr e d i cte d
h o pe a n d Re d e e me r o f Isr ae l . He was th e way, th e t r u t h , a n d
pr e -e mi n e n tl y th e life. T h e r e was n o o th e r . He was th e d o o r o f
th e sh e e pf o l d a n d th e s h e ph e r d o f life. He was th e br e ad
an d th e wate r o f life. An d si gn i f i can tl y e n o u gh , He pl ace d spe
ci al e mph asi s d u r i n g Hi s i n ca r n ati o n o n lifeeternal life,
vested in Himselfwi th i mmo r tal i ty f o r man d e pe n d e n t u po n
th e acce ptan ce o f Hi mse l f as a to n i n g Savi o u r , tr an s f o r mi n g
Li f e -gi ve r , a n d i mmo r tal Ki n g o f th e co mi n g age.
Bu t th e J e wi sh mi n d h ad be co me o bse sse d wi th th e Pl ato n i c
co n ce pt o f th e u n i ve r s al I n n a t e I mmo r tal i ty o f th e so u l , a n d th e
co n ti n ge n t a n d co r r e s po n d i n g Ete r n al T o r me n t o f th e i n co r
r i gi bl y wi cke d . So i t was th a t J e su s, as we h ave se en, so u gh t to
co r r e ct th e se gr o ss mi sco n ce pti o n s a n d to po i n t o u t th e i mpe r a
ti ve n e ce ssi ty o f ma n s acce ptan ce o f Hi m as th e Li f e -gi ve r .
C h r i s ts d e ath o n th e u pl i f te d cross was th e tr an s ce n d e n t
f u l f i l l me n t o f th e Ol d T e s ta me n t types o f th e Di vi n e Su bs ti tu te
o f f e r e d i n th e s i n n e r s ste ad d yi n g th a t h e mi gh t n o t d i e bu t
h ave l i f e . An d C h r i s t s tr i u mph a l r e s u r r e cti o n was n o t o n l y a
vi n d i cati o n o f Hi s as to n i s h i n g cl ai ms bu t th e d i vi n e gu ar an te e
o f th e r e s u r r e cti o n a t th e l ast d ay o f al l wh o be l i e ve i n a n d re-
213
T h e Gl ad Re u n i o n as th e
Sl e e pi ng Sai nts Ar e C al l e d
Fo r th Fr o m Gr ave do m a t th e
Seco nd Adve n t an d Its At
te n d an t Re su r r e cti o n . Fam
i l i es Ar e Fo r e ve r Re u n i te d .
ce i ve Hi m f o r wh at He o f f e r e d Hi mse l f to be . T h a t i s ma n s
o n l y gu ar an te e a n d se cu r i ty.
2. K e y t o U n d e r s t a n d i n g C o n f l i c t s o f C e n t u r i e s .
C o n s e qu e n tl y, th e mi ssi o n o f C h r i s t o n e a r th was ti e d i n i n
e xtr i cabl y wi th th e r e s to r ati o n o f th e t r u t h a n d th e d i vi n e pr o
vi si o n o f assured eternal life now, vested in Christ, with actual
and realized Immortality at the resurrection and Second Ad
vent. A r e al i zati o n o f th e se s u bl i me tr u t h s a n d pr o vi si o n s i s es
s e n ti al to a r e co gn i ti o n an d u n d e r s ta n d i n g o f th e ceasel ess co n
f l i ct o f th e ce n tu r i e s o ve r th e n a tu r e a n d d e sti n y o f man
wh e th e r co n d i ti o n a l o r i n n ate , co n ti n ge n t o r n a tu r a l a n d o f
d e a th as u l ti ma t e u t t e r d e s tr u cti o n , o r e te r n al l i f e i n t o r me n t.
T h a t i s th e essence o f th e i ssue.
T h i s co n s ti tu te s th e ke y t h a t u n l o cks th e mo st cr u ci al co n
tr o ve r si e s o f th e ce n tu r i e s co n ce r n i n g He l l , Pu r gato r y, i n-
d u l ge n ce s, i n vo cati o n o f sai n ts, s pi r i tu al r e s u r r e cti o n , Un i ve r -
sal i sm, Spi r i tu al i s m, a n d ki n d r e d i ssues th a t h ave wr acke d th e
ch u r ch acro ss th e ce n tu r i e s . T h a t i s wh y C h r i s ts i n f al l i bl e te s
ti mo n y i s n o t o n l y u l ti ma te bu t al so i n d i spe n sabl e i n th i s f i e l d.
T h a t i s wh y we n e e d to kn o w n o t o n l y Hi s e xpr e ss te ach
i n g o n life (al r e ad y su r ve ye d ) bu t al so Hi s e xpr e ss te ach i n gs
o n th e first, o r n a tu r a l , death as a sl e e p, wi th i ts i n e vi tabl e
r e s u r r e cti o n awake n i n g, a n d o n th e pu n i s h me n t o f th e wi cke d
t h r o u gh u t t e r d e s tr u cti o n by me an s o f th e second d e ath . Eve r y
majo r te ach i n g o f C h r i s t i s r e l a te d to th e se basi c co n si d e r ati o n s.
Hi s te ach i n g o n th e l ast th i n gs , f o r e xampl e , make s th e m
l u mi n o u s wi th n e w a n d l ar ge r me an i n g. T o th i s we n o w
t u r n .
I I I . Sets Patte r n f o r Esch ato l o gi cal an d C h r o no l o gi cal Sequence
Le t us n o w e xami n e a n o th e r r e l ate d f ace t o f o u r L o r d s
man y-si d e d te ach i n g e mph asi s. As wo u l d n a tu r a l l y be e xpe cte d ,
C h r i st, th e Su pr e me Pr e ach e r an d Maste r T e a ch e r o f al l
ti me , se t th e e sch ato l o gi cal pa tt e r n f o r al l Hi s f o l l o we r s to
se nse a n d f o l l o w. He pr e s e n te d th e f o u n d ati o n al tr u th s o f l i f e ,
d e ath , an d d e sti n y, n o t as i so l ate d abs tr acti o n s bu t al ways i n
t h e i r basi c e sch ato l o gi cal pe r spe cti ve a n d o r d e r l y se qu e n ce .
T h e y we r e al ways set f o r th i n vi tal r e l ati o n s h i p to th e l ast
th i n gs, th e e n d e ve n ts, th e ju d gme n t scenes a n d f i n al i ti e s. T h e y
we r e e ve r pr e s e n te d i n th e l i gh t o f th e cl i macti c Se co n d Ad
ve n t wi th i ts tr e me n d o u s acco mpan i me n tsi ts f i n al r e war d s
an d pu n i s h me n ts , an d i ts r e s u r r e cti o n u n to e te r n al l i f e an d h a p
pi n e ss f o r th e r i gh te o u s an d i ts r e s u r r e cti o n u n to d a mn a ti o n
a n d u t t e r d e s tr u cti o n f o r th e s i n f u l r e je cto r s o f sal vati o n a n d
t r u t h . I n o th e r wo r d s, th e e sch ato l o gi cal o ve r to n e co u l d a l
ways be h e ar d i n Hi s u tte r an ce s . T h a t was o n e o f th e d i s ti n
gu i s h i n g ch ar acte r i sti cs o f Hi s message to me n .
Mo r e t h a n th at, C h r i s t pr e s e n te d th e se e n d e ve n ts as th e
cu l mi n a ti o n o f th e i mpe l l i n g sweep o f th e ce n tu r i e s . No e ve n ts
ar e me r e l y i so l ate d an d u n r e l ate d . C h r i st o u tl i n e d th e o ve r -al l
HARRY ANDERSON, ART IST 1 9 4 4 BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD
T h e Saved Wi l l We l co me C h r i st Wi th Un spe akabl e J o y; th e Lo st Wi l l Face
Hi m Wi th Un u tte r abl e Angui sh . T o One , Hi s Second Adve n t Br i ngs I m
mo r tal i ty; to th e Oth e r , De str u cti o n .
l i f e h i sto r y a n d vi ci ssi tu d e s o f th e ch u r ch He was f o u n d i n g,
tr aci n g i ts co u r se cl e ar acro ss th e C h r i s ti an Er a. Bu t, to make
th e pi ctu r e mo r e co mpr e h e n si ve , He po r tr aye d th e ch u r ch i n
th e mi d s t o f th e o u t e r t u r bu l e n ce a n d o ppr e ssi o n s o f th e n a
ti o n s a n d th e wo r l d , al o n g wi th h e r o wn i n n e r d e par tu r e s
f r o m th e f ai th .
An d s ti l l mo r e si gn i f i can t, He ti e d th e m i n wi th th e gr e at
215
Hu man Desti ny, Pi ctu r e d T h r o u gh Pr o ph e ti c Symbo l , Is to C l i max i n Ou r Day.
We Li ve i n th e Pe r i o d o f th e Mu l ti ki n gd o m Feet o f C o mmi n gl e d Ir o n an d C l ay.
216
o u tl i n e pr o ph e ci e s o f Dan i e l (Matt. 24:15), th a t r e ach to th e
e n d o f th e age an d th e s e tti n g u p o f th e ki n gd o m o f Go d , wh e n
th e n ati o n s ar e to be o ve r th r o wn by d i vi n e i n te r po s i ti o n a t th e
e n d o f th e age. Su ch i s th e u n i ty o f th e Ol d an d th e Ne w
T e s ta me n t e sch ato l o gy, br o u gh t i n to f o cus by C h r i st.
1. P r o p h e t i c R e p e t i t i o n f o r E m p h a s i s a n d A m p l i f i c a
t i o n . T r u e to th e ch ar acte r i s ti c pa tt e r n o f Bi bl e pr o ph e cy,
C h r i s t th r i ce go es back o ve r th e C h r i s ti an Er a, an d r e tr ace s i n
par t, e ach ti me wi th i n cr e asi n g f u l l n e ss a n d gr e ate r d e tai l th e
cl o se r He car r i e s us, i n Hi s po r tr ayal , to th e e n d o f th e age a n d
to Hi s o wn se co n d ad ve n t i n po we r an d gl o r y, wh i ch wi l l
te r mi n a te th e af f ai r s o f man ki n d . T h e r e we r e d i ve r si o n s, bu t
th e r e was an u n d e vi a ti n g pr o gr e ssi o n . T h e co n ti n u i ty i s u n
mi s takabl e .
Ho we ve r , J e su s l e f t to J o h n th e r e ve l ato r an d to Pa u l an d
Pe te r an d o th e r s th e po r tr ayal o f th e tr e me n d o u s mu l ti pl e
e ve n ts o f th e co mi n g d ay o f th e Lo r d , wh i ch i s i n tr o d u ce d by
th e Ad ve n tal o n g wi th th e acco mpan yi n g co n d i ti o n s a n d co n
t i n ge n t e ve n ts o f th e s u bs e qu e n t mi l l e n n i al pe r i o d , wh i ch f o l
l o ws th e Se co n d Ad ve n t an d th e catacl ysmi c e n d o f th e age.
An d al l th i s i s, i n t u r n , su cce e d e d by th e o f t-f o r e to l d e stabl i sh
me n t o f th e e ve r l asti n g ki n gd o m o f r i gh te o u sn e ss, pr e s e n te d
u n d e r th e te r m th e n e w h e ave n s a n d a n e w e a r t h (2 Pe te r
3:13; Re v. 21:1), to co n ti n u e f o r e ve r mo r e .
2. R e p e t i t i o n C l e a r l y E s t a b l i s h e d P a t t e r n o f
P r o p h e c y .I t i s ge n e r al l y r e co gn i ze d th at Dan i e l th e pr o ph e t
pr e s e n te d f o u r par al l e l i n g l i n e s o f pr o ph e cy, d e pi cti n g d i f
f e r e n t appr o ach e s an d e mph ase s, i n h i s mu l ti pl e co mpr e h e n
si ve o u tl i n e o f th e wo r l d h i sto r y o f th e ce n tu r i e s . T h e s e ar e r e
co r d e d i n ch apte r s 2, 7, 8, 9, 11, an d 12e ach i n th e se r i e s
cl i maxi n g wi th th e e s tabl i s h me n t o f th e ki n gd o m o f Go d . An d
i n th e Apo cal ypse , J o h n th e r e ve l ato r l i ke wi se pr e se n ts a se r i e s
o f par al l e l i n g pr o ph e ci e s co ve r i n g th e C h r i s ti an Er ath e se ven
ch u r ch e s, th e se ve n seal s, th e se ve n tr u mpe ts , an d th e co n se cu
ti ve be asts o f Re ve l ati o n 12-14 a n d 17-19e ach pr o ph e ti c o u t-
l i n e go i n g back a n d r e pe ati n g, a n d al l e n d i n g at th e Ad ve n t,
pr i o r to th e u n i qu e pe r i o d o f th e mi l l e n n i u m, se t f o r th i n
ch a pte r 20.1
Each a n d al l ar e f o l l o we d by th e f i n al d e s tr u cti o n o f si n
an d si n n e r s, al o n g wi th th e a u th o r o f si n , at th e mi l l e n n i u ms
cl o se. I n th e same way C h r i st, th e f o u n ta i n h e a d o f pr o ph e cy,
th r e e ti me s co ve r s th e C h r i s ti an Er a wi th cu mu l ati ve f o r ce i n
Hi s mas te r pr o ph e cy o f Matth e w 24. Hi s po r tr ayal th u s h a r
mo n i ze s wi th th e ch ar acte r i s ti c pa tt e r n o f al l Bi bl e pr o ph e cy.
T h i s r e i t e r a ti o n was al l n e ce ssar y to br i n g o u t an d u n mask
th e f atal pe n e tr a ti o n o f apo stasy f r o m wi th i n , al o n g wi th pe r se
cu ti o n f r o m th e n ati o n s f r o m wi th o u t, a n d th e co mpl e x co n
f l i cts be twe e n th e two , r e ach i n g t h e i r cl o se o n l y at th e Se co n d
Ad ve n t a n d f i n al d i spo s i ti o n o f al l th i n gs. T h i s mu l ti pl e po r
tr ayal was ne cessar y, i n o r d e r co mpr e h e n si ve l y to co mpass i t
al l ju s t as f o u r Go spe l s we r e r e qu i r e d i n o r d e r ad e qu ate l y to
po r tr ay th e match l e ss si n gl e l i f e o f C h r i st. T h i s maste r pr o ph e cy
i s al l pr e s e n te d i n Matth e w 24, a n d th e par al l e l i n g r e ci tal s r e
co r d e d i n Mar k 13 an d Lu ke 21.
3. F i r s t C o v e r a g e L e a d s U p t o t h e E n d . T h e f i r st co v
e r age o f th e C h r i s ti an Er a appe ar s i n verses 3-14 o f Matth e w
24. Be gi n n i n g wi th th e d e s tr u cti o n o f J e r u s al e m, i n a .d . 70,
C h r i s t car r i e s us th r o u gh th e e ar l y pe r i o d o f th e appe ar an ce o f
f al se C h r i s ts a n d t h e i r d e ce pti o n s, a n d th e war s a n d r u
mo u r s o f war s t h a t we r e to ch ar acte r i ze th e br e aku p o f th e
Ro man Empi r e , a n d th e n i n to th e Mi d d l e Ages. C h r i s t h e r e
ad d s th i s cau ti o n ar y n o te , T h e s e th i n gs [th at He h ad ju s t d e
pi cte d , u p to th i s po i n t] mu s t co me to pass, bu t the end is not
yet (v. 6).
Ne xt He po r tr ays th e s u bs e qu e n t war s, u pr i si n gs, f ami n e s,
pe sti l e n ce s, an d th e d r e a d f u l be tr ayal s an d r e l i gi o u s pe r se cu
ti o n s t h a t wo u l d mar k th e s u bs e qu e n t ce n tu r i e s . T h e n co me s
a n o th e r o u tbr e a k o f f al se pr o ph e ts an d d e ce i ve r s. Bu t n o w He
r e ach e s th e si gn i f i can t ti me wh e n so me wo u l d e n d u r e unto
1 C o mpr e h e n s i ve l y co ve r e d i n L . E. Fr o o m, The Prophetic Faith o / Our Fathers, vo l s. 1-4.
the end, a n d be saved. T h e e n d i s n o w near. An d f i n al l y
co me s th e e n d , u s h e r e d i n wi th th i s i d e n ti f yi n g f e atu r e :
An d th i s go spe l o f th e ki n gd o m sh al l be pr e ach e d i n al l th e
wo r l d f o r a wi tn e ss u n t o al l n ati o n s; a n d then shall the end
come (v. 14).
T h a t i s th e s u pr e me si gn o f th e l ast days, o r ti me o f
th e e n d .
4 . S e c o n d C o v e r a g e L i k e w i s e L e a d s t o A d v e n t . C h r i s t
th e n r e ve r ts to th e ti me o f Da n i e l s pr o ph e cy o f th e gr e at
t r i bu l a t i o n , u n d e r th e gr o ss e ccl e si asti cal apo stasy o f th e
Mi d d l e Ages an d s u bs e qu e n t ce n tu r i e s . So d e vastati n g was i ts
d e ci mati o n t h a t th e days o f r e l i gi o u s pe r s e cu ti o n h ad to be
s h o r te n e d , el se n o f l esh wo u l d be save d (v. 22). Ne xt co me s
th e f i n al i r r u pt i o n o f f al se ch r i sts a n d f al se pr o ph e ts , a n d a n
o t h e r a tt e mpt to d e ce i ve th e ve r y e l e ct. Bu t n o n e n e e d be d e
ce i ve d by se n sati o n al cl ai ms o f C h r i s ts co mi n g i n th e d e s e r t
o r i n th e se cr e t ch ambe r s (th r o u gh th e l atte r -d ay ph e n o me n a
o f Spi r i tu al i s m). T h u s th e second ti me J e su s l ead s u p to th e
e n d , a n d th e Se co n d Ad ve n t. Fo r as th e l i gh tn i n g co me th
o u t o f th e e ast, an d s h i n e th e ve n u n t o th e west; so sh al l al so
th e co mi n g o f th e So n o f man be (v. 27).
5. C e l e s t i a l S i g n s A r e C h r o n o l o g i c a l l y P l a c e d .Fi
n al l y, i n th e t h i r d r e ca pi tu l ati o n , C h r i s t pr e se n ts a se r i e s o f
u n co n ce al abl e ce l e sti al si gns th at wo u l d sl i gh tl y pr e ce d e Hi s
actu al ad ve n t. He pl ace s th e f i r st o f th e se ch r o n o l o gi cal l y ju s t
af te r th e te r r i bl e t r i bu l a t i o n pa r t o f th o se d ays (n e ar
th e cl o se o f th e f ate f u l 1260 ye ar s o f Dan i e l 7, e xte n d i n g f r o m
a .d . 538 to a .d . 1798),2as He d e cl ar e s:
Imme d i ate l y af te r th e tr i bu l a ti o n o f th o se days [e n d i n g mi d
e i gh te e n th ce n tu r y] sh al l th e su n be d ar ke n e d [May 19, 1780], an d th e
mo o n sh al l n o t gi ve h e r l i gh t, an d th e star s sh al l f al l f r o m h e ave n [No v.
13, 1833],3 an d th e po we r s o f th e h e ave n s sh al l be sh ake n : an d th e n
sh al l a ppe ar th e si gn o f th e So n o f man i n h e ave n : an d th e n sh al l al l
th e tr i be s o f th e e a r th mo u r n , an d th e y sh al l see th e Son o f man co mi n g
i n th e cl o u d s o f h e ave n wi th po we r an d gr e at gl o r y (Matt. 24:29, 30).
2Se e L . E. Fr o o m, Prophetic Faith, vo l s. 1-4, f o r d o cu me n te d e vi d e n ce .
3I b i d . , vo l . 4, ch a p. 13, a pp. H.
T h u s we ar e br o u gh t u p th e th i r d ti me to th e cl i macti c
e n d a n d Ad ve n t wh e n h e sh al l se n d h i s an ge l s wi th a gr e at
s o u n d o f a tr u mpe t, a n d th e y sh al l gath e r to ge th e r h i s e l e ct f r o m
th e f o u r wi n d s, f r o m o n e e n d o f h e ave n to th e o t h e r (v. 31).
An d t h a t gath e r i n g o f th e e l e ct i s by me an s o f th e r e s u r r e c
ti o n o f th e r i gh te o u s f r o m amo n g th e d e ad a n d by th e tr an s l a
ti o n o f th e l i vi n g r i gh te o u s. He n ce th i s o ve r -al l po r tr ayal i s
ti e d i n i n e xtr i cabl y wi th o u r th e me a n d qu e st, a n d d e al s wi th
th e f i n al , e te r n al d e sti n y o f al l me n .
6. H o u r N o t K n o w n , I m m i n e n c e C a n B e K n o w n .
As a r e i n f o r ci n g po s ts cr i pt C h r i s t te l l s h o w, i n th e cl o si n g days
be f o r e Hi s co mi n g, co n d i ti o n s si mi l ar to th o se pr e ce d i n g th e
Fl o o d wi l l be r e pe ate d , wi th i ts s u d d e n , u n e xpe cte d , u n i ve r s al
d e s tr u cti o n :
Bu t as th e days o f No e wer e, so sh al l al so th e co mi n g o f th e So n
o f man be. Fo r as i n th e days th a t we r e be f o r e th e f l o o d th e y we r e e ati n g
an d d r i n ki n g, mar r yi n g an d gi vi n g i n mar r i age , u n ti l th e day th a t No e
e n te r e d i n to th e ar k, an d kne w n o t u n ti l th e f l ood came , an d to o k th e m
al l away; so sh al l al so th e co mi n g o f th e So n o f man be (vs. 37-39).
Bu t n o ma n wi l l kn o w be f o r e h an d th e Ao u r o r pr e
ci se ti me o f C h r i s ts co mi n gn o t e ve n th e an ge l s (v. 36). Bu t
al l me n can kn o w wh e n i t i s n e a r (vs. 37-44). T h a t i s wh y
C h r i s t gave th i s ch r o n o l o gi cal o u tl i n e pr o ph e cyto di scl o se
th e pr o xi mi ty, so me n can pr e par e f o r th e co mi n g e ve n t. Ne ve r
th e l e ss, th e h o u r wi l l co me as an u n e xpe cte d s u r pr i se , wh e n
th e So n o f man co me th (vs. 44, 50). Espe ci al l y se ar ch i n g i s
C h r i s t s d e n u n ci a ti o n o f th o se appo i n te d as s pi r i tu al gu a r d
i an s a n d te ach e r s i n th e ch u r ch , wh o wi l l n e ve r th e l e ss be u n
awar e o f th e pr o xi mi ty o f th e ti me an d th e ce r tai n ty a n d th e
cr u ci al o u tco me o f th e i mpe n d i n g Ad ve n t. Su ch , o u r Lo r d
so l e mn l y says, sh al l be cu t of f , o r cu t as u n d e r , ami d we e pi n g
an d gn as h i n g o f t e e t h (v. 51). He r e agai n i s d i scl o se d th e f ate
o f th e wi cke d a n d th e d o o m o f th e h ypo cr i te .
T h a t , i n br i e f , i s th e Maste r s gr e at e sch ato l o gi cal pr o ph e cy
o f th e C h r i s ti an Er a a n d th e co n s u mmati n g e n d o f th e age. I t
i s th e Maste r Ou t l i n e o f th e C e n tu r i e s o f th e C h r i s ti an Er a.
T h e r e i s n o t h i n g co mpar abl e to i t i n th e Wo r d . I t i s th e f o u n
d a ti o n po r tr ayal f o r th e d i ve r si f i e d bu t e ve n tf u l d e tai l s ad d e d
by Pau l , Pe te r , J o h n , a n d o th e r s, wh o wr o te u n d e r i n s pi r ati o n ,
a n d i n co n f o r mi ty th e r e wi th , as we sh al l see i n s u bs e qu e n t ch ap
ter s.
IV. T r an sce n d e n t Events Mar k En d o f th e Wo r l d
1. P r e p a r a t o r y E v e n t s , C o m i n g i n G l o r y , F i n a l S e p
a r a t i o n s .As we h ave ju s t se en, i n d i scu ssi n g Hi s se co n d co m
i n g a n d th e e n d o f th e wo r l d (Matt. 24:3), C h r i s t te l l s o f
i d e n ti f yi n g pr e pa r a to r y e ve n ts an d mo ve me n ts to take pl ace
i n th e l ast days, an d d e cl ar e s, T h e n sh al l th e e n d co me
(v. 14)n o t si mpl y th e e n d i n g o f an e xpi r i n g state bu t r e al l y
th e be gi n n i n g o f a n e w a n d pe r f e ct state . T h a t i s h i gh l y si g
n i f i can t.
I t i s i n th i s co n n e cti o n t h a t C h r i st says:
An d th e n sh al l a ppe ar th e sign of the Son of man in heaven: an d
th e n sh al l al l th e tr i be s o f th e e ar th mo u r n , an d they shall see the Son
of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory
(v. 30).
As we h ave se en, th a t i n vo l ve s an d n e ce ssi tate s s e par ati o n
o f th e go o d f r o m th e e vi l , amo n g th e l i vi n g as we l l as th e d e ad .
He r e i s th e i n s pi r e d po r tr ayal :
Wh e n th e So n o f man sh al l co me i n h i s gl o r y, an d al l th e h o l y
an ge l s wi th h i m, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: an d
be f o r e h i m sh al l be gath e r e d al l n ati o n s: an d he shall separate them
[autous, masc., i n d i vi d u al s, n o t ethne, n e u t., nations] one from another,
as a s h e ph e r d d i vi d e th h i s sh e e p f r o m th e go ats (Matt. 25:31, 32).
T h e n C h r i s t d e pi cts th e pu r po se o f th e f i n al se par ati o n :
T h e n sh al l h e [th e So n o f ma n ] say al so u n to th e m o n th e left h an d ,
Depart f r o m me , ye cursed, into everlasting fire, pr e pa r e d f o r th e de vi l
an d h i s an ge l s (v. 41).
An d th e se [th e wi cke d] sh al l go away i n to everlasting punishment:
bu t th e r i gh te o u s i n to life eternal (v. 46).
Su ch ar e th e e ve n ts th a t f o l l o w th e r i pe n e d h ar ve s t at
th e wo r l d s e n d . Wh e n th e f r u i t i s br o u gh t f o r th , i mme d i -
Se par ati o n o f th e Wh e at an d
T ar e sth e T ar e s f o r Bu r n
i n g an d th e Wh e at f o r th e
Gr an ar y Symbo l i c o f th e
C o n tr asti n g De sti n ati o n s o f
th e T wo C l asses, Wi th Ul ti
mate De str u cti o n o f th e
Wi cke d.
ate l y h e pu t t e t h i n th e si ckl e , be cau se th e h ar ve st i s co me
(Mar k 4:29).
T h i s co mpasse s th e f i n al d e sti n y o f al l man ki n d .
2. W h e a t I n t o G o d s G a r n e r ; T a r e s I n t o F i r e .
I n Hi s pa r al l e l i n g par abl e o f th e tar e s, C h r i s t e l abo r ate s a n d
d e f i n e s Hi s te r ms: T h e harvest i s th e e n d o f th e wo r l d ; a n d
th e reapers ar e th e an ge l s (Matt. 13:39).
An d th e two f o l d r e s u l t o f th e r e a pi n g i s th i s:
Le t bo th [th e wh e at an d th e tar e svs. 24, 25] gr o w to ge th e r u n t i l
th e h ar ve st: a n d i n th e ti me o f h ar ve st I wi l l say to th e r e ape r s [ange l s],
Gath e r ye to ge th e r f i r st th e tar e s, an d bind them in bundles to burn
th e m: bu t gather the wheat into my barn (v. 30).
An d th e Maste r s i n e r r a n t e n d o f th e wo r l d e xpl a n a ti o n
i s th i s:
T h e h ar ve st i s th e end of the world; * a n d th e reapers ar e th e an ge l s.
As th e r e f o r e th e tares [children of the wicked onev. 38] ar e gathered
4 T h e Ol d T e s t a me n t po r t r a ya l o f t h e h a r ve s t , i n J o e l 3, i s i n co n n e cti o n wi t h t h e
r e t r i bu t i ve s ce n e s o f t h e d a y o f t h e L o r d : Pu t ye i n d i e s i ckl e , f o r t h e h a r ve s t i s r i pe :
222
and burned in the fire; so sh al l i t be i n th e e n d o f th i s wo r l d . T h e Son
o f man sh al l se n d f o r th h i s ange l s, an d th e y sh al l gather out of his
kingdom al l th i n gs t h a t o f f e nd, an d them which do iniquity; an d sh al l
cast th e m i n to a furnace of fire: th e r e sh al l be wai l i n g an d gn ash i n g
o f te e th . T h e n sh al l th e righteous shine forth as th e su n in the kingdom
of their Father (vs. 39-43).
Su ch ar e th e o ppo si te e te r n al d e sti n i e s o f th e two gr o u ps.
An d t h a t s tu pe n d o u s r e api n g ti me pr e d i cte d by C h r i s t i s po r
tr aye d i n actu al f u l f i l l me n t i n Re ve l ati o n 14.
V. Apo stl es Descr i pti o ns Agree Wi th C h r i sts
T h e basi c h ar mo n y be twe e n C h r i s ts e sch ato l o gy an d th a t
pi ctu r e d by Pau l an d J o h n i s i mpr e ssi ve . I n Hi s pr o ph e ti c d i s
co u r se o f Matth e w 24, an swe r i n g th e d i sci pl e s i n qu i r y as to
th e sign of thy coming, a n d o f th e end of the world (Matt.
24:3), C h r i s t l ead s Hi s l i ste n e r s u p to Hi s co mi n g i n th e
cl o u d s o f h e ave n wi th po we r an d gr e at gl o r y (v. 30), an d d e
cl ar e s:
An d h e sh al l se n d h i s an ge l s wi th a gr e at so u n d o f a tr u mpe t, an d
th e y sh al l gath e r to ge th e r his elect [eklektous, ch o sen] f r o m th e f o u r
wi nds, f r o m o n e e n d o f h e ave n to th e o th e r (Matt. 24:31).
1. S e c o n d A d v e n t U s h e r s I n D a y o f t h e L o r d . An d
n o w o bse r ve h o w Pa u l s d e s cr i pti o n agr e e s wi th th at o f C h r i st:
Fo r th i s we say u n to yo u by th e wo r d o f th e Lo r d , th a t we wh i ch
ar e al i ve an d r e mai n u n to th e co mi n g o f th e Lo r d sh al l n o t pr e ve n t
[phthano, to pr e ce d e ] th e m wh i ch ar e asl e e p. Fo r th e Lo r d h i mse l f
sh al l d e sce n d f r o m h e ave n wi th a sh o u t, wi th th e vo i ce o f th e ar ch an ge l ,
an d wi th th e tr u mp o f Go d : an d th e d e ad i n C h r i st sh al l r i se f i rst:
th e n we wh i ch ar e al i ve an d r e mai n sh al l be cau gh t u p to ge th e r wi th
th e m i n th e cl o uds, to me e t th e Lo r d i n th e ai r : an d so sh al l we e ve r
be wi th th e L o r d (1 T h e ss. 4:15-17).
An d th i s i s pr e s e n te d by Pau l i n i mme d i ate co n n e cti o n
wi th th e tr an s ce n d e n t scenes o f th e day of the L o r d
co me , ge t yo u d o wn ; f o r t h e pr e s s i s f u l l , t h e f at s o ve r f l o w; f o r their wickedness is great.
Mu l t i t u d e s , mu l ti t u d e s i n t h e val l e y o f d e ci s i o n [ t h r e s h i n g (ma r gi n , o r j u d gme n t )]: f o r th e
day of the Lord i s n e a r i n t h e val l e y o f d e ci s i o n (vs. 13, 14).
T h e day of the Lord so co me th as a th i e f i n th e n i gh t. Fo r wh e n
th e y [th e wi cke d] sh al l say, Peace a n d saf ety; th e n su d d e n destruction
co me th u po n th e m, . . . an d th e y sh al l n o t e scape (1 T h e ss. 5:2, 3).
2. Se c o n d A d v e n t I s D a y o f Se p a r a t i o n .C h r i s t f u r t h e r
d e scr i be s th e mo me n to u s e ve n ts at Hi s co mi n g i n th e se wo r d s
i n th e par abl e o f th e tal e n ts. No te th e m agai n i n gr e ate r d e tai l :
Wh e n th e So n o f man sh al l co me i n h i s gl o r y, an d al l th e h o l y
an ge l s wi th h i m, th e n sh al l h e si t u po n th e th r o n e o f h i s gl o r y: an d be
f o r e h i m sh al l be gath e r e d al l n ati o n s: an d h e sh al l separate th e m o n e
f r o m an o th e r , as a sh e ph e r d divideth h i s sh e e p f r o m th e go ats: an d h e
sh al l set th e sh e e p o n h i s r i gh t h an d , bu t th e go ats o n th e l e f t (Matt.
25:31-33).
An d th e Ki n gs se n te n ce f r o m th e th r o n e , to th o se o n Hi s
l e f t, wi l l be :
De par t f r o m me , ye cur se d , i n to everlasting fire [<o pur to aion-
ion, age -l asti n g f i re], pr e par e d f o r th e d e vi l an d h i s an ge l s. An d th e se
sh al l go away i n to everlasting punishment: bu t th e r i gh te o u s i n to life
eternal (vs. 41, 46).
Bu t mar k th a t e ve r l asti n g pu n i s h me n t i s n o t e ve r l asti n g
pu n i s h /n g, bu t i s e te r n al i n r e su l ts, an d i s an al o go u s to th e
e te r n al ju d gme n t o f He br e ws 6:2 (n o t e te r n al ju d gi n g),
e te r n al r e d e mpti o n o f He br e ws 9:12 (n o t e te r n al r e d e e m
i n g), e te r n al s al vati o n o f He br e ws 5:9 (n o t e te r n al savi ng).
T h a t i s, it is the eternal effect of an act. T h e act h e r e i n Matth e w
25:46 i s an act o f punishment, as i n Matth e w 3:12, wh e r e h e
wi l l burn up [katakausei, co n su me e n ti r e l y] th e ch af f wi th
u n qu e n ch abl e f i r e .
3. E t e r n a l R e s u l t s o f F i n a l R e a p i n g .T h e h ar ve st, o r
r e a pi n g ti me , te r se l y pi ctu r e d by C h r i st, i s po r tr aye d i n f u l l
by J o h n i n Re ve l ati o n 14. No te i t:
An d I l o o ke d , an d be h o l d a wh i te cl o u d , an d u po n th e cl o u d o n e
sat l i ke u n to th e So n o f man , h avi n g o n h i s h e ad a go l d e n cr o wn , an d
i n h i s h a n d a sh ar p si ckl e . An d an o th e r an ge l came o u t o f th e te mpl e ,
cr yi n g wi th a l o u d vo i ce to h i m t h a t sat o n th e cl o u d , T h r u s t i n th y
si ckl e, an d r e ap: f o r th e ti me i s co me f o r th e e to r e ap; f o r th e harvest
o f th e e ar th i s ripe. An d h e th a t sat o n th e cl o u d th r u s t i n h i s si ckl e o n th e
e ar th ; an d th e e a r th was r e ape d . An d an o th e r an ge l came o u t o f th e
te mpl e wh i ch i s i n h e ave n , h e al so h avi n g a s h ar p si ckl e. An d an o th e r
an ge l came o u t f r o m th e al tar , wh i ch h ad po we r o ve r f i r e; an d cr i e d
wi th a l o u d cr y to h i m th a t h ad th e sh ar p si ckl e, sayi ng, T h r u s t i n th y
sh ar p si ckl e, an d gath e r th e cl u ste r s o f th e vi n e o f th e e ar th ; f o r h e r
gr ape s ar e fully ripe. An d th e an ge l th r u s t i n h i s si ckl e i n to th e e ar th ,
an d gath e r e d th e vi n e o f th e e ar th , an d cast i t i n to th e gr e at wi n e pr e ss
o f th e wr ath o f Go d (Rev. 14:14-19).
Fi r st, th e se co n d ad ve n t o f th e So n o f man i s pi ctu r e d ,
th e n th e gar n e r i n g, o r gath e r i n g, o f th e r i pe n e d h ar ve st o f th e
go l d e n gr ai n o f e ar th . Fi n al l y co me s th e cl i maxth e gath e r i n g
o f th e r i pe n e d cl u ste r s o f gr ape s o f wr ath f o r casti n g i n to th e
gr e at wi n e pr e ss o f th e wr ath o f Go d (v. 19). T h u s ar e th e
tr an s acti o n s o f th e gr e at day of the Lord po r tr aye d by J o h n .
T h e r e ar e co n s e qu e n tl y two d i s ti n ct d e ve l o pme n ts, o r
ph ases: First, th e ga th e r i n g o f th e righteous, r e pr e s e n te d by th e
f u l l y r i pe n e d gr ai n ; an d second, th e gath e r i n g u p o f th e wicked,
as f u l l y r i pe gr ape s, wh i ch ar e cast i n to th e wi n e pr ess o f th e
f u r y o f Hi s wr ath . T h u s th e y ar e br o u gh t to an u t t e r e n d . T h a t
i s J o h n s e l abo r ati o n o f J e su s basi c pr o ph e cy.
No w l e t us t u r n to C h r i s ts po r tr ayal o f ma n s co n d i ti o n i n
d e ath , pi ctu r e d as a sl e e p. I n th i s He i s str o n gl y bu ttr e ss e d
by Pau l .
VI. Sl eep o f De ath Fo l l o wed by Re su r r e cti o n Awake n i n g
J e su s a n d th e n Pau l ar e th e pr i n ci pal Ne w T e s ta me n t
wi tn e sse s to th e t r u t h th at th e s l e e p o f th e f i r st d e ath e m
br ace s both sai n ts an d si n n e r s, an d i s an unbroken slumber
u n t i l th e r e s u r r e cti o n mo r n , wh e n th e sl e e pi n g saints wi l l
awake n to th e cal l o f th e Li f e -gi ve r . T h e Bi bl i cal co n ce pt o f
u n br o ke n r e st, o r sl e e p, acce n tu ate s th e n e ce ssi ty o f th e Sec
o n d Ad ve n t an d i ts co n cu r r e n t r e s u r r e cti o n . Ho l y Wr i t r e
pe ate d l y d e cl ar e s d e ath to be an u n br o ke n sl e e p, f r o m wh i ch
n o n e wi l l awake u n t i l J e su s co me s to su mmo n f o r th th e r i gh t
e o u s d e ad . I t was be cau se o f th i s th a t th e Se co n d Ad ve n t was
th e r a d i a n t h o pe o f th e Ear l y C h u r ch , th e go al o f al l h o l y e x
pe ctati o n .
We r e pe at, th e first d e ath , as a sl e e p, co me s u po n al l me n
8
al i ke , i r r e spe cti ve o f ch ar acte r , wh e r e as th e second d e a th i s
th e r e t r i bu t i ve pu n i s h me n t f o r wi l l f u l , u n r e pe n te d si n , a n d i s
e xe cu te d o n l y a f te r th e d u e d e te r mi n a ti o n o f th e ju d gme n t.
An d i t i s al so to be r e me mbe r e d th a t th e awake n i n g o f th e
sinner f o r t h a t r e t r i bu t i o n co me s a th o u s an d ye ar s after th a t o f
th e r i gh te o u s i n o t h e r wo r d s, at th e close o f th e mi l l e n n i u m,
i n ste ad o f at th e be gi n n i n g. T h e y ar e n o t syn ch r o n o u s o r
si mu l tan e o u s.
1. C h r i s t a n d P a u l B o t h E m pl o y M e t a ph o r o f Sl e e p .
As we h ave se e n , J e su s spo ke d e f i n i ti ve l y o f d e ath as a
s l e e p. T h u s :
Ou r f r i e n d Lazar u s sleepeth [koimad, to l i e d o wn i n sl e e p]; bu t
I go , th a t I may awake [exupnizo, ar o u se ] h i m o u t o f sl e ep. . . .
Ho wbe i t J e su s spake o f h i s d e a th (J o h n 11:11-13).
T h e two e xpr e ssi o n s, sl e e pi n g an d awake n i n g, th u s s tan d
o u t i n l o gi cal an ti th e s i s. On an o th e r o ccasi o n J e su s sai d , T h e
mai d i s n o t d e ad [i n th e se nse o f be i n g be yo n d th e su mmo n s
o f th e Li f e -gi ve r ], bu t s l e e pe th (Matt. 9:24). An d th e r e co r d
ad d s, t h e n h e . . . to o k h e r by th e h an d , a n d th e mai d ar o se (v.
25). I n th i s co n n e cti o n i t i s i n te r e s ti n g to n o te th a t o u r En gl i sh
wo r d ce me te r y co me s f r o m th e Gr e e k koimeterion, a sl e e p
i n g ch ambe r o r bu r i a l pl ace (f r o m koimad, to pu t to sl e e p).
Pau l l i ke wi se uses th e same me taph o r o f sl e e p wi th te l l i n g
f o r ce :
I f C h r i st be n o t r ai se d , yo u r f ai th i s vai n . . . . T h e n th e y al so
wh i ch ar e fallen asleep [keomaomai, to f al l asl e e p i n vo l u n tar i l y] in
Christ ar e pe r i sh e d . . . . Bu t no w i s C h r i st r i se n f r o m th e d e ad , an d be
co me th e f i r stf r u i ts o f th e m th a t slept (1 C o r . 15:17-20).
I n J o h n 12:1, 9, 17 th e var i an t ve r b egeiro 8 (to r o u se f r o m
sl e e p, to r ai se ) i s u se d by J o h n i n r e f e r r i n g to th e r ai s i n g o f
Lazar u s.
Anastasis i s o n e o f th e mo st co mmo n Gr e e k te r ms f o r r e s u r
r e cti o n . I t was o f te n u se d by C h r i st, as i n d i scu ssi n g th e r e s u r -
5 Acco r d i n g to Companion Bible, o f t h e 141 use s o f egeird (to a wa ke n , wake u p, a r o u s e
f r o m s l e e p) 70 u sage s r e f e r to t h e r e s u r r e ct i o n . (Fo r e xa mpl e : M a t t . 10:8; 27:63, 64; L u ke
20:37; 24:10, 34; J o h n 12:1, 9, 17; Eph . 1:20; 5:14, e t ce t e r a .)
r e cti o n wi th th e d i sbe l i e vi n g Sad d u ce e s (Matt. 22:23, 28, 30,
31), a n d i n r e f e r r i n g to th e r e s u r r e cti o n o f th e ju s t (Lu ke
14:14). I t was l i ke wi se u se d by th e apo stl e s i n r e f e r r i n g to
C h r i s t s o wn r e s u r r e cti o n (Matt. 27:53; Acts 1:22; 2:31; e tc.),
a n d by Pau l i n th e gr e at r e s u r r e cti o n ch apte r (1 C o r . 15:12,
13, 21, 42), as we l l as by Pe te r (1 Pe te r 1:3).
T h e n o u n anastasis (a s tan d i n g u p, as f r o m th e d e ad ;
h e n ce , r e s u r r e cti o n ), o ccu r r i n g 42 ti me s, i s al ways tr an s l ate d
r e s u r r e cti o n , e xce pt i n Lu ke 2:34. T h e ve r b anistmi o ccu r s
111 ti me s, 35 o f wh i ch r e f e r to r e s u r r e cti o n . (Fo r e xampl e :
Matt. 17:9; 20:19; J o h n 6:39, 40, 44, 54.)
2. No C o n s c i o u s L a p s e o f T i m e B e t w e e n D e a t h a n d
R e s u r r e c t i o n . De ath as a d e e p u n br o ke n sl e e p i s th e i n
s pi r e d d e pi cti o n , e n s h r i n i n g a wo n d r o u s a n d bl e sse d t r u t h . Fo r
th e sl e e pe r h i ms e l f th e r e i s n o pe r ce pti bl e i n te r val , n o co n
sci o us l apse o f ti me , be twe e n th e mo me n t o f f al l i n g asl e e p i n
d e ath a n d th e i n s ta n t o f awake n i n g, o r r e s u r r e cti o n . T h e cl o s
i n g o f th e eyes i n th e d e ath s l u mbe r i s su cce e d e d i mme d i ate l y,
as f ar as h e i s co n ce r n e d , by th e h e ar i n g o f th e s o u n d o f th e l ast
t r u mp an d th e awake n i n g cal l o f C h r i s t o n th e r e s u r r e cti o n
mo r n . T h u s th e passage o f ti me i s an n i h i l a te d . I t i s mo r e
r a pi d th an th e l i gh t n i n gs f l ash acro ss th e sky. I t wi l l be l i ke
th e twi n kl i n g o f an e ye .
I t can n o t be o ve r str e sse d th a t th e r e i s co mpl e te u n co n
sci o usne ss d u r i n g th e e n ti r e i n te r val . T h e sai n ts ar e n o t i n
He ave n , bu t i n gr ave d o m. T h o u gh th o u san d s o f ye ar s s h o u l d
e l apse as wi th r i gh te o u s Abe l (He b. 11:4)th e r e i s n o
we ar i so me , f r u s t r a t i n g passage o f ti me . A l o n g o r a s h o r t pe r i o d
i s i d e n ti cal l y th e same to th e o n e wh o i s i n se n si bl e . T h e mo
me n t o f l oss o f co n sci o u sn e ss i s, to h i m, i mme d i ate l y f o l l o we d ,
th e n e xt mo me n t, by th e r e gai n i n g o f co n sci o u sn e ss, o n l y n o w
wi th th e bo d y i n gl o r i f i e d , i mmo r tal i ze d f o r m (1 C o r . 15:
52-54). I n th e l i gh t o f th i s co mf o r ti n g f act o f th e sl e e p o f th e
sai n ts, the second coming of Christ is as near to every in
dividual in the embrace of death, and to every generation, as
to any and all others. T h a t s h o u l d n e ve r be f o r go tte n .
3. P r e m i s e o f S l e e p O n l y W a y o f U n d e r s t a n d i n g
P a u l .Pau l , i n co mf o r ti n g th e T h e s s al o n i an s , al o n g wi th al l
o t h e r C h r i sti an s, al ways spe aks o f th e d e ad as sl e e pi n g, a n d
h o l d s o u t th e assu r an ce o f gl o r i o u s f i n al awake n i n g, o r r e s u r
r e cti o n . I n d e e d , th e o n l y way th e apo stl e can be u n d e r s to o d i n
al l o f h i s man y s tate me n ts i s o n th e pr e mi se o f a state o f sl e e p
be twe e n d e ath a n d th e r e s u r r e cti o n . An d as i n n a tu r a l sl e e p
th e r e i s su spe n si o n o f th e senses, so i n d e ath th e r e i s ce ssati o n
o f al l th e f u n cti o n s o f l i f e .
We th e r e f o r e be l i e ve i t to be cl e ar l y e stabl i sh e d t h a t th e
s tate o f d e ath i s, i n th e Ne w T e s ta me n t, se t f o r th as o n e o f u n
co n sci o u s sl e e p be twe e n d e ath a n d th e r e s u r r e cti o n t h a t u n
co n sci o u sn e ss co n ti n u i n g u n t i l th e actu al mo me n t o f awak
e n i n g, wh i ch i s th e r e s u r r e cti o n . He n ce th e Gr e e k ve r b egeiro,
we r e pe at, co mmo n l y r e n d e r e d to r ai s e , may, wh e n u se d i n
th e co n te xt o f th o se wh o h ave d i e d , be pr o pe r l y tr an s l ate d
to awake , ar o u s e , r o u se u p. T h i s i s s tr i ki n gl y se t f o r th
i n 1 C o r i n th i an s 15, th e gr e at r e s u r r e cti o n cl assi c, wh e r e th e
waki n g i s f r e qu e n tl y pl ace d cl o se be si d e th e s l e e pi n g
e xpr e ssi o n s o f d e ath . T h u s :
T h a t C h r i st d i e d f o r o u r si ns . . . ; an d th a t h e was bu r i e d , an d
th a t h e rose [egeiro, h a t h be e n r ai se d , o r awake n e d ] agai n th e th i r d
day acco r d i n g to th e scr i ptu r e s: an d th a t h e was se en o f C e ph as, th e n o f
th e twel ve: af te r th at, h e was se en o f abo ve f i ve h u n d r e d br e th r e n at
o n ce ; o f wh o m th e gr e ate r pa r t r e mai n u n to th i s pr e se n t, bu t so me ar e
fallen asleep [koimad]" (1 C o r . 15:5-6).
An d n o w r e ad verses 12-18, a n d 20, wh e r e egeiro may be
u n i f o r ml y r e n d e r e d awake n e d , an d i s, i n f act, th e al te r n a ti ve
r e a d i n g i n var i o u s tr an s l ati o n s :
No w i f C h r i st be pr e ach e d th a t h e rose [egeiro, awake n e d ] f r o m
th e d e ad , h o w say so me amo n g yo u th a t th e r e i s n o r e s u r r e cti o n o f
[f r o m amo n g] th e d e ad ? Bu t i f th e r e be n o r e su r r e cti o n o f th e d e ad ,
th e n i s C h r i st n o t risen [awakened]: an d i f C h r i st be n o t risen [awak
ened], th e n i s o u r pr e ach i n g vai n , an d yo u r f ai th i s al so vai n . Yea,
an d we ar e f o u n d f al se wi tne sses o f Go d ; be cau se we h ave te sti f i e d o f
Go d th a t h e raised up [awakened] C h r i st: wh o m h e r ai se d [awake n e d ]
n o t u p, i f so be th a t th e d e ad rise [wake] n o t. Fo r i f th e d e ad r i se
[wake] n o t, th e n i s n o t C h r i st raised [awakened]: an d i f C h r i s t be n o t
raised, yo u r f ai th i s vai n ; ye ar e ye t i n yo u r si ns. T h e n th e y al so wh i ch
ar e f al l e n asl e e p i n C h r i st ar e perished [f r o m wh i ch th e r e i s n o awake n
i n g]. . . . Bu t n o w i s C h r i s t risen [awakened] f r o m th e d e ad , an d be
co me th e f i r stf r u i ts o f th e m th a t sl e pt [or, h ave f al l e n asl e e p, f r o m
koimao] (vs. 12-20).
Awake n i n g i s cl e ar l y th e co n ve r se o f f al l i n g asl e e p.
4. S l e e p i n g D e a d D o N o t P r e c e d e t h e L i v i n g .An o th e r
po i n t s h o u l d be n o te d . 1 T h e s s al o n i an s 4:15We wh i ch ar e
al i ve an d r e ma i n u n to th e co mi n g o f th e Lo r d sh al l n o t pre
vent [an ti ci pate , pr e ce d e , o r go be f o r e ] th e m wh i ch ar e
asl e e passu r e s us t h a t th o se wh o ar e sti l l l i vi n g an d r e ma i n
at th e co mi n g o f th e Lo r d sh al l n o t pr e ce d e th o se wh o ar e
as l e e p i n d e ath . Obvi o u sl y Pau l i s not sayi ng, be f o r e th o se
wh o h ave be e n be f o r e us i n gl o r y f o r ce n tu r i e s .
Ne i th e r th e quick (l i vi n g) n o r th e dead (sl e e pi n g)
sh al l pr e ce d e o r be gath e r e d , be f o r e th e o th e r . Bu t th e
ch an ge d l i vi n g an d th e awake n e d sl e e pe r s, bo th i mmo r ta l
i ze d a t o n e an d th e same ti me , sh al l be cau gh t u p to ge th e r ,
to me e t th e Lo r d i n th e a i r , th e n ce f o r th e ve r to be wi th th e
L o r d (1 T h e ss. 4:15-17).
5. I n t e n t o f t h e Q u i c k a n d t h e D e a d . I t s h o u l d
be ad d e d t h a t th e te r m qu i ck appe ar s th r i ce :
Acts 10:42C h r i st was o r d ai n e d o f Go d to be th e J u d ge o f quick
[zonton, th e l i vi n g, f r o m zao, to h ave l i f e ] an d dead [nekron? pe r so n s
o n ce l i vi n g bu t al i ve n o l o n ge r ].
2 T i m. 4:1d i e Lo r d J e su s C h r i st, wh o sh al l ju d ge th e quick
an d th e dead.
1 Pe te r 4:5h i m th at i s r e ad y to ju d ge th e quick an d th e dead
No passage o f Scr i ptu r e e mpl o yi n g th i s me taph o r o f sl e e p
says t h a t i t i s me r e l y th e bo d y, o r an y si n gl e pa r t o f man , th a t
sl e e ps, bu t al ways th e pe r s o n h i mse l f th e man as a man, o r
pe r s o n al i ty (see J o b 7:21; De u t. 31:16). T h u s J e su s sai d , Ou r
f r i e n d Lazarus s l e e pe th . An d Pau l d e cl ar e s, T h e n they al so
wh i ch ar e f al l e n asl e e p i n C h r i s t ar e pe r i s h e d . I t i s th e dead
wh o sl e e p, n o t si mpl y t h e i r co r pse s.
9 Nekros d e n o te s t h e person wh o was o n ce l i vi n g bu t wh o i s al i ve n o l o n ge r , t h a t i s,
d e a d persons as d i s t i n ct f r o m me r e l y d e a d bo d i e s . (Se e M a t t . 22:32; Acts 26:23; 1 C o r . 15:12,
13, 15. 16; He b. 13:20.)
GUSTAV RICHTER, ARTIST
C h r i st, th e Li f e-gi ver , Rai ses
th e Dau gh te r o f J ai r u s a
T o ke n o f Hi s Po wer an d Pu r
po se to Re su r r e ct th e Re
d e e me d at Hi s C o mi ng.
VII. T h e Re su r r e cti o n Pr o vi si o n Pi vo tal i n C h r i sts T e ach i n g
I n bo th th e pr i vate an d th e pu bl i c te ach i n g o f J e su s th e
r e s u r r e cti o n was se t f o r th as pi vo tal bo th f o r Hi mse l f an d f o r
Hi s f o l l o we r s, wi th th e l a t te r co n ti n ge n t u po n th e f o r me r . Mo r e
th an th at, th e r e s u r r e cti o n o f all wh o h ave d i e d i s e mph a
si zed. Bu t th e r e ar e two r e s u r r e cti o n s , J e su s d e cl ar e d t h a t o f
th e go o d , u n t o l i f e ; a n d t h a t o f th e e vi l , u n to d a mn a
t i o n (J o h n 5:29). All th e d e ad wi l l h e ar th e r e s u r r e cti o n
cal l o f o u r Lo r d (v. 25). T h u s , "All th a t ar e i n th e gr ave s sh al l
h e ar h i s vo i ce , an d sh al l co me f o r t h (vs. 28, 29). An d all wi l l
co me f o r th (1 C o r . 15:22) as su r e l y as all me n d i e th e f i r st, o r
n a tu r a l , d e ath . T h e d e te r mi n a ti o n o f wh i ch r e s u r r e cti o n t h a t
o f th e ju s t o r th e u n ju s t i s co n d i ti o n al , ju s t as i mmo r ta l
i ty i s co n d i ti o n al . Bu t n o t th e f act a n d ce r tai n ty o f a r e s u r r e c
ti o n ; t h a t i s abs o l u te an d u n i ve r s al .
1. C h r i s t s R e s u r r e c t i o n P r e r e q u i s i t e t o O u r s .Re s u r
r e cti o n was n e ce ssar y f o r J e su s C h r i st. I f He h ad r e mai n e d th e
230
pr e y o f d e ath , He co u l d n o t h ave o pe n e d th e way to i mmo r ta l
i ty f o r man , a n d th e pl an o f r e d e mpti o n wo u l d h ave be e n
a bo r te d . Mo r e o ve r , C h r i s ts r e s u r r e cti o n was a bo d i l y r e s u r r e c
ti o n , ju s t as i s to be th a t o f Hi s f ai th f u l f o l l o we r s. I t was ac
tu al , a n d r e al a l be i t a gl o r i f i e d , s pi r i tu a l bo d y. Wh e n th e
d i sci pl e s saw C h r i s t af te r Hi s r e s u r r e cti o n , th e r e co r d i s:
T h e y we r e te r r i f i e d an d af f r i gh te d , an d su ppo se d th a t th e y h ad
se e n a spirit [pneuma, h e r e a s pi r i t be i n g] (Lu ke 24:37).
Bu t J e su s sai d :
Be h o l d my h an d s an d my f ee t, th a t i t i s I mysel f : h an d l e me, an d
see; f o r a spirit [pneuma] h ath n o t f l esh an d bo n e s [bo d y, v. 3], as ye
see me h ave (v. 39).
I t i s o n l y th e r i se n a n d l i vi n g Savi o u r wh o can an d wi l l
r ai se to e te r n al l i f e al l wh o h ave be co me u n i te d to Hi m by f ai th
(1 C o r . 15:42-44; Ph i l . 3:21). I n d e e d , He d e cl ar e s f r o m
He ave n :
I am h e th a t l i ve th , an d was d e ad ; an d , be h o l d , I am al i ve f o r e ve r
mo r e , Ame n ; an d h ave th e keys o f hell [hades, th e gr ave ] an d o f d e a th
(Re v. 1:18).
T h e s e keys He wi l l u se o n th e r e s u r r e cti o n mo r n . Ou r
so l e h o pe o f i mmo r tal i ty i s bo u n d u p wi th th i s s u pe r n a tu r a l ,
co n s u mmati n g act o f r e s u r r e cti o n . T h e r e i s n o i mmo r tal i ty
a pa r t f r o m th e r e s u r r e cti o n assu r e d by C h r i s ts r e s u r r e cti o n ,
a n d be sto we d u po n us at th e ti me o f C h r i s ts r e t u r n (1 C o r .
15:52, 53). C l e ar l y, th e n , th e saf e ty a n d assu r an ce o f th o se
wh o ar e i n C h r i s t i s bo u n d u p wi th th e r e s u r r e cti o n as th e
co n s u mmati o n o f l i f e , an d th e so l e e xi t f r o m d e ath a n d th e
gr ave .
T h i s i s th e Fath e r s wi l l wh i ch h a t h se n t me, th a t o f al l wh i ch
h e h a t h gi ve n me I sh o u l d l o se n o th i n g, bu t s h o u l d r ai se i t u p agai n
at th e l ast d ay (J o h n 6:39; cf . v. 40; ch aps. 11:25; 14:6; C o l . 3:4).
2. R e s u r r e c t i o n I s x >f t h e W h o l e P e r s o n . J e su s l e f t
to Pau l an d to J o h n th e u n f o l d i n g an d d e ve l o pme n t o f man y
gr e at tr u t h s ce n te r i n g i n an d a bo u t th e r e s u r r e cti o n . Bu t He
l ai d th e co mpl e te gr o u n d wo r k th e r e f o r , an d e stabl i sh e d th e
ce r tai n ty. He d e cl ar e d th e t r u t h t h a t th e r e s u r r e cti o n i s a bo d
i l y r e s u r r e cti o n . T h e d e f i n i ti o n a n d th e n a tu r e an d th e actu al i ty
ar e f i xe d by C h r i s ts o wn r e s u r r e cti o n . I t can n o t si gn i f y o n e
th i n g f o r C h r i s t a n d a n o th e r th i n g to tal l y d i f f e r e n t f o r us.
Bo th Ol d a n d Ne w T e s tame n ts al i ke spe ak o f th e person
as be i n g bu r i e d . David . . . i s bo th d e ad a n d bu r i e d , a n d h i s
s e pu l ch r e i s wi th us u n t o th i s d ay (Acts 2:29). Sai d th e a n
ge l s a t C h r i s t s to mb, C o me , see th e pl ace wh e r e the Lord
l ay (Matt. 28:6). T h e Lord Himself l ay th e r e u n t i l th e mo
me n t o f r e s u r r e cti o n . T h e y l ai d Jesus i n th e to mb. T h e y
to o k him d o wn , a n d wr appe d him i n th e l i n e n , a n d l ai d him
i n a s e pu l ch r e (Mar k 15:46). T h e r e th e y l ai d Jesus (J o h n
19:42). Jesus was i n th e gr ave .
3. C e r t i t u d e o f R e s u r r e c t i o n R e s t s o n C h r i s t s I n f a l
l i b l e W o r d . J e su s pr e d i cte d n o t o n l y Hi s o wn d e ath o n th e
cro ss bu t Hi s t r i u mph a n t r e s u r r e cti o n f r o m th e d e ad , Hi s r e
t u r n to Hi s Fath e r , a n d Hi s co mi n g agai n f o r Hi s f o l l o we r s,
t h a t th e y mi gh t be wi th Hi m f o r e ve r mo r e (J o h n 14:3). De
cl ar i n g Hi mse l f to be th e way, th e t r u t h , a n d the life
(v. 6), a n d r e pe a ti n g Hi s pr e d i cti o n , I wi l l co me agai n , a n d
r e ce i ve yo u u n t o myse l f (v. 3), He ad d e d , Be cau se I l i ve , ye
s h al l l i ve al so (v. 19). He l i ke wi se sai d :
I am th e r e su r r e cti o n , an d th e l i f e : h e th a t be l i e ve th i n me, th o u gh
h e we r e d e ad , ye t sh al l h e l i ve : an d wh o so e ve r l i ve th an d be l i e ve th i n me
sh al l n e ve r d i e [th e second d e a th ] (J o h n 11:25, 26).
T h e second d e a th i s th e o n l y r e al d e ath , e te r n al d e ath ,
f r o m wh i ch th e r e i s n o awake n i n g. T h e first d e ath i s bu t a
sl e e p, f r o m wh i ch th e r e i s a ce r tai n a n d a u n i ve r s al awake n i n g.
Agai n an d agai n J e su s says o f al l wh o be l i e ve o n th e So n
t h a t th e y may h ave e ve r l as ti n g l i f e n o w, i n C h r i st, an d th r e e
ti me s asse r ts, I wi l l r ai se h i m u p a t th e l ast d ay (J o h n 6:
40). So th e ce r t i t u d e o f th e r e s u r r e cti o n r e sts u po n th e f o r mal
a n d i n vi o l abl e pr o mi s e o f th e So n o f Go d :
T h i s i s th e wi l l o f h i m th a t se n t me , th a t eve r y o n e wh i ch se e th
th e So n, an d be l i e ve th o n h i m, may h ave e ve r l asti n g l i f e : a n d I will
raise him up at the last day (J o h n 6:40).
Hi s r e s u r r e cti o n be co me s th e u n br e a ka bl e pl e d ge o f o u r
o wn . I f C h r i s t was n o t r ai se d , th e r e wo u l d be n o t h i n g to gu a r
an te e a l i f e be yo n d th e gr ave (1 C o r . 15:13-23). Bu r i e d i n th e
pr o f o u n d s l u mbe r o f sheol (o r hades), th e sai n ts wo u l d n e ve r
awake n f r o m t h a t h e avy sl e e p, a pa r t f r o m th e r e s u r r e cti o n .
4 . N o t U n i n t e r r u p t e d S u r v i v a l b u t R e s u r r e c t i o n .
Le t th e r e be n o co n f u si o n , th e n , o ve r th e i ssue o f u n i n t e r
r u pte d su r vi val .
Fe ar n o t th e m wh i ch ki l l th e bo d y, bu t ar e n o t abl e to ki l l th e so u l :
bu t r a th e r f e ar h i m wh i ch i s abl e to d e str o y bo th so u l an d bo d y i n h e l l
[Gehenna]' (Matt. 10:28).
T h i s cate go r i cal s tate me n t, t h a t Go d i s abl e to d e str o y bo th
so u l an d bo d y i n h e l l , r u l e s o u t th e th e si s o f i n n ate i n d e s t r u ct i
bi l i ty o r i n d e f e as i bl e i mmo r tal i ty o f man . T h o u gh o n e be sl ai n
by h u man h an d s, Go d wi l l r ai se h i m u p, so u l an d bo d y, at th e
r e s u r r e cti o n day. T h i s was th e ar gu me n t th a t C h r i s t u se d to si
l e n ce th e Sad d u ce e sn o t th e u n i n t e r r u pt e d su r vi val o f Abr a
h am, Isaac, a n d J aco b, bu t resurrection (Lu ke 20:37, 38). So
th e resurrection i s th e se co n d o f th e two f u n d ame n ta l tr u t h s
o f th e go spe l n e xt to , f o l l o wi n g u po n , an d jo i n e d i n se par abl y
to , th e ato n i n g death o f C h r i st.
C H A P T E R T H I R T E E N
C h r i s t s Great Parabl e of th e
Lost Oppo r tuni ty
I. Pr o bl e m T e xt (Lu ke 16:19-31): Par abl e -Fabl e o f Di ves
an d Lazar us
T h e par abl e o f th e r i ch man a n d Lazar u s i s o f te n ci te d as
th e ch i e f co r n e r s to n e i n s u ppo r t o f th e po s tu l ate o f ma n s i n
h e r e n t i mmo r ta l i ty an d th e e n d l e ss d u r a t i o n o f th e i n co r r i gi
bl y wi cke d i n si n a n d mi se r y. I t i s f r e qu e n tl y i n vo ke d to si l e n ce
al l d i sse n t o r qu e s ti o n as to I mmo r tal -So u l i sm. I t i s pe r s i s te n tl y
se t f o r th as pr o vi n g be yo n d al l pe r a d ve n tu r e th a t th e so u l s o f
bo th th e go d l y a n d th e u n go d l y co n ti n u e to l i ve o n u n i n t e r
r u pte d l y a f te r d e ath , separate from the bodybu t wh i ch , as we
sh al l pr e s e n tl y see, i s si mpl y Pl a to s co n te n ti o n t h a t d e ath i s
i d e n ti cal wi th l i f e , o n l y i n an o th e r sph e r e . T h i s Pl ato n i c co n
ce pt pr e se n ts r e t r i bu t i o n as be gi n n i n g i mme d i ate l y u po n e n
t e r i n g th e state o f d e ath .
T h e par abl e d e pi cts Lazar u s as al r e ad y saf el y i n Abr a
h a ms bo so m, a n d Di ve s as al r e ad y su f f e r i n g th e t o r me n t
i n g f l ames o f h e l l an d al l th i s before th e r e s u r r e cti o n , a n d
prior to th e ju d gme n t. I t i s al l e ge d t h a t th e po r tr ayal e s tab
l i sh e s th r e e th i n gs: (1) T h a t th e d e ad ar e al l ke e n l y co n sci o u s;
(2) t h a t th e so u l s o f al l me n ar e i mmo r tal ; a n d (3) t h a t u po n
l e avi n g th i s wo r l d al l me n go at o n ce e i th e r i n to a state o f
bl e sse d jo y f o r e ve r o r to u n ch an ge abl e Ete r n a l T o r me n t .
T h a t i s th e co mmo n co n te n ti o n base d o n th i s passage.
T h e sto r y o f th e r i ch man a n d Lazar u s i s th e o n l y passage
i n th e Ne w T e s ta me n t i n wh i ch a pe r so n , sai d to be i n hades,
234
HARRY ANDERSON, ARTIST ROBERT BERRAN, ARTIST RUSSELL HARLAN, ARTIST
1 9 6 3 BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD 1 9 5 9 BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD 1 9 5 0 BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD
I n Pu bl i c T e ach i n g, i n He al i n g th e Si ck o f Body an d So ul , an d i n Pe r so n al C o u n se l i n g
C h r i st Set Fo r th th e Way o f Li f e He C ame to Resto r e.
i s su ppo se d l y su f f e r i n g th e to r me n ts o f th e e te r n al f l ames o f
He l l . T h a t i n i tse l f i s so s ta r tl i n g as to wa r r a n t spe ci al car e i n
ch e cki n g th e r e ci tal f r o m al l an gl e s. Is th i s an e xce pti o n to th e
ge n e r al r u l e ? Do e s th i s co n s ti tu te d e te r mi n i n g e vi d e n ce ?
T h e case n e ce ssi tate s car e f u l i n ve s ti gati o n , n o t o n l y o f al l ke y
e xpr e ssi o n s o f th e te xt, i n t h e i r co n te xt, bu t o f as ce r tai n i n g
co n te mpo r ar y backgr o u n d s an d si d e l i gh ts t h a t h ave a be ar i n g
th e r e o n .
1. C l e a r l y O n e o f C h r i s t s M a n y P a r a b l es .T o be
gi n wi th , C h r i s t u t te r e d so me f o r ty o r f i f ty majo r par abl e s to
i l l u s tr ate Go d s me r cy a n d ju sti ce , th e pl an o f sal vati o n , th e
r e ce pti o n o r r e je cti o n o f t r u t h , th e tr an s f o r mati o n o f ch ar ac
te r , pr aye r , h u mi l i ty, th e u ti l i zi n g o f pr e s e n t o ppo r tu n i ti e s , r e
l ati o n to f e l l o w me n , Hi s o wn r e t u r n , th e f i n al ju d gme n t, an d
e te r n al r e war d a n d e spe ci al l y th e ki n gd o m o f He ave n . I t was
Hi s ch ar acte r i s ti c f o r m o f te ach i n g i n th e l a tte r pa r t o f Hi s
mi n i s tr y. T h a t th e sto r y o f th e r i ch man a n d Lazar u s i s a
pa r a bl e h as be e n wi d e l y r e co gn i ze d acro ss th e ce n tu r i e s . Bu t
n o t by al l .
235
T h e Par abl e -Fabl e o f th e Ri ch Man an d Lazar us, Appe ar i n g i n a Se que nce o f
Par abl e s, T a u gh t a Vi tal Spi r i tu al T r u t h C o n ce r n i n g T h i s Li f e , No t Hi sto r i cal
Eve nts o f Li f e Af te r De ath .
Wh i l e J e su s u su al l y i n tr o d u ce s Hi s par abl e s by sayi n g th e y
ar e par abl e s (o r l i ke n i n g th e m to su ch -an d -su ch ), He d o e s
n o t al ways d o so. Fo r e xampl e , th e r e i s th e u n i ve r s al l y r e co g
n i ze d par abl e o f th e pr o d i gal so n , i n th e pr e ce d i n g ch a pte r o f
L u ke s Go spe l , i n tr o d u ce d by th e ph r ase , A certain man . .
(Lu ke 15:11-32). T h i s i s f o l l o we d , i n ch apte r 16, by th e pa r
abl e o f th e u n ju s t ste war d , wh i ch l i ke wi se be gi n s wi th T h e r e
was a certain rich man . . (ch ap. 16:1-13).
Eve n o n th e basi s o f su ch an i d e n ti cal be gi n n i n g, i n th i s
n e xt r e ci tal o f th e r i ch man a n d Lazar u sT h e r e was a certain
236
C HRI ST S GREAT PARABLE OF T HE LOST OPPORT UNI T Y 237
rich man . . . (vs. 19-31)we mi gh t make bo l d to say t h a t i n
su ch a s e qu e n ce th i s sto r y wo u l d l i ke wi se l o gi cal l y be a par a
bl e , u n l e ss pr o o f we r e f o r th co mi n g to th e co n tr ar y. Al l th r e e
ar e r e co r d e d i n su cce ssi o n by th e same wr i te r (Lu ke ), a n d h e i s
o bvi o u sl y u s i n g th e same e xpr e ssi o n i n th e same par abo l i c
sense.
2. U t t e r e d W h e n J e w s D e r i d e d H i s T e a c h i n g s .As
n o te d , J e su s h ad ju s t pr e s e n te d th e par abl e o f th e u n ju s t ste w
ar d (v. 12), as str e ssi n g th e pr i n ci pl e t h a t th e use o f pr e s e n t
o ppo r tu n i ti e s d e te r mi n e s f u tu r e d e sti n y. C h r i s t was n o t co n
d o n i n g th e u n e th i cal sch eme s o f th e u n ju s t ste war d , o n l y e m
ph asi zi n g h i s f o r e si gh t an d appl yi n g th e pr i n ci pl e o f pr e pa r a
ti o n f o r th e l i f e to co me . Bu t th e Ph ar i se e s h ad r e f u se d to ac
ce pt Hi s te ach i n gs. No w He pr esses th e po i n t th at mans future
destiny is settled forever in this present life. Bu t th e Ph a r
i sees al so , wh o we r e co ve to u s, h e ar d al l th e se th i n gs: a n d
th e y d e r i d e d h i m (v. 14).
Bu t be cau se th e y o pe n l y sco f f ed a t Hi m, C h r i s t gi ves th e m
a par abl e base d o n o n e o f th e i r o wn we l l -kn o wn be l i e f s. Man y
e xpo si to r s be l i e ve th at, f o r o n e th i n g, i t was d e s i gn e d to sh o w
to th e pr o u d , se l f -r i gh te o u s Ph ar i se e s, to wh o m h i gh r e l i gi o u s
pr i vi l e ge s h ad be e n acco r d e d , h o w co mpl e te l y th e i r co n d i ti o n
an d t h a t o f th e d e spi se d Ge n ti l e s wo u l d l ate r be r e ve r se d . T h e
r i ch man o f th e n a r r a ti ve e r r e d i n t h i n ki n g th a t sal vati o n i s
base d o n Abr ah ami c d e sce n t r a t h e r th an o n ch ar acte r . Un d e r
sto o d i n th i s l i gh t, i t wi l l be se e n to be s tr i ki n gl y pr o ph e ti c
f u l f i l l e d to th e ve r y l e tte r . Bu t th e l esso n i s d e e pe r a n d ve r y
i mpo r ta n t. L e t us f i r st se ar ch i n to C h r i s ts e xte n si ve a n d i n
te n si ve u se o f par abl e s.
I I . Si gni f i cant Pl ace o f Par abl e s i n C h r i sts T e ach i n g
1. P a r a b l e a n d F a b l e , D e f i n i t i o n s a n d D i s t i n c
t i o n s .T h e l i n e o f d e mar cati o n be twe e n parable, si mi l e , me t
aph o r , l e ge n d , f o l kl o r e , an d fable can n o t al ways be sh ar pl y
d r awn . Of te n th e y me r ge a n d bl e n d . A parable i s a f i gu r ati ve
i l l u s tr ati o n , an e xte n d e d pr o ve r b o r me taph o r . I t i s mo r e t h a n
a similitude (i n wh i ch two th i n gs ar e co mpar e d ), o r a meta
phor (su gge sti n g a l i ke n e ss o r co mpar i so n ). I t i s a wo r d pi c
tu r e , an i l l u mi n a ti n g sto r y.
T e ch n i cal l y, a par abl e si gni f i e s a co mpl e te a n d o f te n
i magi n ar y sto r y f r o m wh i ch a mo r al o r l esso n i s to be d r awn .
Etymo l o gi cal l y, a par abl e (parabole, a pl aci n g al o n gs i d e )
si gni f i e s th e pl aci n g o f two o r mo r e o bje cts, o r e ve n ts, o r ci r cu m
stan ce s al o n gsi d e e ach o th e r f o r th e sake o f co mpar i so n , a n d to
i l l u s tr ate a n d i n cu l cate so me mo r al l esso n o r h i gh e r s pi r i tu a l
tr u t h . Par abl e s ar e o f te n base d o n f o l kl o r e , o r f abl e s. An d i n
th i s case o f Di ve s an d Lazar u s, i t i s a t r e n ch an t sto r y, base d o n
co n te mpo r ar y J e wi sh be l i e f an d e mpl o ye d by C h r i s t to a d
mo n i s h an d r e bu ke th e smu gn e ss o f th e Ph ar i se e s.
C h r i s t s par abl e s d e al wi th th e maje sty o f t r u t h . Ou r L o r d
u se d par abl e s to u n f o l d gr e at ve r i ti e s, pl aci n g a si mpl e sto r y
al o n gs i d e , to i l l u mi n a te a pr o f o u n d t r u t h . Bu t th a t t r u t h
co n f o r me d to f act an d r e al i ty a n d to Scr i ptu r e s, th o u gh n o t a l
ways to al l aspe cts o f th e i l l u s tr ati o n t h a t was e mpl o ye d . Be
n e a th th e o u twar d f o r m, o r f r ame wo r k, i s al ways to be f o u n d
th e i n war d me an i n g; be n e ath th e vi si bl e , th e i n vi si bl e ; be
n e ath th e te mpo r al an d passi n g i s th e e te r n al a n d abi d i n g.
T h e i n te n d e d me an i n g i s n o t al ways e xpr e sse d i n t h e
wo r d s u se d , bu t be co me s cl e ar by th e i n t e n t o f th e co mpar i so n .
A par abl e , th e r e f o r e , co n ce al s f r o m o n e gr o u p wh at i t r e ve al s
to a n o th e r , as wi l l l ate r be n o te d . Par abl e s mu s t be r i gh tl y i n
te r pr e te d , o r e r r o n e o u s co n cl u si o n s wi l l be d r awn .
A fable, o r apo l o gu e , i s l i ke wi se a f i cti ti o u s n a r r a ti ve a
l e ge n d , myth , o r bi t o f f o l kl o r e si mi l ar l y d e si gn e d to e n f o r ce
so me wh o l e so me t r u t h . Bu t i t i s u su al l y a sto r y i n wh i ch u n
u s u al acti o n s ar e ascr i be d to an i mate o r i n an i mate o bje cts
and which could not actually happenbu t wh i ch n e ve r th e l e ss
r e f l e ct a h e l pf u l t r u t h o r pr i n ci pl e . A f abl e bu i l d s th e case i n
po i n t u po n an ar ti f i ci al s e tti n gan d , as n o te d , o n e in which it
could not actually happen. C o n s e qu e n tl y i ts d e si gn an d me a n
i n g ar e o f te n th e mo r e e asi l y d i sce r n e d .
T h e sto r y o f th e r i ch man an d Lazar u s was n o t spe ci f i cal l y
cal l e d a par abl e , e vi d e n tl y be cau se i t was r e al l y a par abo l i c
f abl e base d o n co n te mpo r ar y Ph ar i sai c tr a d i ti o n , bu t br o u gh t
o ve r i n to J e wi sh u sage, acco r d i n g to Bi sh o p J o s e ph Li gh tf o o t,
f r o m pagan backgr o u n d s .1I t i s o bvi o u sl y a bl e n d i n g o f par abl e
an d f abl e th e t r u t h o f th e te ach i n g n o t be i n g i n th e pr e ci se
wo r d s o r s e tti n g e mpl o ye d bu t i n th e d e si gn ate d l esso n o f th e
co mpar i so n .
Wi t h th i s as a s e tti n g, l e t us t u r n to C h r i s ts par abl e s i n
ge n e r al . T h e s e we r e spo ke n wi th su ch f r e qu e n cy t h a t Mat
th e w wr o te , Wi t h o u t a par abl e spake h e n o t u n to th e m
(Matt. 13:34).
2. P a r a b o l i c M e t h o d A d o p t e d t o C i r c u m v e n t P r e j u
d i c e .At th e o u tse t o f Hi s mi n i s tr y C h r i s t u se d d i r e ct te ach
i n g me th o d s an d pl ai n -spo ke n d i sco u r se s. He u t te r e d be a ti
tu d e s, sayi ngs, l aws, pr o mi se s, pr o ph e ci e s, an d si mi l i tu d e s
t h a t e xpl ai n e d th e mse l ve s. He th u s be gan th e pr o cl amati o n o f
Hi s go spe l message. Bu t a ch an ge came af te r Hi s f i r st ye ar o f d i
r e ct te ach i n g, wh i ch was me t wi th sco r n , u n be l i e f , a n d r i s i n g
r e si stan ce . He th e n be gan to ad o pt th e par abo l i c f o r m o f te ach
i n g, wh i ch h ad be e n i n vo gu e f o r a ce n tu r y o r so amo n g J e wi sh
te ach e r s.
T h i s as to n i s h e d Hi s d i sci pl e s, as He ch an ge d f r o m pr o
cl ai mi n g th e ki n gd o m o f He ave n i n Hi s f o r me r f ash i o n . Bu t
He co n ti n u e d to e mpl o y, i n cr e asi n gl y, th e f ami l i ar f o r m o f r a b
bi n i c te ach i n gpar abl e s a n d d ar k sayi n gs, su ch as th e y h ad
r e se r ve d f o r t h e i r o wn ch o se n d i sci pl e s.
C h r i s t e vi d e n tl y ch o se th i s me d i u m be cau se th e J e ws we r e
s pi r i tu al l y bl i n d a n d d e af (Matt. 13:10-13), a n d h ad n o w
br ace d th e mse l ve s agai n s t Hi s d i r e ct te ach i n gs. T h e r e was a
pe n al e l e me n t i n th i s. T h e J e ws h ad se t th e mse l ve s agai n st th e
l i gh t, o r t r u t h , as i t was i n J e su s. T h e r e f o r e i t was h i d d e n i n
f o r ms n o t easy f o r Hi s an tago n i s ts to r e co gn i ze . He d e l i be r
ate l y wi th d r e w l i gh t f r o m th o se wh o l o ve d d ar kn e ss r a t h e r
1J . B. L i gh tf o o t, Wor ks , vo l . 12, pp. 159-168.
th an l i gh t (J o h n 3:19, 20; 1:5; 12:35, 36). An d th e Pl ato n i c
co n ce pt o f th e so u l was n o w o n e o f th e i r ch e r i s h e d po si ti o n s,
mo l d i n g t h e i r th i n ki n g.
T h u s i t was t h a t t r u t h was pr o te cte d f r o m th e mo cke r y o f
th e sco f f er. Bu t th e ge n u i n e se e ke r s f o r t r u t h aske d th e me an i n g
o f Hi s par abl e s, a n d th e Maste r T e a ch e r e xpl ai n e d th e m ste p
by ste p u n t i l th e y u n d e r s to o d th e m. T h u s t r u t h was ad van ce d
d e s pi te th e u n to wa r d ci r cu mstan ce s. T h e u n d e r l yi n g l aws an d
pr i n ci pl e s go ve r n i n g par abl e s we r e a suf f i ci e n t saf e gu ar d
agai n st mi s u n d e r s ta n d i n g i n th e i r d ay. An d th e y s h o u l d be
i n o u r s. T h e d i sci pl e s u n d e r s to o d th e Maste r s te ach i n gs o n
d e ath a n d d e sti n y, wh i ch r a n co u n te r to th o se o f th e Ph ar i se e s.
T h e y we r e awar e o f th e s h ar p d i ve r ge n ce .
So i t was t h a t th e par abl e se ar ch e d o u t th e si n ce r e h e ar e r s
a n d l e d th e m o n i n to th e i n cr e as i n g l i gh t o f t r u t h . C h r i s ts o b
je cti ve was u n ch an ge d , bu t Hi s mo d e o f co mmu n i cati n g
t r u t h was a l te r e d to me e t th e ch an ge d co n d i ti o n s . T r u t h was
n o w wr appe d i n a par abo l i c ve i l . I n th i s way He s u r mo u n te d
th e bar r i cad e o f pr e ju d i ce , r e ach e d th e h o n e st i n h e ar t, an d i n
s tr u cte d Hi s ci r cl e o f d i sci pl e s. Mo r e th an th at, C h r i s t was
s pe aki n g f o r al l cl asses an d co n d i ti o n s to th e e n d o f ti me .
Su ch was th e pa r a mo u n t pl ace o f th e par abl e i n th e cl i macti c
pe r i o d o f o u r L o r d s mi n i str y.
3. R e v e a l e d t o D i s c i p l e s ; C o n c e a l e d F r o m H o s t i l e
J e w s .As state d , by th e se co n d ye ar o f C h r i s ts mi n i s tr y, th e
l e ad e r s an d th e bu l k o f th e pe o pl e h ad r e f u se d to acce pt Hi m
f o r wh at He o f f e r e d Hi mse l f to be th e Way, th e T r u t h , a n d
th e Life. C h r i s t th e n d i r e cte d Hi s te ach i n g i n cr e asi n gl y to Hi s
f o l l o we r s, a n d i n so d o i n g ad o pte d th e par abo l i c f o r m o f pr e s
e n ta ti o n , an d be came th e s u pr e me T e a ch e r by th e par abo l i c
me th o d . T h e pu r po s e was o bvi o u sl y bo th to reveal to Hi s d i s
ci pl e s a n d to conceal f r o m th e h o sti l e J e ws. He r e ar e C h r i s ts
wo r d s to th e twe l ve af te r He h ad u t te r e d th e par abl e o f th e
so we r :
An d h e sai d, Un to yo u i t i s gi ve n to kn o w th e myste r i e s o f th e
ki n gd o m o f Go d : bu t to o th e r s i n par abl e s; th a t se e i n g th e y mi gh t n o t
se e , a n d h e a r i n g th e y mi gh t n o t u n d e r s t a n d (L u ke 8:10; cf . Ma t t . 13:
11-17; Ma r k 4:9-12).
I t i s th e r e f o r e e stabl i sh e d t h a t C h r i st ad o pte d a me th o d
o f te ach i n g t r u t h th a t co n ce al e d i t f r o m th o se u n wi l l i n g to be
mo l d e d by i t. An d i n th i s me th o d i t i s n o t th e ci r cu ms tan ti al
s e tti n g o r stagi n g o f th e par abl e th a t i s si gn i f i can t, bu t th e
h i gh e r s pi r i tu a l l esso n s pr i n gi n g th e r e f r o m, wh i ch co n s ti tu te s
i ts e ssence. Fo r th i s we mu s t watch i n th e par abl e we ar e
a bo u t to su r ve y. Bu t f i r st n o te a n o th e r an gl e .
4. N u mbe r a n d Sco pe o f C h r i s t s P a r a bl e s . As to th e
n u mbe r a n d sco pe o f C h r i s ts par abl e s, Ad am Fah l i n g, i n h i s
Harmony of the Gospels (page 228), l i sts f i f ty-si x par abl e s u t
te r e d by o u r Lo r d . Oth e r s su ch as Or vi l l e Nave , i n h i s Topical
Bibletabu l a ti n g o n l y th e majo r o n e s, l i st bu t th i r ty o r f o r ty.
So me say se ve n ty o r mo r e . Bu t th e r e i s actu al l y n o co n f l i ct. T h e
va r i ati o n si mpl y d e pe n d s u po n wh e th e r mi n o r i n stan ce s ar e
i n cl u d e d . An d th e d i s t r i bu t i o n i s i n te r e s ti n g. T h e y ar e co n
f i n e d to th e th r e e syn o pti c Go spe l s, wi th Matth e w (32), Mar k
(14), a n d Lu ke (36). Ne xt n o te a n o th e r f acto r t h a t i s vi tal i n
o u r qu e st.
5. P a r a b l es N o t a So u n d Ba s i s f o r D o c t r i n e . Fo r ce n
tu r i e s h u n d r e d s o f th e mo st d i s ce r n i n g sch o l ar s h ave r e co g
n i ze d t h a t par abl e s, al th o u gh r i ch i n s pi r i tu a l t r u t h , d o n o t
f o r m a pr o pe r basi s f o r d o ctr i n al f ai th o r a r gu me n t, be cau se o f
t h e i r ci r cu ms tan ti al se tti n gs an d i n d i r e ct ch ar acte r . T h e L a ti n
e xpr e ssi o n , Omnia similia claudicunt (Al l co mpar i so n s
l i mp), i s appl i cabl e to par abl e s. We r e pe at, No po i n t o f d o c
t r i n e can saf e l y be e stabl i sh e d o n f i gu r ati ve passages o f Scr i p
tu r e . Its d o ctr i n al val u e l i es o n l y i n i ts acco r d an ce wi th th e
n o n f i gu r ati ve d e cl ar ati o n o f Scr i ptu r e , cl e ar l y e xpr e sse d e l se
wh e r e .2T h a t i s par ti cu l ar l y t r u e o f th i s par abl e . Bl o o mf i e l d
d e cl ar e s t h a t th e be st co mme n tato r s , bo th an ci e n t a n d mo d e r n ,
wi th r e aso n co n si d e r i t a pa r a bl e .
Acco r d i n gl y, sch o l ar l y Dr . Al f r e d Ed e r sh e i m, i n Life and
2 Se e R. C . T r e n ch , Notes on the Parables o f Our Lord; cf . T e r r y, Biblical Hermeneutics.
242
Times of Jesus the Messiah, wi se l y says th a t d o ctr i n e can n o t
be d e r i ve d f r o m th i s par abl e (th e r i ch man an d Lazar u s),
co n ce r n i n g e i t h e r th e o th e r wo r l d o r th e ch ar acte r o r d u r a t i o n
o f f u tu r e pu n i s h me n ts , o r th e mo r al i mpr o ve me n t o f th o se i n
Ge h e n n a. Pr e be n d ar y He n r y C o n stabl e cal l s su ch a po s i ti o n
th e ge n e r al s e n ti me n t o f C h r i s ti an s . An d Dr . Wi l l i am Smi th
i n si sts: I t i s i mpo ssi bl e to gr o u n d th e pr o o f o f an i mpo r ta n t
th e o l o gi cal d o ctr i n e o n a passage wh i ch co n f e sse d l y abo u n d s i n
J e wi sh me ta ph o r . 3
Bu t, i t i s to be o bse r ve d , i f th i s passage i s co n ce d e d to be
bu t a par abl e , t h e n i t cl e ar l y can n o t be u se d to pr o ve th e
e te r n al co n sci o u s to r me n t o f th e wi cke d , f o r , as n o te d , n o d o c
t r i n e can saf e l y be bu i l t u po n , o r bu ttr e ss e d by, a par abl e o r
al l e go r ye spe ci al l y wh e n i t squ ar e l y co n f u te s th e pl ai n a n d
u n i f o r m te ach i n g o f Scr i ptu r e .
I I I . Do ctr i n al Dogmas o f Ph ar i sees i n T i me o f C h r i st
1. P l a t o n i c P o s t u l a t e s E m b r a c e d b y T i m e o f C h r i s t .
Be f o r e we pr o ce e d to th e par abl e , l e t us o bse r ve th a t th i s
n a r r a ti ve was ad d r e sse d to th e Ph ar i se e s i n pa r ti cu l ar , wh o we r e
by n o w f u l l y co mmi tte d to th e twi n Pl ato n i c po stu l ate s o f th e
i mmo r ta l i ty o f th e so u l a n d th e Ete r n al T o r me n t o f th e
wi cke d . T h e acce ptan ce o f th e se d u al pr i n ci pl e s o f Pl ato n i c
ph i l o s o ph y a n d th e co n s e qu e n t r e vo l u ti o n i n th e th e o l o gy o f
th e Ph ar i se e s h ad tr an s f o r me d shedl (an d hades, i ts Gr e e k
e qu i val e n t) i n to an an i mate d abo d e o f d i se mbo d i e d spi r i ts. I t
was n o w acce pte d as a pl ace o f t h r o bbi n g life, i n ste ad o f s te r i l e
death. An d al o n g wi th th i s, two ch ar acte r i s ti c te r ms u se d by
th e Ph ar i se e sAbr a h a ms bo s o m an d Par ad i s e we r e n o w
ti e d i n to th i s Pl ato n i c pi ctu r e .
Un d e r th e i n si d i o u s i n r o ad s o f Pl ato n i s m su ch J e ws h ad
be co me d e cl ar e d Immortal-Soulists, as se e n i n se ve r al o f th e
i n te r -T e s ta me n ta l apo cr yph al an d ps e u d e pi gr aph al bo o ks, a n d
pr e -e mi n e n tl y i n Ph i l o o f Al e xan d r i a. (See pp. 718-740.)
* Wi l l i am Smi t h , Dictionary oj the Bible, vo l . 2, p. 1038.
Bu t n e i t h e r th e Ol d n o r th e Ne w T e s ta me n t e ve r spe aks o f
she61 (o r hades) as a r e al m o f l i f e . On l y i n th e po e ti cal i mage r y
o f Isai ah 14 i n th e Ol d T e s ta me n t as cl e ar l y state d , an d h e r e i n
th i s par abl e o f th e r i ch man an d Lazar u s i n th e Ne w, ar e th o se
co mmi tte d to she'ol, o r hades, sai d to pe r f o r m th e acts o f th e
l i vi n g. An d by th i s ti me th e r e was gr ave co n f u s i o n o ve r th e
d i s ti n cti o n s be twe e n Had e s an d Ge h e n n a. Su ch was th e co n
te mpo r ar y s e tti n g f o r th e par abl e .
C h r i s t was n o t, i t sh o u l d be ad d e d , n e ce ssar i l y s u ppo r ti n g
th e pagan co n ce pt o f d e ath as l i f e , t h a t h ad n o w co r r u pte d th e
J e wi sh f ai th . He was si mpl y u si n g a cu r r e n t co n ce pt to i n s ti l l
a to tal l y d i f f e r e n t s pi r i tu a l l esso n.
2. P a r a l l e l i n g A l l e g o r i e s i n OT I ma g e r y . I t s h o u l d
al so be n o te d th a t th e n e ar e s t Ol d T e s ta me n t par al l e l to th e
Di ve s-Lazar u s par abl e i s th e par abo l i c i mage r y o f Isai ah 14:4-11,
wh i ch r e pr e s e n ts d e ad ki n gs, th o u gh actu al l y i n th e i r gr aves,
as r i s i n g u p a n d s i tti n g o n th r o n e s i n sheol. T h e y we r e th e r e
po r tr aye d as co n ve r si n g a n d r e jo i ci n g o ve r th e d o wn f al l o f
Ne bu ch ad n e zzar , th e gr e at Babyl o n i an co n qu e r o r wh o h ad pu t
th e m to d e ath , a n d was th e n o n h i s way to take h i s th r o n e
amo n g th e m i n th e n e th e r r e gi o n s. (See pp. 170, 171.)
T h e n th e r e was J o t h a ms par abo l i c sto r y o f th e tr e e s, th e
vi n e , an d th e br ambl e e n gagi n g i n an i mate d d i scu ssi o n
(J u d ge s 9:8-16; 2 Ki n gs 14:9)bu t n e ve r , o f co u r se , taki n g
pl ace i n r e al i ty. I t was pu r e l y an d cl e ar l y f i gu r ati ve a f i cti o n al
n ar r ati ve . As so me o n e h as ph r ase d i t, i t pr e s e n te d a s u bs tan
ti al t r u t h i n th e f r ame wo r k o f ci r cu ms tan ti al f i cti o n . So
th e r e i s n o d e te r mi n a ti ve h e l p f r o m th e Ol d T e s tame n t. He r e ,
i n th e par abl e o f Lu ke 16:19-31, th e u n co n sci o u s d e ad ar e r e p
r e s e n te d as car r yi n g o n a co n ve r s ati o n but without neces
sarily involving the actual consciousness of the dead, acco r d i n g
to Ol d T e s ta me n t pr e ce d e n t.
3. N o t B i o g r a ph i c a l Sk e t c h b u t P a r a b o l i c F a b l e .
T h i s Ne w T e s ta me n t po r tr ayal i s o bvi o u sl y an i l l u s tr ati ve
par abl e , n o t a bi o gr aph i cal ske tch . I t i s to be u n d e r s to o d an d
tr e a te d as a par abl e d e si gn e d to po r tr ay an d e n f o r ce a mo r al
l esso n. Its pe r so n age sth e r i ch man a n d Lazar u swe r e n o t
actu al h i sto r i cal f i gur e s, bu t i magi n ar y ch ar acte r s r e pr e s e n ti n g
classes of people. An d , we r e pe at, o n e can n o t a d mi t ce r tai n
po r ti o n s to be par abo l i c, an d at th e same ti me i n si st t h a t o t h e r
po r ti o n s ar e l i te r al . T h e n a r r a ti ve i s a u n i t a n d stan d s o r f al l s
to ge th e r . I n a par abl e th e var i o u s d e tai l s d o n o t h ave i n d i vi d u al
si gn i f i can ce i n th e mse l ve s. T h e y si mpl y co n s ti tu te an a ppr o pr i
ate s e tti n g f o r th e sto r y. C o n si ste n cy, r e aso n abl e n e ss, o r t r u t h
f u l n e ss ar e n o t pr e r e qu i s i te . Bu t i t i s vastl y d i f f e r e n t wi th
historical n ar r ati ve s. C o n f l i ct wi th f act i s f atal th e r e .
T h e f u n d ame n ta l pr i n ci pl e i l l u s tr ate d i n th e par abl e o f
th e r i ch man a n d Lazar u s i s u n qu e s ti o n abl y t h a t eternal des
tiny is decided in this present life; a n d that there is no second
probation. I t cl e ar l y d e cl ar e s t h a t th e r e can be n o a l te r a ti o n o r
i mpr o ve me n t o f th e co n d i ti o n o f th o se wh o d i e o u tsi d e th e
pr o vi si o n s o f sal vati o n . Mo r e o ve r , i f th i s sto r y we r e h i sto r i cal ,
i t wo u l d h ave to be i n h ar mo n y wi th th e ge n e r al te ach i n g o r
te n o r o f Scr i ptu r e . Bu t, as we h ave o bse r ve d , th e i d e a t h a t
go o d an d bad al i ke e n te r u po n t h e i r r e war d at d e ath i s n o t
i n h ar mo n y wi th th e ge n e r al te n o r o f Scr i ptu r e . T h e s e pa r a
bo l i c d e tai l s a n d d i ve r ge n ce s h ave n o t h i n g to d o wi th an y basi c
d o ctr i n al te ach i n g o n th e i n te r me d i a te state ; n o r d o th e y be a r
o n th e ch ar acte r a n d d u r a ti o n o f th e f u tu r e pu n i s h me n t o f
th e wi cke d . Su ch d o n o t co me wi th i n i ts sco pe. T h e s e pr i n ci
pl e s ar e d e te r mi n ati ve .
We s h o u l d al so r e co gn i ze t h a t a par abl e may i l l u s tr ate
so me f u n d ame n ta l aspe ct o f t r u t h base d u po n cu r r e n t cu sto ms
o r co n te mpo r ar y sayi ngs, h o we ve r e r r o n e o u s su ch may be i n
th e mse l ve s. An d su ch par abl e s mu s t al ways be u n d e r s to o d i n
th e l i gh t o f th e t r u t h th e y ar e d e si gn e d to te ach . I n r e al i ty
th i s par abl e h as n o r e f e r e n ce to f u tu r e pu n i s h me n t o r to th e
co n d i ti o n o f man be twe e n d e ath a n d th e r e s u r r e cti o n . An d n o t
a wo r d i s sai d as to th e d u r a t i o n o f th e f l ame i n Had e s, i n wh i ch
th e sce n e i s pl ace d . Yet Eternal Torment i s th e mai n po i n t
o f th e co n te n d e r f o r th e i mmo r tal i ty o f th e so u l .
C h r i s ts Par abl e s o f th e Lo st Sh eep, th e Lo st C o i n, an d th e Lo st Son Fo r m th e Se tti n g f o r
Hi s Fu r th e r Par abl e o f th e Ri ch Man an d Lazar u s.
ALFRED SOORD, ARTIST
REVIEW PICTURES
JOHN EVERT MILLAIS, P.R.A., ARTIST
REVIEW PICTURES
HARRY ANDERSON, ARTIST
IV. C h r i sts Gr e at Par abl e o f th e Lo st Oppo r tu n i ty
T h e sto r y o f Di ve s a n d Lazar u s was th e l ast i n a se r i e s o f
mo vi n g sto r i e s, ad d r e sse d pr i ma r i l y to th e Ph ar i se e s, as r e
co r d e d by Lu ke . T h e f act t h a t J e su s tal ke d wi th o u tcasts a n d
si n n e r s d r e w s h ar p ce n su r e f r o m th e Ph ar i se e s, wh o mu r
mu r e d , T h i s man r e ce i ve th si n n e r s, an d e ate th wi th th e m
(Lu ke 15:2). T h e s e n ar r ati ve s we r e th e sto r i e s o f th e l o st
sh e e p, th e l o st co i n , th e l o st so n , th e n o f th e u n ju s t ste war d ,
an d f i n al l y t h a t o f th e lost opportunity.
1. R e j o i c i n g i n H e a v e n ; R e s e n t me n t by P h a r i s e e s .
T h e same u n d e r l yi n g l esso n r u n s th r o u gh th e m al l mo r e
jo y i n h e ave n o ve r o n e s i n n e r wh o r e pe n ts th an o ve r n i n e ty-n i n e
r i gh te o u s pe r so n s wh o n e e d n o r e pe n ta n ce (v. 7, R.S.V.).
T h e r e i s o bvi o u s s ati r e i n C h r i s ts r e f e r e n ce to th e r i gh te o u s
pe r so n s. As wi th th e l o st co i n a n d th e l o st so n , th e r e i s h e ave n l y
245
r e jo i ci n g o ve r th e r e co ve r y o f th e l o stbu t r e s e n tme n t by th e
Ph ar i se e s. Mo r e th an a h u n d r e d ti me s th e e xpr e ssi o n ki n g
d o m o f Go d , o r ki n gd o m o f h e ave n , appe ar s i n th e Go s
pe l s, o f te n str e ssi n g jo y a n d r e jo i ci n g o ve r th e r e cl ai mi n g o f
th e si n n e r . Bu t th e Ph ar i se e s, wi th t h e i r s tu l ti f yi n g r u l e s a n d
r e pr e ssi ve r e gu l ati o n s a n d tr ad i ti o n s a n d smu g r aci al a r r o
gan ce , f o u n d n o pl ace f o r r e jo i ci n g o ve r th e r e co ve r y o f th e l o st.
I n th e par abl e o f th e u n ju s t ste war d C h r i s t e mph asi ze d th e
n e ce ssi ty o f bu i l d i n g f r i e n d sh i ps f o r th e f u tu r e , d r awi n g a l es
so n e ve n f r o m th i s ma n s qu e s ti o n abl e sh r e wd n e ss co n ce r n i n g
h i s earthly f u tu r e . Ho w mu ch mo r e i mpo r ta n t to pr e par e f o r
th e life to come. Bu t th e se i mpo r ta n t l esso ns we r e al l s pu r n e d
by th e Ph ar i se e s, a n d th e y d e r i d e d C h r i s t (Lu ke 16:14).
T h e i r pe r ve r se a t t i t u d e an d acti o n s d r e w a ste r n r e bu ke . T h e y
we r e se e ki n g to ju s ti f y th e mse l ve s be f o r e me n , bu t th e i r a t
ti tu d e s we r e an abo mi n a ti o n i n th e si gh t o f Go d (v. 15).
T h u s i t was th a t th e ki n gd o m o f Go d i s pr e ach e d , a n d
e ve r y man pr e sse th i n to i t (v. 16). Ou tcasts, wi th o u t a kn o wl
e d ge o f th e l aw a n d th e pr o ph e ts , we r e pr e ssi n g i n to th e ki n g
d o m o f Go d , wh i l e th o se wh o e xu l te d i n h avi n g th e Sacr e d
Or acl e s co mmi tte d i n to t h e i r h an d s co n ce al e d can ce r o u s si n
i n th e i r h e ar ts. Me ti cu l o u s o ve r pr o f e sse d pi e ty, th e y we r e e x
ce e d i n gl y l ax as to mo r al s, su ch as wi th d i vo r ce (vs. 17, 18).
2. L o g i c a l C l i ma x o f L o s t O ppo r t u n i t y P a r a b l e .
T h e ti mi n g o f th e se par abl e s i s al so si gn i f i can t. T h e y we r e
spo ke n n e a r th e cl o se o f C h r i s ts pu bl i c mi n i str y. He was mak
i n g Hi s l ast appe al s, base d o n th e s h e ph e r d s l o ve, th e wo man s
d i l i ge n t se ar ch , th e wo n d e r f u l l o ve o f th e f ath e r o ve r h i s way
war d so n, th e n pr e pa r a ti o n f o r th e l i f e to co me . An d n o w th e
Maste r br i n gs f o r war d Hi s l ast par abl e i n th e se r i e sthe ne
cessity of being ready for the day of death and the futility of
counting on a second probation. Its bu r d e n was the tragedy
of the lost opportunity a n d the eternal fixity of man's destiny
when life ends.
I t was l i ke wi se to sh o w th a t r i ch e s, i n ste ad o f assu r e d l y
l e ad i n g i n to th e e ve r l as ti n g h a bi ta ti o n s o f th e saved (Lu ke
16:9), mi gh t pr o ve a f atal ba r r i e r agai n st sal vati o n . So th e
sto r y o f th e r i ch man an d Lazar u s l o gi cal l y be l o n gs wh e r e i t i s
a t th e e n d o f th i s seri es.
V. Sal i e n t Po i n ts an d Pe r pl e xi n g Pr o bl e ms Ou tl i n e d
1. T er s e O u t l i n e o f t h e P a r a b l e .Le t us f i r st ge t th e
sto r y be f o r e us i n a f ew br o ad str o ke s. T wo scenes ar e po r
tr aye d : (1) l i f e i n th e pr e s e n t wo r l d , an d (2) e te r n al d e sti n y
i n th e n e th e r wo r l d . Fi r st, th e r e was a ce r tai n r i ch ma n wh o
f ar e d s u mptu o u s l y o n e ar th (Lu ke 16:19). T h e n th e r e was
Lazar u s, a po ve r ty-str i cke n be ggar , i n h u n ge r an d mi se r y, an d
co ve r e d wi th so r es (vs. 20, 21). De ath came to bo th , Lazar u s
be i n g car r i e d by th e an ge l s i n to Abr a h a ms bo so m (v. 22). T h e
r i ch man was bu r i e d , bu t f i n d i n g h i mse l f i n to r me n t, l i f te d
u p h i s eyes an d saw Abr ah am i n th e d i stan ce , wi th Lazar u s in
his bosom (v. 23).
Ad d r e ssi n g Fath e r Abr a h a m r a t h e r th an Go d th u s
r e l yi n g o n h i s r e l ati o n s h i p to Abr ah amDi ves pl e ad e d f o r
me r cy, aski n g th a t Lazar u s d i p th e ti p o f h i s finger i n wate r
to co o l h i s tongue, an d th u s r e l i e ve h i s su f f e r i n g, f o r h e was
to r me n te d i n th i s f l ame (v. 24). Bu t Abr ah am r e f u se d , r e
mi n d i n g Di ve s t h a t i n h i s e ar th l y l i f e ti me h e h ad th e go o d
th i n gs , wh i l e Lazar u s su f f e r e d e vi l th i n gs . Bu t n o w th i s i s
r e ve r se d , Lazar u s be i n g co mf o r te d wh i l e Di ves i s to r
me n t e d (v. 25). An d Abr ah am f u r t h e r r e mi n d e d Di ve s o f
th e gr e at gu l f f i xe d be twe e n th e m, wh i ch mad e an y passage
o r r e l i e f i mpo ssi bl e (v. 26).
T h e appe al f o r h i mse l f f ai l i n g, Di ves n e xt aske d th a t
Lazar u s be s e n t to h i s f i ve br e t h r e n s ti l l o n e ar th , to war n
th e m l e st th e y al so co me i n to th i s pl ace o f t o r me n t (vs. 27,
28). Bu t Abr a h a ms si gn i f i can t r e pl y was, T h e y h ave Mo ses
a n d th e pr o ph e ts [the O T Scriptures]', let them hear them
(v. 29). T h e n Di ve s pr o te s te d t h a t i f o n l y o n e we n t u n to
th e m f r o m th e d e ad , th e y wi l l r e pe n t (v. 30). Bu t Abr ah am
r e i t e r a te d h i s po si ti o n : I f they hear not Moses and the
i
prophets, neither will they he persuaded, though one rose
from the dead (v. 31).
Di ve ss ve r y r e qu e s t was, o f co u r se , a r e f l e cti o n u po n Go d
I f T h o u h ad s t mo r e ad e qu ate l y war n e d me , I wo u l d n o t
n o w be h e r e . An yway, t h a t was th e tal e . An d th e Ph ar i se e s
h ad man y su ch f o l kl o r e sto r i e s o f i magi n ar y co n ve r sati o n s.
2. K ey T er ms a n d E x pr es s i o n s E x a mi n e d .No w l e t u s
e xami n e th e key e xpr e ssi o n s i n th i s par abo l i c f abl e . T h e n a r
r ati ve take s i n e ar th , Had e s, a n d Par ad i se a l ar ge co ve r age .
T h e r i ch man was th e Ph ar i s e e s i d e al . He f ar e d su mptu o u s l y
l i ve d i n abu n d an ce . T h e tr an s l ati o n o f plousios (r i ch )
by dives i n th e L a ti n Vu l gate , gave r i se to th e n o ti o n t h a t h i s
actu al n ame was Di ves, as h e i s f r e qu e n tl y d u bbe d a n d
wh i ch we h e r e u se f o r br e vi ty.
T h e r e was n o th i n g f l agr an tl y bl ame wo r th y i n th e r i ch
ma n s o u twar d l i f e. He was n o t vo l u ptu o u s o r d e bau ch e d . He
was ph i l a n th r o pi c i n h i s way, a n d pe r mi tte d Lazar u s to be g a t
th e gate o f h i s be a u ti f u l man si o n . I n th e co n ce pt o f th e Ph a r i
sees, Di ve ss pl ace i n th e h e r e af te r , wi th Abr ah am an d th e
o th e r wo r th i e s, was assu r e d . Bu t wh e n h i s acco u n t was cl o se d
an i mpassabl e gu l f s e par ate d h i m f r o m Abr ah am. Hi s wh o l e
l i f e h ad be e n l i ve d i n f al se se cu r i ty. No w h e was o u tsi d e th e
ki n gd o m o f Go d f o r e ve r .
T h e beggar was n ame d Lazar u s. T h e Ph ar i se e s h e l d
th e be ggar i n d i sd ai n , a n d gl o r i e d i n th e success o f th e r i ch
Di ves. Wh i l e bo th d i e d , th e r e co r d do e s n o t say th e be ggar
was bu r i e d . At th a t ti me , u n kn o wn an d u n cl ai me d be ggar s
wh o we r e o ve r take n by d e a th al o n g th e r o ad s i d e we r e car
r i e d to T o ph e t , o u tsi d e o f J e r u s al e m, an d f l u n g i n to th e pe r
pe tu al f i res, ke pt bu r n i n g th e r e to d e str o y th e of f al , a n d co r pse s
an d carcasses su ch as th i s. Al th o u gh n o th i n g i s sai d a bo u t an
i n ta n gi bl e i mmo r tal so u l h avi n g l e f t th e bo d y at d e ath , th e se
two ch ar acte r s ar e , by pr o po n e n ts o f I n n a te I mmo r tal i ty, co m
mo n l y r e gar d e d as disembodied spirits *
* T h u s Va n Os t e r ze e , a n d var i o u s o t h e r co mme n t a to r s , ma i n t a i n t h a t t h e s to r y te ach e s
t h e u n i n t e r r u pt e d co n t i n u a n ce o f t h e s o u l s e pa r a t e f r o m t h e bo d y, i n e t e r n a l bl e sse d n e ss o r wo e .
RALPH PALLEN COLEMAN, ARTIST
T h o se Se ar ch i n g Eyes Ar e Ever Seeki ng f o r Re spo nsi ve He ar ts T h a t Wi l l Acce pt
Hi s Of f er o f C h ar acte r Re sto r ati o n an d Li f e Ete r n al .
As to th e an ge l s, th e Ph ar i se e s t a u gh t t h a t th e r e we r e
sets o f an ge l so n e f o r th e wi cke d , th e o th e r f o r th e go o d .5
An d Abr a h a ms bo so m was, o f co u r se , n o t l i te r al , bu t a f i g
u r e o f spe e ch a J e wi sh i d i o m me an i n g Par ad i se , wi th Abr a
h am we l co mi n g th e n e wco me r s at t h e i r d e ath , ju s t as man y
mo d e r n C h r i s ti an s co n ce i ve o f Sai n t Pe te r as we l co mi n g th e
r i gh te o u s a t th e gate o f He ave n . T h e r e f e r e n ce to th e bQso m
can pe r h aps be u n d e r s to o d i n th e l i gh t o f C h r i s ts s tate me n t
th a t He d we l t i n th e bo so m o f th e Fa t h e r (J o h n 1:18).
BL i gh t f o o t , op. cit., vo l . 12, pp. 159-163.
249
C u r i o u sl y e n o u gh , th e Ph ar i se e s al so tau gh t th a t i n l i f e two
me n may be co u pl e d to ge th e r , so t h a t o n e sees th e o t h e r
a f te r d e ath , a n d th e y co n ve r se to ge th e r .* I n f act, th e Ph ar i se e s
h ad n u me r o u s l e ge n d s a n d tal e s o f s i mi l ar i magi n ar y s i tu a
ti o n s, acco r d i n g to Bi sh o p Li gh tf o o t.
3. Su f f i c i e n c y o f Sc r i pt u r e ; U n w i l l i n g n e s s t o Be l i e v e .
T h e n Di ve s l i f ts u p h i s eyes an d str an ge l y sees Abr ah am
af ar of f . Bu t co n si ste n cy i s n o t cal l e d f o r i n a par abl e . T h e
n a r r a ti ve h e r e pu ts He ave n a n d He l l wi th i n se e i n g an d spe ak
i n g d i stan ce bu t wi th a yawn i n g, i mpassabl e gu l f be twe e n .
I t i s a cu r i o u s s i tu ati o n . Mar k i t: T h i s gu l f was to o wi d e
an d to o d e e p to cro ss o ve r , bu t n ar r o w e n o u gh to see an d co n
ve r se acro ss. (I t was su ch a co n ce pt, i n ci d e n tal l y, th a t gave
r i se to J o n a th a n Ed war d s str an ge co n te n ti o n th a t th e si gh t o f
th e ago n i e s o f th e d amn e d e n h an ce s th e bl i ss o f th e r e d e e me d .
T h i n k, h o we ve r , o f a go d l y mo th e r e te r n al l y wi tn e ssi n g th e
e xcr u ci ati n g ago n i e s an d pl e ad i n gs o f a l o st so n o r d au gh te r !)
Fa th e r Abr a h a m i s ad d r e sse d as i f h e we r e Go d , wi th
Lazar u s at h i s be ck a n d cal l . T h e qu e s ti o n i n e vi tabl y ar i se s f o r
C h r i sti an s, C an th o se wh o d i e i n C h r i st, f o r e ve r co n ve r se acr o ss
th e d i vi d i n g ch asm wi th th o se wh o h ave d i e d o u t o f C h r i st?
Bu t, f o r o u r co n so l ati o n , C h r i s t was n o t te ach i n g th e ge o g
r aph y o f th e u n d e r wo r l d . T h e qu e s ti o n o f th e f u tu r e wo r l d
was n o t u n d e r d i scu ssi o n . I t was n o t a th e o l o gi cal bu t an
ethical pr o bl e mth e r i gh t u se o f opportunity a n d o f wealth
(f o r th e ch a pte r o pe n s wi th th e par abl e o f th e u n ju s t ste war d ).
T h e i n tr o d u cto r y pr i n ci pl e was, Ye can n o t se r ve Go d a n d
mammo n (see Lu ke 16:11-13). An d th e cl i max o f th e pa r a
bl e i s, Wh a t sai th th e Scripture?
Rath e r , th e par abl e r e pr e s e n ts th e i r r e vo cabl e s e par ati o n ,
f i xe d by d e ath , be twe e n th e go o d an d th e e vi l at th e cl o se o f
t h e i r e ar th l y pr o bati o n . Each mu st r e mai n i n th e cl ass i n
wh i ch d e ath f i nds h i m, u n t i l th e gr e at assi ze. An d n o o n e i s
assi gn e d to th e l ast f e ar f u l second d e ath pr i o r to th e ju d g-
8ibid.
me n t. T o d ay, i n l i f e , o n e may pass f r o m co n d e mn ati o n to
pa r d o n (J o h n 3:18). Bu t wh e n d e a th co me s i t i s f o r e ve r to o
l ate . T h e gu l f i s f i xe d . T h e o bvi o u s pu r po se o f th e par abl e
was to i n f l u e n ce th e l i vi n g, a n d was ad apte d to th e mi sco n
ce pti o n s o f th e J e ws a t th e ti me . I t was actu al l y an
argumentum ad hominem (to th e ma n )an ar gu me n t d i
r e cte d at, an d a ppe al i n g to , t h e i r pr e ju d i ce s r a t h e r th an to
t h e i r i n te l l e ct.
Di ve s d e man d e d a d d i ti o n a l e vi d e n ce extra-Biblical e vi
d e n ce f o r h i s br o th e r s . Bu t Abr a h a ms f i r m an swe r was,
" They have Moses and the prophets [co mmo n d e si gn ati o n
f o r th e Ol d T e s ta me n t Scr i ptu r e s]; let them hear them
(Lu ke 16:29). T h a t i s th e so u r ce o f ampl e i n f o r mati o n . T h e
Scr i ptu r e s ar e d e cl ar e d to be a t r u e a n d suf f i ci e nt gu i d e to sal
vati o n . T h e y ar e th e a u th o r i ta ti ve so u r ce o f i n f o r mati o n ,
avai l abl e i n th i s l i f e , h e r e an d n o w, co n ce r n i n g h u man d e sti n y
an d th e f u tu r e l i f e . T h a t i s wh e r e we to o mu st go, n o t to h u -
mn tr ad i ti o n .
C H A P T E R F O U R T E E N
Gr avi ty of Ascri bi ng Fal se
T each i ngs to C h ri st
I. J o se ph u s Il l u mi n ate s Di ves-Lazarus Story
Mo st f o r tu n ate l y f o r o u r i n ve s ti gati o n , J o s e ph u s l e f t o n
r e co r d a Di sco u r se to th e Gr e e ks C o n ce r n i n g Had e s , 1wh i ch
i l l u mi n ate s J e s u s Di ve s a n d Lazar u s sto r y. No t o n l y d o e s i t
par al l e l C h r i s ts n a r r a ti o n , sh o wi n g t h a t i t was base d o n a cu r
r e n t J e wi sh be l i e f , bu t i t ampl i f i e s a n d e xpl ai n s th e co n te m
po r ar y co n ce pts an d e xpr e ssi o n s o f th e J e ws, f r an kl y d r awn
f r o m Pl ato n i s m.
Bu t i t do e s mo r e . I t r e ve al s a t th e same ti me h o w C h r i s
ti a n ad vo cate s o f Immo r tal -So u l i sm an d Ete r n a l T o r me n t
h ave , i n t h e i r ar d o r , go n e be yo n d th e spe ci f i cati o n s o f th e
par abl e , a n d r e ad i n to i t present e te r n al su f f e r i n g f o r th e
wi cke d i n th e u n qu e n ch abl e f i r es o f Ge h e n n a, an d th i s prior
to th e ju d gme n tn e i t h e r o f wh i ch i s ju s ti f i e d by th e o r i gi n al
r e co r d . An e pi to me o f J o s e ph u s Di sco u r se o n Had e s , as
cu r r e n tl y h e l d i n th e f i r st ce n tu r y a .d ., i s h e r e gi ve n r a t h e r
f u l l y be cau se o f i ts i mpo r tan ce to o u r anal ysi s. Bu t f i r st l e t us
n o te th e pe r ti n e n cy, r e l e van cy, a n d ad mi s s i bi l i ty o f J o s e ph u s
te sti mo n y.
1. R e pr e s e n t a t i v e C h a r a c t e r o f J o s e ph u s D e pi c t i o n .
Fl avi u s J o s e ph u s (d . c. a .d . 100), ce l e br ate d J e wi sh pr i e s t
1An e xt r a ct o u t o f J o s e ph u s Di s co u r s e o f t h e Gr e e ks C o n ce r n i n g Ha d e s , i n The
Works o f Flavius Josephus (Wh i s t o n t r .).
252
Si n an d Sacr i l ege i n An te d i l u vi an Days
Mu l ti pl i e d Un ti l Go d Had to De str o y a
Po l l u te d Race an d Star t Man Af resh Wi th a
New Oppo r tu n i ty. T h a t Is th e Gr ace o f Go d.
Go d s C o ve n an t Was Gi ven T h a t th e Ear th
Wo u l d Ne ve r Be De str o ye d Agai nUn ti l th e
Fi n al Del uge o f Fi r e f o r th e De str u cti o n o f
Al l Obd u r ate Si nner s.
an d h i s to r i an , was a Ph ar i se e .2He was n o t o n l y h i gh l y t r a i n e d
i n J e wi sh l aw bu t r e co r d e d th e co n te mpo r ar y J e wi sh te ach
i ngs, sayi ngs, a n d tr ad i ti o n s o f th e ti me s. I n f act, h i s wr i ti n gs
co n s ti tu te th e mo st co mpr e h e n si ve J e wi sh h i sto r y o f th e ce n
tu r y. He was an e n th u s i asti c a d mi r e r o f Ro me an d i ts i n s t i t u
ti o n s, a n d baske d i n th e su n s h i n e o f th e f avo r o f th e e mpe r o r s
Ve spasi an a n d T i tu s , be co mi n g ad vi se r to Ve spasi an a n d se r v
i n g as i n t e r pr e t e r to T i t u s d u r i n g th e si ege o f J e r u sal e m, i n
a .d . 70wh i ch act ar o u s e d th e a n ti pa th y o f th e J ews. Bu t th i s
d i d n o t a l te r h i s co mpe te n ce as a wi tn e ss.
3 J o s e ph u s a u t o bi o gr a ph y a ppe a r s a t t h e o u ts e t o f h i s Works. Of pr i e s tl y d e s ce n t , h e
ca me f r o m t h e f i r s t o f t h e twe n t y-f o u r co u r s e s . He f i r s t s t u d i e d t h e te ach i n gs o f al l t h r e e
ma jo r s e ctsPh ar i s e e s , Sad d u ce e s , a n d Esse n e sa n d f i n al l y i d e n ti f i e d h i ms e l f wi th th e Ph ar i s e e s .
253
J o s e ph u s r e ce i ve d Ro man ci ti ze n sh i p, to ge th e r wi th a
pe n si o n , an d ad o pte d th e n ame Fl avi u s, af te r th a t o f th e i m
pe r i al f ami l y. T h e n ce f o r th h e d e vo te d h i mse l f so l e l y to wr i t
i n g. Hi s wo r ks we r e h i gh l y e ste e me d by th e C h u r ch Fath e r s,
e spe ci al l y J e r o me . An d h e was e ve r l o yal to th e J e wi sh cu sto ms
an d r e l i gi o n , as th e n h e l d par ti cu l ar l y th a t o f th e Ph ar i se e s,
i n wh o m we ar e mo st i n te r e s te d . Hi s wo r ks ar e s ti l l th e mo st
co mpr e h e n s i ve so u r ce o f i n f o r ma ti o n o n th e ti me s a n d th e be
l i e f s a n d te ach i n gs o f th e J e ws i n th e pe r i o d o f C h r i s t an d th e
apo stl e s. Su ch i s h i s co mpe te n ce an d cr e d i bi l i ty as a f i r sth an d
wi tn e ss.
2. M u l t i p l e F e a t u r e s o f H a d e s D e s cr i be d .J o s e ph u s
e xpl ai n s t h a t Had e s i s co n s i d e r e d to be a subterraneous r e
gi o n , wh e r e th e so ul s o f r i gh te o u s a n d u n r i gh te o u s ar e
al i ke d e ta i n e d , a n d wh e r e i n th e r e i s pe r pe tu al darkness.
I t i s a pl ace f o r th e cu sto d y o f so u l s, wh e r e an ge l
gu ar d i an s d i s t r i bu t e temporary punishment. I n an ad jace n t
bu t s e par ate se cti o n i s a lake of unquenchable firebu t i n to
wh i ch , J o s e ph u s e xpl i ci tl y ad d s, we su ppo se n o o n e h a th
h i th e r to be e n cast. T h a t i s si gn i f i can t, an d sh o u l d be r e me m
be r e d .
I t i s pr e pa r e d f o r a d ay af o r e -d e te r mi n e d by Go d , i n
wh i ch o n e r i gh te o u s s e n te n ce sh al l d e se r ve d l y be passe d u po n
al l me n . T h e u n ju s t an d d i s o be d i e n t wi l l then, a n d o n l y
th e n , be assi gn e d to everlasting punishment, wh i l e th e
ju s t wi l l o bt a i n an incorruptible an d n e ve r -f ad i n g king
dom. Bo th gr o u ps ar e co n f i n e d i n Had e s, bu t n o t i n th e
same pl ace .
3. J u s t G u i d e d by A n ge l s t o B o s o m o f A br a
h a m.T h e r e i s bu t o n e d e sce n t i n to th i s s u bte r r an e o u s
r e gi o n , a t wh o se gate . . . stan d s an ar ch an ge l wi th an h o s t
o f an ge l s. Al l wh o pass t h a t way ar e co n d u cte d d o wn by th e
an ge l s a ppo i n te d o ve r so u l s. T h e ju s t ar e gu i d e d to th e
right hand, wh i ch i s a r e gi o n o f light, wi th a pr o spe ct o f
go o d th i n gs to co me . T h e r e i s f o r th e m n o to i l , h e at, o r co l d .
GRAVIT Y OF ASC RI BI NG FALSE T EAC HINGS T O C HRI ST 255
T h e y e ve r l o o k u po n th e co u n te n an ce o f th e fathers an d o f
th e ju s t . He r e th e y wai t f o r eternal n e w life in heaven
An d n o w co me s th e cl i macti c se n te n ce T h i s pl ace we cal l
The bosom of Abraham. T h a t i s u n mi s takabl e i d e n ti f i cati o n ,
a n d mu s t be r e me mbe r e d .
4. U n j u s t D r a g g ed t o N e i g h b o r h o o d o f H e l l .
T u r n i n g n e xt to th e u n ju s t , J o se ph u s says th at th e y ar e
d r agge d by f o r ce to th e left hand by th e an ge l s al l o tte d f o r
pu n i s h me n t. He r e f e r s to su ch so ul s as pr i so n e r s d r i ve n by
vi o l e n ce . T h e an ge l s r e pr o a ch th e m, t h r e a te n th e m, an d
t h r u s t th e m s ti l l d o wn war d . I n f act, th e y ar e d r agge d i n to
th e n e i gh bo r h o o d o f h e l l i tse l f [Ge h e n n a], h a r d by i t ,
wh e r e th e y co n ti n u al l y h e ar th e n o i se o f i t , an d wh e r e th e y
ar e n e ar th e h o t vapo u r i tse l f . T h e y h ave a n e ar vi e w o f
th i s spe ctacl e , as o f a te r r i bl e an d e xce e d i n g gr e at pr o spe ct o f
f i r e , a n d ar e i n f e ar f u l e xpe ctati o n o f a f u tu r e ju d gme n t,
an d ar e i n ef f ect pu n i s h e d th e r e by, i n a pr e l i mi n ar y way.
5. I mpa s s a b l e G u l f Se pa r a t e s t h e T wo G r o u ps .Bu t
t h a t i s n o t al l . T h e y see th e pl ace o f th e fathers a n d th e
just, wh i ch si gh t i n i tse l f i s a pu n i s h me n t. An d h e r e i s th e
se co n d te l l tal e par al l e l a ch ao s d e e p a n d l ar ge i s f i xe d be
twe e n th e two gr o u ps, so t h a t n e i th e r can pass o ve r to th e
o th e r si de . T h a t i s th e n e xt majo r po i n t to be r e me mbe r e d .
An d th i s, J o s e ph u s d e cl ar e s, i s Had e s, wh e r e i n th e so u l s o f al l
me n ar e co n f i n e d u n t i l a pr o pe r se aso n, wh i ch Go d h a th d e
te r mi n e d . T h e n He wi l l make a r e s u r r e cti o n o f al l me n
f r o m th e d e ad , r ai s i n g agai n th o se ve r y bo d i e s, wh i ch th e
Gr e e ks e r r o n e o u s l y th i n k ar e d i sso l ve d f o r e ve r , a n d wi l l n o t
be r e s u r r e cte d .
T h e n , d e cl ar i n g t h a t acco r d i n g to th e d o ctr i n e o f Pl a to
(wh o i s th u s f r an kl y n ame d ), th e Gr e e ks be l i e ve t h a t th e
so u l i s cr e a te d a n d mad e i mmo r tal by Go d , J o s e ph u s as
se r ts th a t Go d i s al so abl e to make i mmo r ta l th e bo d y He
h as r ai s e d to l i f e . So, h e co n ti n u e s , th e J e ws be l i e ve t h a t th e
bo d y wi l l be r ai s e d agai n , an d a l th o u gh i t i s d i sso l ve d , i t
R. M. ELDRIDGE, ARTIST
T h e T e r r o r o f th e Wi cke d Wi l l Par al l e l th e J o y o f th e Re de e me d as Ou r Lo r d
Appe ar s i n th e C l o uds of He ave n at Hi s Second Advent.
i s n o t pe r i s h e d . Agai n , to e ve r y bo d y sh al l be i ts o wn so u l
r e s to r e d .
6. E t e r n a l T o r me n t f o r W i c k ed A f t e r J u d g me n t .
So, J o s e ph u s co n cl u d e s, af te r ju s t ju d gme n t at th e ju d g-
me n t-se at, th e r i gh te o u s wi l l h ave an everlasting fruition.
Bu t th e wi cke d wi l l th e n be a l l o tte d to eternal punishment
unquenchable fire, a n d th a t wi th o u t e n d , an d a ce r tai n
f i e r y worm, never dying. Bu t th at, acco r d i n g to J o s e ph u s , i s
sti l l future, n o t pr e s e n t. T h e f i r e an d th e wo r m wi l l not d e
str o y th e bo d y, a n d th e wo r m wi l l co n ti n u e i ts e r o si o n wi th
n e ve r -ce asi n g gr i e f . Sl e e p wi l l n o t af f o r d r e l i e f . An d
d e ath wi l l n o t f r e e th e m f r o m t h e i r pu n i s h me n t wh i ch
i d e as agai n be ar th e e ar mar k o f Pl ato n i s m. No r wi l l th e i n
te r ce d i n g pr aye r s o f t h e i r ki n d r e d pr o f i t th e m.
T h a t , i n car e f u l e pi to me , i s th e po r tr ayal o f Had e s, by
J o s e ph u s . T h e s ta r tl i n g s i mi l ar i ty to ci r cu mstan ce s i n th e pa r
abl e o f Di ve s a n d Lazar u s i s i n e scapabl e . Mi ssi n g d e tai l s ar e
h e r e s u ppl i e d . Hazy po i n ts ar e h e r e cl ar i f i e d . J e su s was cl e ar l y
u s i n g a th e n -co mmo n t r a d i ti o n o f th e J e ws to pr ess h o me a
256
GRAVIT Y OF ASC RIBING FALSE T EAC HINGS T O C HRI ST 257
mo r al l esso n i n a r e l a te d f i el d. An d th i s J e wi sh co n ce pt o f
Had e s was f r an kl y d e r i ve d f r o m Pl ato n i s m, th r o u gh Apo c
r yph al wr i te r s, bu t cl i maxi n g wi th Ph i l o .
7. D e f l e c t i n g I n r o a d s i n I n t e r - T e s t a m e n t a l P e r i o d .
Se ve r al pe r t i n e n t po i n ts s h o u l d h e r e be n o te d . T h i s pe r i o d
was cr i ti cal . I t was th e J e wi sh tr a n s i ti o n h o u r . P h i l o J u d a e u s
(d. c. a .d . 47), o f Al e xan d r i a, h ad l i ve d i n th e ge n e r ati o n ju s t
pr i o r to J o se ph u s. Un d e r Ph i l o th e i n r o ad s o f Gr e e k Pl a to
n i sm r e ach e d th e i r pe ak i n d e f l e cti n g th e f ai th o f a l ar ge seg
me n t o f th e J e ws f r o m th e pr i mal Mo sai c te ach i n gs o n C o n
d i ti o n al I mmo r tal i ty a n d i ts i n se par abl e co r o l l ar y, th e u l
ti mate d e s tr u cti o n o f th e wi cke d .
Ove r a pe r i o d o f so me two h u n d r e d ye ar s pr i o r to C h r i st,
tan ge n t po si ti o n s h ad be e n d e ve l o pi n g u n d e r th e i mpact o f
Pl ato n i c ph i l o so ph y. T h u s th e co n ce pt th a t Had e s co n tai n e d
two ch ambe r s appe ar e d i n 4 Ezra 4:41, al o n g wi th th e i d e a
t h a t th e r i gh te o u s i n h a bi t o n e ch ambe r {Wisdom of Solomon
3:1), wh i l e th e wi cke d ar e accu r se d , sco u r ge d , an d t o r me n te d
i n th e o th e r (1 Enoch 22:9-13). T h e Mi d r ash (o n Ru t h 1:1,
Pr o e m) l i ke wi se assi gns o n e ch ambe r to th e r i gh te o u s, wi th
th e o th e r to th e wi cke d . T h e T a l mu d (Erubin 19l ) al so te l l s
o f th e t o r me n t o f th e wi cke d .
T h e vi si bi l i ty o f o n e co mpan y to th e o th e r , i n th e r e spe c
ti ve ch ambe r s, i s si mi l ar l y i n th e Mi d r as h (o n Eccl . 7:14). An d
th e wi cke d see th e an ge l s gu a r d th e r i gh te o u s (4 Ezra 7:86).
Bo th th e T a l mu d (Kethuboth 104) a n d 4 Ezra 7:85-87, 91-
95, te l l o f th e we l co mi n g o f th e r i gh te o u s by co mpan i e s o f
mi n i s te r i n g an ge l s. An d 4 Maccabees 13:17 me n ti o n s th e
r i gh te o u s as we l co me d i n Had e s by Abr ah am, Isaac, an d
J aco b. An d f i n al l y, th e r i gh te o u s , as pa r t o f t h e i r r e war d , ar e
pr i vi l e ge d to si t i n Abr a h a ms l a p (T a l mu d Kiddushin
72b). T h a t i s th e th i r d majo r po i n t th a t sh o u l d be bo r n e i n
mi n d .
I n h i s Antiquities, J o s e ph u s al so gi ves th i s te r se ad d e d te s ti
mo n y:
T h e y [th e Ph ar i s e e s ] al s o be l i e ve t h a t so u l s h ave a n i mmo r t a l
9
vi go u r i n th e m, a n d t h a t u n d e r t h e e a r t h t h e r e wi l l be r e wa r d s o r pu n
i s h me n ts , a cco r d i n g as th e y h a ve l i ve d vi r tu o u s l y o r vi ci o u s l y i n th i s
l i f e ; a n d t h e l a t t e r a r e to be d e t a i n e d i n a n e ve r l a s t i n g pr i s o n , bu t t h a t
th e f o r me r s h a l l h a ve po we r to r e vi ve a n d l i ve a ga i n . 8
I t i s th e r e f o r e o bvi o u s t h a t th e pr i n ci pal po i n ts i n th e pa r a
bl e o f Di ve s a n d Lazar u s we r e base d u po n cu r r e n t J e wi sh
f o l kl o r e , wh i ch h ad i n f i l tr ate d f r o m Pl ato n i c ph i l o so ph y.
C h r i st me t th e m o n th e i r o wn f ami l i ar gr o u n d an d d r e w a
f u n d ame n ta l mo r al l esso n th e r e f r o m, capi tal i zi n g u po n th e i r
pr e co n ce i ve d o pi n i o n s .
8. A d v o c a t e s I n j e c t U n w a r r a n t e d A d d i t i o n s . Bu t
th e co n s tr u cti o n pl ace d u po n th e par abl e o f Di ves a n d
Lazar u s by man y mo d e r n pr o po n e n ts o f Immo r tal -So u l i sm,
wh o i n vo ke th e s an cti o n o f th i s par abl e by r e ad i n g i n to i t
wh at i s n e i t h e r th e r e i n th e o r i gi n al n a r r a ti ve i n Lu ke n o r
s an cti o n e d by J o s e ph u s d e f i n i ti ve e l u ci d ati o n s, i s bo th r e
gr e ttabl e a n d u n e th i cal .
Pl e ase n o te th e f o l l o wi n g i n J o s e ph u s d i sco u r se : Fi r s t o f
al l , Had e s, i n th e se cti o n f o r wi cke d so ul s, h e r e u n d e r d i scu s
si o n , i s not Ge h e n n a (wh i ch i s d e f i n e d as th e l ake o f f i r e ),
bu t i s o n l y near Ge h e n n a, o r i n th e n e i gh bo r h o o d o f h e l l .
Se co n d , acco r d i n g to J o se ph u s, no one had yet been cast into
the lake of fire. T h a t i s i mpo r ta n t an d d e ci si ve . T h i r d , an y
co n te mpo r ar y pu n i s h me n t i s bu t te mpo r ar y, as th e
wi cke d may f e e l th e br e a th o f th e h o t va po u r . I t i s not
e te r n al e n ve l o pme n t i n th e f i res o f He l l , as o f te n pi ctu r e d .
Fo u r th , at th e a ppo i n te d ti me th e r e wi l l be a r e s u r r e cti o n o f
th e bo d y, which will then be made immortal.
I n th a t f e atu r e th e J e ws d i f f e r e d f r o m th e Gr e e k Pl ato -
n i sts, as we l l as o n th e co n ce pt o f tr an s mi gr ati o n . An d f i f th ,
acco r d i n g to J o s e ph u s e l u ci d ati o n , th e e te r n al pu n i s h i n g an d
th e vi s i tati o n o f u n qu e n ch a bl e f i r e wi l l co me o n l y after th e
f u tu r e ju d gme n t a n d i ts ju s t se n te n ce swh i ch h e d e cl ar e s
h ad not yet taken place.
T h a t i s a vastl y d i f f e r e n t pi ctu r e f r o m th e e i se ge ti cal
8Antiquities of the Jews, bo o k 18, ch a p. I , s e c. 3.
po r tr ayal o f th o se wh o bu i l d present Ete r n a l T o r me n t f o r
th e i mmo r tal l y d amn e d o n th i s passage. Su ch ar e th e r e gr e t
tabl e l e n gth s r e s o r te d to i n an a tte mpt to f i nd Bi bl i cal s u p
po r t f o r an al i e n , pagan ph i l o so ph y.
I I . Li te r al i sm Vi o l ates C onsi stency, Vi ti ate s C h r i sts Wi tness,
Ove r tu r n s Scr i ptu r e T e sti mo n y
1. Sc o f i e l d M a k e s P a s s a g e W h o l l y L i t e r a l .Be f o r e
we su r ve y cr i ti cal l y th e i n co n si ste n ci e s o f a l i te r al i n te r pr e ta
ti o n , l e t u s n o te o n e r e pr e s e n tati ve e xampl e o f ch ampi o n
sh i p o f th e l i te r al i s ti c e xpo si ti o n , a n d i ts i n vo l ve me n ts. Dr .
C . I. Sco f i el d, i n h i s we l l -kn o wn Sco f i el d Re f e r e n ce Bi bl e , i n
h i s n o te o n Lu ke 16:23, says t h a t th e h e l l o f th i s te xtth e
Gr e e k hades, a n d i ts He br e w e qu i va l e n t sheoli s th e u n
se e n wo r l d , th e pl ace o f d e pa r te d h u man s pi r i ts be twe e n
d e ath a n d th e r e s u r r e cti o n . He t h e n sh ar pl y d i sti n gu i sh e s
be twe e n hades (1) before th e asce n si o n o f C h r i s t, an d (2)
hades since th e asce n si o n o f C h r i s t. Ad vo cati n g th e l i t e r
al i sti c i n te r pr e ta t i o n , Sco f i el d state s th a t th e se passages
make i t cl e ar t h a t h ad e s was f o r me r l y i n two d i vi si o n s, th e
abo d e s r e spe cti ve l y o f th e saved an d th e l o st.
T h e f o r me r (th e abo d e o f th e save d ) was th e n
cal l e d par ad i s e , an d Abr a h a ms bo so m. Sco f i el d th e n
state s t h a t bo th d e si gn ati o n s we r e T a l mu d i c, bu t adopted
by Christ i n Lu ke 16:22; 23:43. An d h e d e cl ar e s, th e bl e sse d
d e ad we r e wi th Abr ah am, th e y we r e conscious a n d we r e com
forted. T h e n h e adds:
T h e l o st we r e se par ate d f r o m th e saved by a gr e at gu l f f i xe d
(Lu ke 16:26). T h e r e pr e se n tati ve man o f th e lost wh o ar e n o w i n h ad e s
i s th e r i ch man o f Lk. 16:19-31. He was alive, conscious, in full exercise
of his faculties, memory, etc., and in torment. * (Ital i cs su ppl i e d .)
4I n h i s Hades since t h e as ce n s i o n o f C h r i s t s e cti o n , Sco f i e l d s ays : So f a r as th e
unsaved d e a d a r e co n ce r n e d , n o ch a n ge o f t h e i r pl a ce o r co n d i ti o n i s r e ve a l e d i n Scr i pt u r e .
A t t h e ju d gme n t o f t h e gr e a t wh i te t h r o n e , h ad e s wi l l gi ve t h e m u p, t h e y wi l l be ju d ge d ,
a n d wi l l pass i n t o t h e l ake o f f i r e (Re v. 20:13, 14). Bu t h e n ce f o r t h (s i n ce t h e as ce n s i o n o f
C h r i s t ) Pa r a d i s e has been changed to t h e t h i r d h e a ve n (ci t i n g 2 C o r . 12:1-4). No w, d u r i n g
t h e pr e s e n t ch u r ch -a ge , t h e saved wh o h ave d i e d a r e a bs e n t f r o m th e bo d y, a t h o me wi th
t h e L o r d (ci t i n g Eph . 4:8-10). An d h e co n cl u d e s : T h e wi cke d d e a d i n h a d e s , a n d th e
r i gh t e o u s d e a d a t h o me wi t h t h e L o r d , al i ke a wa i t t h e r e s u r r e ct i o n .
2. I n c o n s i s t en c i es I n v o l v ed i n L i t e r a l I n t e r pr e t a
t i o n .T h i s sto r y o f Di ves an d Lazar u s i s e i th e r th e n a r r a ti ve
o f a l i te r al , h i s to r i cal e pi so d e o r i t i s me r e l y a f i cti o n al pa r a
bl e . I t can n o t be bo th , o r h al f a n d h al f , as so me seek to make
i t. I f l i te r al , i t mu s t be t r u e to f act a n d co n si ste n t i n d e tai l .
If i t be a par abl e , t h e n o n l y th e pr i mar y mo r al t r u t h to be
co n ve ye d n e e d co n ce r n us, wi th th e n a r r a ti ve s u bje ct to th e
r e co gn i ze d l i ce n se s an d l i mi tati o n s o f an i magi n ar y i l l u s tr a
ti o n .
Ho we ve r , man y i n si st o n i ts l i te r al i ty. Bu t a l i te r a l a ppl i
cati o n br e aks d o wn u n d e r th e we i gh t o f i ts o wn abs u r d i ti e s
an d co n tr ad i cti o n s , as wi l l be co me a ppa r e n t u n d e r s cr u ti n y,
a n d wh e n ci te d to s u ppo r t th e po pu l ar co n ce pt o f th e I n n a t e
I mmo r ta l i ty o f th e so u l . Fo r e xampl e , co n te n d e r s f o r l i t e r a l
i sm h o l d Di ve s a n d Lazar u s to be d i se mbo d i e d spi r i ts; t h a t i s,
d e s ti tu te o f bo d i e s. He r e , th e n , we h ave two gh o sts, o r sh ad e s,
d e vo i d o f bo d i e s a n d bo d i l y o r gan sth o u gh th e r e i s n o t th e
r e mo te s t r e f e r e n ce to th e so u l o r s pi r i t o f man . Ye t Di ve s i s
h e r e r e pr e s e n te d as h avi n g eyes t h a t see, a tongue t h a t
spe aks, an d as se e ki n g r e l i e f f r o m co o l i n g wate r by me an s o f
th e finger o f Lazar u sr e al bo d i l y par ts. T h a t su r e l y mu s t
be an e mbar r as s i n g i n co n si ste n cy to th e l i te r al i s t wh o tr e ats
th e m as h i sto r i cal a n d l i te r al . Bu t t h a t was al l pa r t o f th e
J e wi sh tal e .
Fu r th e r , an u n br i d ge abl e , mate r i a l gu l f i s i n co mpr e h e n
si bl e o n th e h ypo th e si s o f i mmate r i al s pi r i t be i n gs i n th e
n e t h e r r e gi o n s. Di s e mbo d i e d so u l s, o r s pi r i ts , ar e s u p
po se d to pe n e tr ate o r pass e ve r ywh e r e .
Agai n , i f Abraham's bosom i s f i gu r ati ve , th e n Abra
ham can n o t l o gi cal l y be l i te r al . I t wo u l d su r e l y be th e h e i gh t
o f i n co n gr u i ty to h ave Abr ah am l i te r a l bu t h i s bo so m f i gu r a
ti ve ! As to Abr ah am, i n Scr i ptu r e r e co r d h e d i e d an d h i s so ns
bu r i e d h i m (Ge n . 25:8, 9), an d th e r e i s n o acco u n t o f h i s
r e s u r r e cti o n , as was th e case wi th Mo ses (De u t. 34:5; J u d e 9;
Matt. 17:3). Acco r d i n g to He br e ws 11:8-19, l i ke al l th e pa t r i
ar ch s, Abr ah am h as n o t ye t r e ce i ve d th e pr o mi se , bu t i s awai t
i n g t h a t be tt e r r e s u r r e ct i o n at th e se co n d co mi n g o f C h r i s t
(vs. 35, 39, 40).
Amo n g o t h e r i n co n gr u i ti e s , l i te r al i s m pl ace s He ave n a n d
He l l wi t h i n ge o gr aph i cal spe aki n g a n d se e i n g d i stan ce o f e ach
o th e r wi th sai n ts an d si n n e r s e te r n al l y h o l d i n g f u ti l e co n
verse. (Po n d e r o n ce mo r e th e case o f a h u s ban d a n d wi f e so
s i tu ate d , o r a pa r e n t an d ch i l d .) Agai n , Di ves l i f te d u p h i s
eyes, be i n g i n to r me n ts , an d sai d , . . . I am t o r me n te d i n
th i s f l ame (Lu ke 16:23, 24), bu t n o th i n g i s sai d i n th e pa r a
bl e as to th e d u r a t i o n o f h i s to r me n t. Bu t acco r d i n g to cl e ar
s tate me n ts o f Scr i ptu r e , an y su ch to r me n t o ccu r s o n l y i n co n
n e cti o n wi th th e second d e ath , an d f o l l o ws, bu t n e ve r pr e
cedes, th e Se co n d Ad ve n t (2 T h e ss. 1:7, 8).
Su ch a co n f l i cti n g l i te r al i s ti c co n te n ti o n cl e ar l y go es to o
f ar . T h e f i r es o f Ge h e n n a d o n o t pr e ce d e th e Se co n d Ad ve n t.
An d i n th i s par abl e , Di ve s i s i n Had e s, n o t i n Ge h e n n a. Bu t
wh e n th e f i gu r ati ve an d f i cti o n al ch ar acte r o f th e par abl e o f
Di ves a n d Lazar u s i s r e co gn i ze d , t h e n th e pl agu i n g i n co n
gr u i ti e s as to ti me , pl ace , space, d i stan ce , e t ce te r a, al l van i sh .
T h e sto r y, wi th al l i ts i n co n si ste n ci e s, i s si mpl y to l d to co n ve y
an i mpo r ta n t mo r al o r s pi r i tu a l tr u t h .
3. L i t e r a l i s m C o n t r a d i c t s C h r i s t s E x p l i c i t D e c l a r a
t i o n s .Bu t th a t i s n o t al l . T o use th i s par abl e as pr o o f th a t
me n r e ce i ve t h e i r r e war d s a t d e ath i s squ ar e l y to co n tr ad i ct
C h r i s t Hi mse l f , wh o e xpl i ci tl y state s th a t th e r i gh te o u s a n d
th e wi cke d r e ce i ve th e i r r e war d when the Son of man shall
come in his glory (Matt. 25:31-44). He d e f i n i te l y pl ace d th e
recompense a t th e r e s u r r e cti o n , th e ti me o f h ar ve st, an d e n d
o f th e wo r l d wh e n th e wh e at o f Go d s pe o pl e ar e gath e r e d
u n to Hi s gar n e r , an d th e wi cke d , l i ke tar e s , ar e bu n d l e d f o r
bu r n i n g (Matt. 13:30, 49; Lu ke 14:14).
As e l se wh e r e se e n , J e su s r e f e r r e d to h e l l (Matt. 10:28),
h e l l f i r e (Matt. 5:22), th e r e s u r r e cti o n o f d a mn a t i o n
(J o h n 5:29), th e d a mn a ti o n o f h e l l (Matt. 23:33), an d
e te r n al d a mn a t i o n (Mar k 3:29). Bu t He al ways pu t th e m as
f u tu r e , n o t pr e s e n t, an d as following, n o t pr e ce d i n g, Hi s sec-
o n d co mi n g (Matt. 25:32, 33, 46). An d J e su s d e cl ar e d t h a t
He was go i n g to pr e par e a pl ace f o r us i n th e man y ma n
si o n s o f Hi s Fa t h e r s h o u s e (J o h n 14:2). Bu t He state s
th a t He wi l l n o t co me a ga i n to r e ce i ve us u n t i l Hi s se co n d
ad ve n t (v. 3).
4. L i t e r a l i s m C o n t r a d i c t s I n s pi r e d R e v e l a t i o n 's Di c -
t u ms .Fu r th e r mo r e , i f th e n ar r ati ve i s l i te r al , th e n th e be g
gar r e ce i ve d h i s r e war d an d th e r i ch man h i s pu n i s h me n t i m
me d i ate l y u po n d e ath , i n th e i n te r i m before th e ju d gme n t
d ay a n d th e co n s e qu e n t s e par ati o n o f th e go o d an d e vi l . Bu t
su ch a pr o ce d u r e i s r e pu gn a n t to al l ju sti ce . Pau l sai d t h a t
Go d h a th a ppo i n te d a day, i n th e wh i ch h e wi l l ju d ge th e
wo r l d i n r i gh te o u sn e s s (Acts 17:31). T h a t was s ti l l f u tu r e i n
apo sto l i c ti me s. An d th e d ay o f s e par ati o n wi l l n o t co me u n t i l
th e So n o f man sh al l co me i n h i s gl o r y . . . : an d be f o r e h i m
sh al l be ga th e r e d al l n ati o n s : a n d h e sh al l separate them one
from another (Matt. 25:31, 32).
C h r i s t s o wn pr o mi se i s, Be h o l d , I co me qu i ckl y; a n d my
reward i s wi th me , to gi ve e ve r y man acco r d i n g as h i s wo r k
sh al l be (Re v. 22:12). T h a t tal l i e s wi th Hi s pr o mi se , T h o u
s h al t be recompensed at the resurrection of the just (Lu ke
14:14). T h a t al so was Pa u l s pe r so n al e xpe ctati o n : T h e r e i s
l ai d u p f o r me a cr o wn o f r i gh te o u sn e ss, wh i ch th e Lo r d , th e
r i gh te o u s ju d ge , shall give me at that day (2 T i m. 4:8).
An d , as se e n agai n a n d agai n , l i te r al i s m squ ar e l y co n tr a
d i cts th e u n i f o r m te sti mo n y o f th e Ol d T e s ta me n tt h a t th e
d e ad , bo th r i gh te o u s an d wi cke d , wi th o u t r e f e r e n ce to ch ar ac
te r , l i e s i l e n t a n d u n co n sci o u s i n th e sl e e p o f th e f i r st d e ath u n
ti l th e r e s u r r e cti o n day. I n th e Bi bl i cal Had e s th e r e i s n o
spe e ch , si gh t, o r pai n . I t i s n o t a pl ace o f to r tu r e . Bu t th e
Ph ar i se e s h ad mad e Go d s Wo r d vo i d , as co n ce r n s th e co n d i
ti o n o f th e d e ad ,5 by th e i r tr a d i ti o n s d e r i ve d f r o m pagan
Pl ato n i c ph i l o so ph y, wh i ch i n t u r n h ad be e n bo r r o we d f r o m
Egypt, Babyl o n , a n d Pe r si a. So i t was t h a t Di ve s i s h e r e pi c-
Se e Ps. 6:5; 31:17; 88:11; 115:17; 146:4; Eccl . 9:6, 10; 12:7; I s a. 38:17-19, e t ce t e r a .
tu r e d as i n a pl ace o f to r me n t, l i vi n g i n i n su f f e r abl e f l ames. I t
was si mpl y He br ai ze d Pl ato n i s m, a n d was i n n o way co n d o n e d
o r e n d o r se d by C h r i st.
I I I . Gr avi ty o f Ascr i bi ng Fal se T e ach i n g to C h r i st,
Embo d i me n t o f T r u th
1. U s e o f P a r a b l e N o t E n d o r s e m e n t o f I t s T h e o l o g y .
T h e qu e s ti o n ar i se s, Di d n o t J e su s use o f th i s J e wi sh be l i e f
make Hi m e n d o r se th e f i cti ti o u s pl o t o f th e par abl e ? Rath e r ,
i s i t n o t l i ke th e C h r i s ti an sto r y o f th e man wh o d r e ame d th at
h e d i e d a n d we n t to th e gate s o f He ave n ? Sai n t Pe te r su ppo s
e d l y me t h i m th e r e , a n d gave h i m a l o n g pi e ce o f ch al k. He
to l d h i m to cl i mb to th e to p o f so me mar bl e stai r s, a n d th e r e
h e wo u l d f i n d a bl ackbo ar d o n wh i ch h e was to wr i te d o wn al l
h i s si ns. Maki n g h i s way sl o wl y u p th e stai r s, h e me t a f r i e n d
h as te n i n g d o wn . I n h i s s u r pr i se h e aske d h i s f r i e n d wh e r e h e
was go i n g, a n d th e f r i e n d r e pl i e d , I m go i n g d o wn f o r mo r e
ch al k. No w, we ask i n al l se r i o u sn e ss, wo u l d th e te l l i n g o f th a t
sto r y co mmi t o n e to be l i e vi n g th e l i te r al i ty o f th e th e o l o gy o f
th e i l l u s tr ati o n , o r r a t h e r th e po i n t i t was d e si gn e d to co nvey?
2. G r a v i t y o f I m p l i e d C h a r g e s A g a i n s t C h r i s t . T h e
se r i o u sn e ss o f ch ar gi n g t h a t C h r i s t pe r so n al l y be l i e ve d , pu b
l i cl y san cti o n e d , an d actu al l y se t f o r th as t r u t h th i s Gr e co -
J e wi sh par abl e i n vo l vi n g Immo r tal -So u l i sm, i s to ch ar ge Hi m
wi th gro ss i n co n si ste n cy, n e u tr a l i zi n g Hi s o wn te sti mo n y,
pl ayi n g f al se to t r u t h , an d co n tr a d i cti n g Hi s o wn e i gh te e n i l
l u str ati o n s , f r o m an i mate an d i n an i ma te l i f e , co n ce r n i n g th e
d o o m o f th e wi cke d . Wi t h o u t e xce pti o n , He tau gh t th e u tte r ,
u l ti ma te d e s tr u cti o n o f th e wi cke d . I t i s l i ke wi se to pu t C h r i st
i n to tal co n f l i ct wi th Hi s o wn se ve n r e f e r e n ce s to th e co mpl e te
d e s tr u cti o n a n d d i sappe ar an ce o f be i n g, f o r th e wi cke d , i n Hi s
d e f i n i ti ve d e s cr i pti o n s o f th e r e l e n tl e ss f i r es o f Ge h e n n a.
Mo r e th an th at, to a t t r i bu t e be l i e f an d e n d o r s e me n t o f
th i s f abl e o f Di ve s an d Lazar u s to C h r i s t i s to make Hi m d e n y
Hi s o wn u n i f o r ml y co n s i s te n t a n d mu l t i pl e te ach i n gs o n Had e s
th e te r m actu al l y u se d f o r h e l l i n th i s par abl e as a state
o f u n co n sci o u s sl e e p f o r al l me n , go o d a n d bad , be twe e n d e ath
a n d th e r e s u r r e cti o n (as i n J o h n 11:11, 14), f r o m wh i ch there
must be an awakening before there is any return of conscious
ness, thought, or activity, an d wh e r e n o n e o f th e wi cke d ar e
at pr e s e n t u n d e r go i n g to r me n t.
I t l i ke wi se pu ts C h r i s t i n th e po si ti o n o f e n d o r s i n g th e
co n te n ti o n th a t Had e s i s e te r n al , wh e r e as acco r d i n g to th e
Apo cal ypse , i t i s at l ast to be d e str o ye d (Re v. 20:14). An d
e ve n th e f i r es o f Ge h e n n a ar e u l ti mate l y to bu r n o u t a n d d i sap
pe ar wh e n th e y h ave d o n e th e i r a ppo i n te d wo r k, a n d th e
wi cke d ar e n o mo r e , an d al l pai n a n d d e ath a n d to r me n t e n d
f o r e ve r , as th e n e w h e ave n s a n d n e w e a r th su pe r se d e th e
pr e s e n t wo r l d th a t i s to be d e str o ye d i n th e co mi n g l ake o f
f i r e (Re ve l ati o n 21 an d 22; 2 Pe te r 3:10-13).
3. M a k e s C h r i s t G u i l t y o f P u r v e y i n g E r r o r a n d P e r
v e r s i o n .Su ch a ch ar ge make s C h r i s t gu i l ty o f e n d o r s i n g al l
th e mu l ti pl e i n co n si ste n ci e s o f a l i te r al i s ti c i n te r pr e ta t i o n o f a
th e n -cu r r e n t J e wi sh f abl e i n wh i ch th e f i cti o n al f i gu r e s co m
po r t wi th n o ti o n s o f r e t r i bu t i o n d u r i n g th e pe r i o d o f d e a th
cl e ar l y ad o pte d f r o m Pl ato n i s m, wh i ch make s d e ath bu t a co n
ti n u a ti o n o f l i f e i n th e af te r wo r l d . I t wo u l d th u s ch ar ge C h r i s t
wi th gu i l t i n th e pu r ve yan ce o f e r r o r an d pe r ve r si o n . I t wo u l d
pu t Hi m i n to d i r e ct co n f l i ct wi th th e al l -suf f i ci ency o f Scr i ptu r e ,
an d o f Hi s o wn ti me l e ss a d mo n i ti o n : I f th e y h e ar n o t Mo ses
an d th e pr o ph e ts , n e i t h e r wi l l th e y be pe r su ad e d , th o u gh o n e
r o se f r o m th e d e a d (Lu ke 16:31).
4. D e m a n d s o f R e s u r r e c t i o n B r o u g h t o n C r i s i s .T o
acce pt th e Pl ato n i c d o gma o f I mmo r tal -So u l i sm i s to cast o ve r
bo ar d al l t h a t Mo ses an d th e pr o ph e ts h ave wr i tt e n Go d s
appo i n te d wi tn e ss, as we l l as al l t h a t C h r i s t tau gh t. Mo r e o ve r ,
o n e d i d actu al l y r i se f r o m th e d e ad a s h o r t ti me l ate r a n d bo r e
h i s te s ti mo n y (Lazar u s, i n J o h n 11). C h r i s ts car pi n g cr i ti cs
th e r e pr o ve d th e f u ti l i ty o f su ch an appe ar an ce . I n f act, i t was
th i s ve r y e pi so d e C h r i s ts l ast an d cr o wn i n g mi r acl e th at
br o u gh t o n th e cr i si s i n th e r e je cti o n o f J e su s as th e l i f e -gi vi n g
Me ssi ah .
I t was th i s ve r y mi r acl e , d e man d e d by Di ves, t h a t s pu r r e d
th e pr i e sts o n to pl o t an d acco mpl i sh C h r i s ts d e ath (J o h n 11:
47-54). C h r i s t s wo r d s we r e e te r n al l y t r u e th e y we r e n e i th e r
pe r s u ad e d by Lazar u s r e s u r r e cti o n (J o h n 11) n o r by Hi s o wn ,
wh i ch cl i maxe d i t al l (Matt. 28:1-6). T h e y we r e n o t at al l
pe r s u ad e d (Lu ke 16:31), mu ch l ess d i d th e y r e pe n t (v. 30).
IV. Majo r Ar e a o f Di sagr e e me nt Between C h r i st an d Ph ar i sees
We mu s t n o t co n cl u d e th i s su r ve y wi th o u t str e ssi n g th e f act
t h a t th e n a tu r e a n d d e sti n y o f man was a majo r ar e a o f d i sagr e e
me n t be twe e n C h r i st an d th e Ph ar i se e s. He was a Scr i ptu r al -
i st, s u s tai n i n g th e u n var yi n g te ach i n g o f Moses an d th e pr o ph
e ts o n th e n a tu r e a n d d e sti n y o f man . T h e y we r e Pl ato n i sts,
h avi n g l e f t th e s cr i ptu r al pl atf o r m an d e spo u se d th e I n n ate -
I mmo r ta l i ty po s tu l ate o f Pl ato n i c d e d u cti o n an d ph i l o so ph y.
C h r i s t was a C o n d i ti o n al i s t, pr o cl ai mi n g e te r n al l i f e an d i m
mo r ta l i ty as a gi f t, r e s tr i cte d to th o se o n l y wh o s h o u l d be l i e ve
a n d r e ce i ve Hi m as th e Li f e an d th e Re s u r r e cti o n . T h e y we r e
Immo r tal -So u l i sts, h o l d i n g to th e n a tu r a l , i n h e r e n t, co n s ti tu
ti o n a l i mmo r tal i ty o f th e h u man so u l . T o th a t po s i ti o n th e y
we r e n o w i r r e vo cabl y co mmi tte d .
1. D i f f e r e n c e s a s O p p o s i t e a s L i g h t a n d D a r k n e s s .
As to th e d e sti n y o f man , C h r i s t t au gh t th e u l ti ma te a n d u t te r
d e s tr u cti o n o f th e wi l l f u l si n n e r . Man , as a r e je cto r o f l i f e ,
t r u t h , a n d l i gh t, i s mo r tal , a n d h e n ce su sce pti bl e to d e ath
an d d e s tr u cti o n . Bu t th e Ph ar i se e s t au gh t t h a t th e so u l o f man
i s i n n ate l y a n d i n d e f e asi bl y i mmo r tal an d i n d e s tr u cti bl e , an d
th a t th e r e f o r e th e d amn e d wi l l l i ve o n f o r e ve r i n e xcr u ci ati n g
t o r me n t. T h e d i f f e r e n ce was s h ar pl y d r awn an d mu tu a l l y e x
cl u si ve . T h e co n tr as t was as f u n d ame n ta l as th e d i f f e r e n ce be
twe e n l i gh t an d d ar kn e ss.
T h i s ma t te r o f th e so u l an d i ts d e sti n y was an ar e a o f
f u n d ame n ta l d i sagr e e me n t be twe e n C h r i st a n d th e Ph ar i se e s.
On th i s i ssue th e i r po si ti o n s we r e d i ame tr i cal l y o ppo se d an d
i r r e co n ci l abl e . Bu t th e y we r e n o t o n l y to tal l y o ppo si te , th e y
we r e mu tu a l l y d e str u cti ve . I f C h r i s t was r i gh t, th e y we r e
wr o n g. I f C h r i s t s te ach i n gs we r e tr u e , th e i r s we r e e r r o n e o u s
a n d vi ce ve r sa. Obvi o u sl y, i f C h r i s t was vi cto r i o u s, th e y
we r e d e f e ate d . T h e r e was n o e scape f r o m su ch a co n cl u si o n .
I t was o ve r th i s basi c i ssue th a t th e cu l mi n a ti n g cr i si s came
i n t h e i r r e l ati o n s h i ps , as th e y r e je cte d Hi s t r u t h an d ch o se to
cl i n g to th e i r o wn e r r o r . I t was th e i r r e co n ci l abi l i ty o f th e two
po si ti o n s, amo n g o t h e r th i n gs, th a t f i n al l y l e d th e m co mpl e te l y
to r e je ct C h r i st a n d Hi s d i stas te f u l te ach i n gs o n th e l i f e , d e ath ,
an d d e sti n y o f man . T h e y wo u l d h ave n o n e o f Hi s life pr o gr am.
On th i s th e r e co u l d be n o co mpr o mi se , n o ca pi tu l ati o n .
T h a t me a n t th a t He mu st be si l e n ce d , pu t o u t o f th e way. Hi s
wi tn e ss mu s t be cr u s h e d o th e r wi se th e i r o wn po s i ti o n was
d o o me d . I t was a qu e s ti o n o f star k su r vi val , f o r th e y saw th e
o u tco me wi th cr ystal cl e ar n e ss. He mu st go.
2. C h r i s t M u s t N o t B e A r r a y e d A g a i n s t C h r i s t .T h a t
i s wh y i t i s i n co n ce i vabl e th at C h r i st, i n th i s co n tr o ve r te d
pa r a bl e base d o n th e f i cti ti o u s bu t r e pr e s e n tati ve ch ar acte r s o f
Di ve s a n d Lazar u s, i n t h e i r f abl e d co n ve r se , can n o t l o gi cal l y,
s cr i ptu r al l y, o r e th i cal l y be mad e to s u ppo r t th e Ph ar i sai c po si
ti o n o n an e r r o r th a t C h r i st came to co u n te r act an d o ve r
th r o w. T o d o so i s to ar r ay C h r i s t agai n st Hi mse l f (Matt. 12:25;
Mar k 3:24, 25; Lu ke 14:17, 18), an d i n th i s i n stan ce th e Di ves-
Lazar u s n a r r a ti ve agai n st th e to tal e mph asi s an d we i gh t o f Hi s
wh o l e message an d mi ssi o n .
I t i s to take th e u n t h i n ka bl e po s i ti o n o f s i d i n g wi th th e
Ph ar i se e s agai n st C h r i st. An d i t i s to pl ace C h r i s t i n th e i n
co n ce i vabl e po s i ti o n o f a d o pti n g th e f al se r e as o n i n g o f Pl ato n i c
pagan ph i l o s o ph y as agai n st th e i n s pi r e d r e ve l ati o n o f th e
Scr i ptu r e s o f t r u t h . I t i s u n qu e s ti o n abl y to take th e path o f d e
vi ati o n f r o m th e s tr ai gh t a n d n ar r o w way o f t r u t h an d l i f e .
RUSSELL HARLAN, ARTIST 19 4 8 BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD
T h e C ross Pr o vi de s th e On l y Exi t to Sal vati o n an d Li f e Fr o m Ea r th s Dar k
C ave r n o f Si n, Suf f er i ng, an d De ath . I t Is Go d s Pr o vi si o n an d Hu man i tys
On l y Ho pe .
An d i t i n vo l ve s ch ar gi n g C h r i s t wi th s u ppo r ti n g th e gr o ss a b
s u r d i ti e s i n h e r e n t i n a l i te r al i s ti c, I mmo r tal -So u l i s t i n te r pr e
ta t i o n o f th e sto r y o f Di ves a n d Lazar u s. I t i s vi r tu al l y to u n d o
Hi s e n ti r e l i f e s te sti mo n y i n a se l l o u t to th e Ph ar i se e s. T h a t
can n o t be!
Bu t i t mu s t h e r e be ad d e d t h a t th i s same i ssue pe r si sts, i n
var yi n g d e gr e e s, to th i s d ay, pr o pe l l e d by th e gr e at me d i e val
L a ti n apo stasy, a n d pe r pe tu a te d i n man y Pr o te s tan t ci r cl e s.
He n ce th e co n f u s i o n an d co n f l i ct o ve r th i s qu e s ti o n i n th e se
mo d e r n ti me s.
267
I n th e l i gh t o f th e se s o be r i n g f acts an d f u n d ame n ta l
pr i n ci pl e s , a n d i n th e l i gh t o f C h r i s t s i mpe ccabl e tr u th f u l n e s s
a n d Hi s o wn pe r so n i f i cati o n a n d e mbo d i me n t o f t r u t h , we mu s t
t h e r e f o r e d e n y a n d r e je ct th e val i d i ty o f th e l i te r al i s t i n t e r pr e
t a ti o n o f th i s par abl e -f abl e as s u ppo r ti n g th e I n n a te I mmo r t a l
i ty o f th e so u l a n d th e Ete r n al T o r me n t o f th e d amn e d . C h r i st,
we mai n ta i n , was co n s i s te n t a n d t r u t h f u l , a n d u n wave r i n g to
th e e n d i n Hi s ad h e r e n ce to , an d e n u n ci a ti o n o f , th e t r u t h as
to man a n d h i s d e sti n y.
We mu s t n o t pl ace C h r i s t i n th e u n t h i n ka bl e po s i ti o n o f
e n d o r s i n g th e Pl ato n i c e r r o r th a t was so r e pu gn a n t to Hi s ve r y
n a tu r e as th e Fo u n ta i n h e a d o f l i f e a n d t r u t h . He mu s t n o t be
be tr aye d i n th e h o u se o f Hi s C h r i s ti an f r i e n d s. He mu s t n o t be
cr u ci f i e d u po n a cro ss o f I n n ate -I mmo r ta l i ty e r r o r .
V. C o ncl usi o n: Immo r tal Soul i sm C ol l apses Un d e r Scr uti ny
1. F o u r f o l d C a s e A g a i n s t P o p u l a r C o n t e n t i o n .I n
th e l i gh t o f th e f u l l -r o u n d e d e vi d e n ce h e r e su r ve ye d , we r e je ct
th e sto r y o f Di ve s a n d Lazar u s as i n an y way pr o vi n g th e co n
t i n u i n g co n sci o u sn e ss o f th e d e ad o r as e s tabl i s h i n g th e po s tu
l ate o f th e Ete r n a l T o r me n t o f th e wi cke d . Su ch a d u al co n te n
ti o n i s wh o l l y wi th o u t l o gi cal ju sti f i cati o n , an d , as se e n , f l atl y
co n tr ave n e s bo th th e te sti mo n y o f C h r i s t a n d th e co n s i s te n t
wi tn e ss o f Scr i ptu r e . De ath i s co n si ste n tl y se t f o r th th r o u gh o u t
th e Ol d T e s ta me n t as a co n d i ti o n o f si l e n ce , d ar kn e ss, a n d u n
co n sci o u sn e ss, n o t o f l i f e a n d acti vi ty, an d jo y o r ago n y.
I n th e l i gh t o f al l th e f acts a n d f acto r s, we mu s t co n se
qu e n tl y co n cl u d e :
(1) T h a t th e characters i n th i s d i al o gu e , wi th i ts pa r a
bo l i c pe r so n i f i cati o n s, we r e wh o l l y i magi n ar y. T h e l e ge n d ar y
e pi so d e d i d n o t h a ppe n l i te r al l y, an d co u l d n o t h appe n ;
(2) T h a t th e timing was l i ke wi se f i cti ti o u s, f o r i t cl e ar l y
a n te d a te d th e Bi bl i cal se qu e n ce , an d i s co n s e qu e n tl y i n co n
f l i ct wi th Bi bl e t r u t h i n th i s ar e a; an d
(3) T h a t , as th i s i s th e o n l y pl ace i n th e Ne w T e s ta me n t
wh e r e Had e s i s po r tr aye d as a pl ace o f to r me n t, i n th i s f abl e
f o r mju s t as i n th e Ol d T e s ta me n t Isai ah r ai se s d e ad ki n gs
i n sheol to u t t e r a t a u n t u po n Babyl o n (Isa. 14:4-11)i t can
n o t a n d d o e s n o t n u l l i f y th e wh o l e gal axy o f po si ti ve , e xpl i ci t,
n o n f i gu r ati ve a n d i n e scapabl e Bi bl e te ach i n g u po n wh i ch al o n e
C h r i s ti an d o ctr i n e i s to be bu i l t a n d su stai n e d . Pagan Pl ato n i s m,
po l l u t i n g th e J e wi sh f ai th , wh i ch J e su s ci te d bu t d i d n o t e n
d o r se i n th i s l e ge n d ar y f abl e -par abl e , s h o u l d n e ve r be al l o we d
to co r r u pt s o u n d C h r i s ti an d o ctr i n e , wh i ch C h r i st came to es
tabl i s h a n d pr o te ct.
2 . S p e c i f i c C o u n t s A g a i n s t A c c e p t a n c e A r e D e t e r m i
n a t i v e .We sh o u l d th e r e f o r e r e je ct th e co n te n ti o n th a t th e
sl e e pi n g so u l s o f th e d amn e d ar e pr e s e n tl y al i ve i n to r me n t, f o r
t h a t i mpl i e s t h a t ma n s r e war d i s r e ce i ve d at d e ath . Bu t th a t
f al l acy
(1) n u l l i f i e s th e ju d gme n t by anticipating i ts appo i n te d
ti me .
(2) co mpl e te l y contradicts th e cl e ar te sti mo n y t h a t th e
d e ad ar e asl e e p.
(3) r e pr e s e n ts d i s e mbo d i e d s pi r i ts as inconsistently
possessing bo d i l y me mbe r s.
(4) pu ts th e s pi r i ts i n f u l l vi e w o f e ach o th e r f o r e ve r i n
th e f u tu r e wo r l d a n o th e r e xampl e o f th e i n f i l tr a ti o n o f Pe r
si an Du al i sm i n to Pl ato n i s m, an d th e n ce i n to J e wi sh th i n ki n g.
Or , to pu t i t i n a n o th e r way: (1) Go d s a ppo i n te d ti me o f
gr ace f o r man i s before d e ath a n d th e r e s u r r e cti o n wh i ch i s
th e mai n po i n t a n d pu r po s e o f th e par abl e ; (2) r e t r i bu t i o n
co me s o n l y after th e r e s u r r e cti o n ; an d (3) l i f e a f te r d e ath i s
al ways co n ti n ge n t a n d consequent u po n th e r e s u r r e cti o n .
T h e s e d e te r mi n ati ve pr i n ci pl e s ar e vi o l ate d i n a l i te r al i n te r
pr e ta ti o n . T h e sto r y o f Di ve s an d Lazar u s was n e ve r d e si gn e d
to te ach co n d i ti o n s o n th e o th e r si d e o f d e ath . T h a t i s an e x
tr an e o u s co n te n ti o n t h a t h as be e n i n tr o d u ce d wi th o u t war
r an t. I t i s f al l aci o u s as an a r gu me n t an d i s u n wo r th y o f th e
n ame o f s o u n d e xegesi s. T h e l i te r al i s ti c pr o bl e m o f th e pas
sage co l l apse s u n d e r th e we i gh t o f i ts o wn i n co n si ste n ci e s.
C H A P T E R F I F T E E N
C h r i s t s Majesti c Answer to th e
Peni tents Pl ea
I . Pr o bl e m T e xt (Luke 23:43): Pe n i te n t T h i e f T o d ay
an d Par ad i se
We n o w t u r n to th e se co n d pr o bl e m t e xt i n th e Go spe l s
th e so l e mn pr o mi se mad e by C h r i s t to th e pe n i t e n t th i e f o n
th e ad jace n t cro ss at C al var y. T h i s passage i s al ways br o u gh t
f o r th by pr o po n e n ts o f I n n a te I mmo r tal i ty as pr o o f po s i ti ve
o f th e u n i n t e r r u pt e d i mmo r tal i ty o f th e so u l as d e mo n s tr a t
i n g th at bo th C h r i s t an d th e r e pe n t a n t th i e f we n t th a t ve r y
d ay to Par ad i s e (so me i n te r me d i ate pl ace be twe e n th e gr ave
a n d th e r e s u r r e cti o n ), an d th u s t h a t th e i r co n d i ti o n mu s t h ave
be e n o n e o f co n ti n u e d co n sci o u sn e ss an d i n te l l i ge n t f e l l o wsh i p
af te r d e ath . Ho we ve r , i t i s n o t th a t si mpl e o r co n cl u si ve . Le t us
e xami n e th e e vi d e n ce .
1. Se t t i n g o f T h i s A ma z i n g E pi s o d e . T h e backgr o u n d
br i e f l y i s th i s: T wo mal e f acto r s (o r th i e ve s, Matt. 27:38;
Mar k 15:27) we r e l e d , al o n g wi th C h r i st, to C al var y, an d
cr u ci f i e d wi th Hi m th e r e , o n e o n th e r i gh t h an d an d th e
o th e r o n th e l e f t ami d th e ta u n t i n g th r o n g. T h e t r i l i n gu a l su
pe r s cr i pti o n , T h i s i s th e Ki n g o f th e J e ws, was pl ace d u po n
C h r i s ts cro ss (Lu ke 23:38). T h e n o n e o f th e an gu i s h e d mal e
f acto r s r ai l e d o n C h r i st, sayi ng, I f th o u be C h r i st, save th y
se l f an d u s (v. 39). Bu t th e o th e r r e bu ke d h i s cr i mi n al co m
pan i o n , sayi ng:
Do st n o t t h o u f e a r Go d , s e e i n g t h o u a r t i n t h e same co n d e mn a ti o n ?
270
T h e C r uci f i e d C h r i st, th e Au th o r o f Li f e , f T ad Po we r to Pr o mi se Ete r n al Li f e
to th e Pe n i te n t T h i e f an d to Every Re pe n tan t Si n n e r .
HOWARD SANDEN, ARTIST 19 6 3 BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD
An d we i n d e e d ju s tl y; f o r we r e ce i ve t h e d u e r e wa r d o f o u r d e e d s : bu t th i s
ma n h a t h d o n e n o t h i n g ami ss (vs. 40, 41).
I t was at th i s po i n t t h a t h e t u r n e d i n ago n i zi n g co n tr i
ti o n a n d r e ve r e n tl y sai d to J e su s, Lo r d , r e me mbe r me wh e n
t h o u co me st i n to th y ki n gd o m (v. 42).
T h e n i t was t h a t J e su s r e pl i e d (as pu n ctu a te d i n mo st
271
En gl i sh ve r si o n s), Ve r i l y I say u n to th e e , To day s h al t th o u
be wi th me i n par ad i s e (v. 43).
2. A c q u a i n t e d W i t h C h r i s t s C l a i ms a n d O f f e r s . T h a t
i s th e scen e . T h e pe n i t e n t th i e f h ad e vi d e n tl y be e n i n th e
cr o wd th a t h ad wi tn e sse d J e s u s mi r acl e s. Hi s wo r d s atte s t t h a t
h e mu s t h ave l i s te n e d to C h r i s ts mar ve l o u s te ach i n g a bo u t Hi s
co mi n g ki n gd o m. He mu s t h ave h e ar d Hi s gr aci o u s i n vi tati o n s
to co me u n t o Hi m a n d f i n d th e l o n ge d -f o r f o r gi ve n e ss a n d
pe ace t h a t h e cr ave d . Pe r h aps h e h ad se e n J e su s r ai se th e d e ad .
Po ssi bl y h e h ad h e ar d J e su s say t h a t He mu s t be cr u ci f i e d , bu t
wo u l d r i se agai n i n t r i u mph .
I t i s i n co n ce i vabl e t h a t an yo n e wo u l d make su ch a r e
qu e s t wi th o u t su ch a backgr o u n d , f o r h e r e we r e a d yi n g th i e f
an d a d yi n g C h r i s t i n par al l e l i n g po si ti o n s o n a d jo i n i n g crosses.
He mi gh t e ve n h ave be e n a f o l l o we r f o r a ti me , be f o r e h e h ad
t u r n e d u n d e r pr e ssu r e o f e vi l co mpan i o n s to th e cr i me s f o r
wh i ch h e was n o w payi n g th e bi t t e r pe n al ty. I n an y e ve n t, h e
kn e w C h r i s t s cl ai ms a n d o f f ers. An d i n h i s -e l e ve n th -h o u r e x
tr e mi ty h e t u r n e d i n co n tr i ti o n to C h r i st, r e co gn i zi n g Hi s s i n
l essness a n d be l i e vi n g i n Hi s cl ai ms.
Bu t l e t us pr o be i n to th e i n te n t o f th e pe n i t e n t s r e qu e s t,
a n d e spe ci al l y i n to th e i mpo r t o f C h r i s ts r e pl y.
3. W h a t , W h e r e , a n d W h e n Is P a r a d i s e? Le t us o b
se r ve at th e ve r y o u ts e t t h a t o n e o f th e ch i e f d e te r r e n ts to th e
po pu l a r co n te n ti o n i s th e d u al f act (1) th a t the thief did not
die that day, an d (2) t h a t Christ did not go to Paradise that
day, i r r e spe cti ve o f wh e r e i t i s. Bu t th i s l e ad s us d i r e ctl y i n to
th e wh at, wh e r e , a n d wh e n o f Par ad i se (Paradeisos). T h e wo r d
par ad i s e o ccu r s bu t th r e e ti me s i n Scr i ptu r e twi ce i n a d d i
ti o n to th i s use i n Lu ke 23:43. No te car e f u l l y th e first o n e :
Pau l was cau gh t u p, in vision, i n to th e t h i r d h e ave n (2 C o r .
12:2), wh i ch i n ve r se 4 i s e xpr e ssl y af f i r me d to be paradise.
Par ad i se , th e r e f o r e , i s, f i r st o f al l , cl e ar l y i n th e third heaven.
T h e second usage i s i n o u r L o r d s pr o mi se i n th e Apo ca
l ypse, T o h i m th a t o ve r co me th wi l l I gi ve to e at o f th e tr e e o f
C HRI ST S MAJ EST I C ANSWER T O T HE PENI T ENT S PLEA 273
l i f e , wh i ch i s i n th e mi d s t o f th e paradise o f Go d (Re v. 2:7).
T h i s e stabl i sh e s th e f act th a t Par ad i se i s l i ke wi se wh e r e
th e tr e e o f l i f e n o w i s. An d i n Re ve l ati o n 21 a n d 22, i n th e
d e s cr i pti o n o f th e Ne w J e r u s al e m abo ve , we r e ad o f
a pu r e r i ve r o f wate r o f l i f e , cl e ar as cr ystal , pr o ce e d i n g o u t o f th e
th r o n e o f Go d an d o f th e Lamb. I n th e mi d st o f th e str e e t o f i t [th e
ci ty], a n d o n e i th e r si de o f th e r i ve r [of l i f e ], was th e r e th e tree of life,
wh i ch bar e twe l ve ma n n e r o f f r u i ts, an d yi e l d e d h e r f r u i t eve r y mo n th
(Re v. 22:1, 2).
I n th e Se ptu agi n t, th e ga r d e n o f Ed e n i s d e s cr i be d as
th e Paradise i n Ed e n (Ge n . 2:8). So th e tr e e o f l i f e gr o ws i n
th e mi d s t o f th e Par ad i se o f Go d , th e Ho l y C i ty, o n th e ban ks
o f th e r i ve r o f l i f e , wh i ch pr o ce e d s f r o m th e th r o n e o f Go d .
T h a t was th e Par ad i s e o f th e Ol d T e s ta me n t, o f wh i ch th e
pr o ph e ts o f o l d f o r e to l d i n gl o wi n g te r ms. T h a t i s l i ke wi se th e
Par ad i se o f th e Ne w T e s ta me n t i n th e t h i r d h e ave n , wh e r e
th e tr e e o f l i f e i s, an d wh e r e Go d mai n tai n s Hi s th r o n e . Wh o
e ve r , th e r e f o r e , go es to Par ad i se go es i n to th e pr e se n ce o f Go d .
Par ad i se i s e mph ati cal l y n o t Had e s, n o r an y pa r t o f Had e s,
as so me co n te n d . So i f C h r i s t an d th e th i e f we n t to Par ad i se o n
th e d ay o f th e cr u ci f i xi o n , th e y mu s t h ave go n e i n to th e pr e s
e n ce o f Go d th e Fath e r . Bu t l e t us go back to ce r tai n basi c co n
si d e r ati o n s.
I I . T h r e e He ave ns an d Ear th sPast, Pr e se n t, Fu tu r e
T o u n d e r s ta n d th e pr o bl e m o f th e th i e f i n Par ad i se , i t i s
n e ce ssar y f i r st to u n d e r s ta n d th e backgr o u n d o f th e th r e e h e av
e n s a n d e ar th s. Fi r s t o f al l , I n th e be gi n n i n g Go d cr e ate d the
heaven and the earth (Ge n . 1:1). T h e n Pe te r te l l s o f two
h e ave n s a n d e ar th s: T h e a n te d i l u vi a n h e ave n a n d e a r t h
T h e h e ave n s we r e o f o l d , a n d th e e a r th s tan d i n g o u t o f th e
wate r an d i n th e wate r : wh e r e by th e wo r l d th at then was, be
i n g o ve r f l o we d wi th wate r , pe r i s h e d (2 Pe te r 3:5, 6). T h e s e
we r e th e f i r st. T h o s e t h a t f o l l o we d th e Fl o o d , Pe te r cal l s th e
h e ave n s a n d th e e ar th , which are now (v. 7), th e n e xt match
i n g pai r .
1. No C o n f l i c t B e t w e e n P e t e r s a n d J o h n s V e r s i o n s .
J o h n th e r e ve l ato r , h o we ve r , gr o u ps th e se two th e a n t e d i l u
vi an a n d th e po s td i l u vi an to ge th e r an d si mpl y cal l s th e m th e
f i r st h e ave n an d th e f i r st e a r t h (Re v. 21:1), o r th e former
h e ave n an d e a r th (v. 4), i n h i sto r i cal pe r spe cti ve , i n co n tr a
d i s ti n cti o n to th e co mi n g new heaven and new earth. T h e pr e s
e n t e ar th , Pe te r te l l s us, i s ke pt i n sto r e , r e se r ve d u n to f i r e .
T h e n , a t th e cl o se o f th e day of the Lord, th e heavens sh al l
pass away wi th a gr e at n o i se , an d th e e l e me n ts sh al l me l t wi th
f e r ve n t h e at, th e earth al so an d th e wo r ks t h a t ar e th e r e i n sh al l
be bu r n e d u p (2 Pe te r 3:10). An d th e h e ave n s be i n g o n f i r e
s h al l be d i sso l ve d (v. 12). T h a t wi l l mar k th e passi n g o f th e
present h e ave n a n d e ar th .
T h a t wh i ch f o l l o ws th e pr e s e n t h e ave n an d e ar th Pe te r
l i ke wi se cal l s new h e ave n s an d a new e a r t h (2 Pe te r 3:13),
ju s t as J o h n te l l s o f th e same as a new h e ave n an d a new e a r t h
(Re v. 21:1). So th e r e i s co mpl e te h ar mo n y be twe e n th e m o n
th e n e w h e ave n a n d e ar th . Eve n Isai ah o f o l d , i n Go d s a n ci e n t
pr o ph e cy, twi ce d e cl ar e d , Be h o l d , I cr e ate new h e ave n s a n d
a new e a r t h (Isa. 65:17; cf . 66:22).
T h u s we actu al l y h ave th r e e h e ave n s an d e ar th s: (1) T h e
h e ave n s [th at] we r e o f o l d , an d th e e a r t h , o r th e a n te d i l u vi a n
wo r l d t h a t then was (2 Pe te r 3:5, 6); (2) T h e h e ave n s a n d
th e e ar th , wh i ch are now (v. 7); a n d f i n al l y (3) th e new
h e ave n s an d a new e a r t h to co me (v. 13; Re v. 21:1). T h u s
th e r e i s pe r f e ct h ar mo n y i n th e I n s pi r e d Re co r d . An d i t may
tr u l y be sai d t h a t th e co u r se o f th e se th r e e wo r l d s co n s ti tu te s
th e co mpacte d h i sto r y o f th e h u man r ace , an d f r ame wo r k f o r
th e o u two r ki n g o f th e pl an o f r e d e mpti o n .
2. P a r a d i s e o f F i r s t E a r t h R e s t o r e d i n T h i r d E a r t h .
Par ad i se , wi th i ts tr e e o f l i f e , was i n th e first h e ave n a n d
e ar th , bu t d i s appe ar e d by th e ti me o f th e Fl o o d . He n ce i t i s
to tal l y abs e n t i n th e se co n d , o r pr e se n t, h e ave n a n d e ar th . Bu t
i t r e appe ar s i n th e third, o r n e w, h e ave n an d e ar th , wi th i ts tr e e
o f l i f e r e s to r e d (Re v. 2:7; 22:1, 2, 14).
Par ad i se i s Ed e n r e s to r e d an d t h a t i s s ti l l f u tu r e , wh e n
Saf e i n th e Ete r n al C i ty o f Go d, th e Re d e e me d Wi l l Eat o f th e T r e e o f Li f e
an d Dr i n k o f th e Wate r o f Li f e i n Par ad i se Re sto r e d Fo r ever .
C h r i s t wi l l co me i n to Hi s ki n gd o m. Bu t we r e pe at, Paradise was
not entered either by Christ or the thief on that crucifixion day,
as we sh al l see. An d th e r e i s n o r e f e r e n ce to an i n te r me d i ate
state . Ra th e r , C h r i s ts pr o mi se i s to wh at l i e s be yo n d a jo yf u l
r e s u r r e cti o n r e u n i o n f o r th e pe n i t e n t a n d h i s be i n g f o r e ve r
wi th C h r i s t i n Hi s co mi n g ki n gd o m.
I I I . Pe n i te n t Ne i th e r i n Ki ngdo m No r i n Par ad i se T h a t Day
1. D i d N o t D i e o n S a m e D a y .T h e so l d i e r s br o ke th e
l egs o f th e pe n i t e n t th i e f (J o h n 19:31-33), be cau se h e was s ti l l
l i vi n g as t h a t f ate f u l cr u ci f i xi o n Fr i d ay was d r awi n g to war d i ts
cl o se. T h i s was so t h a t h e co u l d n o t e scape . Bu t, be cau se J e su s
was al r e ad y d e ad , Hi s l egs we r e n o t br o ke n . So th e cr u ci f i xi o n
d ay e n d e d a t s u n se t wi th th e th i e f s ti l l al i ve an d J e su s al r e ad y
d e ad . C l e ar l y th e y co u l d n o t h ave be e n i n Par ad i s e together o n
t h a t same cr u ci f i xi o n day.
2. T o g e t h e r T h a t D a y O n l y o n A d j o i n i n g C r o s s e s .
We wo u l d pr ess th e po i n t t h a t th e pe n i t e n t s r e qu e s t to
J e su s was, Lo r d , r e me mbe r me wh e n th o u co me st i n to th y
275
ki n gd o m (Lu ke 23:42). T h e th i e f e vi d e n tl y u n d e r s to o d t h a t
J e su s cl ai me d He wo u l d r e t u r n to se t u p Hi s ki n gd o m. Late r , at
Pe n te co st, Pe te r sai d , An d h e [Go d] sh al l se n d J e su s C h r i st,
wh i ch be f o r e was pr e ach e d u n to yo u : wh o m th e h e ave n mu s t
r e ce i ve until the times of restitution of all things, wh i ch Go d
h a th spo ke n by th e mo u th o f al l h i s h o l y pr o ph e ts si n ce th e
wo r l d be gan (Acts 3:20, 21). An d as th e Savi o u r h as n o t ye t
r e t u r n e d to r e s to r e al l th i n gs, th e pr aye r o f th e th i e f h as n o t
as ye t be e n r e al i ze d .
Fu r th e r mo r e , J e su s co u l d n o t return f r o m He ave n t h a t
day, f o r th e si mpl e an d co n cl u si ve r e aso n t h a t He d i d n o t go to
He ave n t h a t day. On th e th i r d d ay after Hi s cr u ci f i xi o n , C h r i s t
sai d to Mar y, wh o was abo u t to e mbr ace Hi s f e e t i n acco r d an ce
wi th th e a n ci e n t cu sto m o f d e f e r e n ce o r wo r sh i p, T o u ch me
n o t; f o r I am n o t ye t asce n d e d to my Fa t h e r (J o h n 20:17)
i n Par ad i se , a n d th a t was o n th e t h i r d d ay af te r Hi s cr u ci f i xi o n .
Fo r ty days th e r e af te r He d i d asce n d to Go d (Acts 1:3, 9), wh e r e
He h as r e mai n e d ti l l th i s pr e s e n t ti me . So, h ad th e th i e f a ctu
al l y go n e to He ave n th a t d ay (Fr i d ay)wh i ch h e d i d n o t h e
wo u l d h ave h ad to wai t f o r ty-th r e e days be f o r e C h r i s t came to
be wi th h i m.
Therefore Christ and the penitent were not together any
where that day, except on the crosses on Golgotha.
3. J es u s W e n t t o t h e G r a v e, N o t t o Pa r a d i s e, T h a t
D a y . Le t us n o w n o te wh e r e C h r i s t we n t th a t cr u ci f i xi o n d ay.
T h e Scr i ptu r e s e xpr e ssl y te ach th a t i n ste ad o f go i n g to Pa r a
d i se th a t cr u ci f i xi o n d ay, C h r i s t we n t i n to th e gravesheol,
hades, gr ave d o m. Re f e r r i n g to th e f i r st co mi n g o f C h r i s t a n d
Hi s a to n i n g d e ath , th e psal mi st Davi d pr o ph e s i e d , Fo r t h o u
wi l t n o t l e ave my so u l i n hell [He b. sheol, th e gr ave ]; n e i t h e r
wi l t th o u su f f e r th i n e Ho l y On e to see co r r u pt i o n (Ps. 16:10).
An d Pe te r , a t Pe n te co st, co n f i r ms th i s: Fo r Davi d spe ake th
co n ce r n i n g h i m [C h r i st] . . . ; th o u wi l t n o t l e ave my soul
i n hell [Gr . hades], n e i t h e r wi l t t h o u su f f e r th i n e Ho l y On e
[C h r i st] to see co r r u pt i o n (Acts 2:25-27).
T h e Scr i ptu r e s e xpl i ci tl y te ach t h a t th e r e i s n o wo r k, n o r
d e vi ce , n o r kn o wl e d ge , n o r wi sd o m, i n th e grave [sheol],
wh i th e r th o u go e st (Eccl . 9:10). I n th a t ve r y d ay [o f d e ath ]
h i s th o u gh ts pe r i s h (Ps. 146:4). On th e co n tr ar y, th e Im-
mo r tal -So u l i st make s hades (o r OT sheol) a pl ace o f l i f e an d
jo y; a n d Par ad i s e so me pa r t o f hades. Bu t th e Bi bl i cal hades
co u l d n o t h ave be e n th e Par ad i se wh e r e i n th e th i e f a n d h i s
Savi o u r we r e to me e t an d r e jo i ce .
As n o te d , th e Par ad i s e o f Go d , wi th i ts tr e e o f l i f e , i s
cl e ar l y n o t i n th e gr ave , bu t i n He ave n to be e n te r e d by th e
d o o r o f th e r e s u r r e cti o n . I t wo u l d be u tte r l y u n s cr i ptu r a l to
say th a t J o s e ph s n e w to mb, wh e r e i n J e su s was l ai d , was Pa r a
d i se . Bu t wh e n th e f u l l te ach i n g o f Scr i ptu r e i s ad o pte d , th i s
e pi so d e i s i n pe r f e ct h ar mo n y wi th th e r e st o f th e Bi bl e o n th e
i n te r me d i a te state .
T h a t i s th e be au ty an d maje sty o f t r u th .
4. N o t i n H e a v e n D u r i n g T h r e e D a y s a n d N i g h t s .
Ou r Lo r d Hi mse l f was i n th e gr ave f r o m th e ti me He d i e d a n d
was bu r i e d i n J o s e ph s n e w to mb u n t i l He r o se . I f an yo n e co n
te n d s t h a t C h r i s t s s pi r i t wh i ch a t Hi s d e ath He co m
me n d e d i n to Hi s Fa t h e r s h an d s (Lu ke 23:46)was th e ac
tu al , th e r e al C h r i st, th a t n o ti o n i s pr e cl u d e d by C h r i s t Hi m
sel f , wh e n He sai d th a t ju s t as su r e l y as th e pr o ph e t J o n a h was
th r e e days an d th r e e n i gh ts i n th e wh al e s be l l y (Matt.
12:40), so was th e Son of man to be th r e e days an d th r e e n i gh ts
i n th e h e a r t o f th e e a r t h He br ai s m f o r th e e ar th , th e s e pu l
ch e r , o r to mb (Matt. 27:60; Mar k 15:46; Lu ke 23:53; J o h n
19:40-42).
T o th o se wh o came to th e se pu l ch e r o n th e r e s u r r e cti o n
mo r n th e an ge l sai d , I kn o w th a t ye seek Jesus, wh i ch was
cr u ci f i e d . He i s n o t h e r e : f o r he i s r i s e n (Matt. 28:5, 6). He
was n o t i n th e to mb because He h ad r i se n . T h a t i s cl e ar . Bu t
He was i n th e to mb u n t i l He l e f t i t by r i s i n g f r o m th e to mb,
an d th u s l e avi n g i ts pr e ci n cts. An d e ve n af te r Hi s r e s u r r e cti o n ,
a n d be f o r e Hi s asce n si o n , i t wi l l be r e cal l e d , He d e cl ar e d th a t
He h ad n o t ye t asce n d e d to Hi s Fa th e r (J o h n 20:17). Jesus
was not in Heaven during those three days.
IV. Me an i n g C o mpl etel y Al te r e d by Po si ti o n o f C o mma
1. P u n c t u a t i o n C o n s t i t u t e s E x e g e s i s R i g h t o r
W r o n g .Bu t th e mai n pr o bl e m, te ch n i cal l y, i s wh e th e r th e
ad ve r b to d ay [semeron, th i s d ay, o r to d ay] qu al i f i e s
say, o r s h al t be . I f i t qu al i f i e s say, al l i s h ar mo n i o u s ;
bu t i f i t qu al i f i e s s h al t be , th e r e i s sh ar p d i sco r d wi th th e
r e st o f Scr i ptu r e . We wo u l d str ess th e po i n t t h a t th e r e we r e
abso l u te l y n o pu n ctu a t i o n mar ks i n th e o r i gi n al . An d as pu n c
t u a t i o n mar ks we r e n o t i n tr o d u ce d u n t i l man y ce n tu r i e s af te r
th e Ne w T e s ta me n t was wr i tte n , i t i s e vi d e n t t h a t the punc
tuation of the Bible is therefore entirely human and variable,
and not inspired. Bu t t h a t i s n o t al l . T h e me an i n g o f a te xt
may be co mpl e te l y ch an ge d by th e wr o n g po si ti o n o f a co mma.
T a ke f o r e xampl e : Bu t th i s man , af te r h e h ad o f f e r e d o n e
sacr i f i ce f o r si ns f o r e ve r , sat d o wn o n th e r i gh t h an d o f Go d
(He b. 10:12).
I f th e co mma i s wr o n gl y pl ace d af te r sins, th e passage
says th a t J e su s f o r e ve r sat d o wn o n th e r i gh t h an d o f Go d
a n d th u s wi l l n e ve r co me agai n to th i s wo r l d . Bu t wh e n i t
i s r i gh tl y pl ace d af te r for ever, th e n th e passage says t h a t
af te r C h r i s t h ad o f f e r e d Hi mse l f as th e f i nal , o n ce -f o r -al l s acr i
f i ce, He th e n sat d o wn o n th e r i gh t h an d o f Go d ; . . . till h i s
e n e mi e s be mad e h i s f o o ts to o l , wh e n He r e tu r n s at Hi s sec
o n d ad ve n t.
Si mi l ar l y wi th Lu ke 23:43. I f th e co mma be pl ace d after
to d ay, th e te xt i s i n h ar mo n y wi th th e r e st o f Scr i ptu r e ,
a n d n o l o n ge r te ach e s th at th e th i e f we n t to He ave n t h a t d ay
to be wi th C h r i s twh o , be i t agai n n o te d , d i d n o t asce n d u n
ti l so me f o r ty-th r e e days af te r th e cr u ci f i xi o n . I t i s th u s o b
vi o u s t h a t pu n ctu a t i o n i s a d e f i n i te f acto r i n exegesi s. An d i n
th i s i n stan ce (o f Lu ke 23:43) th e co mma make s th e e xe gesi s
co n tr ad i cto r y a n d co n tr o ve r ti ve . I n f act, i t i s, i n ste ad , an u n
wi tti n g case o f ei segesi s. Bu t o n e pa r t o f Go d s Wo r d mu s t
n e ve r be ar r aye d agai n st an o th e r .
2. P l a c i n g o f C o m m a D e t e r m i n e s M e a n i n g . W e n o w
pr e s e n t th e pr o bl e m se n te n ce i n th r e e co n tr as ti n g f o r ms: (1)
as i t a ppe ar e d o r i gi n al l y, th a t i s, wi th o u t an y man -mad e pu n c
tu ati o n ; (2) as i t appe ar s i n th e A.V. an d mo st En gl i sh tr an s l a
ti o n s, an d i s mad e to s u ppo r t th e I n n ate -I mmo r tal i ty co n ce pt,
be cau se o f th e po s i ti o n o f th e co mma, i n je cte d by th e Im-
mo r tal -So u l i s t tr an s l ato r s , between th e e an d to d ay; an d
(3) as th e s e n te n ce i s pu n ctu a te d wi th th e co mma following
to d ay. T h u s th e te xt co n f o r ms to th e ge n e r al te ach i n g o f
Scr i ptu r e . I n th i s way, by th e si mpl e s h i f ti n g o f th e man -mad e
co mma, h ar mo n y, be au ty, an d t r u t h ar e r e -e stabl i sh e d . C o m
par e th e th r e e :
(1) Ve r i l y I say u n t o t h e e to d ay s h a l t t h o u be wi th me i n pa r a d i s e .
(2) Ve r i l y I say u n t o th e e , T o d ay s h a l t t h o u be wi th me i n pa r a
d i s e .
(3) Verily I say unto thee to day, Shalt thou be with me in para
dise.
We n e e d h ave n o h e s i tati o n i n s h i f ti n g th e co mma f r o m
th e pl ace i n wh i ch th e h u man tr an s cr i be r s an d tr an s l ato r s saw
f i t to pl ace i t wh e n i t avo i d s th e co n tr ad i cti o n o f a d o ctr i n e
Go d h as so cl e ar l y r e ve al e d . An d th e r e i s n o r u l e o f th e Gr e e k
l an gu age to pr e ve n t th e pl aci n g o f th e co mma af te r , i n ste ad o f
be f o r e , to d ay, wh e n so r e qu i r e d to avo i d a co n tr ad i cti o n .
An d th e Scr i ptu r e s th e mse l ve s d e man d ju s t th at i n o r d e r to
pr e se r ve th e u n i ty o f th e Wo r d .
V. De te r mi n i n g Evi dences o n th e T e ch n i cal Si de
T h i s pa r t i cu l a r te xt (Lu ke 23:43) d i f f e r s f r o m al l o th e r
pr o bl e m te xts i n t h a t i t pr e se n ts a te ch n i cal si de , i n vo l vi n g
n o t me r e l y se man ti cs (o r th e qu e s ti o n o f me an i n gs o f te r ms
a n d th e si gn i f i cati o n o f th e i n s pi r e d wo r d s o r f o r ms), bu t al so
(1) th e me ch an i cal e l e me n t o f pu n ctu a ti o n , wh i ch i s pu r e l y
man mad e , a n d was n o t i n an y way a pa r t o f th e o r i gi n al ma n u
scr i pts; (2) th e po s i ti o n o f th e Gr e e k ad ve r b semeron (to
d ay, o r th i s d ay). Fi r s t n o te th e ma tte r o f pu n ctu a ti o n .
1. P u n c t u a t i o n B a s e d E n t i r e l y o n H u m a n A u t h o r i t y .
Pu n ctu a ti o n , as we h ave i t to d ay, was e n ti r e l y abs e n t i n th e
o r i gi n al Ne w T e s ta me n t Gr e e k man u s cr i pts . T h e e ar l i e s t
man u s cr i pts (th e Ryl an d s Fr agme n t an d th e Bo d me r Papyr i )
h ave o n l y an o ccasi o n al d o t, o r po i n t, o n a l eve l wi th th e to p
o f th e l e tte r s, so me ti me s a space. T h e te xt co n ti n u e s wi th o u t
an y d i vi si o n s be twe e n l e tte r s o r wo r d s u n t i l man u s cr i pts o f
th e n i n t h ce n tu r y, wh e n i n th e C o d e x Au gi e n si s (i n C am
br i d ge ) a si n gl e po i n t appe ar s s e par ati n g e ach wo r d th i s d o t
be i n g pl ace d i n th e mi d d l e o f th e l i n e . Of te n i t was o mi tte d .
I n as mu ch as n o n e o f o u r mo d e r n mar ks o f pu n ctu a t i o n
appe ar e d u n t i l th e n i n t h ce n tu r y, i t i s th e r e f o r e e vi d e n t t h a t
th e pu n ctu a t i o n o f al l mo d e r n e d i ti o n s o f th e Gr e e k T e xt 1
rests entirely on human authority3 I t was th e wo r k o f t r a n
scr i be r s a n d tr an s l ato r s , i n se r te d i n acco r d an ce wi th th e i r be st
ju d gme n t, bu t i n f l u e n ce d at ti me s by th e i r th e o l o gi cal co n
ce pts. Pu n ctu a ti o n , as we kn o w i t, th e r e f o r e h as n o r i gh t f u l
we i gh t i n d e te r mi n i n g, o r e ve n i n f l u e n ci n g, th e i n te r pr e ta t i o n
o f a si n gl e passage. (No r i s th e r e a u th o r i ty f o r capi tal l e tte r s.)
Consequently no legitimate argument can he made on the
position of the comma in Luke 23:43. Rath e r , i t i s to be pl ace d
wh e r e i t co mpo r ts wi th th e d e man d s o f Scr i ptu r e .
2. P u n c t u a t i o n N o t I n t r o d u c ed T i l l T i me o f R e n
a i s s a n c e. An d , as state d , th e r e i s n o r u l e o f th e Gr e e k l a n
gu age th a t d e te r mi n e s th e pl aci n g o f a co mma. I t mu s t be
pl ace d so as to be i n h ar mo n y wi th th e ge n e r al te n o r o f th e
Wo r d , a n d so as n o t to pr o d u ce a co n f l i ct i n i ts te ach i n gs. On e
pa r t mu st n e ve r be ar r aye d agai n st an o th e r . Mo d e r n pu n ctu a
ti o n , d e ve l o pe d a f te r th e i n tr o d u cti o n o f pr i n t i n g, was a t t r i b
u te d to Al d u s Man u ti u s , l e ar n e d pr i n t e r o f Ve n i ce , o f th e f i f
t e e n th ce n tu r y. So th e se mar ki n gs ar e d e s ti tu te o f an y d e te r
mi n i n g au th o r i ty. Pu n ctu ati o n , we mu st th e r e f o r e co n cl u d e , h as
1T h e d a t i n g o f t h e l e a d i n g printed e d i ti o n s o f t h e Gr e e k t e xt a r e : Er a s mu s (1516),
Ste ph e n s (1546-1549), Be za (1624), El ze vi r (1624), Gr i e s ba ch (1774-1775), Sch o l z (1830-1836),
L a ch ma n n (1831-1850), T i s ch e n d o r f (1841-1872), T r e ge l l e s (1856-1872), Al f o r d (1862-1871),
Wo r d s wo r th (1870), Re vi s e r s T e xt (1881), We s t co tt a n d Ho r t (1881-1903), Scr i ve n e r (1886),
We ymo u th (1886), Ne s tl e (1904)Companion Bible, Appe n d i x 94, p. 136.
- Ge o r ge R. Be r r y, e d i t o r o f Interlinear Literal Translation of the Greek New Testament,
s ays , T h e r e i s n o a u t h o r i t y a n ywh e r e f o r th e pu n ct u a t i o n . We a r e an xi o u s t h a t o u r r e a d e r s
s h o u l d r e me mbe r t h a t [e ve n ] pa r a gr a ph s h ave n o a u t h o r i t y (I n t r o d u ct i o n , p. i i ).
no weight whatever in determining the original intent of a
single passage.
3. R e l a t i o n s h i p o f G r e e k A d v e r b S e m e r o n t o P r o b
l e m .I t s h o u l d al so be bo r n e i n mi n d th a t th e Gr e e k ad ve r b
semeron (to d ay) stan d s be twe e n th e ve r bs lego (I say)
a n d ese (yo u wi l l be ), an d mi gh t appl y to e i th e r . I t i s al so
to be n o te d t h a t th i s ad ve r b, semeron (to d ay, o r be tte r , o n
th i s d ay), o ccu r s i n th e Se ptu agi n t Ol d T e s ta me n t a n d th e
Gr e e k Ne w T e s ta me n t 259 ti me s. I t i s u se d as an ad je cti ve 24
ti me s, an d wi th o u t a ve r b to qu al i f y, 14 ti me s. Of th e r e ma i n
i n g 221 ti me s, i t precedes th e ve r b i t qu al i f i e s 51 ti me s bu t
follows i t 170 ti me s.
T h u s e ve n f r o m th e an gl e o f u sage th e pr e po n d e r an ce i s
i n f avo r o f pl aci n g th e co mma after to d ay. I t i s al so to be
n o te d t h a t lego soi (I say to th e e ) i s r e ve r se d i n th e T i sch e n -
d o r f an d T r e ge l l e s te xts to soi lego (to th e e I say). Bu t
th e se ar e si d e l i gh ts.
I n Lu ke 23:43 th e to d ay s h o u l d be co n n e cte d wi th th e
He br ai s m, I say to th e e , to e mph asi ze th e so l e mn i ty o f th e
o ccasi o n , n o t wi th th e s h al t th o u be . T h u s , i n ste ad o f me r e l y
a remembrance o f th e pe n i t e n t wh e n C h r i s t sh o u l d co me i n to
Hi s ki n gd o m, J e su s pl e d ge s a presence and participation, th e n ,
i n asso ci ati o n wi th Hi mse l f . T h i s e xpl ai n s wh y J e su s se e m
i n gl y d i d n o t an swe r th e pe n i t e n t s r e qu e s t me r e l y o n i ts o wn
te r ms. I t e mbr ace d mu ch mo r e .
T h e th i e f was n o t co n ce r n e d pr i mar i l y wi th when h e
wo u l d r e ach Par ad i se , bu t whether h e wo u l d h ave a pl ace i n
C h r i s t s ki n gd o mn o t when bu t whether. J e su s an swe r was
an assu r an ce th a t h o we ve r u n d e s e r vi n g h e mi gh t be , o r h o w
e ve r i mpo ssi bl e i t mi gh t appe ar f o r th e d yi n g J e su s to br i n g
Hi s pr o mi se to pass, h e was assu r e d l y to be th e r e . I n d e e d , i t
was C h r i s t s pr e se n ce a n d appr o ach i n g d e ath o n th e cro ss th at
assu r e d th e f r u i ti o n o f su ch a h o pe .
T h u s th e pr o bl e m te xt (Lu ke 23:43) h ar mo n i ze s wi th th e
man y te xts o f th e Ol d T e s ta me n t, d e cl ar i n g, I say to yo u
th i s d ay, . . .; I te sti f y to yo u th i s d ay, . . .; e t ce te r a.
RUSSELL HARLAN, ARTIST 1 9 5 7 BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD
C h r i s ts Empty T o mb Is Ou r Assurance o f Li f e. Because C h r i st Di e d We Need
No t Di e. Because He Ro se We T o o Sh al l Li ve.
See De u te r o n o my 6:6; 7:11; 8:1; 10:13; 11:8, 13, 28; 13:18;
19:9; 27:4; 31:2, e t ce te r a, wh e r e i t i s to be pa r ti cu l a r l y n o te d ,
the Septuagint corresponds to the usage in Luke 23:43. He r e ar e
two e xampl e s f r o m th e Se ptu agi n t:
I co mma n d t h e e this day, to l o ve th e L o r d th y Go d , to wal k i n
h i s ways, a n d to ke e p h i s o r d i n a n ce s (De u t. 30:16).
"I d e cl a r e to yo u this day, t h a t ye s h a l l s u r e l y pe r i s h (De u t.
30:18).
Mo ses d i d n o t me an t h a t th e y sh o u l d su r e l y pe r i s h t h a t
d ay, bu t t h a t th e y wo u l d su r e l y pe r i sh i f th e y t u r n e d away
f r o m th e Lo r d .
VI. Mo st Subl i me Epi so de o f C h r i sts Re d e mpti ve C ar e e r
An d n o w, wi th th e e vi d e n ce al l be f o r e us, pi ctu r e th e
sce n e agai n . J e su s h ad f o r th r e e ye ar s be e n pr e ach i n g to th e
l i s te n i n g mu l ti tu d e s co n ce r n i n g Hi s co mi n g ki n gd o m o f gl o r y.
A pa r t i n t h a t ki n gd o m h ad be e n pr o mi s e d to al l Hi s f ol -
282
l o we r s. Bu t n o w th e po we r s o f d e ath pr e sse d i n a r o u n d Hi m.
Dar kn e ss a n d f ai l u r e se e me d d e s ti n e d to t r i u mph , cr u s h i n g
d o wn Hi s l o f ty pr o mi se s to th e d e pr e ssi n g pr o spe cts o f th e
gr ave . He wh o was to h ave be e n ki n g i n th e co mi n g t r i u mph
was n o w e xpi r i n g i n ago n y a n d r e pr o ach . Mo r e o ve r , Hi s i n n e r
mo st d i sci pl e s h ad f o r sake n Hi m a n d f l ed. No n e sto o d wi th
Hi m i n th e cr i si s h o u r . Ne ve r h ad th e o u tl o o k se e me d so
bl e ak an d bl aste d .
1. R e c o g n i z e d i n J e s u s t h e C o m i n g K i n g . Bu t i t was
ami d t h a t e n s h r o u d i n g d ar kn e ss t h a t d i vi n e i l l u mi n a ti o n
f l ash e d i n to th e mi n d o f t h a t s tr i cke n th i e f o n th e ad jo i n i n g
cro ss. C o n vi cti o n o f th e tr u th f u l n e s s o f J e su s cl ai ms as th e
Me ssi ah , th e So n o f Go d , pi e r ce d h i s h e ar t. He h ad se e n th e
s u pe r s cr i pti o n u po n C h r i s t s cro ss, T h e Ki n g o f th e J e ws.
He r e co gn i ze d i n th e o u tcast, an gu i s h e d J e su s, th e Ki n g o f th e
co mi n g age. He r e al i ze d t h a t J e su s mu s t f i r st be r e s u r r e cte d ,
as He cl ai me d He wo u l d be , i f He we r e to r e i gn as ki n g.
Ne ve r th e l e ss, va u l ti n g al l o bstacl e s, a n d acce pti n g C h r i s t f o r
wh at He cl ai me d to be , th e pe n i t e n t th e n an d th e r e pl ace d h i s
tr u s t an d h i s f u tu r e i n to th e h an d s o f th e d yi n g J e su s.
L o r d , h e pe ti ti o n e d , r e me mbe r me i n th e d ay wh e n
T h o u co me st i n to T h y t r i u mph a n d gl o r ywh e n th o u
co me st i n to [po ssessi o n of ] th y ki n gd o m. I t i s o n e o f th e
h i gh e st acts o f f ai th e ve r r e co r d e d . An d th e n i t was t h a t J e su s,
th e su f f e r i n g Savi o u r , th e cr o ss-n ai l e d C h r i st, i n th e h e ar i n g
o f th a t mo cki n g, je e r i n g mu l t i t u d e , maje sti cal l y d e cl ar e d ,
Ve r i l y, I say u n t o th e e todaytoday, i n th i s My h o u r o f d a r k
ness an d sh ame an d ago n y, wh e n th e cro ss i s se e mi n gl y d e f e ati n g
al l My cl ai ms; today, ami d al l th e se f o r l o r n pr o spe cts an d
bl i gh te d h o pe s, so f ar as th e n a tu r a l eye can seeVe r i l y, I say
u n t o th e e today, Thou shalt be with Me in Paradise, th e
n e w-e ar th h o me o f th e sai n ts, wi th Me yes, with Me
wh e n My ki n gd o m sh al l i n d e e d be e stabl i sh e d i n t r i u mph an d
gl o r y f o r e ve r mo r e l
2. S y m b o l o f M u l t i t u d e s i n E a r t h s E l e v e n t h H o u r .
Su ch i s th e be au ty a n d f o r ce o f th e se wo r d s o f o u r Lo r d , u t te r e d
to war d th e cl o se o f th a t cr u ci f i xi o n d ay. Bu t th e s catte r e d d i s
ci pl e s mi sse d th e i r i mpact, f o r th e y h ad f l ed, an d h ad h e a r d th e m
n o t. An d th e t a u n t i n g mu l t i t u d e pai d n o h e e d . On l y th e pe n i
te n t th i e f h e ar d a n d u n d e r s to o d th e i r i mpo r t. No w, i n th e l i gh t
o f th a t act o f f ai th , n o se par ati n g ve i l o f d ar kn e ss co u l d l o n g be
cl o u d C h r i s ts vi si o n . Hi s ago n y o ve r th e f e ar e d f o r saki n g by
Hi s Fa th e r (Matt. 27:46) passe d. Hi s pr o ph e ti c f o r e si gh t
pe n e tr ate d th e ph ysi cal d ar kn e ss (27:45) an d f i xe d i tse l f u po n
th e d e s ti n e d co mi n g vi cto r y o ve r d e ath . Li f te d u p f r o m th e
e a r th o n C al var ys cro ss (J o h n 3:14, 15), He h ad d r awn o n e o f
Hi s co mpan i o n su f f e r e r s u n to sal vati o n an d l i f e i n t h a t cl i mac
ti c h o u r . He d i e d wi th Hi s tr u s t i n Hi s Fa th e r (Lu ke 23:46).
I n th i s l ast co n ve r t e r e He d i e d symbo l o f mu l ti tu d e s
wh o wo u l d ye t be l i e ve , man y o f th e m i n th e e l e ve n th h o u r o f
h u man h i sto r y (Matt. 20:6-16)He saw th e tr avai l o f Hi s
so u l an d was sati sf i e d (Isa. 53:11). He was co mf o r te d by th e
f ai th o f a pe n i t e n t th i e f . An d th e s h ar e r o f th e su f f e r i n g o f Go l
go th a wo u l d be wi th Hi m i n Par ad i se r e sto r e d , a n d t h a t f o r e ve r .
Su ch i s th e gr a n d e u r o f th at d ayth e th i e f a n d th e Ki n g si d e
by si de , an d th e t h i e f n o t ash ame d o f th e C r u ci f i e d On e , o f
wh o m apo stl e s we r e ash ame d ; th e th i e f t r u s ti n g i n th e On e
wh o m Hi s cl o se st d i sci pl e s h ad te mpo r ar i l y ce ase d to tr u s t.
3. P r o b l e m R e m o v e d b y S h i f t o f C o m m a .T h u s by
th e si mpl e s h i f ti n g o f th e man -mad e co mmami spl ace d man y
ce n tu r i e s to o l ate by th e mi sgu i d e d tr an s l ato r s be cau se o f t h e i r
Pl ato n i c mi sco n ce pti o n sth e pr o bl e m o f th i s te xt i s r e mo ve d ,
h ar mo n y i s e stabl i sh e d wi th th e ge n e r al te n o r o f Scr i ptu r e ,
a n d th e be au ty a n d si gn i f i can ce o f th a t maje sti c u tte r an ce stan d s
o u t i n i ts t r u e gr a n d e u r i n o n e o f th e mo st s u bl i me e pi so d e s o f
C h r i s t s r e d e mpti ve car e e r o n e ar th . C h r i st d i e d , co n sci o u s o f
th e tr u s t o f Hi s f e l l o w su f f e r e r o n th e a d jo i n i n g cro ss. An d be
cau se He d i e d , th e th i e f wi l l l i ve f o r e ve r mo r e i n th e co mi n g
ki n gd o m.
4. B e w a r e o f P u t t i n g F a l s e h o o d o n L i p s o f C h r i s t .
Le t u s be war e l e st we co mmi t th e au d aci o u s act o f pu t ti n g
u po n th e l i ps o f T r u t h I n car n ate , i n th e so l e mn h o u r be f o r e
d e a th , a mo cki n g e ch o o f th e l i e o f Ed e n , wh i ch He came to
co n f u te a n d e xpo se . Le t us be o n o u r gu ar d l e st we pl ace th e
d yi n g So n o f Go d i n th e u n t h i n ka bl e po si ti o n o f o f f e r i n g a
mo cki n g h o pe to th e r e pe n t a n t th i e f o f be i n g to ge th e r so me
wh e r e t h a t day, i n so me Pl ato n i c, J e wi sh , papal , o r Pr o te s tan t
par ad i s e a d e ce pti o n th a t wo u l d n o t o n l y be to tal l y u n t r u e bu t
u t te r l y r e pu gn a n t to J e su s, th e i n e r r a n t an d i mpe ccabl e e m
bo d i me n t a n d e xpo n e n t o f tr u t h .
T h a t wo u l d be a sacr i l e gi o u s, yes, a me n d aci o u s act, f e ar
f u l i n i ts i mpl i cati o n s , a n d f o r wh i ch th e pe r pe t r a t o r wo u l d
assu r e d l y be h e l d acco u n tabl e . Ne ve r s h o u l d we f o r ge t th e
so l e mn d i ctu m o f Ho l y Wr i t, I t was i mpo ssi bl e f o r Go d to
l i e (He b. 6:18), a n d th e par al l e l i n g t r u t h th a t He n e ve r d e
cei ves. C h r i s t wo u l d n e ve r r e ve r se th e i n f al l i bl e u tte r an ce o f
Ed e n t h a t He came to su stai n .
C H A P T E R S I X T E E N
C h r i s t Portrays Doom of Wi cked
as Utte r Destructi on
I . Seventeen Gr aph i c Il l u str ati o n s o f Doom o f Wi cked
I n co n cl u d i n g th e wi tn e ss o f C h r i st, l e t us e xami n e Hi s
i n e r r a n t te sti mo n y o n th e f ate o f th e wi cke d . C h r i s t e ve r
tau gh t th e m as o n e h avi n g a u th o r i ty, a n d n o t as th e scr i be s
(Matt. 7:29; cf . J o h n 7:26). T h e s e l e ar n e d me n al ways d e
f e r r e d a n d r e f e r r e d to t r a d i ti o n o r to wh at so me n o te d te ach e r
h ad sai d . Bu t C h r i s tC r e ato r , Savi o u r , Pr i e st, J u d ge , a n d r e
t u r n i n g Ki n gi s th e su pr e me a u th o r i ty o f al l ti me i n th i s
f i el d. He kn o ws ma n s f r ame an d ma n s d e sti n y. He can n o t e r r
a n d wi l l n o t mi sl e ad . Le t us r e ve r e n tl y h e ar a n d be l i e ve Hi s
wi tn e ss. He r e i s wh at He says:
1. I l l u s t r a t i o n s F r o m I n a n i m a t e L i f e .J e su s gave
se ve n te e n gr aph i c i l l u s tr ati o n s , d r awn f r o m bo th i n an i mate
an d a n i mate l i f e , to po r tr ay co mpr e h e n si ve l y th e d o o m o f th e
wi cke d . T h e y ar e str i ki n gl y co n cl u si ve . (So me ar e r e pe ate d ,
e vi d e n tl y f o r e mph asi s.) C h r i s ts te r se al l u si o n s we r e bo th
vi vi d a n d i n e scapabl e . T h e y d i vi d e th e mse l ve s i n to two al l -e n
co mpassi n g gr o u ps. He r e i s th e i n i ti a l gr o u p, i n t h e i r En gl i sh
r e n d e r i n g. I n e i gh t d i f f e r e n t f i gur e s C h r i s t d e cl ar e s th e s i n
gl e t r u t h .
A h o u se bu i l t o n san d falls (Matt. 7:26, 27).
T ar e s ar e gath e r e d an d burned (Matt. 13:30, 40).
Bad f i sh ar e cast away (v. 48).
Har mf u l pl an ts ar e rooted up (15:13).
Wo r th l e ss tr e e s ar e cut down (Lu ke 13:7).
286
C HRI ST PORT RAY S DOOM OF WIC KED AS DEST RUC T I ON 287
Wi th e r e d br an ch e s ar e burned (J o h n 15:6).
De bto r i s h e l d i n prison (Matt. 5:26; ISIS'!).1
Of f e n d e r i s cast into outer darkness (8:12; 22:13; 25:30).
I n e ach case (save th e l ast two , gi ve n f o r an o th e r pu r po se )
th e d e s tr u cti o n i s d e cl ar e d co mpl e te , l e ad i n g to u t te r a n d f i n al
d i s i n te gr ati o n . T h e d o o m o f th e wi cke d was n e ve r po r tr aye d
by C h r i st as an e n d l e ss l i f e i n to r me n t. T h e tr e e wh i ch
br i n ge th n o t f o r th go o d f r u i t , He d e cl ar e s, i s hewn down,
an d cast into the fire (Matt. 3:10). T h a t si gni f i e s i ts f i n al an d
complete destruction and disappearance.
2. S e c o n d G r o u p B a s e d o n H u m a n L i f e .I n Hi s se co n d
gr o u p o f i l l u s tr ati o n s , base d u po n human lifeth u s o bvi ati n g
an y mi s u n d e r s ta n d i n g o r e vasi o n th e Maste r d e cl ar e s:
T h e wi cke d h u s ban d me n ar e destroyed (Matt. 21:41; Lu ke 20:16).
T h e r e je cto r i s ground to powder, scattered as dust (Matt. 21:44).
T h e e vi l se r van t i s cut asunder (Matt. 24:51).
T h e wi cke d wi l l perish l i ke th e Gal i l e an s (Lu ke 13:2, 3).
T h e y ar e slain like those crushed by Si l o ams to we r (vs. 4, 5).
T h e y ar e destroyed l i ke th e vi cti ms o f th e Fl o o d (17:27).
T h e y ar e destroyed by fire l i ke me n o f So do m an d Go mo r r ah
(17:29).
T h e y wi l l die, as i n th e f ate o f L o ts wi f e (17:32).
T h e r e be l l i o u s ci ti ze n s ar e slain (19:14, 27).
T h e s e po r tr ayal s , i n d i vi d u al l y an d co l l e cti ve l y, al l d e n o te
capi tal pu n i s h me n t. T h e y si gn i f y s u d d e n , swi f t, vi o l e n t death
a tte n d e d wi th gr e a te r o r l ess su f f e r i n g. T h e y ar e se t f o r th
as f i t i l l u s tr ati o n s o f th e co mi n g se co n d d e ath f o r th e s tu b
bo r n l y r e ca l ci tr a n t s i n n e r .
3. A l l P o r t r a y T o t a l a n d F i n a l E x t i n c t i o n .T h u s
o f th e se ve n te e n d i f f e r e n t i l l u s tr ati o n s e mpl o ye d by th e Sav
i o u r to d e pi ct th e d o o m o f th e wi cke d , al l bu t two po r tr ay u t t e r
1T h e d e bt o r , cast into prison (M a t t . 5:26; 18:34), i n d i ca t e s t h a t t h e d e bt i s i n e s capabl e
a n d i r r e vo cabl e . An d th e o f f e n d e r ca r t into outer darkness (M a t t . 7:12: 22:13; 25:30) i n d i ca t e s
t h a t t h e r e i s we e pi n g a n d gn a s h i n g o f t e e t h co n sci o u s s u f f e r i n g. (We e pi n g a n d gn a s h i n g o f
te e th i s u s e d s e ve n ti me s by C h r i s t M a t t . 8:12; 1,3:42; 13:50; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30; L u ke
13:28.) T h e gn a s h i n g o f t e e t h pr e ce d e s t h e l a ps i n g i n t o f i n a l u n co n s ci o u sn e ss . Bu t J e s u s
d o e s n o t say th i s gn a s h i n g a n d we e pi n g i s wi t h o u t e n d . We r e pe a t : T h e r e i s n o t h i n g to s u gge s t
endless continuance i n e i t h e r case . T h e to t a l e vi d e n ce o f Scr i pt u r e r e bu t s s u ch a n i n f e r e n ce .
Al l , bo t h a n i ma t e a n d i n a n i ma t e e vi l th i n gs , co me to f i n al r e t r i bu t i o n . T h e d o o m o f Ge h e n n a ,
f o r t h e u n r e pe n t a n t s i n n e r , i s f i n al a n d i r r e vo cabl e , e n d i n g i n t o t a l d e s tr u cti o n .
a n d u l ti ma te destruction, o r dissolution, u n d e r th e se co n d
d e ath , wh e r e as th e o th e r two i n d i cate th e certainty o f th a t
d o o m. He r e i s a case i n po i n t: Wh e n th e l o r d th e r e f o r e o f
th e vi n e yar d co me th , wh at wi l l h e d o u n to th o se h u s ban d me n ?
. . . He wi l l mi se r abl y destroy [apollumi] th o se wi cke d me n
(Matt. 21:40, 41).
Acco r d i n g to th e wi tn e ss o f C h r i st, th e n , th e r e i s e te r n i ty
o f result bu t n o t o f process, o f pu n i s h me n f bu t n o t o f pu n i s h
i n g o f me n . Apollumi a n d apoleia a n d th e co gn ate Gr e e k
te r ms C h r i s t e mpl o ys al l i n vo l ve co mpl e te d e s tr u cti o n .
T h e l esso n i s o bvi o u s: As r i ve r s s e par ate d f r o m th e i r
so u r ce , as tr e e s wi th n e i t h e r r o o ts n o r br an ch e s, as d r y bu n d l e s
o f tar e s, as co r pse s e ate n by wo r ms, so th e i n co r r i gi bl y wi cke d
wi l l go to d e s tr u cti o n i n Ge h e n n ath e r e f u se h e ap, as i t we r e ,
o f l o st me n . C h r i s t asser ts, th e n , wi th o u t qu al i f i cati o n s, th e f i n al
a n d to tal e xti n cti o n o f th e e n ti r e man i n f i r e th a t can n o t be
qu e n ch e d , as th e f ate o f th e i mpe n i te n t.
I I . C h r i sts Me an i n g o f Ete r n al Fi r e, Pu n i sh me n t, Damn ati o n
C h r i st th r i ce spe aks o f th e d o o m o f th e wi cke d as be i n g, o r
i n vo l vi n g, s o me th i n g e te r n a l . Hi s th r e e i mpo r ta n t war n i n g
s tate me n ts ar e :
(1) Mar k 3:29He th at sh al l bl asph e me agai n st th e Ho l y Gh o st
. . . i s i n d an ge r o f eternal damnation 2 [aioniou kriseos, e te r n al ju d g
me n t].
(2) Matt. 25:46T h e se sh al l go away i n to everlasting punishment
[kolasin aidnion]: bu t th e r i gh te o u s i n to life eternal [zoen aidnion]. (C f .
Pau l , 2 T h e ss. 1:9.)
(3) Matt. 25:41De pa r t f r o m me, ye cu r se d , i n to everlasting fire
[to pur to aidnion], pr e pa r e d f o r th e d e vi l an d h i s an ge l s.
I n th e f i r st i n stan ce th e r e i s a d i s ti n ct a n d co n s u mmati n g
act, co u pl e d wi th e n d l e ss d u r a ti o n o f resultth e s e n te n ce be
i n g e ve r l as ti n g i n i ts consequences. I t i s th e si n t h a t th r o u gh o u t
th e ages r e mai n s u n pa r d o n e d .3I n th e se co n d , th e pu n i s h me n t
2So me ma n u s cr i pts r e a d e t e r n a l s i n .
3Se e R. F. We ymo u th , New Testament in Modern Speech (3d e d .), Ma r k 3:29, n . 10.
HARRY ANDERSON, ARTIST 1 9 5 0 BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD T. K. MARTIN, ARTIST
T h e C o nf l i ct o f th e Ages Has Been Between Satan , th e Re be l an d So urce o f Evi l ,
an d C h r i st, th e C r e ato r an d Re d e e me r , J u d ge an d C o mi n g Ki ng.
an d th e su f f e r i n g ar e n o t i d e n ti cal th e punishment i s l i ke
wi se e te r n al i n i ts effects wh e r e as th e suffering e n d s i n u t t e r
abo l i ti o n , o r ce ssati o n , o f be i n g. An d i n th e th i r d , th e f i r e i s
cal l e d e ve r l as ti n g be cau se i ts results ar e e ve r l asti n g. I t
i s n o t si mpl y a f i r e , bu t the f i r e the one pr e par e d f o r th e
d e vi l an d h i s an ge l s (Matt. 25:41). I t e n d s i n d e s tr u cti o n
an d ash es.
1. M e a n i n g D e t e r mi n e d b y N o u n t o W h i c h A t t a c h e d .
I n e ach o f th e se passages th e Gr e e k wo r d f o r e ve r l as ti n g,
o r e te r n a l , i s t h e ad je cti ve aidniosd e r i ve d f r o m th e n o u n
aidn, an age o r e r a th e wo r d i tse l f l e avi n g th e ti me l i mi t
o f th e age u n d e f i n e d . T h e l ate Bi sh o p H. C . G. Mo u l e , o f Du r
h am, i n h i s Outline of Christian Doctrine, s o u n d l y d e cl ar e d
t h a t th e te r m o f d u r a t i o n e xpr e sse d by aidnios mu s t always be
sought in the noun to which it is attached, n o t i n th e mo d i f yi n g
10 289
aidnios i tse l f . T h e r e f o r e , to d e te r mi n e i ts tr u e me an i n g we
mu s t car e f u l l y tr ace i ts usage i n Scr i ptu r e , an d se e k o u t th e
n o u n i t mo d i f i e s.
Go d , an d th i n gs d i vi n e , ar e i n co n te s tabl y e n d l e ssth u s
i n vo l vi n g th e f u l l an d u n r e s tr i cte d me an i n g. Bu t e ar th l y th i n gs
wi l l n o t l ast be yo n d th e e ar th i n i ts pr e s e n t age o r f o r m. T h u s
th e aidnion Mo sai c statu te s a n d th e aidnion Aar o n i c pr i e s t
h o o d be l o n ge d to a passi n g d i spe n s ati o n an d ce ase d . T h e a d
je cti ve aidnios th e r e o bvi o u sl y sto o d f o r a l i mi te d ti me o n l y
age l o n gth e n o u n i t mo d i f i e d d e te r mi n i n g th e te r m o f
d u r ati o n .
On th e co n tr ar y, l i f e e te r n a l (zoen aidnion), f o r th e
r i gh te o u s, i s u se d mo r e th an f o r ty ti me s. T h a t l i f e wi l l be
u n e n d i n g. Bu t i n co n tr ast, th e r u n away sl ave, On e s i mu s (Ph i
l e mo n 15), wh o was to se r ve h i s maste r f o r e ve r (l i ke wi se
aidnion), was to se r ve o n l y as l o n g as h e l i ve d . C l e ar l y th e
su bs tan ti ve , o r n o u n , d e te r mi n e s th e me an i n g.
2. D i v i n e A c t i o n s o r A c t i v i t i e s M a y B e T e r m i n a b l e .
C h r i s t cl e ar l y tau gh t th a t d i vi n e co n d i ti o n s o r Pe r so n s abi d e
u n e n d i n gl y, wh e r e as d i vi n e actions o r activities may be t e r
mi n abl e , f o r e xampl e , punishment (Matt. 25:46); judgment
(He b. 6:2); sin (Mar k 3:29); destruction (2 T h e ss. 1:9); salva
tion (He b. 5:9); redemption a n d fire (Matt. 18:8; 25:41;
J u d e 7). T h e s e e xpr e ssi o n s o bvi o u sl y d o n o t me an e n d l e ss
pu n i s h i n g, ju d gi n g, s i n n i n g, d e str o yi n g, savi n g, r e d e e mi n g.
En d l e ss sal vati o n i s n o t e n d l e ss saving, bu t r e pr e s e n ts a co m
pl e te d wo r k o f gr ace .
T h e f i r e t h a t d e str o ye d So d o m an d Go mo r r ah was n o t
e n d l e ss i n i ts process, bu t was co mpl e te l y e n d l e ss i n i ts results.
T h e u n qu e n ch abl e f i r e t h a t bu r n s u p th e ch af f , wi l l n o t
ke e p th a t ch af f f o r e ve r bu r n i n g. Agai n we see th a t th e n o u n to
wh i ch th e mo d i f yi n g aidnios i s attach e d , au to mati cal l y d e te r
mi n e s th e u n l i mi t e d o r th e l i mi te d me an i n gsu ch as e te r n al
i n h e r i ta n ce (He b. 9:15), o r e ve r l as ti n g [e te r n al ] go spe l
(Re v. 14:6).
T h u s i n Matth e w 25:46 th e l i vi n g state o f th e r i gh te o u s i s
e n d l e ss, a n d th e d e ath -pu n i s h me n t state , o r co n d i ti o n , o f th e
wi cke d , pr o d u ce d by th e process o f d e s tr u cti o n , i s a death
state as e n d l e ss as th e co n tr as ti n g life state i s e n dl e ss. Bu t th e
pr o ce ss i s n o t e te r n al , o n l y th e result. We mu s t th e r e f o r e co n
cu r wi th Bi sh o p Mo u l e a n d o th e r r e co gn i ze d sch o l ar s th a t th e
n o u n to wh i ch aidnios i s attach e d i s th e d e te r mi n ati ve f acto r .
I n o n e case i t i s te r mi n abl e ; i n a n o th e r i t i s i n te r mi n abl e .
I I I . C h r i sts Expl i ci t T e ach i n gs o n He l l Exami n e d
I n co n s i d e r i n g th e u l ti ma te d e sti n y an d d o o m o f th e
wi cke d , we mu s t l i ke wi se n o te C h r i s ts d e f i n i ti ve te ach i n gs o n
He l l . C o n f u s i o n i n u n d e r s ta n d i n g was i n tr o d u ce d , a t th e ti me
o f tr a n s l ati o n , by th e u n f o r t u n a te r e n d e r i n g i n to th e o n e En g
l i sh wo r d Hell, th e th r e e d i f f e r e n t Gr e e k wo r d s, Gehenna,
hades, a n d Trtaros (f r o m tartardo), al th o u gh e ach h as a
wh o l l y s e par ate an d d i sti n cti ve me an i n g. (C h r i st, h o we ve r , do e s
n o t Hi mse l f d e al wi th Trtaros. T h a t appe ar s o n l y o n ce , an d
th e n i n ve r bal f o r m, i n 2 Pe te r 2:4, a n d i s co n s i d e r e d i n
ch apte r 20, pp. 383-385.)
Si n gu l ar l y e n o u gh , th e mo st s tr i ki n g a n d f o r ce f u l l an gu age
i n th e e n ti r e Bi bl e as r e gar d s He l l an d th e pu n i s h me n t o f th e
wi cke d , f e l l f r o m th e l i ps o f C h r i st Hi mse l f . Ne ve r th e l e ss, th e se
e xpr e ssi o n s ar e e n ti r e l y co mpati bl e wi th Hi s ch ar acte r as I n
car n ate Lo ve . I t i s o n l y wh e n i n ve ste d wi th th e th e o l o gi cal
d e vi ati o n s o f th e ce n tu r i e s th a t th e y take o n th e t e r r o r an d
cr u e l ty t h a t i s as f o r e i gn to C h r i s ts o wn h e ar t as th e y ar e a
d i s to r ti o n o f th e l an gu age He use d . J o h n 3:16 pr e se n ts th e si m
pl e bu t co mpr e h e n s i ve d u al t r u t h o f Go d s t e n d e r l o ve a n d
Hi s h o l y ju d gme n t. T o pe r i s h (apollumi) me an s n o th i n g
l ess th an th e d e s tr u cti o n u n qu e s ti o n abl y tau gh t i n Scr i ptu r e .
I t i s th e te r mi n u s o f th e wi d e gate a n d th e br o ad way,
agai n st wh i ch He war n e d .
1. T wo T e r m s U s e d b y C h r i s t . We n o w t u r n to th e
two te r ms u se d by C h r i st.
(1) Gehenna, o r th e h e l l f i r e (Ge h e n n a o f f i r e )
(Matt. 5:22; 18:9), C h r i s t u se d to d e scr i be th e pl ace o f f u tu r e ,
f i n al pu n i s h me n t o f th e wi cke d . Gehenna, Ge Hinnom, o r th e
Val l e y o f Hi n n o m, was a r avi n e s o u th o f th e ci ty o f J e r u s al e m.
Acco r d i n g to tr a d i ti o n , i t was a pl ace o f f i r e a n d d e s tr u cti o n
f o r r e f u se . Fi r e s we r e ke pt bu r n i n g co n stan tl y, an d maggo ts
br e d f r e e l y a n d f e d u po n th e f i l th y a n d pu tr e f yi n g carcasses.
Su ch was th e f ami l i ar f i gu r e u se d by C h r i s t f o r th e co mi n g
d e s tr u cti o n o f al l th e u n cl e an th i n gs o f th e u n i ve r se . I t sym
bo l i ze d th e co mi n g l ake o f f i r e me n ti o n e d i n Re ve l ati o n .
Dr . R. F. We ymo u th , i n a n o te o n Matth e w 5:22, state s:
Gehenna of Fire Or He l l . T h e se ver est pu n i s h me n t i n f l i cte d by th e
J e ws u po n an y cr i mi n al . T h e co r pse (af te r th e man h ad be e n sto n e d
to d e ath ) was th r o wn o u t i n to th e Val l ey o f Hi n n o m (Ge Hinnom) an d
was d e vo u r e d by th e wo r m o r th e f l ame . *
(2) Hades (Gr . e qu i val e n t o f He b. sheol) i s r e co r d e d as
u se d by C h r i s t o n l y th r e e ti me s: i n Hi s co n d e mn ati o n o f C ape r
n a u m (Matt. 11:23; Lu ke 10:15); i n Hi s r e pl y to Pe t e r s co n
f essi o n (Matt. 16:18); an d i n th e par abl e o f th e r i ch man a n d
Lazar u s (Lu ke 16:23). T h e par abl e o f th e r i ch man a n d Laza
r u s h as al r e ad y be e n tr e ate d , an d th e r e st o f th e Ne w T e s t a
me n t usages o f hades wi l l be n o te d se par ate l y l ate r .
2. C h r i s t s S p e c i f i c T e a c h i n g s o n G e h e n n a .C h r i s t s
al l u s i o n s to Ge h e n n a o ccu r i n se ve n passagesth e o n l y o t h e r
Ne w T e s ta me n t r e f e r e n ce be i n g i n J ame s 3:6. We n o te th e m
h e r e :
(1) Matt. 5:22sh al l be i n d an ge r o f hell fire
(2) 5:29, 30 (2)th a t th y wh o l e bo d y sh o u l d be cast i n to hell
(3) 10:28abl e to d e str o y bo th so u l an d bo d y i n hell
(4) Lu ke 12:5Fe ar h i m, wh i ch . . . h ath po we r to cast i n to hell
(5) Matt. 18:8, 9C ast i n to e ve r l asti n g f i r e ; cast i n to hell fire
(6) Mar k 9:43, 45, 47go i n to hell; cast i n to hell; cast i n to
hell fire
(7) Matt. 23:15, 33two f o l d mo r e th e ch i l d o f hell; Ho w can ye
e scape th e d amn ati o n o f hell?
(I n e ach case th e h e l l i s f r o m Gehenna.)
*Ibid., Matt. 5:22, n. 12.
3. E x p l a n a t o r y N o t e s o n t h e S e v e n T e x t s . Un d e r No .
1 (Matt. 5:22), De an Al f o r d state s t h a t th e r e we r e th r e e d e
gr e e s o f gu i l t: Fi r st, th o se co mi n g u n d e r th e co gn i zan ce o f th e
l o cal syn ago gu e co u n ci l o f th r e e ; th e n came th o se o f th e su
pr e me co u n ci l o r San h e d r i n me te d o u t by th e swo r d , o r s to n
i n g, a n d o f te n f o l l o we d by th e d i sgr ace o f th e f i r e o f Ge h e n n a.
An d a f te r th e f i r st two came th e f i n al Ge h e n n a o f th e f i r e (ten
geennan tou puros, h e l l o f f i r e ), wh e r e i n th e co r pse o f th e
mal e f acto r was cast i n to th e Val l e y o f Hi n n o m, to be d e vo u r e d
by th e wo r m an d r e d u ce d to ash es by f l ame an i n te n s i f i cati o n
o f th e h o r r o r s o f si mpl e d e ath . Bu t th e f i n al pu n i s h me n t i n
e ach case was d e ath .
Un d e r No . 2 (Matt. 5:29, 30) i s str e sse d th e pr e f e r e n ce o f
th e pe r i s h i n g o f an eye (ch o i ce st po ssessi o n), o r h an d , to th a t
o f th e wh o l e bo d y wh e n cast i n to th e Ge h e n n a o f f i r e.
I n No . 3 (Matt. 10:28) th e ki l l i n g o f so u l a n d bo d y i s
ma n s co mpl e te abo l i ti o n , o r d e s tr u cti o n . Apollumi, a n d i ts
co gn ate apoleia, tr an s l ate d i n to En gl i sh as d e s tr u cti o n o r
pe r d i t i o n , gi ves us th e key to o u r L o r d s me an i n g. An d th i s
i s co r r o bo r ate d by Pe te r an d Pau l , e ach o f wh o m gi ves se l f
i n te r pr e ti n g passages i n wh i ch th e y use th e te r ms d e s tr o y an d
pe r i s h . C h r i s t f i r st ci te s th e t e r r i bl e f ate o f th e Gal i l e an s wh o
perished u n d e r Pi l ate . T h e n He war n s, Exce pt ye r e pe n t, ye
sh al l al l l i ke wi se perish [apollumi] (Lu ke 13:3). Ne xt He
ad d s th e e pi so d e o f th o se killed by th e f al l i n g o f th e to we r o f
Si l o am. An d agai n He war n s, Exce pt ye r e pe n t, ye sh al l al l
l i ke wi se perish [apollumi] (vs. 4, 5).
Su ch i s th e d o o m f o r th e i mpe n i t e n t swi f t, tr agi c, f atal ,
co mpl e te . Be i t n o te d , h o we ve r , t h a t th e r e i s n o t a syl l abl e
a bo u t be i n g ke pt al i ve f o r e ve r i n e n d l e ss co n sci o u s to r me n t.
Pe te r s u bs e qu e n tl y sai d to Si mo n Magn u swh e n h e o f f e r e d
mo n e y i n an e n d e avo r to pu r ch ase th e po we r o f th e Ho l y
Spi r i t f o r h i s o wn u se T h y mo n e y perish [apollumi] wi th
t h e e (Acts 8:20). T h e d o o m o f bo th Si mo n a n d h i s mo n e y
was d e s tr u cti o n .
No . 5 (Matt. 18:8, 9) str esses th e pr e f e r e n ce f o r e n te r i n g
i n to th e r e s u r r e cti o n l i f e , o r l i f e e te r n al , r a t h e r t h an be i n g
cast i n to e ve r l asti n g f i r e (v. 8), o r h e l l f i r e (v. 9)th e
Ge h e n n a o f f i re.
I n No . 6 (Mar k 9:43-48) C h r i s t f o u r ti me s spe aks o f th o se
wh o go into h e l l , i n to th e f i r e t h a t n e ve r sh al l be qu e n ch e d
(v. 43). T h i s i s r e pe ate d i n verses 45 an d 46 as th e f i r e t h a t
sh al l n e ve r be qu e n ch e d . I t i s th e same e xpr e ssi o n u se d by
J o h n th e Bapti st, wh o spo ke o f th e C o mi n g On e as gath e r i n g
th e wh e at i n to th e gar n e r ; bu t h e wi l l burn up [katakaid]
th e ch af f wi th unquenchable fire [puri asbesto] (Matt.
3:12). T h e r e n d e r i n g u n qu e n ch abl e f i r e i s u n f o r tu n a te l y
tr an s l ate d . I t i s f i r e th at sh al l n o t be qu e n ch e d .
T h e i n s pi r e d Ne w T e s ta me n t i n te r pr e ta t i o n o f pur aidn-
ios i s gi ve n by J u d e , wh o d e scr i be s th e ju d gme n ts th a t o ve r
to o k So d o m a n d Go mo r r ah , as se t f o r th f o r an e xampl e , o f
su f f e r i n g th e ve n ge an ce o f eternal fire (J u d e 7). J u d e jo i n s
th e e xpe r i e n ce o f So d o m an d Go mo r r ah wi th th a t o f th e I s r ae l
i te s wh o d i e d i n th e wi l d e r n e ss, a n d o f Ko r ah a n d h i s co mpan
i o n s wh o we r e swal l o we d u p by an e ar th qu ake . T h e s e al l si g
n i f i e d to tal d e s tr u cti o n .
4. I n s p i r e d K e y t o E x p r e s s i o n E t e r n a l F i r e . T h e n
to th e se Pe te r par al l e l s th e wo r d s: Go d , t u r n i n g th e ci ti e s o f
So d o m a n d Go mo r r h a i n to ashes co n d e mn e d th e m wi th an
o ve r th r o w, maki n g th e m an e n sampl e u n to th o se th a t a f te r
s h o u l d l i ve u n go d l y (2 Pe te r 2:6). T h e n h e ad d s, T h e Lo r d
kn o we th h o w . . . to r e se r ve th e u n ju s t u n to th e d ay o f ju d g
me n t to be pu n i s h e d (v. 9). So th e eternal fire (pur aidnios)
i s n o t sti l l f e e d i n g o n i ts vi cti ms, f o r th e wate r s o f th e De ad Sea
mar k th e si te o f th e ci ti e s wh o se i n h abi ta n ts pe r i s h e d i n th e
d r e a d f u l f l ames. T h u s th e e te r n a l o f J u d e i s n o t an e n d l e ss
process bu t a result. This is the inspired key to the tremendous
phrase eternal fire.
T h e u n qu e n ch abl e f i r e o f Matth e w 3:12 wi l l burn up
(katakaid) e n ti r e l y th e ch af f . An d n o t h i n g i s mo r e swi f tl y co n
s u me d th an ch af f . I t cr e ate s a bl aze t h a t n o th i n g can e xti n gu i s h
u n t i l i ts wo r k i s d o n e . T h e n , th e ch af f bu r n e d u p, th e f i r e ceases
f o r l ack o f mate r i al to f e e d o n . C o n s e qu e n tl y, th e e xampl e
o f So d o m a n d Go mo r r ah si gni f i e s th e to tal d e s tr u cti o n a n d d i s
appe ar an ce o f th e th i n g co n su me d . T h e pur aidnios a n d as
bestos, wh i ch d o th e o bl i t e r a ti n g wo r k, ar e th e Maste r s d e f i n i
ti ve d e s cr i pti o n o f th e f i res o f Ge h e n n a.
An d th e u n d yi n g wo r m an d th e qu e n ch l e ss f l ame f e e d
u po n th e i r vi cti ms u n t i l th e wh o l e i s co n su me d . T h u s agai n
th e wo r k o f th e wo r m a n d th e f i r e ar e e te r n al i n results,
bu t n o t i n pr o ce ss o r d u r a ti o n . He n ce we mu s t d i sti n gu i s h
s h ar pl y be twe e n He l l as Ge h e n n a, th e pl ace o f f i n al d o o m an d
th e second d e ath , i n co n tr as t wi th Had e s, th e pl ace o f th e
d e ad (gr ave d o m) be twe e n d e ath a n d th e r e s u r r e cti o n .
5. N o t M i s e r y b u t D i s t r u c t i o n Is E t e r n a l . As to th e
pu n i s h me n t o f th e wi cke d , be i t n o te d th a t i t i s n e i t h e r th e si n
f u l n e ss n o r th e mi se r y o f wh i ch th e e te r n i ty i s pr e d i cte d (Matt.
25:41, 46). I t i s th e punishmentkolasis (v. 46)th e e n d
l ess result, n o t th e tr an s i to r y pe n al process. I t i s th e e te r n al
e f f e ct o f the divine act of cutting off from life. I t i s th e pe n al
d e pr i va ti o n o f wh at o th e r wi se mi gh t be e n jo ye d , th e f o r f e i
t u r e o f i ts jo ys a n d pr i vi l e ge s. T h i s i s spe ci f i cal l y th e death
penalty f o r si n , e ve r ywh e r e se t f o r th i n Go d s Wo r d f r o m
Ge n e si s to Re ve l ati o n th e wi cke d sh al l be pu n i s h e d wi th
e ve r l as ti n g destruction (2 T h e ss. 1:9). T h a t i s th e pu n i s h
me n t o f Matth e w 25:46.
He r e , th e n , i s th e co n tr as tn o t th e i n ci d e n ce o f h appi n e ss
o r mi se r y bu t th e life t h a t i s awar d e d to th e r i gh te o u s, i n
co n tr a d i s ti n cti o n to th e deprivation of that life, th e cu tti n g
of f , th e e xti n cti o n , th e capi tal pu n i s h me n t by d e ath o f th e
o th e r . An d bo th ar e h e r e d e cl ar e d to be e qu al l y f i n al an d
i r r e ve r s i bl e . Everlasting punishment i s cl e ar l y n o t th e same
as be i n g e ve r l asti n gl y pu n i s h e d . I t i s e te r n al l oss o f be i n g.
Su ch i s th e te sti mo n y o f C h r i st, th e Su pr e me Wi tn e ss o f al l
ti me , an d th e I n f a l l i bl e Au th o r i ty i n th e r e al m o f th e n a tu r e
a n d d e sti n y o f man . Wh o so co n tr o ve r ts Hi s i n e r r a n t d i ctu ms
mu s t s e ttl e i t wi th h i s Lo r d .
REVIEW PICTURES
M I CHAEL MUNKACSY, ARTI ST
REVIEW PICTURES A . Cl SERI , ARTIST
JESS SCHLAIKJER, N.A., ARTIST 1 9 5 7 BY THE REVIEW ANO HERALD
IV. Had e sT r u e Un d e r stan d i n g Based o n NT Usage,
No t Pagan -Ro man i st
1. Pa g a n O r i g i n a n d I n f l u e n c e o f H a d es .Wh i l e th e
He br e w wo r d shed l 6 (gr ave d o m) co me s to us l ar ge l y f r o m
Ol d T e s ta me n t Scr i ptu r e , th e Gr e e k e qu i val e n t, hades, i s o f
pagan o r i gi n , an d came d o wn to Ne w T e s ta me n t ti me s ti n c
t u r e d wi th ce n tu r i e s o f pagan t r a d i ti o n . I t i s e sse n ti al t h a t th i s
f act be bo r n e i n mi n d .
Mo r e th an th at, th e te r m hades r e ach e d th e mo d e r n C h r i s
ti a n ch u r ch ti n ctu r e d wi th th e i d e as o f a d i ve r ge n t J u d ai s m
an d Ro man i s m. T h a t i s th e se co n d si gn i f i can t f act. T h e Ne w
T e s ta me n t me an i n g o f hades mu s t be d r awn n e i t h e r f r o m th e
h u ma n i magi n ati o n s o f th e h e a th e n n o r f r o m th e l ate r t r a d i
ti o n s o f th e J e ws an d Ro man i sts. I n ste ad , th e t r u e me an i n g
mu s t be d e r i ve d f r o m th e actu al usage o f hades, as i t appe ar s
i n th e Ne w T e s tame n t, co mpar e d a n d ch e cke d wi th th e Ol d
T e s ta me n t u sage o f shedl.
2. E n g l i s h T r a n s l a t i o n s M o l d ed b y R o ma n i s t Ba c k
g r o u n d s .I n th e o r i gi n al pagan se nse , hades was u se d by
Ho me r to d e si gn ate th e go d o f th e u n s e e n , i n th e n e th e r wo r l d .
L ate r i t came to me an th e abo d e o f d e par te d spi r i ts. T h e
Vu l gate r e n d e r s hades by infernum (th e l o we r r e gi o n s).
Eve r si n ce th e r i se o f Ro man i s m He l l h as be e n po pu l ar l y
co n s i d e r e d as th e pl ace f o r pu n i s h i n g d e pa r te d spi r i ts. Bu t
acco r d i n g to Scr i ptu r e , hades a n d gehenna ar e n o t i d e n ti cal .
T h e r e i s n o co n f u s i o n i n th e o r i gi n al to n gu e . T h e co n f u s i o n
came t h r o u gh th e En gl i sh r e n d e r i n g o f bo th wo r d s as h e l l .
He r e agai n t r a d i ti o n a l backgr o u n d s h ave e xe r te d t h e i r mo l d
i n g i n f l u e n ce u po n tr an s l ati o n .
5S h edl o ccu r s 65 ti me s r e n d e r e d as gr a ve (35), as h e l l (27), a n d as pi t (3).
Se e Pa r t I , pp. 160-165. T h e r e i n l i e s t h e ke y.
Despi sed an d Re je cte d by T h o se He C ame to Save, C h r i st
We n t to C al var y. Hi s De ath C h an ge d Ou r De ath I n t o a
Sl eep an d Hi s Re su r r e cti o n Br o u gh t Immo r tal i ty to Li gh t
an d Re al i ty.
As n o te d e l se wh e r e , gehenna o ccu r s twe l ve ti me s i n th e
Ne w T e stame n t," a n d i s u n i f o r ml y r e n d e r e d h e l l i n th e A.V.,
R.V., an d A.R.V. I n th e Vu l gate i t i s tr a n s l i te r a te d Ge h e n n a.
An d Ge h e n n a e xactl y f i ts th e mo d e r n co n ce pt o f He l l a pl ace
o f bu r n i n g, e spe ci al l y f o r th e pu n i s h me n t o f th e wi cke d
e xce pt th a t Gehenna i s n o t pr e s e n tl y acti ve , bu t i s si mpl y
th e co mi n g l ake o f f i r e.
3. H a d e s C o n n e c t e d W i t h D e a t h , N e v e r W i t h L i f e .
Hades o ccu r s 11 ti me s i n th e Ne w T e s ta me n t,7a n d i s r e n
d e r e d h e l l i n e ve r y case save o n e (1 C o r . 15:55, wh e r e
mar gi n i s h e l l . T h e Ko i n e a n d th e Syr i ac gi ve hades h e r e .).
Had e s i s i n var i abl y co n n e cte d wi th death, n e ve r wi th life; al
ways wi th d e ad pe r so n s, n e ve r wi th th e l i vi n g. Hades i s al so
th e pl ace o f co r r u pt i o n (Acts 2:31; cf . 13:34-37), f r o m
wh i ch r e s u r r e cti o n i s th e o n l y e xi t.
4. H a d e s C l e a r l y t h e G r a v e , o r G r a v e d o m. T h e He
br e w sheol o f th e Ol d T e s ta me n t i s th e e qu i val e n t o f th e
Gr e e k hades o f th e Ne w T e s ta me n t a n d bo th ar e i d e n ti cal o r
syn o n ymo u s wi th th e gr ave , o r gr ave d o m, th e state of death.
T h a t i s th e i n e scapabl e wi tn e ss o f Scr i ptu r e . An d o n l y wi th
su ch an u n d e r s ta n d i n g can we d e al saf el y wi th an y pa r ti cu l a r
si n gl e passage o f Scr i ptu r e , f o r th e me an i n g o f d e ath d o e s n o t
var y i n th e two gr e at d i vi si o n s o f th e Wo r d . An d , e qu al l y i m
po r ta n t, th e ge n e r al se nse mu s t go ve r n th e i n te r pr e ta t i o n o f
an y i n d i vi d u al d i s pu te d passage.
T h e Ne w T e s ta me n t e xpr e ssl y state s th a t i n d e ath th e
i n d i vi d u al , th e pe r so n , rests in the grave. T h u s d e vo u t me n
car r i e d Stephen to h i s bu r i a l , a n d mad e gr e at l ame n ta ti o n
o ve r h i m (Acts 8:2). Stephen was i n th e gr ave , n o t i n He ave n .
Pe te r , l i ke wi se s pe aki n g u n d e r i n s pi r ati o n , sai d o f th e e mi n e n t
Ol d T e s ta me n t be l i e ve r Davi d , Davi d i s n o t asce n d e d i n to
th e h e ave n s (Acts 2:34). Bu t th e s u pr e me e xampl e i s C h r i st.
M a t t . 5:22, 29, 30; 10:28; 18:9; 23:15, 33; Ma r k 9:43, 45, 47; L u ke 12:5: J a me s 3:6.
T T h e e l e ve n o ccu r r e n ce s o f hades i n t h e Ne w T e s t a me n t a r e : M a t t . 11:23; 16:18;
L u ke 10:15; 16:23; Acts 2:27, 31; 1 C o r . 15:55; Re v. 1:18; 6:8; 20:13, 14. T h e R.V . al ways
t r a n s l i t e r a t e s i t h a d e s , e xce pt i n 1 C o r i n t h i a n s 15:15, wh e r e i t i s r e n d e r e d d e a t h .
Be i t r e me mbe r e d th at th e d e ath o f C h r i st was i d e n ti cal wi th
th e d e ath o f Hi s pe o pl e , wh e th e r be f o r e Hi s r e s u r r e cti o n o r
si nce .
C h r i s t taste d d e ath f o r us al l (He b. 2:9). An d Scr i ptu r e
spe aks o f Hi s d e ath an d th a t o f Hi s pe o pl e as o n e a n d th e
same i n ki n d . Apar t f r o m th e a to n i n g aspe ct, o n l y i n o n e r e
spe ct d i d th e y d i f f e r an d t h a t do e s n o t co n ce r n th e nature
o f th e state i n d e ath . T h a t d i f f e r e n ce was th e duration o f th e
d e ath state . C h r i s ts d e ath was f o r so s h o r t a ti me t h a t Hi s
f l e sh d i d n o t see co r r u pt i o n (Acts 2:27, 31). An d e ve n
th i s d i s ti n cti o n was n o te d i n pr o ph e cy (Ps. 16:10; cf . Acts 2).
Bu t C h r i s t s d e ath was i tse l f th e same as t h a t o f al l o f Hi s f o l
l o we r s. An d i n t h a t d e ath C h r i s t we n t i n to hades (th e gr ave ,
gr ave d o m, o r r e al m o f d e ath ), an d r e mai n e d th e r e u n t i l Hi s
r e s u r r e cti o n .
An d , we r e pe at, as wi th Hi m so wi th us.
5. A l l S o u l s R e m a i n i n G r a v e d o m U n t i l R e s u r r e c
t i o n . T h e ve r y n a tu r e o f th e r e s u r r e cti o n atte sts, be yo n d
d o u bt, t h a t e ach o n e o f C h r i s ts pe o pl e i s i n hades (gr ave d o m,
r e al m o f d e ath ) u n t i l th e r e s u r r e cti o n . T h a t was af f i r me d by
Pe te r a t Pe n te co st. An d th e apo stl e Pau l su cci n ctl y d e cl ar e s
th a t th e r e s u r r e cti o n o f C h r i s t was l i ke t h a t o f Hi s be l i e vi n g pe o
pl e (Ro m. 6:5; 1 C o r . 15:20-23). I t th e r e f o r e f o l l o ws t h a t
u po n r e s u r r e cti o n , C h r i s ts pe o pl e co me o u t o f hades, o r gr ave
d o m, ju s t as C h r i s t came o u t o f hades (gr ave d o m) u po n Hi s
r e s u r r e cti o n .
I t i s e xpl i ci tl y af f i r me d by Pau l , i n h i s d e s cr i pti o n o f th e
r e s u r r e cti o n o f be l i e ve r s (i n 1 C o r . 15), t h a t hades co n ti n u e s
to r e t a i n i ts po we r o ve r th o se e n te r i n g i ts d o mai n , u n t i l th e
Se co n d Ad ve n t a n d i ts a tt e n d a n t r e s u r r e cti o n . I n f act, i n
Pa u l s e xcl amati o n i n 1 C o r i n th i an s 15:55 (O d e ath , wh e r e i s
th y sti n g? O gr ave [hades], wh e r e i s th y vi cto r y?), h e was
bu t par a ph r a s i n g f r o m Ho se a, wh o wr o te , O d e ath , I wi l l be
th y pl agu e s; O gr ave [sheol], I wi l l be th y d e s tr u cti o n (Ho
sea 13:14)wi th o n l y su ch ch an ge as wo u l d co mpo r t wi th
th e Ne w T e s ta me n t d i cti o n .
300
6. G r a v e d o m : P l a c e o f R e p o s e T h r o u g h o u t D e a t h -
S l e e p .Pa u l s te ach i n g i n 1 C o r i n th i an s 15 i s r e i te r a te d by
o u r Lo r d i n th e Apo cal ypse :
Fe ar n o t; I am th e f i r st an d th e l ast: I am h e th a t l i ve th , an d
was d e ad ; an d , be h o l d , I am al i ve f o r e ve r mo r e , Ame n ; an d h ave th e keys
o f h e l l [hades] an d o f d e a th (Re v. 1:17, 18).
T h i s te ach i n g i s u n e qu i vo cal . C h r i s t d i e d , an d He was
pl ace d i n th e gr ave {hades). T h e n f o l l o ws th e r e s u r r e cti o n ,
wh e n He l e f t hades (gr ave d o m). He th e n co mf o r ts th e be
l i e ve r s wi th th e assu r an ce , I h ave th e keys o f hades a n d o f
d e a th . T h a t i s, I wi l l o pe n hades [gr ave d o m] f o r My pe o
pl e , e ve n as I o pe n e d i t f o r Myse l f . So hades i s cl e ar l y th e
state o f d e ath , i d e n ti cal wi th gr ave d o m. I t s h o u l d al so be
n o te d t h a t i n th e Apo cal ypse d e ath a n d hades ar e th r i ce
th r o wn to ge th e r :
I l o o ke d , an d be h o l d a pal e h o r se : an d h i s n ame th a t sat o n h i m
was De ath , an d Hell [hades] f o l l o we d wi th h i m (Re v. 6:8).
An d th e sea gave u p th e d e ad wh i ch we r e i n i t; an d d e ath a n d
hell [hades, mar gi n , th e gr ave ] d e l i ve r e d u p th e d e ad wh i ch we r e i n
th e m (ch ap. 20:13).
An d d e ath an d hell [hades] we r e cast i n to th e l ake o f f i r e (v. 14).'
Hades i s n o t a d we l l i n g pl ace o f d e pa r te d living so u l s.
Acco r d i n g to Ho l y Wr i t i t i s th e pl ace o f r e po se f o r th e d e ad
d u r i n g t h e i r d e ath sl e e p. T h i s i s u n i f o r m an d co n cl u si ve .
V. Pr o bl e m T e xt (Mar k 9:43-48): T h e i r Wo r m Di e th No t
Mu ch str e ss i s pl ace d by so me u po n th e t r i pl e use by
C h r i s t Hi mse l f , i n si x s h o r t verses (Mar k 9:43-48), o f th e e x
pr e ssi o n t h e i r wo r m d i e th n o t . Bu t t h e i r wo r m i s n o t a
so u l , o n l y a maggo t (skolex), f e e d i n g u po n a dead bo d ya n d
not inhabiting a living one. He r e i s pi ctu r e d th e r e vo l ti n g e n d
o f a co r pse f l u n g o u t o n th e r e f u se h e ap. I t i s an awe so me
wa r n i n g to al l be h o l d e r s s tan d i n g f o r d i ss o l u ti o n , d i s i n te gr a
ti o n , wi th f i n al d i sappe ar an ce . Bu t i t i s n o t th e pr o ce ss o r
d u r a t i o n bu t th e r e s u l t t h a t i s h e r e e mph asi ze d .
T h e wo r m t h a t d i e th n o t i s, l i ke th e u n qu e n ch abl e
f i r e , a symbo l o f death. So l o n g as th e corpse o r carcass (cf .
Isa. 66:24), wh i ch i s co mpl e te l y i n se n si bl e , i s gn awe d by th e
wo r m, i t can n o t l i ve agai n . If th e wo r m n e ve r d i e s, th e r e wi l l
be n o po ssi bi l i ty o f l i f e r e vi tal i zi n g th e co r pse . I t th u s e xcl u d e s
al l h o pe o f r e s to r ati o n . T h e r e i s n o th i n g h e r e a bo u t th e
sti n g o f an accu si n g co n sci e n ce , as o f te n cl ai me d . T h e r e ar e
n o pe r pe tu al t o r me n ts o r e n d l e ss su f f e r i n gs h e r e , o r e l se
wh e r e i n th e Sacr e d T e xt an y mo r e t h a n th e r e ar e i mmo r
tal so u l s.
T h e wo r m cau se s n o su f f e r i n g to th e carcass, wh i ch i s i n
se n si bl e . I t si mpl y h aste n s th e d i sappe ar an ce o f wh at h as
ce ase d to l i ve , a n d par ti al l y r e pl ace s th e gr ave d i gge r , as
so me o n e h as ph r as e d i t. An d th e cr e mati o n i n th e f i r e t h a t
f o l l o ws pu l ve r i ze s th e bo n e s gn awe d by th e wo r m. T h e wo r m
i s e sse n ti al l y a gn awe r , a car r i o n -e ati n g d e str o ye r . So th e wo r m
a n d th e f i r e to ge th e r actu al l y i n d i cate th e u t te r i mpo ssi bi l i ty
o f an e te r n al l i f e i n to r me n t. T h e symbo l i sm may be sai d to
po r tr ay th e e te r n a l co n ti n u an ce o f a state o f d e ath a n d u t t e r
e xti n cti o n f o r th e wi cke d . Be yo n d qu e s ti o n , th e se age n ts o f
d e s tr u cti o n ar e a f i gu r e o f th e u t t e r i mpo ssi bi l i ty o f a r e t u r n to
l i f e af te r d e ath . I n th e passage th e r e i s n o t a s ci n ti l l a o f s u p
po r t f o r th e co n te n ti o n o f e te r n al to r me n t o f th e d a mn e d .
VI. Si ns Pu n i sh me n t Does No t C o n ti n u e T h r o u gh Al l Ete r n i ty
T h e se co n d death, as po r tr aye d i n Re ve l ati o n 20 a n d 21,
i n vo l ve s th e termination o f al l s i n f u l an d e s tr an ge d l i f e . T h e
pu n i s h me n t o f th e wi cke d e n d s i n u l ti ma te d i s s o l u ti o n an d
o bl i te r a ti o n , as f i r e came d o wn f r o m Go d o u t o f h e ave n ,
a n d devoured [katesthid, to e at d o wn , d e n o ti n g u t t e r e x
ci si o n ] th e m (Re v. 20:9).8An d wh e n th e n e w h e ave n a n d
8 T h e u s e i n t h e N .T . o f s u ch wo r d s as d e a t h , d e s t r u ct i o n , f i r e , pe r i s h , to d e s cr i be
f u t u r e r e t r i bu t i o n , po i n t to t h e l i ke l i h o o d o f f e a r f u l a n gu i s h , f o l l o we d by e xt i n ct i o n o f be i n g,
as t h e d o o m t h a t a wa i ts th o s e wh o by pe r s i s t e n t r e je cti o n o f t h e Sa vi o u r pr o ve th e ms e l ve s
u t t e r l y, a n d th e r e f o r e i r r e me d i a bl y, ba d . We ymo u th , T h e New Testament in Modern Speech,
He b. 10:27, n . 1 (e d .).
302
th e n e w e a r t h ar e e stabl i sh e d , th e Di vi n e Vo i ce f r o m th e
th r o n e o f Omn i po te n ce d e cl ar e s:
T h e r e sh al l be n o mo r e d e ath , n e i t h e r so r r o w, n o r cr y
i n g, n e i t h e r sh al l th e r e be an y mo r e pai n : f o r th e former things
are passed away (Re v. 21:4).
T h i s agr e e s wi th Pa u l s d e cl ar ati o n , T h e l ast e n e my th a t
sh al l be d e str o ye d i s d e a th (1 C o r . 15:26). T h e r e f o r e th e
f u r i o u s l y r agi n g l ake o f f i r e wi l l n o t bu r n o n e n d l e ssl y, wi th
th e wi cke d e te r n al l y al i ve i n to r me n t. C h r i s t d i d n o t co n d o n e
th e co n te n ti o n o f an e te r n al d u al i s m. De ath i tse l f , al o n g wi th
hades (gr ave d o m), i s cast i n to th e l ake o f f i r e, d e n o ti n g th e
u t t e r e n d . T h e d e ath pr i n ci pl e i tse l f i s abr o gate d , abo l i sh e d ,
a n d r e n d e r e d co mpl e te l y an d pe r ma n e n tl y i n o pe r ati ve . I t wi l l
wh o l l y cease to be . T h u s wi l l Go d r i n g d o wn th e f i n al cu r t a i n
o n si n a n d d e ath f o r e ve r . T h a t i s C h r i s ts i n e r r a n t te sti mo n y.
C H A P T E R S E V E N T E E N
T h e o l o gi an Paul on Li f e, Death ,
and Immortal i ty
I . C h r i st Ou r Li f e Is Po st-Pe nte co stal T h e me
I t was n o t u n t i l af te r th e Ho l y Spi r i t was po u r e d o u t wi th
po we r u po n th e apo stl e s an d th e e ar l y d i sci pl e s o f o u r Lo r d
t h a t t h e i r mi n d s we r e f u l l y o pe n e d to pe r ce i ve th e l ar ge r
sco pe o f th e s u bl i me t r u t h o f Li f e On l y i n C h r i st. Bu t wh e n
th e y d i d pe r ce i ve a n d r e ce i ve i t f u l l y, a n d wh e n th e y kn e w
an d e xpe r i e n ce d th e po we r o f h i s r e s u r r e cti o n (Ph i l . 3:10),
th e y we r e l i f te d co mpl e te l y o u t o f t h e i r f o r me r me d i o cr i ty
an d f i l l e d wi th a co mpu l si ve po we r a n d a zeal t h a t n o t h i n g
co u l d wi th stan d .
1. P r o c l a i me d F i r s t t o J e w s , T h e n t o G e n t i l e s .T h e
d o ctr i n e o f l i f e th r o u gh C h r i st was th e u n s pe akabl e gi f t
t h a t th e y we r e i mpe l l e d to make kn o wn to al l me n . T h i s was
wh at th e an ge l f i r st ch ar ge d Pe te r an d th e o th e r apo stl e s to
pr e ach wh e n h e was r e l e ase d f r o m pr i s o n at J e r u s al e m. He r e
was h i s i mpr e ssi ve co mmi ssi o n , gi ve n ju s t af te r th e J e ws h ad
ki l l e d th e Pr i n ce o f l i f e (Acts 3:15): Go , stan d an d spe ak i n
th e te mpl e to th e pe o pl e al l th e wo r d s o f th i s life (Acts 5:20)
life i n C h r i st, s tu bbo r n l y r e je cte d by th e Ph ar i se e s, life
th r o u gh th e r e s u r r e cti o n , bi tte r l y o ppo se d by th e Sad d u ce e s.
J e s u s n ame an d th e po we r o f Hi s life mu s t be mad e kn o wn to
al l me n . T h i s man d ate th e y gl ad l y o be ye d .
An d th i s i s pr e ci se l y wh at Pa u l a n d Bar n abas pr e ach e d
f i r st to th e J e ws a t An ti o ch . An d wh e n th e ch o se n pe o pl e r e -
303
R. M. ELDRIDGE, ARTIST
Pau l , Pr e -e mi n e n t Expo n e n t o f th e Re su r r e cti o n , Pr e ach i n g at Ath e n s Wh i l e
Men Mo cked an d Re je cte d th e Sol e Ho pe o f Li f e to C o me. Bu t Hi s Message
Li ve d On , Re d e e mi n g an d Savi ng Me n T o d ay.
f u se d to acce pt J e su s as th e pr o mi s e d gi ve r o f th i s l i f e , th e
apo stl e s so l e mn l y sai d :
I t was necessar y th a t th e wo r d o f Go d sh o u l d f i r st h ave be e n spo ke n
to yo u : bu t se e i n g ye pu t i t f r o m yo u, an d ju d ge yo u r se l ve s u n wo r th y
[by u n be l i e f ] o f everlasting life, l o , we tu r n to th e Ge n ti l e s (Acts
13:46).
304
T u r n i n g to th e Ge n ti l e s, th e y bo l d l y pr o cl ai me d :
Fo r so h a t h th e Lo r d co mman d e d us, sayi ng, I h ave set th e e to be
a l i gh t o f th e Ge n ti l e s, th a t th o u sh o u l d e st be f o r salvation u n to th e e n d s
o f th e e ar th . An d wh e n th e Ge n ti l e s h e ar d th i s, th e y we r e gl ad , an d gl o r i
f i ed th e wo r d o f th e Lo r d : an d as man y as we r e o r d ai n e d to eternal
life be l i e ve d (vs. 47, 48).
2. P a u l P r e a c h e s W i t h F u t i l i t y t o P l a t o n i c A t h e
n i a n s . Pau l , th e gr e at accessi o n to th e apo stl e s r o ste r , so u gh t
to pr e ach th i s same d o ctr i n e to th e Ath e n i an s . He spo ke to
th e m o f Go d as th e o n e wh o gi ve th to al l life, an d br e a th , an d
al l th i n gs (Acts 17:25). Bu t th e mi n d s o f th e Ath e n i an s we r e
so f i l l e d wi th th e f an ci f u l n o ti o n s o f th e Gr e e k po e ts an d
ph i l o s o ph e r s co n ce r n i n g th e s pi r i t wo r l d an d th e I n n a te I m
mo r ta l i ty o f al l so u l s th a t th e y sco u te d th e i d e a o f I mmo r ta l i ty
so l e l y by a r e s u r r e cti o n f r o m th e d e ad th r o u gh J e su s C h r i st.
Ha d h e pr e ach e d to th e m th e Pl ato n i c d o ctr i n e o f a s pi r i t
l i f e , an i mmo r tal so u l , o r e te r n al bl e sse d n e ss o r mi se r y f o r al l
me n f o r e ve r , th e y wo u l d n o t h ave cal l e d h i m a s e tte r f o r th o f
s tr an ge go d s (v. 18), an d a pr o cl ai me r o f n e w d o ctr i n e
(v. 19). T h a t wo u l d h ave be e n wh at th e i r o wn Pl ato n i c ph i
l o so ph y h ad tau gh t th e m. Bu t th e d o ctr i n e s o f th e d ay o f ju d g
me n t a n d th e i n cr e d i bl e r e s u r r e cti o n o f J e su s f r o m th e d e a d
(v. 31), a n d o f th e co mi n g r e s u r r e cti o n o f al l th e d e ad , an d o f
immortality only through Christ we r e n o mo r e agr e e abl e to
th e m th an th e y we r e to th e J e ws.
3. R o m a n s : I m m o r t a l i t y a G i f t T h r o u g h C h r i s t .
T h i s maje sti c t r u t h r u n s al l th r o u gh Pa u l s e pi stl e s. I t was th e
mi gh ty cabl e , as i t we r e , u po n wh i ch al l th e o th e r d o ctr i n e s o f
th e go spe l we r e su spe n d e d . T h u s to th e Ro man s, Pau l
pr e ach e d t h a t al l , wh e th e r J e ws o r Ge n ti l e s, we r e u n d e r o n e
co mmo n se n te n ce o f d e ath ; f o r al l h ad si n n e d , a n d co me s h o r t
o f th e gl o r y o f Go d (Ro m. 3:23). T h o s e wh o h ad s i n n e d
wi th o u t l aw, mu st perish wi th o u t l aw (Ro m. 2:12), wh i l e
th o se wh o h ad s i n n e d u n d e r th e l aw mu s t be ju d ge d by th e
l aw. De ath h ad r e i gn e d o ve r al l th e ch i l d r e n o f Ad am (Ro m.
5:14).
T HEOL OGI AN PAUL ON LIFE, DEAT H, AND I MMORT AL I T Y 305
306
Bu t by th e gr ace o f Go d th e r e was h o pe . T h e go spe l ,
wh i ch h e was s e n t to pr e ach , was th e po we r o f Go d u n to sal va
ti o n to e ve r y o n e t h a t be l i e ve th (ch ap. 1:16) i n C h r i s t,
th e Li f e -gi ve r . Spe ci f i cal l yto th e m wh o by pa ti e n t co n ti n u
an ce i n we l l d o i n g seek f o r gl o r y an d h o n o u r a n d immortality
[aphtharsian, i n co r r u pti o n ], eternal life (Ro m. 2:7).
T o be l i e ve r s h e says:
Wh a t f r u i t h ad ye th e n i n th o se th i n gs wh e r e o f ye ar e n o w
ash ame d ? f o r th e end o f th o se th i n gs i s death. Bu t n o w be i n g mad e f r e e
f r o m si n , an d be co me se r van ts to Go d , ye h ave yo u r f r u i t u n to h o l i n e ss,
an d th e e n d everlasting life. Fo r th e wages o f si n i s death [th e sec
o n d d e ath ]; bu t th e gift o f Go d i s eternal life th r o u gh J e su s C h r i st
o u r L o r d (Ro m. 6:21-23).
T h u s th e pr o cl amati o n o f e te r n al l i f e was ce n tr al . T h e r e
i s n o su ch th i n g as e i th e r spo n tan e o u s ge n e r ati o n o r s po n tan e
o u s r e ge n e r ati o n . T h e ch i l d r e n o f Go d ar e be go tte n by Go d
Hi mse l f , as ve r i l y as th e ch i l d r e n o f Ad am ar e be go tte n by
t h e i r n a tu r a l pr o ge n i to r s . T h i s n e w l i f e co n ce r n s i tse l f n o t
wi th car n al a n d pe r i s h abl e th i n gs, bu t wi th s pi r i tu a l an d e te r
n al th i n gs. T h o s e wh o e xpe r i e n ce i t ar e l e d by th e Spi r i t o f
Go d (Ro m. 8:14), a n d su ch ar e d e s ti n e d to be gl o r i f i e d
(v. 17) t h r o u gh th e r e s u r r e cti o n , wi th i ts r e d e mpti o n o f
o u r bo d y (v. 23). T h e y wi l l n o t co me i n to th e co n d e mn a
t i o n o f th e second d e ath (v. 1; ch ap. 5:16; cf . Re v. 2:11).
No t h i n g wi l l be abl e to separate th e m f r o m th e l o ve o f
Go d , wh i ch i s i n J e su s C h r i s t (Ro m. 8:39), by wh o m a n d to
wh o m th e y h e n ce f o r th l i ve as h e i r s o f e te r n al l i f e .
4. 1 C o r i n t h i a n s : I m m o r t a l i t y M u s t B e P u t On .
T h e same e mph asi s o n e te r n al l i f e i s e qu al l y mar ke d i n bo th
o f Pa u l s e pi stl e s to th e C o r i n th i an s . I n th e f i r st e pi stl e h e sh o ws
h o w i mpo ssi bl e i t i s f o r h u man r e aso n al o n e to a tt a i n an y t r u e
kn o wl e d ge o f th e go spe l . Ho w f o o l i sh th e t r u t h o f e te r n al l i f e
t h r o u gh a cr u ci f i e d Savi o u r seems to n a tu r a l man Bu t th e
natural man r e ce i ve th n o t th e th i n gs o f th e Spi r i t o f Go d : f o r
th e y ar e f o o l i sh n e ss u n t o h i m: n e i t h e r can h e kn o w th e m, be
cau se th e y ar e spiritually d i s ce r n e d (1 C o r . 2:14). Bu t Pau l
T HEOL OGI AN PAUL ON LIFE, DEAT H, AND I MMORT ALI T Y 307
was d e te r mi n e d to kn o w n o t h i n g amo n g th e m bu t J e su s
C h r i st, a n d h i m cr u ci f i e d (v. 2), a n d th a t th r o u gh Hi s d e ath
a n d r e s u r r e cti o n we mi gh t h ave e te r n al l i f e .
Fi n al l y, co mi n g to th e cl i max o f th e gr e at an d gl o r i o u s d o c
tr i n e o f th e r e s u r r e cti o n , Pau l d we l l s u po n i t at l e n gth , an d
sh o ws h o w i t i s assu r e d to u s by th e d e ath a n d r e s u r r e cti o n o f
C h r i s t Hi mse l f . I f th i s assu r an ce o f r e s u r r e cti o n th r o u gh C h r i s t
we r e take n away, we wo u l d be o f al l me n th e mo st mi s e r
abl e (1 C o r . 15:19), f o r we wo u l d t h e n h ave n o h o pe o f an y
l i f e be yo n d th e gr ave . Al l wh o h ave f al l e n asl e e p i n J e su s
wo u l d h ave perished (v. 18), be co me e xti n ctn o t i n a state
o f e n d l e ss si n an d mi se r y. No t a wo r d to th a t ef f ect.
Pau l atte mpts to te l l th e n a tu r e o f th e s pi r i tu a l bo d i e s we
sh al l take o n at th e r e s u r r e cti o n , to sh o w h o w gl o r i o u s a n d h o w
i n co r r u pti bl e th e y wi l l be , a n d h o w e n ti r e l y d i f f e r e n t f r o m o u r
gr o ss f l esh l y bo d i e s (v. 37), wh i ch ar e f i tte d o n l y f o r e ar th l y
n atu r e s , a n d co u l d n o t po ssi bl y e n te r th e co mi n g ki n gd o m o f
Go d .
So al so i s th e r e su r r e cti o n o f th e d e ad . I t i s sown i n co r r u pti o n ;
i t i s r ai se d i n i n co r r u pti o n : i t i s so wn i n d i sh o n o u r ; i t i s r ai se d i n
gl o r y: i t i s so wn i n weakness; i t i s r ai se d i n po we r : i t i s so wn a natural
[psuchikon] bo dy; i t i s r ai se d a s pi r i tu a l bo d y. T h e r e i s a n a t u r a l bo d y,
an d th e r e i s a spiritual [pneumatikon] bo d y 1 (1 C o r . 15:42-44).
T h e n Pau l sh o ws h o w, s i mu l tan e o u sl y wi th th e r e s u r r e c
ti o n o f th e r i gh te o u s d e ad , th o se wh o ar e al i ve at C h r i s ts sec
o n d co mi n g wi l l be ch an ge d :
I n a mo me n t, i n th e twi n kl i n g o f an eye, at th e l ast tr u mp: f o r
th e tr u mpe t sh al l so u n d , an d th e d e ad sh al l be r ai se d i n co r r u pti bl e
[aphthartoi, i mmo r tal ], an d we sh al l be ch an ge d . Fo r th i s co r r u pti bl e
mu st pu t o n i n co r r u pti o n , a n d th i s mo r tal [thnton, s u bje ct to d e a th ] 3
mu st pu t o n i mmo r tal i ty [athanasian]. So wh e n th i s co r r u pti bl e sh al l
h ave pu t o n i n co r r u pti o n , an d th i s mo r tal sh al l h ave pu t o n i mmo r tal i ty,
th e n sh al l be br o u gh t to pass th e sayi ng th a t i s wr i tte n , De ath i s swal
l o wed u p i n vi cto r y. O d e ath , wh e r e i s th y sti ng? O gr ave , wh e r e i s th y
vi cto r y? (vs. 52-55).
1I n th i s l i f e man h as f l esh an d bl o o d a n atu r al bo d y. At d e ath th e bo d y r e ve r ts
to d u st, an d th e s pi r i t r e tu r n s to Go d , wh o gave i t (Ps. 31:5; Eccl . 12:7; Lu ke 23:46: Acts
7:59). I n th e r e su r r e cti o n Go d gi ve th i t a bo d y as i t h a th pl e ase d h i m (1 C o r . 15:38).
T h e r e a f te r man n o l o n ge r h as a n a tu r a l bo d y bu t a s pi r i tu al bo dy (1 C o r . 15:44).
* ThnitosRo m. 6:12; 8:11; 1 C o r . 15:53, 54; 2 C o r . 4:11; 5:4.
Mar k th e f o r m o f
th e e xpr e ssi o n , T h i s
co r r u pti bl e mu s t put
on i n co r r u pti o n , an d
th i s mo r tal mu s t put
on i mmo r ta l i ty (v.
53). Su r e l y i f incorrup
tion, i f immortality,
mu s t be p u t o n
(endud, to pu t o n ,
as a gar me n t), i t co u l d
n o t h ave be e n po s
sessed be f o r e .
5. 2 C o r i n t h i a n s :
C e n t r a l T h e m e ,
C h r i s t O u r L i f e .
Pa u l s se co n d C o r i n
th i a n e pi stl e i s e qu al l y
f i l l e d wi th C h r i s t an d
Hi m cr u ci f i e d , as th e
so u r ce o f e te r n al h o pe
to al l Hi s pe o pl e . T h e
gr e at apo stl e i s d e te r
mi n e d to kn o w n o t h
i n g el se amo n g th e m,
wai ti n g e age r l y f o r
th e ti me wh e n th i s
mo r tal i ty mi gh t be
swallowed up [kata-
PETER PAUL RUBENS, ARTIST
C h r i st Pai d th e Fu l l Pe n al ty
f o r Ou r Si n, Dyi n g i n Ou r
Stead T h a t We Mi gh t Re
cei ve Back th e Li f e We Fo r
f e i te d by T r an sgr e ssi o n .
MX
|Vlv'AV'l
308
B. PLOCKHORST, ARTIST
T h e T r e me n d o u s T r u t h o f th e Re su r r e cti o n o f C h r i st Becomes th e Pl e d ge o f
th e Re su r r e cti o n o f th e Sai nts o f th e Ages an d th e Besto wal o f Immo r tal i ty a t
C h r i st's Seco nd Advent.
pino, d r i n k d o wn , swal l o w] o f life (2 C o r . 5:4).
6. E t e r n a l L i f e T h e me R u n s T h r o u g h R e ma i n i n g
E pi s t l e s . An d so wi th al l h i s o th e r e pi stl e s, e te r n al l i f e i s
th e ce n tr al th e me . No te i t:
309
Re ap life everlasting (Gal . 6:8).
"Y o u r life i s h i d wi th C h r i st i n Go d . Wh e n C h r i st, wh o i s o u r life,
sh al l appe ar , th e n sh al l ye al so appe ar wi th h i m i n gl o r y (C o l . 3:3, 4).
Be l i e ve o n h i m to life everlasting (1 T i m. 1:16).
Lay h o l d o n eternal life (1 T i m. 6:12).
Ou r Savi o u r J e su s C h r i st, wh o h ath abo l i sh e d d e ath , an d h ath
br o u gh t l i f e an d immortality [aphtharsian] to l i gh t th r o u gh th e go spe l
(2 T i m. 1:10).
I n h o pe o f eternal life, wh i ch Go d . . . pr o mi se d be f o r e th e wo r l d
be gan (T i tu s 1:2).
"He i r s acco r d i n g to th e h o pe o f eternal life (ch ap. 3:7).
7. P e t e r , J a m e s , a n d J u d e G i v e Sa m e E m ph a s i s .An d
i t s h o u l d be ad d e d t h a t Pe te r , J ame s, an d J u d e f o l l o w o n , o f
f e r i n g sal vati o n wi th th e same l i f e l i n e e xh o r ti n g al l to
f i gh t th e go o d f i gh t o f f ai th a n d l ay h o l d o n e te r n al l i f e .
"He sh al l r e ce i ve th e cr o wn o f life, wh i ch th e Lo r d h a t h pr o mi se d
to th e m th a t l o ve h i m (J ame s 1:12).
Lo o ki n g f o r th e me r cy o f o u r Lo r d J e su s C h r i st u n to eternal life
(J u d e 21).
I t i s l i f e , l i f e , l i f e! Bu t l e t us e xami n e Pau l , a n d h i s th e o l
o gy o n l i f e a n d d e ath , mo r e cl o sel y.
I I . He ar t o f Pau l i n e T h e o l o gyGi f t o f Li f e
In ste ad o f De str u cti o n
T h e apo stl e Pau l was u n qu e s ti o n abl y th e mo st po we r f u l
h u man pe r s o n al i ty i n th e h i sto r y o f th e C h r i s ti an ch u r ch
tr u l y a s pi r i tu a l a n d i n te l l e ctu al gi an t. He was ch o se n to wr i te
a si zabl e po r ti o n o f th e Ne w T e s tame n t. I n h i s wr i ti n gs h e
gave a mo r e f u l l y d e ve l o pe d th e o l o gy th an an y o th e r apo stl e .
He pr o be s th e d e e pe st d e pth s an d r i se s to th e h i gh e st
h e i gh ts o f th e mi gh ty pl an o f r e d e mpti o n . He sweeps i n al l o f
Go d s maje sti c pr o vi si o n s o f gr ace an d r e d e mpti o n . He pr e
se n ts th e l i gh t o f sal vati o n f o r th e be l i e ve r an d th e d ar kn e ss o f
d o o m f o r th e r e je cto r s o f Go d s gr ace . On e can f e e l th e pu l s at
i n g h e a r tth r o bs th r o u gh o u t h i s mi gh ty e pi stl e s.
1. R e d e m pt i o n o f M a n B r i n g s L i f e a n d I m m o r t a l i t y .
Pau l d i d n o t h ave th e pr i vi l e ge o f th e th r e e ye ar s e n jo ye d by
th e o t h e r d i sci pl e s i n th e sch o o l o f C h r i st, th e mas te r te ach e r
o f l i f e a n d i mmo r tal i ty. Sau l th e pe r s e cu to r be came Pa u l th e
apo stl e wh e n h e e n co u n te r e d C h r i s t i n a vi si o n o n th e r o ad to
Damascu s (Acts 9). He s pe n t a pe r i o d o f stu d y an d r e a d ju s t
me n t i n Ar abi a (Gal . 1:17). Bu t h i s te ach i n g i s i d e n ti cal wi th
th e i r sa n d t h a t o f J e su so n th e n a tu r e an d d e sti n y o f man .
I n f act, h e su r passe s o th e r d i sci pl e s i n th e f u l l n e ss, cl ar i ty, an d
d e pth o f h i s pr e s e n tati o n s . Pau l was cl e ar l y Go d s u n i qu e
apo stl e n o t o n l y to th e Ge n ti l e s bu t to th e Di aspo r a as we l l .
Wi t h Pau l , C h r i st was n o t o n l y th e ce n te r bu t th e ci r
cu mf e r e n ce o f h i s pr e ach i n g an d te ach i n g, as we l l as o f h i s
pe r so n al f ai th an d l i f e . T h e essence o f h i s message was h u man i ty
r e d e e me d , ju sti f i e d by gr ace th r o u gh f ai th i n J e su s C h r i st al o n e ,
wh o by Hi s l i f e , d e ath , a n d r e s u r r e cti o n o pe n e d th e way an d
pr o vi d e d th e me an s f o r ma n s r e s to r ati o n a n d h i s r e ce pti o n o f
e te r n al l i f e a n d I mmo r tal i ty i n C h r i st, be sto we d at th e r e s
u r r e cti o n o r at tr an s l ati o n , at th e Se co n d Ad ve n t.
2. T r e me n d o u s Sc o pe o f Sa l v a t i o n .T h e th r e e f o u n
d a ti o n al f acts o f th e d e ath , bu r i a l , a n d r e s u r r e cti o n o f C h r i st,
i n t h e i r r e l a ti o n to si n an d r e d e mpti o n f o r man , cl e ar l y co n
s ti t u te th e su m an d su bstan ce o f th e te ach i n g an d pr e ach i n g o f
th e gr e at apo stl e . I n h i s wr i ti n gs th e r e i s cl ar i ty an d ce r tai n ty i n
th e pr o vi s i o n o f Li f e On l y i n C h r i st. T h a t i s u n qu e s ti o n abl y
th e e sse nce o f Pa u l s go spe l . He r e th e h i gh e st, br o ad e st, an d
d e e pe st l esso ns i n th e sch o o l o f gr ace ar e se t f o r th . He r e i s th e
cu l mi n a t i o n o f r e ve al e d apo sto l i c t r u t h . He r e i s th e po we r f u l
po r tr ayal o f th e d i vi n e ph i l o so ph y o f sal vati o n i n co n tr as t
wi th al l h u ma n f o i bl e s an d so ph i sms.
3. O pe n i n g M e s s a g e I s o n E s c h a t o l o g y . Pa u l wr o te
th e T h e s s al o n i an e pi stl e s abo u t a .d . 52. T h e s e e pi stl e s a n d th e
C o r i n th i an s , wr i tte n so me si x ye ar s l ate r , ar e r e pl e te wi th th e
me ssage o f l i f e , d e ath , an d I mmo r tal i ty. T h i s was th e e ar l i e st
Pa u l i n e e mph asi s. An d Pau l was th e mo st e xpl i ci t a n d e xte n
si ve o f al l th e Ne w T e s ta me n t wr i te r s i n h o l d i n g ste ad f astl y to
th e o r i gi n a l Bi bl i cal po s i ti o n t h a t man i s n o t n a tu r a l l y i mmo r -
T HEOL OGI AN PAUL ON LIFE, DEAT H, AND I MMORT AL I T Y 311
1 9 4 9 BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD HARRY ANDERSON, ARTIST
He Wh o Ascended to He ave n Wi l l C o me Agai n to Gath e r Hi s Sai nts, to Destr o y
Si n an d Si nner s, an d to Br i n g th e Au th o r o f Si n an d De ath to an Utte r En d .
tal . He mai n tai n s t h a t man can be co me so o n l y by a n e w i n
f u si o n o f l i f e . He i s n o t so by n a tu r e ; h e be co me s so by f ai th an d
tr an s f o r mi n g gr ace .
Pau l h ad l i ttl e success i n Ath e n s, th e ci ty o f So cr ate s a n d
Pl ato . He wo u l d d o u btl e s s h ave se cu r e d a h e a r i n g i f h e h ad
312
pr o cl ai me d th e i mmo r tal i ty o f th e so u l an d i ts co r o l l ar i e s.
Mo r e o ve r , h e d e mo n s tr ate d h e r e th e f u ti l i ty o f me e ti n g r e aso n
wi th r e aso n , l o gi c wi th l o gi c, an d ph i l o so ph y wi th ph i l o so ph y.
T h e n ce f o r th h e was a pr e ach e r o f J e su s C h r i st, a n d Hi m cr u ci
f i ed (1 C o r . 2:2), r i se n , asce n d e d , me d i ati n g, ju d gi n g, an d
co mi n g agai n to r ai se th e d e ad , tr an s l ate th e l i vi n g, r e war d th e
r i gh te o u s, a n d pu n i s h th e wi cke d wi th e ve r l asti n g d e s tr u cti o n .
4. P u n i s h me n t o f W i cke d I s T o t a l D e s t r u c t i o n .
T we n ty ti me s th e apo stl e Pau l d e cl ar e s t h a t th e wages o f si n i s
d e ath abs o l u te d e ath , ce ssati o n o f l i f e . T we n ty ti me s h e te l l s
us t h a t d e ath i s th e pu n i s h me n t f o r si n an d al so i n a d o ze n
pl ace s t h a t l i f e a n d i mmo r tal i ty ar e spe ci al pr i vi l e ge s, as i n
Ro man s 6:23 a n d 8:11. T we n ty-f i ve ti me s Pau l spe l l s o u t th e
f ate o f th e wi cke d , an d co n s tan tl y uses te r ms co n n o ti n g to tal
d e s tr u cti o n su ch as:
I n f l ami n g f i re taki n g ve n ge an ce o n th e m th a t kn o w n o t Go d . . . :
wh o sh al l be pu n i s h e d wi th everlasting destruction [olethron aidnion,
e te r n al r u i n , d e a th ] f r o m th e pr e se n ce o f th e Lo r d , an d f r o m th e gl o r y o f
h i s po we r ; wh e n h e sh al l co me to be gl o r i f i e d i n h i s sai n ts (2 T h e ss.
1:8-10).
Pau l spe aks o n ce o f th e r e s u r r e cti o n o f th e wi cke d , o r u n
ju s t (Acts 24:15). Bu t th e i r su r vi val wi l l be o f su ch s h o r t d u r a
ti o n th at h e u su al l y passes i t o ve r i n si l e n ce . I n h i s Epi stl e
to th e He br e ws 3i t i s state d :
We ar e n o t o f th e m wh o d r aw back u n to perdition; bu t o f th e m th a t
be l i e ve to th e savi n g o f th e so u l . "Fo r o u r Go d i s a consuming fire"
wh i ch sh al l devour th e ad ve r sar i e s (He b. 10:39; 12:29; 10:27).
T h a t wh i ch Go d co n su me s He d o e s n o t al l o w s ti l l to e xi st.
Af te r th e e xe cu ti o n o f th e ju d gme n t, d e ath wi l l h ave n o mo r e
vi cto r i e s, bu t wi l l i tse l f be abo l i sh e d (Re v. 20:14). I mmo r ta l
i ty, Pau l asse r ts, can n o t be gi n be f o r e th i s corruptible sh al l
h ave pu t o n incorruption, a n d th i s mortal sh al l h ave pu t o n
immortality (1 C o r . 15:54; cf . 1 T i m. 6:16), wh i ch ch an ge
take s pl ace wh e n C h r i s t co me s th e se co n d ti me . He r e i s Pa u l s
ke y d e cl ar ati o n i n h i s e ar l i e s t e pi stl e :
3T h e pr e s e n t wr i te r acce pts th e ar gu me n ts i n f avo r o f Pau l i n e au th o r sh i p as mo r e
we i gh ty th an th o se f o r al l o th e r can d i d ate s pu t to ge th e r .
T h e Lo r d h i mse l f sh al l d e sce n d f r o m h e ave n wi th a sh o u t, wi th th e
vo i ce o f th e ar ch an ge l , an d wi th th e tr u mp o f Go d : an d th e dead in
Christ sh al l rise f i r st: th e n we wh i ch ar e al i ve an d r e mai n sh al l be
caught up to ge th e r wi th th e m i n th e cl o uds, to me e t th e Lo r d i n th e ai r :
a n d so sh al l we e ve r be wi th th e Lo r d (1 T h e ss. 4:16, 17).
T h a t i s a bi r d s-eye vi e w o f th e Pa u l i n e wi tn e ss. No w l e t
us e xami n e Pa u l s te sti mo n y f r o m th e e sch ato l o gi cal si d e .
I I I . Pl aces Al l Messages i n Gr aph i c Esch ato l o gi cal Se tti ng
Pau l i s car e f u l e ve n i n h i s ve r y f i r st e pi stl e s to pl ace h i s
message i n a gr aph i c, we l l -d e f i n e d e sch ato l o gi cal se tti n g. T h e
T h e s s al o n i an e pi stl e s se t f o r th th e tr an s ce n d e n t scenes o f th e
Se co n d Ad ve n t, wi th i ts gl o r i f i cati o n o f th e sai n ts a t th e r e s u r
r e cti o n an d s u bs e qu e n t d e s tr u cti o n o f al l si n n e r s. T h i s i s
pr e s e n te d as th e cl i max o f th e d i vi n e pl an o f th e agesth e
end events be i n g th e cu l mi n a ti o n o f a swe e pi n g o u tl i n e t h a t
take s i n th e ce n tu r i e s an d l e ad s u p to th e d e vastati n g scene s o f
th e d ay o f th e Lo r d . T h a t i s th e r e f o r e th e i n i ti a l Ne w T e s ta
me n t e mph asi s.
1. Se c o n d A d v e n t I n v o l v e s R e s u r r e c t i o n a n d T r a n s
l a t i o n .Pa u l l e ad s i n to th e Se co n d Ad ve n t t h a t cl o ses th e
age . He d e pi cts th e Lo r d J e su s d e sce n d i n g f r o m He ave n an d
cal l i n g f o r th f r o m t h e i r gr ave s th e s l e e pi n g sai n ts, a n d catch i n g
u p a n d tr a n s l ati n g th e sai n ts th e n l i vi n g, to me e t Hi m an d
th e n ce f o r th be to ge th e r f o r e ve r wi th t h e i r Lo r d . Su ch i s Pa u l s
e ar l i e s t d e pi cti o n .
2. D a y o f t h e L o r d B r i n g s Su d d e n D e s t r u c t i o n t o
Si n n e r s .Pa u l th e n i mme d i ate l y r e f e r s to th e d ay o f th e
L o r d , as co mi n g u n e xpe cte d l y to man y, l i ke a th i e f i n th e
n i gh t. I t br i n gs s u d d e n d e s tr u cti o n (1 T h e ss. 5:2, 3) to th e
wi cke d . Bu t h e assu r e s th e s pi r i tu al l y a l e r t th a t t h a t d ay wi l l
n o t o ve r take th e m as a th i e f (v. 4).
3. A t t e n d a n t C i r c u ms t a n c e s o f A d v e n t P o r t r a y e d .
I n h i s Se co n d Epi s tl e to th e T h e s s al o n i an s Pau l pi cks u p th e
HARRY ANDERSON, ARTIST O 1 9 5 7 BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD
C h r i st, Ou r C r e ato r an d Re d e e me r , Wh o Di e d as Ou r Ato n i n g Sacri f i ce, an d
No w Mi ni ste r s as Me d i ati n g Pr i e st, Wi l l Soon Re tu r n as C o n qu e r i n g Ki n g to
Gath e r Ho me Hi s Ran so me d Ones.
po r tr ayal a t th e same po i n t, th e Se co n d Ad ve n t, ad d i n g d e tai l s
as to th e manner o f th a t co mi n g, bu t th i s ti me h e str esses th e
t e r r o r a n d d e s tr u cti o n vi si te d u po n th e living wicked wh e n
C h r i s t appe ar s, i n co n tr as t wi th th e gl o r i f i cati o n a n d r e jo i ci n g
o f th e sai n ts:
T h e Lo r d J e su s sh al l be r e ve al e d f r o m h e ave n wi th h i s mighty
angels, i n f l ami n g f i re taki n g vengeance o n th e m th a t kn o w n o t Go d , an d
th a t o be y n o t th e go spe l o f o u r Lo r d J e su s C h r i st: wh o sh al l be pu n
i sh e d wi th everlasting destruction \olethron aidnion, "e te r n a l r u i n ,
d e a th ] f r o m th e pr e se n ce o f th e Lo r d , an d f r o m th e gl o r y o f h i s po we r ;
wh e n h e sh al l co me to be gl o r i f i e d i n h i s sai n ts, an d to be ad mi r e d i n al l
th e m th a t be l i e ve (2 T h e ss. 1:7-10).
4. C o m i n g A po s t a s y P a u l s G r a v e C o n c e r n .I n Se co n d
T h e s s al o n i an s 2, Pau l co n ti n u e s h i s s u bje ct o f th e d ay o f th e
L o r d . He war n s agai n st th e i l l u s i o n t h a t th i s tr e me n d o u s
d ay i s ju s t a t h an d . Fi r st, h e says, th e r e wi l l be a d r e ad
315
f al l i n g away (apostasia, f o r e to l d by C h r i s t i n Matth e w 24 an d
Dan i e l 7) a n d th e appe ar i n g, h i sto r i cal l y, o f th e man o f s i n ,
o r so n o f pe r d i t i o n (2 T h e ss. 2:3), th e An ti ch r i s t, wh o se
acti vi ti e s h e d e scr i be s i n th e se wo r d s:
Wh o o ppo se th an d e xal te th h i mse l f abo ve al l t h a t i s cal l e d Go d ,
o r th a t i s wo r sh i ppe d ; so th a t h e as Go d s i tte th i n th e temple o f Go d,
sh e wi n g h i mse l f th a t h e i s Go d (v. 4).
Pau l r e mi n d s th e T h e s s al o n i an s t h a t h e h ad f o r e war n e d
th e m o r al l y o f th e gr e at apo stasy to co me i n to th e C h r i s ti an
ch u r ch , wh i ch wo u l d be h e l d back o n l y by th e i r o n mi gh t o f a
u n i f i e d pagan Ro me (vs. 5, 6). Bu t th a t wo u l d pass a n d th e
apo stasy wo u l d appe ar . He d e cl ar e s th at th e seeds o f s pi r i tu a l
d e pa r t u r e we r e al r e ad y ge r mi n ati n g i n h i s o wn day:
Fo r th e myster y o f iniquity d o th al r e ad y wo r k: o n l y h e wh o no w
letteth [katecho, to r e s tr a i n , to h o l d back] wi l l let [restrain],
u n t i l h e be take n o u t o f th e way. An d th e n sh al l th a t Wi cke d be r e ve al e d ,
wh o m th e Lo r d sh al l consume wi th th e spi r i t o f h i s mo u th , an d sh al l de
stroy wi th th e brightness of his coming (vs. 7, 8).
T h i s po we r wo u l d be ch ar acte r i ze d by si gns a n d wo n d e r s
a n d d e ce i t, be co mi n g an o ve r po we r i n g s tr o n g d e l u s i o n
(vs. 9-11). Appe al i n g to th e ch u r ch to h o l d to th e t r u t h th e y
h ad be e n tau gh t, h e so l e mn l y war n s t h a t th o se wh o be l i e ve an d
r e ce i ve th i s l i e wi l l be d a mn e d (vs. 11, 12). T h a t i s Pa u l s
te ach i n g o n th e l ast th i n gs , i n th e s e tti n g o f th e an te ce d e n t
gr e at apo stasy t h a t wo u l d be e stabl i sh e d be f o r e th e Se co n d
Ad ve n t, a n d wo u l d cease o n l y wi th th e se co n d co mi n g o f
C h r i s t a t th e e n d o f th e age.
5. D i f f e r e n t i a t e s Be t w e e n R es u r r ec t i o n o f R i g h t e o u s
a n d W i c k e d . T h e f i r st C o r i n th i a n e pi stl e l i ke wi se o pe n s wi th
a r e f e r e n ce to th e co mi n g o f o u r Lo r d J e su s C h r i s t (1 C o r .
1:7). T h e n ma n s u s u r pi n g ju d gme n t wi l l gi ve way to Go d s
ju s t an d so ve r e i gn ju d gme n t.
C h a pte r 15 o f 1 C o r i n th i an s i s th e gr e at Se co n d Ad
ve n t an d r e s u r r e cti o n -tr an s l ati o n cl assi c. Pau l f i r st l ays d o wn
th i s basi c pr i n ci pl e co n ce r n i n g th e r e s u r r e cti o n : Fo r as i n
Ad am all d i e , e ve n so i n C h r i s t sh al l all be mad e al i ve (v. 22).
T h e r e s u r r e cti o n i s u n i ve r sal . Bu t th e d e ad ar e r ai se d i n
two gr o u ps. Pau l e xpl ai n s th at they that are Christs co me
f o r th at Hi s se co n d co mi n g (v. 23). Bu t n o t al l ar e C h r i s ts. J o h n
th e r e ve l ato r says th at th e wicked wi l l n o t co me f o r th u n t i l
th e second r e s u r r e cti o n (Re v. 20:5, 6). T h a t i s th e r e s u r r e c
ti o n o f th e u n ju s t (Acts 24:15), o r th e r e s u r r e cti o n u n to
d a mn a t i o n (J o h n 5:29), as C h r i st e xpr e ssl y d e n o mi n ate d i t.
T h e n , wh e n th e e n d co me s, al l r u l e an d a u th o r i ty an d
po we r i s s u bje cte d to C h r i s t (1 C o r . 15:24-28). An d th i s i n
cl u d e s th e l ast e n e my o f man ki n d , wh i ch i s d e a th (v. 26).
T h u s th e f e ar so me r e i gn o f d e ath wi l l cease at th e Ad ve n t an d
r e s u r r e cti o n . As to th e se bo d i e s o f o u r s:
I t [th e bo d y o f th e sai n t] i s sown i n co r r u pti o n ; i t i s r ai se d i n
incorruption [aphtharsia, i mmo r tal i ty]: i t i s so wn i n d i sh o n o u r ; i t i s
r ai se d i n gl o r y: i t i s so wn i n weakness; i t i s r ai se d i n po we r : i t i s
so wn a natural body [soma psuchikon]-, i t i s r ai se d a spiritual body [soma
pneumatikon] (vs. 42-44).
T h e n we sh al l agai n be ar th e i mage o f th e h e ave n l y
(v. 49). An d th i s i s br o u gh t a bo u t th r o u gh C h r i st, th e qu i ck
e n i n g s pi r i t (v. 45). An d n o w co me s th e tr e me n d o u s passage
co n ce r n i n g th o se wh o sl e e p i n J e su s, to ge th e r wi th th o se wh o
ar e th e n l i vi n g, wh o wi l l be tr an s l ate d :
Be h o l d , I sh ew yo u a myster y; We sh al l not all sleep [koimad, h e r e ,
th e sl e e p o f d e ath ], bu t we sh al l al l be changed, i n a mo me n t, i n th e
twi n kl i n g o f an eye, at th e l ast tr u mp: f o r th e tr u mpe t sh al l so u n d , an d
th e d e ad sh al l be r ai se d incorruptible, a n d we shall be changed. Fo r th i s
corruptible [phtharton, pe r i s h abl e ] mu st put on i n co r r u pti o n , an d th i s
mortal mu st pu t o n immortality. So wh e n th i s co r r u pti bl e sh al l h ave
pu t o n i n co r r u pti o n , an d th i s mo r tal sh al l h ave pu t o n i mmo r tal i ty,
th e n sh al l be br o u gh t to pass th e sayi ng th a t i s wr i tte n , De ath i s swal
l o we d u p i n victory (1 C o r . 15:51-54).
T h e wh o l e pi ctu r e i s th e r e : (1) T h e l ast t r u mp, (2) th e
resurrection o f th e sl e e pi n g sai n ts, (3) th e changing, o r tr an s
l ati o n , o f th e l i vi n g sai n ts, (4) an d f o r bo th , th e co r r u pt i bl e
pu t t i n g o n i n co r r u pti o n an d th e mo r t a l pu t ti n g o n i m
mo r t a l i ty. T h e tr an s f o r mati o n an d th e vi cto r y ar e al l th r o u gh
J e su s C h r i s t o u r Lo r d .
6. O u r V i l e Bo d i es C h a n g ed a t A d v e n t . I n Ph i l i ppi an s
Pau l d e cl ar e s:
Wh o [C h r i st] sh al l change o u r vi l e bo dy, th a t i t may be f ash i o n e d
l i ke u n to h i s gl o r i o u s bo d y, acco r d i n g to th e wo r ki n g wh e r e by h e i s abl e
e ve n to s u bd u e al l th i n gs u n to h i ms e l f (Ph i l . 3:21).
I n 1 T i mo t h y 1:16, 17 o u r be l i e vi n g i n C h r i s t unto l i f e
e ve r l as ti n g i s co u pl e d wi th th e r e mi n d e r th a t Go d al o n e i s th e
Ki n g e te r n al , immortal, i n vi si bl e , th e o n l y wi se Go d . On l y
th e Go d h e ad h as abso l u te , o r i gi n al , u n d e r i ve d i mmo r tal i ty.
Ma n s i mmo r tal i ty i s d e r i ve d a n d co n ti n ge n t, a n d i s n o t r e ce i ve d
u n t i l th e Se co n d Ad ve n t.
7. Se d u c i n g Spi r i t s I m pi n g e o n G o d s U n a ppr o a c h a b l e
I m m o r t a l i t y . T h e n Pau l tu r n s to th e ch ar acte r i s ti c d e ve l
o pme n ts o f th e l a t te r ti me s , wh e n so me sh al l d e pa r t f r o m
th e f ai th , giving heed to seducing spirits, a n d doctrines of
devils (ch ap. 4:1). T h i s i s r e mi n i s ce n t o f th e se d u cti ve l i e
a n d l i a r i n Ed e n t h a t be gu i l e d th e mo th e r o f th e h u man r ace .
T h e r e wi l l be a r e vi val i n th e l a tte r ti me s , ch ar acte r i ze d by
th e po we r a n d pe r su asi ve n e ss o f t h a t f i r st f atal d e ce pti o n . Bu t
Pa u l ad mo n i sh e s us to lay hold o n e te r n al l i f e , an d to see
t h a t we ar e ke pt wi th o u t spo t . . . u n t i l th e appe ar i n g o f o u r
L o r d J e su s C h r i s t (ch ap. 6:12, 14).
He go es o u t o f h i s way to d e cl ar e agai n t h a t th e Ki n g o f
ki n gs, a n d L o r d o f l o r d s i s t h e o n e wh o only h a th i mmo r ta l
i ty, d we l l i n g i n th e l i gh t wh i ch n o man can appr o ach u n t o
(v. 16). An d h i s pa r t i n g ad mo n i ti o n to T i mo t h y i s to lay
hold on e te r n al l i f e (v. 19). I t was n o t h i s i n h e r e n tl y.
8. I m m o r t a l i t y B r o u g h t I n t o F o c u s T h r o u g h G o s
p e l . I n 2 T i mo th y, Pau l agai n me n ti o n s th e se co n d a ppe ar
i n g o f o u r Savi o u r J e su s C h r i st, wh o h a th abo l i s h e d d e ath ,
a n d h a th brought life and immortality to light th r o u gh th e
go spe l (2 T i m. 1:10).
I t i s th u s cl e ar t h a t i mmo r tal i ty h as n o t be e n th e i n
a l i e n abl e po ssessi o n o f th e h u man f ami l y si n ce th e Fal l . I t i s a
pr o vi s i o n br o u gh t to l i gh t t h r o u gh th e go spe l . An d th e apo stl e
spe aks o f h i s o wn pe r s u as i o n th a t C h r i st i s abl e to ke e p t h a t
wh i ch I h ave co mmi tte d u n to h i m agai n st t h a t d ay (2 T i m.
1:12). An d o n ce mo r e h e ad ve r ts to th e l ast d ays an d t a bu
l ate s a l i st o f so me n i n e te e n te l l tal e spe ci f i cati o n s t h a t wi l l
ch ar acte r i ze th e m (ch ap. 3:2-5). He avo ws th a t th e Lo r d J e su s
C h r i s t wi l l ju d ge th e qu i ck an d th e d e ad a t h i s appe ar i n g an d
h i s ki n gd o m (ch ap. 4:1). Agai n h e f o r e war n s th a t
"th e ti me wi l l co me [i n th e l a tte r d ays] wh e n th e y wi l l n o t e n d u r e
so u n d d o ctr i n e . . . ; th e y sh al l tu r n away th e i r e ar s f r o m th e tr u th ,
an d sh al l be tu r n e d u n to f abl e s (vs. 3, 4).
T h e n h e str esses h i s o wn pe r so n al be l i e f , an d co n f e ssi o n ,
t h a t
th e r e i s laid up f o r me a cr o wn o f r i gh te o u sn e ss, wh i ch th e Lo r d , th e
r i gh te o u s ju d ge , sh al l gi ve me at that day: an d n o t to me o n l y, bu t
u n to al l th e m al so th a t l o ve h i s appe ar i n g (v. 8).
Al l r e war d s wi l l be gi ve n to ge th e r at th e Se co n d Ad ve n t.
An d i n cl o si n g h i s l e t te r to T i tu s , Pau l twi ce r e f e r s to th e
hope o f e te r n al l i f e (T i tu s 1:2; 3:7), pr o mi se d , h e d e cl ar e s,
be f o r e th e wo r l d be gan (ch ap. 1:2). T h a t i s Pa u l s co mpr e
h e n si ve te sti mo n y i n i ts vi tal e sch ato l o gi cal s e tti n g an d f r ame
wo r k. I n th i s h e f ai th f u l l y f o l l o ws th e pa tt e r n o f C h r i st. An d
th i s i s d e si gn e d to be th e pa tt e r n f o r e ve r y te ach e r o f t r u t h co n
ce r n i n g th e n a tu r e an d d e sti n y o f man .
IV. Pau l i n e Po r tr ayal an d Usage o f Immo r tal
an d Immo r tal i ty
T h e te r m i mmo r ta l i ty i s use d bu t f i ve ti me s i n Scr i p
tu r e , an d i mmo r ta l bu t o n ce . Al l ar e i n th e Ne w T e s tame n t,
an d al l ar e Pau l i n e .
1. A b s o l u t e I mmo r t a l i t y I s A t t r i b u t e o f G o d A l o n e .
Abso l u te i mmo r tal i ty i s an a t t r i bu t e be l o n gi n g so l e l y to
Go d , al o n g wi th Hi s o mn i po te n ce , o mn i sci e n ce , an d o mn i
pr e se n ce . These are exclusively His. T h e bl e sse d an d o n l y
Po te n tate , th e Ki n g o f ki n gs, an d Lo r d o f l o r d s; wh o o n l y
h a th immortality [athanasian, i n co r r u pti o n ] (1 T i m. 6:
15, 16; cf . 1 C o r . 15:53, 54). T h e i n e scapabl e i n f e r e n ce th e r e -
f o r e f o l l o ws t h a t man do e s not possess th e a t t r i bu t e o f i mmo r
tal i ty by n a tu r e . I t i s n o t a n a tu r a l ch ar acte r i s ti c o f man . I t i s
e ve r to be sought for (Ro m. 2:7), a n d i s al ways a n d o n l y to
be received as a gift (Ro m. 6:23). I n var i o u s passages th e
ad je cti ve mo r t a l (thnetos) i s appl i e d to man (see Ro m.
6:12; 8:11; 1 C o r . 15:53, 54; 2 C o r . 4:11; 5:4), wh i l e i mmo r
t a l i s appl i e d o n l y to Go d . An d wi th th i s agr e e s th e so l i tar y
u se o f i mmo r ta l .
No w u n to th e Ki n g e te r n al , immortal [aphtharto, n o t l i abl e to
co r r u pti o n ], i n vi si bl e , th e o n l y wi se Go d (1 T i m. 1:17).
T h e r e i s th u s pe r f e ct agr e e me n t i n th e Pa u l i n e te sti mo n y
an d f u n d ame n ta l h ar mo n y wi th th e te sti mo n y o f C h r i st, th e
o t h e r apo stl e s, a n d th e pr o ph e ts.
2. C h r i s t t h e R ev ea l e r o f I mmo r t a l i t y t o M a n . T h e
se co n d basi c t r u t h e sse n ti al f o r o u r u n d e r s ta n d i n g i s C h r i s ts
r e l a ti o n s h i p to i t al l . By th e appe ar i n g o f o u r Savi o u r J e su s
C h r i st, wh o h ath abo l i s h e d d e ath , a n d h a th br o u gh t life an d
immortality to l i gh t th r o u gh th e go spe l (2 T i m. 1:10). T h e
e te r n al So n o f Go d , th e n , h as br o u gh t wi th i n th e kn o wl e d ge
an d gr asp o f man t h a t e ve r l asti n gn e ss o f pe r f e ct be i n g, wh i ch
i s n o w th e po ssessi o n o f Go d al o n e . Man i s to sh ar e th i s at
Go d s appo i n te d ti me .
3. I mmo r t a l i t y N o t P r e s e n t P o s s es s i o n o f H u ma n i t y .
I mmo r ta l i ty i s so me d ay e r e l o n g to be r e ce i ve d by th o se
wh o se ek f o r i t i n Go d s way a n d u po n wh o m He wi l l be sto w
i t as a gi f t. T o th e m wh o by pa ti e n t co n ti n u an ce i n wel l d o i n g
seek f o r gl o r y a n d h o n o u r a n d immortality, e te r n al l i f e (Ro m.
2:7).
4. M a n , N o w M o r t a l , t o P u t O n I m m o r t a l i t y .T h a t
d ay o f be sto wal i s d r awi n g n e ar : Fo r th i s co r r u pti bl e mu st
pu t o n i n co r r u pti o n , an d th i s mortal mu s t put on immortality
(1 C o r . 15:53). Obvi o u sl y o n e d o e s n o t pu t o n wh at h e al r e ad y
h as i n h e r e n tl y. Bu t wh e n wi l l th i s be sto wal take pl ace?
5. R e s u r r e c t i o n I s T i me o f P u t t i n g O n I m m o r t a l i t y .
FRANKLIN BOOTH, ART IST 1 9 4 4 BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD
C h r i s ts Seco nd Adve n t i n T i me s Last Ho u r Wi l l Br i n g De ath an d De str u cti o n
to th e Wi cke d, Wh o Have Spu r n e d Hi s Ove r tu r e s o f Gr ace an d Li f e.
T h e r e s u r r e cti o n d ay i s n o t f ar away, wi th i ts gl o r i o u s, e te r n al
vi cto r y, a n d i ts tr an s f o r mati o n f o r man .
So wh e n th i s co r r u pti bl e sh al l h ave pu t o n i n co r r u pti o n , an d th i s
PAINTING BY HARRY ANDERSON 1 9 6 5 BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD ^ ^ 2 1
Eve Was Be gu i l e d by th e Dazzl i ng T e mpte r I n to Bel i ev
i n g Sh e C o u l d Attai n I n n a t e I mmo r tal i ty T h r o u gh Di s
o be di e n ce .
mo r tal sh al l h ave put on immortality, th e n sh al l be br o u gh t to pass th e
sayi n g th a t i s wr i tte n , De ath i s swal l o wed u p i n vi cto r y (1 C o r . 15:54).
I t can n o t be o ve r state d th a t Go d i s th e so l e pr e s e n t po s
sesso r o f i mmo r tal i ty. He i s th e so u r ce f r o m wh i ch man , at
pr e s e n t mo r tal , mu s t o btai n i mmo r tal i ty. C h r i st i s th e r e ve al e r
an d ch an n e l o f e te r n al l i f e an d i mmo r tal i ty. He h as br o u gh t
to l i gh t th e po ssi bi l i ty an d pr o vi si o n o f a tta i n i n g i mmo r tal l i f e
i t i s pr o vi d e d i n Hi m as th e ch an n e l th r o u gh wh i ch i t may
f l o w to us. Man i s to seek f o r i t, an d th e se e ke r wi l l be r e
war d e d . Man wi l l pu t o n i mmo r tal i ty at th e r e s u r r e cti o n o f
th e ju st. Bu t i t wi l l al ways be d e r i ve d , co n ti n ge n t i mmo r tal i ty
n o t i n d e pe n d e n t i mmo r tal i ty. T h a t i s e ve r an d o n l y Go d s.
An d n o w l e t us l o o k at th e o ppo si te si d e o f th e pi ctu r e ,
th r o u gh Pa u l s eyes.
6. T h o s e N o t R ec ei v i n g I mmo r t a l i t y A r e D o o me d .
Pau l co n si ste n tl y r e f e r s to i mmo r tal i ty as a goal, an o bje cti ve ,
wh i ch l i es be f o r e th e r i gh te o u s, wh o l i ve i n qu e s t o f i mmo r
tal i ty. On th e co n tr ar y, th e wr a th (org) o f Go d i n e vi tabl y
awai ts th e u n r i gh te o u s . An d Pau l f ai th f u l l y d e pi cts th e awf u l
d o o m o f s i n s r e t r i bu t i o n . T h u s h e co n tr asts th e e te r n al l i f e ,
wh i ch i s th e gi f t o f Go d to man , wi th th e f i n al d e ath , wh i ch
i s th e wages o f s i n (Ro m. 6:23).
Wh o [Go d] wi l l r e n d e r to eve r y man acco r d i n g to h i s d e e d s: to
th e m wh o by pa t i e n t co n ti n u an ce i n wel l d o i n g seek f o r gl o r y an d h o n
o u r an d immortality, eternal life: bu t u n to th e m th a t ar e co n te n ti o u s,
a n d d o n o t o be y th e tr u th , bu t o be y u n r i gh te o u sn e ss, i n d i gn ati o n an d
wrath [org], tr i bu l a ti o n an d an gu i sh , u po n eve r y so u l o f man th a t
d o e th e vi l (Ro m. 2:6-9).
T h e Gr e e k wo r d aphtharsia, h e r e tr an s l ate d i mmo r ta l
i ty, i s r e n d e r e d i n co r r u pti o n i n th e Re vi se d Ve r si o n . A p h
tharsia (l i te r al l y i mpe r i s h a bi l i ty) an d aphthartos (tr an s l ate d
i n co r r u pti bl e , i mmo r ta l ) a n d th e i r co gn ate o ppo si te s
phthora a n d phthartos (tr an s l ate d co r r u pt i o n , d i ss o l u
t i o n , a n d pe r i s h a bl e ) th r o w n o smal l l i gh t o n bo th th e n a
t u r e an d th e d e sti n y o f mo r tal man . Al l f o u r wo r d s ar e r e l a te d
to th e ve r b phtheir, tr an s l ate d to d e s tr o y i n 1 C o r i n th i an s
3:17: I f an y man d e f i l e th e te mpl e [bo dy] o f Go d , h i m sh al l
Go d destroy [phtheir]. T h a t i s th e o th e r , th e so mbe r , th e
tr agi c, r e ve r se si d e o f th e pi ctu r e o f Li f e On l y i n C h r i st.
7. I mmo r t a l i t y P r ed i c a t ed O n l y o f G o d .I t i s n e ve r
to be f o r go tte n th a t abs o l u te , u n d e r i ve d i mmo r tal i ty i s pr e d
i cate d o n l y o f Go d . Wi th Pau l th i s wo r d i mmo r ta l (aph-
thartos), me an i n g n o t l i abl e to co r r u pti o n , as e l se wh e r e r e
mar ke d , i s n e ve r jo i n e d wi th th e Gr e e k wo r d s f o r s o u l o r
s pi r i t, a l th o u gh pneuma (spi r i t) o ccu r s 385 ti me s i n th e
Ne w T e s ta me n t, an d psuch (so ul ) 105 ti me s, a to tal o f 490
ti me s. Fu r th e r mo r e , i n th e Ol d T e s ta me n t i mmo r tal i ty i s
n e ve r o n ce pr e d i cate d o f ruach, f o r s pi r i t (o ccu r r i n g 400
ti me s), o r nephesh, f o r so u l (u se d 752 ti me s), a co mbi n e d
gr an d to tal o f 1,642 ti mes! I t i s pr e d i cate d o f o n e Be i n g o n l y
Go d . T h i s i s basi c th e o l o gy. I t i s th e r e ve al e d message o f Go d .
(C f . Ro m. 1:23; 1 C o r . 9:25; 15:22; 1 Pe te r 1:23; 3:4. Al so
2 T i m. 1:10.)
An d athanasia (i mmo r ta l i ty) i s e xpr e ssl y d e cl ar e d to
be po ssessed by Go d al o n e (1 T i m. 6:16). I t i s n o t pu t o n
by man u n t i l th e r e s u r r e cti o n , wh e n mortality sh al l be swal
l o we d u p i n vi cto r y (1 C o r . 15:53, 54). Su ch i s th e be a u ti f u l
u n i ty, th e i n e xo r abl e l o gi c, an d su bl i me co n si ste n cy o f th e
th e o l o gy o f Pau l , th e maste r th e o l o gi an o f th e ce n tu r i e s.
Fo r th i s corruptible [phtharton] mu st pu t o n incorruption [aph-
tharsian], an d th i s mortal [thnton] mu st pu t o n immortality [athana-
sian]. So wh e n th i s corruptible [phtharton] sh al l h ave pu t o n incorrup
tion [aphtharsian], an d th i s mortal sh al l h ave pu t o n immortality
[athanasian], th e n sh al l be br o u gh t to pass th e sayi n g . . . , Death [thanatos]
i s swal l o wed u p i n vi cto r y (1 C o r . 15:53, 54).
C H A P T E R E I G H T E E N
Pa u l s Leadi ng Probl em Passage
(2 C or. 5:1-9)
I. Abse nt Fr o m th e Bo dy; Pr e se n t Wi th th e Lo r d
1. P e r i l o f I n v o k i n g t h e I s o l a t ed V e r s e .I t i s bo th
i l l o gi cal an d u n saf e to bu i l d an y majo r d o ctr i n e o n i so l ate d
passages, a pa r t f r o m th e ge n e r al te n o r o f Scr i ptu r e . I t i s to be
r e me mbe r e d th a t e n o r mo u s e r r o r s h ave be e n bu i l t u po n i so
l ate d verses. T h u s th e t e n d e r s o l i ci tu d e , C o mpe l th e m to
co me i n (Lu ke 14:23), was mad e th e pr e te xt f o r th e cr u e l
h o r r o r s o f th e I n qu i s i ti o n . An d th e symbo l i c e xpr e ssi o n co n
ce r n i n g th e L o r d s Su ppe r , T h i s i s my bo d y, was mad e th e
basi s o f th e d o gma o f t r a n s u bs ta n ti a ti o n by th e Ro man C h u r ch .
L u th e r , pr o gr e ssi n g pa r t way, saw i n i t co n s u bs tan ti ati o n ,
a n d r e f u s e d th e h an d o f Zwi n gl e , wh o h e l d th e br e ad to be bu t
an e mbl e m a n d co u l d n o t ad mi t o f L u t h e r s s tr ai n e d e xpl an a
ti o n . Ye t o n a pa r a l l e l i n g page , as i t we r e , J e su s co mmi tte d Hi s
mo th e r u n t o J o h n , sayi n g to h e r , Be h o l d th y so n ! (J o h n 19:
26), i n o th e r wo r d s, h e wo u l d be to h e r a so n. An d al l u n d e r
sto o d th e use. Pau l wi se l y ad mo n i s h e d T i mo t h y as a yo u n g
mi n i s te r to r i gh tl y d i vi d e th e wo r d o f t r u t h (2 T i m. 2:15).
2. C o n t e n t i o n : D e a t h O n l y a T r a n s i t i o n .I n th e
passage we ar e a bo u t to su r ve y (2 C o r . 5:1-9), th e e xpr e ssi o n
abs e n t f r o m th e bo d y, . . . pr e s e n t wi th th e L o r d (v. 8) i s o n e
o f th e Pa u l i n e state me n ts mo st co mmo n l y d r af te d u po n to
pr o ve th a t d e ath i s o n l y a ch an ge o f l i f e f o r th e be l i e ve r si m
pl y a tr an s i ti o n , wi th th e so u l o f th e s ai n t passi n g o u t o f th e
bo d y an d go i n g s tr ai gh t i n to th e L o r d s pr e se n ce . T h i s i s be-
324
PAUL'S LEADING PROBLEM PASSAGE 325
cau se th e acce pte d vi ew o f th e I mmo r tal -So u l i s t i s th a t th e
d e a d i n C h r i s t ar e n o t d e ad a t al l . Rath e r , th e y ar e al l e ge d
to be r ad i an tl y al i ve i n He ave n i n a state o f co n sci o u s bl i ss,
wi th i n s tan tan e o u s tr an sf e r e n ce at d e ath to th e i mme d i ate
pr e se n ce o f C h r i st. T h e po e t h as aptl y s u mmar i ze d th e co n
te n t i o n as, T h e r e i s n o d e ath ; wh at seems so i s tr a n s i ti o n .
On e o f th e tr agi c r e su l ts o f th e po pu l ar vi ew i s th a t th e
l an gu age an d i n t e n t o f Scr i ptu r e h ave be e n l ar ge l y f o r sake n .
Bu t acco r d i n g to Scr i ptu r e , o n l y i n th e f u tu r e , after th e Se co n d
Ad ve n t, wi l l th e ti me co me wh e n th e r e sh al l be n o mo r e
d e a t h (Re v. 21:4). So me h ave go n e so f ar as actu al l y to s u b
s ti t u te as ce n d e d a n d tr a n s l a te d f o r th e te r m d e a th , i n
ce r tai n se r mo n s, o bi tu ar i e s , an d e pi taph s.
3. C o n t e n t i o n : So u l N o w E n j o y i n g C e l e s t i a l L i f e o f
B l i s s . T h i s passage i s n o t th e e asi e st to u n d e r s tan d . Pe te r
r e f e r s to a f ew su ch d i f f i cu l t Pa u l i n e e xpr e ssi o n s h a r d to be
u n d e r s to o d , wh i ch so me wr e st to t h e i r o wn r u i n (2 Pe te r
3:16). So th e se verses ar e o f te n take n as i n d i cati n g t h a t d u r
i n g th e i n te r me d i a te pe r i o d , pr e ce d i n g th e r e s u r r e cti o n o f th e
bo d y, th e so u l i s s e par ate d f r o m th e bo d y an d e xpe r i e n ce s a
ce l e sti al l i f e o f d i se mbo d i e d bl i ss. Dr . A. T . Ro be r ts o n , i n co m
me n ti n g o n th e te r m naked (gumnoi), i n 2 C o r i n th i an s
5:3, says, T h a t i s, d i se mbo d i e d spi r i ts, l i ke th e so u l s i n Sh e o l ,
wi th o u t f o r m a n d vo i d o f al l po we r o f acti vi ty (Pl u mme r ). 1
Bu t th e r e i s n o t a wo r d abo u t th e so u l i n th e wh o l e acco u n t.
Pa u l s wo r d s, h o we ve r , mu s t be u n d e r s to o d i n th e l i gh t o f
h i s o wn u n i f o r m an d r e pe ate d te ach i n g o n th e n a tu r e o f man ,
n o t o n a co n ce pt n e ve r h e l d e i t h e r by Pau l o r by an y o f th e
o t h e r apo stl e s, mu ch l ess by an y gr o u p i n th e C h r i s ti an ch u r ch
f o r n e ar l y two ce n tu r i e s th e r e af te r . T h i s mo r tal bo d y d o e s n o t
e n cl o se an i mmo r tal pr i n ci pl e o r e n ti ty, wh i ch i s r e l e ase d by
th e str o ke o f d e ath , an d th e n f l i es away i n gl ad r e l e ase . T h a t i s
s i mpl y th i n l y d i sgu i se d Pl ato n i sm.
T h i s passage i s co n si d e r e d so i mpo r ta n t to pr o po n e n ts o f
1Ar ch i bal d T . Ro be r tso n , Word Pictures in the New Testament, vol . 4, p. 228.
Immo r tal -So u l i sm, an d su ch r e l i an ce i s pl ace d u po n i ts wo r d s
a n d ph r asi n gs, th a t we sh al l e xami n e i t wi th spe ci al car e to see
wh e th e r th e d e pe n d e n ce i s ju sti f i e d . So we wi l l appr o ach i t
f r o m a n u mbe r o f an gl e s, d i agr ami n g i ts majo r ph r ase s, so
as to sh o w t h e i r r e l ate d i n te n t, an d e ve n pr e s e n ti n g a d e f i n i
ti ve gl o ssar y o f te r ms as an ai d . We sh al l l o o k at i t h i sto r i cal l y,
co n te xtu al l y, l i n qu i s ti cal l y, a n d e xe ge ti cal l y. T h e qu e s ti o n o f
se man ti cs i s d e f i n i te l y i n vo l ve d ; h e n ce a pr e ci se d e f i n i ti o n o f
te r ms a n d a stu d y o f usages ar e cal l e d f o r . T r u t h , i t s h o u l d be
ad d e d , wi l l al ways we l co me se ar ch i n g scr u ti n y.
4. U n k n o w n i n C h r i s t i a n C h u r c h U n t i l N ea r l y a .d .
200.Be i t par ti cu l ar l y n o te d th a t wh e n Pau l wr o te h i s var i
o u s e pi stl e s, th e Pl ato n i c ph i l o so ph y o f a pe r si sti n g i mmo r tal
so u l , su ch as h ad al r e ad y d e vastate d th e J e wi sh ch u r ch , h ad
n o t ye t pe n e tr ate d th e i n f a n t C h r i s ti an ch u r ch . Su ch an i n n o va
t i o n did not intrude until nearly a .d . 200. No n e o f th e apo stl e s
so h e l d . T h e r e f o r e Pau l d i d n o t, i n a .d . 58, te ach su ch a th e o r y
n o r wo u l d an y o f h i s e ar l y C h r i s ti an r e ad e r s so co n s tr u e h i s
wo r d s.
T h a t , we e ar n e stl y ave r , was a d e vi ati o n th a t d e ve l o pe d
i n th e t h i r d an d f o u r th ce n tu r i e s , i n ti me be co mi n g th e i d e n t i
f yi n g d o gma o f th e gr e at Ro man C h u r ch o f th e me d i e val ce n
tu r i e s, a n d r e gr e ttabl y r e ta i n e d by man y o f th e Pr o te s tan t Re f
o r ma ti o n ch u r ch e s t h a t r e vo l te d f r o m th e C ath o l i c co mmu n
i o n bu t n e ve r th e l e ss r e ta i n e d var i o u s o f th e Ro man d e pa r
tu r e s. (See Pa r t IV f o r f o i l d o cu me n tati o n .)
I I . Se tti ng an d I n te n t o f Pau l s Un u su al Po r tr ayal
Fi r st, l e t us ge t th e se tti n g. Wh e n th e apo stl e Pau l f i r st
we n t to C o r i n th h e so u gh t o u t an d l i ve d wi th Aqu i l a an d
Pr i sci l l a, wh o we r e te n tmake r s. T h e n be cau se h e [Pau l ] was
o f th e same cr af t, h e abo d e wi th th e m, an d wr o u gh t: f o r by
t h e i r o ccu pati o n th e y we r e te n tmake r s (Acts 18:3).
I t was bu t n a tu r a l , th e n , t h a t Pau l , i n th i s Epi stl e to th e
C o r i n th i an s , s h o u l d i n tr o d u ce a f i gu r e o f spe e ch i n wh i ch h e
PAULS LEADING PROBLEM PASSAGE 327
l i ke n s h i s bo d y to a tabe r n acl e -te n tl ate r ch an gi n g th e
f i gu r e to cl o th i n g. He co mpar e s th e h u man bo d y to a tr a n s i
to r y te n t, o r tabe r n acl e , an d stresses th e f act t h a t h e d o e s n o t
wan t to be h o u se l e ss, bu t wi sh es to e xch an ge h i s pr e se n t,
tr a n s i e n t te n t-h o u se f o r a n e w an d gl o r i o u s e te r n al h o u s e , a
bu i l d i n g o f Go d th e n e w an d gl o r i f i e d bo d y th at h e wo u l d
r e ce i ve a t th e co mi n g o f th e Lo r d .
Or , ch an gi n g th e f i gu r e , h e d o e s n o t wi sh to be d i ve ste d
o f h i s cl o th i n g, a n d be n a ke d (u se d as a f i gu r e f o r d e ath ),3
bu t r a t h e r , to be cl o th e d u po n (by r e s u r r e cti o n o r tr a n s l a
ti o n ) by h i s h o u se wh i ch i s f r o m h e ave n . T h i s i s i n co mpl e te
co n f o r mi ty wi th h i s message to th e Ph i l i ppi an s , wh e r e h e
spe aks o f h e ave n :
Wh e n ce al so we wai t f o r a Savi o u r , th e Lo r d J e su s C h r i st: wh o
sh al l f ash i o n an e w th e bo d y o f o u r h u mi l i ati o n , th a t i t may be co n
f o r me d to th e bo d y o f h i s gl o r y (Ph i l . 3:20, 21, R.V.).
1. T wo L i v e s f o r B e l i e v e r s P r e s e n t a n d F u t u r e .
Pau l kn e w o f n o o th e r life f o r th e be l i e ve r th an (1) th e l i f e
th at now is an d (2) t h a t wh i ch i s to come (1 T i m. 4:8)
ju s t th e two . T h e f i r st i s, o f co u r se , o u r pr e s e n t te mpo r ar y mo r
tal l i f e , n o w po ssessed; th e o th e r i s th e f u tu r e i mmo r tal l i f e ,
o f wh i ch we ar e h e i r s a n d f o r wh i ch we h o pe (Matt. 19:29;
T i t u s 1:2). T h e pr e s e n t l i f e i s spe n t i n a n a t u r a l bo d y; th e
f u tu r e e te r n a l l i f e wi l l be l i ve d i n a s pi r i tu a l bo d y (1 C o r .
15:44). Ne i th e r Pau l n o r an y o t h e r Ne w T e s ta me n t wr i te r
kn e w, o r wr o te , o f an y disembodied soul l i f e . Su ch a co n
ce pt was t h e n h e l d o n l y by o n e wi n g o f th e J e ws, a n d h ad
be e n i n tr o d u ce d f r o m Pl ato n i s m i n th e l ast two ce n tu r i e s
be f o r e C h r i s t by ce r tai n Apo cr yph al an d ps e u d e pi gr aph al wr i t
ers. (See Pa r t I I I , ch aps. 36-38, pp. 632-680.)
Pau l d e cl ar e d t h a t we co u l d n o t e n te r th e L o r d s pr e s
e n ce i n th e n a tu r a l bo d y o f o u r h u mi l i a ti o n . On th e r o ad to
Damascu s h e h ad h ad an o ve r po we r i n g gl i mpse o f C h r i s t s
gl o r y, a n d th e si gh t h ad bl i n d e d h i m a n d s tr u ck h i m d o wn to
e ar th (Acts 9:1-9). J o h n , to o , wh o h ad r e cl i n e d o n th e bo so m
2See J o b 1:21 (n ake d sh al l I r e tu r n th i t h e r ); cf . Eccl . 5:15.
RUSSELL HARLAN, ARTIST 1 9 5 2 BY THE REVI EW AND HERALD
T h e De ath o f C h r i st Vi n d i cate d th e Law an d Go ve r n me n t o f Go d an d Pr o vi d e d
Li f e an d Immo r tal i ty f o r Man. T h e C ross Is Go d s Gr e at Re me dy f o r Si n.
o f J e su s wh e n Hi s gl o r y was ve i l e d d u r i n g Hi s i n car n ati o n , f e l l
d o wn a t Hi s f e e t as o n e d e ad wh e n t h a t same J e su s u n ve i l e d
Hi s gl o r y to h i m i n vi si o n o n th e Isl e o f Patmo s (Re v. 1:17).
Bu t J o h n h ad co n f i d e n ce t h a t h e wo u l d ye t l o o k u po n h i s gl o r i
f i e d Lo r d wi t h o u t f e ar . An d th e r e aso n was t h a t wh e n h e sh al l
appe ar [at th e Se co n d Ad ve n t], we shall be like him (1 J o h n
3:2).
T h a t wo u l d n o t be i n th e cl o th i n g o f th i s pr e s e n t mo r tal
f l esh , bu t i n a n e w an d gl o r i f i e d bo d y, f o r , as th e r e i s a n a t
u r al bo d y, th e r e i s al so to be a s pi r i tu a l bo d y to f o l l o w
(1 C o r . 15:42-44).
T h e r e mu s t th e r e f o r e be a ch an ge . An d th a t ch an ge wi l l
take pl ace o n th e gl o r i o u s r e s u r r e cti o n -tr an s l ati o n d ay wh e n
th i s mo r tal pu ts o n i mmo r tal i ty (v. 53). No t d e ath , th e n , bu t
victory over death, was th e apo stl e Pa u l s f o n d h o pe (v. 54).
He kn e w th a t i f th e Lo r d d e l aye d Hi s r e t u r n , mo r tal i ty wo u l d
be swal l o we d u p i n death f o r h i m. He l o n ge d n o t to be u n
cl o th e d by death, bu t to be cl o th e d u po n by translation
a t th e Ad ve n t, t h a t mo r tal i ty mi gh t be swal l o we d u p o f l i f e
(2 C o r . 5:4).
I f th e L o r d s r e t u r n s h o u l d f i n d Pau l u n cl o th e d , o r
n a ke d , i n th e state o f d e ath , th e n h i s h o pe was i n th e resur
rection, wh e n d e ath wo u l d be swal l o we d u p i n vi cto r y (1 C o r .
15:54). Bu t h i s a r d e n t l o n gi n g was f o r th e o th e r swallowing
upth e swal l o wi n g u p o f th i s mo r tal l i f e by a gl o r i o u s i m
mo r ta l i ty th r o u gh translation, wi th o u t d yi n g at al l (2 C o r .
5:4). He l o n ge d to jo i n th e e l e ct co mpan y o f En o ch an d El i
jah .
2. E a r t h e n V es s el s M u s t B e R e pl a c e d .2 C o r i n th i an s
5 sh o u l d n o t be s e par ate d f r o m ch apte r 4. I n th e l a t te r Pau l
h ad ju s t spo ke n o f h i s mo r ta l bo d y, an d th e su f f e r i n gs i t h ad
e n d u r e d . T h i s i s h i s po r tr ayal :
Bu t we h ave th i s tr e asu r e in earthen vessels, th a t th e exce l l e n cy
o f th e po we r may be o f Go d , an d n o t o f us. We ar e tr o u bl e d o n ever y
si de, yet n o t d i str e sse d ; we ar e pe r pl e xe d , bu t n o t i n d e spai r ; pe r se
cu te d , bu t n o t f o r sake n ; cast d o wn , bu t n o t d e str o ye d ; al ways be ar i n g
abo u t i n th e bo d y th e d yi n g o f th e Lo r d J e sus, th a t th e l i f e al so o f J e su s
mi gh t be mad e man i f e st i n o u r bo d y [mo r tal f l esh ] (2 C o r . 4:7-10).
Hi s was a ba tte r e d bo d yh avi n g su f f e r e d sto n i n gs,
sco u r gi n gs, an d o t h e r t e r r i bl e e xpe r i e n ce s d e tai l e d i n 2 C o
r i n th i a n s 11:24-28. Al l th o se h ad l e f t t h e i r mar ks o n th e f r agi l e
e ar th e n ve sse l . An d th e r e was al so h i s t h o r n i n th e f l e sh
(2 C o r . 12:7)a bo d i l y i n f i r mi ty, th e e xact n a tu r e o f wh i ch
330
i s n o t r e ve al e d to bu f f e t h i m, a n d ke e p h i m h u mbl e . Bu t h e
te sti f i e d : I r e cko n th a t th e su f f e r i n gs o f this present time ar e
n o t wo r th y to be co mpar e d wi th the glory which shall he re
vealed in us (Ro m. 8:18).
Ho we ve r , th e e a r th e n vessel co u l d n o t be ar th e f u l l n e ss o f
t h a t gl o r y an y mo r e th an n e w wi n e co u l d be co n tai n e d i n o l d
bo ttl e s (Matt. 9:17; Mar k 2:22; Lu ke 5:37, 38). So Pau l
l o n ge d to e xch an ge th e o l d bo d y f o r th e n e w o n e i n wh i ch h e
wo u l d be f o r e ve r f r e e f r o m we ar i n e ss an d pai n f u l n e s s , h u n
ge r an d t h i r s t, co l d an d n ake d n e ss (2 C o r . 11:27). Su ch was
th e co n s tr ai n i n g po we r t h a t mad e e ve n h i s l i f e i n th i s mo r tal
f l esh tr i u mph a n t .
Bu t wh i l e h e was a t h o me i n th i s mo r tal bo d y h e was
a bs e n t f r o m h i s Lo r d , an d co n f i n e d to th i s pr e s e n t e vi l
wo r l d . He l o n ge d to ge t r i d o f th e o l d , a n d to r e ce i ve th e n e w
a n d gl o r i f i e d bo d y, a n d dwell in Christs presence f o r e ve r .
No w l e t us e xami n e th e f u l l te xt, wi th te ch n i cal d e f i n i
ti o n s i n te r spe r s e d to i l l u mi n a te th e ke y wo r d s an d ph r ase s.
I I I . Fu l l T e xt o f Pr o bl e m Passage Wi th Def i ni ti o ns
He r e i s th e e n ti r e te xt o f 2 C o r i n th i an s 5:1-9, wi th key
wo r d s d e f i n e d to br i n g o u t th e f u l l e r me an i n g:
"Fo r we kn o w th a t i f o u r earthly [epigeios] h o u se o f th i s tabernacle
[skenous, t e n t ] we r e dissolved [kataluo, to te ar d o wn , as o f a te n t,
to d e mo l i sh ], we h ave a building o f Go d , an house not made with
hands, e te r n al i n th e h e ave n s. Fo r i n th i s [e ar th l y h o u se ] we gr o an ,
e ar n e stl y d e s i r i n g to be clothed upon wi th o u r h o u se wh i ch i s f r o m
h e ave n : i f so be th a t being clothed we sh al l n o t be f o u n d naked.
Fo r we th a t ar e i n th i s tabe r n acl e d o groan, be i n g bu r d e n e d : n o t
f o r th a t we wo u l d be unclothed, bu t cl o th e d u po n , th a t mo r tal i ty mi gh t
be swal l o wed u p o f l i f e . No w h e th a t h a t h wr o u gh t us f o r th e se l f same
th i n g i s Go d , wh o al so h a t h gi ve n u n to us th e earnest [arrabona,
a d o wn payme n t, "pl e d ge ] o f th e Spi r i t.
T h e r e f o r e we ar e al ways co n f i d e n t, kn o wi n g th at, wh i l st we ar e at
home i n th e bo d y, we ar e absent f r o m th e Lo r d : (f o r we wal k by f ai th ,
n o t by si gh t:) we ar e co n f i d e n t, I say, a n d willing rather to be abs e n t
f r o m th e bo d y, an d to be present wi th th e Lo r d . Wh e r e f o r e we l abo u r ,
th at, wh e th e r pr e se n t o r abse n t, we may be acce pte d o f h i m.
IV. Fi ve Basi c C o nsi de r ati o ns Invo l ve d
1. T h r e e C o n s e c u t i v e St a t e s I m p r e s s i v e l y P o r t r a y e d .
Pa u l h e r e i mpr e ssi ve l y d e scr i be s th r e e d i f f e r e n t co n se cu
ti ve state s, o r co n d i ti o n s , o f man : (1) T h e present earthly life;
(2) the period of death, o r i n te r me d i a te state ; a n d (3) the
eternal future state, wh e n h e sh al l h ave pu t o n I mmo r tal i ty.
(See th e i l l u s tr ati ve d i agr am o n th e th r e e state s, o n page 341.)
T h e s e state s h e sets f o r th u n d e r th e f i gu r e o f a te mpo r ar y
t e n t , i n co n tr as t wi th an abi d i n g h o u s e wh i ch h e l ate r
ch an ge d to th e si mi l e o f cl o th i n g, o r co ve r i n g. T h i s tr an s i
to r y present l i f e was wasti n g away u n d e r th e i n ce ssan t su f f e r
i n gs h e h ad e n d u r e d . I t i s a l i f e i n wh i ch h e gr o an s an d i s bu r
d e n e d . T h i s bo d y, h o we ve r , was so o n to be d i sso l ve d , l i ke a
wo r n -o u t t e n t th a t i s l ai d asi de .
Bu t Pa u l s mi n d l e aps f o r war d f r o m th e pr e se n t, tr an s i
to r y e xi ste n ce to th e e te r n al h e ave n l y statu s o f th i n gs to co me .
He sees a gl o r i o u s ch an ge th e bl e sse d h o pe o f e xch an gi n g
h i s f r ai l e ar th l y t e n t f o r a n e w an d e te r n al h o u s e , a ma n
si o n wh i ch i s o f h e ave n by wh i ch h e r e f e r s to h i s gl o r i o u s
r e s u r r e cti o n bo d y to co me , i n l i ke n e ss to th a t o f h i s L o r d s.
An d h e i s sati sf i e d.
2. S h r i n k s F r o m B e i n g U n c l o t h e d i n D e a t h .Wh e n
h e th i n ks o f th e ti me wh e n h i s pr e s e n t t e n t mu s t be take n
d o wn , o r d i sso l ve d , h e sh r i n ks f r o m th e th o u gh t o f be i n g wi th
o u t te n t, o r coveringf o r h e r e h e ch an ge s th e f i gu r e to t h a t o f
cl o th i n g. Wh a t was be f o r e a t e n t i s n o w be i n g cl o th e d .
An d h e d i s ti n ctl y state s t h a t h e d o e s n o t d e si r e to be u n
cl o th e d , o r n ake d . He wo u l d mu ch r a t h e r be o ve r d r a pe d
wi th th e co mi n g i mmo r tal i ty th an to be d e n u d e d o f th e mo r tal
bo d y. No t f o r th a t we wo u l d be u n cl o th e d , bu t cl o th e d u po n ,
th a t mo r ta l i ty mi gh t be swal l o we d u p o f l i f e (2 C o r . 5:4).
T h e u n cl o th e d state i s man i f e stl y t h a t o f d e ath (1 C o r .
15:37)th e bare [gumnon, n a ke d ] gr ai n , pl an te d i n
th e gr o u n d , i n gr ave d o m, wi th a vi e w to r e s u r r e cti o n . An d
C h r i st Wi l l C al l , an d We
Wi l l C o me Fo r th Fr o m Dusty
Gr ave o n th e Re su r r e cti o n
Mo r n C l ad i n Gl o r i o us, Fad e
l ess, Endl ess Immo r tal i ty.
th e cl o th e d u po n co n d i ti o n i s o bvi o u sl y th e r e s u r r e cti o n o r
tr a n s l a ti o n l i f e , i n wh i ch we sh al l h ave pu t o n I mmo r tal i ty.
3. L o n g s f o r E t e r n a l St a t e . I n wr i ti n g to th e C o r i n
th i an s, Pau l do e s n o t l i n ge r o ve r th e d e a th , o r u n cl o th e d ,
state . He passes o n wi th o u t pau se to th e bl e sse d co n d i ti o n o f
be i n g cl o th e d u po n . T h a t i s th e i mpo r ta n t th i n g, th e gl o r i
o u s pr o spe ct, wh e n a t th e s o u n d o f th e t r u mpe t we wi l l awake
to pu t o n i n co r r u pti o n a n d I mmo r tal i ty. T h a t i s th e wh o l e
po i n t a n d pu r po s e a n d co n s u mmati o n o f th e go spe l . An d th e
pl e d ge th e r e o f i s th e gi f t o f th e Ho l y Spi r i t.
4. I n t e r me d i a t e St a t e t h e Ba s i c Q u e s t i o n . I n ve r se 1o f
2 C o r i n th i an s 5, Pau l h ad d e pi cte d d e ath as th e d i sso l vi n g o f
o u r e ar th l y h o u s e . He i s spe aki n g n o t me r e l y o f th e bo d y
bu t o f o u r e n ti r e be i n g. De ath i s th e dissolution of our entire
being. I t i s al so to be e mph asi ze d t h a t Pau l i s n o t s pe aki n g o f
332
PAUL'S LEADING PROBLEM PASSAGE 333
th e co n se qu e n ce s o f d e ath to a spe ci al pa r t o f o u r be i n g, bu t o f
th e state of death i n co n tr as t wi th th e future state of eternal
life, f o r wh i ch h e e ar n e stl y l o ngs. An d th i s f u tu r e l i f e i s i n
co n tr as t wi th th e co n d i ti o n cal l e d , f r o m i ts tr an s i to r i n e s s , a
tabe r n acl e , i n co n tr as t wi th th e h o u se n o t mad e wi th
h an d s, eternal i n th e h e ave n s (v. 1).
5. D e a t h N o t a P o i n t o f T i m e , b u t a P e r i o d .T h e
cl u e to th i s e n ti r e passage cl e ar l y l i es i n wh at i s me a n t by, an d
i n vo l ve d i n , t h a t i n te r i m state of death wh i ch th e apo stl e cal l s
th e d i s s o l u ti o n o f o u r e ar th l y h o u s e . Po pu l a r th e o l o gy pr e
su ppo se s d e a t h to be a momentary actth e d e pa r t u r e o f th e
so u l f r o m th e bo d y, wi th i n s tan t e n tr an ce i n to th e pr e se n ce o f
J e su s. Su ch a vi e w assu me s th e act o f d yi n g to be bo th th e be
gi n n i n g a n d th e e n d o f d e ath . Bu t i n i n s pi r e d Scr i ptu r e th e
act o f d yi n g i s o n l y th e e n tr an ce i n to the state of death, wh i ch
l asts f r o m th e mo me n t o n e cl o ses h i s eyes i n th e d e ath -sl e e p
to th e mo me n t h e awake n s i n th e r e s u r r e cti o n . I t i s t h e r e
f o r e n o t a point o f ti me bu t a periodth e e n ti r e pe r i o d
d u r i n g wh i ch th e pe r so n i s e n f o l d e d i n th e e mbr ace o f gr ave-
d o m. T h i s i s Pa u l s te ach i n g i n 1 C o r i n th i an s 15:54, 55.
T h e r e i gn o f d e ath r e mai n s u n br o ke n d u r i n g th i s e n ti r e
pe r i o d o f d e ath . I t i s u n d e n i abl y th e period d u r i n g wh i ch o u r
e ar th l y h o u s e o f th i s tabe r n acl e i s d i sso l ve d . T h i s ca n n o t be
o ve r e mph asi ze d . We r e pe at: So f ar f r o m co n te mpl a ti n g me r e l y
th e moment a person dies, Pau l i s spe aki n g o f the entire time
one is dead. T h e act o f d yi n g, th e r e f o r e , so f ar f r o m be i n g th e
t e r mi n a ti o n o f d e ath , i s o n l y th e entrance under the dominion
of death. T h i s , th e n , i s e stabl i sh e d : At d e ath o u r e ar th l y
h o u se o f th i s tabe r n acl e i s d i sso l ve d , an d co n ti n u e s i n i ts
s tate o f d i s s o l u ti o n u n t i l th e Lo r d wake s us u p f r o m th e d e ath -
sl e e p f o r th e r e s to r ati o n o f l i f e an d th e be sto wal o f I mmo r
tal i ty a t Hi s se co n d ad ve n t.
6. I n t e r i m D e a t h St a t e v s . E t e r n a l R e s u r r e c t i o n
St a t e .Wi t h th i s po i n t e stabl i sh e d we ar e f r e e d f r o m a n u m
be r o f pe r pl e xi ti e s i n th i s passage. Pau l i s n o t h e r e co n tr as ti n g
334
an y s tate o f th e soul wi th t h a t o f th e body. He i s n o t co n tr a s t
i n g th e act o f d yi n g wi th th a t o f th e pe r so n i n so me o th e r state
o r co n d i ti o n . T h e wh o l e i n te r me d i a te state i s e mbr ace d i n th e
i d e a o f th e d i s s o l u ti o n o f th e e ar th l y h o u s e . No , Pa u l i s
h e r e co n tr a s ti n g th e te mpo r ar y interim death state wi th th e
eternal resurrection state.
He i s co n tr as ti n g th e pr e s e n t l i f e , ve r gi n g to war d d i sso
l u ti o n a n d a f te r a f ew ye ar s o f d i ss o l u ti o n an d r e ma i n i n g i n
th i s state o f d i ss o l u ti o n u n t i l th e r e s u r r e cti o n wi th th e gl o r i
o u s, e n d l e ss l i f e wh i ch wi l l be gi n wh e n C h r i s t r ai se s Hi s pe o
pl e , a n d wh i ch l i f e wi l l co n ti n u e wi th o u t e n d f o r e ve r . T h i s i s
th e bu i l d i n g o f Go d , an h o u se n o t mad e wi th h an d s, eternal
in the heavens (2 C o r . 5:1).
On n o th e o r y co u l d th e i n te r me d i a te d e ath state be sai d
to be e te r n al i n th e h e ave n s. T h e so u l o f th e be l i e ve r d o e s
not go to He ave n at d e ath an i d e a t h a t was r e gar d e d as a
h e r e sy by th e pr i mi ti ve ch u r ch , as atte s te d by J u s ti n Mar tyr
a n d I r e n ae u s.8
7. S i g n i f i c a n c e o f T e r m N o t M a d e W i t h H a n d s .
T h e e xpr e ssi o n , n o t mad e wi th h a n d s (acheiropoietos), i s
n o t a cu r so r y o r me r e l y r o u ti n e ph r ase . I t i s f r au gh t wi th
me an i n g, an d i s h i sto r i c i n i n te n t. T h i s i s by n o me an s Pa u l s
f i r st use o f th e te r m. He h ad al r e ad y u se d i t th r e e o r f o u r ye ar s
pr i o r i n h i s o r a ti o n o n Mar s Hi l l , a t Ath e n s, i n wh i ch h e d e
cl ar e d : Go d t h a t mad e th e wo r l d a n d al l th i n gs th e r e i n , se e
i n g t h a t h e i s L o r d o f h e ave n an d e ar th , d we l l e th n o t i n te m
pl e s made with hands (Acts 17:24).
An d agai n i n h i s Epi stl e to th e He br e ws (c. a .d . 53) Pa u l
i s e ve n mo r e e xpl i ci t:
Fo r C h r i st i s n o t e n te r e d i n to th e h o l y pl ace s made with hands,
wh i ch ar e th e f i gur e s o f th e tr u e ; bu t i n to h e ave n i tsel f , n o w to a ppe a r
i n th e pr e se n ce o f Go d f o r u s (He b. 9:24).
Ho we ve r , th e e xpr e ssi o n i s mo r e th an Pa u l i n e . I n h i s gr e at
apo l o gy, i n an s we r i n g th e accu sati o n o f bl asph e my, Ste ph e n
* J u sti n Mar tyr , Dialogue With Tryfsho, ch ap. 80; I r e n ae u s, Heresies, ch ap. 31. No t
u n ti l abo u t a. d. 180 d i d th e co n ce pt o f an i n n ate l y i mmo r tal so u l make e n tr an ce , u n d e r su ch
a te r m, th r o u gh Ath e n ago r as. (See Pa r t I V f o r f u l l po r tr ayal wi th d o cu me n tati o n .)
l i ke wi se u se d th e e xpr e ssi o n i n th e mo st Hi gh d we l l e th not
in temples made with hands (Acts 7:48). I t cl e ar l y h as to d o
wi th Go d a n d h e ave n l y th i n gs. Ye t e ve n th a t i s n o t th e o r i gi n .
I t ste ms back to C h r i st Hi mse l f .
At th e ve r y o u tse t o f Hi s pu bl i c mi n i s tr y, wh e n C h r i s t h ad
pu r ge d th e T e mpl e f r o m i ts d e se cr ate r s, a n d h ad d r i ve n o u t
th e mo n e y-ch an ge r s a n d me r ch an d i s e r s i n th e o n l y r e co r d e d
sh o w o f f o r ce i n Hi s l i f e o n e ar th , th e J e ws i mme d i ate l y ch al
l e n ge d Hi s a u th o r i ty f o r su ch an u n pr e ce d e n te d act, an d d e
man d e d a s i gn o f Hi s r i gh t a n d po we r to me d d l e i n T e mpl e
af f ai r s. T h e n He an swe r e d cr ypti cal l y, an d sai d, De str o y
th i s te mpl e , a n d in three days I will raise it up (J o h n 2:19).
Bu t th e y co u n te r e d by asse r ti n g th at th e He r o d i a n te mpl e
was f o r ty-si x ye ar s i n bu i l d i n g, a n d aske d sco r n f u l l y: Wi l t
th o u r e a r i t u p i n th r e e days? But he spake of the temple of
his body (vs. 20, 21).
T h a t was th e r e al me an i n g. Hi s r e s u r r e cti o n wo u l d be th e
u l ti ma t e pr o o f o f Hi s cl ai ms an d th e s i gn o f Hi s d e i ty. Bu t
th e si gn i f i can ce o f th i s u tte r an ce was, at th e ti me , l o st u po n al l
i n cl u d i n g th e d i sci pl e s. Ho we ve r , a f te r C h r i s ts r e s u r r e c
ti o n f r o m th e d e ad , th e d i sci pl e s r e me mbe r e d i t vi vi d l yan d
th e n u n d e r s to o d i ts me an i n g (v. 22). An d af te r th e T e mpl e
e pi so d e th e J e ws agai n d e man d e d a si gn f r o m C h r i s t (Matt.
12:38). Bu t He u pbr a i d e d th e m, an d sai d:
"An e vi l an d ad u l te r o u s ge n e r ati o n se e ke th af te r a si gn; an d th e r e
sh al l n o si gn be gi ve n to i t, bu t th e sign of the prophet Jonas: f o r as
J o n a s was three days and three nights in the whales belly; so shall the Son
of man be three days * and three nights in the heart of the earth (Matt.
12:39, 40.
Hi s me an i n g t h e n be gan to u n f o l d to th o se wh o wo u l d
u n d e r s tan d .
8. E x e m p l i f i e d i n C h r i s t s N a t u r a l a n d R e s u r r e c t i o n
B o d y . T h i s d i f f e r e n ti ati o n be twe e n mad e with h an d s an d
mad e without h a n d s i s f u r t h e r e mph asi ze d i n th e e xpe r i e n ce
* Re f e r e n ce to th e th i r d d ay appe ar s i n Matt . 16:21; 17:23; 20:19; Mar k 9:31;
10:34; Lu ke 9:22; 18:33; 24:7, 21, 46.
o f C h r i s t a t Hi s tr i a l i n th e pal ace o f th e h i gh pr i e st. T h e n i t
was t h a t th e Ph ar i se e s wi tn e sse s sai d :
We h e ar d h i m say, I wi l l d e str o y th i s te mpl e th a t i s made with
hands, an d wi th i n th r e e days I wi l l bu i l d an o th e r made without hands
[acheiropoietos]" (Mar k 14:58).
T h a t i s h i gh l y si gn i f i can t. T h e y spo ke mo r e wi se l y th an
th e y kn e w. Fi n al l y, at C al var y, wh e n C h r i st h u n g i n an gu i s h
o n th e cro ss
th e y th a t passed by r ai l e d o n h i m [r e vi l e d Matt. 27:39], waggi n g
th e i r h e ad s, an d sayi ng, Ah , th o u th a t d e str o ye st th e te mpl e , a n d bu i l d e st
i t i n th r e e days, save th yse l f , an d co me d o wn f r o m th e cr oss (Mar k
15:29, 30; see Matt. 27:40).
Bu t He was f u l f i l l i n g a pr e d e te r mi n e d pl an . He d i e d
t h a t we, to o , mi gh t h ave r e s u r r e cti o n bo d i e s n o t mad e wi th
h an d s . He wo u l d , an d d i d , a ppe ar i n Hi s gl o r i f i e d r e s u r r e c
ti o n bo d y o n th e t h i r d d ay, acco r d i n g to pr e d i cti o n . C h r i s ts
bo d y was pl ace d i n th e to mb as a n a tu r a l bo d y. I t came f o r th
o n th e spe ci f i e d t h i r d d ay as a s pi r i tu a l bo d y. An d i n s i mi l ar
f ash i o n we, to o , sh al l be ar th e i mage o f th e h e ave n l y (1 C o r .
15:49), th e i mage o f th e se co n d ma n , th e Lo r d f r o m
h e ave n (v. 47; cf . Ro m. 8:29). Ou r e ar th l y bo d i e s wi l l t h e n
be f ash i o n e d l i ke u n to h i s gl o r i o u s bo d y (Ph i l . 3:21)
made without hands. Or as J o h n says, We kn o w th at,
wh e n h e sh al l appe ar , we shall be like him (1 J o h n 3:2).
T h a t i s wh at Pau l me an t. Or , as h e ph r as e d i t to th e C o l o s-
si an s: Wh e n C h r i st, wh o i s o u r l i f e , sh al l appe ar , then shall
ye also appear with him in glory (C o l . 3:4).
T h a t i s th e gl o r i f i e d bo d y we ar e d e s ti n e d to r e ce i ve ,
made without hands, f o r me d by th e cr e ati ve po we r o f Go d ,
i n co n tr as t wi th th e se e ar th l y, co r r u pti bl e , i n gl o r i o u s bo d i e s,
mad e with h an d s , th r o u gh h u man ge n e r ati o n .
9. E a r t h l y T a b e r n a c l e T e m po r a r y ; H e a v e n l y T e m
p l e E t e r n a l .I n d i scu ssi n g wh at h appe n s to th e bo d y, Pau l
i l l u s tr ate s i t by th i s f i gu r e o f th e te mpo r ar y wi l d e r n e ss tabe r -
n acl e -te n t o f o l d , wh e n Go d co mman d e d Mo ses to bu i l d f o r
Isr ae l a t e n t f o r th e co n gr e gati o n , mad e af te r th e pa tt e r n
T h e Gr an d Re u n i o n , Wh e n Al l th e Sl e e pi n g Sai n ts o f Al l Ages a n d C l i mes Ar e
C au gh t Up T o ge th e r to Meet T h e i r Lo r d as He C al l s T h e m Fo r th o n th e
Re su r r e cti o n Mo r n.
o f th e o r i gi n al te mpl e , e te r n al i n th e h e ave n s, sh o wn to Mo ses
i n th e mo u n t (Ex. 25:40). T h i s was so i mpo r ta n t t h a t i t i s
th r i ce r e f e r r e d to i n th e Ne w T e s ta me n t.
T h a t was be cau se th e r e was a vi tal r e l a ti o n be twe e n th e
t r a n s i e n t tabe r n acl e i n th e wi l d e r n e ss an d th e r e s pl e n d e n t
te mpl e o f Go d i n He ave n th e e ar th l y be i n g bu t a f r agi l e , l i m
i te d l i ke n e ss o f th e h e ave n l y. Pau l appl i e s th e par al l e l i s m to
th e bo d y, l i ke n i n g th i s pr e s e n t mo r ta l bo d y to th e tabe r n acl e -
t e n t o n e a r th , t h a t i s to gi ve pl ace to th e gl o r i f i e d , e te r n al
bo d y n o t mad e wi th h a n d s . T h i s e ar th l y tabe r n acl e o f cl ay
i s to co me to n o u gh t, be d i sso l ve d (2 C o r . 5:1). Bu t i t i s
to be r e pl ace d by a gl o r i o u s a n d i mmo r tal i ze d bo d y, i n Go d s
d u e ti me a n d pr o vi si o n .
Fo r th e vast majo r i ty o f th e sai n ts th e r e wi l l be a l apse o f
ti me be twe e n th e mo me n t o f d e a th a n d th e ti me wh e n C h r i st,
337
338
h avi n g r e t u r n e d wi th Hi s r e t i n u e o f h o l y an ge l s, sh al l make
o u r mo r tal bo d i e s l i ke u n to Hi s o wn gl o r i o u s bo d y, by Hi s
o wn o mn i po te n t, cr e ati ve po we r . T h e actu al l apse o f ti me i s
n o t e qu al l y l o n g f o r al l th e l o n ge st be i n g f o r th e patr i ar ch s
be f o r e th e Fl o o d , th e s h o r te st f o r th o se d yi n g ju s t be f o r e th e
Se co n d Ad ve n t.
Bu t wh e n th e be l i e ve r l i es d o wn i n d e ath , Par ad i se i s ju s t
o n e act awaya t th e r e s u r r e cti o n at th e Ad ve n t. Be twe e n
d e ath a n d th e r e s u r r e cti o n wo u l d se em a br i e f e r ti me t h an
f o r an an ge l to wi n g h i s way f r o m e a r th to He ave n . An d th e
ch an ge wi l l se em to take bu t a mo me n ta twi n kl i n g o f an eye.
An d so me wi l l n o t d i e . T h e i r mo r tal bo d i e s wi l l be
ch an ge d wi th o u t e xpe r i e n ci n g d e ath , th r o u gh tr an s l ati o n
i n to gl o r i f i e d bo d y f o r m (1 C o r . 15; 1 T h e ss. 4). T h i s t r e
me n d o u s , f i n al , s u pe r n a tu r a l act i s wh at Pau l cal l s be i n g
cl o th e d u po n , a f te r h avi n g be e n u n cl o th e d i n th e d e ath
state . T h i s i s th e mai n po i n t o f th e passage.
10. S i m u l t a n e o u s R e u n i o n a n d R e w a r d a t C h r i s t s R e
t u r n .T h e wh o l e passage tr e ats o n , a n d i s wr i tte n i n , th e
s pi r i t o f th e r e s u r r e cti o n , wi th wh i ch i t actu al l y be gi n s: Kn o w
i n g t h a t h e wh i ch r ai se d u p th e Lo r d J e su s sh al l r ai se u p u s al so
by J e s u s (2 C o r . 4:14).
T h e co mf o r t Pau l o f f e r e d th e be r e ave d C h r i sti an s a t
T h e s s al o n i ca was n o t th at t h e i r l o ve d o n e s wh o h ad d i e d i n
C h r i s t wo u l d be i mme d i ate l y wi th Hi m i n co n sci o u s jo y. He
do e s n o t o f f e r h appi n e ss i n a d i se mbo d i e d state . Ra th e r , th e y
wo u l d be cau gh t u p together with them to me e t o u r Lo r d
upon His return. T h a t wo u l d be th e mo me n t o f gl ad r e u n i o n
(1 T h e ss. 4:13-18). Pa u l s eye was al ways u po n C h r i s ts f u tu r e
co mi n g, as th e d ay o f (1) reward a n d (2) reunion. T h u s h e
wr i te s: Wh a t i s o u r h o pe , o r jo y, o r cr o wn o f r e jo i ci n g? Ar e
n o t e ve n ye i n th e pr e se n ce o f o u r L o r d J e su s C h r i s t at h i s
co mi n g? (1 T h e ss. 2:19).
I t wi l l be co n ce d e d t h a t i f man h ad n e ve r s i n n e d h e wo u l d
h ave r e ach e d th e e te r n al state o r co n d i ti o n wi th o u t passi n g
t h r o u gh th e e xpe r i e n ce o f d e ath . T h e n th e n o t i o n o f an i n n e r ,
i mmo r tal s o u l wo u l d n e ve r h ave co me i n to be i n g. T h a t was
th e a f te r ma th o f th e te mpta ti o n an d th e Fal l . I t was, i n f act,
th e second f al se h o o d i n ve n te d by th e ar ch d e ce i ve r to su s tai n
th e f i r st l i e Ye sh al l n o t su r e l y d i e (Ge n . 3:4). Wh e n man
sh o u l d f al l i n d e ath , th e o r i gi n al l i e wo u l d be i n co n ce al abl y
a ppa r e n t, u n l e ss h e co u l d be pe r s u ad e d th at th e r e i s so me i n
vi si bl e me d i u m o r e n ti ty (so ul o r spi r i t) th r o u gh wh i ch h e
co n ti n u e s to l i ve . He n ce , su ch a th e o r y was i mpe r ati ve , an d was
i n tr o d u ce d i n to a n d th r o u gh pagan i sm, an d be came wi d e l y
be l i e ve d .
V. Gl o ssary o f Key Wo r ds an d Ph r ases by Verses
As an ai d to cl e ar u n d e r s tan d i n g, h e r e ar e th e En gl i sh
e qu i val e n ts o f th e key wo r d s an d ph r ase s o f 2 C o r i n th i an s
5:1-9.
Ve r se T e r m Ampl i f i e d Me an i n g
(1) "Earthly houseth i s e ar th l y bo d y, i n o u r pr e se n t te mpo r al co n d i
ti o n
" Tabernaclete mpo r ar y d we l l i n g, e ar th l y bo d y
"Dissolvedd i si n te gr ate , go back to e ar th l y e l e me n ts
Building of Godd u r abl e edi f i ce, h o u se f r o m He ave n
"House . . . in the heavensgl o r i f i e d bo d y pr o vi d e d by th e Lo r d
Not made with handso f h e ave n l y o r i gi n
(2) Groansi gh i n d i str e ss, e ar n e stl y d e si r i n g r e d e mpti o n o f bo d y
Clothed uponto pu t o n th e h o u se f r o m He ave n
House . . . from heavengl o r i f i e d r e su r r e cti o n bo d y
(3) Clothedmo r tal l i f e i n th e f l esh , h e r e a n d no w
Nakedu n cl ad , i n state o f d e ath , d i sso l u ti o n
(4) Unclothedstr i ppe d , wi th o u t e i th e r mo r tal o r i mmo r tal bo d y
Mortalityco r r u pti bl e , su bje ct to d ecay an d d e ath
Swallowed up of lifei n ve ste d wi th i mmo r tal i ty
(5) Earnestassu r an ce o f th e i r f u l l i n h e r i tan ce i n th e h e r e af te r ,
to ke n , su r e pl e d ge
(6) At home in the bodyl i vi n g i n th i s pr e se n t l i f e , abs e n t f r o m Lo r d
Absent from the Lordn o t ye t i n Hi s pr e se n ce , n o t ye t cl o th e d
u po n
(8) Absent from the bodyr e sti n g, asl e e p i n J e su s, r e l i e ve d o f su f
f e r i n g
Present with the Lord"h avi n g ar r i ve d , be cau se r ai s e d o r
ch an ge d , u n i te d wi th C h r i st
VI. Expo si ti o n al Survey o f Passage by Verses
1. V e r s e 1 E a r t h l y H o u s e D i s s o l v ed ; H ea v e n l y
H o u s e E t e r n a l .Le t u s n o w tr ave r se th e passage ve r se by
ve r se , i n l o gi cal se qu e n ce , i n th e l i gh t o f al l f acto r s, as d i a
gr ame d o r vi su al i ze d by a ch ar t. Pau l spe aks o f o u r e ar th l y
te n t-h o u se . An d tent a n d body ar e s i mi l ar i n se ve r al r e spe cts
th e mate r i al s o f bo th ar e mad e o f e ar th l y e l e me n ts, th e y ar e
tr a n s i e n t d we l l i n g pl ace s, a n d may be take n d o wn an d mo ve d
at an y ti me .
I t wi l l al so be r e cal l e d t h a t C h r i s t te n te d , o r t a b
e r n acl e d , f o r so me th i r ty-th r e e ye ar s amo n g u s (J o h n 1:14),
wh e n He assu me d a h u man bo d y at Hi s i n car n ati o n , be f o r e
r e t u r n i n g to He ave n . Pe te r si mi l ar l y co mpar e s th e h u man bo d y
to a te n t, o r tabe r n acl e , t h a t i s pu t of f a t d e ath (2 Pe te r 1:13,
14). T h e f i gu r e i s th e r e f o r e apt.
Agai n , o u r pr e s e n t life state i s f o l l o we d by th e death state,
o r state o f dissolution. An d th i s i n t u r n i s to be su cce e d e d ,
th r o u gh r e s u r r e cti o n o r tr an s l ati o n , by th e eternal life state.
Ou r gl o r i f i e d l i f e be gi n s wh e n , an d o n l y wh e n , C h r i s t r e tu r n s .
T h e n we r e ce i ve o u r h o u se not made with hands, e te r n al i n
th e h e ave n s (2 C o r . 5:1).
Pau l casts h i s mi n d s eye acro ss th e gl o o my s tr e tch o f
d e ath an d d i s s o l u ti o n an d f i xes i t ye ar n i n gl y u po n th e e te r n al
state , wh i ch be gi n s wh e n , a n d o n l y wh e n , th e i n te r me d i a te
state e n d s. Hi s f ai th o ve r l e aps th e ch asm o f gr ave d o m, a n ti ci
pa ti n g th e u n s e e n bu t e te r n a l state o f bl e sse d n e ss f o r
wh i ch h e h o pe d (2 C o r . 4:18).
Clothed, unclothed, an d clothed upon ar e th u s th e
ke y wo r d s. Wh i l e l i vi n g o n e a r th we ar e cl o th e d wi th o u r
mo r tal bo d y. At d e ath we ar e u n cl o th e d wh i l e i n gr ave d o m,
th i s e ar th l y bo d y be i n g l ai d asi d e a n d d i sso l ve d . T h a t wi l l
be th e l o t o f th e vast majo r i ty o f be l i e ve r s. On l y th o se l i vi n g
wh e n C h r i s t r e t u r n s wi l l e scape d i ss o l u ti o n , f o r th e y wi l l be
tr an s l ate d . Bu t we sh al l al l be co me cl o th e d u po n wh e n
we e xch an ge th e mo r tal f o r th e gl o r i o u s i mmo r tal bo d i e s.
PAULS LEADI NG PROBLEM PASSAGE 341
T h i s Li f e T h e Li f e to C o me
2 C o r . 5:2, 4 I n th i s (bo d y) tab- De si r i n g to be cl o th e d u po n wi th
e r n acl e we groan o u r h o u se f r o m He ave n
T h a t mo r tal i ty be swal l o we d u p
o f l i f e
Ro m. 8:22, 23 T h e wh o l e cr e ati o n Wai ti n g f o r th e redemption of our
groaneth body
Pa u l s T h r e e C o nsecuti ve States, o r C o ndi ti o ns, o f Man, Ou tl i n e d
Two Ho u se sT e mpo r a r y Ear th l y an d Ete r n al He ave n l y; Wi th I n te r ve n
i n g De ath Be twe e n (2 C o r i n th i an s 5:1-9)
(1) C l o th ed (2) Uncl o th ed
(.Present State Mo r tal i ty) (Death State)
(3) C l oth ed Upo n
{Future StateI mmo r tal
i ty)
T r a n s i t o r y (t e mpo r a l ) I n t e r me d i a t e (gr avedo m) E t e r n a l (f r o m Heaven)
Br i e f e ar th l y tabe r n acl e - T abe r n acl e -te n t dissolved Ete r n al h o u se f r o m He ave n
te n t
(made wi th h an d s) Not made with hands
C l o th ed Uncl o th ed (naked) C l o th ed Upo n
Gr o an i n g u n d e r bu r d e n s (Rel eased f r o m suf f eri ng) (Gl o r i f i ed s pi r i tu al bo dy)
Mo r tal i ty
Wal ki n g by f ai th
Havi n g e ar n e st o f Spi r i t
(I n te r i m cessati o n o f l i f e) Swal l owed u p o f e te r n al
l i f e
(Sl eepi ng i n J esus)
Li vi n g by si gh t i n Go d s
pr esence
(No pe r ce pti o n o f ti me) Re su r r e cte d by po we r o f
Spi r i t
At h o me i n bo dy Abse nt f r o m th e Lo r d At h o me wi th th e Lo r d
A bs e n t F r o m t h e L o r d {Resting in the Lord) P r e s e n t W i t h t h e L o r d
SEC OND Resurrection
ADVENT o r tr an sl ati o n
2. V e r s e 2 G r o a n i n g f o r I m m o r t a l i t y B e y o n d R e s u r
r e c t i o n .Ve r se 2 pr e se n ts Pa u l s gr e at d e si r e as h e co n te m
pl ate s th e gl o r i o u s e te r n al state . He l o ngs, n o t f o r d e ath (to
f r e e h i m f r o m th e h atr e d s o f me n an d th e i n f i r mi ti e s o f th e
f l esh ), bu t f o r th e r e s u r r e cti o n state . He passes o ve r , as i t we r e ,
th e e n ti r e i n te r me d i a te state . T h e r e i s n o t h i n g to cau se h i m to
pau se th e r e wi th d e si r e . Hi s l o n gi n g gaze i s f i xe d u po n th e
s tate th a t begins wh e n th e i n te r me d i a te state h as van i sh e d l i ke
a d r e am.
We gr o an , o r si gh i n d i str e ss, be cau se we e ar n e stl y d e
si r e o u r L o r d s r e t u r n , an d f o r th e ch an ge o f o u r bo d i e s o f
h u mi l i a t i o n i n to th e l i ke n e ss o f Hi s gl o r i o u s bo d y. Obse r ve ,
i n passi n g, Pa u l s par al l e l i s m i n 2 C o r i n th i an s 5:2 an d 4, a n d
Ro man s 8:22, 23.
Yes, th e h o u se . . . f r o m h e ave n (2 C o r . 5:2), th e i m
mo r ta l bo d y, th e state o f i mmo r tal i ty, awai ts th e r e d e e me d
beyond th e r e s u r r e cti o n , o r tr an s l ati o n , day.
3. V e r s e 3 C l o t h e d A g a i n A f t e r N a k e d St a t e o f
D e a t h . T h e r e i s o f te n co n f u s i o n o ve r th e te r m n ake d , i n
ve r se 3. Bu t th e n ake d n e ss Pau l me n ti o n s i s th e d i ss o l u ti o n
state o f th e e ar th l y h o u se o f ve r se 1, a n d i n ve r se 4 i t i s d e
n o mi n a te d u n cl o th e d . Pau l l o n gs f o r th e h e ave n l y h o me , f o r
wh e n th u s clothed upon we sh al l be n o l o n ge r i n th e n a ke d
s tate to wh i ch d e a th l e ad s al l me n . An d i t i s o n l y o f th e inter
mediate state t h a t Pau l says th i sn o t o f this l i f e , a n d su r e l y
n o t o f th e gl o r i f i e d future l i f e .
I n th e gl o r i f i e d state we sh al l assu r e d l y h ave o u r e te r n al
h o u s e a n d h o me . T h e gr ave (hadesbe r e f t o f l i gh t an d jo y
a n d co n sci o u sn e ss) i s n o t o u r h o me . I t i s i n d e e d a state o f
u n i n vi t i n g n ake d n e ss. Bu t Pau l l o o ks be yo n d th i s n ake d n e ss
o f d e a th to th e l an d o f l i f e . He th u s r u l e s o u t an y po ssi bi l i ty o f
a s tate be twe e n d e a th an d th e r e s u r r e cti o n i n wh i ch , as d i s
e mbo d i e d spi r i ts, me n go to be pr e s e n t wi th th e Lo r d . T h a t
can n o t be th e i n t e n t o f n a ke d , o r u n cl o th e d .
T h e n a tu r e o f th e i n te r ve n i n g state of death i s t h a t o f
sleep, wi th o u t co n sci o u sn e ss, a n d wi th n o pe r ce pti o n o f ti me .
A th o u s an d ye ar s wi l l se em n o l o n ge r t h an an i n s tan t. T h e
d e ad i n C h r i s t ar e f al l e n asl e e p (1 C o r . 15:18). If th a t sl e e p
we r e u n br o ke n by th e cal l o f th e Li f e -gi ve r , i t wo u l d be ta n t a
mo u n t to u t t e r e xti n cti o n an e te r n al sl e e p. Bu t al l wh o sl e e p
ar e d e s ti n e d to an i n e vi tabl e awake n i n g, e i th e r u n to l i f e o r
to d a mn a ti o n . So be yo n d th e state o f d e ath l o o ms th e gl o r i o u s
state o f i mmo r tal i tywi th e te r n al l i f e , jo y, a n d l i gh t.
4. V e r s e 4 M o r t a l i t y t o Be S w a l l o w e d Up b y I m
m o r t a l i t y . I n ve r se 4 (2 C o r . 5), Pau l r e pe ats th e po i n t th at
i n th i s tabe r n acl e we gr o an , be i n g bu r d e n e d . T h e wo r l d ,
Satan , si n , a n d te mpta ti o n h ad mad e h i s l i f e a bu r d e n . Ye t al l
th i s can n o t pr o d u ce a d e si r e to be u n cl o th e d i n th e u n
cl o th e d intermediate state t h a t h e d i spar age s. De ath i s n o t th e
ti me o f r e d e mpti o n , n o r i s th e gr ave o u r h o me . I t i s o n l y a
te mpo r ar y tar r yi n g pl ace u n t i l o u r Lo r d r e tu r n s . Pa u l s bu r d e n
i s f o r th e f u tu r e cl o th e d u po n state o f th e h e ave n l y h o u se ,
e te r n al i n d u r ati o n . T h e gr ave si gni f i e s th e tr i u mph o f d e ath .
Bu t d e ath , o r mo r tal i ty, i s to be swal l o we d u p o f l i f e , a l i f e
t h a t sh al l n e ve r e n d . An d d e a th i tse l f i s to be o bl i te r a te d
(Re v. 20:14).
T h i s mo r tal mu st put on, o r be invested with, i mmo r ta l
i ty. T h i s co r r u pt i bl e mu st be co me i n co r r u pti bl e by i mmo r ta l
i zi n g tr an s f o r mati o n . On l y t h e n can i t i n h e r i t th e ki n gd o m o f
Go d , wi th i ts e n d l e ss l i f e . Un t i l a n d u n l e ss th e r e i s th i s tr e
me n d o u s cr e ati ve ch an ge , th e r e can be n o i mmo r tal l i f e f o r
an y o f th e h u man f ami l y. Bu t wh e n th a t i s acco mpl i sh e d , th e n
mo r ta l i ty i s swal l o we d u p o f i mmo r tal i ty, an d we wi l l be
cl o th e d u po n wi th o u r e te r n al h o u se f r o m He ave n . As n o te d ,
th i s i s n o t at death bu t at th e l ast t r u mp, wh e n th e L o r d J e su s
appe ar s i n gl o r y, a n d th e d e ad ar e r ai s e d , an d th e r i gh te o u s
l i vi n g ar e ch an ge d i n th e twi n kl i n g o f an eye. T h a t i s th e
gr e at apo s tl e s u n e qu i vo cal d e cl ar ati o n .
An d Pau l cate go r i cal l y state s t h a t me n ar e n o t cl o th e d
wi th i mmo r tal i ty individually and separately at death, but si
multaneously and together, at the resurrection-translation
FRANKLIN BOOTH, ARTIST 1 9 4 4 BY THE SOUTHERN PUBLISHING ASSN.
T h e Ho st o f th e Re d e e me d a Mu l ti tu d e No Man C an Nu mbe r Stan d Bef o re
Go d C l o th e d i n Fadel ess Immo r tal i ty, Seal ed f o r Ete r n i ty.
of the just (1 C o r . 15:51-54; 1 T h e ss. 4:15-17). An d i t i s to be
o bse r ve d , f u r t h e r , t h a t i n translation th e mo r tal bo d y o f th e l i v
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PAULS LEADING PROBLEM PASSAGE
345
i n g i s ch an ge d wi th o u t a pr i o r d i s s o l u ti o n . T h i s i s d e f i
n i te l y i n cl u d e d i n th e ph r ase s, cl o th e d u po n , a n d mo r tal i ty
swal l o we d u p o f l i f e Pa u l s a r d e n t h o pe . Pa u l s mi n d i s f u l l y
mad e u p. He do e s n o t wan t to be u n cl o th e d , to d i e , to d i s
i n te gr ate . He wo u l d r a t h e r l i ve o n , an d co n ti n u e i n th e
cl o th e d state , wi th al l i ts bu r d e n s a n d su f f e r i n gs, t h a n to
d i e . Bu t wh e n th e t h i r d po ssi bi l i ty i s co n si d e r e d , i t at o n ce
take s f i r st pl ace i n h i s h e ar t.
Pau l wi sh e s abo ve al l th i n gs to be cl o th e d u po n wi th
h i s pr o mi s e d h o u se . . . f r o m h e ave n wh e n th e Lo r d wo u l d
co me a n d f ash i o n an e w th e bo d y o f h i s h u mi l i a ti o n . At th e
Se co n d Ad ve n t, wh e n C h r i s t sh al l appe ar , we sh al l appe ar wi th
Hi m i n gl o r y, be i n g cl o th e d u po n wi th o u r h e ave n l y h o u se .
5. I n d w e l l i n g Spi r i t I s P l ed g e o f O u r R e s u r r e c t i o n .
T h e Ho l y Spi r i t d we l l i n g i n o u r h e ar ts i s th e e ar n e s t
(d o wn payme n t, assu r an ce , pl e d ge , to ke n ) th a t we sh al l f i n al l y
r e ce i ve th e d e si r e o f o u r h e ar t, a n d be cl o th e d u po n wi th
i mmo r tal i ty. T h e i n d we l l i n g o f th e Spi r i t i s th e su r e pl e d ge
th a t th e Spi r i t th a t r ai se d u p J e su s wi l l al so r ai se u s u p (Ro m.
8:11). C o mpar e th i s tr i o o f te xts:
PRESENT PLEDGE OF FUTURE REDEMPT I ON
HOLY SPI RI T OF BODY
2 C o r . 5:5Ha th gi ve n u n to us
th e earnest o f th e Spi r i t
Eph . 1:13, 14Se al e d wi th th at
holy Spirit th e earnest o f
o u r i n h e r i tan ce
Ro m. 8:11T h e Spirit o f h i m
th a t r ai se d u p J e su sd we l l i n g
i n yo u
T h a t mo r tal i ty mi gh t be swal l o wed
u p o f life
Un ti l th e redemption o f th e pu r
ch ase d po ssessi o n
He th a t r ai se d u p J e su s sh al l al so
quicken yo u r mo r tal bo d i e s
Al l taki n g pl ace at th e Se co nd Ad
ve n t an d th e r e su r r e cti o n -tr an sl a-
ti o n (1 C o r . 15:51-55).
6. V e r s e 6 A t H o m e i n B o d y ; A b s e n t F r o m t h e L o r d .
T o be i n o u r e a r th l y tabe r n acl e -h o u se i s to be at h o me
i n th e bo d y. T h e ch i e f ch ar acte r i s ti c o f th i s te mpo r ar y h o u se
i s th a t i t i s mo r tal an d may be di sso l ve d . T h a t i s o u r pr e s e n t
s i tu ati o n . T o be abs e n t f r o m th e L o r d i s to be l i vi n g h e r e o n
e ar th , o r r e s ti n g i n th e gr ave n o t ye t i n Hi s pr e se n ce . T o be
pr e s e n t wi th Hi m i s e f f e cte d by be i n g e i th e r r ai s e d o r
ch an ge d th e se be i n g th e so l e gate ways to th e gl o r y l an d .
7. V e r s e 8 I n t e r v a l o f D e a t h S e p a r a t e s F r o m P r e s
e n c e W i t h L o r d .T h e r e i s n o th i n g i n ve r se 8 o r i n th e co n
te xt to ju s ti f y th e co n te n ti o n t h a t be i n g pr e s e n t wi th th e
L o r d o ccu r s i mme d i ate l y u po n be i n g abs e n t f r o m th e bo d y.
T h e passage d o e s n o t i n d i cate when th e se e xpe r i e n ce s take
pl ace . We d o n o t, i mme d i ate l y u po n d yi n g, take po ssessi o n.
Fr o m Pa u l s o th e r wr i ti n gs, an d Scr i ptu r e i n ge n e r al , i t i s e s tab
l i sh e d th at th e i n te r val o f th e death state i s th e pe r i o d t h a t
se par ate s th e two . We awai t th e co mi n g o f th e Lo r d .
Pau l do e s n o t h e r e d e n y h i s pr e vi o u s wi tn e ss to th e C o
r i n t h i a n s th a t th i s co r r u pti bl e mu s t put on i n co r r u pti o n , a n d
th i s mo r tal mu st put on i mmo r ta l i ty (1 C o r . 15:53)an d
th a t a t th e Se co n d Ad ve n t, wh i ch i s sti l l f u tu r e . Pau l i s u n i
f o r ml y co n s i s te n t an d ve r y po si ti ve th at i f th e d e ad r i se n o t,
th e n i s n o t C h r i s t r ai se d : an d i f C h r i s t be n o t r ai se d , yo u r f ai th
i s vai n . . . . T h e n th e y al so wh i ch ar e f al l e n asl e e p i n C h r i st ar e
pe r i s h e d (1 C o r . 15:16, 18). Hi s o n l y h o pe , l i ke th e wo r th i e s
o f He br e ws 11, i s i n th e r e s u r r e cti o n o f th e d e ad . T h u s h e
d e cl ar e s t h a t th e r e i s n o ad van tage i n th e mar tyr s f i gh ti n g th e
be asts at Eph e su s, i f th e d e ad r i se n o t (1 C o r . 15:32). Ob
vi o u sl y, th e y we r e n o t al r e ad y i n He ave n .
Abs e n t f r o m th e bo d y (2 C o r . 5:8) co n s e qu e n tl y d e n o te s,
n o t h appi n e ss i n a d i se mbo d i e d state , bu t a pe r i o d o f r e l i e f f r o m
a s u f f e r i n g a n d d yi n g bo d yo f r e s ti n g an d sl e e pi n g i n J e su s.
T h e th i n gs wh i ch ar e se en ar e te mpo r al ; bu t th e th i n gs
wh i ch ar e n o t se e n ar e e te r n a l (2 C o r . 4:18). T h u s th e pr e s
e n t wo r l d i s co n tr as te d wi th th e f u tu r e . T h e pr e s e n t e ar th an d
i ts i n h a bi ta n ts ar e to co n ti n u e bu t f o r a l i mi te d ti me ; th e
wo r l d to co me , wi th th e r e d e e me d ch i l d r e n o f Go d , i s e te r n al .
T h e po r tr ayal i s th a t o f a t e n t versus a pe r ma n e n t h o me at th e
e n d o f l i f e s jo u r n e y.
8. R e c a pi t u l a t i o n : T h r e e St a t es f o r M a n . So th i s
pr o bl e m passage , wr i tte n u n d e r i n s pi r ati o n , pr e se n ts th r e e
state s, o r co n d i ti o n s , e ach i n s h ar p co n tr as t wi th th e o th e r two .
T h e s e ar e : (1) T h i s pr e s e n t mo r tal l i f e ; (2) th e i n te r me d i ate
state o f d e ath ; an d (3) th e f u tu r e i mmo r tal l i f e o f th e r e
d e e me d .
T h e first i s spo ke n o f as we th a t ar e i n th i s [bo d i l y]
tabe r n acl e d o gr o an (v. 4). T h e second i s d e scr i be d by, I f
o u r e ar th l y h o u s e o f th i s tabe r n acl e we r e d i sso l ve d , we ar e
n ake d , u n cl o t h e d (vs. 1, 4). T h e third i s al te r n ate l y d e
scr i be d as a bu i l d i n g o f Go d e te r n al i n th e h e ave n s,
cl o th e d u po n wi th o u r h o u se wh i ch i s f r o m h e ave n , mo r
tal i ty . . . swal l o we d u p o f l i f e , a n d pr e s e n t wi th th e L o r d
(vs. 1, 2, 4, 8).
T h e se co n d o f th e se co n d i ti o n s th e state o f d e a th i s n o t
o n e to be d e s i r e d . Bu t th e t h i r d i s so gl o r i o u s th a t Pau l gr o an s
f o r i t. I t i s th e r e f o r e cl e ar t h a t be i n g pr e s e n t wi th th e L o r d
can n o t po ssi bl y me an h i s co n d i ti o n wh i l e th i s e ar th l y h o u se i s
d i sso l ve d i n d e ath . T h i s se co n d state Pau l d i spar age s, bu t th e
th i r d h e pr ai se s. T h e s e ar e d e f i n i te l y n o t d e s cr i pti o n s o f o n e
a n d th e same pe r i o d an d co n d i ti o n . Pau l e xpe cte d to be pr e s
e n t wi th th e Lo r d after th e i n te r me d i a te state an d th e r e s u r
r e cti o n o r t h r o u gh tr an s l ati o n , wi th o u t passi n g th r o u gh
d e ath . T h u s th e r e i s h ar mo n y an d co n si ste n cy i n th i s i mpr e s
si ve passage o f th e gr e at th e o l o gi an -apo stl e . T h e co n d i ti o n al i s t
po si ti o n r e co n ci l e s al l f acto r s.
C H A P T E R N I N E T E E N
Pau l s Oth e r Probl em Passages
I. (2 C or. 12:2-4): Pau l s Vi si o nI n . . . o r Ou t o f th e Bo dy
I n 2 C o r i n th i an s 12:1-4, Pau l spe aks o f be i n g cau gh t u p
i n to th e t h i r d h e ave n , wh e r e h e h e ar d u n s pe akabl e wo r d s. I t i s
f r e qu e n tl y al l e ge d th a t th i s passage o r e pi so d e f u r n i s h e s an
e xampl e o f a h u man so u l , o r s pi r i t, actu al l y e xi s ti n g o r tr a ve l
i n g i n a co n sci o u s, pe r ce pti ve co n d i ti o n o u tsi d e o f th e bo d y,
se e i n g tr an s ce n d e n t si gh ts a n d h e ar i n g u n s pe akabl e wo r d s, th u s
gath e r i n g h e ave n l y i n f o r mati o n , an d th e n r e t u r n i n g to r e s u me
i ts abo d e i n th e te mpo r ar i l y d e se r te d bo d y. Bu t Pa u l pl ai n l y
d e cl ar e s t h a t th i s was a vi si o n , o r r e ve l ati o n (v. 1). Surely
the vision of a prophet does not prove consciousness in death.
1. E x a c t Spe c i f i c a t i o n s o f P a s s a g e . He r e i s th e pas
sage i n f u l l :
I t i s n o t e xpe d i e n t f o r me d o u btl e ss to gl o r y. I wi l l co me to visions
a n d revelations o f th e Lo r d . I kn e w a man i n C h r i st abo ve f o u r te e n ye ar s
ago ,1 (wh e th e r in the body, I can n o t te l l ; o r wh e th e r out of the body,
I can n o t te l l : Go d kn o we th ;) such an o n e caught up to th e third
heaven. An d I kn e w such a man , (wh e th e r in the body, o r out of the
body, I can n o t te l l : Go d kn o we th ;) h o w th a t h e was cau gh t u p i n to
paradise, an d h e a r d unspeakable words, wh i ch i t i s not lawful [ouk exon,
"po s si bl e , o r pr o pe r ] f o r a man to utter"
I t wi l l be o bse r ve d t h a t th e r e i s n o t a wo r d i n th e passage
a bo u t th e so u l o f Pau l l e avi n g th e bo d y to vi si t Par ad i se . Pau l
1Fo u r te e n ye ar s pr i o r was abo u t th e ti me Bar n abas br o u gh t Pau l to An ti o ch (Acts
11:25, 26), possi bl y f r o m T ar su s.
348
PAULS OT HER PROBLEM PASSAGES 349
was s ti l l ve r y mu ch al i ve . So th e te xt pr o ve s n o th i n g pr o o r co n
as to th e s o u l s s e par ate e xi ste n ce af te r d e ath , for he had not
died. Pau l says h e kn e w a man i n C h r i st, n o t a s pi r i t, h o w
he was cau gh t u p. Bu t Pau l h i mse l f was o bvi o u sl y th e
ma n th a t h e kn e w. I t was a pe r so n al e xpe r i e n ce i n h i s o wn
l i f e . Ho we ve r , i t was a man, n o t th e so u l o f a man .
Par ad i se i s h e r e e qu ate d wi th th e t h i r d h e ave n , wh e r e th e
tr e e o f l i f e i s (Re v. 2:7; 22:2). So Pau l was car r i e d away, in
vision, to Par ad i se , ju s t as J o h n was l ate r , wh i l e i mpr i s o n e d o n
th e Isl e o f Patmo s. Pau l pl ai n l y d e n o mi n ate s i t a vi si o n .
2. V i s i o n s P r o d u c e d b y A g e n c y o f H o l y S p i r i t . Vi si o n s
ar e pr o d u ce d t h r o u gh th e age n cy o f th e Ho l y Spi r i t, wh i l e me n
ar e l i vi n g. T h u s o f Eze ki e l th e Scr i ptu r e r e co r d i s:
An d th e s pi r i t l i f te d me u p be twe e n th e e ar th an d th e h e ave n ,
an d br o u gh t me in the visions of God to J e r u sal e m, to th e d o o r o f th e
i n n e r gate th a t l o o ke th to war d th e n o r t h (Eze. 8:3).
"Af te r war d s th e s pi r i t to o k me u p, an d br o u gh t me in a vision by the
Spirit of God i n to C h al d e a, to th e m o f th e capti vi ty (ch ap. 11:24).
T h e qu e s ti o n u n avo i d abl y ar i se s, C o u l d n o t th e Spi r i t
h ave si mi l ar l y co n ve ye d Pau l , as we l l as Ezeki el ? T h e n th e r e
was J o h n , ju s t me n ti o n e d , o n th e Isl e o f Patmo s, wh o wr o te :
So h e car r i e d me away i n th e s pi r i t i n to th e wi l d e r n e ss: a n d
I saw a wo man si t u po n a scar l e t co l o u r e d be ast (Re v. 17:3).
T h e s e e xpe r i e n ce s to o k pl ace wh i l e th e se me n we r e alive
i n th e e ar th l y se r vi ce o f Go d , a n d we r e se e n t h r o u gh th e ec
stasy o f vi si o n , wi th th e mi n d u n d e r th e s u pe r n a tu r a l co n tr o l
o f th e Ho l y Spi r i t. T h e y th e r e f o r e pr o ve n o t h i n g a bo u t th e
co n d i ti o n o f th e d e ad , an d h ave nothing to do with death.
T h e r e i s th e r e f o r e n o t a s ci n ti l l a o f pr o o f f r o m th i s passage f o r
co n sci o u sn e ss o f th e so u l be twe e n d e ath an d th e r e s u r r e cti o n .
I t i s to be r e me mbe r e d t h a t Pau l f r e qu e n tl y r e co r d e d pe r
so n al co mmu n i cati o n s f r o m Go d th r o u gh vi si o n s (Acts 9:4-6;
16:9; 18:9; 22:17, 18; 23:11; 27:23, 24; Gal . 2:2). T h i s was n o
e xce pti o n .
As to th e e xpr e ssi o n , i n th e bo d y, o r o u t , th e r e was
co mpl e te abse n ce o f s e n si bi l i ty to e ar th l y s u r r o u n d i n gs . T h e
HOM E
IMEDO
PERSI*
Babyl on
T. K. M ARTI N, ARTI ST 1 9 4 1 BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD
In th e Di vi n e Page an t o f Hi sto r y th e Mar ch o f Nati o n s Is Ne ar i n g th e En d o f
th e Age, Wh e n th e Last T h i n gs Wi l l Occur , T o war d Wh i ch Al l Hu man i ty Moves.
third, o r h i gh e st, He ave n , o r Par ad i se (2 C o r . 12:4), wh e r e Go d
i s, h as f r e qu e n tl y be e n se e n i n vi si o n by var i o u s pr o ph e ts . An d ,
as ge n e r al l y r e co gn i ze d , th e f i r st h e ave n i s th e atmo s ph e r e ; th e
se co n d th a t o f th e star r y h e ave n s; th e t h i r d th e abo d e o f Go d
a n d h e ave n l y be i n gs. Bu t l e t u s l o o k mo r e cl o se l y i n to th e ma t
te r o f th e vi si o n s o f th e pr o ph e ts .
3. V i s i o n s I n s e pa r a b l e P a r t o f P r o ph e t i c R o l e .
T h r o u gh Moses, th e Lo r d sai d o f th e pr o ph e t, I th e Lo r d wi l l
make myse l f kn o wn u n to h i m i n a vision (Nu m. 12:6). An d
J o b sai d t h a t i n a d r e am, i n a vision o f th e n i gh t, wh e n d e e p
sl e e p f al l e th u po n me n , . . . t h e n h e o pe n e th th e e ar s o f me n ,
a n d se al e th t h e i r i n s t r u ct i o n (J o b 33:15, 16). T h e pr o ph e ts
o f o l d h ad vi si o n s as an i n se par abl e pa r t o f th e pr o ph e ti c r o l e
Abr ah am, Mo ses, J o s h u a, Samu e l , I d d o , Isai ah , J e r e mi ah ,
Eze ki e l , Dan i e l , Amo s, Obad i ah , Nah u m, Habakku k, a n d Zech -
350
PAULS OT HER PROBLEM PASSAGES
351
ar i ah . T h e same i s t r u e i n th e Ne w T e s ta me n t, su ch as wi th
Ste ph e n , Pau l , Pe te r , a n d J o h n . Go i n g back, take th e pr o ph e t
Dan i e l f o r e xampl e :
Dan . 2:19T h e n was th e se cr e t r e ve al e d u n to Dan i e l i n a n i gh t
vision.
7:2, 3I saw i n my vision by n i gh t, an d , be h o l d , . . . f o u r gr e at
be asts.
8:2I saw i n a vision, an d I was by th e r i ve r o f Ul ai .
10:7I Dan i e l al o n e saw th e vision: f o r th e me n th a t we r e wi th
me saw n o t th e vision.
An d i n th e Ne w T e s ta me n t we r e ad :
Lu ke 1:22"T h e y pe r ce i ve d th a t h e [Zach ar i as] h ad se en a vision
i n th e te mpl e .
Acts 7:55Ste ph e n saw th e gl o r y o f Go d , an d J e su s s tan d i n g o n
th e r i gh t h a n d o f Go d .
9:10T o h i m [An an i as] sai d th e Lo r d i n a vision.
10:11Pe te r saw h e ave n o pe n e d , an d a ce r tai n vessel d e sce n d
i n g.
16:9A vision appe ar e d to Pau l i n th e n i gh t.
18:9T h e n spake th e Lo r d to Pau l i n th e n i gh t by a vision.
Bu t n o te par ti cu l ar l y J o h n th e r e ve l ato r . Pr acti cal l y th e
e n ti r e Apo cal ypse was pr e s e n te d to J o h n i n vi si o n . J u s t o b
se r ve : I n Re ve l ati o n 9:17 J o h n sai d , I saw th e h o r se s i n th e vi
sion, a n d th e m th a t sat o n th e m. An d i n a se r i e s o f u n pa r a l
l e l e d vi ews J o h n saw C h r i st ami d th e go l d e n can d l e sti cks, th e
twe n ty-f o u r e l d e r s, th e se ve n l amps, th e sea o f gl ass, th e f o u r
l i vi n g cr e atu r e s , th e se al e d bo o k, th e se ven seal s, th e se al i n g,
th e se ve n tr u mpe ts , th e te mpl e , th e two wi tnesse s, th e be asts,
th e wo man , th e d r ago n , th e f l yi ng an ge l s, Babyl o n s f al l , th e
se ve n vi al s, th e Se co n d Ad ve n t, th e h ar ve st, th e two r e s u r r e c
ti o n s, th e bi n d i n g o f Satan an d h i s l o o si n g, th e l ake o f f i re, th e
d e s tr u cti o n o f d e ath a n d hades, th e Ne w J e r u s al e m, a n d th e
n e w h e ave n a n d th e n e w e ar th , wi th th e r i ve r an d tr e e o f l i f e
i n th e Paradise of Godco n s ti tu ti n g a match l e ss o ve r al l pan o
r ama o f th e pl an o f sal vati o n a n d i ts t r i u mph . T h a t i s th e
sco pe o f th e vi si o n s o f Go d to th e se e r o f Patmo s.
4. P a u l s V i s i o n o f H e a v e n M a t c h e d b y I s a i a h , D a n i e l ,
J o h n . Spe ci f i cal l y, Isai ah saw al so th e Lo r d s i tti n g u po n a
th r o n e , h i gh a n d l i f te d u p, an d h i s tr a i n f i l l e d th e te mpl e
(Isa. 6:1). Dan i e l al so saw th e th r o n e o f th e Mo st Hi gh i n
He ave n an d th e co mi n g ju d gme n t scenes:
I be h e l d ti l l th e th r o n e s wer e cast d o wn , an d th e An ci e n t o f days
d i d si t, wh o se gar me n t was wh i te as sno w, an d th e h ai r o f h i s h e ad l i ke
th e pu r e wo o l : h i s th r o n e was l i ke th e f i ery f l ame, an d h i s wh ee l s as
bu r n i n g f i re. A f i ery str e am i ssued an d came f o r th f r o m be f o r e h i m:
th o u s an d th o u san d s mi n i ste r e d u n to h i m, an d te n th o u s an d ti me s te n
th o u s an d sto o d be f o r e h i m: th e ju d gme n t was set, an d th e bo o ks we r e
o pe n e d (Dan . 7:9, 10).
I saw i n th e n i gh t vi si o ns, an d , be h o l d , o n e l i ke th e So n o f man
came wi th th e cl o u d s o f h e ave n , an d came to th e An ci e n t o f days, an d
th e y br o u gh t h i m n e ar be f o r e h i m. An d th e r e was gi ve n h i m d o mi n i o n ,
an d gl o r y, a n d a ki n gd o m, th a t al l pe o pl e , n ati o n s, an d l an gu age s, sh o u l d
se r ve h i m (vs. 13, 14).
J o h n th e r e ve l ato r l i ke wi se spe ci f i cal l y saw th e t h r o n e o f
Go d i n He ave n , wi th th e tr e e o f l i f e o ve r s pr e ad i n g th e r i ve r o f
l i f e i n th e Ne w J e r u s al e m (Re v. 22:1, 2). T h e qu e s ti o n , th e n , i s
i n e scapabl e an d u n an s we r abl e : I f Isai ah , Dan i e l , an d J o h n al l
saw th e t h r o n e o f Go d i n He ave n , an d h e ar d wo r d s spo ke n
th e r e in vision, wh y co u l d n o t Pau l , l i ke wi se in vision, see
a n d h e ar , wi th o u t i n vo l vi n g th e e xtr an e o u s cl ai m o f h i s s o u l s
actu al l y l e avi n g h i s bo dy? Isai ah , Dan i e l , a n d J o h n we r e l i vi n g
me n , a l be i t pr o ph e ts , an d co n ti n u e d to l i ve an d wo r k o n af te r
th e i r vi si o ns. Wh y th e n was n o t Pau l th e pr o ph e t f u n cti o n i n g
i n th e same way, acco r d i n g to th e spe ci f i e d me th o d a n d pa tt e r n
o f vi si o ns?
5. A b s u r d i t y o f S o u l s S e p a r a t i o n T h e o r y .T h i s
Pa u l i n e passage e xpr e ssl y co n ce r n s vi si o n s an d r e ve l ati o n s
r e ce i ve d f r o m th e Lo r d . T h i s pa r ti cu l a r vi s i o n was e vi d e n tl y
th e mo st r e mar kabl e Pau l e ve r e xpe r i e n ce d . He was gi ve n a
vi e w o f par ad i s e , i n th e th i r d h e ave n . I t was so r e al , so
al i ve a n d vi vi d , t h a t h e co u l d n o t te l l wh e th e r h e h ad be e n
tr a n s po r te d bo d i l y to Par ad i s e o r wh e th e r i t was i n r e al i ty
me r e l y a vi si o n , pr e s e n te d be f o r e h i s mi n d by th e Ho l y Spi r i t.
T wo po ssi bi l i ti e s o n l y ar e br o u gh t to vi e w by th e te xt
e i t h e r actu al tr a n s po r ta ti o n to Par ad i se o r th e vi e wi n g o f He ave n
i n vi si o n . Bu t n o ti ce th e i n vo l ve me n ts e i th e r way: (1) I f Pau l
was take n to Par ad i se al i ve , th e n h e was n o t d e ad , an d th e e pi
so d e wo u l d h ave n o be ar i n g o n th e qu e s ti o n o f co n sci o u sn e ss i n
d e ath . (2) An d i f i t we r e , i n ste ad , a vi si o n , co mmo n to
pr o ph e ts th r o u gh o u t Ol d T e s ta me n t ti me s, n e i th e r wo u l d th a t
pr o ve co n sci o u sn e ss i n d e ath , f o r Pau l was al i ve at th e ti me .
I n e i t h e r case, i t do e s n o t s u ppo r t th e I mmo r tal -So u l i s t th e o r y.
6. P r e po s t er o u s C o n c l u s i o n s I n v o l v ed .T h e qu e s ti o n
at i ssu e i s r e d u ce d to o n e po i n t: What is the meaning of the
expression, o u t o f th e bo d y? As state d , mo d e r n I mmo r tal -
So u l i sts asse r t th a t i t i s th e i mmo r tal so u l , o r s pi r i t, go i n g o u t
f r o m th e bo d yso u l tr ave l an d i ts e xi ste n ce f o r a ti me i n a
s e par ate , co n sci o u s, pe r ce pti ve co n d i ti o n , i n d e pe n d e n t of , an d
a pa r t f r o m, th e bo d y. Bu t n o te wh at su ch an al l e gati o n i n
vo l ves.
Acco r d i n g to th e vi ew o f su ch pr o po n e n ts , th e s e par ati o n
o f th e so u l f r o m th e bo d y take s pl ace at d e a th th e cu sto mar y
d e f i n i ti o n o f d e ath . I n f act, i n th e i r vi e w th e r e can be n o
s e par ati o n o f so u l f r o m bo d y, wi th o u t d e ath r e s u l ti n g.
Bu t wo u l d an yo n e co n te n d t h a t Pau l d i d n o t kn o w wh e th e r
h e h ad died, an d h ad h ad a resurrection? Ye t th at wo u l d h ave
h ad to h a ppe n i f th e wo r d s o u t o f th e bo d y me a n t a tr an s
ae r i al f l i gh t o f Pa u l s so u l to Par ad i se an d back. I t wo u l d me an
th a t h i s so u l we n t of f to th e t h i r d h e ave n wh i l e h i s bo d y l ay
i n T a r s u s (o r wh e r e ve r i t was)a co r pse u po n th e e ar th . An d
wh e n Pa u l s s o u l r e t u r n e d , h e mu s t h ave u n d e r go n e a r e s to
r a t i o n f r o m th e d e ad . Su ch a pr e s u mpti o n i s, o f co u r se , u n t e n
abl e . T h e r e f o r e , o u t o f th e bo d y o bvi o u sl y do e s not me an
e n tr an ce o f th e se par ate d bo d y i n to a te mpo r ar y state o f
d e ath .
T h e e xpr e ssi o n si mpl y me an s t h a t Pau l h ad a vi s i o n a
co n d i ti o n i n wh i ch to h i s mi n d , co n tr o l l e d by th e Spi r i t d u r i n g
th e ti me o f th e vi si o n , we r e pr e s e n te d scenes so r e al i s ti c th a t
h e se e me d to be th e r e i n pe r so n , vi e wi n g th e actu al spe ctacl e i t
se l f a n d h e ar i n g th e gr aph i c wo r d s spo ke n .
I t i s to be r e me mbe r e d th a t vi vi d , r e al i sti c, n a tu r a l d r e ams
cr u d e l y i l l u s tr ate h o w th i s co u l d be . T h e case o f J o h n th e Be-
12
GIB CROCKETT, ARTIST 1 9 6 3 BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD
T h e Gr asp f o r Po wer, Wh i ch Has Mar ke d th e C e n tu r i e s, Is to C h ar acte r i ze th e
Last Days o f Hu man Hi sto r y as th e Age Draws to Its C l ose.
l o ve d i n Re ve l ati o n 17 i s a s tr i ki n g e xampl e . He se e me d to be
pr e s e n t, vi e wi n g e ve n ts wh o l l y f u tu r e , an d wh i ch co u l d n o t
h ave be e n co n te mpo r an e o u s f o r th e y we r e r e s tr i cte d to th e
l ast d ays o f ti me . Me an ti me , J o h n was al l th e wh i l e al i ve
bo d i l y o n Patmo s. Si mi l ar l y wi th Pau l .
Bu t su ch ar e th e l e n gth s to wh i ch so me go , an d th e a bs u r d
i ti e s i n wh i ch th e y i n vo l ve th e mse l ve s, i n se e ki n g to s u s tai n a
pr e co n ce i ve d Pl ato n i c th e o r y br o u gh t o ve r f r o m Pagan i sm
i n to J e wr y, a n d t h e n i n to C h r i sti an i ty. T h e passage af f o r d s n o
pr o o f th a t th e r e i s an i mmo r tal so u l i n man , th a t can l i ve o n
i n a co n sci o u s, se n sate state , wh i l e th e mo r ta l bo d y be co me s
l i f e l e ss o r i n se n sate , o r cr u mbl e s back to d u st.
I I . (Ph i l . 1:20-24): T o De par t, an d to Be Wi th C h r i st
1. Ba s i c P r i n c i pl e s o f So u n d I n t e r pr e t a t i o n .T o u n
d e r s tan d wi th ce r tai n ty th e r e ve al e d message o f Go d o n an y
gi ve n to pi c o r passage o f Scr i ptu r e , o n e n e e d s to h ave be f o r e
354
h i m al l th e pe r t i n e n t s tate me n ts an d pr i n ci pl e s o f th e Wo r d
be ar i n g o n th e su bje ct. An d th e tr u e co n cl u si o n wi l l al ways be
o n e th at f i ts e ve r y i mpo r ta n t s tate me n t an d u n d e r l yi n g pr i n
ci pl e without forcing the language, or the thoughtju s t as a key
wi l l be r e co gn i ze d as th e r i gh t o n e wh e n i t pe n e tr ate s an d tu r n s
a gi ve n l o ck wi th o u t f o r ci n g an y o f i ts var i o u s war ds. So wi th
Go d s Wo r d . Wh e n a key i s f o u n d th a t h ar mo n i o u sl y e xpl ai n s
e ve r y e xpr e ssi o n o f a gi ve n passage, wi th o u t f o r ci n g th e l an
gu age o r twi sti n g th e me an i n g, o n e may kn o w th a t h e h as f o u n d
th e tr u e i n te r pr e ta t i ve key.
T h e tr age d y i s th a t so me , i n ste ad o f f o l l o wi n g Scr i ptu r e ,
se ek to co mpe l Scr i ptu r e to f o l l o w th e m, pu t ti n g th e f i gu r ati ve
f o r th e l i te r a l o r th e l i te r al f o r th e f i gu r ati ve o r co n s tr u i n g an
i so l ate d te xt i n o ppo s i ti o n to th e f u n d ame n tal te ach i n g o f
Scr i ptu r e i n ge n e r al , a n d to Pau l i n pa r ti cu l a r i n th e i n stan ce
we ar e a bo u t to e xami n e .
Su r e l y e ve r y t r u t h l o ve r wi l l agr e e th a t i t i s f ar mo r e i m
po r ta n t to ma i n ta i n th e h ar mo n y o f th e Sacr e d Wr i ti n gs t h an
to d e f e n d a d o gma at al l co sts, e ve n to i n vo l vi n g th e Scr i ptu r e s
i n f atal co n tr ad i cti o n . We mu st al ways i n te r pr e t th e u n ce r tai n
by th e ce r tai n , an d n o t vi ce versa. An d al ways i n acco r d an ce
wi th th e Wo r d . T o th e l aw a n d to th e te s ti mo n y, i f th e y ar e
mad e to spe ak o u t o f acco r d wi th th i s Wo r d , i t i s be cau se th e r e
i s n o t r u e l i gh t i n th e e xpo s i ti o n (Isa. 8:20).
2. P a s s a g e R e g a r d e d a s B u l w a r k o f I m m o r t a l -So u l -
i s m . Ph i l i ppi a n s 1:20-24 i s, by man y Immo r tal -So u l i sts, co n
si d e r e d to be th e str o n ge st te xt i n th e Bi bl e i n f avo r o f n a tu r a l
i mmo r tal i typr i mar i l y th e e xpr e ssi o n , T o d e par t, a n d to be
wi th C h r i s t (v. 23). Su ch pr o po n e n ts co n te n d t h a t Pau l e x
pe cte d , i mme d i ate l y u po n d e ath , to go a t o n ce i n to th e
pr e se n ce o f C h r i s to n th e pr e mi se th a t th e so u l l i ves o n e n d
l essl y, a n d se par ate l y, i n a co n sci o u s state af te r th e d e ath o f th e
ph ysi cal o r gan i sm. T h u s th e real Pau l wo u l d d e pa r t .
Pau l d o e s n o t, h o we ve r , i n d i cate t h a t i t i s h i s s o u l o r
s pi r i t t h a t wo u l d d e par t. T h e I o f h i s d e si r e a n d th e my
o f h i s d e pa r t u r e i n d i cate th e whole person. He h e r e make s n o
s e par ati o n o f bo d y an d so u l . I t i s to be co n ce d e d t h a t i f th i s
e xpr e ssi o n sto o d al o n e , i t mi gh t gi ve th a t i mpr e ssi o n . But it
does not stand alone. I t mu s t be u n d e r s to o d i n th e l i gh t o f
Pa u l s te ach i n g e l se wh e r e t h a t d e ath i s a sl e e p, an d t h a t r e
u n i o n wi th C h r i s t take s pl ace at, an d o n l y at, th e Se co n d Ad
ve n t a n d i ts a tt e n d a n t resurrection, o r translationa n d not
before.
Pa u l s d e si r e to d e pa r t, a n d to be wi th C h r i s t mu s t
r e ce i ve i ts i n te r pr e ta t i o n f r o m Pa u l s o wn f u l l e r te r ms o f
spe ci f i cati o n e l se wh e r e r e co r d e d . Wh e n r i gh tl y u n d e r s to o d th e
te s ti mo n y o f Scr i ptu r e wi l l be h ar mo n i o u s , a n d n e ve r se l f
co n tr ad i cto r y. Bu t th e I mmo r tal -So u l i s t cl ai m i s th a t a pe r so n ,
by h i s i mmo r tal s pi r i t, go es i mme d i ate l y at d e ath to be wi th
th e Lo r d . T h a t , h o we ve r , i s co n tr ar y to Pa u l s o wn e xpl i ci t
e xpl a n a ti o n i n 1 T h e s s al o n i an s 4, wh i ch sti pu l ate s an e n
ti r e l y d i f f e r e n t ma n n e r o f e n tr y i n to C h r i s ts pr e se n ce , by an
al to ge th e r d i f f e r e n t an d wh o l l y co n tr ar y me an s.
3. T h e P r o b l e m P a s s a g e i n I t s E n t i r e t y . He r e i s th e
te xt o f th i s f amo u s d e par t, a n d be wi th C h r i s t passage i n
Ph i l i ppi an s :
Acco r d i n g to my e ar n e st e xpe ctati o n an d my h o pe , th a t i n n o th i n g
I sh al l be ash ame d , bu t th a t wi th al l bo l d n e ss, as al ways, so n o w al so
Christ sh al l be magnified i n my body, wh e th e r i t be by life, o r by
death. Fo r to me to live i s C h r i st, a n d to die i s gai n . Bu t i f I l i ve i n th e
flesh, th i s i s th e f r u i t o f my l abo u r : ye t wh at I sh al l ch o o se I wot
[gnorizo, d e cl ar e ] n o t. Fo r I am i n a strait [sunechomai, be i n g
pr e sse d ] be twi xt [th e ] two [l i vi n g an d d yi n g], h avi n g a desire to depart
[analusai, r e t u r n ], and to be with Christ; wh i ch i s f ar be tte r : n e ve r th e l e ss
to abide in the flesh i s mo r e n e e d f u l f o r yo u (Ph i l . 1:20-24).
Bu t f i r st, l e t us ge t th e h i sto r i cal s e tti n g an d ci r cu mstan ce s
f o r th i s u n i qu e e pi s tl e an d th i s pa r ti cu l a r passage.
4. H i s t o r i c a l B a c k g r o u n d f o r P h i l i p p i a n E p i s t l e .
T h e backgr o u n d f o r Pa u l s f amo u s Ph i l i ppi a n pr o bl e m pas
sage i s th i s: So me te n ye ar s h ad passe d si n ce Pau l h ad pr e ach e d
th e go spe l at Ph i l i ppi . Du r i n g h i s t h i r d mi ssi o n ar y jo u r n e y
Pa u l was be ate n by a mo b a t J e r u s al e m a n d br o u gh t be f o r e
th e San h e d r i n (Acts 22:30). Pau l th e r e s ki l l f u l l y d i vi d e d th e
CLYDE PROVONSHA, ARTIST C 1 9 5 9 BY THE REVIEW AN D HERALD
T h e Second C o mi n g o f C h r i st i n De l i ve r i n g Gl o r y Is th e Bl essed Ho pe o f th e
Ages, th e Desi r e o f Al l Sai nts Wh o Awai t th e C o mi n g Ki ng. He Wi l l T h e n Be
stow Ou r Immo r tal i ty.
o ppo s i n g Ph ar i se e s a n d Sad d u ce e s by r e f e r r i n g to th e d o ctr i n e
o f th e r e s u r r e cti o n . He was th e n se n t, u n d e r d u r e ss, to Fe l i x th e
go ve r n o r . Bu t h i s tr i a l was d e f e r r e d f o r two ye ar s, be i n g r e s u me d
u n d e r Fe stu s i n a .d . 59. Pau l th e n appe al e d to C ae sar , a n d Fe stu s
o r d e r e d h i m se n t to Ro me f o r tr i al .
On th e vo yage Pau l su f f e r e d sh i pwr e ck, an d wi n te r e d at
Mal ta (Acts 27). Upo n r e ach i n g Ro me , h e was ke pt i n cu sto d y,
d u r i n g wh i ch ti me h e wr o te th e capti vi ty e pi stl e s (Eph e
si an s, Ph i l i ppi an s , C o l o ssi an s). T h i s was to war d th e e n d o f h i s
i mpr i s o n me n t, as h i s tr i a l d r e w n e ar , pr o babl y i n a .d . 62. As
th e ti me appr o ach e d wh e n h i s case wo u l d be h e ar d be f o r e th e
h i gh tr i bu n a l , mo r e r i gi d co n d i ti o n s o f co n f i n e me n t we r e i m-
357
po se d . Ne ve r th e l e ss, a to n e o f jo y an d r e jo i ci n g r u n s l i ke a
go l d e n t h r e a d t h r o u gh o u t th e Ph i l i ppi a n e pi stl e , ju s t as gr ace
d o e s i n Eph e si an s. Pau l was, h o we ve r , acqu i tte d . T h e e pi stl e s
to T i mo th y, wi th th e i r r e mar kabl e i mmo r tal i ty s tate me n t,
we r e wr i tte n l ate r . Su ch i s th e h i sto r i cal se tti n g. No w l e t us
an al yze th e passage.
5. T h e T w i n G a t e w a y s t o G l o r y .Pau l d e te r mi n e d
t h a t u n d e r al l ci r cu mstan ce s C h r i s t sh o u l d be magn i f i e d i n h i s
body, wh e th e r by h i s l i f e o r by h i s d e ath . Li f e a n d d e ath ar e
h e r e ti e d i n , by Pau l , wi th h i s body, n o t pr i ma r i l y h i s so u l , o r
s pi r i t. T h e r e i s n o t a wo r d i n th e e n ti r e r e ci tal a bo u t a se par ate
so u l o r d i scar n ate spi r i t. I f Pau l me a n t t h a t h i s r e al , i n n e r se l f
was a co n sci o u s i mmo r tal so u l , wh i ch wo u l d l e ave th e bo d y at
d e ath to go to be wi th th e Lo r d , th e n , we ask, wh y d i d h e n o t
o n ce say so so me pl ace i n th e one hundred chapters o f h i s
var i o u s e pi stl e sco mpr i si n g mo r e th an a t h i r d o f th e e n ti r e
Ne w T e s ta me n t. Bu t l e t us pau se a mo me n t f o r two te xts.
Pau l e xpr e ssl y d e cl ar e d , I kept back nothing that was
profitable u n t o yo u (Acts 20:20). He d i d ke e p back, h o w
e ve r , e ve r yth i n g co n ce r n i n g an y d i se mbo d i e d i mmo r tal so u l
o r s pi r i t. Su ch a Pl ato n i c co n ce pt h e e vi d e n tl y d i d n o t co n
s i d e r pr o f i tabl e f o r th e ch u r ch . Agai n , h e sai d , I h ave not
shunned to declare u n to yo u al l th e counsel of God (Acts
20:27). Bu t h e n e ve r u t te r e d a si n gl e syl l abl e a bo u t an i mmo r
tal so u l o r a d e ath l e ss s pi r i t i n man .
C o n s e qu e n tl y, su ch a n o ti o n can n o t be co n si d e r e d as an y
pa r t o f th e co u n se l o f Go d . An d Pau l mu s t be pe r mi tte d to
be i n h ar mo n y wi th h i mse l f . T h i s pr e -e mi n e n t apo stl e wo u l d
n e ve r sto o p to be i n g d o u bl e i n h i s l an gu age o r d e ce i tf u l i n h i s
wi tn e ss. He pl ace d h i s e n ti r e h o pe o n resurrection o r transla
tion as th e so l e, co n jo i n e d gate way to gl o r y.
6. P a u l s So P r e c l u d e s E v e r y O t h e r M e a n s .T o
th e T h e s s al o n i an s h e wr o te o f th i s i n i ts i n se par abl e r e l a ti o n
to th e Se co n d Ad ve n t:
Fo r th e Lo r d h i mse l f sh al l d e sce n d f r o m h e ave n wi th a sh o u t, wi th
PAULS OT HER PROBLEM PASSAGES
359
th e vo i ce o f th e ar ch an ge l , an d wi th th e tr u mp o f Go d : an d th e d e ad i n
C h r i st sh al l r i se f i r st: th e n we wh i ch ar e alive an d remain [at th e Ad
ve n t] sh al l be cau gh t u p to ge th e r wi th th e m [th e r e su r r e cte d sai nts] i n
th e cl o u d s, to me e t th e Lo r d i n th e ai r : an d so sh al l we e ve r be wi th
th e L o r d (1 T h e ss. 4:16, 17).
T h e so (houtos), wh i ch i s e mph ati c i n th e o r i gi n al ,
e mph asi ze s th e f act th at n o t by o u r dying bu t by o u r L o r d s
d e s ce n d i n g f r o m He ave n , at Hi s se co n d ad ve n t, sh al l bo th th e
l i vi n g sai n ts a n d th e s l e e pi n g sai n ts e n te r th e L o r d s pr e se n ce
to ge th e r i n th e gr an d h o me go i n g. So me an s i n th i s way,
i n th i s ma n n e r , by th i s me an s . T h a t i s h o w we sh al l e ve r
be wi th th e L o r d . T h e r e f o r e , wh e n Pau l i n 1 T h e s s al o n i an s
4:16, 17 d e scr i be s th e so l e way an d pr e ci se me th o d by wh i ch
we ar e to go to be wi th th e Lo r d , h e thereby precludes every
other means. T h e r e i s n o o th e r way save by (1) r e s u r r e cti o n ,
o r (2) tr an s l ati o n . If th e r e i s, th e n Pa u l s l an gu age i s mi sl e ad
i n g a n d u n t r u e .
If we go to be wi th th e Lo r d by me an s o f o u r i mmo r tal
s pi r i t wh e n we d i e , th e n we d o n o t go by me an s o f , an d at, Hi s
vi si bl e co mi n g an d th e mi r acu l o u s resurrection o f th e d e ad
a n d th e tr a n s l a ti o n change o f th e l i vi n g. I n su ch an e ve n t Pau l
i s mad e to f al si f y an d d e ce i ve . T h e r e i s n o way to avo i d su ch a
co n cl u si o n . I t mu s t be cl e ar t h a t th e d e sce n t o f th e Lo r d f r o m
He ave n , th e mi gh ty s h o u t, th e vo i ce o f th e ar ch an ge l , th e
s o u n d o f th e t r u mp o f Go d an d th e r e s u r r e cti o n o f th e d e ad ,
o r th e ch an ge o f th e l i vi n gd o not take pl ace at d e ath .
I I I . Pau l s Baf f l i ng Di l emmaLi f e o r De ath
1. C h r i s t M a g n i f i e d b y E i t h e r L i f e o r D e a t h .
Pau l was i n a strait (sunechomai, be i n g pr e sse d ) be
t wi xt th e two al te r n ati ve s o f to live, o r to d i e Fo r me
to l i ve i s C h r i st, a n d to d i e i s ga i n , h e wr o te . I n th e co n te xt
Pau l h ad ju s t sai d th at C h r i s t wo u l d be magnified i n my body,
wh e th e r i t be by life, o r by death So, i f Pau l lived, C h r i st
wo u l d be magn i f i e d (Ph i l . 1:20), a n d th e ch u r ch pr o f i te d
(v. 24). I f h e died, C h r i s t wo u l d s ti l l be magn i f i e d (v. 20),
a n d i t wo u l d sti l l be ga i n to C h r i st.
Pau l h ad be e n be ate n e i gh t ti me s an d s to n e d o n ce . He
h ad be e n i n pe r i l s o f wate r s, r o bbe r s , th e J e ws, f al se C h r i s
ti an s, th e h e ath e n , pe r i l s i n th e ci ty, th e wi l d e r n e ss, an d o n th e
sea, an d h ad be e n ti me s i n n u me r abl e i n we ar i n e ss, pai n , si ck
ness, h u n ge r , th i r s t, co l d , a n d n ake d n e ss (2 C o r . 11:23-27). He
h a d a d e si r e to e n d th i s mo r tal pi l gr i mage . He co u l d we l l say
t h a t to d i e i s gai n , f o r h e wo u l d th e n be at r e st. Bu t th e cau se
o f Go d a n d h i s sympath e ti c h e ar t d r e w h i m to r e mai n h e r e i n
l abo r i f acqu i tte d .
On th e o th e r h an d , h i s o wn we ar i n e ss an d su f f e r i n gs we r e
an u r ge f o r r e st i n th e sl e e p o f d e ath . He was i n a qu an d ar y.
T h e s e s tr o n g pu l l s we r e ju s t a bo u t bal an ce d , th o u gh h e d i d
th i n k i t mo r e n e e d f u l f o r h i m to r e mai n to gi ve th e be n e f i t o f
h i s co u n se l an d l abo r s to th e ch u r ch . T h u s ga i n to th e cau se
o f C h r i st wo u l d co me by mar tyr d o m, an d th e r e wo u l d be gai n
to h i mse l f as a mar tyr th r o u gh th e r e s u r r e cti o n , f o r i n h i s
af f l i cti o n an y f o r m o f d e ath wo u l d be a r e l e ase . T h u s h e r e a
so n e d .
2. I n v o l v e m e n t s a n d A d v a n t a g e s o f D e a t h . T o Pa u l
d e ath was a s tate o f u n co n sci o u sn e ss f o r th e sl e e pe r , as h e so
o f te n a n d cl e ar l y tau gh t, wi th n o co n sci o u s l apse o f ti me be
twe e n d e ath an d th e r e s u r r e cti o n . He kn e w th at, af te r h e h ad
l o st co n sci o u sn e ss i n d e ath , th e n e xt mo me n t o f awar e n e ss
wo u l d be th e h e ar i n g o f th e vo i ce o f th e r e t u r n i n g C h r i st, cal l
i n g h i m to ar i se an d be wi th h i s Lo r d f o r e ve r . T h e f i r st f ace h e
wo u l d l o o k u po n wo u l d be th a t o f h i s be l o ve d Li f e -gi ve r . T h u s
h e co u l d say, Fo r me . . . to d i e i s ga i n (Ph i l . 1:21). Bu t
h o w co u l d d e ath be ga i n i f i t r e d u ce d h i m to a state o f u n
co nsci o u sn e ss? J u s t as i t wo u l d be to J o b, wh o e n tr e ate d , O
th a t th o u wo u l d e st h i d e me i n th e gr ave (J o b 14:13).
T h e i n te r ve n i n g pe r i o d be twe e n d e ath an d th e r e t u r n o f
th e L o r d wo u l d , f o r th e sl e e pe r , be a n n i h i l a te d , an d th e gl o r i e s
o f th e e te r n al wo r l d , t h r o u gh th e r e s u r r e cti o n , wo u l d o pe n i n
stan tl y, as i t we r e , u po n h i s vi ew. T h e wai ti n g pe r i o d , h o we ve r
PAUL'S OT HER PROBLEM PASSAGES 361
l o n g, i s an u t t e r bl an kse e mi n gl y bu t a mo me n t o f ti me , l i ke
th e twi n kl i n g o f an eye. T h e ve r y mo me n t h e wo u l d r e gai n
co n sci o u sn e ss, u po n th e cal l o f th e Li f e -gi ve r , h e wo u l d be i n
th e pr e se n ce o f C h r i st. So h e n e e d n o t actu al l y wai t a si n gl e
conscious mo me n t, f o r , we r e pe at, th o se wh o ar e s o u n d asl e e p
h ave n o awar e n e ss o f th e passi n g o f ti me .
3. C h r i s t W i l l C a l l F o r t h F r o m D u s t y Bed s . T h e
Lo r d J e su s C h r i s t Hi mse l f we n t d o wn i n to death. Bu t i t was
n o t th e pr o spe ct o f d e ath th a t f i l l e d Hi m wi th jo ye xce pt as
He was f u l f i l l i n g Hi s Fa t h e r s wi l l an d pr o vi d i n g sal vati o n f o r
man . Hi s jo y was o ve r th e f act th a t Go d wo u l d n o t leave Hi s
so u l i n sheol (th e gr ave ) n o r su f f e r Hi s Ho l y On e to see co r
r u pt i o n (Ps. 16:9, 10).
C h r i s t passe d i n to th e h e ave n s (He b. 4:14), a n d n o w
mi n i s te r s f o r us i n th e pr e se n ce o f th e Fa th e r (Ro m. 7:23-27).
Bu t t h a t was th r o u gh th e d e s i gn ate d resurrection a n d ascen
sion pr o vi s i o n . On th e co n tr ar y, th e wo r th i e s o f o l d passed into
the earth, th e gr ave , an d ar e d e pe n d e n t u po n th e l i vi n g So n
o f Go d to co me f o r th f r o m th e h e ave n s to cal l th e m f r o m th e i r
gr ave s (J o h n 5:28, 29). Un t i l th e n th e y h ave n o sh ar e i n an y
t h i n g t h a t i s d o n e u n d e r th e s u n (Eccl . 9:6), f o r th e d e ad
kn o w n o t an y t h i n g (v. 5), an d th e r e i s n o kn o wl e d ge , n o r
wi sd o m, i n th e gr ave , wh i th e r th o u go e st (v. 10). T h a t was
th e Scr i ptu r e d i ctu m o f Pa u l s d ayth e Ol d T e s tame n t.
4. O n l y T wo D es i g n a t ed W a y s t o G l o r y .T h e i n te r
me d i ate s tate h as be e n a r bi tr a r i l y i n je cte d i n to th i s passage,
wh e r e as th e te xt i s to tal l y s i l e n t o n th e co n d i ti o n o f th e d e ad .
T h a t i s n o t th e po i n t. Su r e l y, i f al l th e pr o ph e ts a n d apo stl e s,
an d sai n ts a n d mar tyr s we r e al r e ad y i n He ave n , d e ath wo u l d
i n d e e d be mo r e d e s i r abl e if th a t we r e th e path way to He ave n .
I t i s co mmo n l y assumed by th e I mmo r tal -So u l i s t th a t o n e
go es i n to th e pr e se n ce o f C h r i s t i mme d i ate l y u po n d e ath . Bu t
th e te xt state s n o th i n g o f th e ki n d . An d a wh o l e batte r y o f o th e r
te xts af f i rm th e co n tr ar y f act th at we gai n i mmo r tal i ty a n d go
i n to Hi s pr e se n ce o n l y at th e Se co n d Ad ve n t a n d th e co n cu r
r e n t r e s u r r e cti o n .
En tr an ce i n to C h r i s ts pr e se n ce i s th e r e f o r e a future
e ve n t, to be e xpe r i e n ce d si mu l tan e o u sl y by al l sai n ts al i ke
e xce pt f o r th o se pr i vi l e ge d f ew wh o h ave a pr i o r special resur
rection (l i ke Mo ses), o r special translation (l i ke El i jah ), bo th
o f wh o m a ppe ar e d wi th C h r i st o n th e Mo u n t o f T r a n s f i gu r a
ti o n . Bu t i n e i t h e r case, i t i s sti l l o n l y by r e s u r r e cti o n o r tr an s
l ati o n . C l e ar l y, th e n , i t i s by resurrection o r translation, th e r e
be i n g n o o t h e r way o f go i n g to be wi th C h r i s t (J o h n 5:21-
29; 1 T h e ss. 4:17). Pau l do e s n o t d e n y o r co n tr ad i ct h i s o wn
te sti mo n y.
5. P a u l s M u l t i pl e T e s t i mo n y a s t o W h e n .T h e
n o t i o n t h a t d u r i n g th e state of death be l i e ve r s ar e wi th
C h r i s t i n a state of life i n He ave n , i n vo l ve s an i n e scapabl e d e
n i al o f o n e o f th e car d i n al d o ctr i n e s o f Scr i ptu r e th e sl e e p o f
al l th e d e ad , i n gr ave d o m. Fu r th e r , i f th e d e ce ase d sai n ts we r e
al r e ad y wi th C h r i s t i n gl o r y, a n d we r e abl e to see Hi m as h e i s,
th e y wo u l d al r e ad y h ave be e n changed i n to th e l i ke n e ss o f
C h r i s t (1 J o h n 3:2). Bu t h e r e i s th e ti mi n g f o r t h a t ch an ge
acco r d i n g to Scr i ptu r e : Bu t we kn o w th at, when he [C h r i st]
shall appear, we sh al l be l i ke h i m; f o r we sh al l see h i m as
h e i s (v. 2).
I t wo u l d f o l l o w th at, o n th e pr e mi se o f th e I mmo r tal -So u l -
i st, th e sai n ts wo u l d al r e ad y possess th e f u l l e st tr an s f o r mati o n
t h a t th e y co u l d e ve r l o o k f o r a n d o btai n , a n d th u s l o n g antici
pate C h r i s ts actu al pe r so n al ad ve n t. Bu t su ch a vi e w br i n gs a
d e n i a l o f an an te ce d e n t r e s u r r e cti o n u n i f o r ml y tau gh t by Pau l .
Ei th e r th at, o r i t i mpl i e s t h a t th e r e s u r r e cti o n o ccu r s at d e ath ,
a n d i s al r e ad y past (2 T i m. 2:18), wh i ch Pau l l i ke wi se co n
d e mn e d as a h e r e sy.
Pau l r e pe ate d l y we n t o n r e co r d as to when th e C h r i s ti an
go es to be wi th h i s Lo r d . He r e i s th e Pa u l i n e te sti mo n y. I t i s
an e i gh t-str an d cabl e o f e vi d e n ce so s tr o n g t h a t i t ca n n o t be
br o ke n :
Ro m. 8:23At th e r e d e mpti o n o f th e bo dy.
1 C o r . 5:5I n th e day o f th e Lo r d J e sus.
1 C o r . 15:51-55At th e l ast tr u mp.
O. STEMLER, ARTIST COURTESY OF STANDARD PUBLISHING COMPANY
T h e Apo stl e Pau l , Gr e ate st
T h e o l o gi an o f th e Ages, Had
T r an sce n d e n t Vi si o ns o f Par
adi se an d th e Pl an o f Re
d e mpti o n .
2 C o r . 5:2Wh e n we ar e cl o th e d u po n wi th o u r h o u se f r o m He ave n .
C o l . 3:4Wh e n C h r i st o u r l i f e sh al l appe ar .
1 T h e ss. 4:16, 17Wh e n th e Lo r d desce n d s f r o m He ave n wi th a
sh o u t an d th e d e ad ar e r ai se d , an d th e l i vi n g tr an sl ate d .
2 T h e ss. 2:1At th e co mi n g o f th e Lo r d .
2 T i m. 4:7, 8At th a t d ay, by wh i ch te r m h e d e si gn ate d th e day
o f C h r i s ts appe ar i n g.
6. R e s u r r e c t i o n , N o t D e a t h , U s h er s I n t o P r e s e n c e o f
363
C h r i s t . We ar e to l d th e r e wi l l be f u l n e ss o f jo y i n C h r i s t s
pr e se n ce (Ps. 16:11). Bu t th o se wh o ar e f al l e n asl e e p ar e
not yet e n jo yi n g t h a t pr e se n ce . If th e y we r e , th e r e s u r r e cti o n
wo u l d be u n n e ce ssar y. An d as state d , Pau l make s al l l i f e be
yo n d th e gr ave d e pe n d o n r e s u r r e cti o n . T h u s th e sai n ts o f o l d
we r e t o r tu r e d , n o t acce pti n g d e l i ve r an ce ; th a t th e y might ob
tain a better resurrection (He b. 11:35). Agai n , i f th e r e be
n o r e s u r r e cti o n o f th e d e a d , th e n th e y al so wh i ch ar e f al l e n
asl e e p i n C h r i s t ar e pe r i s h e d (1 C o r . 15:13, 18). T h e y ar e co n
s e qu e n tl y n o t i n He ave n . An d o n ce mo r e , th e s l e e pi n g sai n ts
o f th e ages d o n o t go to J e su s be f o r e th e sai n ts l i vi n g at th e ti me
o f th e Ad ve n t (1 T h e ss. 4:14-17).
T h e r e f o r e i t i s n o t a t d e ath bu t at th e r e s u r r e cti o n o f th e
d e ad t h a t th e sai n ts wi l l be u s h e r e d i n to th e pr e se n ce o f C h r i st.
An d f o r th i s C h r i s t mu s t f i r st r e t u r n f r o m He ave n . I t i s o n l y
wh e n He co me s agai n th a t He wi l l r e ce i ve us u n t o Hi mse l f
(J o h n 14:3). Agai n , wh e n C h r i st, wh o i s o u r l i f e , sh al l appe ar ,
then sh al l ye al so appe ar wi th h i m i n gl o r y (C o l . 3:4). Pau l
to l d th e Ro man s th a t h e , wi th th e m, awai te d th e r e d e mpti o n
o f o u r bo d y (Ro m. 8:23). T h i s i s th e gl o r i o u s ch an ge a bo u t
wh i ch Pau l wr o te to th e Ph i l i ppi an s , wh e n h e sai d : A Savi o u r ,
th e Lo r d J e su s C h r i st: wh o sh al l f ash i o n an e w th e bo d y o f o u r
h u mi l i a ti o n , t h a t i t may be co n f o r me d to th e bo d y o f h i s gl o r y
(Ph i l . 3:20, 21, A.R.V.).
T h a t o ccu r s o n l y a t th e Se co n d Ad ve n t (1 C o r . 15:51-
54).
IV. Pau l s Gr e at T h i r d C h oi ceT r an sl ati o n
1. T r a n s l a t i o n F a r Be t t e r T h a n L i v i n g o r D y i n g .
We s h o u l d n o w n o te car e f u l l y Pa u l s co mpar i so n wh e n h e
spe aks o f d e pa r t i n g to be wi th C h r i s t as f ar be t t e r . I t was
not t h a t to d i e was be tte r t h an to l i ve , an d th a t h e th e r e f o r e d e
si r e d to d i e . T h e d e si r e o f h i s h e a r t was to be wi th C h r i s t, o r
wi th th e L o r d , wh i ch i s vastl y d i f f e r e n t.
T o th e two al te r n ati ve s (to l i ve o r to d i e ), u po n
wh i ch h e co u l d n o t make u p h i s mi n d , Pau l n o w ad d s a third
ch o i ce , wh i ch was h i s d e e p d e si r e an d t h a t was to d e pa r t
a n d to be wi th C h r i s t, wh i ch i s ve r y f ar be t t e r (Ph i l . 1:23,
R.V., A.R.V.). T h a t wo u l d be to be cau gh t u p wi th C h r i st,
through translation, to me e t th e Lo r d i n th e a i r wh e n C h r i s t
co me s to be gl o r i f i e d i n h i s sai n ts, an d to be ad mi r e d i n al l
th e m t h a t be l i e ve . . . i n t h a t d ay (2 T h e ss. 1:10). T h i s s o u n d
s o l u ti o n h as be e n se t f o r th by var i o u s r e pu t a bl e sch o l ar s back
t h r o u gh th e ye ar s, wi th n o th e o r y o n th e n a tu r e o f me n to sus
tai n .
T h i s was very jar [polio mallon, mu ch mo r e ; f ar ,
f ar We ymo u th ] be t t e r a d o u bl e co mpar ati ve . Be tte r
th an wh at? C l e ar l y, t h an either o f th e two h e h ad ju s t me n
ti o n e d (l i vi n g o r d yi n g). T h e r e f o r e i t can n o t me an death, bu t
so me e ve n t o r me an s by wh i ch al o n e Pau l co u l d be wi th C h r i s t
by be i n g cau gh t u p al i ve (1 T h e ss. 4:16, 17) t h r o u gh
tr a n s l ati o n , e i th e r a t th e Ad ve n t, o r a spe ci al tr an s l ati o n , as
wi th En o ch an d El i jah . Pau l h ad be e n i n a s tr a i t be twe e n th e
f i r st two , h avi n g d i f f i cu l ty i n ch o o si n g be twe e n th e m. Bu t th e
t h i r d al te r n a ti ve e n d e d al l i n d e ci si o n .
Pa u l s d e si r e to d e pa r t was me n ti o n e d i n th e mi d s t o f
h i s d i scu ssi o n o f th e al te r n ati ve s o f life ami d man y pe r i l s, a n d
dying a n d be i n g a t r e st. He a t f i r st d i d n o t kn o w wh i ch h e
s h o u l d ch o o se. Bu t th e r e appe ar s th i s t h i r d co n s i d e r ati o n ,
wh i ch was f ar , f ar be t t e r to d e pa r t , o r go to be wi th
C h r i s t th r o u gh tr an s l ati o n , a n d th u s be pe r so n al l y wi th C h r i s t
wi th o u t d yi n g. T h a t was h i s h e a r t s d e e pe st d e si r e .
2. D es i r ed t o Be L o o s ed , Se t F r e e F r o m E a r t h .T h e
d e e p f e e l i n gs, yes, th e f e r ve n t d e si r e , o f th e gr e at apo stl e i n
h i s l o n e l y co n f i n e me n t, as h e co n te mpl ate d th i s bl e sse d h o pe o f
be i n g wi th C h r i st, was to d e pa r t (analuo),* as o f a sh i p f r o m
po r t, o r a pr i s o n e r f r o m co n f i n e me n t. Pa u l s wi sh was n o t to be
co me a d i scar n ate gh o st-spi r i t, as so me h ave i n te r pr e te d , bu t
to r e al i ze th e C h r i s ti a n s h o pe . I t was o n e o f th e two d e s i gn ate d
2 Analuoto l o o se n , as o f a s h i p f r o m h e r mo o r i n gs , so as to d e pa r t a n d r e t u r n . T h u s
wi t h t h e cl as si cal Gr e e k. An d th i s i s t h e i n va r i a bl e me a n i n g i n t h e Se pt u a gi n t , a n d i n t h e
A po cr yph a as we l l . On t h e _l a t t e r se e Tob it i i :9; Judi th xi i i :l ; 1 Esdras i i i :3; Wisdom i t : 1; e t c.
Al so J o s e ph u s , Antiquities vi , 4, 1.
me an s o f be i n g wi th C h r i stth e r e be i n g n o o th e r way. T h e r e
i s th u s n o co n f l i ct o r i n co n si ste n cy h e r e .
Pau l wi sh e d to be l o o se d , o r set free, from earth. He
e ar n e stl y l o n ge d n o t to l i ve l o n ge r on th e e ar th , n o r to d i e a n d
be bu r i e d in th e e ar th , bu t to be cau gh t u p from th e e ar th , to
me e t th e Lo r d in the air, a n d to be f o r e ve r wi th th e L o r d .
He d i d n o t, h o we ve r , l i ve to see th e f u l f i l l me n t o f h i s h e a r t s
d e si r e , as h e su f f e r e d a ma r t yr s d e ath . Bu t h e d i e d i n f a i th ,
awai ti n g th e cr o wn o f r i gh te o u sn e ss, wh i ch th e Lo r d , th e
r i gh te o u s ju d ge , sh al l gi ve h i m at that day: an d n o t t o h i m
o n l y, bu t u n t o al l th e m al so t h a t l o ve h i s a ppe ar i n g (2 T i m.
4:8).
So, i f Pau l d e pa r t e d to be wi th C h r i st, th e n h e wo u l d be
translated, a n d th u s be pe r so n al l y wi th C h r i s t without d yi n g.
T h i s t h i r d co n s i d e r ati o n was assu r e d l y ve r y f ar be t t e r .
An d wh y d i d Pau l h ave a d e si r e to d e pa r t ?
Be cau se h e kn e w th e su f f e r i n g, to i l , a n d tr i a l h e r e wo u l d
th e n be o ve r . He wo u l d be r e l e ase d f r o m h i s al mo st-u n be ar -
abl e bu r d e n s .
3. R e l a t i o n o f P r o b l e m P a s sa g es t o W h o l e o f Sc r i p
t u r e .I n s u mmati o n : T o a wh o l e ar my, as i t we r e , o f e x
pl i ci t wi tn e sse s, h as be e n o ppo se d a r e ar -gu ar d acti o n o f a f ew
se e mi n gl y d u bi o u s passages, wh i ch ar e by so me i n ve ste d wi th a
me a n i n g wh o l l y f o r e i gn to th e ge n e r al te n o r n o t o n l y o f th e
speci f i c bo o k o f wh i ch th e y ar e a pa r t bu t, mo r e th an th at, o f
th e Ne w T e s ta me n t as a wh o l e an d e ve n be yo n d th at, o f th e
Ol d T e s ta me n t te sti mo n y as we l l . Ye t so me wo u l d , by su ch
d e batabl e passages, se ek n o t o n l y to co u n te r bal an ce bu t e ve n to
o u twe i gh h u n d r e d s o f o th e r e xpl i ci t te xts.
I t i s as i f to co n te n d th at, o n th e scal es, a po u n d o u twe i gh s
a to n . T h e i n co n cl u si ve n e ss o f th e co n te n ti o n i s se l f -e vi d e n t.
Bu t i n r e al i ty, th e se te xts d o n o t co n tr ad i ct th e r e st. Un d e r
s cr u ti n y th e y f ai l to gi ve s u ppo r t to su ch a th e si s, as o u r scr u
ti n y o f Ph i l i ppi a n s 1:20-24 atte sts.
So, to u n d e r s ta n d d e batabl e passages we mu s t f i r st be gi n
wi th passages wh o se me an i n gs ar e i n co n tr o ve r ti bl y cl e ar . T h e n ,
o n ce th e ke y i s d i sco ve r e d , i t wi l l be po ssi bl e to u n l o ck o t h e r
wi se baf f l i n g passages. I f th e ke y i s f o u n d t h a t u n l o cks e ve r y
passage to wh i ch i t i s appl i e d wi th o u t an y f o r ci n gmaki n g al l
h ar mo n i o u s , th e co n cl u si o n be co me s i r r e s i s ti bl e th a t we h ave
f o u n d th e t r u e an d d i vi n e key. T h e pr i n ci pl e o f C o n d i ti o n al i s m
i s t h a t key.
C H A P T E R T W E N T Y
Un i qu e Wi tness of Epi stl es of
Peter and J oh n
I . Pe te r s Po r tr ayal o f C atacl ysmi c En d Events
T h e apo stl e Pe te r man o f acti o n , e ve r a r d e n t a n d i m
pu l si ve was o n e o f th e e ar l i e s t o f th e o r i gi n al twe l ve to be
cal l e d as an apo stl e . He f o l l o we d C h r i s t th r o u gh al l Hi s tr ave l s
a n d te ach i n gs a n d wi tn e sse d Hi s mi r acl e s. He was th e f i r st to
co n f e ss C h r i s t to be th e So n o f Go d . He s o u gh t to wal k o n th e
wate r . He be came o n e o f th e ch o se n th r e e to wi tn e ss th e t r a n s
f i gu r ati o n , a n d h e a r d C h r i s ts gr e at se r mo n o n th e e n d o f th e
wo r l d , o r age (i n Matth e w 24).
Pe te r th r i ce d e n i e d C h r i st, bu t r e pe n te d , was s o u n d l y co n
ve r te d , a n d be came a s tr e n gth e n e r o f h i s br e t h r e n (Lu ke 22:
32). He was th e ch o se n pr e ach e r at Pe n te co st, an d wr o u gh t mi r
acl e s, e ve n r e s to r i n g th e d e ad . Hi s vi si o n a t J o ppa o pe n e d th e
d o o r to th e Ge n ti l e s (Acts 10:11-34; 15:14). An d f i n al l y, ac
co r d i n g to C h r i s ts pr e d i cti o n , h e d i e d a ma r t yr s d e ath , cr u ci
f i e d h e ad d o wn .
Pe te r h e a r d C h r i s ts co n s tan t te ach i n gs o n e te r n al l i f e .
An d wh e n th e d i sci pl e s we r e t u r n i n g away f r o m C h r i s td u r
i n g th e cr i si s wi th th e J e ws o ve r C h r i s ts cl ai m to be th e L i f e
a n d th e Re s u r r e cti o n , a n d th e Li vi n g Br e ad f r o m He a ve n
a n d C h r i s t aske d th e d i sci pl e s i f th e y, to o , wo u l d go away, i t
was Pe te r wh o an swe r e d , T o wh o m sh al l we go? th o u h ast th e
wo r d s o f eternal life (J o h n 6:68). An d i n to h i s two s h o r t
e pi stl e s, wr i tte n to th e C h r i s ti an J e ws o f th e d i spe r si o n , mu ch
vi tal t r u t h o n th e d e sti n y o f man i s packe d .
368
T h e Ar d e n t Apo stl e Pe te r
Bears C o n f i r mato r y T e s ti
mo ny to th e T r u t h o f C o n-
d i ti o n al i sm as Bo r n e by Al l
th e Oth e r Apo stl es, an d Be
f o r e T h e m by th e Pr o ph e ts
o f Ol d.
ROBERT BERRAN, ARTIST I 9 6 3 BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD
1. I mpo s i n g O u t l i n e i n Sw e e pi n g St r o k e s .Wi th bo l d ,
swe e pi n g str o ke s Pe te r ske tch e s i n th e o u tl i n e o f th e l ast
th i n gs , l e ad i n g u p to an i n h e r i ta n ce i n co r r u pti bl e , a n d u n
d e f i l e d , a n d t h a t f ad e th n o t away, r e se r ve d i n h e ave n f o r
yo u (1 Pe te r 1:4). He d e al s par ti cu l ar l y wi th th e l ast ti me
(v. 5), a n d th e f i n al ph ase o f th e sal vati o n r e ad y to be r e
ve al e d . T h i s i n cl u d e s th e cl i macti c se co n d appearing [apoca-
lupsei, u n ve i l i n g, r e ve l ati o n , man i f e s tati o n ] o f J e su s
C h r i s t (v. 7), o r r e ve l ati o n (v. 13), pr o ph e s i e d by th e
pr o ph e ts , wi th th e gl o r y th a t s h o u l d f o l l o w (v. 11).
Pe te r go es back to th e f i r st ad ve n t, wh e n o u r Lo r d mad e al l
th i s po ssi bl e , as He pai d o u r r e d e mpti o n pr i ce (th e pr e ci o u s
bl o o d o f C h r i s t ), wh o was sl ai n an d r ai se d u p (vs. 18-21).
T h e n h e to u ch e s o n o u r i mpe r ati ve n e w bi r t h (v. 23). An d
h e str esses C h r i s t as th e l i vi n g s to n e , an d ch i e f co r n e r
s to n e , bu t be co mi n g th e r o ck o f o f f e n ce to man y (ch ap. 2:
369
4-8). Pe te r pr e se n ts Hi m as o u r gr e at si nl e ss Su bs ti tu te (vs.
22-24), th e ju s t [dyi ng] f o r th e u n ju s t, . . . be i n g pu t to d e ath
i n th e f l esh , bu t qu i cke n e d by th e Spi r i t (ch ap. 3:18) at th e
r e s u r r e cti o n , bu t wh o i s [no w] go n e i n to h e ave n , an d i s o n
th e r i gh t h an d o f Go d ; an ge l s an d a u th o r i ti e s a n d po we r s 1be
i n g mad e s u bje ct u n t o h i m (vs. 21, 22).
Pe te r th e n pr e se n ts C h r i st, o u r pr e s e n t me d i ato r , as e r e
l o n g r e ad y to ju d ge th e qu i ck a n d th e d e a d (ch ap. 4:5), an d
d e cl ar e s t h a t th e end of all things i s at hand [eggiken,
a ppr o ach i n g, d r awi n g n e a r ] (v. 7). He te l l s o f th e jo y
o f th e sai n ts wh e n h i s [C h r i s ts] gl o r y sh al l be r e ve al e d (v. 13).
Bu t h e war n s o f ju d gme n t, be gi n n i n g a t th e h o u se o f Go d
(v. 17), a n d o f th e f ate f u l e n d o f th e m t h a t o be y n o t th e go spe l
o f Go d , o u r f ai th f u l C r e a to r (vs. 17, 19). An d h e agai n
str esses th e d ay wh e n th e ch i e f Sh e ph e r d sh al l a ppe ar , a n d we
r e ce i ve a cr o wn o f gl o r y (ch ap. 5:4).
2. C h a r a c t er i s t i c s o f C e n t u r i e s T h a t P r e c e d e .I n
h i s se co n d e pi stl e , af te r me n ti o n i n g th e pr e ci o u s pr o mi se s o f
Go d th a t e n abl e us to e scape th e wo r l d s co r r u pt i o n (2 Pe te r
1:4), Pe te r agai n l e ad s u p to th e e ve r l asti n g ki n gd o m o f o u r
Lo r d an d Savi o u r J e su s C h r i s t (v. 11). He th e n r e f e r s to th e
Spi r i t-i n s pi r e d pr o ph e ci e s t h a t l i gh t u p th e d ar kso me path way
o f th e ce n tu r i e s , u n t i l th e d ay s ta r sh al l appe ar (vs. 19-21).
He to u ch e s o n th e d amn abl e h e r e si e s (ch ap. 2:1) th a t mar k
an d mar th e ce n tu r i e s , a n d pe r ve r t th e f ai th o f so me . An d h e
to u ch e s o n th e an ge l s t h a t s i n n e d , co n f i n e d i n th e d ar kn e ss
o f Tartarus, r e se r ve d u n to ju d gme n t (v. 4)a n d h o w
th e u n ju s t amo n g me n ar e l i ke wi se r e se r ve d u n t o th e d ay
o f ju d gme n t to be pu n i s h e d (v. 9). T h e y wi l l th e n r e ce i ve
th e r e war d o f u n r i gh te o u s n e s s (v. 13).
Ne xt Pe te r co me s to th e l ast-day scoffers (empaiktai,
mo cke r s), o pe n l y d o u bti n g th e pr o mi se o f C h r i s ts co mi n g
(ch ap. 3:3), co n te n d i n g f o r th e n o w f ami l i ar u n i f o r mi ty o f al l
th i n gs f r o m th e be gi n n i n g, a n d wi l l f u l l y d e n yi n g th e e vi d e n ce
i Eph . 1:21; 3:10; 6:12; C o l . 2:10, 15; T i t u s 3:1.
UNI QUE WIT NESS OF PET ER AND J OHN 371
o f th e catacl ysm o f th e No ach i an d e l u ge wh e r e by th e world
th a t th e n was, be i n g o ve r f l o we d wi th wate r , pe r i s h e d (v. 6).
3. C o mi n g D e l u g e o f F i r e i n D a y o f t h e L o r d .
T h e n co me s Pe t e r s tr e me n d o u s e sch ato l o gi cal pr o ph e cy,
bl e n d i n g i n wi th C h r i s ts gr e at l ast-d ay pr o ph e cy o f Matth e w
24, a n d a n ti ci pa ti n g J o h n s f o u r f o l d d e s cr i pti o n (Re v. 20:10,
14, 15; 21:8) o f th e co mi n g l ake o f f i r e. He r e i s Pe t e r s po r
tr ayal . He h ad ju s t r e f e r r e d to th e pr e d i l u vi a n wo r l d .
T h e world [kosmos, abo d e o f man ki n d ] th a t th e n was [o f o l d
v. 5], be i n g overflowed wi th wate r , perished: bu t th e h e ave n s an d th e
e ar th , wh i ch ar e no w, by th e same wo r d ar e kept in store, r e se r ve d u n to
f i re agai n st th e d ay o f ju d gme n t an d perdition [apoleias, u tte r an d f i nal
r u i n ] o f u n go d l y me n . T h e Lo r d . . . i s l o n gsu f f e r i n g to us-war d, n o t
wi l l i n g th at an y sh o u l d perish, bu t th a t al l sh o u l d co me to r e pe n tan ce
(2 Pe te r 3:6, 7, 9).
T h u s Pe te r co me s to th e tr e me n d o u s day of the Lord
o r day of God, wi th h i s vi vi d po r tr ayal o f co mi n g d e s tr u c
ti o n ; wh e n , i n th e o ve r wh e l mi n g f i er ceness o f th e f i r es o f Ge
h e n n a, th e e a r th actu al l y me l ts:
Bu t th e day of the Lord wi l l co me as a th i e f i n th e n i gh t; i n th e
wh i ch th e h e ave n s sh al l pass away wi th a gr e at no i se , an d th e e l e me n ts
sh al l melt wi th fervent heat, th e e ar th al so an d th e wo r ks th a t ar e
th e r e i n sh al l be burned up [katakaesetai, to ash e s]. Se e i n g th e n th a t
al l th e se th i n gs sh al l be dissolved, wh at ma n n e r o f pe r so n s o u gh t ye to
be i n al l h o l y co n ve r sati o n a n d go d l i n e ss, l o o ki n g f o r an d hasting unto
[speudontas, h as te n i n g] th e co mi n g o f th e d ay o f Go d , wh e r e i n th e
h e ave n s be i n g o n f i re sh al l be d i sso l ve d, an d th e e l e me n ts sh al l melt
wi th f e r ve n t h e a t ?2 Ne ve r th e l e ss we, acco r d i n g to h i s pr o mi se , l o o k f o r
new h e ave n s an d a n e w e ar th , wh e r e i n d we l l e th r i gh te o u sn e ss (2 Pe te r
3:10-13).
2 T h i s co r r e s po n d s to s u ch f r e qu e n t Ol d T e s t a me n t pr e d i cti o n s o f e a r t h s f i n al d e s t r u c
ti o n a s :
"T h e y [t h e e a r t h a n d t h e h e a ve n s , v. 251 s h al l pe r i s h . . . s h al l wax o l d l i ke a
ga r me n t ; as a ve s tu r e s h a l t t h o u ch a n ge t h e m (r s . 102:26).
"T h e e a r t h i s u t t e r l y br o ke n d o wn . . . cl e an d i s s o l ve d . . . mo ve d e xce e d i n gl y. . . .
T h e e a r t h s h al l r e e l to a n d f r o . . . be r e mo ve d l i ke a co t ta ge . . . s h al l f al l , a n d n o t r i s e
a ga i n (I s a . 24:19, 20).
L i f t u p yo u r e ye s t o t h e h e a ve n s , a n d l o o k u po n t h e e a r t h be n e a t h : f o r t h e h e a ve n s
s h al l van i s h away l i ke s mo ke , a n d t h e e a r t h s h al l wax o l d l i ke a ga r me n t , a n d th e y t h a t d we l l
t h e r e i n s h al l d i e i n l i ke ma n n e r (I s a . 51:6).
Fo r , be h o l d , t h e d ay co me th , t h a t s h al l bu r n as a n o ve n ; a n d al l t h e pr o u d , ye a , a n d
al l t h a t d o wi cke d l y, s h al l be s tu bbl e : a n d t h e d a y t h a t co me th s h al l bu r n t h e m u p, s a i t h
t h e L o r d o f h o s ts , t h a t i t s h al l l e ave t h e m n e i t h e r r o o t n o r br a n ch (Ma i . 4:1).
So Ol d T e s t a me n t a n d Ne w T e s t a me n t pr e d i cti o n s a r e i n h a r mo n y o n t h e co mi n g
d e s t r u ct i o n .
Pe te r th u s pr e se n ts th e h i sto r i e s an d d e sti n i e s o f th e
three wo r l d s:
(1) T h e wo r l d th a t then was (2 Pe te r 3:5, 6), t h a t i s,
be f o r e th e Fl o o d .
(2) T h e h e ave n s a n d th e e ar th , which are now (v. 7)
n e e d s n o e xpl an ati o n .
(3) T h e new heavens and a new earth to co me
(v. 13), t h a t wi l l co n ti n u e o n th r o u gh al l e te r n i ty as th e h o me
o f th e r e d e e me d .
T h u s th e awf u l ju d gme n t o f an e ar l i e r age t h r o u gh d e ath
a n d d e s tr u cti o n by wate r i s to be su r passe d by th e mo r e awf u l
d ay o f e ve n tu al ju d gme n t to co me o f d e ath an d d e s tr u cti o n by
f i r e i n th e day of the L o r d a n d th e d e s tr u cti o n o f th e u n
go d l y. T h e n Pe te r cl o ses wi th a war n i n g agai n st so wresting
(strehlousin, s tr a i n i n g, t u r n i n g, twi s ti n g) th e Scr i p
tu r e s as to r e s u l t i n th e d e s tr u cti o n o f th e d i s to r te r (v. 16).
T h u s , i n a l esse r way, Pe te r tr ave r se s th e same ge n e r al
e sch ato l o gi cal path way l ate r gi ve n i n gr e ate r f u l l n e ss a n d d e
tai l by J o h n , th e se e r o f Patmo s, as we l l as by Pau l . T h e r e i s
co mpl e te agr e e me n t.
So Pe te r d e cl ar e s th a t f i r es n o w h i d d e n i n th e h e a r t o f th e
e ar th wi l l bu r s t f o r th i n th e f i n al f l ames o f th e ju d gme n t d ay
an d d o t h e i r a ppo i n te d wo r k. T h e n si n a n d si n n e r s wi l l
pass away f o r e ve r .
I I . Pr o bl e m T e xt (1 Pe te r 3:19)Pr e ach i n g to
Spi ri ts i n Pr i so n
1. D o u b t f u l T e x t s I n vo ke d t o S u ppo r t D o u b t f u l P o
s i t i o n s .C e r tai n te xts ar e qu o te d f r o m Pe te r to s u s tai n th e
I n n ate -I mmo r ta l i ty po stu l ate . Actu al l y, th e y ar e th u s pl ace d i n
o u t r i gh t co n f l i ct wi th th e ge n e r al te n o r o f th e te ach i n g o f Scr i p
tu r e . An d co n ce pts th a t ar e a t var i an ce wi th th e pr e vai l i n g
wi tn e ss o f Scr i ptu r e ar e s u ppo r te d o n l y by an u n wa r r a n te d
co n s tr u cti o n o f a f ew te xts t h a t ar e a d mi tte d l y d i f f i cu l t o f
i n te r pr e ta t i o n , o r ar e su sce pti bl e o f two r e n d e r i n gs . On e o f
HERBERT RUDEEN, ARTIST RUSSELL HARLAN, ARTIST
1 9 5 8 BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD 1 9 5 7 BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD
Pe te r , Po we r f u l Pr e ach e r at Pe nte co st, Was Pe te r s Message o f Re sto r ati o n an d Li f e Was
Equ al l y Emph ati c o n Li f e Onl y i n C h r i st, Ever C e n te r e d i n C h r i st as th e So urce o f Li f e
Besto wed a t th e Re su r r e cti o n . Ete r n al f o r Si nne r s T r an sf o r me d I n to Sai nts.
th e se i s 1 Pe te r 3:19th e spi r i ts i n pr i s o n . T h i s i s th e f u l l
s ta te me n t i n co n te xt:
Fo r C h r i s t al so h a t h o n ce suffered [apethanen, d i e d ] f o r si ns,
th e ju s t f o r th e u n ju s t, th a t h e mi gh t br i n g us to Go d , be i n g put to death
i n th e f l esh , bu t quickened by th e Spi r i t: by wh i ch [th e Spi r i t] al so
h e we n t a n d preached [ekeruxen, to h e r a l d , an n o u n ce , pr o cl ai m
pu bl i cl y] u n to th e spirits in prison; wh i ch so me ti me we r e d i so be d i e n t,
wh e n o n ce th e l o n gsu f f e r i n g o f Go d wai te d i n th e days o f No ah , wh i l e
th e ar k was a pr e par i n g, wh e r e i n f ew, th a t i s, e i gh t so ul s [per so ns] wer e
save d by wate r (1 Pe te r 3:18-20).
So me Immo r tal -So u l i sts h o l d t h a t th e so u l s o f th e r i gh t
e o u s d e ad we r e l i be r ate d by o u r Lo r d wh e n He d e sce n d e d
i n to Had e s a t Hi s d e ath , a n d th e n asce n d e d wi th Hi m to
He ave n ; a n d t h a t al l wh o h ave d i e d si n ce t h a t ti me , i f pu r i
f i e d f r o m al l si n , go d i r e ctl y to He ave n . T h e y u su al l y h o l d ,
373
h o we ve r , t h a t th e se so u l s wi l l co me back f o r th e i r bo d i e s at
th e ti me o f th e ge n e r al r e s u r r e cti o n . An d pa r t o f th i s th e o r y
i s th e co n te n ti o n t h a t C h r i s ts s pi r i t pr e ach e d th e go spe l ,
during the interval between His death and resurrection, to th e
s pi r i ts o f a n te d i l u vi a n ti me s, co n f i n e d to th i s Had e an pr i so n .
Pe te r spe aks f r an kl y o f so me th i n gs i n Pa u l s wr i ti n gs
t h a t ar e h a r d to be u n d e r s to o d (2 Pe te r 3:16), wh i ch so me
wr e st . . . u n t o t h e i r o wn d e s tr u cti o n . Pau l mi gh t h ave r e
s po n d e d i n ki n d co n ce r n i n g Pe t e r s wr i ti n gs. An d th i s passage
i s o n e o f th e m. Le t us co n si d e r i t i n so me d e tai l . Bu t we mu s t
be war e l e st o n e te xt be al l o we d , by r e ad i n g Pl ato n i c I mmo r -
tal -So u l i sm i n to i t, to ch e ck th e wh o l e ce n tr al cu r r e n t o f co n
si s te n t Scr i ptu r e te ach i n g.
2. P r o f o u n d I mpl i c a t i o n s o f P a pa l P o s i t i o n . Fr o m
th e f o r e go i n g ve r se s (1 Pe te r 3:18-20), th e co n te n ti o n i s mad e
t h a t th e so u l , o r s pi r i t, i s i mmo r tal , an d co n ti n u e s to l i ve o n i n
u n i n t e r r u pt e d co n sci o u sn e ss af te r d e ath . An d , d u r i n g th e i n
te r val be twe e n C h r i s t s d e ath a n d r e s u r r e cti o n , i t i s h e l d t h a t
C h r i s t s co n sci o u s s pi r i t, Hi s r e al be i n g (wh i l e Hi s bo d y l ay i n
th e gr ave ), d e sce n d e d i n to hades, th e abo d e o f th e al l e ge d l y
l i vi n g d e ad , to pr e ach to th e d i se mbo d i e d co n sci o u s s pi r i ts
o f th e a n te d i l u vi an s i mpr i s o n e d th e r e , wi th a vi e w to gi vi n g
th e m a se co n d ch an ce , an d th u s to escape f r o m to r me n t.
T h a t i s th e basi c co n te n ti o n . T h e qu e s ti o n mu s t pe r t i
n e n tl y be aske d a t th i s po i n t, e ve n o n su ch a pr e mi se , Wh y
d i d C h r i st go d o wn to h e l l {hades, th e gr ave ) to pr e ach to
th e d amn e d spi r i ts th e r e , so me twe n ty-f o u r h u n d r e d ye ar s
a f t e r th e Fl o o d , si n ce th e i r pr o bati o n passe d a t d e ath , ac
co r d i n g to u n i f o r m Bi bl e te sti mo n y?
T h e i mpl i cati o n s o f su ch a po si ti o n ar e pr o f o u n d a n d
r e vo l u ti o n ar y. So me , we ar e co n f i d e n t, h ave n e ve r th o u gh t
th e m th r o u gh . I f th e d e ad ar e co n sci o u sl y al i ve a n d can be
pr e ach e d to , a n d can be be n e f i te d by su ch pr e ach i n g, an d can
r e pe n t a n d be save d o u t o f t o r me n tth e n th e Ro man C ath o
l i c d o ctr i n e o f Pu r gato r y, o r i ts e qu i val e n t, i s val i d ate d , a n d
t h e mo d e r n co n te n ti o n o f pr o bati o n af te r d e ath i s su bstan -
ti ate d . T h o s e ar e th e mo me n to u s i mpl i cati o n s. Such a pr o po s i
ti o n i s o bvi o u sl y o f suf f i ci e n t i mpo r tan ce as to me r i t car e f u l
e xami n ati o n . Fi r st, n o te so me basi c f acts.
3. C h r i s t W e n t N o w h e r e i n D e a t h ; P r e a c h ed t o N o
O n e .As to C h r i s t s co n d i ti o n i n d e ath , C h r i s ts bo d y was pu t
i n to th e gr ave , o r s e pu l ch e r {hades, o r gr ave d o mPs. 16:10;
Acts 2:31), wh i l e He co mme n d e d Hi s s pi r i t to Go d (Lu ke
23:46; cf . Ps. 31:5). Acco r d i n g to th e apo stl e Pe te r , wh o h ad
tal ke d wi th J e su s af te r th e r e s u r r e cti o n (J o h n 21:7-22), an d
wh o was th e pr e ach e r a t Pe n te co st (Acts 2:14f f .), J e s u s
so u l (Gr e e k psuche e qu i va l e n t h e r e to He br e w nephesh, J e su s
Hi mse l f ) was i n th e gr ave f r o m d e ath u n t i l th e r e s u r r e cti o n .
Qu o ti n g Davi d (Ps. 16:10), Pe te r sai d o f C h r i st:
T h o u wi l t n o t l e ave my so ul i n hell [hades, th e gr ave ], n e i th e r
wi l t th o u suf f er th i n e Ho l y On e to see co r r u pti o n . He wo u l d r ai se u p
C h r i st to si t o n h i s th r o n e (Acts 2:27, 50).
No te t h a t my s o u l i n th e f i r st cl au se i s par al l e l e d by
th i n e Ho l y On e i n th e se co n d cl au se . I t was J e su s Hi mse l f
t h a t s l e pt i n th e to mb.
C h r i s t we n t n o wh e r e an d pe r f o r me d n o acti o n be twe e n
Hi s d e ath a n d Hi s qu i cke n i n g, o r r e s u r r e cti o n , f o r He was
asl e e p i n d e ath .
4. C h r i s t W a s M a d e A l i v e ; D i d N o t C o n t i n u e A l i v e
D u r i n g I n t e r i m.T h e wo r d qu i cke n (zoopoied), h e r e e m
ph asi ze d i n 1Pe te r 3:18, i s th e same u se d i n Ro man s 8:11:
Bu t i f th e Spi r i t o f h i m th a t r ai se d u p J e su s f r o m th e d e ad d we l l
i n yo u, h e th a t r ai se d u p C h r i st f r o m th e d e ad sh al l al so quicken
[zoopoiesei] yo u r mo r tal bo d i e s by h i s Spi r i t th a t d we l l e th i n yo u .
Acco r d i n g to th i s, Go d br o u gh t agai n o u r Lo r d f r o m th e
d e ad by th e Ho l y Spi r i tth e same Spi r i t by wh o m Hi s f o l l o w
e r s ar e to be r ai se d at th e l ast day. T h e qu i cke n i n g h e r e
me an s to i mpa r t l i f e , to make al i ve . He was pu t to d e ath i n
th e f l esh an d made alive by th e Spi r i t. T o co n te n d th a t He
continued al i ve wo u l d be to n u l l i f y, o r i n val i d ate , th e d e cl ar a
ti o n th a t He was made alive, o r br o u gh t back to l i f e , a n d f o r a
ti me had been deadf r o m th e cro ss u n t i l Hi s r e s u r r e cti o n
f r o m th e d e a d (Ro m. 1:4).
He says o f Hi mse l f , i n Re ve l ati o n 1:18, I am h e t h a t l i v-
e th , a n d was dead; an d , be h o l d , I am alive for evermore
In co n te s tabl y C h r i s t was pu t to d e ath . He was qu i cke n e d
by th e Spi r i t. He we n t a n d pr e ach e d to s pi r i ts i n pr i so n . Bu t
Hi s pr e ach i n g was not be twe e n Hi s d e ath an d r e s u r r e cti o n .
T h u s th e co n te n ti o n co l l apse s th a t th i s o ccu r r e d be twe e n th e
ti me wh e n C h r i s t l ai d d o wn Hi s l i f e f o r o u r si ns a n d was
r ai s e d agai n f o r o u r ju s ti f i cati o n (Ro m. 4:25). An y o th e r
af f i r mati o n o n th e pa r t o f man i s pu r e as su mpti o n , i n co n f l i ct
wi th Ho l y Scr i ptu r e .
5. W h e n a n d t o W h o m D i d C h r i s t P r e a c h ?If , as
s tate d i n th e te xt (1 Pe te r 3:18), C h r i s t was qu i cke n e d [r ai se d
to l i f e ] by th e Spi r i t, i t i s e qu al l y cl e ar t h a t i t was by th e Spi r i t
t h a t He d i d th e pr e ach i n g me n ti o n e d h e r e . T h e te xt r e ad s
qu i cke n e d by th e Spi r i t: by which al so h e we n t a n d pr e ach e d .
Si n ce th e te xt says th at th e pr e ach i n g was d o n e when o n ce
th e l o n gsu f f e r i n g o f Go d wai te d i n th e days o f No a h , i t mu st
be No a h s ge n e r ati o n t h a t h e ar d th e pr e ach i n g o f C h r i st
th r o u gh th e Spi r i t.
I n th e acco u n t o f th e co n d i ti o n o f th e e ar th be f o r e th e
Fl o o d , th e Bi bl e r e co r d s, T h e Lo r d sai d , My s pi r i t sh al l n o t
al ways str i ve wi th man , f o r th at h e al so i s f l esh : ye t h i s days
s h al l be an h u n d r e d an d twe n ty ye ar s (Ge n . 6:3). Si n ce ac
co r d i n g to Pe te r , No ah was a pr e ach e r o f r i gh te o u sn e s s (2
Pe te r 2:5), i t f o l l o ws t h a t th e Spi r i t pr e ach e d t h r o u gh No ah
ju s t as He h as pr e ach e d to e ve r y ge n e r ati o n to wh o m Go d se n t
Hi s h u man me sse n ge r s. An d i t i s C h r i s t th r o u gh th e Spi r i t
wh o i s sai d to h ave d o n e th i s. He r e i s n o co n f l i ct, f o r C h r i s t i s
th e me d i a to r o f al l co mmu n i cati o n to e a r th f r o m He ave n .
Bu t h o w can th e se an te d i l u vi an s be cal l e d s pi r i ts ? We
wi l l l e t Dr . Ad am C l ar ke , we l l -kn o wn co mme n tato r , an swe r th i s
qu e s ti o n . Af te r r e ma r ki n g th a t th e ph r ase , h e we n t an d
pr e ach e d , s h o u l d be u n d e r s to o d to me an , by th e mi n i s tr y o f
No a h , h e go es o n to e xpl ai n :
T h e wo r d pneumasi, spirits, i s su ppo se d to r e n d e r th i s vi e w o f th e
su bje ct i mpr o babl e , because th i s mu st me an disembodied spi r i ts; bu t
th i s ce r tai n l y do e s n o t f o l l o w, f o r the spirits of just men made perfect,
He b. xi i , 23, ce r tai n l y me an s righteous men, an d men still in the Church
militant; an d th e Father of spirits, He b. xi i , 9, me an s men still in the
body; a n d the God of the spirits of all flesh, Nu m. xvi , 22, an d xvi i , 16,
me an s men not in a disembodied state. 3
I I I . C h r i st T r u l y Di e d Acco r di ng to Pr e d i cti o n ,
Fu l f i l l me n t, Atte stati o n
I t i s e sse n ti al to e stabl i sh th e f act t h a t C h r i s t died o n
C al var ytr u l y died. An d n o i n n e r o r r e al sel f , o r be i n g, as a
separate, continuing entity, l i ve d o n d u r i n g th e pe r i o d be twe e n
Hi s gi vi n g u p o f th e gh o st, o r e xpi r i n g, a n d Hi s r e s u r r e c
ti o n o n th e t h i r d d ay. Obse r ve th e co n cl u si ve Bi bl i cal e vi
d e n ce . No te th e i tal i ci ze d wo r d s.
1. E x pl i c i t OT P r o ph e c i e s o f F o r t h c o mi n g D e a t h .
He r e ar e si x e xpl i ci t Ol d T e s ta me n t pr e d i cti o n s :
Isa. 53:7He i s br o u gh t as a l amb to th e slaughter.
Isa. 53:8He was cut off o u t o f th e l an d o f th e l i vi n g.
Isa. 53:10T h o u sh al t make h i s so u l an offering for sin.
Isa. 53:12He h ath poured out his soul unto death.
Dan . 9:26Sh al l Me ssi ah be cut off, bu t n o t f o r h i mse l f .
Zech . 13:7"Smite th e sh e ph e r d , an d th e sh e e p sh al l be s catte r e d .
2. J es u s O w n U n e q u i v o c a l P r e d i c t i o n s o f H i s D e a t h .
No w f o l l o w abo u t a sco r e o f C h r i s t s o wn pe r s o n al Ne w
T e s ta me n t pr e d i cti o n s o f Hi s appr o ach i n g d e ath a n d Hi s d e si g
n a te d pe r i o d i n th e gr ave . Agai n f o l l o w th e i tal i ci ze d wo r d s.
(T h o s e i n smal l capi tal s i n d i cate th e ti me e l e me n t.)
Matt. 12:40So sh al l th e So n o f man be t h r e e d a y s a n d t h r e e n i g h t s
i n th e heart of the earth.
Matt. 16:21Be killed, an d be r ai se d agai n th e t h i r d d a y .
Matt. 17:23T h e y sh al l kill h i m, an d th e t h i r d d a y h e sh al l be
r ai se d agai n .
Matt. 20:28T h e So n o f man came . . . to give his life a ransom for
many.
Matt. 21:39An d th e y cau gh t h i m . . . an d slew h i m.
8Ad a m C l a r ke , Commentary, o n 1 Pe t e r 3:19. (I ta l i cs h i s .)
Matt. 26:2T h e So n o f man i s be tr aye d to be crucified.
Matt. 26:28My blood . . . wh i ch i s shed f o r man y.
Matt. 26:38My so ul i s e xce e d i n g so r r o wf u l , even unto death.
Mar k 8:31Re je cte d . . . an d be killed, an d af te r t h r e e d a y s r i se
agai n .
Mar k 9:31Sh al l kill h i m; an d af te r th at h e i s killed, h e sh al l r i se
th e THIRD DAY.
Mar k 10:34 Sh al l kill h i m: an d th e t h i r d d a y h e sh al l r i se agai n .
Lu ke 9:22An d be slain, an d be r ai se d th e t h i r d da y .
Lu ke 22:15Be f o r e I suffer.
Lu ke 24:46I t be h o ve d C h r i st to suffer, an d to r i se f r o m th e d e ad
t h e T HIRD DAY.
J o h n 10:11"T h e go o d sh e ph e r d giveth his life f o r th e sh e e p.
J o h n 10:15"I lay down my life f o r th e sh e e p.
J o h n 10:17I lay down my life, th a t I mi gh t take i t agai n .
J o h n 11:51Pr o ph e si e d th a t J e su s sh o u l d die f o r th a t n a t i o n .
J o h n 12:7Agai n st th e d ay o f my burying.
J o h n 12:32Lifted up from the earth, wi l l d r aw al l me n u n to me .
J o h n 12:32, 33Lifted up from the earth si gn i f yi n g wh at
death he should die.
J o h n 15:13T h a t a man lay down his life f o r h i s f r i e n d s.
3. I n s pi r a t i o n s R ec o r d o f C h r i s t s D e a t h .An d h e r e
f o l l o ws th e u n i mpe ach abl e e vi d e n ce o f co mpe te n t e ye wi tn e sse s
as to Hi s d e ath :
Matt. 27:50J e su s, wh e n h e h ad cr i e d agai n wi th a l o u d vo i ce,
yielded up the ghost [apheken to pneuma, yi e l d e d u p th e s pi r i t].
Matt. 27:57, 58J o s e ph . . . we n t to Pi l ate , an d begge d th e body
o f J e su s. T h e n Pi l ate co mman d e d th e body to be d e l i ve r e d .
Mar k 15:37An d J e su s cr i e d wi th a l o u d vo i ce, an d gave up the
ghost [exepneusen, "e xpi r e d ].
Mar k 15:39An d wh e n th e ce n tu r i o n , wh i ch sto o d o ve r agai n st
h i m, saw th a t h e so cr i e d o u t [wi th a l o u d vo i ce ], an d gave up the
ghost [exepneusen, to br e ath e o u t, e xpi r e , d i e ], h e sai d , T r u l y th i s man
was th e So n o f Go d .
Mar k 15:43"J o se ph . . . cr ave d th e body o f J e su s.
Mar k 15:44, 45Pi l ate . . . cal l i n g u n to h i m th e ce n tu r i o n , h e aske d
h i m wh e th e r h e h ad be e n an y wh i l e dead. An d wh e n h e kn e w i t o f th e
ce n tu r i o n , h e gave th e body to J o s e ph .
Lu ke 23:46An d wh e n J e su s h ad cr i e d wi th a l o u d voi ce, h e sai d ,
Fath e r , i n to th y h an d s I co mme n d my spirit [pneuma]: an d h avi n g sai d
th u s, h e gave up the ghost [exepneusen, e xpi r e d , d i e d ] * (cl. Ps. 31:5).
* Dr . Ad a m C l a r ke , co mme n t i n g o n t h e f r e qu e n t l y u s e d Bi bl i cal t e r m, gave u p t h e
gh o s t , says t h a t i t s i gn i f i e s t o pa n t f o r br e a t h , to e xpi r e , to ce ase f r o m br e a t h i n g, o r to
br e a t h e o n e s l a s t . Commentary, o n Ge n . 25:8.
HARRY ANDERSON, ART IST 1 9 5 5 BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD
T h e J o ys o f th e Re de e me d i n th e Gl o r i o u s New Heavens an d New Ear th Wi l l
Su r pass Al l Hu man Imagi n ati o n an d Wi l l Abi d e Fo rever .
Lu ke 23:52, 53T h i s man [J o se ph ] we n t u n to Pi l ate , an d be gge d th e
body o f J e su s. An d h e to o k i t d o wn . . . an d laid it in a sepulchre.
J o h n 19:30J e su s . . . sai d, I t i s f i n i sh e d : an d h e bo we d h i s h e ad ,
an d gave up the ghost.
J o h n 19:33Bu t wh e n th e y came to J e su s, an d saw th a t h e was
dead already.
Acco r d i n g to th e u n var yi n g te sti mo n y o f Scr i ptu r e , C h r i st,
as th e vo l u n ta r y s u bs ti tu te i n d e ath f o r si n n e r s, was wi th o u t
an y t h o u gh t o r acti vi ty wh i l e i n th e e mbr ace o f d e ath , awai t
i n g th e s u mmo n s o f th e l i f e -gi vi n g Spi r i tth e T h i r d Pe r so n
o f th e Go d h e ad at Hi s r e s u r r e cti o n o n th e " third day.
4. A po s t o l i c W i t n es s t o C h r i s t s D e a t h .An d h e r e i s
th e gal axy o f s u ppo r ti n g apo sto l i c wi tn e sse s to C h r i s ts d e ath :
Acts 3:18T h a t C h r i st sh o u l d suffer, h e h a t h so f u l f i l l e d .
Acts 17:3C h r i s t mu st n e e d s h ave suffered, an d r i se n agai n f r o m
th e d e ad .
379
Acts 20:28He h a t h purchased [th e ch u r ch o f Go d ] with his own
blood.
Acts 26:23"T h a t C h r i st sh o u l d suffer, an d . . . sh o u l d r i se f r o m
th e d e ad .
Ro m. 5:6C h r i st died f o r th e u n go d l y.
Ro m. 5:8Wh i l e we we r e ye t si n n e r s, C h r i st died f o r u s.
Ro m. 5:10Re co n ci l e d . . . by th e death o f h i s So n, . . . saved
by h i s l i f e .
Ro m. 6:5Pl an te d to ge th e r i n th e likeness of his death.
Ro m. 6:10I n th a t h e died, h e died u n to si n o n ce .
Ro m. 14:9T o th i s e n d C h r i st bo th died, an d r o se, an d r e vi ve d
[l i ve d agai n ].
1 C o r . 1:23We pr e ach C h r i st crucified
1 C o r . 2:2J e su s C h r i st, an d h i m crucified.
1 C o r . 5:7C h r i st o u r passo ve r i s sacrificed f o r u s.
1 C o r . 15:3C h r i st died for our sins acco r d i n g to th e s cr i ptu r e s.
1 C o r . 15:4"T h a t h e was buried, an d th a t h e r o se agai n th e
t h i r d d a y acco r d i n g to th e scr i ptu r e s.
2 C o r . 5:14On e died f o r al l .
2 C o r . 5:15He died f o r al l .
Gal . 3:13"Be i n g mad e a curse f o r us: f o r i t i s wr i tte n , C u r se d i s
e ve r y o n e th at hangeth on a tree.
Eph . 1:7We h ave r e d e mpti o n th r o u gh h i s blood.
Eph . 2:16Re co n ci l e bo th u n to Go d i n one body by the cross.
Eph . 5:2Ha th gi ve n h i mse l f f o r us an offering an d a sacrifice
to Go d .
Ph i l . 2:8Be came o be d i e n t u n to death, eve n th e death of the
cross.
C o l . 1:20Havi n g mad e pe ace th r o u gh th e blood of his cross.
C o l . 1:22I n th e bo d y o f h i s f l esh through death.
1 T h e ss. 4:14J e su s died an d r o se agai n .
1 T h e ss. 5:9, 10J e su s C h r i st, wh o died f o r u s.
He b. 2:9J e su s . . . mad e a l i ttl e l o we r th a n th e an ge l s f o r th e
suffering of death.
He b. 2:14T h a t th r o u gh death h e mi gh t d e str o y h i m th a t h ad th e
po we r o f d e a th .
He b. 7:27T h i s h e d i d o n ce , wh e n h e offered up h i mse l f .
He b. 9:12By h i s o wn blood h e . . . o bta i n e d e te r n al r e d e mpti o n
f o r u s.
He b. 9:26He appe ar e d to pu t away si n by th e sacrifice o f
h i ms e l f .
He b. 9:28C h r i st was o n ce offered to be ar th e si ns o f man y.
He b. 10:10San cti f i e d th r o u gh th e offering of the body of Jesus
Christ o n ce f o r al l .
He b. 10:12Of f e r e d o n e sacrifice f o r si ns f o r e ve r .
He b. 12:2En d u r e d th e cross, d e spi si n g th e sh ame .
1 Pe te r 2:24Wh o h i s o wn sel f bare our sins in his own body on
the tree .
1 Pe te r 3:18Ha th o n ce suffered f o r si ns . . . be i n g put to death
i n th e f l esh , bu t qu i cke n e d by th e Spi r i t.
1 Pe te r 4:1C h r i st h ath suffered f o r us i n th e f l esh .
T o d e n y t h a t C h r i s t d i e d i s co n s e qu e n tl y to r e pu d i a te th e
wh o l e i r r e f u ta bl e te sti mo n y o f Ho l y Wr i t.
5. C h r i s t s P o s t -A s c en s i o n T e s t i mo n y F r o m H e a v e n .
An d h e r e i s th e i n f al l i bl e wi tn e ss o f th e r i se n , asce n d e d C h r i s t
Hi mse l f th at He was dead, bu t f r o m th e r e s u r r e cti o n o n war d
l i ves f o r e ve r mo r e :
Re v. 1:18I am h e th a t l i ve th , an d was dead; an d , be h o l d , I am
al i ve f o r e ve r mo r e .
Re v. 2:8T h e s e th i n gs sai th th e f i r st an d th e l ast, wh i ch was dead,
an d i s al i ve .
Re v. 5:9T h o u wast slain, an d h ast r e d e e me d us to Go d by thy
blood.
Rev. 5:12Wo r th y i s th e Lamb th a t was slain.
Re v. 7:14T h e s e ar e th e y wh i ch . . . h ave wash e d th e i r r o bes, an d
mad e th e m wh i te i n th e blood of the Lamb.
Re v. 13:8T h e bo o k o f l i f e o f th e Lamb slain from the founda
tion of the world.
6. C h r i s t s D e a t h E s t a b l i s h e d , C e r t i f i e d , A t t e s t e d .
I n th e l i gh t o f su ch an ar r ay o f d i vi n e pr e d i cti o n s o f Ol d T e s ta
me n t pr o ph e ts , i te r ate d a n d r e i te r a te d Ne w T e s ta me n t f o r e
casts by J e su s Hi mse l f , to ge th e r wi th th e i n s pi r e d e ye wi tn e ss
r e co r d o f Hi s actu al d e ath an d bu r i a l , an d o f mu l ti pl e co n
cu r r i n g apo sto l i c wi tn e ss, an d f i n al l y o f atte s tati o n f r o m th e
asce n d e d C h r i s t Hi mse l f i n He ave n , we rest the case. Jesus
actu al l y an d tr u l y died! An d He r o se th e r e f r o m o n th e t h i r d
d ay.
7. A l l I s L o s t i f C h r i s t Di d N o t A c t u a l l y D i e . No w
co me s th e tr e me n d o u s al te r n ati ve : I f C h r i st d i d n o t Hi mse l f
truly, actually die, as cal l e d f o r i n th e te r ms o f ato n i n g s u b
s ti t u ti o n bu t o n l y Hi s bo d y, wh i l e Hi s s pi r i t l i ve d o n as a co n
t i n u i n g d i s car n ate e n ti ty an d bu si l y vi si te d th e co n f i n e d
spi r i ts i n pr i s o n during the interim betiueen the alleged mo
ment of His death and the resurrection (wi th i n th e th r e e
d ay asse r te d a n d r e asse r te d )th e n th e d e cl ar e d tr an s acti o n
o f th e cro ss i s a tr ave sty; an d th e ve r aci ty o f Go d an d o f C h r i s t
i s i mpu gn e d .
T h e cr e d i bi l i ty o f t h e i r ch ar acte r s i s d e str o ye d . An d th e
so l e basi s o f o u r h o pe o f r e pe n tan ce , r e co n ci l i ati o n , a n d a to n e
me n t i s can ce l e d a n d n u l l i f i e d , an d al l th e be n e f i ts s pr i n gi n g
f r o m an ato n i n g d e ath ar e al i ke swe pt away. T h e n we ar e i n
d e e d l e f t d e s ti tu te o f an y s o u n d h o pe an d tr u s two r th y e xpe c
tati o n o f r e d e mpti o n past, pr e se n t, an d f u tu r e .
T h e n th e pr o mi se s o f Go d wo u l d be i n val i d ate d , th e i n
s pi r e d assu r an ce s r e n d e r e d n u l l a n d vo i d , an d th e ju sti ce o f
Go d i mpu gn e d . An d mo st s o be r i n g o f al l , Satan s cl ai m, Ye
s h al l not su r e l y d i e (Ge n . 3:4), wo u l d be vi n d i cate d an d sus
tai n e d . An d Go d s so l e mn d e cl ar ati o n , T h o u shalt surely die
(ch ap. 2:17), wo u l d s tan d d i scr e d i te d a n d d i spr o ve d be f o r e th e
e n ti r e u n i ve r s e Hi s ve r aci ty sh atte r e d . T h a t i s th e gr avi ty
a n d th e essence o f th e i ssue. Bu t l e t us e xami n e th e se d r e ad
po ssi bi l i ti e s i n gr e ate r d e pth an d d e tai l .
8. M u l t i pl e B e n e f i t s A n n u l l e d i f C h r i s t D i d N o t
D i e .Lo o k at th e i mpo si n g ar r ay o f pr o mi se d be n e f i ts, h e r e
l i ste d , al l co n ti n ge n t u po n C h r i s ts deathbu t al l can ce l e d an d
l o st i f He d i d n o t tr u l y d i e , bu t actu al l y l i ve d o n . T h e te r se
po i n t o f th e te xt i s h e r e l i ste d , wi th th e key wo r d o r ph r ase
i tal i ci ze d . Obse r ve :
Matt. 20:28Ransom, n o t pai d .
Matt. 26:28Remission of sins n o t ef f ected.
J o h n 1:29Sins of world n o t take n away.
J o h n 3:16Everlasting life vo i d e d .
J o h n 12:31Pr i n ce o f th i s wo r l d not cast out.
Ro m. 3:25Propitiation f o r o u r si ns n o t acco mpl i sh e d .
Ro m. 5:9Justification th r o u gh bl o o d n o t r e ce i ve d .
Ro m. 5:10Reconciliation n o t br o u gh t abo u t.
Eph . 1:7Redemption and forgiveness n u l l i f i e d .
C o l . 1:20Peace th r o u gh bl o o d abo l i sh e d .
C o l . 1:22Holiness and blamelessness th war te d .
1 T h e ss. 1:10Deliverance from wrath to come u n acco mpl i sh e d .
He b. 2:14Destruction o f d e vi l s po we r of death abo r te d .
He b. 2:15Deliverance f r o m bo n d age br e aks d o wn .
He b. 9:26Putting away sin u n acco mpl i sh e d .
He b. 9:28Substitutionary bearing of sin co l l apses.
He b. 10:14Perfection of those sanctified vo i d e d .
1 Pe te r 3:18T h e bringing of us to God th war te d .
1 J o h n 1:7Cleansing from all sin can ce l e d .
1 J o h n 2:2Propitiation for our sins vo i d e d .
Re v. 1:5Washing from our sins aban d o n e d .
Re v. 7:14Washing of robes in Lambs blood n o t acco mpl i sh e d .
T h a t i s th e tr e me n d o u s , s o be r i n g swe e p o f sal vati o n t h a t
wo u l d be n u l l i f i e d , abo r te d , can ce l e d I F C h r i s t d i d n o t d i e a
co mpl e te , vi car i o u s, ato n i n g, al l -su f f i ci e n t, o n ce -f o r -al l d e ath
o n C al var ys cro ss. T h a t i s th e gr avi ty o f th e co n te n ti o n t h a t
C h r i s t d i d n o t d i e , bu t l i ve d o n d u r i n g th e f ate f u l th r e e d ays.
Al l r e d e mpti o n h i n ge s o n Hi s death, as we l l as Hi s r e s u r r e c
ti o n , as Hi s pa r t o f th e tr an s acti o n . Bu t He did d i e , an d was
r ai se d f o r e ve r mo r e . Ou r r e d e mpti o n i s assu r e d by th e i mmu
tabl e f act o f C h r i s t s actu al l y acco mpl i sh e d d e ath , f o l l o we d by
Hi s t r i u mph a n t r e s u r r e cti o n . He a r i t:
Bu t Go d co mme n d e th h i s l o ve to war d us, i n th at, wh i l e we we r e
ye t si n n e r s, C h r i st d i e d f o r us. Mu ch mo r e th e n , be i n g n o w ju sti f i e d
by h i s bl o o d , we sh al l be saved f r o m wr ath th r o u gh h i m. Fo r i f , wh e n
we we r e e n e mi e s, we we r e r e co n ci l e d to Go d by th e d e ath o f h i s Son,
mu ch mo r e , be i n g r e co n ci l e d , we sh al l be saved by h i s l i f e . An d n o t
o n l y so, bu t we al so jo y i n Go d th r o u gh o u r Lo r d J e su s C h r i st, by wh o m
we h ave no w r e ce i ve d th e a t o n e me n t (Ro m. 5:8-11).
IV. Pr o bl e m T e xt (2 Pe te r 2:4)Fal l e n Angel s
De tai n e d i n T a r ta r u s
Fo r i f Go d spar e d n o t th e an ge l s th a t si n n e d , bu t cast them down
to hell [tartaroo], an d d e l i ve r e d th e m i n to chains [seirais, co r d ,
r o pe , ch a i n ] of darkness [zophou, n e th e r d ar kn e ss, mu r ki n e ss],
to be reserved unto judgment; an d spar e d n o t th e o l d [an te d i l u vi an ]
wo r l d , bu t saved No ah th e e i gh th pe r so n , a preacher o f r i gh te o u sn e ss,
br i n gi n g i n th e f l o o d u po n th e wo r l d o f th e u n go d l y (2 Pe te r 2:4, 5).
Ha d i t n o t be e n t h a t tartaroo6 u n f o r tu n a te l y h as be e n
r e n d e r e d by th e tr an s l ato r s , cast d o wn to h e l l , th e r e wo u l d
be n o o ccasi o n to al l u d e to th i s te xt as h avi n g an y be ar i n g u po n
5Tartaroo i s t h e ve r b f o r m o f t h e n o u n tartaros. T a r t a r u s s e d wo u l d be a go o d
En gl i s h t r a n s l a t i o n o f th i s ve r b. T h i s co mpar e s wi t h t h e ve r b ja i l e d f o r ca s t i n t o j a i l .
th e d o o m o f wi cke d me n . T h e backgr o u n d i s si mpl y th i s: T h e
d e s i gn ati o n Tartarus (i n Gr . tartaros, th e n o u n f o r m o f th i s
ve r b) be l o n gs to Gr e co -Ro man myth o l o gy, a n d o ccu r s o n l y
h e r e i n Scr i ptu r e . Al th o u gh i t i s a Gr e e k wo r d , i t do e s n o t
appe ar a t al l i n th e Se ptu agi n t.
Vi r gi l , h o we ve r , a n d Ho r ace , Lu ci an , Lu cr e ti u s , Stati u s,
an d o t h e r pagan Gr e e k po e ts use i t to d e si gn ate wh at th e y u n
d e r s to o d to be th e d ar k abyss o f th e i n f e r n al r e gi o n s. Ho me r
d e scr i be s i t as a s u bte r r a n e a n r e gi o n , o r pr i so n , i n to wh i ch
we r e cast th e T i ta n s , o r gi an ts, wh o r e be l l e d agai n st Zeus.
Pl u to was su ppo se d to be th e r e i gn i n g d e i ty o f th o se r e gi o n s,
an d was cal l e d Fa th e r T a r t a r u s .
1. P l a c e o f D e t e n t i o n f o r F a l l e n A n g el s . Tartarus,
as h e r e u se d by Pe te r , r e pr e s e n ts th e pl ace o f te mpo r ar y co n
f i n e me n t o f th e d e mo n s, o r wi cke d an ge l s, u n t i l su ch ti me as
th e y s h o u l d be ju d ge d a n d th e n d e str o ye d . I t i s to be pa r ti c
u l ar l y n o te d t h a t Tartarus i n n o way r e l ate s to th e pl ace wh e r e
th e wi cke d d e ad (men) ar e at pr e s e n t r e se r ve d , wh i ch i s hades,
o r gr ave d o msheol i n th e He br e w. No r i s i t to be co n f u se d
wi th Ge h e n n a, wh e r e th e r e s u r r e cte d wi cke d wi l l be d e str o ye d
in the future, i n th e l ake o f f i r e.
T h e s e f al l e n an ge l s we r e , as a r e s u l t o f th e i r si n an d r e be l
l i o n , cast d o wn f r o m th e h i gh e s t h e i gh ts o f gl o r y to th e d e e pe st
abyss o f d ar kn e ssf r o m mi n i s te r i n g s pi r i ts to th e i gn o mi n i
o u s state o f r e s tr i cte d pr i s o n e r s awai ti n g ju d gme n t.
2. No P u n i s h me n t B e f o r e D ec i s i o n s o f J u d g me n t .I t
i s to be n o te d , h o we ve r , t h a t n e i t h e r wi cke d me n n o r f al l e n
an ge l s r e ce i ve t h e i r pu n i s h me n t u n t i l af te r d e te r mi n a ti o n s o f
th e ju d gme n t. So Tartarus i s h e r e u se d as a pl ace o f d e te n ti o n ,
n o t o f to r me n t.
T h e mo d e r n n o ti o n t h a t Tartarus i s an a pa r t me n t o f
Had e s, a s o r t o f u n d e r gr o u n d d u n ge o n o f to r tu r e , i s base d so l e l y
o n h e a th e n f abl e s, wi th o u t a sci n ti l l a o f s cr i ptu r a l s u ppo r t.
An y a tt e mpt to make a pagan o u t o f Pe te r i s base d wh o l l y o n
Gr e e k myth o l o gy.
I t i s r e gr e tta bl e t h a t sheol, hades, an d gehenna we r e
al i ke tr a n s l a te d h e l l , a n d tartardo as cast i n to h e l l , wh e n
th e y ar e by n o me an s syn o n ymo u s. Su ch a pr o ce d u r e h as o n l y
pe r pe t u a t e d a n d i n cr e ase d th e co n f u s i o n o f i d e as o n th e qu e s
ti o n o f f u tu r e pu n i s h me n t. We r e pe at: Sheol a n d hades
s tan d f o r gr ave d o m, wh e r e i n th e d e ad sl e e p u n t i l th e l ast
tr u mp, wh i l e gehenna i s th e pl ace o f f i n al pu n i s h me n t, after
ju d gme n t. We mu s t n o t bo r r o w o u r th e o l o gy f r o m th e h e a th e n
wo r l d .
T o asse r t th a t th e se an ge l s, an d h u man si n n e r s as we l l ,
ar e n o w i n a pl ace o f bu r n i n g t o r me n t i s to ch ar ge Go d wi th
th e gr o ss i n ju s ti ce o f pu n i s h i n g be f o r e ju d gme n t. (See 1 C o r .
6:2, 3; Re v. 20:10-14; Dan . 7:22, 26.) Tartarus, th e n , i s pr i
mar i l y a pl ace o f detentionn o t o f t o r me n tf o r th e te mpo
r ar y co n f i n e me n t o f e vi l an ge l s, wh o ar e r e se r ve d u n t o ju d g
me n t a n d u l ti ma te d e s tr u cti o n . I t h as n o u gh t to d o wi th me n .
T h e Lo r d kn o we th h o w . . . to reserve th e u n ju s t u n to
th e d ay o f ju d gme n t to be pu n i s h e d (2 Pe te r 2:9).
V. J o h n s Epi stl es: Li f e i n an d T h r o u gh C h r i st
Is C e n tr al T h o u gh t
As mi gh t be e xpe cte d , th e Epi stl e s o f J o h n , l i ke h i s Go s
pe l , ar e i n f u s e d wi th th e same s u bl i me th e me o f life. J o h n be
gi n s a n d e n d s h i s f i r st e pi stl e wi th th e d o mi n a n t th o u gh t o f
eternal life in ChristC h r i s t as th e f o u n ta i n , so u r ce , an d pe r
so n i f i cati o n o f l i f e . T h e e xpr e ssi o n e te r n al l i f e appe ar s si x
ti me s i n th i s o n e s h o r t e pi stl e .
1. L i f e M a n i f e s t e d , P r o mi s e d , P o s sessed i n C h r i s t .
No te th i s i l l u mi n a ti n g a n d pr o gr e ssi ve seri es:
(1) T h a t wh i ch was f r o m th e be gi n n i n g, wh i ch we h ave h e ar d ,
wh i ch we h ave se en wi th o u r eyes, wh i ch we h ave l o o ke d u po n ,
an d o u r h an d s h ave h an d l e d , o f th e Word of life [logou tes zoes, Go d
I n ca r n a te ]; (f o r th e life was man i f e s te d ["br o u gh t to l i gh t], an d we
h ave se e n i t, an d be ar wi tne ss, an d sh ew u n to yo u th a t eternal life, wh i ch
was wi th th e Fath e r , an d was manifested u n to u s;) . . . (1 J o h n 1:1, 2).
13
T h e T h r o n g o f th e Re
d e e me d T h a t No Man C an
Nu mbe r , Bef o r e th e T h r o n e
o f Go d Saved, I mmo r tal
i zed, an d Secure Fo r e ve r .
(2) T h i s i s th e pr o mi se th a t h e h a t h pr o mi se d us, e ve n eternal
life" (ch ap. 2:25).
(3) "We kn o w th a t we have passed f r o m d e ath u n to life [zoeri],
be cau se we l o ve th e br e th r e n . He th a t l o ve th n o t h i s br o th e r abi d e th i n
d e ath . Wh o so e ve r h a t e t h h i s br o th e r i s a mu r d e r e r : an d ye kn o w th a t
n o mu r d e r e r h a t h eternal life [zoen aionion] abi d i n g i n h i m (1 J o h n 3:14).
T h a t i s i tman i f e s te d , pr o mi se d , po ssessed.
2. P o s s es s i o n o f E t e r n a l L i f e C o n d i t i o n e d o n I n d w e l l
i n g C h r i s t .T h e C h r i s ti an be l i e ve r , th e n , h as e te r n al l i f e
now, as a gi f t o f Go d bu t vested in Christ, f o r th i s l i f e i s in
his Son (1 J o h n 5: 11; cf . 3:2). Eve r yth i n g tu r n s o n th i s r e l a ti o n
sh i p. He t h a t h a th th e So n h a th l i f e ; a n d h e t h a t h a th n o t th e
So n o f Go d h a th n o t l i f e (ch ap. 5: 12). T h e po ssessi o n o f e ve r
l as ti n g l i f e , th e n , i s wh o l l y co n d i ti o n e d u po n Christ's abiding
in the heart by faith. He wh o be l i e ve s i n , a n d e xpe r i e n ce s, th i s
i n d we l l i n g has e ve r l as ti n g l i f e , ve ste d i n C h r i st, a n d h as
386
UNI QUE WI T NESS OF PET ER AND J OHN 387
passe d f r o m d e ath u n t o l i f e (1 J o h n 3:14; al so J o h n 5:24,
25; 6:54; 8:51). No te th e i n s pi r e d ph r asi n g:
"An d th i s i s th e r e co r d , th a t Go d h a t h gi ve n to us eternal life, an d
th i s life i s in his Son (1 J o h n 5:11).
He th a t h a t h th e So n h a t h life [th e l i f e ]; an d h e th a t h a t h n o t
th e So n o f Go d h a t h n o t life [th e l i f e ] (v. 12).
"T h e s e th i n gs h ave I wr i tte n u n to yo u th a t be l i e ve o n th e n ame o f
th e So n o f Go d ; th a t ye may kn o w t h a t ye have eternal life (v. 13).
Bu t th i s i s a d u al , o r r e ci pr o cal , r e l ati o n s h i p:
We kn o w th a t th e So n o f Go d i s co me, an d h a t h gi ve n us an u n
d e r stan d i n g, th a t we may kn o w h i m th a t i s tr u e , an d we ar e in him
th a t i s tr u e , e ve n i n h i s Son Jesus Christ. T h i s i s th e tr u e Go d , an d
eternal life (v. 20).
Str o n ge r , mo r e e xpl i ci t ph r as i n g co u l d scar ce l y be f r ame d ,
n o r h i gh e r te sti mo n y ci te d . T h e o n l y way to t u r n away i ts f o r ce
i s to d e n y t h a t lifee te r n al l i f e i n C h r i stdo e s n o t r e al l y
me an l i f e , th r o u gh gi vi n g i t a me taph ysi cal twi st. Bu t i f me n
a tte mpt to ch an ge th e i n t e n t o f su ch po si ti ve te s ti mo n y to
s u i t th e i r pr e co n ce i ve d co n ce pts, t h e n t h e i r co n tr o ve r sy mu s t
be wi th Go d , th e Au t h o r an d I n s pi r e r o f th e se l u ci d s tate me n ts .
Li f e , eternal life in Christ, i s th e d o mi n a n t n o te a n d bu r d e n .
C H A P T E R T W E N T Y - O N E
Re ve l ati o n Inspi rati ons Supreme
Portrayal of Human Desti ny
Of al l th e d i sci pl e s, J o h n th e Be l o ve d cau gh t th e vi si o n o f
C h r i s ts i n n e r me ssage an d r e f l e cte d th e ge n i u s an d go al o f Hi s
mi ssi o n o n e a r th mo r e cl e ar l y a n d f u l l y t h a n al l o th e r s. Hi s
Go spe l r e co r d o f th e u tte r an ce s a n d e mph ase s o f C h r i s t co n s ti
tu te s o u r s u pr e me so u r ce bo o k o n th e e te r n al l i f e t h a t He came
to be sto w. An d h i s e pi stl e s ar e r e pl e te wi th th e i r appl i cati o n .
C o n tr ar y to po pu l a r co n ce pti o n , J o h n actu al l y wr o te o f life as
f r e qu e n tl y a n d as f u l l y as o f l o ve .1
Bu t th e Apo cal ypse , pe n n e d by J o h n th e r e ve l ato r , co n s ti
tu te s th e cl i max, th e u l ti mate , i n d i vi n e r e ve l ati o n . I n i t, al l
bo o ks o f th e can o n me e t a n d e n d . I t was J o h n wh o was
ch o se n o f Go d to co n ve y th e l ast Ne w T e s ta me n t message o f
Go d to me n , wi th i ts s u pr e me e n tr e aty to r e pe n tan ce an d life,
a n d i ts f i n al a d mo n i ti o n a n d war n i n g agai n st r e je cti o n an d
deathn e ce ssar y to co mpl e te th e r e co r d o f th e Bo o k o f Go d ,
a n d to r o u n d o u t a n d cl o se th e i n s pi r e d r e ve l ati o n o f t r u t h .
An y d e vi ati o n f r o m o r pe r ve r s i o n o f th i s pe r f e ct n o r m, o r an y
a d d i ti o n to o r s u btr a cti o n f r o m th e te r ms an d spe ci f i cati o n s
o f th i s i n s pi r e d d e pi cti o n , i s th e r e f o r e f r au gh t wi th gr ave st
pe r i l . Its cl o si n g wo r d s o f war n i n g ar e :
I f an y man sh al l add unto th e se th i n gs [th e wo r d s o f th e pr o ph e cy
o f th i s bo o k], Go d sh al l add unto him th e pl agu e s th a t ar e wr i tte n i n th i s
bo o k: an d i f an y man sh al l take away f r o m th e wo r d s o f th e bo o k o f
1 J o h n u s e d t h e te r ms l i f e U o i ) . gi ve l i f e (z&opoied), a n d l i ve (zao) a to t a l
o f 56 ti me s , a n d u s e d t h e te r ms f o r l o ve (agape, agapad, a n d phileo) o n l y 57. So e ve n by
co u n t t h e r e was as gr e a t a n d co n s t a n t a n e mph as i s u po n life as u po n love i n t h e Go spe l
o f J o h n .
388
RUSSELL HARLAN, A R TI ST
C h r i st Reveal s th e Gl o r i e s o f th e Rad i an t Immo r tal Li f e i n Sto r e f o r T h o se
Wh o Accept th e Pr o f f e r e d Gi f t.
th i s pr o ph e cy, Go d sh al l take away his part o u t o f th e book of life, an d
o u t o f th e h o l y ci ty, an d f r o m th e th i n gs wh i ch ar e wr i tte n i n th i s
bo o k (Re v. 22:18, 19).
I. T r e me n d o u s Scope an d Gr an d Fi n al e o f Bo o k o f Re ve l ati o n
T h e maje sti c, to we r i n g f i gu r e o f th e bo o k o f Re ve l ati o n i s
th e Lo r d J e su s C h r i s t Hi mse l f . He f i l l s th e Apo cal ypse f r o m
th e o pe n i n g ve r se to i ts cl o si n g be n e d i cti o n . An d i n th e mo ti f
an d mo ve me n t o f th e bo o k al l th e e ve n ts po r tr aye d swe e p i n
e xo r abl y o n wa r d to war d th e gr e at co n s u mmati o n th e t r i u mph
o f Go d a n d r i gh te o u sn e ss, a n d th e i mmo r tal i zati o n o f th e
r i gh te o u s a t th e Se co n d Ad ve n t a n d r e s u r r e cti o n , to ge th e r wi th
th e e s tabl i s h me n t o f th e e ve r l as ti n g ki n gd o m o f C h r i st. Bu t
al o n g wi th i t i s pl ace d th e gr i m po r tr ayal o f th e to ta l d e s tr u c
ti o n o f si n a n d si n n e r s a n d th e co mpl e te e r ad i cati o n o f th e
389
o r i gi n a to r a n d o f th e f e ar f u l f r u i tage o f si n a n d d e ath an d
wh i ch wi l l e ve n tu ate i n a cl e an u n i ve r se f o r e ve r .
Man h as ti t l e d th i s i n s pi r e d po r tr ayal th e Re ve l ati o n o f
St. J o h n th e Di vi n e . Bu t th e Spi r i t-i n s pi r e d t i t l e i s i n ste ad ,
T h e Re ve l ati o n o f J e su s C h r i s t (Re v. 1:1), wh i ch i t mo st as
s u r e d l y i s. I t i s th e u n ve i l i n g, r e ve al i n g, a n d pr e s e n tati o n o f
Jesus (th e Savi o u r ) Christ (th e Me ssi ah -Pr i e st), a n d n o w so o n
to a ppe ar pr e -e mi n e n tl y i n al l Hi s po we r a n d gl o r y as King o f
ki n gs a n d Lord o f l o r d s, to ge th e r wi th th e i n a u gu r a ti o n o f Hi s
e ve r l as ti n g ki n gd o m.
1. Sw e e ps i n P a s t , P r e s e n t , b u t P r i ma r i l y F u t u r e .
T h e Apo cal ypse i s a pr o ph e ti c message. I t d e cl ar e s t h a t i t
d e al s wi th th r e e majo r cl asses, o r d i vi si o n s, o f things: (1)
T h e things wh i ch t h o u [J o h n ] h ast se e n th e vi si o n o f J e su s
C h r i st, Hi s e te r n al pr e -e xi ste n ce , i n car n ate l i f e , ato n i n g d e a th
a n d t r i u mph a n t r e s u r r e cti o n -l i f e f o r e ve r mo r e , a n d Hi s po sses
si o n o f th e keys o f h e l l [hades, th e gr ave ] a n d o f d e a th
(Re v. 1:10-20); (2) th e things wh i ch a r e th o se th e n e xi s ti n g
o r n o w taki n g pl ace a n d (3) th e things wh i ch sh al l be h e r e
a f t e r u p to a n d th r o u gh th e cl o se o f th e pr e s e n t wo r l d o r d e r .
T h a t i s i ts tr e me n d o u s sco pe a n d d e cl ar e d e mph asi s.
2. T r i u mph o f Se e d a n d C r u s h i n g o f Se r pe n t .
T h e s e al l -e mbr aci n g d e ve l o pme n ts ar e pr e s e n te d i n a se r i e s o f
si gn i f i can t sevensse ve n ch u r ch e s, se ven seal s, se ve n tr u mpe ts ,
se ve n pr o ph e ti c symbo l s, se ve n vi al s, se ve n d o o ms, a n d se ve n
n e w th i n gs f o r e ve r mo r e . Basi cal l y, th e Re ve l ati o n co ve r s th e
ti me o f th e C h r i s ti an Er a (wi th r e tr o spe cti ve gl i mpse s) f r o m
J o h n s d ay to a n d th r o u gh th e gr e at co n s u mmati o n , a n d th e
e po ch al e n tr a n ce u po n th e ae o n s o f eternity.
I t br i n gs th e i n i t i a l pr o ph e cy o f th e t r i u mph o f th e s e e d
(Ge n . 3:15) a n d th e pa r a l l e l i n g cr u s h i n g o f th e s e r pe n t to i ts
pr e d e s ti n e d cl o se. Ge n e si s (th e bo o k o f be gi n n i n gs) a n d Re ve
l ati o n (th e u n ve i l i n g o f th e e n d i n gs o f th e d i scl o su r e s o f th e
Wr i t t e n Wo r d ) ar e th u s ti e d to ge th e r i n C h r i st, th e Be gi n
n i n g a n d th e En d , th e Fi r s t a n d th e Last (Re v. 1:8, 17).
SUPREME PORT RAY AL OF HUMAN DEST INY 391
T h e Re ve l ati o n i s cl e ar l y th e co mpl e me n t a n d gl o r i o u s
co mpl e ti o n o f Ge n e si s. Ei th e r bo o k wi th o u t th e o th e r wo u l d be
wh o l l y i n co mpl e te a n d actu al l y i n co mpr e h e n s i bl e . So th e C r e a
ti o n a n d th e Fal l o f Ge n e si s 1 to 3 f i n d th e i r co mpl e te co u n
t e r pa r t i n th e r e -cr e ati o n an d r e s to r ati o n o f Re ve l ati o n 20 to
22. T r u l y, wi th o u t th e o pe n i n g ch apte r s o f Ge n e si s th e Re ve
l ati o n wo u l d be an i n so l u bl e r i d d l e . An d l i ke wi se , wi th o u t
th e se cl o si n g ch apte r s th e co n f l i cts o f th e ch r o n i cl e s o f h i sto r y
wo u l d be bu t a h e a r tbr e a ki n g r e co r d o f th e f ai l u r e o f man , th e
t r i u mph o f Satan a n d si n a n d d e ath , a n d th e d o o m o f th e
h u man r ace .
Bu t h i sto r y d o e s n o t so e n d . I t cl o ses wi th th e gl o r i o u s
t r i u mph o f t r u t h a n d r i gh te o u sn e ss, an d o f th o se wh o h ave
r an ge d th e mse l ve s o n th e si d e o f Go d . I t i s Go d s message o f
h o pe an d assu r an ce . I t co mpl e te s th e e sch ato l o gi cal po r tr ayal
o f th e l ast th i n gs . T h e r e i s n o mo r e be yo n d .
I n th e Ol d T e s ta me n t, C h r i s t th e Ki n g an d Hi s ki n gd o m
ar e se t f o r th i n pr o mi se , symbo l , an d pr o ph e cy. I n th e Go spe l s
th e Me ssi ah -Ki n g i s pr e s e n te d a n d pr o cl ai me d to me n , an d
r e je cte d . Bu t i n th e Re ve l ati o n th e Ki n g i s e n th r o n e d ami d
th e accl amati o n s o f th e r e d e e me d a n d Hi s e ve r l asti n g ki n gd o m
se t u p f o r e ve r . T h u s pr o mi se a n d pr o ph e cy ar e co mpl e te l y
f u l f i l l e d . T ype s a n d symbo l s al l gi ve way to gl o r i o u s an ti typi cal
r e al i ti e s t h a t ar e n o w e stabl i sh e d f o r e ve r mo r e . T h e vagu e
e te r n i ty o f th e Ol d T e s ta me n t be co me s th e abs o l u te r e al i ty
o f th e Ne w.
3. D a y o f t h e L o r d I s M a s t er K ey t o A po c a l y ps e .
T h e te r m day of the Lord (Isa. 2:12; Eze. 13:5; 30:3) wi l l
be se e n to be th e key th a t u n l o cks th e vast me an i n g a n d r e ma r k
abl e sco pe o f th e Apo cal ypse , wh i ch i n s pi r e d e xpr e ssi o n i n
cl u d e s d ay o f ve n ge an ce , d ay o f wr a th , a n d mu l ti pl e pa r a l
l e l i n g te r ms (f o r e xampl e , Isa. 61:2; 63:4). I n 1 T h e ssal o -
n i an s 5, th e apo stl e Pau l s h o r te n s th e f u l l te r m day of the
Lord (v. 2) to th e te r se that day (v. 4). I t i s th e pr o ph e s i e d
d ay o f r e cko n i n g, o f ju d gme n t, o f r e d e mpti o n , o f r e t r i bu t i o n , o f
vi s i tati o n , o f r e war d s a n d pu n i s h me n ts , o f th e Ad ve n t a n d th e
Pr e se n t Wo r l d C o n d i ti o n s
Ar e Fo r e to l d i n th e New
T e stame n t as Har bi n ge r s o f
th e En d o f th e Age.
r e s u r r e cti o n , a n d th e f i n i sh i n g o f th e myste r y o f Go d an d o f
go d l i n e ss (1 T i m. 3:16; 1 C o r . 2:7; 15:51).
T h e Re ve l ati o n sets f o r th th e co n s u mmati o n o f al l th e af
f ai r s o f ti me . I t d e pi cts th e succe ssf u l su ppr e ssi o n o f th e gr e at
r e be l l i o n , an d th e vi n d i cati o n o f th e wi sd o m, ju sti ce , an d o m
n i po te n ce o f Go d . I t po r tr ays th e e n d o f time a n d u sh e r s i n
th e be gi n n i n g o f eternity. I t sets f o r th th e e n d o f al l ages a n d
d i spe n sati o n s.
C ar e f u l sch o l ar s cl ai m t h a t i n th e Re ve l ati o n th e r e ar e
n o f e we r t h an 285 qu o tati o n s , r e f e r e n ce s, an d al l u si o n s to th e
Ol d T e s ta me n t, th u s sh o wi n g th e i n se par abl e i n te r twi n i n g
o f th e Ol d T e s ta me n t an d th e Ne w. C o n s e qu e n tl y th e bo o k o f
Re ve l ati o n i s th e co n s u mmati o n o f al l d i vi n e r e ve l ati o n .
REVIEW PICTURES
392
4. C o v er s T r a n s i t i o n F r o m T i me t o E t e r n i t y .Wh i l e
th e Apo cal ypse co ve r s th e C h r i s ti an Er a i n f i ve gr e at r e pe a ti n g
pr o ph e ti c o u tl i n e s , e ach pr e s e n ti n g a d i f f e r e n t an gl e a n d as
pe ct, so as ad e qu ate l y to co mpass th e wh o l e , i ts ch i e f e mph asi s
i s o n th e cl i macti c last things. Wh i l e i t po i n ts o u t th e waymar ks
a n d i ssues al o n g th e h i gh way o f th e ages, i t d e al s pr i ma r i l y
wi th th e gr e at appr o ach i n g co n s u mmati o n o f al l th i n gs. Each
pr o ph e cy, l i ke a d e scr i pti ve ti me tabl e o f th e jo u r n e y, l e ad s u p
to an d t h r o u gh th e l ast d ays, o r ti me o f th e e n d , to th e
Se co n d Ad ve n t, th e actu al e n d , an d i ts a tt e n d a n t e ve n tsi n
cl u d i n g th e r e s u r r e cti o n an d i mmo r tal i zati o n o f th e r i gh te o u s
a t o u r L o r d s r e t u r n .
Bu t th e Apo cal ypse go es f ar be yo n d th e catacl ysmi c e n d o f
th e pr e s e n t age at th e Se co n d Ad ve n t. I t i n tr o d u ce s th e mi l l e n
n i al th o u s an d ye ar s, wh i ch i s, i n r e al i ty, th e r e mar kabl e transi
tion period be twe e n th e wo r l d th a t n o w i s an d th e wo r l d to
co me . No o t h e r i n s pi r e d pe n man po r tr ays i t i n su ch f u l l n e ss o r
se qu e n ce . T h a t was l e f t f o r J o h n . He r e i s po r tr aye d th e a p
pr o ach i n g pe r i o d o f th e co n f i n i n g o f Satan i n a vast abysmal
wo r l d pr i s o n h o u se , as i t i s d e scr i be d .
T h i s l e ad s u p to th e third co mi n g o f C h r i st, at th e mi l l e n
n i u ms close, to r ai se th e wicked d e ad th e rest o f th e d e a d ,
o f Re ve l ati o n 20:5. T h e n , af te r th e f i n al , f u ti l e , d e s pe r ate
s tan d o f th e wi cke d , th e ju s t s e n te n ce o f Go d s ju d gme n t i s
pr o n o u n ce d u po n th e m, an d i s e xe cu te d by th e r a i n i n g d o wn
u po n th e i n co r r i gi bl e s th e pr e d i cte d Gehenna of fire, to d e str o y
th e m.3
T h i s co mpasse s th e e n d o f Satan a n d h i s e vi l an ge l s, wh o
pa r ti ci pa te d i n th e gr e at r e be l l i o n i n He ave n (Re v. 12:7-9),
an d e ve r si n ce h ave be e n th e r e l e n tl e ss te mpte r s o f me n o n
e a r th a n d th e i n sti gato r s o f war , si n , si ckness, so r r o w, su f f e r i n g,
a n d d e ath , as we l l as th e pe r s i s te n t pu r ve yo r s o f e r r o r an d
d e ce pti o n . T h e s e al l h ave th e i r pa r t i n th e Gehenna of fire
pr e par e d f o r th e d e vi l an d h i s an ge l s (Matt. 25:41).
2Fu l l y co ve r e d i n L . E. Fr o o m, T h e Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vo l u me 4.
T h e Assaul t o n th e Ho l y C i ty by th e Re su r r e cte d Wi cke d En d s i n T h e i r T o tal
De str u cti o n .
Bu t th i s i s n o t to be acco mpl i sh e d u n t i l Satan make s h i s
f i n al e f f o r t to r al l y th e mu l ti tu d e s o f th e r e s u r r e cte d wi cke d o f
th e ages i n a f i n al bu t f u ti l e a tt e mpt to o ve r wh e l m th e sai n ts
a n d wr e st th e ki n gd o m o f Go d f r o m th e m, a n d to e stabl i sh h i m
se l f i n ste ad , as mal i gn d i ctato r . Bu t i t al l e n d s i n th e u l ti ma t e
a n d u t t e r o ve r th r o w o f Satan , th e e vi l an ge l s, an d i n co r r i gi bl y
wi cke d me n f o r e ve r mo r e . Ul ti mate l y th e y wi l l al l be bu r n e d
u p, d e str o ye d , br o u gh t to n o u gh t, be co me ash es. T h e f i r e s o f
d e s tr u cti o n wi l l d o t h e i r f ate f u l wo r k.
5. C o mpl e t e V i n d i c a t i o n o f G o d a n d R i g h t e o u s n e s s .
An d af te r th e f i r es h ave d o n e th e i r cl e an si n g wo r k, Go d wi l l
cr e ate n e w h e ave n s an d a n e w e ar th , wh e r e i n th e i mmo r ta l
i ze d sai n ts wi l l d we l l f o r e ve r mo r e i n Par ad i se r e sto r e d . T h a t
i s th e tr an s ce n d e n t pr o mi se o f th e Apo cal ypse . An d th at, i n a
n u ts h e l l , i s th e d i vi n e pl an o f sal vati o n , th e d i vi n e pl an o f th e
ages. T h a t i s th e co n s u mmati o n o f Go d s gr e at o u tl i n e o f ti me
an d e te r n i ty.
Man h as l o n g h ad h i s d ay o f r e je cti o n o f Go d a n d r i gh te o u s
ness. No w th e gr e at day of the Lord, as i t i s co n stan tl y te r me d ,
br i n gs th e e n d o f al l r e be l l i o n a n d th e e s tabl i s h me n t o f r i gh t
e o u sn e ss f o r e ve r mo r e . I t i s mar ke d by th e t r i u mph o f Go d an d
th e vi n d i cati o n o f Hi s ju sti ce , wi sd o m, gr ace , an d l o ve an d
th e be sto wal o f e te r n al l i f e an d I mmo r ta l i ty u po n man f o r
e ve r mo r e . I t i s Gods d ay. T h a t i s th e essence o f th e bo o k o f
Re ve l ati o n t h a t we wi l l n o w e xami n e .
394
I I . Day o f th e Lo r d Go d s Gr e at Day o f Re cko n i n g
Wi th Man
As i n ti ma te d , th e ke y t h a t u n l o cks th e u n d e r s ta n d i n g o f
th e bo o k o f Re ve l ati o n i s to be f o u n d back i n Isai ah :
Fo r th e day of the Lord o f h o s ts shall be upon every one that is
proud and lofty, a n d upon every one that is lifted up; a n d h e s h al l be
br o u gh t l o w (Isa. 2:12).
T h i s may pr o pe r l y be r e f e r r e d to as th e inception, be
cau se i t i s th e f i r st o f twe n ty Ol d T e s ta me n t o ccu r r e n ce s o f th i s
e po ch al e xpr e ssi o n , day of the Lord. I n f o u r te e n i n stan ce s 8
i t i s si mpl y ydm Yahweh. I n f o u r (Isa. 2:12; Eze. 30:3; Zech .
14:1, 7) i t appe ar s wi th th e Lamed pr e f i x f o r o r to , t h a t i s,
a d ay kn o wn to J e h o vah . I n al l o th e r pl ace s i t i s co mbi n e d wi th
su ch mo me n to u s wo r d s as wr a th a n d ve n ge an ce , th e i n
e scapabl e acco mpan i me n ts o f the day.
I n th e Ne w T e s ta me n t th e same si gn i f i can t te r m o ccu r s
f o u r ti me s (1 T h e ss. 5:2; 2 T h e ss. 2:2; 2 Pe te r 3:10, 12). T h e
d ay o f th e Lord i s th e d ay wh e n s i n f u l man wi l l be ju d ge d
an d abase d , a n d J e h o vah e xal te d .
T h i s i s n o w mans d ay, wh e n man e xal ts h i mse l f an d a t
te mpts to cr o wd Go d o u t o f th e co n tr o l o f th e ve r y wo r l d He
h as cr e ate d . T h e Lords d ay, o r d ay o f th e Lord, wi l l br i n g
th e gr e at r e ve r sal wh e n man sh al l be br o u gh t l o w, an d
th e ju s t an d r i gh te o u s so ve r e i gn ty o f Go d e stabl i sh e d f o r e ve r
mo r e .
I n o r d e r to gr asp th e f ar -r e ach i n g i mpl i cati o n s a n d si gn i f i
can ce o f th i s tr e me n d o u s ti me o f r e ve r sal o f r e cti f i cati o n o f
al l i n e qu i ti e s an d o f ju s ti f i cati o n o f Go d a n d Hi s pu n i s h me n t
o f si n a n d s i n s pr o po n e n ts , bo th d e mo n i c a n d h u ma n we
mu s t f o l l o w th e d e ve l o pme n t o f th i s tr e me n d o u s mo ti f th r o u gh
o u t th e Bo o k o f Go d . T h i s i n vo l ve s th e co n se cu ti ve tr aci n g o f
th e pe r t i n e n t passages acr o ss th e page s o f Ho l y Wr i t.
3T h e f o u r te e n o ccu r r e n ce s a r e h e r e r e co r d e d f o r r e f e r e n ce : I s a. 13:6, 9; Eze . 13:5;
J o e l 1:15; 2:1, 11; 3:14; Amo s 5:18, 20; Oba d i a h 15; Ze ph . 1:7, 14 (2); Ma i . 4:5.
I I I . OT T e xts an d T e r ms Po r tr ayi n g Day o f th e Lo r d
Wi t h o u t i n je cti n g d i ve r ti n g co mme n t we f i r st pr e s e n t
th e r e ma i n i n g te xts o f th e s tr i ki n g Ol d T e s ta me n t wi tn e ss
i n th e sh e e r wo r d s o f Scr i ptu r e , t h a t th e y may spe ak cu mu
l ati ve l y f o r th e mse l ve s, wi th ke y wo r d s o r ph r ase s e mph asi ze d
th e te r m i n capi tal s a n d smal l capi tal s a n d th e d e s cr i pti o n
i n i tal i cs.
Isa. 10:3Wh a t wi l l ye d o i n th e d a y o f v i s i t a t i o n , an d i n th e
desolation which shall come f r o m f ar ?
Isa. 13:6 Ho wl ye ; f o r t h e d a y o f t h e L o r d i s a t h a n d ; it shall
come as a destruction from the Almighty.
Isa. 13:9-13Be h o l d , th e d a y o f t h e L o r d co me th , cr u e l bo th with
wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: an d h e sh al l destroy the
sinners thereof out of it. Fo r th e stars of heaven and the constellations
thereof shall not give their light: th e sun shall he darkened i n h i s go i n g
f o r th , an d th e moon shall not cause her light to shine. An d I wi l l punish
the world for their evil, an d th e wicked f o r th e i r i n i qu i ty; an d I wi l l
cau se th e arrogancy of the proud to cease, an d wi l l lay low the haughti
ness of the terrible. . . . I wi l l shake the heavens, an d th e earth shall remove
o u t o f h e r pl ace , i n th e wr ath o f th e Lo r d o f h o sts, an d i n th e d a y o f
HIS FIERC E ANGER.
J o e l 1:15 Al as f o r t h e d a y ! f o r th e d a y o f t h e L o r d i s at h an d ,
an d as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.
J o e l 2:1Bl o w ye th e tr u mpe t i n Zi o n, an d so u n d an al ar m i n
my h o l y mo u n ta i n : let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: f o r th e
d a y o f t h e L o r d co me th .
J o e l 2:11Fo r th e d a y o f t h e L o r d i s great and very terrible;
an d who can abide it?
J o e l 2:31T h e sun sh al l be turned into darkness, an d th e moon
into blood, be f o r e th e g r e a t a n d t e r r i b l e d a y o f t h e L o r d come.
Amo s 5:18Wo e u n to yo u th a t d e si r e th e d a y o f t h e L o r d ! to
wh at e n d i s i t f o r yo u? th e d a y o f t h e L o r d i s darkness, and not light
(al so v. 20).
Ze ph . 1:7"Ho l d th y pe ace at th e pr e se n ce o f th e Lo r d Go d :
f o r th e d a y o f t h e L o r d i s at h an d : f o r th e Lo r d h a t h pr e pa r e d a sacr i
f i ce, h e h a t h bi d h i s gu e sts.
Ze ph . 1:14, 15T h e g r e a t d a y o f t h e L o r d i s n e ar , i t i s n e ar ,
an d h as te th gr e atl y. . . . T h a t d ay i s a day of wrath, a day o f trouble and
distress, a d ay o f wasteness and desolation, a d ay o f darkness and
gloominess.
Zech . 14:1-7Be h o l d , th e d a y o f t h e L o r d co me th . . . . T h e n sh al l
th e Lo r d go f o r th . . . . An d his feet shall stand in that day upon the
mount of Olives. . . . An d the Lord my God shall come, an d al l th e
PAUL REMMEY, ART IST 1 9 5 6 BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD
T h e Re d e e me d Sai n ts i n th e Ho l y C i ty, th e New J e r u sal e m, Saf e Wi th T h e i r
Savi o u r Fo r e ve r .
sai n ts wi th th e e . An d i t sh al l co me to pass i n t h a t d a y , th a t th e l i gh t
sh al l n o t be cl e ar , n o r d ar k: bu t it shall be one day which shall
be known to the Lord."
Mai . 3:2Wh o may abi d e th e d a y o f h i s co mi n g? an d who shall
stand when he appeareth?
397
Mai . 4:5Be h o l d , I will send you Elijah the prophet before the
coming o f th e g r e a t a n d d r e a d f u l d a y of the Lord .
Su mma r i z i n g : T h e d a y o f t h e L o r d wi l l be a d ay o f
r e t r i bu t i o n , o f h u mbl i n g, o f pu n i s h me n t, o f d e s tr u cti o n , o f
d e s o l ati o n , a n d o f te r r o r , wi th ce l e sti al ph e n o me n a as pr e cu r
so r s twi ce me n ti o n e d ; a d ay o f th e sh aki n g o f th e h e ave n s, o f
th e r e mo val o f th e e ar th , o f d ar kn e ss a n d wastene ss, o f th e
co mi n g o f Go d , o f h e a r t se ar ch i n g, o f s e par ati o n o f th e r i gh te o u s
f r o m th e wi cke d , an d o f th e r e war d o f th e r i gh te o u s. An d i t
wi l l be pr e ce d e d by th e co mi n g o f symbo l i c El i jah th e
pr o ph e t . Su ch i s th e mu l t i pl e Old Testament d e s cr i pti o n . I t
i s a tr e me n d o u s pan o r ama o f th e d ay o f Go d s r e cko n i n g wi th
d e f i an t man . Its i n t e n t can n o t be e scape d .
IV. NT Po r tr ayal o f Day o f th e Lo r d J e sus C h r i st
Ne xt f o l l o w th r o u gh , i n th e same way, th e amazi n g wi t
ness o f th e Ne w T e s ta me n t te sti mo n y, l i ke wi se i tal i ci zi n g th e
ke y d e scr i pti ve ph r ase s:
Matt. 7:22Man y wi l l say to me i n t h a t d a y [wh e n th e sai n ts
sh al l e n te r i n to th e ki n gd o m o f h e ave n ], Lo r d , Lo r d , h ave we n o t
pr o ph e si e d i n th y name ? . . . An d th e n wi l l I pr o f e ss u n to th e m [th e
h ypo cr i te s], I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Acts 2:20, 21T h e sun sh al l be turned into darkness, an d th e
moon into blood, be f o r e th a t g r e a t a n d n o t a b l e d a y o f t h e L o r d co me:
an d i t sh al l co me to pass, th a t whosoever shall call on the name of the
Lord shall be saved.
Ro m. 2:5-7"Wr a th agai n st th e d a y o f w r a t h a n d revelation of
the righteous judgment of God; wh o wi l l render to every man according
to his deeds: to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek
for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life.
1 C o r . 1:7, 8Waiting f o r th e coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
. . . th a t ye may be blameless i n th e d a y o f o u r L o r d J esu s C h r i s t .
1 C o r . 5:5May be saved i n th e d a y o f t h e L o r d J es u s .
2 C o r . 1:14"Ou r s i n th e d a y o f t h e L o r d J e s u s .
Ph i l . 1:6 Wi l l pe r f o r m i t u n ti l th e d a y o f J esu s C h r i s t .
Ph i l . 1:10T h a t ye may be sincere an d without offence ti l l th e
d a y o f C h r i s t .
Ph i l . 2:16T h a t I may r e jo i ce i n th e d a y o f C h r i s t , t h a t I h ave
n o t r u n i n vai n , n e i th e r l abo u r e d i n vai n .
1 T h e ss 5:2Fo r yo u r se l ve s kn o w pe r f e ctl y th a t th e d a y o f t h e
L o r d s o co me th as a th i e f i n th e n i gh t. Fo r wh e n th e y sh al l say, Pe ace
an d saf e ty; th e n sudden destruction cometh upon them, . . . an d th e y
sh al l n o t e scape . Bu t ye, br e th r e n , ar e n o t i n d ar kn e ss, th a t t h a t d a y
sh o u l d o ve r take yo u as a th i e f .
2 T h e ss. 2:1, 2We besee ch yo u, br e th r e n , by th e co mi n g o f o u r
Lo r d J e su s C h r i st . . . th a t ye be n o t so o n sh ake n i n mi n d , . . . as th a t
th e d a y o f C h r i s t i s at h a n d [i n th e i r ge n e r ati o n , as th e f al l i n g away
mu st co me f i rst, wh o m th e Lo r d wi l l destroy at his coming]."
2 Pe te r 3:10 Bu t th e d a y o f t h e L o r d will come as a th i e f i n th e
n i gh t; i n th e wh i ch the heavens shall pass away wi th a gr e at no i se , an d
th e elements shall melt with fervent heat, th e earth also and the works
th a t ar e th e r e i n sh al l be burned up.
2 Pe te r 3:11, 12Se e i n g th e n th a t all these things shall be dissolved,
wh at ma n n e r o f pe r so n s o u gh t ye to be . . . l o o ki n g f o r an d h as ti n g
u n to [f r o m speudo, h as te n i n g] th e co mi n g o f th e d a y o f G o d , wh e r e i n
th e h e ave n s be i n g o n f i re sh al l be dissolved, an d th e elements shall melt
with fervent heat?
Re v. 1:10Some sch o l ar s wo u l d ad d , I was i n th e Spi r i t o n th e
L o r d s d a y [he kuriake hemera]," o r d a y o f t h e L o r d . C o mpar e
Isai ah 2:2 wh e r e th e He br e w te r ms ar e e qu i val e n t to th e Gr e e k he kuriake
hemera.
A g a i n s u mma r i z i n g : C e l e sti al si gns appe ar as h ar bi n ge r s
o f th e Se co n d Ad ve n t, th e n wr ath , ju d gme n t, r e t r i bu t i o n , s u r
pr i se , d e s tr u cti o n f o r th e wi cke d , h e ave n an d e ar th d i sso l ve d
i n ph ysi cal catacl ysms, bu t wi th i mmo r tal i ty an d r e war d f o r
th e r i gh te o u s . Wh a t a po r tr ayal ! T h e day of the Lord i s cl e ar l y
th e cl i max, th e gr an d f i n al e o f al l th i n gs te r r e s tr i al , wh e n Go d
take s ch ar ge o f th e af f ai r s at th e gr e at co n s u mmati o n .
V. Day o f th e Lo r d Ful f i l l s i n Hi sto r i cal Actual i ti e s
o f Apo cal ypse
We wi l l r e s tate br i e f l y th e o ve r -al l pr o ph e ti c po r tr ayal o f
th e day of the Lord, o f th e Ol d an d Ne w T e s tame n ts , an d th e n
pr o ce e d to n o te th e i d e n ti ty o f th e te r ms o f f u l f i l l me n t ma
je sti cal l y s pr e ad be f o r e us i n th e Apo cal ypse th a t seal s o f f th e
Bo o k o f Go d , a n d i ts pa r ti n g message to man ki n d . T h e n we
wi l l n o te ce r tai n s u ppl e me n tal va r i a n t ph r ase o l o gy, wh i ch n o w
appe ar s i n th e d e tai l e d appl i cati o n i n th e Re ve l ati o n r e ci tal ,
wh i ch e n f o r ce s a n d e stabl i sh e s th e f u n d ame n ta l t r u t h t h a t h ad
be e n cu mu l ati ve l y u n f o l d e d o ve r th e ce n tu r i e s . Obse r ve pa r
ti cu l ar l y th e ad d i ti o n a l f e atu r e s.
1. N e w N o t e H a s I n c r ea s i n g V o l u me a n d T e m po .
Be gi n n i n g wi th th e e i gh th -ce n tu r y B.C . pr o ph e t Isai ah , a n e w
n o te was i n tr o d u ce d , an d a n e w te r m (wi th i ts var i an ts) was
i n je cte d i n to Ho l y Wr i t. T h i s mo ti f pe r si ste d a n d gr e w i n si g
n i f i can ce th r o u gh o u t th e r e ma i n d e r o f th e Ol d T e s ta me n t
can o n , an d swe pt o n th r o u gh th e Ne w T e s ta me n t wi th i n
cr e asi n g vo l u me a n d te mpo . I n th e Ol d T e s ta me n t, i t was e m
pl o ye d by Isai ah , J o e l , Amo s, Ze ph an i ah , Ze ch ar i ah , a n d Mal a-
ch i . An d i n th e Ne w T e s ta me n t i t was e n f o r ce d a n d ampl i f i e d
by J e su s, Pe te r , Pau l , an d J o h n .
T h a t mo me n to u s te r m was th e day of the Lord, a n d i ts
co gn ate e xpr e ssi o n s. Go d was be gi n n i n g to pr e par e man ki n d
f o r th e gr e at d ay o f r e cko n i n g, th e mi gh ty co n s u mmati o n , a n d
Go d s d e te r mi n a te s e ttl e me n t o f th e si n pr o bl e m t h a t h ad
pl agu e d th e r ace a n d gi ve n bo l d n e ss to th e e n e mi e s o f Go d .
Back i n ch a pte r e i gh t o f th e Ol d T e s ta me n t d i scu ssi o n ,
me n ti o n was mad e o f e i gh t si mi l ar te r ms o f i n cr e asi n g i n te n s i ty
T h e d ay, l a tte r d ay, d ay o f th e L o r d , d ay o f h i s
co mi n g, gr e at d ay o f th e L o r d , gr e at an d t e r r i bl e d ay o f th e
L o r d , gr e at a n d d r e ad f u l d ay o f th e L o r d , a n d d ay o f th e
L o r d s wr a th . Bu t i ts cl i max was al so cal l e d th e end, to be
pr e ce d e d by th e ti me o f th e e n d , o r latter days.
As we h ave se e n , i t i s var i o u sl y d e pi cte d as a d ay o f
wr ath , an ge r , ve n ge an ce , tr o u bl e , d i str e ss, d e s tr u cti o n , waste
ness, d e so l ati o n , d ar kn e ss, gl o o mi n e ss, tr u mpe t, al ar m, t r o u
bl e , te r r o r , a n d d r e ad f o r th e wicked. I t f o r ms a swe l l i n g cr e
sce n d o o f d e ve l o pme n ts cl i maxi n g wi th th e e n d o f th e wo r l d ,
o r age a n d co n s e qu e n t d e ve l o pme n tsco mpr e h e n d e d i n
th e o n e al l -i n cl u si ve te r m, day of the Lord.
An d i n th e Ne w T e s ta me n t i t i s s i mi l ar l y cal l e d a d ay
o f wr ath , ju d gme n t, an d h ar ve st f o r th e wicked, bu t o f r e co m
pe n se , r e war d , a n d e te r n al l i f e an d h a bi tati o n s f o r th e saints.
Bu t th e d o mi n a n t n o te i s r e t r i bu t i o n , pu n i s h me n t, pe r d i ti o n ,
an d ju d gme n ts , te r mi n a ti n g wi th to tal d e s tr u cti o n o f si n a n d
si n n e r s, an d e spe ci al l y o f Satan a n d h i s mi n i o n s , t h e n f o l l o we d
by a cl e an u n i ve r s e f o r e ve r mo r e .
2. D e t a i l e d B i l l o f P a r t i c u l a r s i n A po c a l y ps e .As
th e d ay o f th e Lo r d i s pr o ph e ti cal l y pi ctu r e d i n th e Apo cal ypse ,
o th e r i n te n s i f i e d te r ms ar e e mpl o ye d i n th e po r tr ayal : T o r
me n t, so r r o w, wr ath po u r e d o u t wi th o u t mi xtu r e , a n d t o r
me n te d wi th f i r e a n d br i ms to n e . Spe ci f i cal l y, spr e ad o ve r th e
var i o u s pr o ph e ci e s o f th e Re ve l ati o n , th e d ay o f th e Lo r d i s
d e cl ar e d to i n cl u d e th e ti me o f r e api n g (Re v. 14:15, 16), o f
cr u s h i n g i n th e wi n e pr e ss o f th e wr ath o f Go d (v. 19), o f ju d g
me n t mad e man i f e s t (15:4), o f th e po u r i n g o u t o f th e vi al s o f
th e wr ath o f Go d (16:1), o f th e co n s u mmati n g f i at, I t i s
d o n e (16:17), o f ju d gme n t (17:1), o f go i n g i n to pe r d i ti o n
(vs. 8, 11), o f bu r n i n g wi th f i r e (v. 16; 18:9, 10), o f t o r me n t
an d so r r o w (v. 7), o f we e pi n g an d wai l i n g (v. 15), a n d o f th e
smo ke o f bu r n i n g (v. 18).
I t i s th e ti me wh e n i n i qu i ty i s th r o wn d o wn a n d f o u n d n o
mo r e at al l (18:21), o f f u r t h e r al l u s i o n to th e smo ke o f h e r
to r me n t (19:3), o f r i gh te o u s ju d gme n t an d maki n g war o n
i n i qu i ty (v. 11), o f s mi ti n g th e n ati o n s (v. 15), o f t r e a d i n g th e
wi n e pr e ss o f th e wr ath o f Al mi gh ty Go d (v. 15), o f cast
i n g al i ve i n to l ake o f f i r e bu r n i n g wi th br i ms to n e (v. 20),
o f sl ayi n g wi th th e swo r d (v. 21). An d f i n al l y f i r e co me s d o wn
f r o m Go d o u t o f He ave n a n d devours th e m (20:9), a n d th e y
ar e to r me n te d day and night (v. 10). I t i s th e e xe cu ti o n o f
a ju s t ju d gme n t, f o r th e y h ave be e n ju d ge d o u t o f th e i n f al
l i bl e r e co r d o f th e bo o ks o f He ave n .
An d I saw th e d e ad , smal l an d gr e at, stan d be f o r e Go d ; an d th e
bo o ks we r e o pe n e d : an d an o th e r bo o k was o pe n e d , wh i ch i s th e bo o k
o f l i f e: an d th e d e ad we r e ju d ge d o u t o f th o se th i n gs wh i ch we r e
wr i tte n i n th e bo o ks, acco r d i n g to th e i r wo r ks (Re v. 20:12).
An d wh o so e ve r was n o t f o u n d wr i tte n i n th e bo o k o f l i f e was
cast i n to th e l ake o f f i r e (v. 15).
3. O l d P a s ses F o r e v e r ; N e w E s t a b l i s h ed F o r e v e r .
Su ch i s th e gal axy o f te r ms a n d d e s cr i pti o n s n e ce ssar y to po r
tr ay th e actu al day of the Lord a n d Go d s r i gh te o u s d i spo sal
Ho l y Angel sSpeci al Or d e r
o f C el e sti al Bei ngs Dwe l l i ng
i n th e Pr e se nce o f Go d an d
C o n sti tu ti n g Hi s Messenger s
Ar e Majo r Acto rs i n th e
Pl an o f Sal vati o n.
o f th e si n pr o bl e m. T h e n co me s th e n e w h e ave n an d a n e w
e a r t h , th e f o r me r h avi n g passe d away f o r e ve r (Re v. 21:1).
T h e n ce f o r th th e r e i s f o r e ve r n o mo r e d e ath , n e i t h e r so r r o w,
n o r cr yi n g, n o r an y mo r e pai n , a n d n o mo r e cu r se , for the
former things are passed away (v. 4). Be h o l d , I make al l
th i n gs n e w (v. 5).
An d th e two th e n e w e ar th , an d th e u t t e r passi n g o f th e
pr e s e n t e ar th , a n d i ts si n , so r r o w, i n ju s ti ce , a n d r e be l l i o n
we r e bo th pr e d i cte d i n Isai ah 65:17, by th e ve r y pr o ph e t wh o
i n i t i a t e d th e te r m a n d l au n ch e d th e i n t e n t o f th e day of the
Lord. Su ch i s th e pr o f o u n d u n i ty o f th e Ol d a n d Ne w T e s ta
me n ts. T h e y bo th h a d o n e i n s pi r e d Au th o r , i mpe l l i n g th e
i n s pi r e d pe n me n th e pr o ph e ts a n d th e apo stl e s. An d th i s i s
a pr i me e xh i bi t.
4. C o n s u m m a t i n g T e s t i m o n y S e a l s A g e -o l d W i t n e s s .
HERBERT RUDEEN. ARTIST
402
An o th e r f e atu r e mu s t be str e sse d e r e th i s se cti o n i s cl o se d. I t
i s th i s: An d th e r e sh al l i n n o wi se e n te r i n to i t an y th i n g t h a t
d e f i l e th , n e i t h e r wh atso e ve r wo r ke th abo mi n a ti o n , o r make th
a l i e (Re v. 21:27).
Satan , th e o r i gi n al r e be l a n d r u th l e s s d e ce i ve r a n d f ath e r
o f l i e s, wi l l n o t be th e r e h avi n g t h e n be e n to tal l y d e
str o ye d a n d h i s catas tr o ph i c l i e i n Ed e n wi l l h ave be e n u tte r l y
d i s cr e d i te d , d i spr o ve d , a n d br o u gh t to an e n d . Si n, wi th i ts
l e th a l t r a i n o f wo e, wi l l n o t r i se u p agai n . I n th e se co n d d e a th
al l si n n e r s wi l l h ave u tte r l y pe r i s h e d a n d passe d f r o m be i n g
th u s d i s pr o vi n g Satan s l yi n g cl ai m a n n o u n ce d i n Ed e n , Ye
[o u r f i r st par e n ts , an d al l man ki n d ] sh al l not su r e l y d i e (Ge n .
3:4). Si x th o u s an d ye ar s o f u n r e mi tt i n g d e ath co n f u te i t.
So th e saved al l kn o w by actu al e xpe r i e n ce th e ve r i ty o f
Go d s wo r d an d th e f al se h o o d a n d f r au d an d d e ce pti o n o f Sa
t a n s f i r st l i e . T h e y h ave se e n i ts f al se h o o d f u l f i l l e d be f o r e
t h e i r eyes. T h e co n tr o ve r sy i s th u s e n d e d . T h e day of the Lord
i s o ve r , f u l f i l l e d , past. T h e t r u t h o f Go d as to th e n a tu r e an d
d e s ti n y o f man i s vi n d i cate d a n d e stabl i sh e d f o r e ve r . T h e cr u e l
e xpe r i me n t o f si n i s e n d e d .
T h a t i s th e t r i u mph o f Go d i n th e day of the Lord. A s i n
l ess u n i ve r s e an d a r e d e e me d h u ma n i ty wi l l th e n h ave e n te r e d
u po n th e ae o n s o f e te r n i ty. T h a t i s th e pr i mar y message o f Go d s
l ast bo o k o f th e can o n th e Re ve l ati o n . An d i t i s i n co mpl e te
h ar mo n y wi th th e o ve r -al l wi tn e ss o f al l th e i n s pi r e d messages
acr o ss th e ce n tu r i e s t h a t pr e ce d e d i t.
C H A P T E R T W E N T Y - T W O
Apo cal ypse Reveal s Fi nal Fate
of Wi cked
I. T e ach i n g o f th e Apo cal ypse o n Fi n al Pu n i sh me n t
As we h ave se e n , th e Apo cal ypse i s pr e -e mi n e n tl y a bo o k
o f life a n d death. As to th e l i f e ph ase , we f i n d th e tr e e o f life
(Re v. 2:7; 22:2, 14), th e bo o k o f life (20:12, 15; 21:27; 22:19),
th e r i ve r o f wate r o f life (22:1, 2), th e cr o wn o f life (2:10;
3:11), a n d th e wate r o f life (21:6; 22:17). Al l o f th e se ar e f o r
th e r e ci pi e n ts o f e te r n al l i f e.
As to th e d e a t h (thanatos) aspe ct we f i n d th e se co n d
d e a t h f o u r ti me s po r tr aye d , a n d d e f i n e d as d e ath i n a n d
th r o u gh th e l ake o f f i r e (2:11; 20:14, 15; 21:8). I t i s al so
te r me d ki l l i n g wi th d e a th (apoktei no, to ki l l o u t r i gh t ,
to sl ay, to pu t an e n d t o ); d e s tr u cti o n (f r o m diaph-
theird, de cay wh o l l y, pe r i s h 11:18); a n d be i n g d e
vo u r e d (katesthio, d e n o ti n g u t t e r e xci si o n 20:9). T h e s e
te r ms ar e al ways u se d i n th e sense o f br i n gi n g to an u t t e r e n d .
As twi ce i n ti ma te d i n th e Ol d T e s ta me n t, th e wi cke d wi l l
th e n sl e e p a pe r pe tu a l sl e e p, an d n o t wake , sai th th e Ki n g,
wh o se n ame i s th e Lo r d o f h o sts (J e r . 51:57). T h e r e i s
i d e n ti ty o f pu n i s h me n t i n bo th T e s tame n ts .
Obse r ve f i r st t h a t th e u n i ve r sal f i r st d e ath , wi th i ts ac
co mpan yi n g hades (gr ave d o m), i s cast i n to a n d swal l o we d u p
by th e l ake o f f i r e (Re v. 21:8). T h e n Satan , th e ke e pe r o f
gr ave d o m, wh i ch i s th e s tate d h o u se o f h i s pr i s o n e r s (Isa.
14:17), i s at l ast co n si gn e d to th e same f i er y f ate . Bu t th i s al l
404
APOC ALYPSE REVEALS FINAL FAT E OF WIC KED 405
i n d i cate s, n o t e n d l e ss co n ti n u an ce i n mi se r y, bu t th e actu al
e n d i n g o f e xi ste n ce i tse l f .
I I . Ge h e n n a Lake o f Fi r e T o tal l y Destroys Al l Si nners
1. Se c o n d D e a t h T i ed I n W i t h D a y o f W r a t h .
T h e Apo cal ypse gi ves th e u l ti ma te wo r d o n th e f i n al d e sti n y o f
bo th r i gh te o u s a n d wi cke d . Wh i l e so me o f th e Apo cal ypti c
symbo l s ar e d i f f i cu l t an d myste r i o u s, th e Apo cal ypti c te ach i n gs
o n th e d e s ti n y o f man ar e n o t i n th a t cate go r y. An d i t i s to be
o bse r ve d t h a t th i s i s th e message o f J e su s, th e f i r st a n d th e
l ast: . . . h e t h a t l i ve th , an d was d e ad , a n d i s n o w al i ve f o r
e ve r mo r e . He , as th e Li f e -gi ve r , h as th e keys o f h e l l an d o f
d e a th (Re v. 1:17, 18). He r e l i f e an d d e a th ar e o bvi o u sl y
u se d i n t h e i r n a tu r a l a n d n o r mal sense. He r e i s f o u n d I n s pi r a
t i o n s f i n al wo r d th e r e o n .
Fr o m f i r st to l ast th e Re ve l ati o n r i n gs wi th th e d o mi n a n t
n o te o f life. Bu t al so h e ar d t h r o u gh o u t ar e th e so mbe r u n d e r
to n e s o f deathbo th th e u n i ve r sal first d e ath o f sl e e p f o r al l
an d th e i n e scapabl e second d e ath o f to tal d e s tr u cti o n , r e
s tr i cte d e xcl u si ve l y to th e wi cke d . Fi r st n o te i ts ti e -i n wi th th e
day of Gods wrath, a l te r n ati ve f o r th e day of the Lord:
He th a t o ve r co me th sh al l n o t be h u r t o f th e second d e a th (Rev.
2: 11).
An d th e h e ave n d e pa r te d as a scro l l . . . . An d th e ki n gs o f th e
e ar th [an d gr e at, r i ch , ch i e f , mi gh ty, bo n d , a n d f r e e], . . . h i d th e mse l ve s
i n th e d e n s a n d i n th e r o cks o f th e mo u n tai n s; an d sai d to th e mo u n tai n s
an d r o cks, Fal l o n us, an d h i d e us f r o m th e f ace o f h i m th at s i tte th o n th e
th r o n e , a n d f r o m th e wrath of the Lamb: f o r th e great day of his
wrath1 i s co me (Rev. 6:14-17).
An d thy wrath i s co me, an d th e ti me o f th e d e ad , th a t th e y
s h o u l d be judged, an d th a t th o u sh o u l d e st gi ve r e war d u n to th y se r v
an ts . . . a n d sh o u l d e st destroy [f r o m diaphtheiro, to cause to wh o l l y
pe r i s h ] th e m wh i ch d e str o y th e e a r th (Rev. 11:18).
* I t may be we l l to n o te two o t h e r wr a t h t e xts : (1) T h e wr a t h o f t h e d e vi l , f o r
t h e d e vi l i s co me d o wn u n t o yo u , h a vi n g gr e a t wrath, be cau s e h e kn o we th t h a t h e h a t h bu t
a s h o r t t i me Re v. 12:12; a n d t h e gr e a t d r a go n . . . , t h a t o l d s e r pe n t , ca l l e d th e De vi l , a n d
Sa ta n wh i ch d e ce i ve t h t h e wh o l e wo r l d (v. 9); wh o was wr o t h wi t h th e wo man [th e ch u r ch ]
(v. 17): a n d (2) t h e wr a t h o f Babyl o n , Babyl o n i s f a l l e n , i s f al l e n . . . be cau s e s h e
ma d e al l n a t i o n s d r i n k o f t h e wi n e o f the wrath o f h e r f o r n i ca t i o n (Re v. 14:8). So th e r e
a r e t h r e e wr a t h s o f Go d , Sa ta n , a n d Babyl o n al l a ct u a l , a n d al l i n f u n d a me n t a l co n f l i ct.
2. L a k e o f F i r e E q u a t ed W i t h Sec o n d D e a t h .I n
ch a pte r 14 th e d r i n ki n g o f th e wi n e o f th e wrath of God
i n vo l ve s be i n g to r me n te d wi th fire and brimstone wi th th e
smoke o f t h e i r t o r me n t asce n d i n g u p f o r e ve r a n d e ve r ,
a n d h avi n g n o r e st d ay n o r n i gh t f o r a spe ci al d e s i gn ate d
cl ass (Re v. 14:9-11). C h a pte r 17:8 d e pi cts th e go i n g o f th e
be as t i n to perdition (apoleia, d e s tr u cti o n , r u i n ),
wh i ch d e cl ar ati o n i s r e pe ate d i n ve r se 11.
C h a pte r 19 d e scr i be s th e ju d gi n g o f th e symbo l i c h a r l o t,
an d h e r smo ke go i n g u p f o r e ve r (Re v. 19:2, 3), th e casti n g
o f th e be ast a n d th e f al se pr o ph e t , a n d th e i r spe ci al f o l l o w
er s, i n to th e l ake o f f i re bu r n i n g wi th br i ms to n e (v. 20).
C h a pte r 20 d e scr i be s th e casti n g o f th e d e vi l i n to th i s se e th
i n g l ake o f f i r e an d br i ms to n e , wh e r e h e , to o , i s to r me n te d
d ay a n d n i gh t f o r e ve r an d e ve r (v. 10). T h e n f o l l o ws th e
d e cl ar ati o n :
An d th e sea gave u p th e d e ad wh i ch we r e i n i t; an d d e ath an d hell
[hades, th e gr ave ] d e l i ve r e d u p th e d e ad wh i ch we r e i n th e m. . . . An d
d e a th an d hell [hades, gr ave d o m] we r e cast i n to th e l ake o f f i re. T h i s
i s th e second death. An d wh o so eve r was n o t f o u n d wr i tte n i n th e
bo o k o f l i f e was cast i n to th e lake of fire (vs. 13-15).
Bu t th e f e ar f u l , an d u n be l i e vi n g, an d th e abo mi n abl e , an d mu r d e r
er s, an d wh o r e mo n ge r s, an d so r ce r e r s, an d i d o l ate r s, an d al l l i ar s, sh al l
h ave th e i r pa r t i n th e l ake wh i ch bu r n e th wi th f i re an d br i msto n e :
which is the second death (Re v. 21:8).
T h a t i s th e to tal te sti mo n y o f th e Apo cal ypse o n th e l ake
o f f i r e an d th e f i n al d e s tr u cti o n th e r e i n . An d i t i s th i s cl u s te r
o f te xts th a t f u r n i s h e s th e s u ppo r ti n g we i gh t o f e vi d e n ce ci te d
by pr o po n e n ts o f th e e n d l e ss to r me n t th e o r y. I t i s th e r e f o r e
i n cu mbe n t u po n us to e xami n e th o se e xpr e ssi o n s u po n wh i ch
s u ch r e l i an ce i s pl ace d . We h e r e asse mbl e th e m f o r co n ve n i e n t
r e f e r e n ce .
3. L a k e o f F i r e I s P r e d i c t ed G e h e n n a o f F i r e .
T h a t th e l ake o f f i r e o f th e Apo cal ypse i s si mpl y th e hell
[gehenna] f i r e (o ccasi o n al l y o u t e r d ar kn e ss, as i n d i cate d
by an aste r i sk [*]) o f th e r e s t o f th e Ne w T e s ta me n t, an d s ti l l
f u tu r e , i n to wh i ch th e wi cke d , i n cl u d i n g Satan , ar e to be cast
f
r
rv
T h e Pe r i l o f Lo o ki n g Back
an d th e De str u cti o n o f
So do mSymbo l o f th e Fi n al
Exci si o n o f Si nner s.
1- 4%. p
,?T *V
G. DOR, ARTIST
a t th e e n d o f th e age, wi l l be a ppa r e n t f r o m r u n n i n g th e eye
d o wn o ve r th e e xpr e ssi o n s i n i tal i cs a n d smal l capi tal s i n th e
te xts t h a t f o l l o w:
Matt. 5:30T h a t th y wh o l e bo d y s h o u l d be cast i n to hell [gehenna].
Matt. 8:12*Be cast o u t i n to o u te r d a r k n es s : there shall be weep
ing and gnashing of teeth."
Matt. 10:28Fe ar h i m wh i ch i s abl e to destroy bo th so u l an d bo d y
i n h e l l [gehenna]."
Matt. 13:41, 42Gath e r o u t o f h i s ki n gd o m al l . . . wh i ch d o
i n i qu i ty; an d sh al l cast th e m i n to a f u r n a c e of fire: th e r e sh al l be wailing
and gnashing of teeth."
Matt. 18:8Ra th e r th a n . . . to be cast i n to e v e r l a s t i n g f i r e
[pur to aionion]."
Matt. 18:9T o be cast i n to hell fire [ten geennan tou puros, f i re
o f Ge h e n n a].
Matt. 22:13 *Cast h i m i n to o u t e r d a r k n es s ; th e r e sh al l be weep
ing and gnashing of teeth."
Matt. 25:30*"Cast ye th e u n pr o f i tabl e se r van t i n to o u t e r d a r k
n e s s : th e r e sh al l be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
407
Matt. 25:41Depart f r o m me, ye cu r se d , i n to e v e r l a s t i n g f i r e , pr e
par e d f o r th e d e vi l an d h i s an ge l s.
Matt. 25:46T h e s e sh al l go a w a y i n to e v e r l a s t i n g p u n i s h m e n t .
Mar k 9:43"T o go i n to h e l l [gehenna], i n to th e f i r e t h a t n e v e r
s h a l l be q u e n c h e d [to pur to asbeston, wi th n o h o pe o f e scape ].
Lu ke 3:17T h e ch af f h e wi l l burn wi th f i r e u n q u e n c h a b l e .
2 T h e ss. 1:9Sh al l be punished wi th e v e r l a s t i n g d e s t r u c t i o n
[olethron ainion, age l asti n g] f r o m th e pr e se n ce o f th e Lo r d , an d f r o m
th e gl o r y o f h i s po we r .
2 Pe te r 2:4Go d spar e d n o t th e an ge l s th a t si n n e d , bu t cast them
down to hell \tartaro'\, an d d e l i ve r e d th e m i n to ch ai n s o f d ar kn e ss, to
be RESERVED UNT O J UDGMENT .
J u d e 6T h e an ge l s wh i ch ke pt n o t th e i r f i rst e state , bu t l e f t th e i r
o wn h a bi ta ti o n [He ave n ], h e h a t h r e s e r v e d i n e ve r l asti n g ch ai n s u n d e r
d ar kn e ss unto the judgment of the great day [of th e Lo r d ].
Re v. 2:11He th a t o ve r co me th sh al l n o t be hurt o f th e second
death
Re v. 14:10He sh al l be tormented wi th f i r e a n d b r i m s t o n e .
Re v. 19:11-15T h e Fai th f u l an d T r u e r i d e s f o r th to ju d ge an d
make war , Hi s eyes as a f l ame o f f i r e , o n Hi s h e ad man y cr o wn s;
Hi s n ame T h e Wo r d o f Go d . He smi te s th e n ati o n s an d tr e ad s th e
wi n e pr e ss o f th e f i er ceness an d wr ath o f Al mi gh ty Go d . On Hi s ve stu r e
i s th e n ame Ki n g o f ki ngs, an d Lo r d o f l o r d s.
Re v. 20:6Bl essed an d h o l y i s h e th a t h ath pa r t i n th e first resur
rection: o n such th e s e c o n d d e a t h h ath n o po we r .
Re v. 20:10T h e d e vi l th a t d e ce i ve d th e m was cast i n to th e lake of
fire and brimstone."
Rev. 20:15Wh o so e ve r was n o t f o u n d wr i tte n i n th e bo o k o f l i f e
was cast i n to th e l a k e o f f i r e .
Rev. 21:8Bu t th e f e ar f u l , an d u n be l i e vi n g, an d th e abo mi n abl e ,
an d mu r d e r e r s, an d wh o r e mo n ge r s, an d so r ce r e r s, an d i d o l ate r s, an d al l
l i ar s, shall have their part i n th e lake which burneth with fire and brim
stone: wh i ch i s th e s e co n d d e a t h .
4. C o n s t i t u t e s I n e x o r a b l e C h a i n o f E v i d e n c e . Now
just observe: He r e ar e twe n ty-two r e f e r e n ce s se ve n o f
th e m i n th e Apo cal ypse d e al i n g wi th th i s o n e th e me . He r e
i s th e co mpl e te r o u n d o f e qu i val e n t, o r co n ti n ge n t, te r ms:
Gehenna, fire, furnace of fire, everlasting fire, everlasting
punishment, Gehenna fire, everlasting destruction, lake of fire
burning with brimstone, second death, reserved unto the judg
ment of the G r e a t D a y , lake of fire and brimstone, lake of fire
a n d f i n al l y, th e co mpr e h e n si ve lake which burneth with fire
and brimstone: which is the second death (Re v. 21:8).
T h e fire of Gehenna, po r tr aye d by C h r i st, was t h e n f u
ture. I t was to be pr e ce d e d by th e ju d gme n t. I t was pa r t o f th e
o pe r ati o n o f th e g r e a t d a y o f G o d . I t was d e s tr u cti o n by f i r e.
I t was th e l ake o f f i re, o r f i r e an d br i ms to n e . An d to r o u n d
o u t th e i n e xo r abl e se qu e n ce , th i s l ake , bu r n i n g wi th f i r e an d
br i ms to n e , i s th e s e c o n d d e a t h (v . 8). An d th e f i r es, h avi n g
t h e n d o n e t h e i r d e s ti n e d wo r k, bu r n o u t. An d th o se d e str o ye d
th e r e by ar e n o mo r e , as e l se wh e r e po r tr aye d .
T h e l ake o f f i r e th u s i n vo l ve s a n d r e su l ts i n th e se co n d
d e ath . T h i s i s i n e xact acco r d wi th C h r i s ts d e cl ar ati o n th a t
Go d can , a n d wi l l , destroy [apollumi, d e str o y u t t e r l y,
ki l l , cau se to pe r i s h , co me to an e n d ] bo th so u l a n d
bo d y i n hell [gehenna] (Matt. 10:28). T h a t i s th e e vi
d e n ce o f th e Apo cal ypse o n th e f i n al d o o m, o r d e s tr u cti o n , o f
th e wi cke d .
I I I . Pr o bl e m T e xt (Rev. 14:11)T o r me n t Day an d Ni gh t;
Smoke Ascendi ng Fo r e ver
1. T e r ms o f R e v e l a t i o n 14:11 L i m i t e d t o Sp e c i f i e d
G r o u p.Var i o u s te r ms i n th e Apo cal ypse ar e f i gu r ati ve o r
symbo l i cal su ch as th e smo ke o f Re ve l ati o n 14:11. Smoke
h as aptl y be e n sai d to be th e f o r ml e ss r e l i c o f an o bje ct t h a t
h as be e n co n su me d , o r d e co mpo se d , by th e acti o n o f f i re. I t i s
bu t a r e l i c, a ve sti ge , an e mbl e m, a l i n ge r i n g tr ace o f th e pass
i n g, th e d r i f ti n g a f te r math th a t r e mai n s f r o m an object that has
been destroyed. A perpetual smo ke may, th e r e f o r e , we l l s tan d
f o r a pe r pe tu al r e mi n d e r be f o r e th e u n i ve r se o f an i r r e par a bl e
r u i n t h a t h as take n pl ace , a bu r n i n g u p th a t h as acco mpl i sh e d
i ts al l o tte d pu r po se .
T h e same i n s pi r e d po r tr ayal , i t i s to be e ve r r e me mbe r e d ,
d e cl ar e s t h a t Go d wi l l co n s u me , d e vo u r , d e s tr o y, cau se
to pe r i s h , a n d bl o t o u t al l th e wi cke d . T h a t d r e ad tr an s
acti o n , o r o pe r ati o n , i n vo l ve s an d co n s ti tu te s th e se co n d
d e a th . T h e pe r pe tu i ty i n te n d e d i s n o t, th e r e f o r e , o f th e tor
ment, bu t o f th e d e ath f o l l o wi n g th e r e af te r a n d cau se d th e r e by.
An d as to th e t o r me n t o f Re ve l ati o n 14:11, th e r e n o wn e d
Gr e e k spe ci al i st a n d tr an s l ato r , Dr . R. F. We ymo u th , tr u l y
says: T h e r e i s n o t h i n g i n th i s ve r se t h a t n e ce ssar i l y i mpl i e s
an e te r n i ty o f su f f e r i n g. 2An d h e ad d s th a t i t gi ves i n i tse l f
n o i n d i ca ti o n o f ti me . C p. Ge n . xi x, 28; J u d e 7.
I t i s f u r t h e r i mpo r ta n t to r e me mbe r t h a t i n Re ve l ati o n
20:15 an d 21:8, wh e r e all th e l o st ar e i n vo l ve d , no period of
duration is mentioned or specified. T h e r e i s n o i n d i cati o n t h a t
th e f i r e d e pi cte d do e s n o t pe r f o r m i ts n o r mal an d d e si g
n a te d f u n cti o n o f e xti r pa ti n g d e s tr u cti o n , th e n u l ti mate l y a n d
u t te r l y go i n g o u t f o r i n th e n e w e ar th th e r e wi l l be n o mo r e
pai n , te ar s, an gu i s h , o r d e ath (Re v. 20:14; 21:4; 22:3). T h e s e
wi l l al l h ave passe d away (ch ap. 21:4). An d th a t agr e e s pr e
ci se l y wi th th e te r ms o f Ro man s 6:23t h a t th e wages o f si n
i s death
2. Smo k e A s c en d s U p F o r ev er F i r es B u r n ed O u t . As
to th e i n t e n t o f th e f i gu r e o f s mo ke ascending up for ever
and ever o t h e r s cr i ptu r e s mu s t be al l o we d to i n te r pr e t a n d
e xpl ai n th i s e xpr e ssl y r e co r d e d te r m. J u s t su ch an e xpl i ci t d e f i
n i ti o n appe ar s, f o r e xampl e , i n Isai ah 34:
An d th e str e ams th e r e o f [of I d u me a, o r Ed o mv. 6] sh al l be
tu r n e d i n to pi tch , an d th e d u s t th e r e o f i n to br i msto n e , an d th e l an d
th e r e o f sh al l be co me bu r n i n g pi tch . I t sh al l n o t be qu e n ch e d n i gh t
n o r day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever [He b., lenesach nesachim,
pe r pe tu i ty o f pe r pe tu i ti e s ] (vs. 9, 10).
T h e n f o l l o ws i mme d i ate l y th e co n jo i n e d e xpl an ato r y
cl au se :
Fr o m ge n e r ati o n to ge n e r ati o n it shall lie waste; n o n e sh al l pass
th r o u gh i t f o r e ve r a n d ever . Bu t th e co r mo r an t an d th e bi tt e r n sh al l
possess i t; th e o wl al so an d th e r ave n sh al l d we l l i n i t: an d h e sh al l
str e tch o u t u po n i t th e l i n e o f co n f u si o n , an d th e stones of emptiness"
(vs. 10, 11).
T h a t d e f i n i te l y i n d i cate s pe r pe tu a l d e so l ati o n , n o t an e n d
l ess l i f e o f pai n . T h e f i r es h ave bu r n e d o u t. If , th e r e f o r e , th e
pl ace t h a t was o n ce a r agi n g f i r e came , i n d u e ti me , to l i e
3 Ri ch a r d F. We ymo u th , The New Testament in Modern Speech (3d e d .), Re v.
14:11, n . 7, p. 715.
waste , while the smoke drifted endlessly on, as a reminder,
back i n I s ai ah s ti me , th e same wo u l d be t r u e o f th e smo ke
f r o m th e f i r es o f gehenna wh e n th e y wi l l h ave acco mpl i sh e d
th e i r d e s i gn ate d wo r k i n th e great day of the Lord.
3. N e i t h e r T o r me n t n o r Smo k e A r e E t e r n a l .
Of th e e xpr e ssi o n s a ppe ar i n g i n Re ve l ati o n 14:10, 11 (1)
tormented3 wi th f i r e a n d br i ms to n e , (2) th e "smoke o f
t h e i r to r me n t ascendeth up for ever and ever , an d (3) th e y
h ave n o r e s t day nor nighti t mu s t agai n be r e me mbe r e d th a t
th e se spe ci f i cati o n s al l r e f e r to th e pu n i s h me n t o f a spe ci al
cl ass, wh o se gu i l t i s e xce pti o n al . On th e m, i n th i s r e t r i bu t i ve
day of the Lord, th e wr ath o f Go d i s po u r e d o u t
without mixture (v. 10). T h e i r pu n i s h me n t i s th e r e f o r e
e xce pti o n al l y se ver e .
Ne ve r th e l e ss, e ve n wi th t h a t u n d e r s ta n d i n g th e passage
do e s not say t h a t th e i r torment i s to co n ti n u e f o r e ve r ; r a th e r ,
i t i s th e smoke o f th e i r ti me o f t o r me n t t h a t d r i f ts o n
e n d l e ssl y.
T h e psal mi st wr o te , T h e wi cke d . . . sh al l consume; into
smoke shall they consume aivay (Ps. 37:20). T h e smo ke co u l d
n e ve r be r e gath e r e d an d r e o r gan i ze d , so as to f o r m th e co n
t i n u i n g i n d i vi d u al pe r s o n al i ty agai n . T h i s i s e vi d e n t f r o m th e
f act t h a t th e same e xpr e ssi o n i s u se d co n ce r n i n g mysti cal Bab
yl o n (an e ccl e si asti cal organization, n o t an i n d i vi d u al ), wh o se
smo ke l i ke wi se r o se u p f o r e ve r a n d e ve r (Re v. 19:3), e l se
wh e r e r e f e r r e d to as smo ke o f h e r bu r n i n g (Re v. 18:18).
Bu t n e i t h e r i s th i s e n d l e ss bu r n i n g, f o r h e r d o o m i s e l se
wh e r e se t f o r th as utter obliterationBabyl o n sh al l wi th
violence be thrown down, and shall be found no more at
3Se ve r al o ccu r r e n ce s o f t h e t e r m torment (basanos). or tormented (basanizd,
l i te r a l l y, to t e s t , as wi t h me tal s by a t o u ch s t o n e , o r to t o r t u r e ), a ppe a r i n t h e Apo cal yps e .
T h e s e a r e :
Re v. 9:5tormented [f r o m basanizd, te s t, pr o ve , t o r t u r e ] f i ve mo n t h s
11:10tormented th e m t h a t d we l t o n t h e e a r t h
12:2s ymbo l i c wo man pained [l i t ., tormented] to be d e l i ve r e d
14:10tormented wi t h f i r e a n d br i ms t o n e
14:11s mo ke o f t h e i r torment a s ce n d e th u p f o r e ve r a n d e ve r
18:7so mu ch torment a n d s o r r o w gi ve h e r
20:10tormented [f r o m basanizd] d a y a n d n i gh t f o r e ve r a n d e ve r
T h e r e wi l l as s u r e d l y be t o r me n t , bu t n o t e n d l e s s t o r me n t . I t u l t i ma t e l y e n d s wh e n
t h e d e s ti n e d u t t e r e xt i n ct i o n o f be i n g h as ta ke n pl a ce .
all (v. 21). Sh e sh al l be u tte r l y bu r n e d wi th f i r e (v. 8).
C o n s e qu e n tl y sh e do e s n o t l i ve o n an d su f f e r o n e n d l e ssl y, bu t
u l ti mate l y ceases to be . No w, i n asmu ch as Babyl o n i s to be
o bl i te r a te d , a n d ye t h e r smo ke sai d to co n ti n u e to r i se , i t i s
pl ai n th a t h e r smo ke o bvi o u sl y r e pr e s e n ts a perpetual attes
tation or reminder of her burning.
4. F a t h e r o f F i r s t N o -De a t h L i e L a s t t o D i e i n
G e h e n n a .Amo n g th e cl o si n g pr o ph e ti c d e cl ar ati o n s o f th e
Apo cal ypse i s th e si gn i f i can t af f i r mati o n t h a t al l l i ar s, sh al l h ave
t h e i r pa r t i n th e l ake wh i ch bu r n e t h wi th f i r e an d br i ms to n e :
wh i ch i s th e second d e a th (Re v. 21:8).
Satan , th e d e ce i vi n g an d mal i gn a n t so u r ce o f th e o r i gi n al
Ed e n i c n o -d e ath l i e (J o h n 8:44; cf . Ge n . 3:4)/ i s h i mse l f
d e str o ye d f o r e ve r i n th i s ve r y fire of Gehenna pr e par e d f o r th e
d e vi l an d h i s an ge l s (Matt. 25:41). T h u s h i s o wn l i e i s co m
pl e te l y d i spr o ve d by h i s o wn d e ath , an d br i n gs h i s age -o l d d e
ce pti o n s a n d tr agi cal l y acce pte d pe r ve r si o n s to an u t t e r e n d .
He r e i s th e f ate f u l d e cl ar ati o n : An d th e d e vi l th at d e ce i ve d
th e m was cast i n to th e l ake o f f i re a n d br i ms to n e . T h i s i s th e
second d e a t h (Re v. 20:10, 14).
T h u s h e dies, a n d d i e s f o r e ve r . T h e r e i s n o r e s u s ci tati o n
f o r Satan .
He n ce th e first lie wi l l be co mpl e te l y can ce l e d o u t by th e
e xti r pa ti o n o f al l l i ar s a n d l yi n g i n th e t e r mi n a ti n g l ake o f
f i r e . T h e i n tr o d u cti o n o f th e f ate f u l first d e ath i s co u n te r ba l
an ce d by th e d e s tr u cti o n a n d ce ssati o n o f al l d e ath an d d yi n g
i n th e second d e a th . An d al l so r r o w, pai n , si ckness, a n d mi s
e r y, an d f i n al l y th e gr ave (al l co mpr e h e n d e d i n th a t o n e o r i g
i n al wo r d d e a th ) ar e n u l l i f i e d f o r e ve r by th e o bl i te r a ti o n o f
Satan an d al l t h a t i s evi l .
So, wi th Satan s d e s tr u cti o n th e great day of the Lord co me s
to i ts e n d . T h e gr e at ch al l e n ge a n d r e be l l i o n ar e o ve r . T r u t h i s
t r i u mph a n t f o r e ve r , an d Go d a n d Hi s r i gh te o u sn e ss a n d e qu i ty
* T h e f al s i ty o f Sa t a n s cl a i m ( Y e s h al l not s u r e l y d i e ), as pe r t a i n s to Ad a m, i s
r e co r d e d by i n s pi r a t i o n Al l t h e d ays t h a t Ad a m l i ve d we r e n i n e h u n d r e d a n d t h i r t y ye a r s :
and he died (Ge n . 5:5). So t h e i n s pi r e d Ol d T e s t a me n t r e co r d a t te s ts t h a t t h e s e r pe n t l i e d
as to Ad amas we l l as pe r pe t r a t i n g a n d pe r pe t u a t i n g h i s d e ce i t u po n A d a ms po s te r i ty.
G. DAVIS, ARTIST
Ou r Acco u n tabi l i ty Is No t On l y f o r Ou r T al e n ts bu t f o r Ou r Deci si o ns o n th e
Issues o f Li f e.
ar e vi n d i cate d be f o r e al l f o r al l e te r n i ty. Al l f al se h o o d , e r r o r ,
a n d d e ce pti o n h ave be e n u n mas ke d a n d o ve r th r o wn . Go d s wo r d
a n d wi sd o m, Hi s po we r a n d ju sti ce , Hi s gr ace a n d me r cy, Hi s
go ve r n me n t a n d l aw, o mn i sci e n ce a n d so ve r e i gn ty, ar e n o w
e s tabl i s h e d be yo n d al l ch al l e n ge a n d t h a t f o r e ve r mo r e ! T h e
n e w h e ave n a n d n e w e a r th f o l l o w, a n d abi d e f o r e ve r mo r e .
IV. No Ete r n al l y Seeth i ng Lake o f Fi r e i n C o mi ng
New Ear th
1. D o g ma o f E t e r n a l T o r me n t I n v o l v es N o t o r i o u s
D u a l i s m. Le t us f r an kl y f ace th i s po i n t: T h e Immo r tal -So u l -
i st po s tu l ate o f th e e te r n i ty o f si n wo u l d n e ce ssi tate (1) th e
cr e a ti o n o r co n d i ti o n i n g o f spe ci al bo d i e s f o r th e wi cke d , u po n
t h e i r r e s u r r e cti o n , i n o r d e r t h a t th e y mi gh t su f f e r f o r e ve r ;
(2) th e r e d e e me d wo u l d al ways be h o l d th e ago n i e s o f th e
d amn e d ; (3) th e r e wo u l d be an e te r n al acti vi ty i n d e ath , an d
413
(4) th i s wo u l d i n vo l ve an i n e scapabl e d e n i al o f th e f i n i sh e d
wo r k o f C h r i st. T h e s e ar e al l i n co n f l i ct wi th th e Wo r d . Mo r e
t h a n th at, su ch a co n ce pt i n vo l ve s e vi l co e xi sti n g e te r n al l y wi th
go o d , an d Satan co e xi sti n g e te r n al l y wi th Go d wh i ch , i n ac
tu al i ty, i s si mpl y th e an ci e n t Du al i sm pe r pe tu ate d .
Acco r d i n g to su ch a th e si s, si n an d Satan , pa i n a n d th e
cu r se , si n n e r s an d d e ath , wi l l l ast as l o n g as Go d exi sts a n d i s
Go d . Bu t th e Apo cal ypse d e n i e s an d e xcl u d e s an y su ch pagan
co n ce pt, d e r i ve d as i t was f r o m Pe r si an Zo r o astr i an i sm, an d
tr a n s mi tte d th e r e f r o m. Ho w co u l d an e te r n al e vi l co e xi st
f o r e ve r wi th th e Abs o l u te Go d , wh o o n l y h a th i mmo r ta l i ty
(1 T i m. 6:15, 16)? T h e s e ar e wh o l l y i n co mpati bl e co n ce pts.
T h e l ake o f f i r e wi l l n o t se e th e al o n gsi d e th e Ne w J e r u
sal e m th r o u gh o u t al l e te r n i ty. T h e r e wi l l be n o e n d l e ssl y bu r n
i n g, pe r pe tu al l y t o r t u r i n g l ake o f Ge h e n n a f i r e. T h e tr e e o f
l i f e wi l l n o t be r o o te d i n th e s e ar i n g san d s o n th e sh o r e l i n e
o f th e l ake o f f i r e a n d br i ms to n e . T h e f l ames o f th e l ake o f f i r e
wi l l i n ti me d i e o u t, ju s t as d i d th e u n qu e n ch abl e f i res o f
So d o m an d Go mo r r ah , a n d o f I d u me a o f o l d , wh e n th e y h ave
acco mpl i sh e d t h e i r d e s ti n e d mi ssi o n o f co mpl e te d e s tr u cti o n o f
wi cke d me n , e vi l an ge l s, an d Satan th e r o o t a n d so u r ce o f al l
e vi l .
2. C e l e s t i a l C o n f l i c t T e r mi n a t e s o n E a r t h .I t
s h o u l d al so be n o te d th a t th e r e al e xi ste n ce a n d f e ar f u l acti v
i ty o f e vi l spi r i ts, o r f al l e n an ge l s, h as be e n an i n te gr al an d i n
se par abl e f acto r i n th e gr e at co n tr o ve r sy be twe e n Go d a n d
Satan , as we l l as be twe e n go o d me n an d e vi l . Be h i n d th e e ar th l y
s tr u ggl e l i e s th e o r i gi n al u n i ve r se -sh aki n g r e be l l i o n (Re v. 12:
7-12), i n wh i ch an ge l i c pr i n ci pal i ti e s an d po we r s ar e i n r e l e n t
l ess r e vo l t agai n st d i vi n e t r u t h an d h e ave n l y a u th o r i ty, i n
cl u d i n g th e l aw an d go ve r n me n t o f Go d . I t was i n to th i s d r e ad
co n f l i ct t h a t e a r th was tr agi cal l y d r awn i n th e days o f Ed e n
(Ge n . 1-3).
Ho we ve r , t h a t ce l e sti al co n f l i ct i s to co me to a cl i max a n d
be cr u s h e d f o r e ve r o n th i s ve r y e ar th , wh e r e Satan wi l l be co n
f i n e d d u r i n g th e th o u s an d ye ar s (Re v. 20:1-3). I n d e e d , th e u n -
pr e ce d e n te d attack o f Re ve l ati o n 20:7-10, at th e cl o se o f th e
th o u s an d ye ar s, i s th e l ast ba ttl e i n th e age -o l d war f ar e t h a t h as
r acke d th e u n i ve r se . We r e pe at th at, acco r d i n g to Ho l y Wr i t,
this very earth will be the battleground of the last fearful
contest, and then of the final suppression of the great rebel,
f o l l o wi n g th e r e su r ge n ce o f h i s f o rces at th e cl o se o f th e mi l l e n
n i al th o u s a n d years.
So th e Bi bl e h i sto r y o f man , a n d o f ma n s r e d e mpti o n , i s
i n e xtr i cabl y bo u n d u p wi th th e ch r o n i cl i n g o f th e i n f e r n al
acti vi ti e s o f th e se d e mo n i c e n e mi e s o f Go d an d man , kn o wl
e d ge o f wh o se te mpo r ar y vi cto r y bu t f i n al d e f e at i s i mpe r a
ti ve to th e r i gh t u n d e r s ta n d i n g o f th e r o l e o f d e ath an d d e s tr u c
ti o n i n th e co n f l i ct o f th e ages, a n d o f Satan s f i n al f r e n zy, as we l l
as o f th e be sto wal o f i mmo r tal i ty u po n th e gl o r i f i e d sai n ts,
pr i o r to th e cl o se o f th e gr e at co n tr o ve r sy.
3. N e w E a r t h a n d N e w J er u s a l e m G l o r i o u s l y R e a l .
As th e h e ave n s an d th e e ar th wh i ch ar e n o w, ar e r e al , so,
af te r th e tr e me n d o u s tr a n s i ti o n pe r i o d o f th e day of the
Lordwi th i ts mi l l e n n i al e ve n ts th a t wi l l l i ke wi se be r e a l so
wi l l th e n e w e ar th a n d th e Ne w J e r u s al e m be r e al (2 Pe te r
3:5-13). An d a t th e cl o se o f th e r e t r i bu t i ve day of the Lord
Go d t h e n be co me s th e pr o ph e s i e d Go d o f th e wh o l e e a r th
(2 Pe te r 3:10, 12, 13). T h e tr agi c e xpe r i me n t o f si n wi l l be o ve r
f o r e ve r . I t i s th a t wo n d r o u s ti me twi ce pr o ph e s i e d o f by
Isai ah , th e pr o ph e t, an d n o w co n f i r me d a n d e l abo r ate d by th e
se e r o f Patmo s. He r e ar e I s ai ah s f o r e casts:
Fo r , be h o l d , I create n e w h e ave n s an d a n e w e ar th : an d th e
f o r me r sh al l n o t be r e me mbe r e d , n o r co me i n to mi n d (Isa. 65:17).
Fo r as th e n e w h e ave n s an d th e n e w e ar th , wh i ch I wi l l make ,
sh al l remain be f o r e me, sai th th e Lo r d , so sh al l yo u r se ed an d yo u r n ame
remain (ch ap. 66:22).
T h e f o u n d ati o n s o f th e Ne w J e r u s al e m ar e pl an te d e te r
n al l y u po n th i s ve r y e ar th , r e n e we d a n d r e s to r e d , an d d e s ti n e d
to co n ti n u e f o r e ve r mo r e . An d th e tr e e o f l i f e a n d th e r i ve r
o f l i f e , as po r tr aye d i n Re ve l ati o n 21 an d 22, ar e r e al . T h i s d e
pi cti o n i s n o t me r e po e ti c i mage r y.
T h e tr e e o f l i f e , r e mo ve d f r o m th e o r i gi n al Par ad i se o f
Ge n e si s, i s h e r e r e s to r e d to th e wh o l e e ar th . An d man , ba n
i sh e d f r o m th e pr e se n ce o f Go d , n o w d we l l s i n th e pr e se n ce o f
th e Go d o f th e wh o l e e a r t h (Isa. 54:5), wh o wi l l d we l l wi th
me n an d be t h e i r Go d . We wo u l d str ess th e f act th a t th i s i s n o t
me r e l y be a u ti f u l symbo l i c i mage r ybu t actu al , gl o r i f i e d co n
d i ti o n s , r e -e stabl i sh e d wh e n Go d s e te r n al , o r i gi n al pu r po se
co n ce r n i n g He ave n an d e a r th i s co n su mmate d .
He a r i t: No mo r e cu r s e ! (Re v. 22:3). I n pl ace o f th e
Fal l , th e r e s to r ati o n . I n pl ace o f e xpu l s i o n l e st h e pu t f o r th
h i s h an d , a n d take al so o f th e tr e e o f l i f e , an d e at, a n d l i ve f o r
e ve r i n h i s s i n f u l co n d i ti o n (Ge n . 3:22)th e gr aci o u s i n
vi ta ti o n to th o se wh o n o w have right to th e tr e e o f l i f e (Re v.
22:14), C o me . . . . Wh o so e ve r wi l l , l e t h i m take th e wate r
o f l i f e f r e e l y (v. 17).
T r a n s i to r y e xi ste n ce i n th i s pr e s e n t wo r l d gi ves pl ace to
th o se bl e sse d e ve r l as ti n g h a bi ta ti o n s (Lu ke 16:9) al l u d e d
to by C h r i st. De ath , an d th e d e ath pr i n ci pl e , ar e ef f aced. En d
l ess l i f e f o r e ve r mo r e i s e stabl i sh e d . J u s t pu n i s h me n t u po n al l
s i n n e r s i s past an d e n d e d . Go d an d r i gh te o u sn e ss r e i gn f o r
e ve r mo r e . An d th e r e d e e me d abi d e f o r e ve r wi th Hi m i n a
cl e an u n i ve r se . T h e y h ave n o w be co me u n as sai l abl e by d e ath ,
f o r d e ath i tse l f i s d e str o ye d th e l ast e n e my h avi n g be e n
destroyed, abo l i s h e d f o r e ve r mo r e (1 C o r . 15:26; 2 T i m. 1:10;
Re v. 20:14; 21:4). Satan h i mse l f , i ts i n sti gato r , i s destroyed
(He b. 2:14; Re v. 20:10)be i n g r e d u ce d to ash e s (Eze.
28:18, 19).
Yes, i t i s a cl e an u n i ve r se . T h e d i vi n e pu r po se o f Ed e n i s
n o w car r i e d o u t, mo r e wo n d e r f u l l y th an e ve r . Go d mad e th i s
e ar th to be i n h a bi te d by a r ace o f h o l y, h appy be i n gs. An d
n o w th e gl o r i e s f o r e to l d by th e pr o ph e ts an d th e apo stl e s o f
o l d h ave me t t h e i r co mpl e te f u l f i l l me n t. T h e maje sty a n d
gr a n d e u r o f th e e te r n al scenes baf f l e a n d d e f y al l a d e qu ate
d e s cr i pti o n .
4. E n d l es s L i f e i n C h r i s t U n d ev i a t i n g N o t e o f A po c a
l y ps e .Le t us cl o se th i s su r ve y o f th e Apo cal ypse wi th th i s
APOC ALYPSE REVEALS FI NAL FAT E OF WIC KED 417
po si ti ve n o te : T h e vast co mpan y f r o m amo n g th e d e sce n d an ts
o f Ad ama mi gh ty h o st wh i ch n o man co u l d n u mbe r (Re v.
7:9), wh o se n ame s we r e wr i tte n i n th e L a mbs book of life
ar e n o w cl o th e d f o r e ve r i n th e spo tl e ss r o be o f C h r i s ts r i gh t
e o u sness. T h e y n o w wal k th e go l d e n str e e ts o f Par ad i se r e
sto r e d , wi th f ade l e ss crowns of life (Re v. 2:10), pr ai s i n g th e
Prince of life (Acts 3:15), wh o r e d e e me d th e m wi th Hi s
o wn pr e ci o u s bl o o d , wh i ch symbo l i ze d Hi s Li f e . He r e th e y
agai n h ave a r i gh t to th e tree of life, an d d r i n k f r e e l y f o r e ve r
o f th e i n e xh au s ti bl e water of life i n th e Par ad i se o f endless
life. An d th e Lamb wh i ch i s i n th e mi d s t o f th e th r o n e sh al l
f e e d th e m, an d sh al l l e ad th e m u n to l i vi n g f o u n tai n s o f wate r s:
a n d Go d sh al l wi pe away al l te ar s f r o m th e i r e yes (Re v. 7:17).
I n cl o si n g l e t th e eye r u n d o wn th e f o l l o wi n g i tal i ci ze d
l i f e te xts o f th e bo o k o f th e Re ve l ati o n , th a t th e i r cu mu l ati ve
f o r ce may be se nse d. T h e s e h ave be e n s u s tai n i n g pr o mi se s,
n o w f u l f i l l e d as gl o r i o u s r e al i ti e s. See h o w th i s i s th e u n d e vi at-
i n g th e me o f Go d s l ast bo o k o f th e can o n th e r e co r d o f th e
t r i u mph o f Go d i n th e f ate f u l day of the Lord. T h e r e d e e me d
n o w i n h e r i t th e pr o mi se s
Re v. 2:7Gi ve to e at o f th e tree of life.
Re v. 2:10Gi ve th e e a crown of life.
Re v. 3:5"No t bl o t o u t h i s n ame o u t o f th e book of life.
Re v. 11:11T h e spirit of life f r o m Go d e n te r e d i n to th e m.
Re v. 13:8Wh o se n ame s ar e not wr i tte n i n th e book of life of the
Lamb sl ai n f r o m th e f o u n d ati o n o f th e wo r l d .
Re v. 17:8Wh o se n ame s wer e not wr i tte n i n th e book of life
f r o m th e f o u n d ati o n o f th e wo r l d .
Re v. 20:12An o th e r bo o k was o pe n e d , wh i ch i s th e book of life.
Re v. 20:15Wh o so e ve r was not f o u n d wr i tte n i n th e book of life
was cast i n to th e l ake o f f i r e .
Re v. 21:6I wi l l gi ve u n to h i m th a t i s ath i r s t o f th e f o u n ta i n o f th e
water of life f r e e l y.
Re v. 21:27T h e y wh i ch ar e wr i tte n i n th e Lambs book of life.
Re v. 22:1A pu r e r i ve r o f water of life, cl e ar as cr ystal .
Re v. 22:2T h e tree of life, wh i ch bar e twel ve ma n n e r o f f r u i ts .
Re v. 22:14T h a t th e y may h ave r i gh t to th e tree of life.
Re v. 22:17Le t h i m take th e water of life f r e e l y.
Re v. 22:19Go d sh al l take away h i s [th e tampe r e r wi th th e tr u th s
o f Go d s Wo r d ] pa r t o u t o f th e book of life, an d o u t o f th e h o l y ci ty.
14
418
T h u s f i f te e n ti me s i n th i s l ast bo o k o f Ho l y Wr i t, life i s
str e sse d as th e s u pr e me gi f t o f Go d , be sto we d by th e Lo r d o f
l i f e u po n th e r i gh te o u s r e ci pi e n ts o f e n d l e ss l i f e , as an i n se p
ar a bl e pa r t o f Go d s match l e ss pr o vi si o n s o f e te r n i tytr e e o f
l i f e , cr o wn o f l i f e , an d wate r o f l i f e . T h a t i s th e n o te o f gl ad
so me assu r an ce wi th wh i ch th e Apo cal ypse cl o ses. I t pr e se n ts
lifee n d l e ss, bo u n d l e ss, f ade l ess, me asu r e l e ss, l i f e f o r e ve r -
mo r e . De ath h as passe d f o r e ve r .
T h a t i s I n s pi r a t i o n s pa r t i n g po r tr ayal o f th e o r i gi n , n a
tu r e , an d d e sti n y o f man . Go d s e te r n al pu r po se , d e l aye d bu t
n o t d e f e ate d by th e e pi so d e o f si n , i s n o w car r i e d o u t i n f u l l
ness. Wh a t a mar ve l o u s pl an o f r e d e mpti o n ! Wh a t a match l e ss
Savi o u r i n Resurrection a n d i n Life!
C H A P T E R T W E N T Y - T H R E E
Gr e e k T erms and UsagesPsuch e
(Soul); Pneuma (Spi ri t)
I . C h ar acte r i sti c Advantages, Di sadvantages, an d Pi tf al l s
o f Gr e e k
T h e Ne w T e s ta me n t was wr i tte n i n Gr e e k. T h e ve r y
te r ms we ar e n o w to su r ve y we r e al l f u l l y e stabl i sh e d i n th i s
u n i ve r s al to n gu e , d o mi n a n t at th e d awn o f th e C h r i s ti an
Er a. Bu t a t t h a t ti me , i t i s to be r e me mbe r e d , th e wo r l d was i n
pagan co n f u si o n . At th a t ti me e n d l e ss be i n g was r e gar d e d by
so me as a bo o n d e vo u tl y to be ch e r i sh e d , wh i l e by o th e r s i t was
co n s i d e r e d an e vi l to be s h u n n e d .
Wi t h so me , i n f l u e n ce d by Or i e n tal i s m, e xi ste n ce was a
cu r se r a t h e r t h an a bl e ssi n g, a n d nirvana, o r a n n i h i l a t i o n o f
th e i n d i vi d u al pe r so n al i ty, was e ste e me d as th e go al o f l i f e an d
th e s u mmi t o f h o pe . C o n s e qu e n tl y, at th e ti me o f C h r i s t an d
th e apo stl e s th e I mmo r ta l i ty o f th e so u l was th e qu e s ti o n o f al l
qu e s ti o n s i n th e var i o u s sch o o l s o f Gr e ci an ph i l o so ph y, as we l l
as a po i n t o f d i vi si o n a n d co n te n ti o n . An d as e l se wh e r e se e n ,
i ts pe n e tr a t i o n h ad tr agi cal l y s pl i t th e r an ks i n th e J e wi sh f ai th .
Fu r th e r , bo d i l y r e s u r r e cti o n to i mmo r tal i tywh i ch was
th e s u pr e me message o f th e pr i mi ti ve ch u r ch a n d th e pa r a
mo u n t ar ti cl e o f th e e ar l y C h r i s ti an f ai th h ad n o pl ace i n
pagan s pe cu l ati o n . Wh e n th e e ar l y Gr e e k sages br o u gh t back
th e l o r e o f Egypt i n to Atti ca, i t d i d n o t i n cl u d e th e co n ce pt o f
a r e s u r r e cti o n . An d to th e Gr e e k i n te l l e ct su ch an i d e a was u t
t e r f o o l i sh n e ss. T h e y saw th e bo d y r e t u r n to th e d u st, a n d th e r e
th e y l e f t i t f o r e ve r .
419
1. I s s u e o f I mmo r t a l i t y o f P a r a mo u n t C o n c e r n .
As state d , i mmo r tal i ty was a s u bje ct o f s wi r l i n g spe cu l ati o n
amo n g th e Gr e e ks, so me ma i n ta i n i n g an d so me r e f u ti n g i t
wi th a majo r i ty o f pagan ci ti ze n r y cu r r e n tl y t r e a ti n g i t as a je st.
Ne ve r th e l e ss, th e wh o l e o f l i f e t u r n e d o n th e i ssue o f th e
I mmo r ta l i ty o f th e so u l . T h e n o bl e s t spe ci me n s o f h u man r e a
so n i n g t h a t e ve r ch ar me d (an d be wi l d e r e d ) th e h u man i n
te l l e ct we r e th e l o f ty s pe cu l ati o n s o f So cr ate s an d Pl ato , as set
f o r th i n th e Phaedoan a tte mpt to e stabl i sh th e I n n a t e I m
mo r tal i ty o f th e so u l a n d th e as su mpti o n t h a t wh ate ve r ch an ge s
o r po l l u ti o n s i t mi gh t su f f e r , o r wh ate ve r pai n i t mi gh t e n d u r e ,
the soul could not cease to be.
By su ch th e r e was be l i e ve d to be a d e ath l e ss, i n n ate
pr i n ci pl e i n th e h u man so u l , o r s pi r i t, th a t u tte r l y r e f u se d to
d i e . Acco r d i n g to Pl ato i t n e ve r co u l d be co me a th i n g o f th e
past, bl o tte d o u t f o r e ve r . An d man y o f th e J e ws, par ti cu l ar l y
a r o u n d Al e xan d r i a, h ad i mbi be d th e se te ach i n gs o f u n d e n i a
bl e pagan o r i gi n . Ph i l o h ad ju s t gi ve n th i s n o ti o n tr e me n d o u s
i mpe tu s . Su ch was th e h i sto r i cal s e tti n g a t th e d awn o f th e
C h r i s ti an Er a. T h i s i s al l co ve r e d i n Pa r t I I I .
An d al l th i s i n vo l ve d ce r tai n l an gu age pr o bl e ms ad van
tages a n d d i sad van tage si n th e pr o cl amati o n o f th e go spe l .
Su ch was th e co mpl e x l i n gu i s ti c an d h i sto r i cal s i tu a ti o n th a t
co n f r o n te d C h r i s t a n d Hi s apo stl e s, to wh o m He co mmi tte d
Hi s message, an d th e l au n ch i n g an d u pbu i l d i n g o f Hi s i n f a n t
ch u r ch .
2. C o n f l i c t O v er P u n i s h me n t o f W i c k e d .T h e te r ms
an d spe ci f i cati o n s o f th e pu n i s h me n t o f th e wi cke d , set
f o r th by C h r i s t a n d th e apo stl e s i n th e Ne w T e s ta me n t, we r e
l i ke wi se i n d i r e ct co n tr a d i cti o n to th e Pl ato n i c asse r ti o n th a t
th e so u l can n o t d i e , an d th e r e f o r e ca n n o t be d e str o ye d . T h e
Ne w T e s ta me n t C h r i s ti an s i n si ste d th a t th e wh o l e man could
and would die, a n d cease to be . Pl ato n i s m h e l d t h a t th e r e al
be i n g co u l d n o t pe r i s h an d see co r r u pti o n . T h e Ne w T e s t a
me n t C h r i s ti an s asse r te d t h a t th e e n ti r e pe r so n o f th e wi cke d
co u l d a n d would u l ti mate l y an d u tte r l y pe r i s h an d su f f e r co r-
PSUC HE (SOUL); PNEUMA (SPI RI T ) 421
r u pti o n . An d th e Gr e e k te r mi n o l o gy u n avo i d abl y u se d by bo th
si des was th e same . Wh a t Pl ato af f i r med, th e pr i mi ti ve C h r i s
ti an s d e n i e d . An d l i ke wi se , wh at Pl ato n i s m d i savo we d , th e Ne w
T e s ta me n t C h r i s ti an asse r te d . An d , be i t r e me mbe r e d , bo th
gr o u ps i n th e e ar l y C h r i s ti an Er a cl e ar l y se n se d th e u t t e r
cl ash i n vi e wpo i n t.
Al l th e ph r ase s e mpl o ye d we r e i n th e Gr e e k l an gu age ,
wi th i ts l ar ge vo cabu l ar y, i ts f i ne sh ad i n gs, an d i ts mu l ti pl e
tense s. Wh e r e ve r th e C h r i s ti an pr e ach e r e xpo u n d e d h i s me s
sage o n man , h i s o r i gi n , n a tu r e , an d d e sti n y, th e r e we r e Pl ato -
n i sts, Epi cu r e an s, Sto i cs, a n d Al e xan d r i an J e ws wi th th e i r var
i a n t vi ews, se t to h e ar an d r e f u te bu t al l we r e bo u n d to ge th e r
u n d e r th e s ce pte r o f a co mmo n to n gu e , as so me o n e h as
ph r ase d i t. T o th e Gr e e k te r mi n o l o gy an d u sage i n vo l ve d ,
th e n , we n o w tu r n .
I I . Psuche i n New T e stame n t Usage
1. H e b r e w B a c k g r o u n d o f t h e E a r l y C h u r c h . Fi r s t
o f al l , wh e n we di scuss th e me an i n gs o f Gr e e k wo r d s i n th e
Ne w T e s ta me n t, we mu s t r e me mbe r t h a t C h r i s t a n d th e d i s
ci pl e s d i d n o t o r d i n a r i l y co n ve r se i n Gr e e k d u r i n g th e e ve n ts
r e co r d e d i n th e Go spe l s, bu t i n Ar amai c. T h e i r wh o l e back
gr o u n d was He br e w, a n d th e i r th e o l o gi cal co n ce pts we r e
base d o n th e Ol d T e s ta me n t. I t i s tr u e th e y l i ve d i n a He l l e n -
i ze d so ci e ty, bu t wh e n th e y u se d th e Gr e e k e qu i val e n ts o f
He br e w wo r d s, th e y ce r tai n l y car r i e d o ve r i n to th e n e w l an
gu age th e me an i n gs th e y we r e accu sto me d to i n th e i r mo th e r
to n gu e .
T h u s i t i s wi th th e Gr e e k wo r d psuche (s o u l ). I n th e
Se ptu agi n t, th e He br e w nephesh i s r e n d e r e d psuche. Wh e n a
Ne w T e s ta me n t C h r i s ti an u se d th e wo r d psuche h e assu r e d l y
me a n t wh at nephesh co n n o te d i n h i s u su al spe e ch . On th e
o th e r h an d , o f co u r se , He l l e n i ze d J e ws wh o h ad acce pte d th e
i mmo r tal i ty o f th e so u l d o ctr i n e f r o m th e Gr e e k ph i l o so ph e r s,
wo u l d r e ad back i n to nephesh th e ph i l o so ph y th e y h ad i m
bi be d .
As Re je cto r s o f th e Ove r tu r e s
o f No ah Pe r i sh e d i n th e
De l uge , So Wi l l Spu me r s of
Go d s Ove r tu r e s o f Li f e Li ke
wi se Pe r i sh i n th e Fl o o d of
Fi r e.
2. Ho w t h e T r a n s l a t o r s R en d er ed P s u c h e .
Psuche o ccu r s 105 ti me s i n th e Ne w T e s ta me n t, an d i n th e
K.J .V. i s r e n d e r e d s o u l 58 ti me s, l i f e , o r l i ve s, 40 ti me s,
mi n d 3 ti me s, a n d h e a r t , h e a r ti l y, u s, a n d yo u o n ce
e ach . Si n ce th e wo r d s o u l car r i e s ce r tai n o ve r to n e s o f me a n
i n g t h a t d o n o t pr o pe r l y be l o n g to th e Gr e e k wo r d , o r i ts
He br e w an te ce d e n t nephesh, i t i s pr o pe r to ask i f th e En gl i s h
s o u l i s r e al l y th e be st wo r d to u se i n an En gl i sh r e n d e r i n g o f
th e Gr e e k.
I t i s i n te r e s ti n g to n o ti ce th e ch an ge i n th e n u mbe r o f
ti me s th e wo r d i s u se d i n th e mo r e r e ce n t En gl i sh tr an s l ati o n s .
I n th e R.S.V. s o u l o r so u l s i s u se d o n l y 40 ti me s i n th e
Ne w T e s ta me n t. An d i n The New English Bible s o u l as a
19 5 2 BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD VERNON NYE, ARTIST
422
tr an s l ati o n o f psuche i s u se d o n l y 19 ti me s. T h e s e n e we r tr an s
l ati o n s te n d to use pe r s o n al pr o n o u n s o r t h e i r e qu i val e n ts an d
l i f e to r e pl ace s o u l as a r e n d e r i n g o f psuche.
I t mu s t be a d mi tte d th a t tr an s l ato r s h ave be e n i n f l u e n ce d
by t h e i r th e o l o gi cal be l i e f s to so me e xte n t a t l east. Fo r a man
wh o be l i e ve s t h a t a pe r so n possesses an i mmo r tal so u l , i t i s
su r e l y e asi e r to r e n d e r psuche as s o u l i n man y pl ace s wh e r e
co mpl e te o bje cti vi ty wo u l d ch o o se a d i f f e r e n t r e n d e r i n g. I t
wo u l d appe ar th a t l ate r tr an s l ato r s h ave be e n abl e to ach i e ve
th i s o bje cti vi ty wi th o u t r e gar d to th e i r pe r so n al be l i e f s mo r e
f r e qu e n tl y t h an e a r l i e r tr an s l ato r s .
I t i s po ssi bl e to pass th i s ki n d o f ju d gme n t be cau se o f th e
f act t h a t th e Bi bl e do e s n o t te ach t h a t man h as an i mmo r tal
so u l . T h e i mmo r tal i ty o f th e so u l can be r e ad i n to th e Bi bl e
o n l y wh e n o n e al r e ad y be l i e ve s th a t s o u l means an i mmo r tal
s o me th i n g t h a t can s e par ate f r o m th e bo d y at d e ath a n d
ma i n ta i n a s e par ate , co n sci o u s e xi ste n ce . Ne i th e r psuche n o r
nephesh e ve r h as an y qu al i f yi n g wo r d s l i ke i mmo r ta l , e ve r
l as ti n g, u n d yi n g, o r e n d l e ss, o r an y mo d i f i e r o f e qu i va l e n t
me an i n g attach e d to th e m. T h a t i s si gn i f i can t.
3. M ea n i n g s o f P s u c h e F a l l I n t o F o u r Ca t e g o r i e s .
An e xami n ati o n o f Bi bl i cal u sage r e ve al s th a t th e var i o u s
me an i n gs o f psuche may be d i vi d e d i n to f o u r basi c gr o u ps.
(1) A living organism. Fi r s t o f al l , u se d o f man as an
i n d i vi d u al , as T h e f i r st man Ad am was mad e a l i vi n g so u l
[psuche, h e r e pr o pe r l y l i vi n g be i n g; see Ge n . 2:7, R.S.V.]
(1 C o r . 15:45); a n d o f l o we r an i mal s, as, e ve r y l i vi n g so u l
[psuche, h e r e pr o pe r l y l i vi n g cr e a tu r e ; see Ge n . 1:24, R.S.V.]
(Re v. 16:3).
(2) A person, or personality. An d f e ar came u po n e ve r y
so u l [psuche] (Acts 2:43); a n d Eve r y so u l [psuche], wh i ch
wi l l n o t h e a r t h a t pr o ph e t, sh al l be d e s tr o ye d (Acts 3:23).
Davi d s i n s pi r e d Ol d T e s ta me n t pr e d i cti o n o f C h r i s t i s, T h o u
wi l t n o t l e ave my so u l [psuche] i n h e l l [hades] (Acts 2:27,
qu o t i n g Ps. 16:10)my s o u l , th a t i s, myse l f , e mph asi zi n g
th e pr o n o u n . An d Pe te r a t Pe n te co s t says th a t Davi d spake
"PSUC HE (SOUL); "PNEUMA (SPI RI T ) 423
o f th e r e s u r r e cti o n o f C h r i st, t h a t h i s so u l [psuche] was n o t
l e f t i n h e l l [hades, gr ave d o m], n e i t h e r h i s f l esh d i d see co r
r u pt i o n (Acts 2:31). T h a t was C h r i s t Hi mse l f , Hi s pe r so n .
(3) The physical life of man. Li f e , wh i ch can be d e
str o ye d , saved, l ai d d o wn , e t ce te r a.
(4) The inward man. T h e mo r e r e mo te bu t l o gi cal me ta
ph ysi cal me an i n g o f th e i n war d ma n appe ar s i n Se e i n g ye
h ave pu r i f i e d yo u r so u l s [psuche] i n o be yi n g th e t r u t h (1
Pe te r 1:22), a n d i n My so u l [psuche] i s e xce e d i n g s o r r o w
f u l u n to d e a t h (Mar k 14:34).
So th e living organism i n th e ph ysi cal r e al m i s f o l l o we d
by th e person or personality, an d n e xt th e physical life i tse l f .
An d f i n al l y co me s th e mo r e r e mo te me taph ysi cal me an i n g o f
th e inward man. I t sh o u l d be r e me mbe r e d th a t th i s i n war d
man i s n o t i n Bi bl i cal u sage a se par ate e n ti ty t h a t can ma i n
tai n a co n sci o u s e xi ste n ce a pa r t f r o m th e bo d y, bu t me r e l y d e
scr i be s th o se aspects o f ma n s n a tu r e th a t we mi gh t cal l s pi r i tu a l
as o ppo se d to ph ysi cal .
I n ge n e r al The Neiv English Bible d e mo n s tr ate s a ke e n
d i s cr i mi n ati o n i n th e wo r d s u se d to tr an s l ate psuche. T h i s i s
pa r ti cu l a r l y we l l sh o wn i n th e par abl e o f th e r i ch f o o l , wh e r e
th e var i o u s me an i n gs o f th e wo r d psuche co me i n r a t h e r cl o se
ju xta po s i ti o n :
An d h e to l d th e m th i s par abl e : T h e r e was a r i ch man wh o se l an d
yi e l d e d h e avy cr o ps. He d e bate d wi th h i mse l f : Wh a t am I to do? . . . I
wi l l pu l l d o wn my sto r e h o u se s an d bu i l d th e m bi gge r . I wi l l co l l e ct i n
th e m al l my co r n an d o th e r go o ds, a n d th e n say to mysel f [my psuche],
Man [psuche], yo u h ave pl e n ty o f go o d s l ai d by, e n o u gh f o r man y
year s: take l i f e easy, e at, d r i n k, an d e n jo y yo u r se l f . Bu t Go d sai d to
h i m, You f o o l , th i s ver y n i gh t yo u mu st su r r e n d e r yo u r l i f e [psuche].
. . . T h e r e f o r e , h e sai d to h i s d i sci pl e s, I bi d yo u pu t away an xi o u s
th o u gh ts abo u t f o o d to ke e p yo u al i ve [K.J .V., yo u r l i f e (psuche),
wh at ye sh al l e a t] an d cl o th e s to co ve r yo u r bo dy. Li f e [psuche] i s
mo r e th a n f o o d, th e bo d y mo r e th a n cl o th e s (Lu ke 12: 16- 23).1
I t i s i n te r e s ti n g to n o te th a t i n The New English Bible
th e wo r d s o u l i s u se d i n mo st cases to r e f e r to th e i n war d
1 T h e New English Bible, Ne w T e s t a me n t . T h e De l e gate s o f t h e Oxf o r d Un i ve r s i t y
Pr e s s a n d t h e Syn d i cs o f t h e C a mbr i d ge Un i ve r s i t y Pr e s s 1961.
PSUC HE (SOUL); PNEUMA (SPI RI T ) 425
man . I n th e f ew e xce pti o n s th e r e may be a var i e ty o f o pi n
i o n s as to th e e xact sh ad e o f me an i n g i n te n d e d . On th e basi s
t h a t i n man y cases bo th nephesh a n d psuche r e pr e s e n t th e
man h i mse l f , pe r so n al pr o n o u n s wo u l d h ave se r ve d as accu r ate
tr an s l ati o n s i n at l e ast th r e e o f th e se te xts: J ame s 5:20, r e s
cu i n g h i s so u l [h i m] f r o m d e a th ; 1 Pe te r 1:9, s al vati o n f o r
yo u r so u l s [yo u ]; 1 Pe te r 4:19, co mmi t t h e i r so u l s [th e m
sel ves] to h i m. I n Re ve l ati o n 6:9, so u l s o f th o se sl au gh
t e r e d , psuche r e pr e s e n ts d e ad pe o pl e ; a n d i n Re ve l ati o n 20:4,
so u l s o f th o se wh o h ad be e n be h e ad e d , psuche r e pr e s e n ts
pe o pl e wh o h ave d i e d a n d h ave be e n r e s u r r e cte d i n th e sec
o n d r e s u r r e cti o n .
T h e o n e te xt th a t make s a cl e ar d i s ti n cti o n be twe e n so u l
a n d bo d y i n r e l a ti o n to d e ath i s Matth e w 10:28 (N.E.B.): Do
n o t f e ar th o se wh o ki l l th e bo d y, bu t can n o t ki l l th e so u l . Fe ar
h i m r a t h e r wh o i s abl e to d e str o y bo th so u l an d bo d y i n h e l l .
So me mi gh t wi sh to see i n th i s te xt pr o o f th a t man h as an
i mmo r ta l so u l th a t su r vi ve s d e ath . Bu t n o ma t te r wh at d e f i n i
ti o n i s appl i e d to th e wo r d s o u l h e r e , I mmo r ta l i ty i s o n e
qu a l i ty t h a t i s e xcl u d e d , f o r th e s o u l as we l l as th e bo d y
may be d e str o ye d i n He l l .
I I I . Pneuma i n New T estament Usage
I n th e Se ptu agi n t pneuma i s th e tr a n s l a ti o n o f th e He
br e w wo r d ruach, an d wh at h as be e n sai d a bo u t ruach i n th e
Ol d T e s ta me n t se cti o n can i n ge n e r al be sai d a bo u t pneuma
i n th e Ne w T e s ta me n t.
T h e Gr e e k wo r d pneuma i s r e l a te d to pneo, me an i n g to
bl o w, br e a th e , o r d r aw br e a t h . T h e l e xi co n s o n cl assi cal Gr e e k
gi ve br e a t h a n d wi n d as th e f i r st me an i n gs o f pneuma.
Spi r i t i s al so a co mmo n me an i n g o f pneuma.
I n th e Gr e e k te xt o f th e Ne w T e s ta me n t, pneuma o ccu r s
385 ti me s, an d i s tr an s l ate d i n th e K.J .V. as f o l l o ws: Spi r i t,
133; s pi r i t, 153; s pi r i tu a l , 1; gh o s t, 2; l i f e , 1; an d
wi n d , 1; o r a to tal o f 291. T h e n wi th th e ge n i ti ve , s pi r i tu -
al l y, 1; wi th hagion (h o l y) as Ho l y Spi r i t, 4; Ho l y Gh o s t,
89, a gr an d to tal o f 385 ti me s.
T h e R.S.V. d r o ps th e u se o f gh o s t as a tr a n s l ati o n o f
pneuma. T h u s th e wo r d s s pi r i t a n d "s pi r i ts o ccu r 383 a ti me s
i n th e R.S.V. C o n co r d an ce . T h e R.S.V. r e tai n s th e tr a n s l a ti o n
wi n d f o r pneuma i n J o h n 3:8, T h e wi n d bl o ws wh e r e i t
wi l l s, bu t tr an s l ate s pneuma as br e a t h i n Re ve l ati o n 13:15,
wh e r e th e K.J .V. h as l i f e .
Pneuma i s u se d o f De i ty i n th e Ne w T e s tame n t. I n th e
R.S.V. th i s i s i n d i cate d by capi tal i zati o n , an d a ch e ck r e ve al s
a bo u t 235 su ch usages. The New English Bible ad d s to th i s
n u mbe r by appl yi n g a f ew mo r e o ccu r r e n ce s o f pneuma to
De i ty. Si n ce th e r e i s o bvi o u sl y so me me asu r e o f i n te r pr e ta t i o n
i n th i s cl assi f i cati o n , pe r h aps n o u n a n i mi ty o f o pi n i o n wi l l gi ve
an abs o l u te l y accu r ate co u n t. I n n e ar l y al l o f th e se i n stan ce s
Spi r i t i s u se d o f th e t h i r d pe r so n o f th e T r i n i ty.
Pneuma i s al so u se d o f s pi r i t be i n gsan ge l s, bo th go o d
an d e vi l . Evi l , u n cl e an , o r d e vi l i sh s pi r i ts ar e r e f e r r e d to a bo u t
40 ti me s. As appl i e d to man , pneuma i s u se d wi th th e f o l
l o wi n g me an i n gs:
1. Man h i mse l f , by th e f i gu r e syn e cd o ch e , a pa r t be i n g
pu t f o r th e wh o l e . T h u s i n Lu ke 1:47 my s pi r i t e qu al s I
myse l f .
2. Li f e , th e l i vi n g pr i n ci pl e , wh i ch i s r e pr e s e n te d by
br e ath . T h u s i n Lu ke 8:55: He r s pi r i t [br e ath o f l i f e] came
agai n , a n d sh e ar o s e .
3. C h ar acte r , as be i n g i tse l f i n vi si bl e , a n d man i f e s te d
o n l y i n o n e s acti o n s (2 T i m. 1:7).
4. Ot h e r i n vi s i bl e ch ar acte r i sti cs, as f e e l i n gs o r d e si r e s.
Matth e w 26:41: T h e s pi r i t i n d e e d i s wi l l i n g, bu t th e f l esh i s
we ak.
5. T h e n e w n a tu r e i n th e ch i l d o f Go d , be go tte n by
Go d (J o h n 3:3-7; Ro m. 8:4-9).
6. T h e r e s u r r e cti o n bo d y (1 C o r . 15:45).
* T h e d i f f e r e n ce be t we e n t h e K .J .V . a n d t h e R.S.V . i n t h e n u mbe r o f o ccu r r e n ce s
i s pa r t l y d u e to t h e cr i t i ca l t e xt u s e d f o r tr a n s l a ti n g.
Re je cto r s o f th e Pr o vi si o ns o f
Go d s Gr ace Wi l l Be C ast
Ou t Fr o m He ave n s Fe ast o f
Ete r n al Happi n e ss an d Li f e.
IV. Exi t and Re-entry of th e Spi ri t
1. D e pa r t u r e o f Spi r i t F r o m Bo d y a t D e a t h . I t
i s e sse n ti al f o r u s to be ar i n mi n d th a t th e Gr e e k Ne w T e s ta
me n t pneuma (s pi r i t ) o f man i s th e same as th e rach o f th e
Ol d T e s ta me n t He br e w. T h e r e i s n o qu e s ti o n a bo u t th i s.
T h a t th e y ar e i d e n ti cal n o t o n l y i s e ve r ywh e r e r e co gn i ze d bu t
i s e s tabl i s h e d by th e f act t h a t th e u su al , i f n o t i n var i abl e , r e n
d e r i n g o f rach, i n th e Se ptu agi n t, i s by pneuma, ju s t as ar e
th e passages o f th e Ol d T e s ta me n t co n tai n i n g rach, wh e n
tr an s l ate d i n to th e Ne w T e s ta me n t Gr e e k (cf . Lu ke 23:46
a n d Ps. 31:5). T h i s i s i n co n tr o ve r ti bl e pr o o f .
Mo r e o ve r , th e ve r y same th i n gs t h a t ar e tau gh t i n th e
Ne w T e s ta me n t co n ce r n i n g pneuma ar e se t f o r th i n th e Ol d
T e s ta me n t co n ce r n i n g rach. An d s pi r i t, i n En gl i sh , i s
pneuma. T o th i s s h o u l d be ad d e d th e f act t h a t th e L a ti n
spiritus i s u n i f o r ml y u se d i n th e Vu l gate to r e n d e r pneuma,
ju s t as i n th e L XX pneuma i s u se d to e xpr e ss th e He br e w
427
ruach. Fu r th e r mo r e , gh o s t i s f r o m th e An gl o -Saxo n wo r d
me an i n g spirit, br e a t h . He n ce th e th r e e pneuma, spiritus,
a n d ghostco n ve y th e same t h o u gh t i n th e th r e e l an gu age s.
T h e Ne w T e s ta me n t sets f o r th pneuma as be i n g th e
so u r ce o f ph ysi cal l i f e f o r man , to ge th e r wi th i ts wi th d r awal
as cau si n g d e ath . Pneuma may be d e f i n e d as th e acti vati n g pr i n
ci pl e o f l i f e , r e s i d i n g i n th e br e ath , br e a th e d f r o m Go d i n to
man at cr e ati o n , an d r e t u r n i n g to Go d agai n at d e ath .8Go d al so
mad e th e a i r (Ge n . 1:6-8), wh i ch man mu s t br e ath e a n d h ave
wi th i n h i m (Zech . 12:1), i n o r d e r th a t l i f e may be co n ti n u e d
by co n s tan t br e ath i n g. T h e ge n e r al pr i n ci pl e i s l ai d d o wn
by J ame s, T h e bo d y wi th o u t th e s pi r i t [pneuma] i s d e a d
(ch ap. 2:26).
T h u s o u r L o r d s d e ath i s u n i f o r ml y d e scr i be d i n th e f o u r
Go spe l s as yielding up (aphiemi, d i smi ss, se n d f o r t h ,
se n d back, l e t e scape ), breathing out (ekpneo), o r giving
up (paradidomi, gi ve u p o r h a n d o ve r to a n o th e r ) th e
ghost (pneuma) o r s pi r i t, o r to commend (paratithemi,
to e n t r u s t , as a d e po si t). No te th e var yi n g f o r ms o f e xpr e s
si o n by th e f o u r e van ge l i stsbu t wi th i d e n ti cal me an i n g, as
co n ce r n s ghost, o r spirit.
2. V a r i a n t W a y s o f E x pr es s i n g A c t o f D y i n g .
T h e r e ar e , i n f act, se ven passages i n wh i ch gh o s t i s th u s u se d ,
wh i ch d e te r mi n e i ts me an i n g. Fi r s t th e Go spe l s, co n ce r n i n g
C h r i st:
Matt. 27:50apheken to pneuma (l e t go , o r se n d f o r th Hi s
spi r i t, o r br e a th ).
Mar k 15:37, 38exepneusen (br e ath e d o u t, br e ath e d Hi s l ast,
th a t i s, d r e w Hi s l ast br e a th , e xpi r e d ). C f . ekpneo ("br e ath e o u t ,
e xpi r e ).
Lu ke 23:46exepneusen (br e ath e d o u t, etc.).
J o h n 19:30paredoken to pneuma (gave o ve r th e br e a th ).
Ne xt n o te th e o th e r th r e e al l wi cke d ch ar acte r s:
Acts 5:5 (r e An an i as) exepsuxen (br e ath e o u t, "e xpi r e , d i e ,
etc.). Fr o m ekpsucho, a me d i cal te r m u se d by Lu ke .
J o b 33:4; Ps. 146:4; 150:6; I s a . 2:22; Eze . 37:5, 10.
"PSUC HE (SOUL); "PNEUMA (SPI RI T ) 429
Acts 5:10 (r e Sapph i r a) exepsuxen (br e ath e o u t, etc.).
Acts 12:23 (r e He r o d ) exepsuxen ("br e ath e o u t, "go o u t, "be
co me e xti n ct, etc.).
T h e s e va r i a n t ways o f e xpr e ssi n g th e act o f d yi n g e xpl ai n
wh at take s pl ace a t d e ath . T h e y al l r e f e r to th e physical act
o f d yi n gn o t d yi n g a s pi r i tu a l d e ath , o r th e r e l e ase o f an u n
e mbo d i e d s pi r i t e n ti ty. (C f . Ge n . 2:7; Ps. 104:29, 30; 146:4;
Eccl . 12:7.) T h a t i s th e wi tn e ss o f th e Wo r d .
3. S p i r i t D e p a r t s a t D e a t h ; R e s t o r e d a t R e s u r r e c
t i o n . As th e pr e se n ce o f th e s pi r i t (pneuma) i s th e so u r ce
o f ph ysi cal life to man , so i ts wi th d r awal , o r d i smi ssal , br i n gs
death l i f e s e xact co u n te r par t. T h i s i s e xe mpl i f i e d i n var i o u s
i n stan ce s, as ju s t n o te d wh e n o u r L o r d s d e ath i s d e scr i be d as
yi e l d i n g u p th e ghost [pneuma, s pi r i t ] (Matt. 27:50;
J o h n 19:30). T h i s i s i n d i r e ct an ti th e s i s to th e r e s to r a ti o n o f
l i f e , o r r e co ve r y f r o m d e ath , wh i ch th e Ne w T e s ta me n t d e
scr i be s as th e r e -e n tr y o f th e pneuma (s pi r i t ) i n to th e pe r
so n wh o was d e ad .
T h u s wi th J e s u s r ai s i n g o f J a i r u s d a u gh te r to l i f e T h e
r e co r d i s t h a t h e r spirit [pneuma] came a ga i n (Lu ke 8:55).
An d sh e ar o se s tr ai gh tway, an d was gi ve n f o o d . Si mi l ar l y,
i n th e Apo cal ypse th e r e s u r r e cti o n to l i f e o f th e two symbo l i c
wi tn e sse s wh o we r e s l ai n , i s th e r e po r tr aye d as th e spirit
[pneuma] o f l i f e f r o m Go d e n te r e d i n to th e m (Re v. 11:11).
T h e s e passages e stabl i sh th e pr i n ci pl e .
An d as wi th C h r i s tFath e r , i n to th y h an d s I co mme n d
my spirit [pneuma]: a n d h avi n g sai d th u s, h e gave u p th e
ghost [pneuma, s pi r i t ] (Lu ke 23:46). So wi th Ste ph e n ,
th e f i r st C h r i s ti an mar tyr wh e n s to n e d an d d yi n g, h e so l e mn l y
a n d tr u s tf u l l y cal l e d u po n th e asce n d e d J e su s an d sai d , Lo r d
J e su s, r e ce i ve my spirit [pneuma]" (Acts 7:59). He d i d n o t
pr ay, Lo r d , r e ce i ve me, bu t my pneuma. An d wh e n h e
h ad sai d th i s, h e f e l l asl e e p (v. 60), wi th th e su r e a n d ce r tai n
h o pe o f r e ce i vi n g i t back a t th e r e s u r r e cti o n .
T h u s i n d e a th th e s pi r i t (pneuma), wh i ch h as be e n
th e so u r ce o f l i f e to man , r e t u r n s to Go d wh o gave i t, h avi n g
4S0 C ONDI T I ONAL I ST FAI T H
be e n co mme n d e d by th e be l i e ve r i n to th e h an d s o f h i s Go d .
Bu t th i s e xpr e ssi o n , be i t pa r ti cu l ar l y n o te d , is never used of
the soul. Ho we ve r , i t i s f r e qu e n tl y sai d o f th e s pi r i t, co m
mi t te d to Go d f o r saf e ke e pi n g d u r i n g th e ti me o f th e d e ath -
sl e e p.
I t i s o n l y be l i e ve r s wh o so commit th e s pi r i t. I n d e e d ,
th e y ar e th e o n l y o n e s war r an te d i n d o i n g so. An d th u s wh e n
so gi ve n o ve r to th e car e o f Go d , th e s pi r i t i s al ways co m
mi t te d with a view to its restoration. T h e s pi r i t came f r o m
Go d , a n d r e t u r n s to Go d (Eccl . 12:7). T h e r e i s, h o we ve r , th i s
d i f f e r e n ce : I n th e r e s u r r e cti o n o f th e wi cke d , th e s pi r i t i s r e
s to r e d o n l y f o r th e pu r po se o f th e e xe cu ti o n o f ju d gme n t, a n d
a t th e se co n d d e ath i t r e tu r n s permanently to Go d wh o gave i t.
On th e co n tr ar y, wi th th e r i gh te o u s th e s pi r i t i s r e
s to r e d t h r o u gh C h r i s t at th e f i r st r e s u r r e cti o n , with life
eternal following. T h u s th e r i gh te o u s pa r t wi th th e pneuma
o n l y f o r a ti me , to r e ce i ve i t back f o r e ve r . T h a t i s th e jo y o f th e
C h r i s ti an be l i e ve r th e su r e a n d ce r tai n h o pe o f r e ce i vi n g th e
s pi r i t back o n th e r e s u r r e cti o n d ay, as th e co n co mi tan t o f
l i f e e ve r l asti n g, pl e d ge d a n d pr o mi s e d i n C h r i st. Su ch i s th e
si gn i f i can ce o f th e pneuma.
T h i s cau ti o n s h o u l d pe r h aps be ad d e d : Wh e r e Scr i p
t u r e i s si l e n t, we s h o u l d be s i l e n t to o . Wh e n th e Scr i ptu r e says,
T h e spirit sh al l r e t u r n u n t o Go d , ju s t as th e dust sh al l r e t u r n
to d u s t (Eccl . 12:7), t h a t i s as f ar as we ar e au th o r i ze d to go.
Spe cu l ati ve th e o r i e s o n a n d be yo n d th i s po i n t ar e u n wi se a n d
u n wa r r a n te d . An d we d ar e n o t co n tr a d i ct I n s pi r a t i o n s d e cl ar a
t i o n by assu mi n g to pu t th e s pi r i t i n Par ad i s e o r Pu r ga to r y,
as so me ar e pr o n e to do .
C H A P T E R T W E N T Y - F O U R
T e r ms and Usages: Ai o n
and Ai oni os
I. Pri nci pl es Governi ng th e Meani ng of Aion and Aionios
1. D e f i n i t i o n s a n d U s a g e s .Acco r d i n g to Y o u n g, th e
n o u n aion (me an i n g a e o n o r age ) o ccu r s 128 ti me s i n th e
Ne w T e s ta me n t, i n 102 passages34 ti me s i n si mpl e f o r m, a n d
64 ti me s i n pr e po s i ti o n al ph r ase s an d f o r ms. T h e ad je cti ve
aionios (be l o n gi n g to an age) i s u se d 67 ti me s42 ti me s r e n
d e r e d e t e r n a l a n d 25 ti me s as e ve r l as ti n g. Eve n i f aion
me a n t e te r n i t ywh i ch i t do e s n o taionios co u l d o n l y me an
be l o n gi n g to e te r n i ty, n o t n e ce ssar i l y l as ti n g t h r o u gh i t. An d
i n n o t o n e o f th e passages d o e s th e wo r d i tse l f me an e n d l e ss.
T h e r e ar e cl assi cal Gr e e k wo r d s t h a t d o s tan d f o r e n d l e ss, bu t
su ch wo r d s ar e n o t u se d i n th e Ne w T e s ta me n t. T h a t to o i s
si gn i f i can t.
Aion may be d e f i n e d as a pe r i o d o f e xi ste n ce , o r co n ti n
u o u s be i n g, wh e th e r a l i f e ti me o r an age. I t i s so me ti me s l i m
i te d a n d so me ti me s d e n o te s bo u n d l e s s pe r i o d s a n d e n d l e ss
e te r n i ty. I n 23 i n stan ce s aion i s d o u bl e d . T h e basi c th o u gh t i s
al ways continuity, wh e th e r f o r a d e f i n i te pe r i o d , l o n g o r s h o r t,
o r f o r al l ti me . I t i s o f te n a h i d d e n pe r i o d h i d d e n as to pr e
ci se l e n gth , so me ti me s te r mi n abl e , so me ti me s i n te r mi n abl e .
So aion, l i ke o u r te r m age , d e n o te s a pe r i o d o f u n d e f i n e d
l e n gth .
I n o r d e r to d e te r mi n e i ts l e n gth i n an y gi ve n i n stan ce ,
e ve n r e l ati ve l y, th e co n te xt an d o t h e r passages wh e r e u se d
mu s t be co n si d e r e d , a n d e spe ci al l y th e s u bs tan ti ve to wh i ch
431
CLYDE PROVONSHA, ART IST I 9 6 0 BY THE VOICE OF PROPHECY
C r e ato r , Re d e e me r , Me d i ato r , an d C o mi n g Ki ng, C h r i st Is th e Sol e So ur ce an d
Besto wer o f Li f e Ete r n al f o r Mo r tal Man.
i t i s attach e d . T h e r e f o r e aionios do e s n o t, a n d can n o t, al ways
h ave th e same me an i n g, f o r i t i s mo d i f i e d o r e ve n al te r e d by
th e s u bs tan ti ve t h a t i t mo d i f i e s.
432
T ERMS AND USAGES: AI ON AND AIONI OS 433
2. Sp e c i f i c A i o n i o s U s a g es O u t l i n e d .Acco r d i n g to
th e En gl i s h man s Gr e e k C o n co r d an ce , i n th e 24 passages i n
th e Ne w T e s ta me n t wh e r e aionios i s r e n d e r e d e ve r l as ti n g
14 ar e u se d wi th zoe-l i f e me an i n g l i f e wi th o u t an e n d . Of th e
r e ma i n i n g 10, two ar e u se d wi th f i r e (co n ti n u i n g u n
qu e n ch abl e u n t i l t h a t o n wh i ch th e f i r e f ee ds i s co n su me d );
o n ce wi th pu n i s h me n t (pe r man e n t i n ef f ect); o n ce wi th
h a bi ta ti o n s (d o u btl e ss th e n e w e ar th ) wi th o u t e n d ; o n ce
wi th d e s tr u cti o n (l i ke pu n i s h me n t); o n ce wi th co n so l a
t i o n (u n e n d i n g f o r th e saved); o n ce wi th po we r (ascr i be d
to Go d , an d h e n ce wi th o u t l i mi t); o n ce wi th co ve n an t (u n
e n d i n g i n r e su l ts); o n ce wi th ki n gd o m o f o u r L o r d (h e n ce
u n ce asi n g); a n d o n ce wi th go spe l , o r po we r o f Go d (an d
th u s l i mi tl e ss i n d u r a t i o n Ro m. 1:16). So a i o n i o s always takes
its meaning from the word to which it is attached.
I n th e Au th o r i ze d Ve r si o n , i n pr e po s i ti o n al ph r ase f o r m
(wi th aidn as th e base), i t appe ar s so me 68 ti me s, a n d h as be e n
var i o u sl y r e n d e r e d : si n ce th e wo r l d be gan (Lu ke 1:70; Acts
3:21); f r o m th e be gi n n i n g o f th e wo r l d (Eph . 3:9); f o r
e ve r (20 ti me s); e ve r (He b. 7:24); f o r e ve r mo r e
(He b. 7:28); f o r e ve r a n d e ve r (20 ti me s), e t ce te r a.
I I . Aidn an d Aionios i n th e C o n tr asts o f Scr i ptu r e
1. G o l d e n R u l e : P e r pe t u i t y W i t h i n L i m i t s . Aidn
a n d aionios, wh e n u se d i n co n n e cti o n wi th life (zde) f o r th e
r i gh te o u s, me an co n s tan t, abi d i n g, e te r n al , me asu r e l e ss. I t i n
vo l ves u n bo u n d e d e xi ste n ce a n d d u r a t i o n i n th e wo r l d to
co me . Bu t wh e n u se d o f th e co n ti n u an ce (o r mo r e accu r ate l y
o f th e consuming) o f th e wi cke d , wh o ar e to be destroyed, i t i s
tr an s i to r y, a n d co me s to an e n d . Eve r yth i n g co n s e qu e n tl y an d
co n si ste n tl y d e pe n d s u po n th e n a tu r e a n d d e sti n y o f th e s u b
s tan ti ve t h a t i t mo d i f i e s. T h a t i s th e go l d e n r u l e o f i n te r pr e ta
ti o n o f th e se te r ms. I t i s pe r pe tu i ty within limitsth e d u r a
ti o n be i n g d e te r mi n e d by th e pe r so n , o r th i n g, o r co n d i ti o n
to wh i ch i t i s attach e d .
T h u s wi th th e f ate o f th e wi cke d . I t i s u n t i l t h e i r d e
s tr u cti o n i s acco mpl i sh e d n o t a pr o ce ss go i n g o n f o r e ve r .
T h e f i r e t h a t sh al l n o t be qu e n ch e d d o e s n o t me an t h a t i t
sh al l n o t u l ti mate l y cease. T h e f i r e th a t d e str o ye d So d o m a n d
Go mo r r ah was u n qu e n ch a bl e (n o o n e co u l d pu t i t o u t), bu t
i t f i n al l y ce ase d bu r n i n g. Bu t th i s was n o t u n t i l i ts o bje cti ve
was acco mpl i sh e d . (T h i s i s d i scu sse d u n d e r d e s tr u cti o n , an d
pu n i s h me n t.)
2. T wo D e t e r m i n a t i v e P r i n c i pl e s r e A i o n i o s .Al l
ar e awar e t h a t aidn a n d aionios h ave be e n th e su bje ct o f avi d
d i s pu te amo n g pr o po n e n ts a n d o ppo n e n ts o f th e I n n ate -I m-
mo r ta l i ty po s tu l ate . T h e i ssue h as be e n : Do th e se te r ms me an
e n d l e ss o r age e n d u r i n g, o r bo th , u po n o ccasi o n ? T wo th i n gs
n e e d to be n o te d a t th e o u tse t:
(1) Aionios i s co n s tan tl y pr e d i cate d o f th e n e w s u pe r
n a tu r a l l i f e , r e ce i ve d th r o u gh r e ge n e r ati o n by th e Spi r i t o f
Go d . Bu t, i n co n tr as t wi th th i s, aionios i s never, i n an y o f i ts
f o r ms, u se d i n Scr i ptu r e o f th e o l d , o r n a tu r a l , l i f e o f man .
Fu r th e r mo r e , (2) i t i s never, an ywh e r e th r o u gh o u t th e
e n ti r e Wo r d o f Go d , pr e d i cate d o f a co n ti n u i n g death as th e
pe n al ty o f si n . Wh e n u se d o f d e ath , i t me an s a period of lim
ited duration. T h e s e pr i n ci pl e s ar e d e te r mi n ati ve .
T h e te r ms e te r n al d e a th a n d e ve r l as ti n g d e a th ar e co n
s e qu e n tl y n o t f o u n d i n th e Bi bl e . Life may be br i e f , o r l o n g
o r e n d l e ss i f i t pl ease s Go d to pe r pe tu ate i tbu t death i s a
f i n al i ty i n i tse l f , a n d n e e d s n o qu al i f yi n g e pi th e t. An d t h a t i s
th e d o o m d e n o u n ce d u po n si n n e r sSi n , wh e n i t i s f i n i sh e d ,
br i n ge th f o r th death (J ame s 1:15; cf . Ro m. 6:23). T h i s i s th e
se co n d d e a th , wh i ch f o l l o ws th e ju d gme n t o f th e wi cke d .
Fr o m th i s th e r e i s n o r e s u r r e cti o n . Bu t o f th e new life, th e
s pi r i tu a l l i f e , th e d i vi n e l i f e , u po n wh i ch th e pe o pl e o f Go d
e n te r , a n d o f wh i ch th e e pi th e t aionios i s pr e d i cate d , a n d n o
o th e r , i s zde aionios. I t i s wi th o u t an y l i mi tati o n .
3. G e h a z i s F o r E v e r - L e pr o s y L a s t e d U n t i l P o s t e r
i t y E x t i n c t .T h e mas te r key t h a t u n l o cks th e me an i n g o f an y
passage e mpl o yi n g th e te r ms aion o r aionios i s th a t th e y ar e to
be take n to me an as long as the thing or person u n d e r co n s i d e r a
ti o n (i n th e l i gh t o f th e s u r r o u n d i n g ci r cu mstan ce s) can exist.
Its d u r a t i o n i s al ways d e te r mi n e d by th e n o u n to wh i ch i t i s
attach e d . T h a t si mpl e pr i n ci pl e wi l l so l ve al l pr o bl e ms a n d
me e t al l cases.
T a ke an Ol d T e s ta me n t e xampl e : T h e cu r se o f l e pr o sy
u po n Ge h azi (2 Ki n gs 5:27)t h a t th e l e pr o sy o f Naaman
sh al l cl e ave u n to th e e [Ge h azi ], a n d u n t o th y se e d for ever
si mpl y me an s t h a t i t s h o u l d co n ti n u e as l o n g as Ge h azi a n d
h i s po s te r i ty s h o u l d co n ti n u e to e xi st. I n o th e r wo r d s, until the
line became extinct. T h e n i t wo u l d cease. An d , u n d e r th e
te r ms o f th i s pr o ph e cy, i t mu s t h ave take n pl ace f ai r l y so o n.
I t i s r e s tr i cte d to th e e xte n t o f th e d u r a t i o n o f th e th i n g o r
pe r s o n to wh i ch i t i s appl i e d . T h e f o r e ve r o f Ge h azi was
co n s e qu e n tl y o n l y u n t i l h i s po s te r i ty be came e xti n ct.
4. L e n g t h G o v er n ed by N o u n t o W h i c h A t t a c h e d .
Wh e n aion a n d aionios ar e appl i e d to Di vi n e Be i ngs, o r to th e
e te r n al h o me o f th e sai n ts, o r to th e r e d e e me d , i mmo r tal i ze d
sai n ts, th e y t h e n o bvi o u sl y d e n o te eternal duration, or eternity
of being. Bu t as n o te d , wh e n aion a n d aionios ar e a ppl i e d to
th i n gs t h a t wi l l h ave an e n d , th e y ar e co r r e s po n d i n gl y l i mi te d
i n me an i n g. T h u s , wh e n th e y ar e appl i e d to th e e xi ste n ce o f
th e wi cke d wh o wi l l f i n al l y cease to be as th e r e s u l t o f th e
se co n d d e a t h th e y mu s t be l i mi te d , acco r d i n g to t h e i r si g
n i f i cati o n .
We mu s t co n s e qu e n tl y co n cl u d e t h a t th e mo d i f i e r s aion
a n d aionios, wi th r e f e r e n ce to th e two cl assess ai n ts an d
s i n n e r s me an , r e spe cti ve l y, bliss throughout all eternity,
o n th e o n e h an d , f o r th e e te r n al l y righteous, an d o n th e o th e r
h a n d coming to an end forever, af te r a d u e an d ju s t pe r i o d o f
s u f f e r i n g f o r th e u n r e pe n t a n t a n d d o o me d s i n n e r . T h e wi cke d
ar e u l ti mate l y a n d u t te r l y e xti n gu i s h e d be cau se th e y r e f u se d
th e e te r n al l i f e so f r e e l y o f f e r e d to th e m, wh i ch i s n e ve r th e l e ss
to co n ti n u e th r o u gh o u t th e ages wi th o u t e n d f o r th e r i gh te o u s,
wh o acce pte d i ts pr o vi si o n s.
5. B o d y B l o w t o I m m o r t a l - S o u l T h e o r y . We h ave
al r e ad y e stabl i sh e d th e f act t h a t ainios (e te r n a l o r e ve r
l as ti n g) i s co n s tan tl y co u pl e d wi th z i n Scr i ptu r e gi vi n g
th e me an i n g o f e n d l e ssn e ss to th e l i f e . An d we h ave str e sse d
th e po i n t t h a t ainios i s never, i n Scr i ptu r e , jo i n e d wi th
psuch. I t th e r e f o r e f o l l o ws t h a t su ch te r ms as i mmo r tal
s o u l , n e ve r -d yi n g so u l , a n d th e l i ke , th o u gh f r e qu e n tl y u se d
by man y e ccl e si asti cs a n d ph i l o s o ph e r s , ar e n o t f o u n d an ywh e r e
be twe e n th e co ve r s o f Ho l y Wr i t.
T h a t i n e xo r abl e f act i s a bo d y bl o w to th e I mmo r tal -
So u l th e o r y. T h o s e wh o possess n o th i n g h i gh e r th an th e n a t
u r al psuch-Ute f r o m Ad am ar e d e s ti n e d to pe r i sh , a n d u l t i
mate l y cease to be . An d i n s pi r e d Bi bl e u sage co u n te r bal an ce s
a n d n u l l i f i e s an y a n d al l h u man o pi n i o n s to th e co n tr ar y.
6. R e s t r i c t e d U s e i n t h e A p o c a l y p s e .An d o bse r ve
th i s ad d e d po i n t: I n th e Apo cal ypse , wh e r e th e pl u r a l f o r m
eis tous ainas ton ainn (to ages o f th e age s) appe ar s f r e
qu e n tl y,1th e r e f e r e n ce i s u su al l y to pe r so n i f i e d o r gan i zati o n s,
systems, o r asso ci ati o n s (su ch as be ast, Babyl o n , f al se
pr o ph e t ) wh i ch mu s t be pu n i s h e d , bu t which will not exist
in the world to come.
I I I . T exts Exempl i f y Di versi f i ed Meani ngs of
A ion and Ainios
Be f o r e te s ti n g o u t th e se pr i n ci pl e s wi th a d i ve r si f i e d
gr o u p o f Ne w T e s ta me n t passages, l e t us f i r st e stabl i sh th e
co n n e cti o n be twe e n Ol d T e s ta me n t a n d Ne w T e s ta me n t usage.
T h e Se ptu agi n t agai n co n s ti tu te s th e vi tal l i n k be twe e n
th e He br e w Ol d T e s ta me n t olam an d th e Gr e e k Ne w T e s ta
me n t ain a n d ainios, a n d pr o vi d e s a se co n d val u abl e ke y to
r i gh t u n d e r s ta n d i n g. I n th e Se ptu agi n t use o f ainios, Go d a n d
Hi s a ttr i bu te s , ki n gd o m, a n d co ve n an t ar e se t f o r th as u n l i m
i te d a n d e te r n al . Bu t e ar th l y o bje cts, be l o n gi n g to a passi n g di s-
1Re v. 1:6; 4:9, 10; 5:13, 14; 7:12; 10:6: 11:15; 14:11; 15:7; 19:3; 20:10; 22:5.
T h e d i f f e r e n ce be t we e n t h e K .J .V . a n d t h e R.S.V . i n t h e n u mbe r o f o ccu r r e n ce s i s pa r t l y
d u e t o t h e cr i t i ca l t e xt u s e d f o r t r a n s l a t i n g.
pe n s ati o n , a n d d i vi n e d e al i n gs n o t l as ti n g be yo n d th e co n ti n
u an ce o f th e e a r th i n i ts pr e s e n t f o r m ar e al ways se t f o r th as
l i mi te d , o r r e s tr i cte d , i n d u r a ti o n .
T h u s i t i s wi th th e pr i e s ts of f i ce (Ex. 29:9), pe r pe t u a l
s tatu te s (Le v. 3:17), th e bu r n i n g o f Ai (J o sh u a 8:28), pe r
pe tu a l h i ss i n g (J e r . 18:15, 16), pe r pe tu al d e s o l ati o n s (J e r .
25:12; Eze. 35:9; Ze ph . 2:9), pe r pe tu al waste s (J e r . 49:13),
e t ce te r a. T h i s mi xe d u sage co n s ti tu te s a r e l i abl e gu i d e to Ne w
T e s ta me n t pr acti ce .
Ei gh te e n Di ssi mi l ar Exampl e s T ypi f y Di f f erences
He r e ar e e i gh te e n a n n o ta te d Ne w T e s ta me n t e xampl e s
o f th i s mu l t i pl e u sage wi th th e Gr e e k o r i gi n al , a n d i ts l i te r al
me an i n g:
Matt. 13:39T h e h ar ve st i s th e e n d o f th e world [sunteleia tou
ainos, co n s u mmati o n o f th e age , o r ain]."
Matt. 21:19Le t n o f r u i t gr o w o n th e e [bar r e n f i g tr e e ] h e n ce
f o r war d for ever [ei s tn aina, f o r th e r e ma i n d e r o f i ts l i f e n o t to al l
e t e r n i ty].
Lu ke 1:70Wh i ch h ave be e n since the world began [tn ap
ainos, "si n ce ti me be gan , f r o m al l ti me , "f r o m th e age , f r o m o f
o l d ].
Lu ke 20:35Acco u n te d wo r th y to o btai n th a t world [tou ainos,
th a t o th e r age , th e age to co me ].
J o h n 9:32"Si n ce th e world began [ek tou ainos, o u t o f th e
age ] was i t n o t. . . .
J o h n 13:8T h o u sh al t never wash my f e e t [ei s tn aina, n e ve r
wh i l e th e wo r l d l asts, as l o n g as I l i ve , n o t to al l e t e r n i ty].
Acts 15:18Al l h i s wo r ks f r o m th e be gi n n i n g o f th e world [ap
ainos, f r o m th e age , f r o m o f o l d , e t e r n i ty].
Ro m. 16:25Wh i ch was ke pt se cr e t si nce th e world be gan
[chronois ainiois, th r o u gh ages l o n g pas t, o r al o n g wi th ti me s
e t e r n a l ].
1 C o r . 2:7Wh i ch Go d o r d ai n e d be f o r e th e world [pro tn
ainn, age o r age -ti me , o f i n d e f i n i te d u r a ti o n ].
1 C o r . 10:11Upo n wh o m th e e n d s o f th e world [tn ainn, o f th e
age s] ar e co me .
2 C o r . 4:4T h e go d o f th i s world [tou ainos toutou, o f th i s
pr e s e n t age ] h a t h bl i n d e d .
Gal . 1:4De l i ve r u s f r o m th i s pr e se n t e vi l world [ek tou . . .
ainos, o u t o f th e pr e s e n t age o r pe r i o d ].
Eph . 2:7"T h a t i n th e ages to come [en tois aiosin, "i n th e pe r i o d s
o f th e f u t u r e ] h e mi gh t sh e w.
2 T i m. 1:9"Gi ve n us i n C h r i st J e su s before the world began [pro
chronon aidnion, "be f o r e th e ages o f ti me , o r be f o r e ti me s e te r n a l ].
T i t u s 1:2Ete r n al l i f e , wh i ch Go d . . . pr o mi se d before the world
began [pro chronon aidnion, "be f o r e ti me s e te r n al , "be f o r e th e co mme n ce
me n t o f th e age s, l o n g ages ago ].
He b. 1:2"By wh o m [Hi s Son] al so h e mad e the worlds [tons
aidnas, age s].
He b. 11:3-"T h e worlds [torn aidnas, age s] we r e f r ame d by th e
wo r d o f Go d .
J u d e 25Be . . . d o mi n i o n an d po we r , both now and ever [eis
pantas tous aidnas, to al l th e ages, be f o r e eve r y age an d now' an d u n to
al l th e age s].
Le t u s n o w an al yze th e e vi d e n ce , se e ki n g o u t an d appl yi n g
th e s o u n d gu i d i n g pr i n ci pl e s d i scl o se d by th e se a n d o t h e r pas
sages wh e r e i n u sage al o n e i s d e te r mi n ati ve .
IV. Sound In te r pr e tati ve Pr i nci pl es Emerge f o r Gui dance
T h e f act th a t th e ad je cti ve aionios i s appl i e d to so me
th i n gs t h a t ar e e n d l e ss d o e s n o t f o r a mo me n t pr o ve t h a t i t
al ways me an s e n d l e ss, f o r su ch a r e n d e r i n g wo u l d , i n man y pas
sages, be man i f e stl y i mpo ssi bl e a n d abs u r d . Fu r th e r , th e ad je c
ti ve e t e r n a l (aionios) a n d th e ad ve r bi al ph r ase s t h a t e xpr e ss
e te r n i ty (su ch as f o r e ve r , an d f o r e ve r an d e ve r ), i n d i
cate an indeterminate duration, wh e r e o f th e maxi mu m d e
pe n d s u po n th e n a t u r e o f th e pe r s o n o r th i n g t h a t i t mo d i
f i es.
I t i s cl e ar l y i n f i n i te wh e n pr e d i cate d o f Go d an d e te r n al
th i n gs, wh i ch ar e abo ve an d be yo n d ti me , o r o f be i n gs wh o l i ve
by f ai th i n co mmu n i o n a n d co n n e cti o n wi th Hi m. On th e
co n tr ar y, i t i s o n l y r e l ati ve f o r o th e r be i n gs, su ch as mo r tal
man . T h u s th e su f f e r i n gs o f pe r i s h abl e cr e atu r e s l o gi cal l y can
n o t be pr o l o n ge d l o n ge r th a n i s co mpati bl e wi th t h e i r pe r i s h
abl e n a tu r e .
T h e l e n gth mu s t be i n f e r r e d a n d d e te r mi n e d f r o m th e
co n te xt a n d th e n a t u r e o f th e th i n g o r pe r so n s u n d e r co n si d e r a-
438 C ONDI T I ONAL I ST FAI T H .
T ERMS AND USAGES: AI ON AND "AI ONI OS 439
ti o n . Fo r e xampl e , i n Ro man s 16:25, 26 th e myste r y o f th e go s
pe l , h i d d e n i n ti me s pastchronois aidniois (al o n g wi th
e te r n al ti me s, bu t wh i ch h ave co me to an e n d )i s pl ace d i n
co n tr as t wi th aioniou Theou (e te r n al Go d , v. 26, R.S.V.,
e n d l e ss a n d i n d e pe n d e n t o f al l ti me ). T o h o l d t h a t aionios i n
th e o n e i n stan ce mu s t me an th e same as th e o th e r i s man i f e stl y
an abs u r d i ty.
T h e Ol d T e s ta me n t e qu i val e n ts o f aidn a n d aionios
we r e a ppl i e d to th e passi n g Aar o n i c pr i e s th o o d , th e i n h e r i t
an ce gi ve n to C al e b, th e pe r i o d o f th e sl ave s l i f e , th e bu r n
i n g o f th e f i r e u po n th e al tar , th e l e pr o sy o f Ge h azi , e t ce te r a.2
On e n o tabl e case i n po i n t was th e l an d th e r e o f sh al l be co me
bu r n i n g pi tch . I t sh al l n o t be qu e n ch e d n i gh t n o r day; th e
smo ke th e r e o f sh al l go u p for ever: f r o m ge n e r ati o n to ge n e r a
ti o n i t sh al l lie waste; n o n e sh al l pass th r o u gh i t for ever and
ever (Isa. 34:9, 10). An d i n De u te r o n o my 23:3, 6 f o r e ve r
i s l i mi te d to th e te n t h ge n e r a ti o n . Su ch e xampl e s af f o r d
s o u n d pr i n ci pl e s f o r o u r gu i d an ce .
1. V a s t Sc o pe o f M e a n i n g o f A i o n E x h i b i t e d .I n
th e Au th o r i ze d Ve r si o n aidn i s f r e qu e n tl y tr an s l ate d wo r l d .
Late r , th e r e vi se r s u su al l y r e n d e r e d aion by age , at l e ast i n
th e mar gi n . T h e Gr e e k wo r d f o r wo r l d , i n i ts mate r i al
f r ame wo r k, i s, o f co u r se , kosmos, wh i l e aion i s e a r t h s h i sto r y
i n th e l ar ge r s e tti n g o f e te r n i ty. I t i s f i n i te man i n a f i n i te wo r l d ,
pr e ce d e d a n d f o l l o we d by th e ti me l e ss e te r n i ti e s o f past an d
f u tu r e . Go d , th e Ki n g o f th e age s, l ai d Hi s r e d e mpti ve pl an s
be f o r e th e ages be gan to u n r o l l , an d se n t f o r th Hi s So n at th e
a ppo i n te d ti me to co n s u mmate Hi s match l e ss pl an f o r th e r e
d e mpti o n o f h u man i ty.
I n i ts backwar d l o o k i n d e pth , aion was a pe r i o d l o st i n th e
mi sts o f past e te r n i tyth e f ar th e s t d awn o f ti me (Lu ke 1:70;
J o h n 9:32; Acts 15:18; J u d e 25). Bu t i t may r e f e r n o t o n l y
2De a n F. W. F a r r a r s ta t e s t h a t i n t h e Se pt u a gi n t , wh i ch gi ve s a r e l i a bl e Gr e e k
pa r a l l e l , t h e He br e w 61am i s r e n d e r e d by aion 439 ti me s . An d i n Exo d u s , twe l ve o f i ts f o u r
te e n u sage s a r e o f th i n gs wh i ch h a ve pas s e d a wa y; i n L e vi ti cu s , twe n t y-f o u r ti me s , al ways
o f th i n gs wh i ch h a ve co me to a n e n d ; a n d i n Nu mbe r s t e n t i me s ; i n De u t e r o n o my a bo u t t e n
t i me s .Mercy and Judgment (2d e d .), p. 378.
backwar d to ti me wi th o u t be gi n n i n g, bu t f o r war d a s we l l , a s
wi th o u t e n d i n th e f u tu r e . T h u s we see t h a t o n e gr o u p o f
aion te xts te l l s o f t h a t wh i ch i s divine and endlessGo d Hi m
se l f (Ro m. 16:26); Hi s a tt r i bu t e s (1 T i m. 6:16); Hi s ki n gd o m
(2 Pe te r 1:11); Hi s co ve n an t (He b. 13:20), e t ce te r a.
An o th e r gr o u p te l l s o f th e age s pl an n e d by Go d (Ro m.
16:25; 2 T i m. 1:9; T i t u s 1:2). A t h i r d gr o u p te l l s o f Hi s var
i o u s acts a n d acti vi ti e spu n i s h me n t (Matt. 25:46); ju d g
me n t (Mar k 3:29; He b. 6:2); d e s tr u cti o n (2 T h e ss. 1:9);
s al vati o n (He b. 5:9); r e d e mpti o n (ch ap. 9:12), e t ce te r a.
An d th e r e ar e l esser cate go r i e s, bu t th e r e i s n o co n f l i ct. Le t us
n o te a f ew i mpo r ta n t po i n ts.
2. G o d H a s I n f i n i t y ; M a n D o e s N o t .T h e r e i s a co m
mo n mi sco n ce pti o n th a t an y e xi ste n ce be yo n d th i s l i f e i s
e te r n al , an d t h a t an yth i n g t h a t i s i n d e f i n i te l y e xte n d e d i s i n
f i n i te an d e n d l e ss. Bu t i n f i n i ty i s an a t t r i bu t e o f Go d al o n e .
He i s th e Ki n g e te r n al , i mmo r tal , i n vi s i bl e , e t ce te r a (1 T i m.
1:17), who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light
which no man can approach unto (ch ap. 6:16). T h e r e f o r e ,
i n tr i n s i c e te r n i ty o f be i n g can n o t be th e a t t r i bu t e o f an y
cr e atu r e , o r h e wo u l d be e qu al to h i s C r e ato r .
Man d o e s n o t, a n d can n o t, possess Go d s i n f i n i te a t t r i
bu te s. Man can an d do e s h ave wi sd o m, i n te l l i ge n ce , po we r ,
an d o th e r a tt r i bu t e s o f f r e e mo r al age n ts. Bu t be cau se o f th e
ve r y f act o f h i s cr e ati o n h e mu s t be d e pe n d e n t u po n Go d f o r al l
t h a t h e i s a n d h as (Acts 17:28).
Go d gi ves to man l i f e . Bu t th i s l i f e i s s u bo r d i n a te to
Go d s o wn abs o l u te , o r i gi n al , u n d e r i ve d , se l f -e xi ste n t l i f e . Go d
may pr o l o n g ma n s l i f e , e ve n wi th o u t e n d . Bu t su ch l i f e i s e ve r
co n d i ti o n e d o n Go d s wi l l , po we r , a n d pl e asu r e . I t i s co n
ti n ge n t, a n d can n o t be an i n d e pe n d e n t l i f e . T h e l i f e e ve r l ast
i n g, o r i mmo r tal i tywh i ch He h as pr o mi s e d to al l wh o ar e
u n i te d to Hi mi s e ve r l as ti n g si mpl y be cau se su ch be i n gs ar e
i n vi tal co n n e cti o n wi th Hi m. Su ch l i f e i s n o t abs o l u te , bu t
conditional. I t i s be cau se He th u s ke e ps th e m th a t th e r e
d e e me d wi l l be i mmo r tal .
Agai n , be cau se th e wi cke d wi l l l i ve agai n af te r th e f i r st
d e ath , so me ju mp to th e co n cl u si o n t h a t su ch l i f e af te r d e ath
wi l l be e n d l e ssl y pe r pe tu ate d . Bu t th e Scr i ptu r e s so l e mn l y
assu r e us t h a t th e wi cke d d e ad ar e to be r ai se d , ju d ge d , an d
destroyed wi th an e ve r l as ti n g d e s tr u cti o n , wh i ch i s th e sec
o n d d e a th (Re v. 20:6, 14, 15; 21:8).
T h e pr e s e n t e a r th an d s i n n e r s ar e n o t to be f o r e ve r i n
pr o ce ss o f d e s tr u cti o n by th e pu r i f yi n g f i r es o f th e l ast day. T h e
n e w e a r th i s to r i se f r o m i ts ash es (Re v. 21; 22; 2 Pe te r 3:10-
13). An d th e new e ar th , pu r i f i e d f r o m al l th e po l l u ti o n s o f si n
a n d f r e e f r o m al l th e d e f o r mi ti e s o f th e cu r se , i s to be th e e ve r
l as ti n g abo d e o f th e r i gh te o u s f o r e ve r . T h o s e ar e th e co n
tr asts l e f t o n r e co r d f o r o u r gu i d an ce .
3. A i n i o s E t e r n a l i n R e s u l t s , N o t i n P r o c e s s .
Man y i l l u s tr i o u s sch o l ar s r e co gn i ze t h a t th e me an i n g mu s t be
so u gh t n o t i n ainios bu t i n th e n o u n to wh i ch i t i s attach e d .3
Le t us appl y th e pr i n ci pl e : I f th e n o u n stan d s f o r th a t wh i ch
i s e sse n ti al l y e te r n al , th e n th e acco mpan yi n g ad je cti ve (ain
ios) i s pr o pe r l y tr an s l ate d e te r n al . Bu t i f i t i s appl i e d to t h a t
wh i ch i s te mpo r al an d te r mi n a bl e , th e n ainios si mpl y me an s
l as ti n g to th e n a tu r a l l i mi ts o f th e n o u n . T h u s th e eternal
God (Ro m. 16:26, R.S.V.), eternal Spirit (He b. 9:14),
an d eternal kingdom o f o u r L o r d (2 Pe te r 1:11, R.S.V.) ar e
al l cl e ar a n d i n co n tr o ve r ti bl e . He r e th e ad je cti ve h as th e me a n
i n g o f e n d l e ss, f o r th e e xi ste n ce o f De i ty a n d Hi s d i vi n e a t t r i
bu te s a n d ki n gd o m ar e wi t h o u t e n d .
Bu t wh e n ainios mo d i f i e s n o u n s o f acti o n , su ch as an
e te r n al judgment (He b. 6:2), e ve r l as ti n g punishment
(Matt. 25:46), a n d th e e ve r l as ti n g fires of Gehenna, i t mu s t be
u n d e r s to o d as l as ti n g f o r e ve r i n th e se nse o f e ve r l as ti n g
results r a t h e r th an an e ve r l as ti n g process. I t i s th e verdict o f
th e ju d gme n t t h a t i s i mmu ta bl e an d stan d s f o r e ve r eternity
of result, not of process. T h e same i s t r u e o f e te r n al redemp-
3T h a t aidn ca n me a n e i t h e r a f i n i te o r a n i n f i n i te pe r i o d a h u ma n l i f e t i me o r a n
e t e r n i t y o f e n d l e s s d u r a t i o n , a cco r d i n g to t h e n a t u r e o f t h e case o r u s age i s s u s t a i n e d by
ma n y s t a n d a r d a u t h o r i t i e s , s u ch as Gr e e n f i e l d , Sch r e ve l i u s , L i d d e l l a n d Sco tt , Pa r kh u r s t ,
Ro bi n s o n , Sch l e u s n e r , Wa h l , C r u d e n , St r o n g Y o u n g, Bu l l i n ge r , e t ce t e r a .
tion (He b. 9:12). T h i s i s n o t an e n d l e ss pr o ce ss, bu t th e
e te r n al r e s u l t o f C h r i s ts o n ce -f o r -al l r e d e mpti ve acti vi ty f o r
ma n s sal vati o n .
Si mi l ar l y wi th e te r n al destruction A th i n g i s n o t d e
str o ye d u n t i l th e act o f d e str o yi n g co me s to an e n d . T h e re
sults o f th e d e s tr u cti ve pr o ce ss ar e th e r e f o r e e te r n al . Wh e n
aidnios mo d i f i e s pu n i s h me n t, th e pr o ce ss i s n o t o n e o f e te r
n al l y pu n i s h i n g bu t th e e te r n al r e s u l t o f a te r mi n ati ve pr o ce ss.
Wh e n a cr i mi n a l i s h an ge d , e l e ctr o cu te d , o r gassed, th e pr o ce ss
i s n o t o n e o f e te r n al h an gi n g, e l e ctr o cu ti n g, o r gassi ng. T h e
cr i mi n a l i s d e pr i ve d o f l i f e f o r e ve r .
I n th e case o f e te r n al fire (J u d e 7), th e d u r a t i o n i s d e
te r mi n e d by th e n a tu r e o f th e f i r e, wh i ch bu r n s u n t i l i t co n
su me s t h a t u po n wh i ch i t i s f e e d i n g, a n d th e n ceasesas wi th
So d o m a n d Go mo r r ah , wh e r e th e co mpl e te d e s tr u cti o n o f th e
ci ti e s i s se t f o r th as an e xampl e o f th e puros aidniou wh i ch
wi l l d e str o y th e wi cke d .
4. R e v e l a t i o n 20:10 E x a m p l e o f L i m i t e d T o r m e n t .
T h a t th e te r ms aion a n d aidnios o f te n d e n o te a l i mi te d pe
r i o d , a n d n o t al ways o n e o f e te r n al d u r a ti o n , i s a ppa r e n t e ve n
f r o m Re ve l ati o n 20:10.
An d th e d e vi l t h a t d e ce i ve d th e m was cast i n to th e l ake o f f i re
a n d br i msto n e , wh e r e th e be ast an d th e f al se pr o ph e t ar e , an d sh al l be
to r me n te d day and night for ever [eis tous aidnas ton aionon, to th e
ages o f th e age s].
T h e l i mi t a ti o n i n th e te xt i s e xpl i ci t. T h e ve r se d o e s n o t
r e f e r to al l th e wi cke d , bu t spe aks o n l y o f th e d e vi l a n d th e
symbo l i c be ast a n d th e f al se pr o ph e t . T h e l ake o f f i r e ,
as th e pl ace a n d me an s o f to r me n t, i s me n ti o n e d i n ve r se 14.
Bu t th e r e i t i s th e d e cl ar e d symbo l o f complete and final utter
destruction. De ath a n d hades ar e cast i n to th e l ake o f f i r e,
af te r wh i ch i t i s r e co r d e d , T h e r e sh al l be no more death
(Re v. 21:4). I t co me s to an e n d . Wh ate ve r was cast i n to th e
l ake o f f i r e, a f te r i t h as wr o u gh t i ts d e s tr u cti o n , n o l o n ge r
e xi sts. I n Re ve l ati o n 20:15 i s th e d e cl ar ati o n t h a t wh o so e ve r
was n o t f o u n d wr i tt e n i n th e bo o k o f l i f e was cast i n to th e l ake
T ERMS AND USAGES: AI ON AND Al ONI OS 443
o f f i r e . T h i s mar ks th e f i n al d i spo s i ti o n , th r o u gh d e s tr u cti o n ,
o f al l wh o ar e n o t saved i n th e ki n gd o m o f God.*
Agai n , Re ve l ati o n 14:11 r e pr e s e n ts th e d u r ati o n , o r pe
r i o d , o f th e unrest o f a spe ci al gr o u p. I t, to o , r e pr e s e n ts a l i m
i te d pe r i o d t h a t wi l l e n d . As se e n e l se wh e r e , th i s al l u s i o n to th e
smoke ascending i s cl e ar l y a f i gu r e o f spe e ch , a n d to make t h a t
th e basi s o f a d o ctr i n e wh i ch co n tr ad i cts al l th e pl ai n te ach i n g
o f th e Wo r d o n th i s qu e s ti o n , as we l l as maki n g Go d i n f i n i te l y
cr u e l , can n o t be th e pr o pe r exegesi s.*
5. B e w a r e o f U n s c r i p t u r a l F o u n d a t i o n s a n d U n s o u n d
R e a s o n i n g. T h e r e n d e r i n g o f th e same wo r d (aionios)
o n ce by e ve r l as ti n g a n d th e o th e r by e te r n a l as th e y
a ppe ar twi ce i n th e same ve r se i s a pu r e l y a r bi tr a r y tr an s l ato r
var i ati o n . No te i t: An d th e se sh al l go away i n to everlasting
punishment [kolasin aidnion, e ve r l as ti n g i n r e s u l t ]: bu t
th e r i gh te o u s i n to life eternal [zden aidnion] (Matt. 25:46).
Bu t, f ar mo r e i mpo r ta n t, we mu s t be war e o f e i se ge ti -
cal l y r e ad i n g i n to th e wo r d kolasis (pu n i s h me n t ) a sense
t h a t i t d o e s n o t possess. Pu n i s h me n t , h e r e , i s th e o ppo si te
o f l i f e o n l y i f t h a t pu n i s h me n t be d e a th wh i ch i t i s. T h e
e te r n al result i s th e same i n bo th cases. T h e r e i s n o val i d i ty,
f o r e xampl e , to Au gu s ti n e s a r gu me n t t h a t i f we d o n o t make
aionios kolasis me an e n d l e ss pu n i s h i n g/ we h ave n o assu r an ce
t h a t th e aionios zoe t h a t f o l l o ws me an s e n d l e ss livinga n d t h a t
we th e r e by l o se o u r pr o mi se o f e ve r l as ti n g h appi n e ss.
Su ch an I mmo r tal -So u l i s t co n te n ti o n i s u t te r l y i n val i d .
* I n th i s Dr . R. F. We ymo u th co n cu r s :
T h e u s e i n t h e N.T . o f s u ch wo r d s as d e a t h , d e s t r u ct i o n , f i r e , pe r i s h , _to
d e s cr i be Fu t u r e Re t r i bu t i o n , po i n t to t h e l i ke l i h o o d o f f e a r f u l a n gu i s h , f o l l o we d by e xt i n ct i o n
o f be i n g, as t h e d o o m wh i ch a wai ts th o s e wh o by pe r s i s t e n t r e je ct i o n o f t h e Sa vi o u r pr o ve t h e m
se l ve s u t t e r l y, a n d t h e r e f o r e i r r e me d i a bl y, ba d . The New Testament in Modern Speech
(3d e d .), o n He b. 10:27 n . 1.
Acco r d i n g to Ar ch bi s h o p R. C . T r e n ch (Synonyms of the New Testament, pp. 206,
209) aion o f te n me an s t h e d u r a t i o n o f t h e h u ma n l i f e . Pr o f . He r ma n C r e me r (Biblico
Theological Lexicon, p. 74) l i ke wi s e says. Du r a t i o n o f h u ma n l i f e , as l i mi t e d to a ce r t a i n
s pace o f ti me . . . h e n ce t h e d u r a t i o n o f l i f e , co u r s e o f l i f e , te r ms o f l i f e , l i f e t e r m, l i f e i n
i ts te mpo r a l f o r m.
As to Au gu s t i n e , De a n F. W. Fa r r a r s o u n d l y r e ma r ke d t h a t
aiOn, aionios, a n d t h e i r He br e w e qu i va l e n t s i n al l co mbi n a t i o n s , a r e repeatedly u s e d o f th i n gs
wh i ch have come and shall come to an end. Eve n Au gu s t i n e a d mi t s (wh a t , i n d e e d , n o o n e
ca n d e n y) t h a t i n Scr i pt u r e aidn, aionios mu s t i n ma n y i n s ta n ce s me a n h a vi n g a n e n d ; a n d
St . Gr e go r y o f Nyss a, wh o a t l e as t kn e w Gr e e k, u se s aionios as t h e e pi t h e t o f a n i n t e r va l .
Eternal Hope (1879), e xcu r s u s HI , On t h e Wo r d Aionios," p. 197. (I t a l i cs h i s .)
Ou r s u r e a n d ce r tai n h o pe o f e ve r l asti n g h appi n e ss r e sts o n
n o su ch f l i msy f o u n d ati o n as th e d i s pu te d me an i n g o f a Gr e e k
ad je cti ve , wh i ch i s o f te n u se d o f th i n gs t h a t ar e tr an s i to r y.
We h ave th e cl e ar , po si ti ve , a n d e xpl i ci t f o u n d ati o n s o f Go d s
n o n f i gu r ati ve af f i r mati o n s r e co r d e d f o r o u r assu r an ce .7 So u n d
d o ctr i n e i s base d o n so l i d Scr i ptu r e , a n d s o u n d r e as o n i n g
th e r e f r o m.
7 He r e a r c a f e w: I*a. 25:6-8; Ho s e a 13:14; L u ke 20:36; 1 C o r . 15; 2 T i m. 1:10;
1 Pe t e r 1:4; 5:4; Re v. 21:4; e t ce t e r a .
C H A P T E R T W E N T Y - F I V E
T e r ms and Usages: Immortal , Incor-
rupti o n, Immortal i ty, Eternal Li f e
I. Immo r tal i tySpri ngs From God, Bestowed on Man
We n e xt n o te th e Gr e e k te r ms a n d usages i n vo l ve d i n
th e I mmo r ta l i ty aspe ct. Fi r st, n o te th e th r e e f o u n d ati o n al
wo r d s u se d to e xpr e ss I mmo r tal , I n co r r u pti o n , a n d I mmo r ta l
i tyto ge th e r wi th e te r n al l i f e . T h e s e ar e :
(1) Athanasia (i mmo r ta l i ty), wh i ch o ccu r s th r e e ti me s
i n th e Ne w T e s ta me n t, an d i s e ach ti me tr an s l ate d i mmo r
tal i ty. I n th e L a ti n Vu l gate i t i s r e n d e r e d immortalitas,
wh e n ce co me s o u r i mmo r ta l i ty. (2) Aphtharsia (incorrup
t i o n incorruptibility u n e n d i n g e xi ste n ce , i mmo r ta l
i ty) o ccu r s e i gh t ti me s i n th e Ne w T e s ta me n t. I t i s r e n
d e r e d i n co r r u pti o n f o u r ti me s; i mmo r ta l i ty twi ce , an d
s i n ce r i ty twi ce . I n th e Vu l gate i t i s u su al l y r e n d e r e d incor-
ruptio, wh e n ce co me s o u r i n co r r u pti o n . Bu t i t i s o n ce gi ve n
as immortalitas (1 C o r . 15:45). T h e n (3) aphthartos ("incor
r u p t i b l e undecaying, immortal), th e co r r e s po n d i n g Gr e e k
ad je cti ve , o ccu r s se ven ti me s i n th e Ne w T e s ta me n tsi x ti me s
tr an s l ate d i n co r r u pti bl e a n d o n ce as i mmo r ta l (1 T i m.
1:17).
1. A t h a n a s i a ( I m m o r t a l i t y ) P o s s es s ed b y G o d ;
P u t O n b y M a n .T h r i ce tr an s l ate d i mmo r ta l i ty, athanasia
i s d e f i n e d by Gr e e n f i e l d an d Ro bi n s o n si mpl y as i mmo r ta l i ty.
He r e ar e th e passages:
(1) 1 C o r . 15:53T h i s mo r tal mu st pu t o n [endusasthai, as a
gar me n t] immortality [athanasian].
(2) 1 C o r . 15:54Wh e n . . . th i s mo r tal sh al l h ave pu t o n immor
tality [athanasian].
(3) 1 T i m. 6:15, 16T h e Ki n g o f ki ngs, an d Lo r d o f l o r d s; who
only hath immortality [athanasian].
I t i s to be par ti cu l ar l y n o te d th at i n th ese th r e e pl aces
wh e r e athanasia occurs, th e two po i n ts mo st vi tal to th e do c
tr i n e o f Immo r tal i ty ar e i n cl u d e d . T h e se ar e: (1) T h a t i t i s
possessed o n l y by Go dwho only h ath i mmo r tal i ty, an d
(2) th at mo r tal man mu st put on Immo r tal i ty i n o r d e r to
r ece i ve i t. An d th i s, as seen el sewh ere, i s n o t u n ti l th e r esur -
r e cti o n -tr an sl ati o n day, at th e seco nd co mi ng of C h r i st.
2. I m m o r t a l i t y I s I m m u n i t y t o D e a t h o r D e s t r u c
t i o n . I mmo r tal i ty, th e n , acco r d i n g to d e f i n i ti o n an d scr i p
tu r al usage, i s death l essnessi mmu n i ty to d e ath o r d e str u c
ti o n . I t i s endl ess d u r ati o n o f l i f e, o r undyi ngne ss. Athanasia i s
mad e u p o f a wi th o u t, an d thanatos, d e ath . (T h e r e i s al so
th e co mpar abl e aphtharsia, o r i mpe r i sh abi l i ty, wh i ch i s l i ke
wi se i mmu n i ty to d e ath o r d e str u cti o n .)
T h e r e ar e th u s two angl es to th e co n ce pt o f Immo r tal i ty
i n th e New T e stame n t, name l y: (1) T h a t of f r e e do m f r o m
d e ath , o r death l essnessn e ve r dyi ng f r o m any cause; an d (2)
f r e e d o m f r o m th e el e me nts o f co r r u pti o n th at br i n g f o r th
d e ath . Bo th , i n th e abso l ute , u l ti mate sense, appl y excl usi vel y
to Go d, an d to man o nl y co n ti n ge n tl y an d co n d i ti o n al l y
th r o u gh vo l u n tar y an d co nsci o us u n i o n wi th C h r i st. T h i s wi l l
be r e ce i ve d pe r so n al l y an d actu al l y at th e r e su r r e cti o n , o r
tr an sl ati o n , o f th e r i gh te o u s, at th e seco nd co mi n g o f C h r i st.
3. N o t N a t u r a l E n d o w m e n t b u t Spe c i a l B e s t o w -
m e n t . Natu r al Immo r tal i ty i s cl ear l y n o t th e co mmo n de sti ny
o f al l me n i r r e spe cti ve o f th e co ur se pu r su e d . Endl ess l i f e i s
th e r e war d o n l y o f seekers f o r r i gh teo usness an d l i f e. Immo r
tal i ty i s co n se qu e n tl y n o t a natural endowment bu t a special
hestowment, mad e po ssi bl e th r o u gh th e pr o vi si o ns of Go d s
grace. I t i s n o t th e u n i ve r sal possessi on o f al l man ki n d , bu t a
gi f t o f Go d to i n d i vi d u al r e ge n e r ate me n i n C h r i st. I t i s th e r e
f o r e conditional.
I MMORT A L / "I NC ORRUPT I ON, I MMORT AL I T Y 447
Pa u l s i n s pi r e d d e cl ar ati o n , t h a t o u r Savi o u r J e su s C h r i s t
. . . h a th abo l i s h e d d e ath , an d h ath brought life and immor
tality to light through the gospel (2 T i m. 1:10), th e r e f o r e
be co me s r a d i a n t wi th me an i n g. Ou r h u man n a tu r e h as n o e n
d u r i n g l i f e a pa r t f r o m Go d . Se par ate d f r o m Hi m wh o o n l y
h a th i mmo r ta l i ty, o u r n a tu r e n o t o n l y si n ks i n to d e ge n e r a
ti o n bu t i s d e s ti n e d to e te r n al d e s tr u cti o n . T o Go d i s th e
po we r a n d th e gl o r y f o r th e I mmo r tal i ty t h a t co me s to us.
I I . Athanasia, Aphthartos, AphtharsiaRestri ct In n ate
Immo r tal i ty to God
1. A p h t h a r t o s ( I n c o r r u p t i b l e ) L i k e w i s e C o n
f i n e d E x c l u s i v e l y t o G o d .T h e Gr e e k ad je cti ve aphthar
tos (i n co r r u pt i bl e ), f r o m wh i ch th e si n gl e i n stan ce o f th e
te r m i mmo r t a l i s tr an s l ate d (1 T i m. 1:17), o ccu r s se ve n
ti me s i n th e Ne w T e s ta me n t, th e si x o th e r cases be i n g r e n
d e r e d i n co r r u pt i bl e a n d d e f i n e d by Gr e e n f i e l d as i n co r
r u pti bl e , i mmo r tal , i mpe r i s h abl e , u n d yi n g, e n d u r i n g. T h e
se ve n passages f o l l o w, wi th th e ke y s tate me n t o f th e te xt:
(1) Ro m. 1:23C h an ge d th e gl o r y o f th e uncorruptible [aphthar-
tou\ Go d i n to an i mage mad e l i ke to co r r u pti bl e man .
(2) 1 C o r . 9:25T h e y d o i t to o bta i n a co r r u pti bl e cr o wn ; bu t
we an incorruptible [aphtharton\
(3) 1 C o r . 15:52T h e d e ad sh al l be r ai se d incorruptible
[aphthartoi], an d we sh al l be ch an ge d .
(4) 1 T i m. 1:17T h e Ki n g e te r n al , immortal [aphtharto], i n
vi si bl e , th e o n l y wi se Go d .
(5) 1 Pe te r 1:4T o an i n h e r i tan ce incorruptible [aphtharton],
an d u n d e f i l e d , a n d th a t f ad e th n o t away, r e se r ve d i n h e ave n f o r yo u .
(6) 1 Pe te r 1:23Be i n g bo r n agai n , n o t o f co r r u pti bl e se ed, bu t
o f incorruptible [aphthartou]."
(7) 1 Pe te r 3:4T h a t wh i ch i s n o t corruptible [aphtharto], e ve n
th e o r n ame n t o f a me e k an d qu i e t s pi r i t.
T h e f i r st f o u r u sages ar e by Pau l , th e l ast th r e e by Pe te r .
I n th e f i r st passage aphthartos i s u se d to d e scr i be Go d . I n th e
se co n d Pa u l u ti l i ze s i t to d e pi ct th e h e ave n l y cr o wn o f th e
o ve r co me r . I n th e t h i r d i t i s u se d to se t f o r th th e gl o r i e s o f
th e r e d e e me d at th e r e s u r r e cti o n . I n th e f o u r th i t i s tr an s
l ate d i mmo r t a l an d pr e se n ts th i s u n i qu e a n d abs o l u te a t t r i
bu t e o f Go d , th e Ete r n al On e . I n th e f i f th Pe te r make s u se o f
i t to d e scr i be th e i n h e r i ta n ce r e se r ve d i n He ave n f o r th e o ve r
co me r . I n th e si xth i t i s u se d to se t f o r th th e cr e ati ve pr i n ci pl e
by wh i ch r e ge n e r ati o n i s wr o u gh t i n us. An d i n th e s e ve n th
Pe te r agai n e mpl o ys i t to d e scr i be th e h e ave n l y ad o r n i n g we
ar e l abo r i n g to se cu r e . T h e s e co mpl e te th e i n stan ce s.
Be i t n o te d t h a t i n n o case i s aphthartos appl i e d to man as
a wh o l e o r to an y pa r t o f man as a natural po ssessi o n. I t af f i rms
t h a t C h r i s t br o u gh t I mmo r tal i ty, o r i n co r r u pti o n , to l i gh t by
co mi n g to abo l i s h d e ath (2 T i m. 1:10), T h e r e co u l d h ave be e n
n o l i f e o r I mmo r ta l i ty wi th o u t th i s, f o r th e r ace was h o pe l e ssl y
d o o me d to d e ath th r o u gh si n . C h r i s t abo l i s h e d d e ath by d yi n g
f o r man , an d r i s i n g agai n a vi cto r o ve r d e ath , th u s pr e s e r vi n g
I mmo r ta l i ty f o r us.
Bu t th i s avai l s o n l y f o r th o se wh o accept th e pr o f f e r e d
pr o vi si o n . T h o s e wh o r e je ct i t wi l l me e t th e same f ate as
wo u l d h ave be e n th e l o t o f al l , h ad n o t C h r i s t u n d e r ta ke n th e
wo r k o f r e d e mpti o n wi th i ts i mpe r i s h abl e bo o n . An d i t i s to
be par ti cu l a r l y o bse r ve d t h a t aphthartos is never joined with
the words for "soul or spirit of man, in any of their 1,644
occurrences. I t i s pr e d i cate d o f o n l y o n e be i n gth e Ete r n a l
Go d . T h i s i s bo th h i gh l y si gn i f i can t an d co n cl u si ve .
2. A p h t h a r s i a ( I n c o r r u p t i o n ) N o t I n a l i e n a b l e
P o s s e s s i o n o f M a n .An d f i n al l y th e r e i s aphtharsia, d e f i n e d
as i n co r r u pti bi l i t y, i n co r r u ptn e s s , an d by i mpl i cati o n ,
i mmo r ta l i ty. Aphtharsia o ccu r r i n g e i gh t ti me s (an d twi ce
r e n d e r e d i mmo r ta l i ty) 1 pr e se n ts I mmo r ta l i ty o r i n co r r u p
ti o n f r o m th e material si d e (1 C o r . 15:42, 50, 53, 54), al so f r o m
th e spiritual (Eph . 6:24), a n d al so f r o m bo th aspects (Ro m.
2:7 a n d 2 T i m. 1:10). T h e passages f o l l o w:
(1) Ro m. 2:7Seek f o r gl o r y an d h o n o u r an d i mmo r tal i ty
[iaphtharsian], e t e r n a l l i f e [zoen aidnion].
1 T h u s i n Ro m. 2:7 a n d 2 T i m. 1:10 aphtharsia i s t r a n s l a t e d i mmo r t a l i t yo th e r wi s e
i n co r r u pt i o n o r s i n ce r i t y.
I MMORT AL , I NC ORRUPT I ON, I MMORT ALI T Y " 449
(2) I C o r . 15:42So wn i n co r r u pti o n ; i t i s r ai se d i n incorrup
tion [aphtharsia].
(3) 1C o r . 15:50Ne i th e r d o th co r r u pti o n i n h e r i t incorruption
[<aphtharsian].
(4) 1C o r . 15:53T h i s co r r u pti bl e mu st pu t o n incorruption
[aphtharsian].
(5) 1 C o r . 15:54Wh e n th i s co r r u pti bl e sh al l h ave pu t o n incor
ruption [aphtharsian].
(6) Eph . 6:24Lo ve o u r Lo r d J e su s C h r i st i n si n ce r i ty [l i t., u n
co r r u ptn e s s, aphtharsia]."
(7) 2 T i m. 1:10Wh o [o u r Savi o u r J e su s C h r i s t] h a th abo l
i sh e d d e ath , an d h a t h br o u gh t life [zoen] an d immortality [aphtharsian]
to l i gh t.
(8) T i t u s 2:7Un co r r u ptn e ss, gr avi ty, sincerity [aphtharsian, i n
co r r u pti bi l i ty]. a
No te t h a t i n th e se co n d o n e Pau l r e f e r s to th e bo d y after
th e r e s u r r e cti o n . An d i n th e t h i r d , f o u r th , an d f i f th Pau l d e
cl ar e s t h a t i n co r r u pti o n can n o t be i n h e r i te d i n o u r pr e s e n t
mo r tal co n d i ti o n , a n d t h a t i n co r r u pti o n mu st be put on be
f o r e we can e n te r th e ki n gd o m o f Go d . I n th e si xth an d e i gh th
i t i s u se d to d e scr i be th e l o ve we s h o u l d be ar to C h r i st, an d
th e qu al i ty o f d o ctr i n e we s h o u l d h o l d . T h e se ve n th sh o ws th e
r e l a ti o n o f th e go spe l to I mmo r tal i ty.
3. O b s e r v a t i o n .T h a t i s th e co mpl e te Bi bl i cal te s ti
mo n y o n I mmo r ta l i ty a n d i n co r r u pti bi l i ty. So f ar f r o m be i n g
appl i e d to man i n h e r e n tl y, i t po i n ts o u t th e su pr e me co n tr as t
be twe e n Go d a n d man . Man i s n o w o n l y co r r u pti bl e a n d mo r
tal . I n co r r u pti bi l i t y a n d I mmo r ta l i ty ar e f o r man an o bje ct o f
h o pe , f o r wh i ch h e i s to seek. T h e s e te r ms co n tr as t th e h e av
e n l y a n d th e e te r n al wi th th e e ar th l y a n d th e d e cayi n g. I n
o t h e r wo r d s, th e Bi bl i cal u sage i n n o way i mpl i e s o r su stai n s
th e po pu l ar I n n a t e I mmo r ta l i ty o f th e so u l po s tu l ate .
I I I . T h e Fi ve Engl i sh Uses o f I mmo r tal /Immo r tal i ty Exami n e d
1. G o d t h e P o s s e s s o r , M a n t h e F u t u r e R e c e i v e r .Le t
us n e xt co o r d i n ate th e e vi d e n ce o f th e te r ms i mmo r ta l an d
i mmo r tal i ty. T h e s e ar e u se d bu t five ti me s i n th e wh o l e o f
2Omi t t e d by Gr i e s ba ch , L o ch ma n n , T i s ch e n d o r f , T r e ge l l e s , Al f o r d , a n d C o d e x Si n ai ti cu s .
15
T h e Re al i ty o f C h r i s ts Re s
u r r e cti o n Bo dy Is a T ype of
Ou r Gl o r i f i e d Bo di es T h a t
Wi l l Li ve Fo r e ve r i n th e
Ear th Made New.
Scr i ptu r e , a n d al l o ccu r i n th e Ne w T e s ta me n t. An e xami n a
ti o n o f th e se f i ve i l l u mi n ate s a n d cl ar i f i e s th e wh o l e i mmo r
tal i ty qu e s ti o n . No te th e m:
(1) T h e bl e ssed an d o n l y Po te n tate , th e Ki n g o f ki ngs, a n d Lo r d
o f l o r d s; wh o o n l y h a t h immortality [athanasian, d e ath l e ssn e ss],
d we l l i n g i n th e l i gh t wh i ch n o man [oudeis, n o o n e o f me n ] can ap
proach [aprositon, i n appr o ach abl e , "i n acce ssi bl e ] u n t o (1 T i m.
6:15, 16).
He r e th e wo r d i mmo r ta l i ty, o n e o f th r e e pl ace s wh e r e
i t co me s f r o m th e Gr e e k athanasia i n Ho l y Wr i t, i s e xpr e ssl y
d e cl ar e d to be an a t t r i bu t e t h a t be l o n gs to Go d al o n e , along
with His omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence. I t i s
i n th e same cate go r y o f e xcl u si ve s. T h e i n e scapabl e i n f e r e n ce
th e r e f o r e i s t h a t I mmo r ta l i ty (l i ke th e o t h e r r e s tr i cti ve a t t r i
bu te s o f De i ty) i s a qu a l i ty t h a t man d o e s not possess i n h e r
e n tl y, i n al i e n abl y, o r n atu r al l y.
T h i s d e cl ar ati o n agr e e s wi th th e d e s cr i pti o n i n 1 T i m
o th y 1:17 o f th e Ki n g eternal, immortal, i n vi si bl e , th e o n l y
wi se Go d . I t stan d s o u t i n co n tr as t wi th mo r tal ma n (J o b
4:17), wh o i s s u bje ct to time an d to death. We ar e ad mo n i s h e d
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450
I MMORT AL , I NC ORRUPT I ON, I MMORT AL I T Y 451
to se e k f o r I mmo r ta l i ty (Ro m. 2:7), an d ar e to r e ce i ve i t as
a gi f t (ch ap. 6:23). Bu t i t wi l l n o t be pu t o n u n t i l th e
r e s u r r e cti o n , wh e n mo r ta l i ty sh al l be swal l o we d u p o f l i f e
(2 C o r . 5:4). I t i s not o u r s i n h e r e n tl y, o r actu al l y, as ye t. I t
i s o u r s n o w in Christve ste d i n Hi m.
(2) By th e a ppe ar i n g o f o u r Savi o u r J e su s C h r i st, wh o h a t h abo l
i sh e d d e ath , an d h ath br o u gh t life [;zden] an d immortality [aphtharsian,
i n co r r u pti o n ] to l i gh t th r o u gh th e go spe l (2 T i m. 1:10).
He r e C h r i s t i s pr e s e n te d as th e r e ve al e r an d br i n ge r o f
I mmo r tal i ty to man . T h e e te r n al So n o f Go d came i n to th e
wo r l d to br i n g wi th i n th e kn o wl e d ge an d r an ge an d e xpe r i e n ce
o f man t h a t e ve r l asti n gn e ss o f pe r f e ct be i n g wh i ch i s n o w th e
e xcl u si ve po ssessi o n o f De i ty al o n e . Bu t i t i s pr o mi se d to an d
f o r us.
(3) T o th e m wh o by pa ti e n t co n ti n u an ce i n wel l d o i n g seek f o r
. . . immortality [aphtharsian, i n co r r u pti o n ], eternal life [zden aidnion]
(Ro m. 2:7).
I mmo r ta l i ty i s th e r e f o r e not a pr e se n t, i n n ate po ssessi o n
o f th e h u ma n r ace , bu t i s so me th i n g d i l i ge n tl y to be so u gh t f o r
an d gai n e d , a n d to th o se wh o seek f o r i t i n Go d s appr o ve d way,
I mmo r tal i ty, o r eternal life (zde aidnios), wi l l be gr an te d .
I t i s i n cr e d i bl e to th i n k o f be i n g ad mo n i s h e d to se ek f o r so me
th i n g al r e ad y po ssessed, an d f r o m wh i ch , acco r d i n g to po pu l ar
th e o l o gy, we co u l d n o t be di spo ssessed.
(4) Fo r th i s corruptible [phtharton] mu st pu t o n incorruption
[aphtharsian], an d th i s mortal [thneton, l i abl e o r su bje ct to d e a th ]
mu st pu t o n immortality [athanasian] (1 C o r . 15:53).
T h e i n f e r e n ce i s co n s e qu e n tl y cl e ar th a t man i n h i s pr e s
e n t state i s mo r ta l a n d co r r u pti bl e , bu t th a t i t i s Go d s pl an f o r
h i m to pu t o n I mmo r tal i ty a n d i n co r r u pti o n . Ne e d l e ss to say,
o n e d o e s n o t pu t o n wh at i s al r e ad y a n a tu r a l , i n h e r e n t, an d
i n al i e n abl e qu a l i ty o r po ssessi o n. We wo u l d n o t pu t o n wh at
we h ave h ad e ve r si n ce be i n g bo r n i n to th e wo r l d . An d man
o bvi o u sl y ca n n o t be bo th mo r tal a n d i mmo r tal a t th e same
ti me . He i s not i mmo r tal n o w.
(5) "So wh e n th i s corruptible [phtharton] sh al l h ave pu t o n in
corruption [aphtharsian], an d th i s mortal [thneton] sh al l h ave pu t o n
immortality [athanasian], th e n sh al l be br o u gh t to pass th e sayi n g t h a t
i s wr i tte n , De ath i s swal l o wed u p i n vi cto r y (1 C o r . 15:54).
T h e ti me , acco r d i n g to th e same apo stl e , wh e n th i s
mo r tal sh al l put on I mmo r tal i ty i s at th e r e s u r r e cti o n , o r
tr a n s l a ti o n th e r e s u r r e cti o n at th e Se co n d Ad ve n t be i n g th e
ce n tr al th e me o f th i s ch apte r (see v. 52).
2. R e c a pi t u l a t i o n o f F i v e f o l d W i t n e s s .Go d i s th e
so l e pr e s e n t po ssesso r o f I mmo r tal i ty. He i s th e r e f o r e th e
so u r ce f r o m wh i ch man , at pr e s e n t mo r tal , mu s t o btai n I m
mo r tal i ty. C h r i s t i s th e r e ve al e r , th e ch an n e l , th e cu s to d i an ,
a n d th e co n ve ye r o f i mmo r tal l i f e . No t o n l y h as He br o u gh t to
l i gh t th e possibility o f I mmo r ta l i ty f o r d yi n g man bu t He h as
pr o vi d e d i n Hi ms e l f th e ch an n e l th r o u gh wh i ch i t may f l o w
to us. Man i s to se ek f o r i t by pa ti e n t, go d l y l i vi n g i n C h r i s t
a n d all such seekers will be rewarded. I t i s th e r e war d o f
vi tal f ai th . Mo r tal man wi l l pu t o n I mmo r tal i ty at th e r e s u r
r e cti o n o f th e just (Lu ke 20:36).
I mmo r tal i ty, th e n , i s n o t a pr e r o gati ve bu t a pr i vi l e ge , n o t
an i n h e r i ta n ce bu t an ach i e ve me n t, n o t a n a tu r a l e n d o wme n t
co n f e r r e d by n a tu r e at bi r t h bu t a co n d i ti o n al gi f t co n f e r r e d
by J e su s C h r i s t a t Hi s se co n d ad ve n t, o n th e gr o u n d o f a n e w
bi r t h , a n d a bi d i n g f ai th i n a n d o be d i e n ce to Hi m t h r o u gh o u t
l i f e . T h e be l i e f th a t man i s i mmo r tal i s an a pr i o r i assu mpti o n ,
t h a t i s, a r e as o n i n g base d u po n d e d u ci n g co n se qu e n ce s f r o m
d e f i n i ti o n s r e gar d e d as se l f -e vi d e n t, bu t by r e aso n al o n e , a n d
n o t th r o u gh e stabl i sh e d Bi bl i cal e vi d e n ce . I t i s th e r e f o r e pr e
s u mpti o n , wi th o u t Scr i ptu r e pr o o f , a n d co n tr ar y to Scr i ptu r e .
Ne xt l e t us t u r n to a se r i o u s pr o bl e m t h a t pe r pl e xe s man y.
IV. Pr o bl e m: Ete r n al Li f e an d I mmo r tal i tyDi f f erences,
Si mi l ar i ti es, an d Re l ati o n sh i ps
1. P r o b l e m : A r e E t e r n a l L i f e a n d I m m o r t a l i t y
E q u i v a l e n t s ?A ve r y r e al pr o bl e m t h a t mu s t be f ace d f r an kl y
a n d r e so l ve d h o n e stl y an d Bi bl i cal l y i s th e r e l ati o n s h i p be twe e n
two f r e qu e n tl y u se d s cr i ptu r al te r ms, e te r n al l i f e an d
i mmo r ta l i ty, an d th e f ar -r e ach i n g pr o vi si o n s f o r wh i ch
th e y s tan d . Ar e th e y actu al l y i d e n ti cal i n me an i n g, be i n g si m
pl y d i f f e r e n t e xpr e ssi o n s f o r th e same th i n g, su ch as r e ge n e r a
t i o n a n d th e n e w bi r t h ? Or ar e th e r e basi c d i f f e r e n ce s?
So me ma i n ta i n t h a t th e y ar e o n e a n d th e same e te r n al l i f e
be i n g, i n r e al i ty, si mpl y an e qu i val e n t f o r i mmo r tal i ty. If
th a t be so th e n th e te r ms can pr o pe r l y be e qu ate d , a n d th e o n e
e xpr e ssi o n u se d i n te r ch an ge abl y f o r th e o th e r .
Bu t th i s asse r ti o n mu s t be pu t to te st, f o r i f su ch a co n
t e n ti o n be tr u e , t h e n i ts co r r e ctn e ss can be s u bs tan ti ate d by
s u bs ti tu ti n g o n e te r m f o r th e o th e r i n th e var i o u s passages. If
co r r e ct, su ch a u sage s h o u l d al ways make sense, wi th o u t s tr a i n
i n g th e me an i n g o r cr e ati n g co n f l i ct an d co n f u si o n . On th e
o th e r h a n d an d f ar mo r e i mpo r ta n ti f su ch a pr o ce d u r e
do es vi o l e n ce to bo th th e ge n e r al a n d th e speci f i c te ach i n gs o f
Scr i ptu r e , i t i s man i f e s tl y wr o n g. Le t us th e r e f o r e te st o u t
th i s matte r , f o r mu ch h azi n e ss a n d gr ave mi sco n ce pti o n e xi st
i n th e po pu l a r mi n d o ve r th e qu e s ti o n , Are eternal life and
Immortality interchangeable terms? We can n o t af f o r d to be
mi s take n as to th e i r r e l ati o n s h i ps .
As a cl u e i n ad van ce , we sh al l f i nd, i n ge n e r al , t h a t e te r n al
l i f e i s a l i f e o f u n i o n wi th Go d i n C h r i st. I t be gi n s n o w, i n tr u s t,
an d co me s to co n s u mmati o n i n th e tan gi bl e be sto wal o f I m
mo r tal i ty, o r d e ath l e ssn e ss, f o r man a t th e Se co n d Ad ve n t an d
i ts a tt e n d a n t r e s u r r e cti o n . I t i s l i ke wi se tr u e t h a t e te r n al l i f e
i s th e po r ti o n o f th e believer only, n o t th e i n h e r e n t pr i vi l e ge
o f th e si n n e r . Awar e n e ss o f th e se pr i n ci pl e s wi l l make i t
e asi e r to f o l l o w th e spe ci f i c e vi d e n ce to be pr e s e n te d . Fi r s t l o o k
at so me f o u n d ati o n al f acts.
2. G o d s I m m o r t a l i t y A b s o l u t e ; M a n s A l w a y s C o n
t i n g e n t .T h e l i f e t h a t Gr e e k ph i l o s o ph y f o n d l y f an ci e d
mi gh t e xi st i n tr i n s i cal l y i n th e so u l i tse l f i s, o n th e co n tr ar y,
to be f o u n d so l e l y i n th e pe r so n o f J e su s C h r i s t Hi mse l f . Mo r e
o ve r , th e l i f e th a t He wi l l be sto w u po n Hi s pe o pl e i s vastl y
gr e ate r a n d mo r e wo n d e r f u l th an Pl ato e ve r co n ce i ve d . Bu t th e
I MMORT AL , "I NC ORRUPT I ON, "I MMORT AL I T Y 453
f u n d ame n ta l po i n t o f d i spar i ty i s th i s: Apa r t f r o m C h r i st,
th e r e i s n o a bi d i n g l i f e . An d asi d e f r o m th e pu r e C h r i s ti an
f ai th , al l o t h e r systems o r ph i l o so ph i cal co n ce pts as co n ce r n s
l i f e an d I mmo r ta l i ty ar e d i s to r te d by e r r o r . I n th e go spe l o f
th e Wo r d al o n e i s to be f o u n d t r u t h wi th o u t e r r o r , as pe r tai n s
to l i f e i n al l i ts aspects. T o th i s Wo r d we th e r e f o r e t u r n .
Fi r s t o f al l , Scr i ptu r e r e ve al s t h a t Go d al o n e i s e te r n al ,
t h a t i s, wi th o u t be gi n n i n g o r e n d . (Fr o m e ve r l asti n g to
e ve r l asti n g, th o u a r t Go d Ps. 90:2.) He al o n e h as abs o l u te
I mmo r ta l i tyi n d e pe n d e n t, i n n ate , i n al i e n abl e , o r i gi n al ,
u n bo r r o we d , u n d e r i ve d , i n vi o l abl e , i n e xh au s ti bl e , al l -co mpr e
h e n si ve I mmo r ta l i ty (1 T i m. 1:17; 6:16). Man , o n th e co n
tr ar y, i s a cr e ate d be i n g, a cr e a tu r e o f ti me , wh o was n o t, bu t
came i n to be i n g, an d can pass o u t o f be i n g a t th e wi l l o f Go d .
Man , mo r tal si n ce th e Fal l a n d s u bje ct to d e ath , i s to r e ce i ve
I mmo r tal i ty, o r i mmu n i ty to d e ath . I t i s to be be sto we d u po n
h i m as a gi f t, bu t n o t u n t i l th e Se co n d Ad ve n t an d i ts a tt e n d a n t
r e s u r r e cti o n -tr an s l ati o n o f th e r i gh te o u s.
I n co n tr as t wi th Go d s I n n ate I mmo r tal i ty, ma n s co n
f e r r e d I mmo r ta l i ty wi l l be d e r i ve d , d e pe n d e n t, co n ti n ge n t,
a n d not se l f -pe r pe tu ati n g, bu t e ve r su bje ct to Go d s co n ti n
u i n g gr ace a n d po we r . Man wi l l n e ve r h ave I mmo r ta l i ty i n d e
pe n d e n t o f Go d . T h i s sh o u l d n e ve r be f o r go tte n . Wh a t Go d
h as cr e ate d He can di sso l ve a n d d e str o y. Wi t h o u t l i f e f r o m Go d
we ar e u n d e r s e n te n ce o f d e ath , past al l h o pe , a n d d e ad o r d y
i n g by r e aso n o f tr e spasse s an d si ns. An d I mmo r tal i ty wi l l
n e ve r be be sto we d u po n th e wi l l f u l l y wi cke d . I t i s f o r th e r i gh t
e o u s al o n e .
3. E t e r n a l L i f e G o d s b y N a t u r e ; M a n s t o R e c e i v e .
Ete r n al l i f e \zoe aidnios] i s pr o f f e r e d to man , a n d pr o mi s e d
to h i m i f h e be l i e ve s an d o be ys th e co n d i ti o n s l ai d d o wn f o r i ts
r e ce pti o n . I n su ch an e ve n t h e i s o r d a i n e d u n t o e te r n al l i f e .
I t wi l l be co me h i s as a gi f t. He i s to l ay h o l d u po n i t. Bu t
f o r man , e te r n al l i f e i s e ve r ve ste d i n C h r i st. Man h as i t now
i n C h r i stbu t o n l y when he is in Christ and Christ is in
him. So e te r n al l i f e i s th e br o ad e r , mo r e co mpr e h e n s i ve
te r m. I t i s Go d s i n h e r e n tl y, a n d ma n s to r e ce i ve co n d i ti o n al l y
a n d co n ti n ge n tl y. An d i t i s h i s now i n th e way Go d h as pr o
vi d e d . T h e d i s ti n cti o n s ar e pr e ci se an d co n s i s te n t bu t ar e
o f te n co n f u se d .
4. B o t h E t e r n a l L i f e a n d I m m o r t a l i t y C e n t e r i n
C h r i s t .As wi th I mmo r tal i ty, so wi th e te r n al l i f e f o r man , i t
l i ke wi se ce n te r s e xcl u si ve l y i n th e Pe r so n o f J e su s C h r i s t o u r
Lo r d i n car n ate , si nl ess, cr u ci f i e d , r i se n , asce n d e d , mi n i s te r
i n g, an d co mi n g agai n as i n e r r a n t J u d ge a n d e te r n al Ki n g. He ,
a n d He al o n e , i s i ts so u r ce a n d spr i n g. Man f o r f e i te d e te r n al
l i f e th r o u gh si n , bu t i t i s o f f e r e d to h i m an e w by Go d th r o u gh
C h r i st, as a f u tu r e e te r n al i n h e r i ta n ce f o r th e wo r l d to co me .
Bu t mo r e th an th at, i t i s assu r e d now th r o u gh r e ge n e r ati o n ,
an d po ssessed now i n C h r i st, t h e n to be e n jo ye d i n i mmo r ta l
i ze d r e al i zati o n th r o u gh r e s u r r e cti o n o r tr an s l ati o n at th e Ad
ve n t.
Ete r n al l i f e i s th e r e f o r e mu ch mo r e co mpr e h e n s i ve th an
I mmo r tal i ty, wh i ch i n ti me be gi n s f o r man o n l y at th e r e s u r
r e cti o n . Ete r n al l i f e i s a pr e s e n t po ssessi o n, as we l l as be i n g
a po s tr e s u r r e cti o n h e r i tage f o r e ve r . I t i s po si ti ve . I t i s e n d l e ss
f u l l n e ss o f l i f e , wh i l e I mmo r ta l i ty i s n e gati ve , th at i s, n o t s u b
je ct to d e ath a n d co r r u pti o n .
5. E t e r n a l L i f e B a s e d o n D u a l R e l a t i o n s h i ps .Et e r
n al l i f e , th e n , i s s o me th i n g we bo th h ave n o w i n C h r i s t an d
sh al l r e ce i ve wi th n e w f u l l n e ss a n d pe r so n al i ze d r e al i ty i n th e
wo r l d to co me (Lu ke 18:30). T h i s d u al r e l a ti o n s h i p mu s t be
s u stai n e d . We mu s t be , an d co n ti n u e to be , i n C h r i s t, a n d
C h r i s t i n u s th i s be i n g o u r so l e h o pe o f gl o r y (C o l . 1:27).
C h r i s t l i ves i n me , br i n gi n g Hi s l i f e an d po we r an d vi cto r y to
be ar i n my l i f e my e te r n al l i f e be i n g ve ste d i n Hi m (Gal .
2:20).
T h u s my pr e s e n t e te r n al l i f e an d my f u tu r e I mmo r tal i ty
f o r e te r n i ty ar e assu r e d as l o n g as th i s r e l a ti o n s h i p co n ti n u e s .
An d as th e go spe l i s po si ti ve , a n d e te r n al l i f e i s po si ti ve , th e
te r m e te r n al l i f e i s co n s e qu e n tl y u se d by th e Ne w T e s ta me n t
I MMORT AL , "I NC ORRUPT I ON, I MMORT AL I T Y 455
wr i te r s mu ch mo r e f r e qu e n tl y t h an i mmo r tal i ty. I t i s Go d s
o ve r -al l o f f e r o f l i f e to man . So mu ch f o r a ge n e r al s tate me n t.
6. S o u n d C o n c l u s i o n s D e d u c i b l e F r o m S c r i p t u r e E v i
d e n c e .C o mi n g n o w to th e d e tai l e d e xami n ati o n o f th e Scr i p
tu r e e vi d e n ce , we h e r e af te r t abu l a te th r e e gr o u ps o f te xts t h a t
pr e s e n t th e sco pe a n d r e ve al th e d i s ti n cti o n s an d r e l ati o n s h i ps
be twe e n e te r n al l i f e an d I mmo r tal i ty. T h e f i r st gr o u p u n f o l d s
th e br o ad , o ve r -al l , co mpr e h e n si ve e te r n al l i f e t h a t ch ar acte r
i zes Go d a n d C h r i st, as we l l as th e r e ge n e r ati n g l i f e pr i n ci pl e
i mpl an te d i n man , i n co n tr as t wi th th e i mmo r tal i ze d r e s u r r e c
ti o n l i f e f o r th e f u tu r e . Ete r n a l l i f e f o r man n o w, i s a pr e s e n t
po sse ssi o n t h a t tr an s f o r ms th e l i f e t h a t i s l i ve d i n C h r i s t,
an d t h a t assu r e s th e r e s u r r e cti o n o f th e be l i e ve r u n t o I mmo r
tal i ty a t th e l ast day.
I t i s th e l i f e t h a t br i n gs f u l l assu r an ce a n d gl o r i o u s h o pe ,
a n d t h a t h as th e i n vi o l abl e gu ar an te e o f Go d th e Ete r n al , th e
I mmo r ta l On e , back o f i t. Scan th e l i st car e f u l l y i n o r d e r to
gr asp th e swe e p o f pr o vi si o n s. So u n d co n cl u si o n s wi l l be d e
d u ci bl e f r o m th i s co mpr e h e n si ve Scr i ptu r e co ve r age .
New T e stame n t T e sti mo n y o n Ete r n al Li f e
Matt. 19:16"Wh at go o d th i n g sh al l I do , th a t I may have eternal
life [zoen aionion]?"
Matt. 25:46T h e r i gh te o u s [shall go "] into life eternal."
Mar k 10:17"Wh at sh al l I d o th a t I may inherit eternal life?"
Mar k 10:30Re ce i ve an h u n d r e d f o l d n o w . . . ; an d in the world
to come eternal life."
Lu ke 10:25Wh a t sh al l I d o to inherit eternal life?"
Lu ke 18:18Wh a t sh al l I d o to inherit eternal life?"
Lu ke 18:30In the world to come life everlasting."
J o h n 3:15No t pe r i sh , bu t h ave eternal life."
J o h n 3:16No t pe r i sh , bu t h ave everlasting life."
J o h n 4:14Springing up into everlasting life."
J o h n 4:36Gath e r e th f r u i t u n to life eternal."
J o h n 6:27Labo u r . . . f o r th a t me at wh i ch e n d u r e th unto ever
lasting life."
J o h n 6:40Eve r y o n e wh i ch . . . be l i e ve th . . . may h ave everlast
ing life."
J o h n 12:25Sh al l ke e p i t [h i s l i f e ] unto life eternal."
I MMORT AL ," I NC ORRUPT I ON," I MMORT AL I T Y 457
J o h n 12:50Hi s co mman d me n t i s life everlasting.
J o h n 17:2He should give eternal life to as man y as th o u h ast
gi ve n h i m.
J o h n 17:3"T h i s i s life eternal, that they might know thee.
Acts 13:46Ye . . . ju d ge yo ur sel ve s [th e Isr ae l i te s] u n wo r th y o f
everlasting life, l o , we tu r n to th e Ge n ti l e s.
Acts 13:48As man y [Ge n ti l e s] as we r e ordained to eternal life
be l i e ve d .
Ro m. 2:7Seek f o r gl o r y an d h o n o u r an d i mmo r tal i ty, eternal life.
Ro m. 5:21T h r o u gh r i gh te o u sn e ss unto eternal life by J e su s C h r i st
o u r Lo r d .
Ro m. 6:22An d th e end everlasting life.
Ro m. 6:23T h e gift o f Go d i s eternal life th r o u gh J e su s C h r i st
o u r Lo r d .
Gal . 6:8Sh al l o f th e Spi r i t reap life everlasting.
1 T i m. 1:16"Sh o u l d h e r e af te r be l i e ve o n h i m to life everlasting.
1 T i m. 6:12Lay hold on eternal life, wh e r e u n to th o u a r t al so
cal l e d .
1 T i m. 6:19T h a t th e y may lay hold on eternal life.
T i t u s 1:2In hope of eternal life . . . , pr o mi se d be f o r e th e wo r l d
be gan .
T i t u s 3:7He i r s acco r d i n g to th e hope o f eternal life.
1 J o h n 1:2T h a t eternal life [th e Wo r d ], wh i ch was wi th th e
Fath e r , a n d was man i f e ste d u n to u s.
1 J o h n 2:25T h i s i s th e pr o mi se th a t h e h ath promised us, e ve n
eternal life.
1 J o h n 5:20This [J esus C h r i st] i s th e tr u e Go d , an d eternal life.
J u d e 21Lo o ki n g f o r th e me r cy o f o u r Lo r d J e su s C h r i s t unto
eternal life.
No te th e qu al i f i e r s: May h ave , sh al l go i n t o , may
i n h e r i t , i n th e wo r l d to co me , s pr i n gi n g u p i n to , u n t o ,
s h o u l d gi ve , u n wo r th y o f , o r d ai n e d to , seek f o r , th e
e n d r e s u l ta n t, r e a p, l ay h o l d o n , i n h o pe o f , ma n i
f e ste d u n t o , an d pr o mi s e d . T h a t i s th e conditional, or con
tingent, si d e . I t i s e xpr e ssl y not i n n ate , n a tu r a l , i n h e r e n t, n o r
au to mati cal l y po ssessed.
V. Ete r n al Li f e Pr e se n t Possessi on, bu t i n C h r i st
No w l o o k at a se co n d tabu l a ti o n o f te xts, a t f i r st po ssi bl y
i n se e mi n g co n f l i ct wi th th e pr e vi o u s l i sti n g, ye t u po n cl o se r
e xa mi n ati o n f o u n d to be i n co mpl e te h ar mo n y th e r e wi th an d
e xpl an ato r y th e r e o f . On l y th e believer h as e te r n al l i f e , an d h e
h as i t now, a n d is passed from death to life. An d be cau se h e h as
e te r n al l i f e n o w, C h r i s t wi l l r ai se h i m u p at th e l ast d ay a n d
be sto w I mmo r tal i ty, o r d e ath l e ssn e ss, u po n h i m at Hi s se co n d
ad ve n t, a n d r e s u r r e cti o n o r tr an s l ati o n . T h a t i s t h e ti me o f
i mmo r tal i zati o n .
Bu t e te r n al l i f e i s co n ti n ge n t u po n be l i e vi n g o n C h r i st,
r e ce i vi n g C h r i st, abi d i n g i n C h r i st, e xpe r i e n ci n g th e n e w bi r th ,
a n d ma i n ta i n i n g th e i n C h r i s t po si ti o n . No u n r e ge n e r ate
s i n n e r h as e te r n al l i f e , an d n o o n e wh o br e aks of f th e l i vi n g
f e l l o wsh i p wi th C h r i s t r e tai n s e te r n al l i f e . He r e i s th e Bi bl i cal
d o cu me n tati o n i n n i n e passages, al l i n th e apo stl e J o h n s
wr i ti n gs.
J o h n 3:36He th a t believeth o n th e So n hath everlasting life.
J o h n 5:24He th a t . . . believeth . . . hath everlasting life, an d
sh al l n o t co me i n to co n d e mn ati o n ; bu t is passed f r o m d e a th u n to life.
J o h n 6:47He th a t believeth o n me hath e ve r l asti n g l i f e .
J o h n 6:54Wh o so e ate th my f l esh , an d d r i n ke th my bl o o d , hath
eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
J o h n 10:28"I give u n to th e m [my sh e e p] eternal life.
1J o h n 3:15No murderer hath eternal life abi d i n g i n h i m.
1J o h n 5:11Go d hath given to us eternal life, an d this life is in his
Son.
1J o h n 5:12He th at h a t h th e So n hath life; an d h e th a t h a th n o t
th e Son o f Go d hath not life.
1 J o h n 5:13T h a t ye may kn o w th a t ye have eternal life.
No te th e co n d i ti o n s i n th e l i gh t o f th e se te xts: Pr e s e n t
po ssessi o n i s co n ti n ge n t u po n believing, a n d co n ti n u e d be l i e v
i n g, o n th e So n, a n d th u s o n e passes f r o m th e r e al m o f d e a th
u n t o l i f e . Havi n g e te r n al l i f e i s co n ti n ge n t u po n l i vi n g u n i o n
wi th C h r i st, a n d su ch r e ci pi e n ts wi l l be r ai se d u p f o r th e be
sto wal o f I mmo r ta l i ty at th e r e s u r r e cti o n . Ete r n al l i f e i s a gi f t,
bu t o n l y Go d s sh e e p h ave e te r n al l i f e ; n o u n r e pe n t a n t
mu r d e r e r (o r s i n n e r ) h as e te r n al l i f e . Bu t mo st i mpo r ta n t
o f al l , Go d h as gi ve n us th i s e te r n al l i f e in His Son. Ete r n a l
l i f e i s co n s e qu e n tl y d e pe n d e n t u po n believing, having, a n d
abiding i n th e So n. T h a t i s th e si mpl e bu t co mpl e te sto r y o f
Ho l y Wr i t.
VI. Immo r tal i tyGo d s Al o ne, Man s to Pu t On at Adve nt
As al r e ad y o bse r ve d , abs o l u te , u l ti ma te I mmo r tal i ty i s
Go d s o n l y. Mo r tal man mu s t se e k f o r i t, mu st pu t i t o n ,
mu s t f i n d i t i n th e go spe l pr o mi se s an d Go d s e n abl i n g acts. I t
i s n o t h i s pr e se n tl y, n o r h i s n a tu r al l y, i n h e r e n tl y, i n n ate l y, o r
i n d e pe n d e n tl y. I t i s co n d i ti o n a l , co n ti n ge n t, an d s ti l l f u t u r e
r e ce i ve d at a n d r e t a i n e d af te r th e r e s u r r e cti o n -tr an s l ati o n .
Bu t i t i s o u r s i n pr o mi s e an d pr o vi si o n . No te th e si x pe r t i
n e n t te xts s u s tai n i n g th e se state me n ts o f r e l a ti o n s h i p to th e
o n e an d o n l y i n n ate l y I mmo r ta l On e , wh o se l i gh t n o man can
appr o ach u n to u n l e ss h e pr e s u mptu o u s l y cl ai ms i mmo r tal i ty
o n th e basi s o f t r a d i ti o n , base d i n t u r n at th e be gi n n i n g o n
Satan s o r i gi n al l i e i n Ed e n (Ge n . 3:4; J o h n 8:44).
Ro m. 2:7Seek f o r gl o r y an d h o n o u r an d immortality."
1 C o r . 15:53T h i s mo r tal mu st put on immortality.
1C o r . 15:54Wh e n . . . th i s mo r tal sh al l h ave put on immortality.
2 T i m. 1:10Ha th br o u gh t l i f e an d immortality to light through
the gospel.
1 T i m. 1:17No w u n to th e Ki n g e te r n al , immortal, i n vi si bl e , th e
o n l y wi se Go d .
1T i m. 6:15, 16T h e Ki n g o f ki ngs, an d Lo r d o f l o r ds; who only hath
immortality, d we l l i n g i n th e l i gh t which no man can approach unto.
VII. Basi c T wo f o l d Pr o vi si o n -C o n d i ti o n o f Ete r n al Li f e
I t i s e sse n ti al t h a t we gr asp th e r e ve al e d two f o l d basi s
f o r e te r n al l i f e , wh i ch i s o u r s h e r e an d n o w, i n a spe ci al an d
spe ci f i e d sense. Le t u s l o o k at o n e f ace t o f th i s s ci n ti l l ati n g ge m
o f t r u t h : T h e r e i s th e r e f o r e n o w n o co n d e mn ati o n to th e m
wh i ch ar e in Christ Jesus (Ro m. 8:1).
Bu t to th i s i n C h r i s t aspe ct Pau l i mme d i ate l y ad d s th e
co n ve r se si d e o f th i s d u a l r e l ati o n s h i pi f th e Spi r i t o f Go d
dwell in you (v. 9). An d h e i mme d i ate l y r e pe ats th i s aspe ct
by str e ssi n g pl ai n l y, I f C h r i s t be in you, . . . th e Spi r i t i s
l i f e (v. 10). T h a t i s u n e qu i vo cal . T h e n co me s th i s co n se
qu e n ce an d cl i max:
FREDERICK SHIELDS, ARTIST
Lazar u s, Rai se d by C h r i st Fr o m th e Sl eep o f De ath , Sti l l Bo u n d Wi th Grave-
cl o th e s, Atte ste d th e Omn i po te n t Po we r o f th e Li f e-gi ver .
I f th e Spi r i t o f h i m th a t r ai se d u p J e su s f r o m th e d e ad
dwell in you, h e th a t r ai se d u p C h r i s t f r o m th e d e ad sh al l also
quicken your mortal bodies (v. 11).
We ar e th u s l e d u p to o u r ch an ge , o r qu i cke n i n g,
a t th e r e s u r r e cti o n . Bu t Pau l e xpl ai n s o u r pr e s e n t r e l a ti o n s h i p
e ve n mo r e e xpl i ci tl y:
I l i ve ; ye t n o t I, bu t Christ liveth in me: a n d th e l i f e
wh i ch I n o w l i ve i n th e f l esh I live by the faith of the Son
of God, wh o l o ve d me , a n d gave h i mse l f f o r me (Gal . 2:20).
I t i s th e r e f o r e bo th His l i f e wi t h i n us a n d His f ai th t h a t
a r e e f f e cti ve. T h a t i s th e pr o vi s i o n a n d th e gu a r a n te e o f o u r
saf e ty a n d t r i u mph . J e su s l i ke wi se se t f o r th th e same two f o l d
r e l a ti o n s h i p i n th e se wo r d s:
He t h a t e a te th my f l esh , a n d d r i n ke t h my bl o o d [r e ce i v
i n g a n d as si mi l ati n g C h r i s t i n th e l i f e ], dwelleth in me, and I
in him (J o h n 6:56).
T h a t two f o l d i n te gr ati o n i s i d e n ti cal i n i n t e n t wi th Hi s
pr e vi o u s s tate me n t:
T h a t e ve r y o n e wh i ch se e th th e So n, a n d believeth on
him, may h ave e ve r l as ti n g l i f e : a n d I will raise him up at the
last day (v. 40).
460
"I MMORT AL , I NC ORRU PT I ON"I M M ORT A L I T Y 461
T h e r e we h ave i t: e te r n al l i f e n o w; a n d I mmo r tal i ty at
th e Se co n d Ad ve n t. T h a t i s Go d s gr aci o u s pl an an d wo n d r o u s
pr o vi si o n .
1. S i m i l a r t o C h r i s t s R e l a t i o n s h i p t o t h e F a t h e r .
T h i s l i f e , i n te gr ate d wi th th e l i f e o f C h r i st, i s mu ch th e same
r e l a ti o n s h i p as th a t be twe e n C h r i s t a n d th e Fa th e r wh e n C h r i s t
was o n e a r th as a man amo n g mo r tal me n , su bje ct to d e ath .
T h i s He pr e s e n te d i n th e se wo r d s: I am in the Father, a n d th e
Father in me (J o h n 14:11). An d He ad d e d , T h e Fa th e r
that dwelleth in me, h e d o e th th e wo r ks (v. 10). T h a t was th e
basi s o f C h r i s ts t r i u mph a n t l i f e. So C h r i s t says assu r i n gl y to
th e be l i e ve r , We [C h r i s t an d th e Fath e r ] will come unto him
[th e be l i e ve r ], and make our abode with him (v. 23). T h e n
He ad d s o n e f u r t h e r pr o vi si o n : Ye sh al l kn o w t h a t I am in
my Father, and ye in me, a n d I in you (v. 20).
T h a t be co me s an i n vi n ci bl e th r e e f o l d u n i o n . Ne ve r ar e
we to f o r ge t th a t C h r i s t i s o pe r ati ve l y pr e s e n t i n us th r o u gh
th e Ho l y Spi r i t. Fo r h e [th e Ho l y Spi r i t] d we l l e th wi th yo u ,
a n d sh al l be i n yo u . I wi l l n o t l e ave yo u co mf o r tl e ss: I wi l l
co me to yo u (vs. 17, 18). An d o u r e te r n al l i f e i s saf e i n Hi m.
T h e r e i s n o o ccasi o n f o r f ai l u r e . T h a t i s wh y a n d h o w o u r
e te r n al l i f e , ve ste d i n C h r i st, i s o u r s n o w a n d h e r e wi th
i mmo r tal i zati o n to f o l l o w.
2. L i f e o f G o d I m p l a n t e d T h r o u g h N e w B i r t h .On e
f u r t h e r po i n t n e e d s to be r e me mbe r e d . Eternal life i s th e l i f e o f
Go d , r e ve al e d i n an d th r o u gh C h r i st, wh o i s Go d (J o h n 1:4;
5:26; 1 J o h n 1:1, 2). T h i s l i f e o f Go d i s i mpl an te d i n th e
be l i e ve r t h r o u gh th e n e w bi r t h (J o h n 3:3-15; Gal . 6:15). An d i t
i s t h r o u gh th i s n e w bi r t h th a t th e be l i e ve r be co me s a pa r ta ke r
o f th e d i vi n e n a tu r e an d a r e ci pi e n t o f th e l i f e o f C h r i s t Hi m
se l f (Gal . 2:20; Eph . 2:10; 4:24; C o l . 1:27; 1 Pe te r 1:23, 25;
2 Pe te r 1:4; 1 J o h n 5:10-12). T h i s i s n o t a me r e r e f o r ma ti o n
o r r e ju ve n ati o n o f th e o l d n a tu r e , bu t th e cr e ati ve act o f th e
Ho l y Spi r i t (J o h n 1:12, 13; 3:5; 2 C o r . 5:17). Bu t i t can n o t
be o ve r e mph asi ze d t h a t th i s l i f e r e mai n s vested in Christ,
an d i ts o pe r a ti o n in us i s d e pe n d e n t u po n o u r be i n g in Him:
An d th i s i s th e r e co r d , th a t Go d h a th gi ve n to us e te r n al l i f e, and
this life is in his Son. He th a t h a t h th e So n h a th l i f e ; an d h e th a t h a th
n o t th e Son o f Go d h a th n o t l i f e. T h e s e th i n gs h ave I wr i tte n u n to yo u
th a t be l i e ve o n th e n ame o f th e So n o f Go d ; th a t ye may kn o w th a t ye
have eternal life (1 J o h n 5:11-13).
T h i s i s th e l i vi n g, vi tal i zi n g r e l a ti o n s h i p o f th e h e ave n l y
Vi n e an d th e h u man br an ch e s (J o h n 15:1-6).
VI I I. Bel i evers Pr e d e sti n e d He i r s o f Ete r n al Li f e He r e af te r
Bu t l e t us t u r n th e ge m an d o bse r ve th e l i gh t f l ash i n g
f r o m a n o th e r f ace t. Be l i e ve r s ar e d e cl ar e d to be bo th so n s
a n d h e i r s . Pau l says, I f ch i l d r e n , th e n heirs; heirs o f Go d ,
a n d joint-heirs3wi th C h r i st; . . . t h a t we may be al so glorified
together (Ro m. 8:17). Ou r h e i r s h i p i s th e r e f o r e ti e d i n wi th
o u r r e l a ti o n to C h r i st. Bu t th e e ar n e s t e xpe ctati o n o f th e cr e a
t u r e wai te th f o r th e manifestation [apokalupsin, u n ve i l i n g,
r e ve al i n g, a ppe a r i n g] o f th e so ns o f Go d (v. 19), wai ti n g
f o r th e a d o pti o n , to wi t, th e redemption of our body (v. 23),
as we co me to o u r f u l l e state as sons. Ou r ch an ge , o r i mmo r ta l i
zati o n , i s th e r e f o r e i n vo l ve d .
Fo r wh o m h e d i d foreknow, h e al so d i d predestinate
[f r o m prorisen, d e cr e e o r o r d ai n be f o r e h a n d ] to be con
formed to the image of his Son (v. 29).
Fo r e kn o wi n g th e r e f o r e pr e ce d e s pr e d e s ti n ati n g, an d pr e
d e s ti n a ti n g pr e ce d e s h i sto r i cal f u l f i l l me n t. T r a n s f o r ma ti o n , o r
gl o r i f i cati o n , at th e Se co n d Ad ve n t i s o u r d e s ti n e d go al .
Mo r e o ve r wh o m h e d i d pr e d e s ti n ate , th e m h e al so cal l e d :
a n d wh o m h e cal l e d , th e m h e al so ju sti f i e d : an d wh o m h e
ju sti f i e d , them he also glorified (v. 30).
T h a t i s th e i n e xo r abl e l o gi c o f th e s e qu e n ce a n d th e
gl o r i o u s o u tco me i n Go d s pl an a n d pr o vi s i o n o f r e d e mpti o n .
1. A l r e a d y H e i r s , A w a i t i n g T i m e o f P o s s e s s i o n .
Pu r s u i n g th i s po i n t f u r th e r , Pau l gi ves assu r an ce t h a t i f ye be
* C f . Eph . 3:6 ("f e l l o wh e i r s ) ; He b. 11:9; 1 Pe t e r 3:7.
C h r i s ts, th e n ar e ye . . . heirs acco r d i n g to th e pr o mi s e (Gal .
3:29). Bu t h e i mme d i ate l y ad d s th i s qu al i f yi n g f acto r :
T h a t th e heir, as l o n g as h e i s a child [a mi n o r u n d e r age],
d i f f e r e th n o t h i n g f r o m a se r van t, th o u gh h e be l o r d o f a l l
(Gal . 4:1)u n t i l th e ti me appo i n te d o f th e f a t h e r (v. 2).
He d o e s n o t actu al l y co me i n to h i s i n h e r i ta n ce u n t i l h e
i s o f age. So e ach ch i l d o f Go d i s a so n , an d heir o f Go d
th r o u gh C h r i s t (v. 7). We ar e heirs o f s al vati o n (He b. 1:14),
heirs o f pr o mi s e (He b. 6:17). (An d J ame s ad d s, t h a t we ar e
heirs o f th e ki n gd o m wh i ch h e h a th pr o mi se d to th e m t h a t
l o ve h i mJ ame s 2:5.) Bu t we h ave n o t ye t r e ach e d th e d ay
o f matu r i ty. T h e apo stl e cr ystal l i ze s an d co mpl e te s th i s e n ti r e
h e i r l i n e o f r e as o n i n g by d e cl ar i n g th a t we sh al l be mad e
heirs acco r d i n g to th e hope of eternal life (T i t u s 3:7).
T h a t i s th e gr an d o bje cti ve to r e ce i ve e te r n al l i f e i n i ts
f u l l n e ss, u n d e r Go d s e n a bl i n g act, in the time and the way of
His appointment.
2. P r o l e p t i c F i g u r e E m p l o y e d r e E t e r n a l L i f e .
Go d o f te n e mpl o ys th e pr o l e pti c f i gu r e o f cal l i n g th o se th i n gs
wh i ch be n o t as th o u gh th e y we r e (Ro m. 4:17)th i n gs d e
si gn e d a n d d e s ti n e d to take pl ace i n th e f u tu r e r e f e r r i n g to
th e m as th o u gh th e y we r e al r e ad y acco mpl i sh e d . Fo r e xampl e ,
Pa u l says t h a t C h r i s t hath abo l i s h e d d e a th (2 T i m. 1:10)
ye t d e ath i s s ti l l acti ve l y o pe r ati ve , a n d wi l l co n ti n u e to be u n t i l
C h r i s t s r e t u r n . Bu t i ts e n d i s assu r e d . Or , J o h n s T h e s e ar e
th e y wh i ch came o u t o f gr e at t r i bu l a t i o n , a n d have wash e d
th e i r r o be s, a n d mad e th e m wh i te i n th e bl o o d o f th e L a mb
(Re v. 7:14)ye t th e se C h r i s ti an mar tyr s we r e n o t as ye t bo m.
T h u s al so wi th th e wo n d r o u s pr o vi si o n o f eternal life:
T h i s i s th e r e co r d , th a t Go d hath given to us eternal life, and this
life is in his Son. He th a t h a t h th e So n hath l i f e ; an d h e th a t h a t h n o t
th e Son o f Go d hath not l i f e (1 J o h n 5:11, 12; th e gi f t o f Go d ,
Ro m. 6:23).
Eve r yth i n g, th e n , d e pe n d s u po n an d i s d e te r mi n e d by, t h a t
u n i qu e r e l ati o n s h i p.
3. E t e r n a l L i f e V e s t e d i n C h r i s t , N o t i n U s .T h i s
eternal life i s n o t i n us i n tr i n s i cal l y, bu t i s ve ste d an d pr e se r ve d
i n C h r i st. I t i s saf e an d i t i s su r e , an d i t i s o u r sin Him, wh e n
He d we l l s i n us. I t i s th u s th a t we h ave i t. T h a t i s th e d i vi n e
saf e gu ar d a n d assu r an ce . We h ave ti tl e bu t n o t ye t po sses
si o n . He th a t endureth to the end sh al l be save d (Matt. 10:
22). On th e co n tr ar y, I f a man abide not i n me , h e i s cast f o r th
as a br an ch , an d i s wi th e r e d (J o h n 15:6). Bu t we h ave th i s
i mmu ta bl e assu r an ce :
T h i s i s th e wi l l o f h i m t h a t se n t me , th a t e ve r y o n e wh i ch
s e e th th e So n, a n d believeth o n h i m, may have everlasting life
[zden aidnion]: a n d I will raise him up at the last day (J o h n i /
6:40).
T h a t i s th e r e l a ti o n s h i p o f e te r n al l i f e to I mmo r tal i ty at
th e r e s u r r e cti o n . I t i s th e i n e vi tabl e o u tgr o wth o f e te r n al l i f e
n o w, i n C h r i st.
Pau l h i ms e l f th u s l i ve d i n hope o f eternal life, wh i ch
Go d , th a t ca n n o t l i e , promised be f o r e th e wo r l d be gan (T i t u s
1:2; cf . 2 T i m. 1:9; Eph . 1:4). Ete r n al l i f e i s s ti l l i n t r u s t i n
C h r i st. T h i s i s th e promise of life which is in Christ Jesus
(2 T i m. 1:1). Agai n , T h i s i s th e promise t h a t h e h a th pr o mi s e d
us, even eternal life (1 J o h n 2:25). I t i s as su r e as th e Wo r d
a n d as ce r tai n as th e i n te gr i ty o f Go d . I t i s o u r s n o w i n C h r i st,
wh e n He i s i n us. T h a t i s Go d s pr o vi si o n . I t i s i n f i n i te l y mo r e
saf e a n d se cu r e t h a n i f gi ve n o u t r i gh t to us.
4. M i n o r H e i r D o e s N o t H a v e P o s s e s s i o n U n t i l o f A g e .
T h u s th e o n e wh o abi d e s i n C h r i s t can t r u t h f u l l y say t h a t h e
hath e ve r l as ti n g l i f e , f o r C h r i s t i s th e e mbo d i me n t, th e so u r ce ,
th e pe r s o n i f i cati o n o f l i f e bo th th e l i f e a n d r e s u r r e cti o n (J o h n
5:24-29; 11:25; 14:6). Bu t Pau l speci f i es, Y o u r life i s hid [l ai d
u p, h i d d e n away i n sto r e ] wi th C h r i s t i n Go d (C o l . 3:3).
No o n e can d e pr i ve us o f i t (J o h n 10:28). I t i s o u r s, i f f ai th f u l ,
ju s t as th e h e i r to an e state (wh o i s s ti l l a mi n o r ) can say, T h e
e state i s mi n e !
Bu t h e can n o t take pe r so n al , tan gi bl e po sse ssi o n o f i t u n t i l
h e i s o f age , as i t we r e , u n d e r th e te r ms a n d spe ci f i cati o n s o f
h i s f a t h e r s wi l l a n d te s tame n t. Ete r n al l i f e i s r e ce i ve d i n f i n al
i mmo r tal i ze d f o r m a t th e r e s u r r e cti o n , wh e n we e n te r u po n o u r
f u l l e state . I t i s th u s t h a t we ar e to u n d e r s ta n d th e se pr e ci o u s
d e cl ar ati ve assu r an ce s:
Ve r i l y, ve r i l y, I say u n to yo u, He th a t be l i e ve th o n me hath e ve r
l asti n g l i f e (J o h n 6:47).
Wh o so e ate th my f l esh , an d d r i n ke th my bl o o d , hath e t e r n al l i f e ;
and I will raise him up at the last day (v. 54).
Ver i l y, ver i l y, I say u n to yo u, He t h a t h e a r e th my wo r d , an d
be l i e ve th o n h i m th a t s e n t me , hath e ve r l asti n g l i f e (ch ap. 5:24).
T h e r e i s th u s h ar mo n y, l o gi c, l o ve, assu r an ce , a n d th e
pl e d ge d wo r d o f th e Ete r n al Go d , wh o o n l y h a th i mmo r ta l i ty,
an d wh o h as mad e f u l l pr o vi s i o n f o r us to be cl o th e d wi th
I mmo r ta l i ty a ppr o pr i a te f o r us, a t th e a ppo i n te d ti me th e
Se co n d Ad ve n t.
C H A P T E R T W E N T Y - S I X
T e ch n i cal T erms: Sl eepi ng,
Waki ng, Resurrecti on
I. Sl e epi ng an d Awake n i n gNT T e r ms f o r De ath
an d Re su r r e cti o n
D e f i n i t i o n o f T e r m s .T wo Gr e e k wo r d s ar e r e n d e r e d
s l e e p (1) katheudd (to co mpo se o n e s se l f i n vo l u n tar y o r
n a tu r a l s l e e p, as i n 1T h e ss. 5:6), e mpl o ye d 22 ti me s, a n d never
used of death; a n d (2) koimao (to f al l asl e e p i n vo l u n t a r i l y,
as i n 1T h e ss. 4:14). T h i s i s u se d o f th e sleep of death be cau se
i t i s i n vo l u n tar y, wh i l e katheudd i s vo l u n tar y. Koimao o ccu r s
18 ti me s, an d i s constantly used of death (e xce pt Matt. 28:13;
Lu ke 22:45; J o h n 11:12; Acts 12:6).
1. M u l t i p l e S p e c u l a t i o n s O v e r S t a t e i n D e a t h .T h e
myste r y o f ma n s s tate i n d e ath h as f r e qu e n tl y be e n u se d as a
s pr i n gbo a r d f o r pl u n gi n g i n to ph i l o s o ph i c s pe cu l ati o n , po e ti c
f an cy, s u pe r s ti ti o u s cr e d u l i ty, a n d r e l i gi o u s ye ar n i n g. He r e
I mmo r tal -So u l i s t s pe cu l ati o n r an ge s al l th e way f r o m Or i e n t a l
be l i e f i n tr an s mi gr ati o n , Pl ato n i c e scape to th e s tar r y sph e r e s,
Ame r i can I n d i a n h appy h u n t i n g gr o u n d s, Spi r i tu al i s ms e e r i e
wo r l d o f pr o gr e ssi ve sph e r e s, Ro man i s ms Pu r gato r y a n d l i mbo ,
a n d o n to Pr o te s tan ti s ms magi c gate way to He ave n .
Bu t th e h u ma n mi n d , u n ai d e d , i s baf f l ed by th e myste r y
o f th e d e ath state . Man cr ave s ce r tai n ty an d so l ace o n th i s po i n t.
Scr i ptu r e al o n e pi e r ce s th e ve i l a n d gi ves us tr u s two r th y i n f o r
mati o n . On l y th e Bi bl e gi ves u s th e t r u e u n d e r s ta n d i n g o f th e
i n te r me d i a te state . Eve n af te r th r e e ye ar s o f pe r s o n al co m-
466
FRED COLLINS, ARTIST 1 9 5 5 BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD
T h e T aki n g o f El i jah to He ave n Pr e f i gu r e d th e T r an s l ati o n o f th e Li vi n g
Sai nts at C h r i s ts Seco nd Adve nt.
pa n i o n s h i p wi th C h r i st d u r i n g Hi s e ar th l y mi n i s tr y, th e e ar l y
apo stl e s sti l l n e e d e d th e r i s e n C h r i st to o pe n t h e i r u n d e r
stan d i n g, t h a t th e y mi gh t u n d e r s ta n d th e s cr i ptu r e s (Lu ke
24:45). We to o mu st l i ke wi se l i s te n to Hi s wo r d s to d ay. We
to o as ve r i l y n e e d th e d i vi n e i l l u mi n a ti o n o f th e Ho l y Spi r i t,
wh o wi l l gu i d e us, as He d i d th e m, i n to al l t r u t h (J o h n
16:13).
2. Sl e e p C o m m o n T e r m f o r D e a d i n C h r i s t .T h a t
man sl e e ps be twe e n d e ath a n d th e r e s u r r e cti o n i s th e e xpr e ss
te s ti mo n y o f Scr i ptu r e . I t i s, i n f act, th e u n i f o r m te s ti mo n y o f
bo th th e Ol d an d th e Ne w T e s ta me n ts as f o r e xampl e , wi th
Mo ses, Davi d , a n d Dan i e l i n th e Ol d ,1a n d C h r i st, Pau l , an d
Ste ph e n i n th e Ne w.2 Pe te r e xpr e ssl y sai d , Davi d i s n o t
asce n d e d i n to th e h e ave n s (Acts 2:34). Man sleeps; then he
wakens. T h a t e pi to mi ze s h i s e xpe r i e n ce , co ve r i n g th e i n t e r
me d i ate state be twe e n th e pr e s e n t l i f e a n d th e l i f e to co me .
i De u t . 31:16; 1 K i n gs 1:21; Da n . 12:2.
3J o h n 11:11; Acts 7-59, 60; 1 C o r . 15:20; 1 T h e s s . 4:15.
467
T h e ve r b koimad (to make s l e e p, pu t to s l e e p, f al l
as l e e p, sl e e p) n o t o n l y i s ge n e r al l y u se d o f th e sl e e p o f
d e a t h bu t i s af f i r me d to be th e co n d i ti o n o f man as a whole
i n d e a th (cf . De u t. 31:16th o u s h al t sleep wi th th y f ath e r s ).
De ath i s af f i r me d to be an u n br o ke n s l u mbe r u n t i l th e r e s u r
r e cti o n mo r n , wh e n th e sl e e pe r s wi l l awake n (Dan . 12:2).
J e su s sai d o f Lazar u s, I go , t h a t I may awake him o u t o f sleep
(J o h n 11:11). An d wh e n he th a t was d e a d was awake n e d , h e
came f o r th bo d i l y f r o m th e to mb (v. 44). An d J e su s sai d , Lo o se
him [f r o m th e gr ave cl o th e s], a n d l e t him go (v. 44).
Mo r e o ve r , Pau l i n 1T h e s s al o n i an s 4 assur e s us t h a t n e i t h e r
th o se wh o ar e al i ve a t th e r e t u r n o f C h r i s t n o r th o se wh o sl e e p
i n J e s u s , wi l l go i n to th e L o r d s pr e se n ce be f o r e th e o th e r
gr o u p. Bo th th e r e s u r r e cte d an d th e tr an s l ate d o n e s ar e cau gh t
u p together to me e t th e i r r e t u r n i n g Lo r d . Su ch a d e cl ar ati o n
co n f u te s th e co n ce pt th a t th e d e ad sai n ts h ave go n e be f o r e
to gl o r y, an d h ave be e n wi th C h r i s t f o r ce n tu r i e s , o r mi l l e n
n i u ms . Ne i th e r th e qu i ck (th e l i vi n g) n o r th e d e a d
pr e ce d e th e o th e r , bu t th e ch an ge d quick a n d th e awake n e d
sleepers wi l l go to ge th e r i n to th e pr e se n ce o f J esus f o r e ve r
(vs. 15-17).
3. F i g u r e o f Sl e e p U s e d O n l y o f F i r s t D e a t h .
T h e r e i s a s tr i ki n g s i mi l ar i ty be twe e n th e be a u ti f u l e u ph e mi s m
o f th e sl e e p o f th e dead a n d th e s l e e p o f th e living. Bo th
i n d i cate a co n d i ti o n o f u n co n sci o u sn e ss an d i n acti vi ty, wh i ch
co n ce pt i s, o f co u r se , to tal l y o ppo se d to th e po pu l ar po s tu l ate
o f th e s u pe r l ati ve co n sci o u sn e ss an d acti vi ty o f al l e ge d l y i m
mo r ta l so ul s. Bu t th e Bi bl e mu s t be th e cr i te r i o n o n th i s.
Ne i th e r tr a d i ti o n n o r s pe cu l ati o n n o r h u man as pi r ati o n can
be tr u s te d f o r r e l i abl e i n f o r mati o n h e r e .
T h e r e i s al so a s tr i ki n g s i mi l ar i ty i n th e awake n i n g th at
f o l l o ws. I n l i te r a l sl e e p th e pe r s o n wh o sl e e ps wake s u p af te r
h i s r e st. T h e r e i s th u s th e su gge sti o n o f a r e s u r r e cti o n . Bu t th e
Scr i ptu r e s ar e e xpl i ci t ju s t h e r e . T h e d e ad d o awake n . T h o s e
wh o sl e e p th e sl e e p o f d e a t h (Ps. 13:3) ar e n o t to r e ma i n i n
T EC HNI C AL T ERMS: SLEEPING, WAKING, RESURREC T I ON 469
th e d e ath -sl e e p f o r e ve r . Bo th go o d a n d e vi l sl e e p, a n d bo th
r i gh te o u s a n d wi cke d mu st assu r e d l y awake (Dan . 12:2).
Fo r as i n Ad am all d i e , e ve n so i n C h r i s t sh al l all be mad e
a l i ve (1 C o r . 15:22).
Bu t th e f i gu r e o f sl e e p i s u se d o n l y o f th e first, o r te mpo r al ,
d e ath . Wh e n we l i e d o wn i n th e sl e e p o f d e a th , th e n e xt th i n g
o f wh i ch we ar e co n sci o u s i s t h a t o f be i n g awake n e d by J e su s,
th e d e cl ar e d r e s u r r e cti o n , a n d th e l i f e (J o h n 11:25), to l i ve
f o r e ve r o r to be ju d i ci al l y co n d e mn e d to th e second, o r e te r n al ,
d e ath , f r o m wh i ch th e r e wi l l be n o awake n i n g.
4. U n i f o r m U s a g e D e t e r m i n e s t h e M e a n i n g .T o gr asp
th e Ne w T e s ta me n t u sage a t a gl an ce , l e t th e eye r u n d o wn
th e i tal i ci ze d wo r d s i n th e f o l l o wi n g l i st o f passages, a n d o bse r ve
th e f r e qu e n cy a n d co n si ste n cy wi th wh i ch th e te r ms s l e e pe th ,
s l e e p, as l e e p, an d s l e ptal l var i an ts o f koimaoar e u se d
f o r th e sleep of death i n th e Ne w T e s ta me n t, pa r a l l e l i n g th e
same u sage th r o u gh o u t th e Ol d T e s ta me n t.3T h i s Ne w T e s ta
me n t te r mi n o l o gy i s u se d pa r ti cu l ar l y o f th o se wh o sl e e p i n
C h r i s t (1 C o r . 15:18), o r i n J e s u s (1 T h e ss. 4:14).
Matt. 9:24, 25T h e mai d i s n o t d e ad , bu t sleepeth. . . . An d th e
mai d ar o se .
Matt. 27:52Man y bo d i e s o f th e sai n ts wh i ch slept ar o se .
Mar k 5:39T h e d amse l i s n o t d e ad , bu t sleepeth.
Lu ke 8:52, 53Sh e i s n o t d e ad , but sleepeth. An d th e y l au gh e d
h i m to sco r n , kn o wi n g th a t sh e was d e ad .
J o h n 11:11Ou r f r i e n d Lazar u s sleepeth; bu t I go , th a t I may
awake h i m o u t o f sleep.
Acts 7:60He [Ste ph e n ] f e l l asleep.
Acts 13:36Davi d . . . f e l l o n sleep.
1 C o r . 7:39I f th e h u s ban d h ave f al l e n asleep [koimao] (Ro th e r
h am tr .).
1 C o r . 11:30An d man y sleep.
1 C o r . 15:6Some ar e f al l e n asleep.
1 C o r . 15:18T h e y al so wh i ch ar e f al l e n asleep i n C h r i s t. 4
3Su ch as J o b, Fo r n o w s h al l I sleep i n t h e d u s t (J o b 7:21), o r Da vi d , L e s t I
sleep t h e sleep o f d e a t h (Ps . 13:3), o r Da vi d slept wi t h h i s f a t h e r s (1 K i n gs 2:10), o r
M a n y o f t h e m t h a t sleep i n t h e d u s t o f t h e e a r t h s h al l a wa ke (Da n . 12:2). Fo r Ol d
T e s t a me n t l i s t s e e pp. 81, 82.
* I n C h r i s t we h a ve r e co n ci l i a ti o n , s a l va ti o n , acce ss, h o pe , pe a ce , s o n s h i p, vi cto r y,
s af e ty, a n d resurrection. (Se e Ro m. 5:1, 2, 10; 8:37; 1 C o r . 15:57; Eph . 1:5; C o l . 1:20;
T i t u s 3:5, 6.)
470
1 C o r . 15:20C h r i st [i s] r i se n f r o m th e d e ad , . . . th e f i r stf r u i ts o f
th e m th a t slept ."
1 C o r . 15:51"We sh al l n o t al l sleep, bu t we sh al l al l be ch an ge d .
1 T h e ss. 4:13C o n ce r n i n g th e m wh i ch ar e asleep, th a t ye so r r o w
n o t, e ve n as o th e r s .
1 T h e ss. 4:14T h e m al so wh i ch sleep i n J e su s. 8
1 T h e ss. 4:15No t pr e ve n t [pkthano, go be f o r e , o r pr e ce d e ] th e m
wh i ch ar e asleep.
1 T h e ss. 5:10Wh e th e r we wake o r sleep, we sh o u l d l i ve to ge th e r
wi th h i m.
2 Pe te r 3:4Si nce th e f ath e r s f e l l asleep."
I t wi l l be o bse r ve d t h a t th e se r e f e r e n ce s i n cl u d e th e gr e at
r e s u r r e cti o n ch apte r s, 1C o r i n th i an s 15 a n d 1 T h e s s al o n i an s 4.
I t i s to be pa r ti cu l ar l y n o te d th a t s l e e p i s u se d both of
the good and of the evil dead. I t i s s i mi l ar l y to be o bse r ve d
th a t koimad to d e scr i be th e d e ad was l i ke wi se u se d by th e pagan
an ci e n ts to d e scr i be th e d e ad but without hope of a resur
rection or an awakening. By th e m i t was jo i n e d wi th wo r d s
th a t e xcl u d e d th e h o pe o f waki n g, o r wi th su ch qu al i f i e r s
as e te r n a l , u n awake n e d , o r e ve r l as ti n g, o r br aze n o r
i r o n sl e e p. T h e co n tr as t i s i mpr e ssi ve . T h e C h r i s ti an h o pe
o f gl o r i o u s awakening mad e th e d i f f e r e n ce .
5. Sl e e p I m pl i e s A s s u r a n c e o f A w a k e n i n g . Sl e e p
i s a te n d e r a n d h o pe -i n s pi r i n g f i gu r e o f spe e ch , ch o se n by I n s pi
r a t i o n to r e pr e s e n t d e ath ; f o r , as n o te d , sl e e p i mpl i e s assu r an ce
o f a l ate r awake n i n g. T h e literal use o f th e te r m s l e e p i s, o f
co u r se , l i mi te d to living pe r so n s, wh i l e i n figurative u se i t pe r
tai n s o n l y to th e dead. I t was e mpl o ye d by C h r i s t Hi mse l f i n
pr e f e r e n ce to th e h ar s h e r l i te r a l te r m d e a th , wi th i ts i n e vi
tabl e s ti n g (1 C o r . 15:56).
Spe aki n g f i gu r ati ve l y, J e su s sai d , Ou r f r i e n d Lazar u s
sleepeth; bu t I go , t h a t I may awake h i m o u t o f sleep (J o h n
11:11). Ho we ve r , wh e n J e su s pe r ce i ve d t h a t He was mi s u n d e r
sto o d , He sai d u n t o th e m plainly, Lazar u s i s dead (v. 14).
An d He qu i ckl y ad d e d , T h y br o th e r sh al l rise again (v. 23).
Bo th sets o f e xpr e ssi o n s me an t th e same.
5Equ a t e d wi t h t h e d e a d i n C h r i s t i n v. 16.
Wh e n Pau l spe aks f i gu r ati ve l y o f th o se wh o sleep i n J e su s
(1 T h e ss. 4:14), h e e xpl ai n s th i s as l i te r al l y th e dead i n C h r i s t
(v. 16). T h e te r m s l e e p so f te n s th e i mpact o f th e bl o w by r e
mi n d i n g o n e o f i ts te mpo r ar y ch ar acte r a n d th e assu r e d awake n
i n g to f o l l o w. I t i s a e u ph e mi s ma ge n tl e , co mf o r ti n g wo r d
s u bs ti tu te d f o r th e h ar s h e r , mo r e r e pe l l e n t te r m. No w n o te
th e te ch n i cal te r m.
6. A w a k e n i n g F r o m D e a t h -Sl e e p I s I n s pi r e d T e r m i
n o l o g y .T o awake {exupnizo, to r o u se o u t o f s l e e p)
i s Bi bl i cal l y an d l o gi cal l y th e r e ve r se o f f al l i n g asl e e p i n
d e ath . T h e y ar e a n ti th e ti ca l te r ms i n s tr i ki n g co n tr as t. T h e
cl assi c Ne w T e s ta me n t e xampl e o f th e u se a n d me an i n g o f th e
te r m awake i s i n co n n e cti o n wi th th e af o r e me n ti o n e d r ai s
i n g o f Lazar u s. Obse r ve th e e n ti r e passage:
Ou r f r i e n d Lazar u s sleepeth [f r o m koimad]-, bu t I go, th a t I may
awake [f r o m exupnizo, ar o u se ] h i m o u t o f sleep. T h e n sai d h i s d i s
ci pl es, Lo r d , i f h e sl e ep, h e sh al l d o wel l . Ho wbe i t J e su s spake o f h i s
d e ath : bu t th e y th o u gh t th a t h e h ad spo ke n o f taki n g o f r e st i n sl e ep.
T h e n sai d J e su s u n to th e m pl ai n l y, Lazar u s i s dead (J o h n 11:11-14).
T h e r e s u r r e cti o n f o l l o we d , as C h r i s t came to th e gr ave
an d cal l e d , Lazar u s, co me f o r th . An d h e th a t was d e ad came
forth (vs. 43, 44). T h a t was th e awakening o f Lazar u s o u t
o f th e sleep o f ve r se 11. T h e me an i n g i s i d e n ti cal . C h r i s t
sai d n o t h i n g a bo u t Lazar u s h avi n g go n e to He ave n , a n d t h a t
He was go i n g to br i n g h i m back f r o m gl o r y. He si mpl y i n qu i r e d
wh e r e th e y h ad l ai d h i m. An d wh e n Lazar u s came f o r th h e d i d
n o t r e po r t h avi n g se e n a n yth i n g i n th e n e th e r wo r l d .
T h e l ast-d ay par al l e l i s, o f co u r se , t h a t th e s l e e pi n g d e ad
sh al l bo th hear and respond to th e vo i ce o f th e r e t u r n i n g C h r i st,
th e Li f e -gi ve r , a n d sh al l ar i se at t h a t tr an s ce n d e n t hour.
Obse r ve :
* I n t h e Ol d T e s t a me n t a r e n u me r o u s e xampl e s o f pa r a l l e l i n g u s a ge :
J o b 14:12 T i l l t h e h e a ve n s be n o mo r e , th e y s h al l n o t awake, n o r be r a i s e d o u t
o f th e i r s l e e p.
Ps. 17:15 I s h al l be s ati sf i e d , wh e n I awake, wi t h t h y l i ke n e s s .
I s a . 26:19 T h y d e a d me n s h al l l i ve . . . . Awake a n d s i n g, ye t h a t d we l l i n d u s t .
{
e r . 51:39, 57 Sl e e p a pe r pe t u a l s l e e p, a n d n o t wake.
an . 12:2Ma n y o f t h e m t h a t s l e e p i n t h e d u s t o f t h e e a r t h s h al l awake.
C h r i s ts Ascensi o n Was th e
Assu r an ce o f Ou r C o mpl e te
Bo di l y Re d e mpti o n an d th e
Pl e d ge o f Hi s Re tu r n to
Gath e r Hi s Ran so me d On e s
Fr o m De ath an d th e Gr ave.
J o h n 5:25T h e d e ad sh al l hear th e vo i ce o f th e So n o f Go d : a n d
th e y th a t hear sh al l l i ve .
J o h n 5:28, 29Al l th a t ar e i n th e gr ave s sh al l hear h i s vo i ce, a n d
sh al l co me f o r th .
1 T h e ss. 4:16T h e Lo r d h i mse l f sh al l d e sce n d f r o m h e ave n wi th
a shout, . . . a n d th e d e ad i n C h r i s t sh al l r i se .
T h e r e i s th u s h ar mo n y an d symme tr y o f e xpr essi o n as to
sl e e pi n g an d awaki n gBi bl e te rms f o r go i n g i n to an d
co mi n g o u t o f th e d e ath state.
7. T r a n s l a t i o n C o n c e a l s R e i t e r a t e d A w a k e n i n g
E m ph a s i s .An o th e r bu t mo r e te ch n i cal po i n t may wel l be
n o te d , pe r tai n i n g to tr an sl ati o n . Some si xte e n ti me s i n 1 C o-
G. BIERMAN, ART IST
472
r i n t h i a n s 15 th e r e s u r r e cti o n awake n i n g f r o m th e sl e e p
o f d e a th i s pr e sse d h o me by th e apo stl e Pau l . Fi r s t o f al l , as
a ba ckgr o u n d h e says t h a t C h r i s t d i e d f o r o u r si n s an d was
bu r i e d , a n d r o se [f r o m egeiro, awo ke , r o u se d u p f r o m
s l e e pth e sl e e p o f d e ath ] agai n th e t h i r d d ay acco r d i n g to
th e s cr i ptu r e s (vs. 3, 4). T h e n He was se e n by Pe te r , n e xt by
th e twe l ve , th e n by mo r e t h an f i ve h u n d r e d a t o n e ti me
mo st o f wh o m we r e s ti l l l i vi n g wh e n h e wr o te (abo u t a .d . 57),
bu t so me ar e fallen asleept h e n se e n by J ame s a n d by al l
th e apo stl e s (vs. 5-7). Fi n al l y He was se en by Pau l h i ms e l f (v. 8).
No w n o te h o w, te n ti me s i n e i gh t ve r se s (12-20), Pau l i n
th e o r i gi n al Gr e e k str esses th e r e s u r r e cti o n as awaki n g (f r o m
egeiro) f r o m th e d e ad i n cl u d i n g th a t o f C h r i s t Hi mse l f .
Obse r ve :
No w i f C h r i st be pr e ach e d th a t h e rose [awake n e d ] f r o m th e
d e ad , h o w say so me amo n g yo u th a t th e r e i s n o r e su r r e cti o n [r i si n g u p]
o f th e d e ad ? Bu t i f th e r e be n o resurrection o f th e d e ad , th e n i s C h r i st
n o t risen [awake n e d ]: an d i f C h r i st be n o t risen [awake n e d ], th e n
i s o u r pr e ach i n g vai n , an d yo u r f ai th i s al so vai n . Yea, an d we ar e f o u n d
f al se wi tne sses o f Go d ; be cau se we h ave te sti f i e d o f Go d t h a t h e raised
up [awake n e d ] C h r i st: wh o m h e raised [awake n e d ] n o t u p, i f so be
th a t th e d e ad rise [wake ] n o t. Fo r i f th e d e ad rise [awake n ] n o t, th e n
i s n o t C h r i st raised ["awake n e d ]: a n d i f C h r i st be n o t raised [awak
e n e d ], yo u r f ai th i s vai n ; ye ar e ye t i n yo u r si ns. T h e n th e y al so wh i ch
ar e fallen asleep [f r o m koimao] i n C h r i st ar e pe r i s h e d (vs. 12-18).
Bu t n o w i s C h r i st risen [awake n e d ] f r o m th e d e ad , an d be co me
th e f i r stf r u i ts o f th e m th a t slept [f r o m koimao] (v. 20).
T h i s i te r ate d a n d r e i t e r a te d co n tr as t be twe e n s l e e pi n g
an d awake n i n g i s i mpr e ssi ve . An d i n f i ve ad d i ti o n a l i n stan ce s
egeiro (awake n ) o ccu r s (1 C o r . 15:32, 35, 42, 43, a n d 52).7
T h e te r m s l e e p e n s h r i n e s a bl e sse d t r u t h a n d Bi bl i cal f act,
f o r th e sl e e pe r i s u n co n sci o u s o f an y l apse o f ti me be twe e n d e ath
a n d r e s u r r e cti o n . He si mpl y go es to sl e e p a n d l ate r awake s,8i n
th e r e s u r r e cti o n o f th e d e ad .
7V . 32 Wh a t a d va n t a ge t h i t me , i f t h e d e a d rise [a wa ke n ] n o t ?
v. 35 Ho w a r e t h e d e a d raised u p?
v. 42 I t i s raised i n i n co r r u pt i o n .
v. 43 I t i s raised i n gl o r y.
v. 52T h e d e a d s h al l be raised i n co r r u pt i bl e .
8Ot h e r e xa mpl e s o f egeiro o ccu r : M a t t h e w 8:25 Hi s d i s ci pl e s ca me to h i m, a n d
awoke h i m ; Eph e s i a n s 5:14 Awake t h o u t h a t s l e e pe s t, a n d arise f r o m t h e d e a d ; Ro ma n s
13:11 No w i t i s h i gh t i me t o awake o u t o f s l e e p.
8. Bea r s V i t a l R e l a t i o n s h i p t o A d v en t H o pe .C h r i s t
mu s t co me agai n i n o r d e r to r e ce i ve Hi s pe o pl e u n to Hi mse l f
(J o h n 14:3) an d to r e u n i t e th o se s e par ate d by d e ath . I n th i s
l i gh t th e Se co n d Ad ve n t be co me s l u mi n o u s as th e bl e sse d h o pe
o f th e ch u r ch . T h e so l e me an s o f me e ti n g a n d r e u n i t i n g wi th
o u r l o ve d o n e s i s th e r e t u r n o f J e su s to awake n th e m, o r r ai se
th e m u p, f r o m sl e e p i n th e i r d u sty be d s. T h e f act th a t d e ath
h as be e n po pu l ar l y r e gar d e d as th e i mme d i ate gate way to
Par ad i s e i s l ar ge l y r e s po n s i bl e f o r r e l e gati n g so f ar i n to th e
backgr o u n d th e Ne w T e s ta me n t d o ctr i n e o f o u r L o r d s r e t u r n .
An d i t h as bl u r r e d th e r e s u r r e cti o n t r u t h . T h e ti me h as co me
to gi ve agai n o u r L o r d s r e t u r n i ts r i gh tf u l , pa r a mo u n t pl ace
i n th e pr e ach i n g o f th e go spe l .
I I . T wo Se par ate Ge n e r al Re su r r e cti o n sof Ri gh te o u s
an d Wi cked
T h e r e ar e two ve r bs an d two n o u n s , r e spe cti ve l y, f o r
r e s u r r e ct a n d r e s u r r e cti o n . T h e two verbs ar e : (1) anistemi
(to s tan d u p, to r ai se u p, to r i se u p, to ar i se o r r i se
a ga i n ), o ccu r r i n g 111 ti me s, 35 o f wh i ch r e f e r to r e s u r r e cti o n
(f o r e xampl e : Matt. 17:9; 20:19; J o h n 6:39, 40, 44, 54); a n d
(2) egeiro (to r o u se u p f r o m s l e e p, to awake n ), o ccu r r i n g
141 ti me s, 70 o f wh i ch r e f e r to r e s u r r e cti o n (f o r e xampl e :
Matt. 10:8; 27:63, 64; Lu ke 20:37; 24:6, 34; J o h n 12:1, 9, 17;
Eph . 1:20; 5:14; e tc.).
T h e two nouns ar e : (1) anastasis (a s tan d i n g u p, o r
r i s i n g as f r o m th e d e a d ), o ccu r r i n g 42 ti me s, al ways tr an s l ate d
r e s u r r e cti o n (e xce pt Lu ke 2:34); a n d (2) egersis (a waki n g u p
as f r o m s l e e p, a r o u s i n g f r o m s l e e p, be cau se d e a th i s a sl e e p),
as i n Matth e w 27:53.
1. T wo G e n e r a l R e s u r r e c t i o n s F o l l o w i n S e q u e n c e .
Acco r d i n g to Scr i ptu r e , af te r C h r i s ts r e s u r r e cti o n as th e f i rst-
f r u i ts , two ge n e r al r e s u r r e cti o n s ar e to f o l l o w i n se qu e n ce .
Fi r s t n o te th e Scr i ptu r e :
Fo r as i n Ad am al l d i e , e ve n so i n C h r i st sh al l al l be mad e al i ve.
Bu t eve r y man i n h i s o wn order: C h r i st th e f i r stf r u i ts; afterward th e y
th a t ar e C h r i s ts at h i s co mi n g. T h e n co me th th e end (1 C o r . 15:22-24).
(1) T h e i n i ti a l r e s u r r e cti o n i s t h a t o f C h r i s t th e f i rst-
f r u i ts (1 C o r . 15:23; Acts 26:23). Hi s tr e me n d o u s , match l e ss
r e s u r r e cti o n pr o vi d e s th e so l e basi s a n d assu r an ce o f th e r e s u r
r e cti o n o f al l me n (1 C o r . 15:16-20), an d suggests th e n a tu r e
o f th e ch an ge th a t wi l l co me to o u r bo d i e s.
(2) T h e n af te r war d th e y t h a t ar e C h r i s ts a t h i s [seco nd]
co mi n g (v. 23). T h i s i s cal l e d th e f i r st r e s u r r e cti o n (Re v.
20:5, 6), th e better r e s u r r e cti o n (He b. 11:35), th e r e s u r r e c
ti o n of life (J o h n 5:29; Dan . 12:2), a n d th e r e s u r r e cti o n o f
the just (Lu ke 14:14; Acts 24:15). T h o s e wh o par take i n
i t ar e cal l e d bl e sse d a n d h o l y (Re v. 20:6), f o r th e y wi l l n o t
be h u r t o f th e second d e a th . T h e y ar e ch i l d r e n o f Go d ,
be i n g th e ch i l d r e n o f th e r e s u r r e cti o n (Lu ke 20:35, 36).*
(3) Fi n al l y co me th e r e st o f th e d e a d th o se t h a t l i ve d
n o t agai n u n t i l th e th o u s an d ye ar s we r e f i n i s h e d (Re v. 20:5).
So, be yo n d th e f i r st r e s u r r e cti o n l o o ms th e se co n d . T h i s
pr e su ppo se s th a t th e r e st o f th e d e a d (th e wi cke d ) we r e n o t
l i vi n g d u r i n g th e th o u s an d ye ar s. T h i s co mpr i se s th e r e s u r r e c
ti o n o f th e unjust (Acts 24:15), th e r e s u r r e cti o n o f damnation
(J o h n 5:29), th e r e s u r r e cti o n to shame and everlasting con
tempt (Dan . 12:2). I t i s th e an ti th e s i s o f th e first r e s u r r e cti o n .
T h e s e co mpass th e ge n e r al r e s u r r e cti o n s . An d th o se wh o came
u p i n th e se co n d ar e , af te r ju d gme n t, cast i n to th e l ake o f
f i r e , wh i ch i s th e second d e ath (Re v. 20:6, 12-15).
2. R es u r r ec t i o n U n i v er s a l i n O pe r a t i o n . So th e r e s u r
r e cti o n i s u n i ve r s al i n i ts o pe r a ti o n all [sh al l ] be mad e al i ve ,
ju s t as ve r i l y as all d i e (1 C o r . 15:22). Al l me n mu s t an d
wi l l be r ai s e d to ackn o wl e d ge th e l o r d s h i p o f C h r i st (Ro m.
14:10, 11). T o th o se wh o ackn o wl e d ge t h a t l o r d s h i p now, i n
th i s l i f e , th e r e i s sal vati o n (ch ap. 10:9). T o th o se wh o ackn o wl
e d ge i t to o l ate as a co n s tr ai n t, af te r th e se co n d r e s u r r e cti o n
th e r e i s o n l y d e s tr u cti o n . Bu t t h a t l o r d s h i p wi l l o n e d ay be
9Bu l l i n ge r , Lexicon, Re s u r r e ct i o n , pp. 643, 644.
ackn o wl e d ge d by al l (Ph i l . 2:9-11; cf . Re v. 19:16), o n e way
o r th e o th e r .
We mu s t th e r e f o r e co n cl u d e th a t th e ge n e r al te r m r e s u r
r e cti o n o f th e d e a d (anastasis nekrdri) i n cl u d e s bo th th e
r e s u r r e cti o n u n t o l i f e f o r th e ju s t an d th e r e s u r r e cti o n to
ju d gme n t o f th e u n ju s t (J o h n 5:29; Acts 24:15).
3. D r a m a o f R e b e l l i o n , S i n , a n d D e a t h O v e r .T h e
r e s u r r e cti o n s n o w past, th e I n s pi r e d Re co r d ad d s, T h e n
co me th th e e n d , . . . wh e n h e sh al l h ave put down [f r o m
katarged, r e n d e r i n acti ve , abo l i s h , cau se to ce ase , br i n g
to n o u gh t ] al l rule an d al l a u th o r i ty a n d po we r (1 C o r .
15:24). Re be l l i o n i s s u bd u e d . Al l o ppo si n g po we r s ar e
d e str o ye d , abo l i s h e d (Ro m. 6:6; 2 T h e ss. 2:8; He b. 2:14).
T h e n , si gn i f i can tl y, Pau l i mme d i ate l y ad d s, T h e l ast e n e my
th a t sh al l be destroyed i s d e a t h (1 C o r . 15:26).
T h u s th e s u pr e me pu r po s e o f C h r i s ts i n ca r n ati o n mi ssi o n
i s f u l f i l l e d , f o r He came th a t He mi gh t d e str o y h i m th a t h ad
th e power of death, th a t i s, th e d e vi l (He b. 2:14). T h e s e
pr i n ci pal i ti e s an d po we r s an d r u l e r s o f th e d ar kn e s s a n d
s pi r i tu a l h o sts o f wickedness ar e consumed by th e e ve r l as ti n g
f i r e , pr e pa r e d f o r th e d e vi l a n d h i s an ge l s (Matt. 25:41).
T h u s th e a bo l i ti o n o f d e ath i s th e l ast act i n th e d i vi n e d r ama
o f th e ages (1 C o r . 15:26; Re v. 20:14). Si n a n d si n n e r s, d e ath
a n d d e vi l , ar e go n e f o r e ve r . T h e d r ama o f ti me i s o ve r . Go d i s
al l i n al l . Ete r n a l l i f e i n th e n e w e a r th be gi n s, wi th th e sai n ts
r e s to r e d a n d saf e f o r e ve r mo r e .
I I I . Gl ory of Our Immo rtal i zed Resur recti o n Bodi es
1. R e s u r r e c t i o n o f B o d y I n d i s p e n s a b l e t o F u t u r e L i f e .
Acco r d i n g to th e Ne w T e s ta me n t, a bo d i l y r e s u r r e cti o n i s
i n d i s pe n s abl e to o u r f u t u r e I mmo r tal i ty. Pa u l d e cl ar e s t h a t
wi th o u t su ch a co n s u mmati o n o f Go d s r e d e mpti ve pu r po se ,
th e y al so wh i ch ar e f al l e n asl e e p i n C h r i s t ar e perished
(1 C o r . 15:16-18). T h e r e wo u l d be n o r e s to r a ti o n o f th e pe r so n .
So th e r e s u r r e cti o n bo d y i s i n vo l ve d i n th e pr o mi s e d gi f t o f
i mmo r ta l l i f e , be sto we d at th e Ad ve n t. T h i s mo r tal must
put on i mmo r ta l i ty (v. 53)so me th i n g i t h ad n o t be f o r e
po ssessed. I t i s a bo d i l y r e s u r r e cti o n t h a t gi ves r e al i ty an d
su bs tan ce to o u r f o r th co mi n g i mmo r tal l i f e . (T h e t h o u gh t
o f d i s car n ate i mmo r tal so u l s i s wh o l l y u n -Bi bl i cal . Sh ad e s, f l o at
i n g a bo u t i n mysti c ae r i al r e gi o n s, ar e to tal l y f o r e i gn to Ho l y
Wr i t. Su ch a n o ti o n ste ms f r o m Gr e e k ph i l o so ph y.)
T h e h u ma n pe r s o n al i ty r e qu i r e s a r e s u r r e cti o n bo d y as
an i n s t r u me n t f o r f u r t h e r l i f e , th o u gh t, a n d acti vi ty. T h a t i s
an i n te gr al pa r t o f th e ch an ge , o r qu i cke n i n g (Ro m. 8:11)
pr o ce ss, a r e s u r r e cti o n -tr an s l ati o n act o f Go d , to take pl ace at
th e Se co n d Ad ve n t. T h e r e co r d i s cl e ar : He wh i ch r ai se d u p
th e Lo r d J e su s sh al l r ai se u p us al so by J e s u s (2 C o r . 4:14).
Hi s was an actu al bo d i l y r e s u r r e cti o n , a l be i t wi th a gl o r i f i e d
bo d y. Bu t th i s i n vo l ve s th e quickening o f o u r mo r tal bo d i e s.
An d th i s to o i s i mpe r ati ve bu t co n d i ti o n al :
I f th e Spi r i t o f h i m th a t r ai se d u p J e su s f r o m th e d e ad d we l l i n
yo u, h e th a t r ai se d u p C h r i st f r o m th e d e ad sh al l al so quicken [f r o m
zoopoieo, to make al i ve , gi ve l i f e , e spe ci al l y e te r n al l i f e ] yo u r mo r tal
bo d i e s by h i s Spi r i t t h a t d we l l e th i n yo u (Ro m. 8:11).
T h i s r e l a ti o n s h i p be twe e n th e present mortal body an d
th e future glorified body i s h i gh l y i mpo r ta n t. I t i s so wn i n
d i s h o n o u r an d we akn e ss, an d r ai se d i n gl o r y an d
po we r (1 C o r . 15:43). He r e i s th e i n s pi r e d d e s cr i pti o n :
"It [th e bo d y] i s so wn i n co r r u pti o n ; it i s r ai s e d i n i n co r
r u pti o n : . . . i t i s so wn a natural bo d y; i t i s r ai se d a spiritual
bo d y. T o e ve r y se e d his own body (vs. 42-44, 38).
T h i s l a t te r e xpr e ssi o n ca n n o t be o ve r e mph asi ze d . I d e n ti ty
an d pe r s o n al i ty wi l l be pr e se r ve d .
2. C o n t i n u i t y o f I d e n t i t y a n d P e r s o n a l i t y P r e s e r v e d .
T h i s d o e s n o t me an th a t th e same i d e n ti cal par ti cl e s o f ma t te r
at th e mo me n t o f d e ath wi l l r e u n i t e to f o r m th e same bo d y
i n th e r e s u r r e cti o n . T h e r e i s a pr o gr e ssi ve ch an ge o f bo d i l y
s tr u ctu r e th r o u gh o u t o u r pr e s e n t l i f e . Bu t th e same e sse n ti al
o r gan i zati o n i s ma i n ta i n e d i n th e pr o vi s i o n o f Go d , a n d th e
same personality i s pr e se r ve d wi th o u t ch an ge . T h e bo d y o f th e
r e s u r r e cti o n wi l l ma i n ta i n th e same r e co gn i zabl e pa tt e r n an d
pe r so n al i ty.
Eve n th e i d e n ti ty o f th e same Rh i n e o r Mi ssi ssi ppi , th e
Ni l e , Hu d s o n , o r Amazo n , r e mai n s d e s pi te th e passage o f
th o u san d s o f years. No t a d r o p o f wate r n o w f l o wi n g i s i d e n ti cal
wi th th e r i ve r t h a t f l o wed a t th e ti me o f i ts d i sco ve r y, ye t i t i s
th e i d e n ti cal , r e co gn i zabl e r i ve r . T h i s , o f co u r se , i s a cr u d e
i l l u s tr ati o n , bu t i t af f o r d s a su gge sti o n .
Fu r th e r , Pa u l s r e f e r e n ce to th e bo d y as th e se e d , sugge sts
so me so r t o f vi tal co n n e cti o n th e f u tu r e co u n te r pa r t an d th e
se e d f r o m wh i ch i t spr i n gs. T h e r e i s i d e n ti ty, bu t n o t a ph ysi
cal co n n e cti o n i n th e sense t h a t th e stal k i s bu i l t d i r e ctl y f r o m
th e s tr u ctu r e o f th e seed. T h o u so west n o t t h a t bo d y th a t sh al l
be , bu t bare gr a i n (1 C o r . 15:37). T h e r e i s co n ti n u i n g
pe r s o n al i d e n ti ty, th e co n ti n u i n g co r e o f pe r so n al i ty. Ho we ve r ,
th e d e a th o f th e se ed i s i n vo l ve d T h a t wh i ch th o u so we st i s
n o t qu i cke n e d , e xce pt i t d i e (v. 36). C h r i s t to u ch e s o n th i s same
t h o u gh t: Exce pt a co r n o f wh e at f al l i n to th e gr o u n d
a n d d i e , i t a bi d e th al o n e : bu t i f i t d i e , i t br i n ge th f o r th mu ch
f r u i t (J o h n 12:24).
T h e n co me s Hi s e xpl an ati o n : He t h a t l o ve th h i s l i f e
sh al l l o se i t; a n d h e t h a t h a te t h h i s l i f e i n th i s wo r l d sh al l
ke e p i t u n t o life eternal (v. 25).
As n o te d , th o u gh th e ph ysi cal f o r m o f man i s co n s tan tl y
ch an gi n g a n d be i n g r e n e we d t h r o u gh o u t th i s l i f e , h e co n ti n u e s
to be th e same personas th e n e w mate r i al s ar e o r gan i ze d
a n d i n te gr ate d i n to th e same co n ti n u i n g bo d y. We ar e abl e
to i d e n ti f y th e ch i l d we kn e w wi th th e man we n o w see.
3. R e s u r r e c t i o n B o d i e s t o B e V a s t l y D i f f e r e n t . As
to th e pr e ci se n a tu r e o f th e r e s u r r e cti o n bo d i e sHo w ar e th e
d e ad r ai se d u p? an d wi th wh at bo d y d o th e y co me ? (1 C o r .
15:35)th e an swe r i s n o t r e ve al e d . J o h n says, I t d o th n o t ye t
a ppe ar wh at we sh al l be : bu t we kn o w th at, wh e n h e sh al l
appe ar , we sh al l be l i ke h i m (1 J o h n 3:2). T h e r e we r e
qu i bbl e r s i n apo sto l i c days as i n o u r s. T h e s e Pau l r e bu ke d .10
Wh ate ve r th e e xact co n n e cti o n be twe e n o u r pr e s e n t
mo r ta l bo d i e s an d o u r r e s u r r e cti o n bo d i e s, we kn o w th at
th e y wi l l be vastl y d i f f e r e n t. T h e r e wi l l be a tr e me n d o u s
ch an ge (1 C o r . 15:51, 52), as Pau l twi ce e mph asi ze s. Al l
i n f i r mi ti e s a n d d e f e cts an d e ar th l y l i mi tati o n s wi l l van i sh . I n
Ol d T e s ta me n t ti me s J o b was wai ti n g u n t i l h i s ch an ge
s h o u l d co me (J o b 14:14).
As state d , th e pr e ci se n a tu r e o f t h a t ch an ge h as n o t be e n
r e ve al e d . I t i s be yo n d o u r pr e s e n t kn o wl e d ge a n d co mpr e
h e n s i o n . I t i s a s pi r i tu a l bo d y i n co n tr as t wi th o u r pr e s e n t
n a tu r a l bo d y. Pau l co mpar e s i t wi th a bar e ke r n e l o f wh e at
pl an te d i n th e gr o u n d a n d th e s tu r d y stal k th a t co me s f r o m i t.
I n th e gl o r y o f th e r e s u r r e cti o n bo d y th e co n tr as t i s be twe e n
mo r ta l i ty a n d co r r u pt i o n , an d I mmo r tal i ty an d i n co r r u pti o n .
C h r i s ts r i s e n bo d y, wi th i ts e xe mpti o n f r o m th e pr e vi o u s
l aws o f ti me , space, a n d mo ve me n t, suggests th e n a tu r e o f th e
ch an ge , o r co n tr as t. Bu t we mu s t l e ave i t th e r e .
4. S p i r i t u a l B o d i e s P e r f e c t l y A d a p t e d t o R e s u r r e c
t i o n L i f e . Pau l assu r e s us th a t C h r i s t wi l l f ash i o n an e w th e
body of our humiliation, th a t i t may be co n f o r me d to th e bo d y
o f h i s gl o r y (Ph i l . 3:21, A.R.V.). He pr esses o n th e tr e me n
d o u s ch an ge (1 C o r . 15:50, 51) t h a t wi l l take pl ace , an d
co mpar e s o u r pr e s e n t a n d f u tu r e bo d i e s as be i n g th a t o f bo d i e s
t e r r e s t r i a l a n d ce l e sti al bo d i e s (v. 40). He make s th e co n
tr as t be twe e n th e pal e , d i m gl o r y o f th e mo o n a n d th e br i l
l i an t, vi tal i zi n g gl o r y o f th e s u n (v. 41). An d h e ad d s, So
al so i s th e r e s u r r e cti o n o f th e d e a d (v. 42).
He co n tr asts th e i mage o f th e e a r th y wi th th e i mage
o f th e h e ave n l y, a n d th e bar e gr a i n wi th th e bo d y th a t
sh al l be (1 C o r . 15:37-49). T h e co n tr as t i s be twe e n d i s h o n o u r
a n d gl o r y, a n d we akn e ss an d po we r . Pau l cate go r i cal l y
10Pa u l i n vo ke d u n u s u a l l y s t r o n g l a n gu a ge i n d e a l i n g wi t h qu i bbl e r s o n th i s po i n t ,
e mpl o yi n g t h e t e r m fool (aphrdn, wi t h o u t mi n d , s e n s e l e ss , d e s t i t u t e o f s o u n d pr i n
ci pl e ). He was a bi t i mpa t i e n t wi t h val u e l e s s , h ypo t h e t i ca l qu e s ti o n s . C h r i s t al so twi ce u s e d
th e s ame t e r m i n L u ke 11:40 a n d 12:20 i n d e a l i n g wi t h t h e h ypo cr i ti ca l Ph ar i s e e s T h o u
f o o l , th i s n i gh t t h y s o u l s h a l l be r e qu i r e d o f th e e .
480
d e cl ar e s, T h e r e i s a natural body [f o r th i s l i f e ], a n d th e r e i s
a spiritual body (v. 44), f o r th e l i f e to co me . As we h ave
bo r n e th e image of the earthy, we sh al l al so be ar th e image
of the heavenly (v. 49). He do e s n o t d e f i n e o r e xpl ai n th e
s pi r i tu a l bo d y. Bu t th i s we d o kn o w: T h i s pr e s e n t, e ar th l y
f l esh a n d bl o o d bo d y cannot inherit th e ki n gd o m o f Go d
(v. 50), an y mo r e th an co r r u pti o n can i n h e r i t i n co r r u pti o n .
Of th i s we may be su r e : T h e s pi r i tu a l bo d y wi l l be
pe r f e ctl y ad apte d to th e pl an e o f th e r e s u r r e cti o n o r i mmo r tal
l i f e to co me . An d th e e ar th l y l i mi tati o n s o f co r r u pti o n a n d
mo r ta l i ty wi l l be put off f o r e ve r . An d wh at we "put on i s a
bu i l d i n g o f Go d , an h o u se n o t mad e wi th h an d s, e te r n al i n
th e h e ave n s (2 C o r . 5:1). T h a t i s th e so u r ce o f th e r e s u r r e c
ti o n bo d y, a n d i ts gl o r i f i e d ch ar acte r . De ath an d d i s i n te gr ati o n
wi l l be van qu i s h e d f o r e ve r mo r e . An d al l th i s i s th r o u gh C h r i s t
J e su s. Fo r wh e n C h r i st, who is our life, sh al l appe ar , t h e n
sh al l ye al so appe ar wi th h i m in glory (C o l . 3:4).
IV. Many i n Heaven T h r o u gh Speci al Resurr ecti o n
o r T r an sl ati o n
1. E n o c h , M o s e s , a n d E l i j a h A r e E a r l i e s t T r o ph i e s .
T h e Bi bl e e xpl i ci tl y state s t h a t a h o st o f r e d e e me d wo r th i e s
f r o m th i s e a r th ar e al r e ad y i n He ave n . Bu t th i s i s to be pa r t i cu
l ar l y n o te d : Al l th e i mmo r tal i ze d f r o m e ar th wh o ar e th e r e
h ave go n e by way o f o n e o f two u n d e vi a ti n g ch an n e l s special
resurrection o r translation. T h e r e ar e n o e xce pti o n s. T h e s e
ar e th e o n l y co r r i d o r s to gl o r y, th e so l e gate ways to He ave n .
On e gr o u p passe d th r o u gh d e ath , a n d was r ai s e d i mmo r tal
an d i n co r r u pti bl e ; th e o th e r e scape d d e ath th r o u gh bo d i l y
tr a n s f o r mati o n an d tr a n s l a ti o n to gl o r y.
T a ke th e e ar l i e st e xampl e o f tr an s l ati o n . En o ch , th e
s e ve n th f r o m Ad a m (J u d e 14), was th e f i r st r e pr e s e n tati ve
o f th e h u ma n r ace to be translated. He was ch an ge d , tr an s
f o r me d , i mmo r tal i ze d , an d take n to He ave n i n h i s gl o r i f i e d
Every I n d i vi d u al Mu st Make th e Gr e at Deci si o n. C h r i st an d Satan Ar e Bi d d i n g
f o r th e Soul . C h o o se Li f e.
tr a n s l a ti o n bo d y, as th e e ar l i e st tr o ph y o f r e d e mpti o n . He th u s
be came a type o f th e l i vi n g r i gh te o u s wh o wi l l be changed,
a n d caught up at C h r i s ts se co n d co mi n g. He r e i s th e i n s pi r e d
acco u n t:
By f ai th En o ch was translated [f r o m metatithemi, tr an s
po r t e d ] t h a t h e should not see death; a n d was n o t f o u n d ,
be cau se Go d h ad translated h i m (He b. 11:5).
PAINTING BY HARRY ANDERSON S I 9 5 9 BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD 481
Be cause He Ro se T r i u mph a n t Ove r De ath , We T o o Sh al l 16
C o me Fo r th Fr o m th e Gr ave a t th e I mpe n d i n g Seco nd
Advent.
Mo ses, o n th e o th e r h an d , was th e f i r st to be r e s u r r e cte d
f r o m th e d e ad by a special resurrection. T h u s , d e ath r e i gn e d
f r o m Ad am to Mo ses (Ro m. 5:14). He d i e d an d was
bu r i e d (De u t. 34:5, 6). J u s t wh e n h i s r e s u r r e cti o n o ccu r r e d
we d o n o t kn o w. Bu t th e r e was a f u ti l e ch al l e n ge by Satan
o ve r th e r i gh t o f Mi ch ae l , th e Ar ch an ge l , to br i n g Mo ses f o r th
f r o m th e gr ave (J u d e 9). Re ve r ti n g agai n to tr an s l ati o n , El i jah
was mo r e s pe ctacu l ar l y translated, as h e was take n u p to
He ave n by a ch ar i o t o f f i r e , e vi d e n tl y tr a n s po r te d by an ge l s
(Ps. 104:4). He r e agai n i s th e i n s pi r e d r e co r d :
"An d i t came to pass, as th e y [El i jah an d El i sh a] sti l l we n t o n , an d
tal ke d , th at, be h o l d , th e r e appe ar e d a ch ar i o t o f f i re, an d h o r se s o f f i re,
an d parted them bo th as u n d e r ; an d Elijah went up by a whirlwind i n to
h e a ve n (2 Ki ngs 2:11; cf . 6:17).
El i sh a wi tn e sse d i t a n d cr i e d , My f ath e r , my f ath e r , th e
ch ar i o t o f Isr ae l , an d th e h o r se me n th e r e o f . An d h e saw h i m
[El i jah ] n o mo r e (ch ap. 2:12). T h e s e ch ar i o ts ar e e vi d e n tl y
co n n e cte d wi th th e an ge l s: T h e ch ar i o ts o f Go d ar e twe n ty
th o u s an d , e ve n th o u san d s o f an ge l s (Ps. 68:17).
2. G l o r i f i e d M o s es a n d E l i j a h A ppe a r a t T r a n s f i g u r a
t i o n . At th e T r a n s f i gu r ati o n , wi tn e sse d by Pe te r , J ame s, an d
J o h n , th e r e appe ar e d wi th th e tr an s f i gu r e d C h r i st, Mo ses
an d El i as tal ki n g wi th h i m (Matt. 17:1-8). T h a t i s ve r y
speci f i c. T h e n , a f te r th e y h ad co n ve r se d co n ce r n i n g C h r i s ts
co mi n g d e ath a n d r e s u r r e cti o n , Mo ses a n d El i as d i sappe ar e d ,
a n d th e d i sci pl e s saw n o man , save J e su s o n l y (v. 8). T h e y
we r e o ve r wh e l me d by wh at th e y h ad se e n . Bu t J e su s ch ar ge d
th e m to te l l n o man u n t i l th e So n o f man be r i s e n agai n
f r o m th e d e a d (v. 9; cf . Mar k 9:4-10). I t was th i s e xpe r i e n ce
t h a t cau se d th e d i sci pl e s to d i scuss amo n g th e mse l ve s ju s t wh at
th e r i s i n g f r o m th e d e ad s h o u l d me a n (Mar k 9:10). Li gh t
was d awn i n g u po n th e i r co mpr e h e n s i o n .
Acco r d i n g to Lu ke , at th e T r a n s f i gu r a ti o n th e f ash i o n
o f h i s [C h r i s ts] co u n te n an ce was al te r e d , a n d h i s r a i me n t was
wh i te an d gl i s te r i n g (Lu ke 9:29). T h e n th e se two me n , wh i ch
we r e Mo ses a n d El i as, si mi l ar l y appe ar e d i n gl o r y, a n d spake
o f h i s [C h r i s ts] de ce ase wh i ch h e s h o u l d acco mpl i sh at J e r u
sal e m (v. 31). T h e r e was n o mi s taki n g t h e i r i d e n ti ty. T h e y
we r e cl e ar l y th e i l l u s tr i o u s ch ar acte r s o f Bi bl e f ame pr o to
types o f th e r e s u r r e cte d a n d tr an s l ate d sai n ts. T h i s , o f co u r se ,
i n vo l ve s be l i e f i n th e s u pe r n a tu r a l , l i f e -gi vi n g po we r o f Go d .
An d th i s we af f i rm.
3. Spe c i a l R e s u r r e c t i o n a t C h r i s t s R e s u r r e c t i o n .
T h e r e was al so a s i n gu l ar r e s u r r e cti o n o f s ai n ts wh o h ad be e n
s l e e pi n g i n d e ath , wh i ch o ccu r r e d i n co n n e cti o n wi th e a r t h
qu a ki n g ph e n o me n a a tt e n d i n g th e d e ath an d resurrection
o f J e su s, wh e n
th e e ar th d i d qu ake , an d th e r o cks r e n t; an d th e graves were opened;
an d many bodies of the saints which slept arose, an d came o u t o f th e
gr ave s after h i s [C h r i sts] r e su r r e cti o n , an d we n t i n to th e h o l y ci ty
[J e r u sal e m], an d appe ar e d u n to man y (Matt. 27:51-53; cf . Ro m. 1:4).
T h e s e gl o r i f i e d r i se n sai n ts we r e pe r h aps tr o ph i e s f r o m
e ve r y age. I n an y e ve n t, th e y we r e wi tn e sse s to th e r e al i ty o f
Go d s po we r to r ai se th e d e ad , a n d af f o r d e d s u pr e me pr o o f o f
th e r e al i ty o f th e r e s u r r e cti o n by th e ve r y f act t h a t th e y h ad
be e n r ai se d a n d al l th i s at th e ve r y ti me th a t th e J e wi sh
l e ad e r s we r e se e ki n g d e spe r ate l y to co n ce al th e f act o f C h r i s ts
r e s u r r e cti o n an d o f f e r i n g mo n e y to th e Ro man so l d i e r s to l i e
a bo u t Hi s r e s u r r e cti o n . Bu t i n co n tr o ve r ti bl e wi tn e ss was th u s
gi ve n bo th to th e J e ws a n d to C h r i s ts f o l l o we r s. T h e s e pr o
vi d e d u n as sai l abl e atte s tati o n . T h e y may be cl asse d amo n g th e
man y i n f a l l i bl e pr o o f s (Acts 1:3) o f C h r i s ts r e s u r r e cti o n .
An d wh e n C h r i s t asce n d e d He l e d wi th Hi m th i s "multi
tude o f capti ve s (Eph . 4:8, mar gi n ; cf . Ps. 68:17, 18). T h e
ch ai n o f d e ath was d e mo n s tr abl y br o ke n . Satan s capti ve s we r e
r e ca ptu r e d by th e gr e ate r po we r o f C h r i st, an d C h r i s t th u s
l e d th e m u p to He ave n i n t r i u mph a l pr o ce ssi o n . T h u s i t was
t h a t h avi n g spo i l e d pr i n ci pal i ti e s a n d po we r s, h e mad e a
sh e w o f th e m o pe n l y, t r i u mph i n g o ve r th e m i n i t (C o l . 2:15).
4. G o d s St i pu l a t e d W a y f o r I mmo r t a l i z a t i o n .Acco r d
i n g to Pau l , th e living sai n ts wi l l al l be changed (a l t e r e d )
a t C h r i s ts se co n d ad ve n t, an d wi l l pu t o n i n co r r u pt i o n
a n d i mmo r ta l i ty. C h an ge d i s si mpl y a n o th e r te r m f o r
t r a n s l a ti o n . T h i s i n vo l ve s th e tr an s f o r mati o n a n d gl o r i f i ca
t i o n o f th e bo d y o f th e l i vi n g, as ve r i l y as wi th th e tr an s f i gu r i n g
gl o r i f i cati o n o f th e r e s u r r e cte d d e ad . T h e o n l y d i f f e r e n ce i s
t h a t f o r th e m th e r e i s n o an te ce d e n t sl e e p i n d e ath . He r e i s
I n s pi r a t i o n s d e tai l e d po r tr ayal :
Be h o l d , I sh ew yo u a myster y; We sh al l n o t al l sl e ep, bu t we sh al l
al l be changed, i n a mo me n t, i n th e twi n kl i n g o f an eye, at th e l ast
tr u mp: f o r th e tr u mpe t sh al l so u n d , an d th e [r i gh te o u s] d e ad sh al l be
r ai se d i n co r r u pti bl e , an d we [th o se l i vi n g a t C h r i s ts r e tu r n ] sh al l be
changed. Fo r th i s co r r u pti bl e mu st put on i n co r r u pti o n , an d th i s mo r tal
mu st put on i mmo r tal i ty (1 C o r . 15:51-53).
T h e r e i s n o o th e r way. T h i s , as e mph asi ze d , i s Go d s
s ti pu l ate d pl an a n d pr o vi s i o n resurrection o r translation
bo th o ccu r r i n g s i mu l tan e o u s l y f o r th e sl e e pi n g an d l i vi n g
sai n ts, r e spe cti ve l y, so t h a t bo th gr o u ps may be cau gh t u p
to ge th e r to me e t th e Lo r d i n th e a i r , th e n ce f o r th e ve r to
be wi th th e L o r d (1 T h e ss. 4:17) i n th e h e ave n l y man s i o n s
(J o h n 14:2, 3) C h r i s t h as go n e to pr e pa r e i n th e Fa t h e r s
h o u se th e ci ty o f Go d , o r Ne w J e r u s al e m.
5. G e n e r a l R e s u r r e c t i o n a n d T r a n s l a t i o n a t C h r i s t s
R e t u r n .Acco r d i n g to Lu ke , C h r i s t asce n d e d pe r so n al l y, i n
Hi s gl o r i f i e d bo d y, i n to th e we l co mi n g cl o u d s a n d was car r i e d
u p i n to h e ave n (Lu ke 24:51). T h e co n cu r r i n g r e co r d i n Acts
state s th a t He was take n u p; an d a cl o u d r e ce i ve d h i m o u t o f
t h e i r s i gh t (Acts 1:9). T h u s He was take n u p f r o m th e
d i sci pl e s i n t o h e ave n (v. 11). An d th e y l o o ke d ste d f astl y
to war d heaven as h e we n t u p (v. 10). Hi s was a r e al , a l i te r al
asce n si o n . An d i t wi l l be a r e al , l i te r a l r e t u r n . Upo n th e
a u th o r i ty o f th e an ge l s, He sh al l so co me i n l i ke ma n n e r as
ye h ave se e n h i m go i n to h e ave n (v. 11).
He wi l l r e t u r n pe r so n al l y, i n th e cl o u d s, i n th e same way:
Be h o l d , h e co me th wi th th e cl o u d s; a n d e ve r y eye sh al l see
h i m (Re v. 1:7)o n l y th i s ti me i n tr an s ce n d e n t po we r an d
gr e at gl o r y (Matt. 24:30), wi th a h o s t o f mi gh ty an ge l s to
gather to ge th e r h i s e l e ct f r o m th e f o u r qu a r te r s o f th e
gl o be (v. 31). So o u r ga th e r i n g i s d e pe n d e n t u po n , a n d syn
ch r o n i ze d wi th , Hi s r e t u r n . Spe ci al r e s u r r e cti o n s a n d tr an s l a
ti o n s ar e i d e n ti cal i n pr o ce ss, o n l y car r i e d o u t i n ad van ce a n d
l i mi te d i n n u mbe r .
C H A P T E R T W E N T Y - S E V E N
T e r ms and Usages: Fi nal Di sposi ti on
of th e Wi cked
T h e f ate o f th e wi cke d th e u n r e pe n t a n t i r r e co n ci l abl e s
i s o n e o f th e mo st so l e mn a n d tr agi c aspe cts i n th e e n ti r e
ar e a e mbr aci n g th e n a tu r e a n d d e s ti n y o f f al l e n man . I t i s
s o be r i n g a n d d i s tu r bi n g to co n te mpl ate . Ne ve r th e l e ss, th e ju s
ti ce an d i n te gr i ty o f Go d , as we l l as Hi s l o ve a n d me r cy (n o t
to me n ti o n th e l o t o f th e h a r d e n e d s i n n e r ), ar e i n e xtr i cabl y
bo u n d u p th e r e wi th .
We n o w ad d r e ss o u r se l ve s to th i s cr u ci al qu e s ti o n . I n th e
al l -wi se pu n i ti ve acts o f Go d , man i f e s t i n th e f i n al d i spo s i ti o n
o f co n f i r me d si n n e r s, we f i n d Hi s maje sti c e qu i ty an d i n f i n i te
r e ct i t u d e an d r i gh te o u sn e ss to we r i n g abo ve th e d r e a d f u l mi s
co n ce pti o n s a n d f abr i cati o n s d e vi se d by th e i magi n ati o n s o f
me n tr ave sti e s t h a t h ave mar r e d th e ce n tu r i e s , f i r st u n d e r
pagan , t h e n C ath o l i c, a n d f i n al l y u n d e r Pr o te s tan t h an d s.
I. Mu l ti pl e T e r ms Af f i rm De str u cti o n , Pe r i sh i n g, Exti n cti o n
1. E n g l i s h T r a n s l a t i o n s Si g n i f y U t t e r D e s t r u c t i o n .
Li ke th e i n s pi r e d pe n me n o f th e Ol d T e s ta me n t, th e Ne w
T e s ta me n t wr i te r s u se d th e str o n ge st te r ms at t h e i r co mman d to
asse r t a to tal br i n gi n g to n o u gh t, o r u l ti ma te e xci si o n , bo th o f
e vi l d o e r s a n d o f Satan , th e so u r ce o f e vi l , a n d o f h i s f al l e n an ge l s.
Man y o f th e se Ne w T e s ta me n t te r ms, i t i s to be n o te d , ar e
bo r r o we d f r o m th e Gr e e k Se ptu agi n t tr a n s l a ti o n o f th e Ol d
T e s ta me n t, l i ke wi se d i s ti n ctl y d e cl ar i n g th e to tal e xti n cti o n ,
486
FI NAL DISPOSIT I ON OF T HE WIC KED 487
o r abs o l u te su ppr e ssi o n an d a bo l i ti o n o f th e wi cke d . T h u s we
ar e l e d d e pe n d abl y i n to th e Gr e e k e qu i val e n ts .
Bu t l e t us be gi n wi th th e si mpl e st an d mo st e l e me n tal
e vi d e n ce . He r e ar e so me twe n ty o f th e mo st co mmo n e xpr e s
si o ns, as th e y appe ar i n th e En gl i sh Au th o r i ze d Ve r si o n tr an s
l ati o n , wi th sampl e s u ppo r ti n g te xts. Obse r ve th e sco pe an d
co mpr e h e n si ve n e ss o f th e co ve r age , co n si ste n tl y str e ssi n g to tal
o bl i te r a ti o n . He r e ar e th e l e ad i n g o n e s, al ph abe ti cal l y
ar r an ge d :
B l o t O u t o f E x i s t e n c e .He b. 9:26; Re v. 5:5; 18:21.
B r i n g t o N o u g h t . 1 C o r . 1:19.
C a s t A w a y , C a s t O f f . M a t t . 13:42, 48, 50; J o h n 12:31.
C o n s u me , D e v o u r U t t e r l y . Matt. 3:12; 13:30, 40; 2 T h e ss. 2:8;
He b. 12:29; Re v. 18:8.
C r u s h . R o m. 16:20.
C u t O f f , C u t D o w n . Matt. 3:10; 7:19; L u ke 13:7, 9; J o h n 15:2;
Acts 3:23; 23:13, 31; R o m. 11:20, 22, 24.
D e a t h . Ro m. 5:20; 6:21, 23; 7:5; Re v. 21:8.
D e s t r o y . M a t t . 10:28; 27:20; Ro m. 6:6; 7:6 (1 C o r . 1:19); 2:6;
5:5; 15:24, 26; Gal . 5:15; 1 T h e ss. 5:3; 2 T h e ss. 1:9; 2:8; 1 T i m. 6:9;
2 T i m. 1:10; He b. 2:14; 1 J o h n 3:8.
D e vo u r .He b. 10:27; Re v. 11:5; 20:9.
Di e.J o h n 5:24; 6:50; 8:24; Ro m. 7:6, 10; 8:13; 1 C o r . 15:22, 32;
Eph . 2:1, 5; Ph i l . 2:27; 1 Pe te r 2:24.
D r o w n .1 T i m. 1:19; 6:9; 2 Pe te r 3:11, 12.
F a l l . M a t t . 7:27; Lu ke 6:49.
F o u n d N o M o r e . R e v. 18:21.
G r i n d t o P o w d e r .Matt. 21:44; Lu ke 20:18.
K i l l O u t r i g h t , P u t t o D e a t h .Matt. 10:28; 21:41; 22:7; Mar k
12:9; Lu ke 19:27; J o h n 10:10; Ro m. 7:11; 8:13; 2 C o r . 3:6; C o l . 3:15;
Re v. 2:23.
L o s e L i f e . Matt. 7:13; Mar k 4:38; J o h n 11:42; 17:12; Acts 8:20;
Ro m. 9:22; Ph i l . 3:19; 2 T h e ss. 2:3; 1 T i m. 6:9; 2 Pe te r 2:1, 2; 3:7, 16;
Re v. 17:8, 11.
N ev er Se e L i f e . J o h n 3:36; 5:40; Acts 13:46; 1 J o h n 3:15; 5:12.
O v e r t h r o w .Lu ke 1:52.
P e r i s h .Acts 13:41; 1 C o r . 3:17; Gal . 6:8; 2 Pe te r 1:4; 2:12; Re v.
11:18.
R o o t O u t . J u d e 12.
R u i n . Matt. 7:27; Lu ke 6:49; 2 C o r . 10:8; 13:10.
Sw a l l o w Up.1 C o r . 15:54; 1 Pe te r 5:8.
T h r o w D o w n . R e v. 18:21.
V a n i s h A w a y .He b. 8:13.
T h e s e ar e , o f co u r se , al l En gl i sh tr an s l ati o n s . So, l e t us
t u r n n e xt to th e o r i gi n al Gr e e k te r ms, a n d seek o u t t h e i r
e xact me an i n gs. T h e s e ar e l i ke wi se l i ste d al ph abe ti cal l y. Bu t
we s h o u l d f i r st n o te th e o bs e r vati o n o f a n o te d An gl i can
s ch o l ar o f a ge n e r ati o n back, wh o l i ke wi se mad e a l i st a n d th e n
an anal ysi s.
2. C o n s t a b l e s C o n s i d er ed Su ppo r t i n g C o n c l u s i o n s .
Wh i l e var i o u s me n h ave d e ve l o pe d s i mi l ar l i sts,1 o n e o f th e
mo st sch o l ar l y an al yti cal tabl e s o f th e l e ad i n g Gr e e k te r ms by
wh i ch th e Ne w T e s ta me n t d e scr i be s th e f u tu r e pu n i s h me n t
o f th e wi cke d , e i t h e r by way o f i n f l i cti o n o r d e pr i va ti o n ,
i s gi ve n by C an o n He n r y C o n stabl e , Pr e be n d ar y o f Y o r k, i n
h i s Duration and Nature of Future Punishment (6th e d .,
L o n d o n , 1886, pp. 58, 59). He r e h e l i sts t h i r te e n pr i n ci pal
te r ms, to ge th e r wi th a tabu l a ti o n o f al l th e me an i n gs , as
appl i e d to e ach te r m. T h e r e s u l t i s mo st i mpr e ssi ve .
C o n s tabl e s co n s i d e r e d co n cl u si o n i s: A si n gl e gl an ce wi l l
sh o w th a t wh at we u n d e r s ta n d as th e te r r i bl e pu n i s h me n t
o f th e wi cke d , vi z., th e i r l oss o f e xi ste n ce , i s f o u n d u n d e r
e ve r y o n e o f th e abo ve te r ms (p. 60).
I I . Gr e e k T e r ms Af f i rm Destro y, C o nsume, Pe r i sh ,
Obl i te r ate
1. L ea d i n g G r e e k T er ms D e f i n e d .Wh i l e th e Ne w
T e s ta me n t wi tn e ss o n th e u l ti ma te a n d u t t e r d e s tr u cti o n o f
th e i n co r r i gi bl y wi cke d i s i n pe r f e ct agr e e me n t wi th t h a t o f
th e Ol d T e s ta me n t,2 th e r e i s n o w a ch an ge o f l anguage .*
1On e , f o r e xa mpl e , was De n n i s to n (T he Perishing Soul), wh o l i sts apollumi, olothreuo,
exolothreud, diabhtheird, kataphtheirO, cxaleipho, analiskd, aphanizo, ektribd, kathaird, kata-
ballo, kataluo, kataskapto.J . M. De n n i s to n , The Perishing Soul (2d e d ., 1874), p. 79.
2An e xh a u s t i ve ph i l o l o gi cal s t u d y o f mo r e t h a n f i f ty r o o ts f o u n d i n th e Ol d T e s t a me n t
He br e w (wi t h Ne w T e s t a me n t e qu i va l e n t s ) was ma d e by s ch o l a r l y Dr . Ema n u e l Pe ta ve l , o f
th e Un i ve r s i t y o f L a u s a n n e , a n d a ppe a r s i n T he Problem of Immortality (1892), Su ppl e me n t
V I ( L i s t o f Bi bl i cal T e r ms Us e d to De n o t e De s tr u ct i o n ), pp. 445-452. T h e s e a r e te r ms
u s e d to s i gn i f y t h e d e s t r u ct i o n o f a n i ma t e d be i n gs as t h e u l t i ma t e f a t e o f t h e i mpe n i t e n t .
T h e y s e t f o r t h t h e co mpl e t e , f i n al o bl i t e r a t i o n o f t h e wi cke d , a n d a r e a cco mpa n i e d by t h e
te xts wh e r e i n t h e e xpr e s s i o n s a r e f o u n d .
3I n th e Ol d T e s t a me n t s u ch te r ms as t h e f o l l o wi n g a r e t ypi ca l : C u t o f f ( karath )
Ps. 37:9, 34; Eze . 28:16; c o n s u m e (ba'ar) Ma i . 4:1, 3: Ps. 21:9; d e s t r o y (shachalh)
Ps. 55:23; 145:20; d e v o u r , b u r n u p , o r c o n s u m e (akat) Ps. 21:9; p e r i s h ( abad) P s .
37:20; 68:10.
J esus, th e Seeki ng Sh e ph e r d ,
C ame to Re scu e Hi s Wan d e r
i n g Sh eep Lo st o n th e Bl eak
an d Bar r e n Mo u n tai n s o f
Si n, an d Re sto r e I t to th e
Saf ety an d Li f e o f th e Fo l d.
T h e r e f o r e a n e w se t o f te r ms appe ar s. He r e ar e th e l e ad i n g
e xpr e ssi o n s a n d t h e i r co gn ate s. No te th e m i n d i vi d u al l y, wi th
i l l u s tr ati ve te xts, a n d o bse r ve t h e i r i n e scapabl e co l l e cti ve f o r ce
a n d i n te n t. T h e se l e cti o n s d i f f e r sl i gh tl y f r o m o t h e r l i sts, bu t
th e wi tn e ss i s th e same . He r e ar e f o u r te e n l e ad i n g wo r d s:
(1) Analiskoto co n su me , d e str o y (2 T h e ss. 2:8).
(2) Apoleiad e ath , e spe ci al l y by vi o l e n ce , l oss o f th i n gs, r u i n , waste
(Ph i l . 3:19; 1 T i m. 6:9).
(3) Apollumito d e str o y u tte r l y (23 ti mes), co me to an e n d , r u i n ,
to l o se u tte r l y, to be u tte r l y an d f i n al l y r u i n e d an d d e str o ye d , cause to
pe r i sh s tr o n ge r f o r m o f ollumi, to e n d l i f e , pu t to d e ath , cause to pe r i sh
(33 ti mes), br i n g to n o u gh t (Matt. 10:28; 21:41; 22:7; Lu ke 17:27, 29;
489
J o h n 3:16; Ro m. 2:12; 2 C o r . 4:3). I n al l th e Ne w T e s tame n t th e r e i s
n o wo r d th a t i s mo r e d i sti n ctl y f i xed th a n th a t o f apollumi*
(4) Apothneskod i e o u t, e xpi r e , cease (J o h n 11:16, 26; Ro m. 8:13,
34; Re v. 9:6; 16:3).
(5) Diaphtheirdto spo i l th r o u gh o u t, co r r u pt u tte r l y (Re v. 11:18).
(6) Exolothreudto d e str o y u tte r l y, sl ay wh o l l y, di sso l ve. I n th e
Se ptu agi n t i t i s so me e i gh ty l i mes r e n d e r e d karath, "cu t o f f (Acts 3:23;
cf . Ge n . 17:14; Ex. 30:33; 31:14).
(7) Katakaioto bu r n u p, o r bu r n d o wn (Matt. 3:12; Lu ke 3:17).
(8) Katanaliskdto co n su me wh o l l y o r th o r o u gh l y (i n te n si ve o f
analisko, 2 T h e ss. 2:8) (He b. 12:39).
(9) Katargeoto r e n d e r i n acti ve , i d l e , br i n g to n o u gh t, make vo i d ,
abo l i sh (2 T h e ss. 2:8). Wh e n th e u n qu e n ch abl e f i re bu r n s o u t, an d th e
u n d yi n g wo r m ceases, d e a th i tse l f i s destroyed (katargeo) (1 C o r . 15:26).
(10) Kolasispu n i s h me n t, cu t of f . A result, n o t a pr o ce ss (cf . Matt.
3:10; Lu ke 3:17).
(11) Olethros (olothreutes)d e ath , r u i n , th a t wh i ch causes d e ath
(2 T h e ss. 1:9).
(12) Phtheird (kataphtheiro) to d e pr ave , mar , spo i l , co r r u pt
(1 C o r . 3:17).
(13) Phlhora (diaphthora)co r r u pti o n , spo i l i n g, d e s tr u cti o n (Acts
2:27, 31; Gal . 6:8).
(14) Thanatose xti n cti o n o f l i f e, d e ath by ju d gme n t o f co u r t, o r
ju d gme n t o f Go d agai n st si n (th e se co n d d e ath , Re v. 20:6, 14; 21:8)
(Ro m. 6:21, 23).
T h e s e Gr e e k wo r d sth e mai n te r ms an d t h e i r co gn ate s
i n vo l vi n g pe n al pu n i s h i n g to a gr e ate r o r l ess d e gr e e , an d
f o r a l o n ge r o r s h o r te r pe r i o d , al ways co n n o te th e ultimate
loss of life, final and complete termination of being. T h e y
al l me an to end l i f e o r to take l i f e , to cau se to cease to be.
2. N o t O n e i n L i s t I m p l i e s E t e r n a l T o r m e n t .De ath ,
d e s tr u cti o n , pe r i s h i n g, pe r d i ti o n , ar e th u s se e n to be vi r tu al l y
i n te r ch an ge abl e te r ms. T h e s e te r r i bl e wo r d s ar e u se d f r e qu e n tl y
by bo th Pau l an d J o h n . But not one term in this entire tabula
tion implies the idea of eternal torment. T h e mo st f r e qu e n tl y
u se d wo r d s f o r d e s tr o y a n d d e s tr u cti o n ar e th e ve r b
apollumi a n d th e n o u n apoleia. J o h n uses th e ve r b i n th e
pr e -e mi n e n t J o h n 3:16 (s h o u l d n o t perish) ve r se . Pau l
* Dr . R. F. We ymo u th , _ pr e vi o u s l y me n ti o n e d Gr e e k a u t h o r i t y, i n a s t a t e me n t i n
1870 to t h e e d i t o r o f t h e En gl i s h Independent, d e cl a r e d : We ma i n t a i n t h a t i ts me a n i n g
[t h a t o f apollumi] i s al ways to destroy, to cause to perish, a n d i n t h e mi d d l e vo i ce to perish,
to cease to be.Fr o m a u t h o r s a u t h o r i ze d r e l e as e to Dr . E. Pe ta ve l , i n T he Problem of
Immor tal ity (1892), s u ppl e me n t No . X I V , p. 489. (I t a l i cs i n o r i gi n a l .)
FI NAL DI SPOSI T I ON OF T HE WIC KED 491
uses th e n o u n i n Ph i l i ppi an s 3:19wh o se e n d i s destruction.
An d th e same Gr e e k wo r d i s tr an s l ate d perdition i n Ph i l i p
pi an s 1:28. T h u s perdition i s e qu i val e n t to d e s tr u cti o n ,
a n d th e se i n t u r n ar e e qu a te d wi th pe r i s h i n g a n d be i n g l o st
(2 C o r . 4:3).
T h e e n d o f th e wi cke d i s su f f i ci e n tl y t e r r i bl e wi th o u t
ad d i n g, f r o m pagan so u r ce s, wh at Go d h as n o t i n cl u d e d . T h e
wages o f si n i s death (Ro m. 6:23), a n d th e e n d o f si n an d
i n co r r i gi bl e man i s utter and final destruction. An i l l u mi
n a ti n g co n f i r mati o n o f th i s appe ar s i n J o h n 11, i n C ai aph as
s tate me n t: I t i s e xpe d i e n t f o r us, t h a t o n e man s h o u l d die
[apothnesko, e xpi r e , d i e o u t ] f o r th e pe o pl e , a n d th a t
th e wh o l e n a ti o n perish [apollumi, be u tte r l y d e s tr o ye d ] n o t
(J o h n 11:50).
I n J o h n s mi n d th e te r m d i e bo r e th e same me an i n g
as to pe r i s h o r su f f e r d e s tr u cti o n (apollumi).1 T h a t i s th e
o ve r -al l wi tn e ss o f th e Gr e e k. Bu t l e t us n o te th e l e ad i n g te r ms
i n gr e a te r d e tai l .
I I I . We ymo u th s De vastati n g C h ar ge o f Man i pu l ate d Meani ngs
Af te r mo r e cl o se l y e xami n i n g th e f u l l f o r ce o f si x o f
th e s tr o n ge s t Gr e e k te r ms, al l si gn i f yi n g u l ti ma te an d to tal
d e s tr u cti o n , th e si gn i f i can ce o f th e cl assi c ch ar ge o f Gr e e k
a u th o r i ty Dr . Ri ch ar d F. We ymo u th appe ar i n g a t th e cl o se
wi l l be co me appa r e n t. Bu t f i r st l e t us pr o be i n to si x o f th e
str o n ge s t wo r d s:
(1) A p o l e i a : U t t e r Lo ss o f E x i s t e n c e . As to th e
f ate o f th e wi cke d , n o o th e r e xpr e ssi o n i s mo r e co mmo n o r
e mph ati c t h a n apoleiath e se n te n ce pr o n o u n ce d u po n al l wh o ,
h avi n g h e ar d th e su mmo n s to r e pe n tan ce an d f ai th i n C h r i st,
h ave r e si ste d i n d e f i an ce . C h r i s t sai d , Br o ad i s th e way, th a t
6Se e , f o r e xa mpl e , Dr . R. F. We ymo u th s Ph i l o l o gi cal St u d y o f t h e Me a n i n g o f
t h e Gr e e k V e r b ApollumiI, a ppe a r i n g by a u t h o r i za t i o n o f t h e a u t h o r i n Pe t a ve l s T he Prob
lem o f I m mortal ity (1892), pp. 489-495.
l e ad e th to d e s tr u cti o n [apoleian] (Matt. 7:13). An d Pau l
spe aks si mi l ar l y o f vessel s o f wr ath f i tte d to destruction
[apoleian] (Ro m. 9:22). T h i s i s th e d e s tr u cti o n f o r e ve r o f
bo d y a n d s o u l u t t e r an d f i n al r u i n , wh i ch wi l l n e ve r be
r e ve r se d . I t i s th e se co n d d e ath , f r o m wh i ch th e r e i s n o r e t u r n .
No wo r d i n th e Gr e e k to n gu e i s mo r e si gn i f i can t o f th e
u t t e r l oss o f e xi ste n ce th an apbleia. T h i s var i o u s l e xi co n s
atte s t. T h u s Pe te r , i n r e bu ki n g th e pe r f i d y o f Si mo n Magu s,
wh o s o u gh t to pu r ch as e th e po we r o f Go d wi th mo n e y, was
me t by Pe t e r s d e cl ar ati o n , T h y mo n e y perish [apoleian]
wi th t h e e (Acts 8:20)l i te r al l y, T h y mo n e y go wi th th e e
to d e s tr u cti o n . Su ch wi l l be th e e n d o f th e wi cke d .
(2) A p o l l u m i : D e s t r o y U t t e r l y , K i l l , S l a y .Al o n g
si d e th e Gr e e k n o u n {apoleia) i s th e ve r b apollumi, u se d to
si gn i f y th e pu n i s h me n t Go d wi l l i n f l i ct u po n wi cke d me n a n d
d e mo n s. I t i s to d e str o y u tte r l y, cau se to pe r i sh , ki l l , sl ay, be
u n d o n e . T h e f u n d ame n ta l t h o u gh t i s l oss, r u i n , pe r i s h , to
co me to an e n d . Apollumi i s f i ve ti me s appl i e d i n Matth e w
to pe r so n s: Wh e n He r o d atte mpte d to take th e l i f e o f th e
i n f a n t J e su s (Matt. 2:13); wh e n th e Ph ar i se e s pl o tt e d to
d e pr i ve J e su s o f l i f e wh e n He h ad gr o wn to man h o o d (Matt.
12:14); wh e n th e l o r d o f th e vi n e yar d d e cr e e d d e ath to
th e u n f a i t h f u l h u s ba n d ma n (Matt. 21:41); wh e n th e ki n g
pu n i s h e d wi th d e ath th e sl ayi n g o f h i s se r van ts (Matt. 22:7);
wh e n C h r i s t so l e mn l y d e cl ar e d th a t Go d can d e str o y bo th
so u l a n d bo d y i n h e l l (Matt. 10:28). (C f . Mar k 9:22; J o h n
10:10.)
T h e same ve r b i s u se d se ve n ti me s i n Lu ke : (a) T o take
away l i f e f r o m man (Lu ke 6:9; 9:56); (b) th e u n i ve r s al d e ath
pr o d u ce d by th e Fl o o d (Lu ke 17:27, 29); (c) th e pl o ts o f
th e e n e mi e s o f C h r i s t agai n st Hi s l i f e (Lu ke 19:47); (d) th e
d e cr e e o f d e ath to th e u n f a i th f u l h u s ba n d me n (Lu ke 20:16);
(e) th e wi cke d spi r i ts, me e ti n g wi th C h r i st, f i l l e d wi th t e r r o r
l e st He s h o u l d h ave co me , be f o r e th e y an ti ci pate d , to destroy
th e m (Lu ke 4:34). (C f . 1 C o r . 15:18; 2 Pe te r 3:6.)
FI NAL DI SPOSI T I ON OF T HE WIC KED 493
I n te n o f th e se passages r e f e r e n ce i s to l oss o f e xi ste n ce
h e r e ; i n th e o th e r two i t i s l oss o f th e e te r n al h e r e af te r . Fo r
th i s se co n d l oss o f l i f e , th e se co n d a n d e te r n al co mi n g d e ath ,
He l l (Ge h e n n a), h as be e n pr o vi d e d . T h e l o st wi l l th e r e su f f e r
co mpl e te d e s tr u cti o n . T h e r e th e d e vi l s wi l l al so be vi si te d
wi th th e l oss o f th e e xi ste n ce to wh i ch th e y d e spe r ate l y cl i n g.
Such u t t e r bl o tt i n g o u t i s a f e ar f u l t h o u gh t to th e se f al l e n
an ge l san o bl i t e r a ti o n th e y kn o w to be t h e i r i n e vi tabl e d o o m.
(3) A ph a n i zo : D i s a ppe a r , V a n i s h O u t o f E xi s t e n ce .
Br i e f me n ti o n mu s t be mad e o f th r e e o th e r Gr e e k te r ms r e l ati ve
to f u tu r e pu n i s h me n t. T h e f i r st i s aphanizo. T h u s Pau l , wa r n
i n g J e wi sh h e ar e r s at An ti o ch , says, Be h o l d , ye d e spi se r s, an d
wo n d e r , a n d perish [aphanizo] (Acts 13:41)me an i n g d i sap
pe ar , van i sh u tte r l y, to be h e ar d o f n o mo r e . T h i s i s th e te r m
u se d by J ame s wh e n s pe aki n g o f th e tr an s i to r i n e s s o f th i s pr e s
e n t l i f e (J ame s 4:14), a n d al so by Pa u l to d e scr i be th e co n s u m
mati o n o f r e t r i bu t i o n , wh e n th e wi cke d r i se f r o m t h e i r gr ave s
to see wh at th e y h ave r e je cte d , a n d mar ve l at t h e i r f o l l y
(Lu ke 13:27-29), a n d th e n , l i ke a va po u r th at vanisheth
away [aphanizo], pass o u t o f e xi ste n ce , d i sappe ar (J ame s 4:14).
(4) P h t h e i r o : D e s t r o y by D e pr i vi n g o f E xi s t e n ce .
An o th e r i s phtheirod e str o y, co r r u pt, d e f i l e , u se d to e xpr e ss
f u tu r e pu n i s h me n t, i n two senses, to d e pr ave an d co r r u pt, a n d
to d e str o y by d e pr i vi n g o f e xi ste n ce . I f an y man defile
[phtheiro] th e te mpl e o f Go d , h i m sh al l Go d destroy
[phtheiro]th e same Gr e e k wo r d (1 C o r . 3:17). T h e
f i r st i s th e s i n n e r s gu i l ty act; th e se co n d i s Go d s pu n i s h me n t
h e r e af te r by d e s tr u cti o n .
(5) D i a ph t h e i r o : I n t e n s i f i e d F o r m o f D es t r o y
U t t e r l y .I n i ts co mpo si te f o r m (diaphtheiro) th i s ve r b co m
bi n e s th e same two senses a n d i n te n si f i e s t h e i r f o r ce . I t si gni f i e s,
to d e str o y u t te r l y, an d ki l l , as we l l as l e ad astr ay a n d co r
r u pt . I n th e Apo cal ypse i t i s u se d to d e scr i be th e f u tu r e pu n i s h
me n t wh e r e J o h n says t h a t Go d wi l l destroy [diaphtheiro]
494
th e m wh i ch d e str o y th e e a r t h (Re v. 11:18)th e same ve r b
i n bo th cases. (See al so 2 Pe te r 2:12.)
( 6 ) E x o l o t h r e u o : U t t e r D e s t r u c t i o n b y D e a t h .
An o th e r Gr e e k ve r b an d n o u n f o r d e s tr o y a n d d e s tr u cti o n ,
exolothreud, a n d olethros, si gn i f y u t t e r d e s tr u cti o n by d e ath .
T h u s , Eve r y so u l , wh i ch wi l l n o t h e ar th a t pr o ph e t, sh al l be
destroyed [exolothreud] f r o m amo n g th e pe o pl e (Acts 3:23),
a n d th e wi cke d sh al l be pu n i s h e d wi th e ve r l as ti n g destruc
tion [olethros] f r o m th e pr e se n ce o f th e L o r d (2 T h e ss. 1:9;
1 T h e ss. 5:3; 1 T i m. 6:9).
T h a t i s a cro ss se cti o n o f th e basi c te sti mo n y o f th e Gr e e k.
L i t t l e wo n d e r th a t th e i l l u s tr i o u s Dr . We ymo u th , o f Mi l l Hi l l ,
mas te r o f th e Gr e e k te xt o f th e Ne w T e s ta me n t, e d i to r o f The
Resultant Greek Testament, a n d tr an s l ato r o f The New
Testament in Modern Speech, s tr i ki n gl y d e cl ar e d i n an a u t h o r
i ze d pu bl i s h e d s tate me n t:
My mi n d f ai l s to co ncei ve a gr o sser mi s i n te r pr e ta ti o n o f l an gu age
th a n wh e n th e f i ve o r si x str o n ge st wo r d s wh i ch th e Gr e e k to n gu e po s
sesses, si gn i f yi n g d e s tr o y/ o r d e s tr u cti o n / ar e e xpl ai n e d to me an ma i n
ta i n i n g an e ve r l asti n g bu t wr e tch e d e xi ste n ce . T o tr an sl ate bl ack as
wh i te i s n o th i n g to th i s . *
IV. Succi nct Summar y o f Over -al l Evi dence
We n o w te r se l y su mmar i ze o u r f i n d i n gs:
(1) T h e r e i s n o pr i n ci pl e i n Scr i ptu r e t h a t d e man d s th e
pe r pe tu a l e xi ste n ce o f th e d amn e d o r th e i n d e s tr u cti bi l i ty o f
th e i n d i vi d u al i n capabl e o f be co mi n g e te r n al l y h o l y a n d
h appy. Ete r n a l , co n sci o u s su f f e r i n g n o t o n l y i s r e pu gn a n t to
th e mo r al se nse o f man bu t i s u tte r l y o ppo se d to th e r e ve al e d
po r tr ayal o f th e l o ve a n d ju sti ce o f Go d . Mo r e o ve r , th e r e
wo u l d h ave to be i n d e s tr u cti bl e l i f e f o r th e e n d u r an ce o f e n d
l ess to r me n ts . Bu t as th e wi cke d d o n o t possess su ch l i f e ,
th e r e co u l d n o t au to mati cal l y be e n d l e ss to r me n ts f o r th e m.
An d th e I n f i n i te Po we r wh i ch can an d d i d cr e ate al so can
a n d wi l l discreate.
a Qu o t e d i n Ed wa r d Wh i t e s Life in Christ (3d e d ., 1878), p. 365.
HARRY ANDERSON, ART IST 1950 BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD
T h e Savi o ur Po i n ts th e Way to Li f e. He Does No t Wan t Any to Di e. He Is th e
C o mpl e te Savi o ur .
(2) T h e pu n i s h me n t o f th e wi cke d i s i r r e me d i al a n d d e
f i n i ti ve , a n d i n t h a t sense e te r n al . Bu t th e e xpr e ssi o n s e te r n al
pu n i s h me n t, u n qu e n ch abl e f i r e , e t ce te r a, me an , basi cal l y,
t h a t th e r e wi l l be n o d e l i ve r an ce , n o r e vi val o r u l ti ma te r e s
to r a ti o n o f th e wi cke d . T h e y wi l l abso l u te l y cease to be . T h e
495
496
po i n t i s n o t th e n a tu r e o f th e f i r e bu t o f wh at i s in th e f i r e.
T h e first d e a t h d o e s n o t s h u t o u t th e h o pe o f be i n g br o u gh t
to l i f e agai n , bu t th e se co n d , o r e te r n al , d e a th do es. T h e
l ake o f f i r e , wh i ch i s th e se co n d d e a th (Re v. 20:14, 15),
pu ts th e pe r i o d at th e e n d to th e d yi n g l i f e o f th e o bs ti n ate
si n n e r . I t mar ks th e f i n al s u ppr e ssi o n o f al l l i f e . I t i s th e po i n t
o f n o r e t u r n .
(3) Or d i n ar y f i r e mi gh t be qu e n ch e d be f o r e i t h as e n
ti r e l y co n su me d wh at i t i s r e d u ci n g to ash es. Un qu e n ch a bl e
f i r e can n o t be pu t o u t be f o r e i t d e str o ys u tte r l y. Bu t th e f i r e
do e s n o t co n ti n u e o n af te r h avi n g bu r n e d o u t, an d th e vi cti m
d o e s n o t e scape , si n ce h e i s d e str o ye d . Su ch f i r e i s th u s th e sym
bo l o f to tal d e s tr u cti o n . Far f r o m i n d i cati n g e te r n al to r me n ts ,
i t sets f o r th i n e xti n gu i s h abl e d e s tr u cti o n .
(4) T h e r e wi l l , o f co u r se , be acco mpan yi n g su f f e r i n g,
pr o po r ti o n a te to th e d e man d s o f th e ju s t ju d gme n t o f Go d
th e n e te r n al ce ssati o n o f be i n g, i n o be d i e n ce to th e r e qu i s i te s
o f d i vi n e ju s ti ce a n d r i gh te o u s l aw. T h e su f f e r i n g i s bu t a pr e
l i mi n ar y ph ase o f th e to tal pu n i s h me n t.
(5) By th e wo r d a n n i h i l a t i o n (pl aye d u p by an tago
n i sts o f C o n d i ti o n al i s m), i f u se d , i s si mpl y me a n t th e e xti n cti o n
o f th e co n sci o u s l i f e o r pe r s o n al i ty an d th e te r mi n a ti o n o f al l
o f i ts f acu l ti e s. De ath al ways d e si gn ate s d e s tr u cti o n . T h e si n
n e r l e ad s a h o pe l e ssl y d yi n g l i f e , e n d i n g f i n al l y i n th e se co n d
d e a th , wh i ch i s co mpl e te a n d d e te r mi n ati ve . Wh e n th e r u i n
i s co mpl e te i t pu ts an e n d to th e e xi ste n ce o f th e s i n n e r .
T h e r e i n i s th e bl e n d e d me r cy a n d ju sti ce o f Go d . T h e pu n i s h
me n t o f th e wi cke d i n vo l ve s n o t o n l y d e ath bu t loss of eternal
life and denial of Immortality. T h e pu n i s h me n t i s n o t me r e l y
n e gati ve , a f ai l u r e to r e ce i ve th e r e war d o f l i f e ; i t i s po si ti ve ,
a pu n i s h me n t f o r si n an d d e pr i va ti o n o f l i f e .
(6) T h e e l i mi n a ti o n o f e vi l an d e vi l d o e r s by way o f e x
ti n cti o n i s th u s se e n to be i n co n f o r mi ty wi th th e d e cl ar ati o n s
o f Scr i ptu r e , th e d i ctate s o f r e aso n , an d th e d e man d s o f e qu i ty.
An d th e ve r y n a tu r e an d i n te gr i ty o f Go d , as i mmacu l ate h o l i
ness a n d th e pe r s o n i f i cati o n o f al mi gh ty i n f i n i te po we r , i mpl y
FINAL DISPOSI T I ON OF T HE WIC KED 497
t h a t He wi l l n o t to l e r ate e vi l i n Hi s u n i ve r s e f o r e ve r . T h a t
He h as pl ai n l y d i scl o se d .
No te th i s cu mu l ati ve d o cu me n te d se r i e s a n d i ts cl i max.
Satan an d h i s co h o r ts wi l l be d e str o ye d (Ro m. 16:20; He b.
2:14, 15; cf . Ge n . 3:15). T h e l awl ess o n e wi l l be br o u gh t to
n o u gh t (2 T h e ss. 2:8). T h e gr e at r e be l l i o n wi l l be su ppr e sse d
(Re v. 19:20; cf . Dan . 7:11, 26). T h e r e wi l l be n o mo r e cu r se
(Re v. 22:3). De ath wi l l be abo l i s h e d (2 T i m. 1:10; 1 C o r . 15:
26; Re v. 21:4; cf . Isa. 25:8). De ath wi l l f o r e ve r l o se i ts sti n g
(1 C o r . 15:55, 56). De ath an d Had e s jo i n Satan i n th e abyss
o f d e s tr u cti o n th e l ake o f f i r e a n d br i ms to n e (Re v. 20:14).
Si n n e r s ar e n o mo r e . T h a t i s th e u l ti ma te f ai th o f th e i r r e co n -
ci l abl e s.
Bu t Go d wi l l be al l i n al l to th o se wh o su r vi ve th e scr u
ti n y o f th e f i n al ju d gme n t (1 C o r . 15:28), a n d th e r e d e e me d
wi l l l i ve o n i n gl o r i o u s t r i u mph f o r e ve r mo r e (Matt. 25:46).
Evi l wi l l th e n h ave d i sappe ar e d , an d gr ace wi l l mu ch mo r e
a bo u n d (Ro m. 5:20). I t i s th e e n d o f si n . T h e r e wi l l th u s be
a cl e an u n i ve r s e f o r e ve r .
C H A P T E R T W E N T Y - E I G H T
Summi ng Up th e C ase f or
Bi bl i cal C ondi ti onal i sm
I . C o n d i ti o n al i sm Acce n tu ate d an d En f o r ce d i n New T e stame n t
1. C o m p l e t e H a r m o n y B e t w e e n T e s t a m e n t s .I mmo r
tal i ty, se t f o r th as conditional i n th e Ol d T e s ta me n t, i s e ve n
mo r e co n spi cu o u sl y d e cl ar e d to be conditional i n th e Ne w.
T h e l ate r i n n o vati o n o f th e i n h e r e n t co n ti n u i ty a n d i n d e
s tr u cti bi l i ty o f th e h u ma n so u l , i n tr o d u ce d i n to th e C h r i s ti an
C h u r ch i n a ti me o f d e ve l o pi n g apo stasy, f i nds n o s u ppo r t i n
C h r i s t s pe r s o n al te ach i n g o r i n th e s u bs e qu e n t apo sto l i c th e
o l o gy se t f o r th i n th e Ne w T e s tame n t.
On th e co n tr ar y, th e Ne w T e s ta me n t co mpl e te l y su stai n s
th e u n i f o r m po s i ti o n o f Mo ses a n d th e pr o ph e ts , gi vi n g i t
pr e ci s i o n , ampl i f i cati o n , f i n al i ty, an d maje sty. An d i t i s o f
mo r e t h an passi n g i n te r e s t th at, i n so d o i n g, th e Ne w T e s ta
me n t o f te n bo r r o ws th e te r ms e mpl o ye d i n th e Se ptu agi n t
tr a n s l a ti o n to br i n g o ve r i n to th e Gr e e k th e co r r e s po n d i n g
wo r d s a n d i n t e n t o f th e o r i gi n al He br e w, as pe r tai n s to th i s
i ssu e . I t th u s f o r ms an i n val u abl e co n n e cti n g l i n k be twe e n th e
Ol d an d th e Ne w i n th i s speci f i c f i el d.
Li ke th e Ol d T e s ta me n t, th e Ne w pr o cl ai ms th e e te r n i ty
o f Go d bu t h as n o t h i n g to say o f an y i n n ate , i n al i e n a bl e I m
mo r ta l i ty po ssessed by man . Ne i th e r th e te r m n o r th e th o u gh t
can be f o u n d be twe e n Matth e w 1 a n d Re ve l ati o n 22. I mmo r
tal i ty r e s u l ts f r o m pe r s o n al f ai th i n th e pe r s o n al po we r an d
pr o vi s i o n o f Al mi gh ty Go d , wh o h as pu r po s e d a n d pr o vi d e d
I mmo r ta l i ty f o r man as a gi f t th r o u gh C h r i s tbu t o n cl e ar l y
498
e n u n ci ate d conditions. T h e r e d e e me d , r i gh te o u s, an d o be d i
e n t sh al l l i ve ; th e u n go d l y, o bs ti n ate s i n n e r s sh al l be co m
pl e te l y d e s tr o ye d (2 T h e ss. 1:9; cf . Ps. 92:9). T h a t i s th e gi st
o f C o n d i ti o n al i s m.
2. I mmo r t a l i z a t i o n A c c e n t u a t e d a n d A mpl i f i e d i n N e w
T e s t a me n t .T h i s i mpo r ta n t a d d i ti o n , h o we ve r , i s to be n o te d .
I n th e Ne w T e s ta me n t th e h o r i zo n s ar e d e f i n i te l y wi d e n e d a n d
th e f o u n d ati o n s mo r e f i r ml y bu ttr e ss e d an d e xpan d e d . T h e pa th
to th e gr ave be co me s br i gh t e r a n d mo r e l u mi n o u s as th e go s
pe l d ay be gi n s to d awn . Ete r n i ty o f l i f e f o r th e o n e , an d e te r
n i ty o f u l ti ma t e n o n e xi s te n ce f o r th e o th e r , o u t l i n e d i n th e
Ol d T e s ta me n t, i s mo r e f u l l y r e ve al e d an d acce n tu ate d i n th e
Ne w.
J e su s, s u pr e me Au th o r i ty an d Wi tn e ss o f al l ti me , as co n
ce r n s man , n o t o n l y u ph o l d s bu t i n te n si f i e s an d d e l i mi ts th e
conditions o f i mmo r tal i zati o n . Man be co me s i mmo r tal o n l y
by gr ace , assu r e d t h r o u gh f ai th i n C h r i st a n d Hi s r i gh te o u s
ness, wh i ch i s f i r st i mpu te d a n d th e n i mpar te d to th e be l i e ve r .
T h e n , u po n C h r i s ts r e t u r n , co me s gl o r i f i cati o n a n d r e al i ze d
i mmo r tal i zati o n f o r th e r i gh te o u s.
T h i s i s th e u n i qu e n e s s o f th e go spe l t h a t J e su s o f f er s i n
a n d t h r o u gh Hi s o wn pe r s o n th e so l e me an s wh e r e by a man
may o bta i n r i gh te o u sn e ss a n d th e n I mmo r tal i ty. I t i s n o t
ma n s i n h e r e n tl y. C h r i s ts e xpi ato r y d e ath gi ves assu r an ce o f
d i vi n e pa r d o n , an d th e pl e d ge o f i mpe r i s h abl e l i f e be co me s
th e po r ti o n o f al l wh o u n i te th e mse l ve s to th e r i se n , t r i u m
ph a n t C h r i s t by f ai th . Su ch i s th e f u n d ame n tal o f f e r o f th e
Ne w T e s ta me n t an d th e d e cl ar e d ai m o f th e go spe l . T h i s was
th e message s ti l l pr o cl ai me d by C h r i s t af te r Hi s r e s u r r e cti o n ,
sh o r tl y be f o r e Hi s pa r ti n g co mmi ssi o n an d asce n si o n . He r e i s
J o h n s r e co r d : T h e s e ar e wr i tte n , th a t ye mi gh t be l i e ve th a t
J e su s i s th e C h r i st, th e So n o f Go d ; a n d th a t be l i e vi n g ye
mi gh t h ave l i f e t h r o u gh h i s n a me (J o h n 20:31).
T h e r e i t i s, co mpr e sse d i n to a si n gl e se n te n ce . I n th i s cl i
macti c passage , l i f e i s u se d i n i ts f u l l sense an d f o r ce l i f e at
th e h i gh e st l e ve l , l i f e th a t i s to be n e ve r e n d i n g a n d al l e m
SUMMING UP T HE C ASE FOR BIBLIC AL C ONDIT I ONALI SM 499
br aci n g; l i f e th a t wi l l be i mpe r i s h abl e , l i f e base d o n be l i e f i n ,
an d acce ptan ce o f , C h r i s ts o f f e r o f e te r n al l i f e . T h a t agai n i s
th e e ssence o f C o n d i ti o n al i s m.
3. I mmo r t a l i t y a n A c q u i s i t i o n , N o t I n h e r e n t P o s s es
s i o n . Li f e i n th e Ne w T e s ta me n t me an s actu al l i f e , a n u
d e a t h me an s th e d i ame tr i c o ppo si te o f l i f e th e depriva
tion of all life, the end of all activity, the cessation of all indi
vidual faculties. De ath , wi th o u t an y e scape o r r e s u s ci tati o n
abs o l u te d e ath , f o u r ti me s cal l e d th e se co n d d e a th t e r mi
n ate s i n th e co mpl e te ce ssati o n o f be i n g o f th e wi cke d . I t i s th e
e n d o f th e r e ca l ci tr a n t h u ma n e n ti ty. C h r i s t came t h a t wh o
so e ve r be l i e ve th i n h i m s h o u l d n o t pe r i s h [apollumi, be u t
te r l y a n d f i n al l y d e s tr o ye d , br o u gh t to n o u gh t ], bu t h ave
e ve r l as ti n g life (J o h n 3:16). T h a t i s th e match l e ss pr o vi s i o n
o f th e go spe l .
I f o n e can pe r i s h , o bvi o u sl y h e i s n o t by n a tu r e i mmo r
tal . An d i f h e i s n o t by n a tu r e i mmo r tal , th e r e i s n o t h i n g i n
co n s i s te n t i n sayi ng, i n co n f o r mi ty wi th Scr i ptu r e , t h a t C h r i s t
mu s t confer I mmo r ta l i ty u po n man i f h e i s to l i ve f o r e ve r .
C o n s e qu e n tl y al l Ne w T e s ta me n t te xts t h a t d i r e ctl y o r i n d i
r e ctl y s tate th a t C h r i s t i s o u r l i f e , a n d co n f e r s e te r n al l i f e , su ch
as J o h n 3:16, co n f i r m th e C o n d i ti o n al -I mmo r tal i ty po s tu l ate .
T h i s si gn i f i e s t h a t t r u e be l i e ve r s, e scapi n g th e to tal d e s tr u c
ti o n t h a t awai ts th e i mpe n i t e n t s i n n e r , acqu i r e an i mpe r i s h
abl e a n d pe r pe tu a l l i f e th r o u gh C h r i s t al o n e . I mmo r ta l i ty i s
th e r e f o r e an acqu i s i ti o n , n o t an i n h e r e n t po ssessi o n. T h a t ,
o n ce mo r e , i s th e esse nce o f C o n d i ti o n al i s m.
4. C o n t r a s t i n g P o s i t i o n s Su c c i n c t l y Se t F o r t h .C o n -
d i ti o n al i s ts d o n o t d i f f e r f r o m Immo r tal -So u l i sts o ve r th e fact
o f a f u tu r e l i f e , bu t o ve r th e nature and source of that life
a n d th e time of receiving it. I mmo r ta l i ty h as be e n o ve r l ai d
an d l o ad e d d o wn wi th ph i l o s o ph i cal spe cu l ati o n s a n d d e vi o u s
tr ad i ti o n s . Immo r tal -So u l i sts i n si st t h a t d e ath i s n o t an i n t e r
r u pt i o n o r ce ssati o n o f th e n a tu r a l l i f e o f man , bu t i s si mpl y
e n tr an ce u po n a n e w a n d gl o r i f i e d stage i n t h a t l i f e . T h a t ,
SUMMING UP T HE C ASE FOR BIBLIC AL C ONDI T I ONALI SM 501
th e y i n si st, was th e an ci e n t be l i e f o f th e n ati o n s o f a n ti qu i t y.1
T h e y h o l d th at, i n ste ad o f t e r mi n a ti n g at d e ath , th e r e al
l i f e o f man si mpl y i n te n si f i e s an d e n l ar ge s i n to a n e w sph e r e
o f acti vi ty, e i th e r i n h o l i n e ss a n d h appi n e ss, o r si n a n d mi se r y,
a n d t h a t man wi l l co n ti n u e to l i ve o n f o r e ve r by vi r t u e o f th e
i n n ate e ssence o f l i f e wi th i n h i m, be i n g su stai n e d by so me i n
d e f e asi bl e po we r , so as to su f f e r f o r e ve r , i f i n co r r i gi bl y wi cke d .
On th e co n tr ar y C o n d i ti o n al i s ts h o l d th a t si n ce th e Fal l
d e ath te r mi n ate s th e n a tu r a l l i f e o f man , a n d t h a t th e l i f e
h e r e a f te r i s n o t n a tu r a l , i n h e r i te d f r o m Ad am, bu t supernat
ural, r e ce i ve d f r o m Go d . T h e y h o l d , f u r th e r mo r e , t h a t o n l y
th r o u gh th e vi car i o u s d e ath an d t r i u mph a n t r e s u r r e cti o n o f
C h r i s t i s th e r e an y r e s u r r e cti o n o r l i f e wh ate ve r f o r man h e r e
af te r f o r i f C h r i st be n o t r ai se d , yo u r f ai th i s vai n ; ye ar e ye t
i n yo u r si ns. T h e n th e y al so wh i ch ar e f al l e n asl e e p i n C h r i s t ar e
pe r i s h e d (1 C o r . 15:17, 18).
I mmo r ta l i ty h as th u s by C h r i s t be e n br o u gh t wi th i n
r e ach o f r e be l l i o u s cr e atu r e s o th e r wi se d e s ti n e d to abs o l u te
d e ath . I n f act, He came to r e ve al an d pr o cl ai m th e se cr e t o f
i mmo r tal i zati o n . T h a t i s He ave n s gl ad ti d i n gs f o r man . Wh e n
o n ce th i s maje sti c t r u t h i s gr aspe d , i t th r o ws a f l o o d l i gh t u po n
al l o th e r savi n g tr u th s . T h a t agai n i s C o n d i ti o n al i s m.
5. I mmo r t a l -So u l i s m I s I mmo r t a l i t y W i t h o u t a Sa v
i o u r . C o n d i ti o n al i s ts be l i e ve i n th e s u pe r n a tu r a l r e s u r r e c
ti o n o f th e d e ad , i n a ge n e r al ju d gme n t, an d i n th e abs o l u te
f i n al i ty o f t h a t ju d gme n t. T h e y be l i e ve i n th e second d e a th
f o r th e wi cke d , an d th u s i n th e f i n al i ty o f t h e i r d o o m. I n co n
tr as t th e y be l i e ve i n th e l i f e e ve r l as ti n g o f th e r i gh te o u s,
r ai se d th r o u gh C h r i s tan d t h a t th i s i s th e h i gh e st an d mo st
gl o r i o u s o f al l po ssi bl e l i f e , eternal life, th e i mpa r ta ti o n o f
Go d s o wn pu r e an d bl e sse d i mmo r tal l i f e , base d u po n e n
i Pr e s u mpti ve e vi d e n ce o f t h e I n n a t e I mmo r t a l i t y o f t h e so u l i s o f te n pu t f o r t h o n
t h e basi s o f i ts ge n e r a l be l i e f a mo n g t h e n a t i o n s o f a n t i qu i t y. Bu t a n a ppe a l to a consensus
sentium d o e s n o t co n s t i t u t e pr o o f , a n y mo r e t h a n d o e s t h e a r gu me n t o f ma n s i n n e r a s pi r a
ti o n s . T h e f a ct t h a t t h e vas t ma jo r i t y o n ce be l i e ve d t h e wo r l d t o be f l at d i d n o t ma ke i t so .
Un i ve r s a l h u n ge r f o r I mmo r t a l i t y i s implanted by Go d as a n i n ce n ti ve to s e e ki n g a n d
f i n d i n g i mmo r t a l i t y. Bu t i t mu s t be i n Go d s way a n d u po n Hi s te r ms .
tr an ce i n to th e pr o f f e r e d n e w a n d l i vi n g r e l a ti o n s h i p to J e su s
C h r i st.
T h i s , th e n , i s th e basi c i ssue wh e th e r we ar e i mmo r ta l
i ze d by C h r i st, t h r o u gh th e pr e par ato r y new bi r t h an d su bse
qu e n t r e s u r r e cti o n , o r wh e th e r we ar e i mmo r tal by o u r o wn
natural bi r t h f r o m Ad am. I n o th e r wo r d s, i t i s wh e th e r I m
mo r tal i ty, as th e gift o f Go d , i s e te r n al l i f e th r o u gh J e su s
C h r i s t o u r L o r d (Ro m. 6:23), o r wh e th e r th e r e i s i n h e r e n t
I mmo r ta l i ty without a Saviour, a n d Hi s ato n i n g d e ath a n d
savi n g l i f e .
An d i t s h o u l d h e r e be str e sse d (as wi l l be se e n i n Pa r t
IV) th a t th e earliest, o r Apo sto l i c, C h u r ch Fath e r s mai n ta i n e d
th i s C o n d i ti o n a l i s t po si ti o n . T h e d o ctr i n al d e vi ati o n o f o n e
s e gme n t o f th e later Fath e r s was cau se d by th e i n f i l tr a ti o n a n d
acce ptan ce o f th e Pl ato n i c ph i l o so ph y, r e ce i ve d i n to an i n
cr e asi n gl y co n f u se d an d vaci l l ati n g ch u r ch . An d , at th e same
ti me , th e Pl ato n i ze d ph i l o s o ph y o f th e Al e xan d r i an J e ws
ad d e d th e pr e s s u r e o f i ts d i ve r ge n t we i gh t u po n th e f al te r i n g
th e o l o gy o f th e Fath e r s. T h e r e was th u s a d u al pr e ssu r e t h a t
pr o ve d o ve r wh e l mi n g to a gr o wi n g majo r i ty. A l ar ge se gme n t
o f C h r i s ti an i ty su ccu mbe d , a n d C o n d i ti o n al i s m we n t i n to vi r
tu a l e cl i pse f o r ce n tu r i e s .
6. C o n d i t i o n a l i s m I s P o s i t i v e , N o t N e g a t i v e . Agai n ,
C o n d i ti o n al i s m i s a po si ti ve , n o t a n e gati ve , po s i ti o n an d pr o
vi si o n . I t i s to be e mph asi ze d t h a t C o n d i ti o n al i s ts h o l d I m
mo r ta l i ty f o r the good alone to be a f u n d ame n tal pr o vi so o f
th e go spe l . T h u s th e apo stl e J o h n says, He t h a t d o e th th e
wi l l o f Go d a bi d e t h f o r e ve r (1 J o h n 2:17). T h i s gi ves th e
basi s o f d i s ti n cti o n an d th e assu r an ce o f th e pe r man e n ce o f
th e o be d i e n t. Si n , o n th e co n tr ar y, l ead s to d i s i n te gr ati o n an d
r u i n , wh i l e so wi n g to th e Spi r i t l e ad s to th e r e a pi n g o f l i f e
e ve r l as ti n g (Gal . 6:8).
T o vi e w C o n d i ti o n al i s m as l ar ge l y a qu e s ti o n o f th e f i n al
f u tu r e pu n i s h me n t o f th e wi cke d i s to mi ss i ts r e al si gn i f i can ce .
T h a t i s me r e l y l o o ki n g at th e r e ve r se si d e o f th e pa tte r n . T h e
gl o r i o u s pr o vi s i o n o f th e more abundant life i s i ts ce n tr al co n
ce pt, i ts po si ti ve mo ti vati n g pr i n ci pl e . T h a t i s th e h e a r t o f
C o n d i ti o n al i s m.
7. M o r e G a i n e d T h r o u g h C h r i s t T h a n L o s t T h r o u g h
A d a m.T h e r e i s ye t a n o th e r an gl e t h a t mu st n o t be mi sse d
th e ju sti ce o f Go d , bl e n d e d wi th Hi s go o d n e ss an d me r cy, i m
pl i ci t i n C o n d i ti o n al i s m. T h e tr i al o f o u r f i r st par e n ts i n Ed e n
co u l d n o t h ave be e n mad e u n d e r co n d i ti o n s mo r e f avo r abl e to
a su cce ssf u l o u tco me . T h e y we r e swaye d by n o s i n f u l te n d e n
ci es, h ad n o co mpe l l i n g h abi ts, an d po ssessed n o be n t to war d
evi l .
Bu t th e tr agi c r e s u l ts o f th e Ed e n i c te st pr o ve d t h a t th e
h u ma n r ace was n o t ye t f i t f o r I mmo r tal i ty. If Go d h ad n o t
pu r po s e d to pr o vi d e e te r n al l i f e th r o u gh a n o th e r pr o bati o n ,
ma n ki n d s case wo u l d h ave be e n h o pe l e ss. Bu t we came u n d e r
th e o pe r a ti o n o f a mar ve l o u s system, a d i vi n e pr o vi s i o n o f
gr ace , by wh i ch e te r n al l i f e i s o f f e r e d to us agai n by a n e w
bi r th , e f f e cte d th r o u gh a Second Ad am, th e r e ce pti o n o f th e
r i gh te o u sn e s s o f C h r i st, an d a s u bs e qu e n t r e s u r r e cti o n f r o m
th e d e ad . T h a t was th e d i vi n e pr o vi si o n an d pr o cess.
An d so i t i s wr i tte n , T h e f i r st man Ad am was mad e a l i vi n g so ul
[or be i n g]; th e l ast Ad am was mad e a qu i cke n i n g [l i f e-gi vi ng] spi r i t.
Ho wbe i t t h a t was not first wh i ch i s spi r i tu al , bu t t h a t wh i ch i s natural
[psuchikon, "po sse ssi n g an i mal l i f e ]; an d afterward t h a t wh i ch i s spiritual
[pneumatikon, be l o n gi n g to th e Spi r i t]. T h e f i r st man [Adam] i s o f th e
e ar th , e ar th y: th e se co n d man i s th e Lo r d f r o m h e ave n . . . . An d as we
h ave bo r n e th e i mage o f th e e ar th y, we sh al l al so be ar th e i mage o f
th e h e ave n l y. No w th i s I say, br e th r e n , th a t f l esh an d bl o o d ca n n o t i n h e r i t
th e ki n gd o m o f Go d ; n e i th e r d o th co r r u pti o n i n h e r i t i n co r r u pti o n
(1 C o r . 15:45-50).
T h e same e mi n e n t apo stl e ad d s, T h a t wh i ch th o u sow-
est i s n o t qu i cke n e d , e xce pt i t d i e (v. 36). De ath , as e x
pl ai n e d by I n s pi r ati o n , i s a so mbe r bu t i n e vi tabl e pa r t o f
th i s wo r l d s mo ttl e d pi ctu r e . I t i s th e r e f o r e pl ai n , f r o m th e
go spe l , t h a t we gai n i n f i n i te l y mo r e i n C h r i st th an we l o st i n
Ad am. Wh a t we l o st i n Ad am was an e ar th l y Par ad i se , bu t
wh at we gai n t h r o u gh th e Se co n d Ad am i s a ce l e sti al Par ad i se
f o r e ve r mo r e . C h r i s t came n o t si mpl y to r e pa i r th e r u i n o f th e
504
Fal l a n d to br i n g man ki n d back i n pe n i te n ce to Go d bu t to
r ai se l o st bu t r an s o me d man to a state i n f i n i te l y h i gh e r t h a n
th a t o f Ad am i n h i s f i r st i n n o ce n cy i n Ed e n .
T h e first Ad am h ad bu t a po te n ti al , co n ti n ge n t l i f e , wh i ch
h e f o r f e i te d f o r h i mse l f an d h i s po s te r i ty u n d e r th e t e mpta
t i o n an d th e Fal l . Bu t th e Second Ad am pr o ve d Hi ms e l f s u
pe r i o r to th e se d u cti o n s o f th e gr e at d e ce i ve r . He possesses
abs o l u te si nl e ssn e ss an d r i gh te o u sn e ss i n Hi s o wn r i gh t. An d
th i s r i gh te o u sn e ss, al o n g wi th e te r n al l i f e , He be sto ws u po n
Hi s o wn t h r o u gh th e s u pe r n a tu r a l se co n d bi r t h a n d a r e s u r
r e cti o n f r o m amo n g th e d e ad . I t i s f i r st i mpu te d , t h e n actu al l y
i mpar te d . An d th i s be sto wal th e gr e at ad ve r sar y can n e ve r
agai n take away. T h u s C h r i s t sai d:
My sh e e p h e a r my voi ce, an d I kn o w th e m, an d th e y f o l l o w me :
and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither
shall any man pluck them out of my hand" (J o h n 10:27, 28).
Be cause I l i ve, ye sh al l l i ve al so (J o h n 14:19).
I am th e r e su r r e cti o n , an d th e l i f e : h e th a t be l i e ve th i n me ,
th o u gh h e we r e d e ad , ye t sh al l h e l i ve : an d wh o so e ve r l i ve th an d be l i e v
e th i n me sh al l n e ve r d i e (J o h n 11:25, 26).
T h a t i s th e gl o r y an d th e tr i u mph o f th e go spe l . T h a t i s
th e gi f t o f Go d th r o u gh J e su s C h r i st. An d th a t i s th e pr o ce ss
a n d th e pr i n ci pl e o f C o n d i ti o n al I mmo r tal i ty.
I I . Issues Il l u mi n ate d T h r o u gh Si gni f i cant Seri es o f T wo s
Wi t h i n th e Ne w T e s ta me n t a si gn i f i can t se r i e s o f two s
stan d s f o r th , a u gme n ti n g an d ampl i f yi n g th e basi c te ach i n gs
be gu n i n th e Ol d T e s tame n t. T h e s e co mpl e te th e u n i qu e te s ti
mo n y o f th e Wo r d o n th e two wo r l d s, two Ad ams, two pr o ge n i
to r s, two bi r th s , two co ve n an ts, two cl asses, two ki n gd o ms, two
ad ve n ts, two l i ves, two d e ath s, two r e s u r r e cti o n s , two ways,
a n d two e te r n al d e sti n i e sth e i r r e vo cabl e e n d i n gs o f th e se
d i ve r ge n t ways.
C o mpar i so n s a n d co n tr asts ar e i n tr o d u ce d by C h r i st a n d
Hi s apo stl e s t h a t th r o w a f l o o d l i gh t o f u n d e r s ta n d i n g o n th i s
qu e s ti o n o f th e o r i gi n , n a tu r e , a n d d e sti n y o f man . A
su r ve y o f th e i n e vi tabl e i mpl i cati o n s o f th i s se r i e s i s d e
si r abl e , be cau se th e t r a d i ti o n a l co n ce pt o f th e co n ti n u i n g pe r
si ste n ce o f a si n gl e , u n e n d i n g l i f e an i n n ate l y, i n d e f e asi bl y
i mmo r tal l i f e f o r al l me n h as tr agi cal l y bl u r r e d o r mad e
vo i d th o se d i s ti n cti o n s so sh ar pl y d r awn i n Ho l y Wr i t t h a t
o th e r wi s e wo u l d h ave r e mai n e d tr an s par e n tl y cl e ar .
I t seems to h ave be e n th e s tu d i e d ai m o f h u man ph i l o s o
ph y to i gn o r e o r o bscu r e th e se d i s ti n cti o n s o r to mysti f y an d
co n f o u n d th e m. An d th e me d i e val papal ch u r ch a n d th e
Pr o te s tan t ch u r ch e s t h a t f o l l o we d i n h e r f o o tste ps h e r e , h ave
so mo l d e d t h e i r cr e e d s a n d f ash i o n e d t h e i r th e o l o gi e s as to
pe r pe tu a te th i s co n f u s i o n . I t i s th e r e f o r e i n cu mbe n t u po n us
to r e -e xami n e th i s pr o vo cati ve se r i e s gi ve n to gu i d e us.
T h i s a d d i ti o n a l f acto r s h o u l d , h o we ve r , be n o te d a t th e
o u tse t. T h e d i vi n e i n ti ma ti o n s o f r e s to r ati o n , e ar l y gi ve n to
man to ke e p th e r ace f r o m u t t e r d e mo r al i zati o n an d d i s co u r
age me n t, i n ti me be came d i s to r te d by d ar ke n e d mi n d s i n to
pe r ve r te d po s tu l ate s r e gar d i n g th e so u l . T h e s e we r e th e n ce
f o r th passe d o n by tr a d i ti o n f r o m ge n e r ati o n to ge n e r ati o n .
T h i s i s o bvi o u sl y th e o r i gi n o f th o se twi ste d n o ti o n s o f th e f u
t u r e state t h a t came to pr e vai l th r o u gh o u t th e a n ci e n t pagan
wo r l d .
Fi n al l y th e y br o u gh t d i vi si o n a n d r u i n to th e f ai th o f th e
J e wi sh ch u r ch th r o u gh t h e i r ad o pti o n . T h i s o ccu r r e d sh o r tl y
be f o r e th e pr o cl amati o n o f th e go spe l o f C h r i s t be gan , wh i ch
was d e si gn e d to r e s to r e th e pu r i ty o f r e ve al e d t r u t h a n d th e
r ad i an ce o f i n s pi r e d l i gh t a n d to pu t th e d ar kn e ss o f pe r ve r
si o n to f l i gh t. Pr e ss u r e d by h o pe s an d f ear s, me n h ad gi ve n
f r e e r e i n to t h e i r i magi n ati o n s , th u s d i s to r ti n g th e d i vi n e
pr o vi si o n s i n to f an ci f u l n o ti o n s a n d f al l aci o u s th e o r i e s co n
ce r n i n g th e so u l , bo th h e r e a n d h e r e af te r . No w n o te th i s
Bi bl i cal se r i e s o f two s:
1. T wo W o r l d s : T e m p o r a l a n d E t e r n a l . As to th e
two wo r l d s, th e f i r st o n e i s gr aph i cal l y d e s cr i be d i n Ge n e si s 1
a n d 2. Upo n cr e ati o n i t was pr o n o u n ce d ve r y go o d (Ge n . 1:
31), i n acco r d an ce wi th i ts n a tu r e . Bu t i ts n a tu r e , cu r se d be
cau se o f th e f al l an d si n o f man , be came d o mi n an tl y mate r i al
a n d e ar th l y. De ath an d de cay came to ch ar acte r i ze th i s pr e s e n t
o r d e r .
T h e n pr o gr e ssi ve l y, f i r st i n th e Ol d T e s ta me n t a n d n e xt
i n th e Ne w, th e r e i s r e ve al e d a be tte r , mo r e gl o r i o u s wo r l d to
co me e te r n al i n n a tu r e an d s tr u ctu r e , u n d e r th e d i vi n e o r d e r ,
a n d f i tte d to co n ti n u e f o r e ve r (He b. 13:14). I t i s spe ci f i cal l y
cal l e d th e wo r l d to co me (Mar k 10:30; Lu ke 18:30; He b.
2:5; 6:5). I t i s th e be tt e r co u n tr y, th e be tt e r l a n d , d e
si r e d by th e patr i ar ch s o f o l d (He b. 11:16).
An d i t i s h e r e ti e d i n i n se par abl y wi th e te r n al l i f e , o r
l i f e e ve r l as ti n g, f o r i ts r an s o me d ci ti ze n s. T h u s , T h e th i n gs
wh i ch ar e se e n ar e te mpo r al ; bu t th e th i n gs wh i ch ar e n o t
se e n ar e e te r n a l (2 C o r . 4:18).
T h e f o r e cast a n d n a tu r e o f th i s wo r l d to co me we r e bu t
gr ad u al l y u n f o l d e d i n th e Ol d T e s tame n t. Isai ah pr o ph e s i e d o f
th e n e w e a r th t h a t Go d h ad pr o mi se d to cr e ate (Isa. 65:17).
I t wo u l d su pe r se d e th e o l d , an d r e mai n f o r e ve r (Isa. 66:22).
Bu t i n th e Ne w T e s ta me n t, Pe te r te l l s mo r e e xpl i ci tl y o f th e
co mi n g n e w e ar th , wh e r e i n d we l l e th r i gh te o u sn e s s (2 Pe te r
3:13).
T h e gl o r i e s o f th e se co n d Par ad i se , o f wh i ch th e Ed e n i c
f i r st was a type , ar e sti l l mo r e f u l l y a n d cl e ar l y u n f o l d e d by
th e se e r o f Patmo s. He r e i n th e Re ve l ati o n , J o h n po r tr ays th e
e s tabl i s h me n t o f th i s n e w e a r t h , to co me af te r th e pr e s e n t
e a r th h as passe d away (Re v. 21:1)a n e w e a r th r e se r ve d
e xcl u si ve l y f o r th e i mmo r tal l y r e d e e me d , wi th i ts e sse n ti al
tr e e a n d wate r o f l i f e (Re v. 22). An d th i s be tt e r co u n tr y,
wi th i ts i mmo r tal i ze d i n h abi tan ts , r e mai n s f o r e ve r .
2. T wo A d a m s : T h e N a t u r a l , T h e n t h e Sp i r i t u a l .
Ne xt ar e th e two Ad ams. T h e f i r st man was f o r me d o u t o f th e
d u s t o f th e gr o u n d (Ge n . 2:7). He was th e h i gh e s t a n d n o
bl e st o f al l e ar th l y cr e atu r e s. Ye t h e was e sse n ti al l y e ar th l y
as h e so o n pr o ve d h i mse l f to be , an d as h i s ve r y n ame , Ad am,
i n d i cate s. He be came a l i vi n g s o u l (v. 7), e n d o we d wi th
l i f e l i ke th e an i mal s be n e ath h i m. Bu t h e d i f f e r e d f r o m th e
br u te cr e ati o n i n th a t h e was e n d o we d wi th a capaci ty f o r a
h i gh e r l i f e th e u n e n d i n g l i f e o f th e s pi r i tu al wo r l d be yo n d ,
as i n te n d e d f o r h i m by h i s C r e ato r .
Bu t th i s co u l d o n l y be se cu r e d by be co mi n g e stabl i sh e d
i n h o l i n e ss, wi th o u t wh i ch h e co u l d n e i t h e r r e t a i n Par ad i se
n o r e n jo y i t. T e s te d , an d f ai l i n g t h r o u gh si n , an d th u s pr o v
i n g u n wo r th y o f th e bo o n pr e par e d f o r h i m, h e san k to th e
co n d i ti o n o f a pe r i s h abl e e ar th l y cr e atu r e . An d as su ch h e be
came th e pr o ge n i to r o f an e ar th l y mo r tal po ste r i ty. T h a t was
n o t f i r st wh i ch i s s pi r i tu al , bu t th a t wh i ch i s n a tu r a l ; a n d
af te r war d t h a t wh i ch i s s pi r i tu a l (1 C o r . 15:46). An o th e r
Pr o ge n i to r was n e e d e d .
T h e n came th e Se co n d , o r Last, Ad am (1 C o r . 15:45-47),
bo r n o f a wo man , ye t be go tte n o f Go d . He was th e So n o f man ,
ye t was th e So n o f Go d . He was bo th d i vi n e an d h u ma n
He a ve n s pr o vi d e d l i n k be twe e n th i s l o we r wo r l d o f d ar kn e ss
a n d d e a th a n d th a t h i gh e r wo r l d o f l i gh t an d l i f e , o f wh i ch
He i s th e d e s i gn ate d Lo r d . I n al l po i n ts te mpte d l i ke as we
ar e , ye t wi th o u t s i n (He b. 4:15), He o ve r came wh e r e Ad am
f e l l , d yi n g as a me mbe r o f th e h u man f ami l y f o r th e r e d e mp
ti o n o f man , ye t po ssessed o f abso l u te , o r i gi n al I mmo r ta l i ty
i n Hi s o wn r i gh t, wh i ch co u l d n o t be l o st, an d be i n g mad e
pe r f e ct th r o u gh su f f e r i n g, h e be came th e a u th o r o f e te r n al
s al vati o n u n to al l th e m th a t o be y h i m (He b. 5:9).
An d to as man y as r e ce i ve d h i m, He gi ves po we r to
be co me th e so ns o f Go d , e ve n to th e m th a t be l i e ve o n h i s
n a me (J o h n 1:12). T h a t i s Go d s pr o vi si o n f o r th e r e d e mp
ti o n o f man an d th e r e s to r ati o n o f h i s f o r f e i te d life.
3. Sec o n d A d a m: P r o g e n i t o r o f I mmo r t a l R a c e . As
n o te d , th e f i r st Ad am was th e pr o ge n i to r o f a r ace f al l e n l i ke
h i mse l f e ar th l y, car n al , s i n f u l , mo r tal . I t i s i n co n te s tabl y
cl e ar t h a t Ad ams d e sce n d an ts co u l d n o t th e r e f o r e i n h e r i t
f r o m h i m an I mmo r ta l i ty wh i ch h e d i d n o t h i ms e l f possess,
an d wh i ch be cau se o f h i s f al l h e f ai l e d to se cu r e f o r h i mse l f .
Bu t th e Second Ad am i s th e pr o ge n i to r o f a r ace wh o , tr an s
f o r me d i n to Hi s l i ke n e ss, ar e pu r e i n h e a r t an d s pi r i tu a l i n
n a tu r e , a n d wh o ar e to i n h e r i t f r o m Hi m Hi s o wn I mmo r tal
Li f e a t Hi s se co n d ad ve n t. T h o u gh n o w su bje ct to ph ysi cal
d e ath , th e y wi l l , i n d u e ti me , e n te r u po n th a t i n h e r i tan ce
i n co r r u pti bl e , an d u n d e f i l e d , a n d t h a t f ad e th n o t away, r e
se r ve d i n h e ave n f o r yo u , wh o ar e ke pt by th e po we r o f Go d
th r o u gh f ai th u n t o sal vati o n r e ad y to be r e ve al e d i n th e l ast
t i me (1 Pe te r 1:4, 5).
He , th e n , i s o u r s pi r i tu al pr o ge n i to r .
4. T wo B i r t h s : F i r s t F l e s h l y , S e c o n d S p i r i t u a l a n d
E t e r n a l .T h e r e ar e th u s two bi r th s , o r be ge tti n gs. No ch i l d
o f Ad am can i n h e r i t e te r n al l i f e e xce pt h e be bo r n (be go tte n )
again (anthen, by d i vi n e po we r ) f r o m abo ve , f r o m
He ave n (cf . J o h n 3:3).
T h a t wh i ch i s bo r n [be go tte n ] o f th e f l esh i s f l esh ; an d
th a t wh i ch i s bo r n [be go tte n ] o f th e Spi r i t i s s pi r i t. . . . Ye
mu s t be bo r n a ga i n (vs. 6, 7).
Fr o m Ad am we i n h e r i te d a mo r tal , tr an s i to r y l i f e . Fo r a
l i f e be yo n d , we mu s t h ave a l i f e i n ge n e r ate d by th e Ho l y
Spi r i tth e l i f e pr o vi d e d f r o m C h r i st. T h i s i s th e l i f e u n i
f o r ml y a n d r e pe ate d l y spo ke n o f by o u r Lo r d as th e l i f e
e ve r l as ti n ga l i f e d i r e ctl y f r o m Hi m, wh o al o n e can make
us me e t to be par take r s o f th e i n h e r i ta n ce o f th e sai n ts i n
l i gh t (C o l . 1:12).
5. T wo C o v e n a n t s : F i r s t o f W o r k s , S e c o n d o f F a i t h .
T h e d i s pe n s ati o n o f gr ace br i n gs us u n d e r a n e w co ve n an t,
o r mi n i s tr ati o n . T h e first co ve n an t was a co ve n an t o f wo r ks.
T h i s d o , a n d t h o u s h al t l i ve . I t was l egal . Its r e war d s, pe n a l
ti e s, a n d mo ti ve s we r e e ar th l y, th o u gh e l e vate d . I t co u l d
n e ve r . . . make th e co me r s t h e r e u n to pe r f e ct (He b. 10:1)
th a t i s, co mpl e te . Fo r i f t h a t f i r st co ve n an t h ad be e n f a u l t
l ess, th e n s h o u l d n o pl ace h ave be e n s o u gh t f o r th e se co n d
(He b. 8:7).
T h e second, o r n e w, co ve n an t i s a co ve n an t o f faith. Be
l i e ve o n th e Lo r d J e su s C h r i st, an d th o u s h al t be save d (Acts
16:31; cf . 13:39). T h i s r e qu i r e s an i mpl i ci t tr u s t i n an o mn i po -
te n t Savi o u r . T h a t was ne cessar y th a t we mi gh t r e ce i ve e n d
l ess l i f e . T h e n e w co ve n an ts appe al s ar e to th e h i gh e r n a tu r e ,
n o w be go tte n wi th i n th e n e w man by th e Spi r i t o f Go d . Its
mo ti ve s a n d r e war d s ar e s pi r i tu al , h e ave n l y, e te r n al (He br e ws
7; 8; 9). An d i t al l ce n te r s a bo u t r e s to r ati o n o f th e lost life.
6. T wo C l a s s e s : C a r n a l a n d P e r i s h i n g , H e a v e n l y a n d
A b i d i n g . Man ki n d i s d i vi d e d i n to two cl assesth o se d e s ti n e d
f o r life and Immortality, an d th o se h e ad e d f o r death and de
struction. T h e s e two cl asses ar e al ways pl ace d i n ju xta po s i
ti o n , co mpar i s o n be i n g mad e by co n tr as t. T h e mo st f ami l i ar
cate go r i e s ar e :
Si n n e r s a n d sai n ts
Wi cke d an d r i gh te o u s
Un be l i e ve r s an d be l i e ve r s
Re pr o bate s an d h e i r s
En e mi e s o f Go d an d f r i e n d s o f Go d
Fo o l i sh an d wi se
T ar e s an d wh e at
Dr o ss an d go l d
C h i l d r e n o f th i s wo r l d an d ch i l d r e n o f th e ki n gd o m
C h i l d r e n o f th e wi cke d o n e (o r wr ath ) an d ch i l d r e n o f Go d (o r
th e Hi gh e st)
T h o s e wh o l i ve af te r th e f l esh , an d th o se wh o l i ve af te r th e Spi r i t
T h e first cl ass i s car n al l y-mi n d e d . T h e y l i ve a f te r th e
f l esh , ar e co n tr o l l e d by wo r l d l y mo ti ve s, se ek f o r wo r l d l y gai n ,
an d pu r s u e th e th i n gs th a t pe r i s h wi th th e u si n g. An d wh e n
th e wo r l d i s f i n al l y d e str o ye d , at th e l ast d ay, th e y mu s t pe r i s h
wi th i t, al o n g wi th t h e i r tr e asu r e s, f o r th e y h ave n o po r ti o n o r
i n h e r i ta n ce be yo n d .
T h e second cl ass i s s pi r i tu al l y-mi n d e d , an d l e d by th e
Spi r i t o f Go d . T h r o u gh th e Spi r i t th e y mo r ti f y th e d e e d s o f
th e f l esh (Ro m. 8:13). T h e y ar e co n tr o l l e d by s pi r i tu a l i n f l u
e nces, se ek th o se th i n gs wh i ch ar e abo ve , t h a t ar e pu r e an d
e te r n al . T h e i r ch o i ce i s th e be tt e r pa r t , wh i ch sh al l n e ve r
be take n away (Lu ke 10:42). T h e y, a n d th e y al o n e , wi l l h ave
e te r n al l i f e .
7. T wo K i n g d o m s : O f G o d a n d o f S a t a n .T h e r e ar e
l i ke wi se two ki n gd o ms. Br i ef l y, one i s o f th i s wo r l d , o ve r
wh i ch th e gr e at e n e my o f Go d a n d man be ar s r u l e , as pr i n ce
o f th i s wo r l d (J o h n 12:31; 14:30; 16:11). I t i s a ki n gd o m o f
e vi l , d i so r d e r , so r r o w, d ar kn e ss, si n , an d d e ath . I t i s a ki n gd o m
d o o me d to o ve r th r o w, an d to u t t e r an d i r r e me d i al r u i n an d
d e s tr u cti o n .
T h e other ki n gd o m i s th e ki n gd o m o f Go d , o f He ave n ,
o f o u r Lo r d , th e Pr i n ce o f l i f e (Acts 3:15). I t i s a ki n gd o m o f
l i gh t an d gl o r y a n d po we r . I t i s a ki n gd o m o f r i gh te o u sn e ss
a n d pe ace a n d jo y i n th e Ho l y Gh o st (Ro m. 14:17); wh i ch ,
e stabl i sh e d by th e So n o f Go d as Hi s e ve r l as ti n g ki n gd o m,
sh al l e n d u r e f o r e ve r . I t i s n o t o f th i s wo r l d (J o h n 18:36).
T h e i mmo r tal i ze d sai n ts wi l l possess i t (Dan . 7:27).
8. T wo A d v e n t s : I n t h e F l e s h , a n d i n P o w e r a n d
G l o r y .T h e e s tabl i s h me n t o f th i s ki n gd o m i n vo l ve s two a d
ve n ts. Fi r st, th e So n o f Go d came i n th e f l esh , as a babe i n
Be th l e h e m, a t th e a ppo i n te d ti me , as th e So n o f man , to l i ve
amo n g me n mad e u n d e r th e l aw (Gal . 4:4), to su f f e r a n d
d i e . An d th e n , vi cto r i o u s o ve r th e po we r o f d e ath , He r o se
a n d asce n d e d o n h i gh l e ad i n g capti vi ty [aixmaldsian, bo d y o f
capti ve s, mu l t i t u d e o f capti ve s, mar gi n , Eph . 4:8] captive. 2
C h r i s t gave Hi s o wn assu r an ce t h a t He wi l l co me agai n a t
th e appo i n te d ti me to gath e r th e f r u i ts o f Hi s vi cto r y, to r ai se
th e d e ad , a n d e xe cu te ju d gme n t u po n th e wo r l d , d e str o yi n g al l
t h a t i s vi l e a n d s i n f u l a n d d e s tr u cti bl e . T h e n He wi l l make
al l th i n gs n e w. An d u n to th e m t h a t l o o k f o r h i m sh al l h e a p
pe a r th e second time wi th o u t si n [apar t f r o m si n] u n t o sal va
t i o n (He b. 9:28). An d i n th a t n e w h e ave n s an d a n e w
e ar th , wh e r e i n d we l l e th r i gh te o u sn e s s , C h r i s t sh al l r e i gn as
Ki n g o ve r Hi s r e d e e me d pe o pl e f o r e ve r . So two co mi n gs o f
o n e Savi o u r a n d Lo r d ar e n e ce ssi tate d .
9. T wo R e s u r r e c t i o n s : T o L i f e a n d t o D a m n a
t i o n . C o n cu r r e n t wi th th e Se co n d Ad ve n t co me s th e r e s u r
r e cti o n o f th e r i gh te o u s d e ad , o r s l e e pi n g sai n ts (1 T h e ss. 4:16,
*C f . Matt. 27:52, 53; Rom. 1:4.
17; 1 C o r . 15:52). T h e r e s u r r e cti o n i s i n two i n stal l me n ts .
T h e y t h a t ar e C h r i s ts [co me f o r th ] at h i s co mi n g (1 C o r .
15:23). T h i s i s gi ve n pr e -e mi n e n ce . I t i s cal l e d th e f i r st,
th e be t t e r , r e s u r r e cti o n , th e r e s u r r e cti o n u n t o l i f e . T h i s i s
th e h o pe . . . o f th e d e a d i n C h r i s t (Acts 23:6).
T h e r e s t o f th e d e a d (th e wi cke d ) ar e n o t cal l e d f o r th
u n t i l th e cl o se o f th e th o u s an d ye ar s (Re v. 20:5). T h e y wi l l
th e n co me f o r th to h e ar th e ju s t d e ci si o n o f th e ju d gme n t as i t
af f ects th e m a n d to pe r i s h u n d e r th e e xe cu ti o n o f t h a t ju d g
me n t (v. 13).
So al l wi l l h e ar th e vo i ce o f th e So n o f Go d , a n d al l
wh o h e a r wi l l l i ve agai n (J o h n 5:25)th e y th at h ave d o n e
go o d ar e br o u gh t f o r th u n t o th e r e s u r r e cti o n o f l i f e ; an d
th e y th a t h ave d o n e e vi l , u n t o th e r e s u r r e cti o n o f d a mn a t i o n
(v. 29). T h e l a tte r ar e co n si gn e d to th e se co n d d e ath , f r o m
wh i ch th e r e i s n o r e cal l . C h r i s t wi l l l o se n o n e o f th e tr o ph i e s
o f Hi s r e d e mpti ve gr ace a n d wo r k (ch ap. 6:39), bu t wi l l r ai se
e ach o n e wh o be l i e ve s i n Hi m to e ve r l asti n g l i f e r ai se
h i m u p at th e l ast d ay (v. 44; cf . 11:24, 25).
Pau l co n cu r s by d e cl ar i n g t h a t th e r e sh al l be a r e s u r r e c
ti o n bo th o f th e ju s t , a n d o f th e u n ju s t (Acts 24:15). An d
th o se wh o r i se to e ve r l as ti n g l i f e wi l l h ave gl o r i f i e d , i n co r r u pt
i bl e , i mmo r tal i ze d bo d i e s (1 C o r . 15:42-44, 52-55)bo d i e s
ch an ge d i n to th e i mmo r tal l i ke n e ss o f C h r i s ts gl o r i o u s bo d y
(Ph i l . 3:21). I n d i smal co n tr as t wi l l be th o se br o u gh t f o r th
to h e ar t h e i r s e n te n ce o f d o o m, t h e n to pass, af te r d u e pu n i s h
me n t, i n to co mpl e te ce ssati o n o f be i n g.
10. F i n a l i t y o f S e p a r a t i o n O c c u r s a t S e c o n d A d v e n t .
T h e f i n al s e par ati o n o f al l ma n ki n d i n to th e two cl asses i s
mad e man i f e s t a n d actu al l y take s pl ace at C h r i s ts se co n d co m
i n g i n tr an s ce n d e n t gl o r y. T h e n th e r i gh te o u s o n l y ar e r e s u r
r e cte d f r o m th e d e ad , wh i l e th e wi cke d (th e r e st o f th e
d e a d Re v. 20:5) awai t th e i r l ate r r e s u r r e cti o n t u r n an d
su mmo n s (1 C o r . 15:23). T h e r i gh te o u s l i vi n g wi l l be cau gh t
u p to me e t th e Lo r d i n th e ai r , a t Hi s r e t u r n (1 T h e ss. 4:17),
wh i l e th e l i vi n g wi cke d wi l l be s mi tte n d o wn by d e ath th r o u gh
th e br i gh tn e ss o f Hi s co mi n g (2 T h e ss. 2:8). T h u s , u n d e r th e
i mpr e ssi ve f i gu r e o f th e s h e e p a n d th e go ats, so we l l
kn o wn a t t h a t ti me h e [C h r i st] sh al l s e par ate th e m o n e
f r o m a n o th e r , as a sh e ph e r d d i vi d e th h i s sh e e p f r o m th e go ats:
a n d h e sh al l se t th e sh e e p o n h i s r i gh t h an d , bu t th e go ats o n
th e l e f t (Matt. 25:32, 33).
T h o s e o n th e l e f t wi l l , at th e appo i n te d ti me , go away
i n to e ve r l as ti n g pu n i s h me n t: bu t th e r i gh te o u s [o n th e r i gh t]
i n to l i f e e t e r n a l (v. 46), to i n h e r i t th e ki n gd o m pr e pa r e d
f o r th e m f r o m th e f o u n d ati o n o f th e wo r l d (v. 34).
Mar k i t we l l : T h e s e f i n al e n d i n gs d o n o t r e pr e s e n t si mpl y
two type s an d co n d i ti o n s o f perpetual life (of e ve r l as ti n g h a p
pi n e ss, or o f e te r n al mi se r y), bu t everlasting life o n th e o n e
h an d , i n co n tr a d i s ti n cti o n to everlasting punishment by the
second death, o n th e o th e r , f r o m wh i ch th e r e i s n o r e s u r r e c
ti o n . T h e first d e ath cu ts of f f r o m te mpo r al l i f e ; th e second
d e a th cu ts of f f r o m e te r n al l i f e . I t e n d s al l h o pe o f f u r t h e r l i f e
f o r e ve r .
11. T wo D e a t h s : F i r s t D e a t h f o r A l l , S e c o n d O n l y
f o r W i c k e d . T h e r e ar e th u s th e f i r st a n d se co n d d e ath s.
T h e s e ar e gi ve n gr e at pr o mi n e n ce i n th e Bi bl i cal d e pi cti o n .
Bu t co n f u s i o n a n d mi s u n d e r s tan d i n g ar o se f r o m i mbi bi n g th e
pr i n ci pl e s o f th e Pl ato n i c ph i l o so ph y, wh i ch d e n i e s th e a ctu a l
i ty o f th e f i r st d e ath by assu mi n g t h a t man i s an i mmo r tal be
i n g. C o n se qu e n tl y, f o r su ch th e r e i s n o pl ace f o r a se co n d
d e ath .
T h e n a tu r a l , o r first, d e a th i s i n co n se qu e n ce o f th e si n o f
th e r ace r a t h e r th an as pu n i s h me n t o f pe r so n al tr an sgr e ssi o n s.
Al l d i e , go o d an d bad al i ke . T o pu t i t a n o th e r way, we d i e
th e f i r st ti me pr i ma r i l y be cau se o f Ad ams ge n e r i c si n . T h e
pu n i s h me n t f o r pe r s o n al si n s i s th e se co n d d e a th (Re v. 20:
6, 14; 21:8). Or to pu t i t s ti l l a n o th e r way: T h e po r ti o n o f th e
save d wi l l be th e second life, e te r n al l i f e , i mmo r tal l i f e , wh i l e
th e po r ti o n o f th e l o st wi l l be th e second death o f u t t e r d e
s tr u cti o n .
Acco r d i n g to th e u n i f o r m te sti mo n y o f th e Wo r d , th e sec
o n d d e a th i tse l f i s th e f i n al end o f th e s i n n e r s car e e r . Si n,
wh e n i t i s finished, br i n ge th f o r th death (J ame s 1:15).
Fu r th e r mo r e , i f th e r e be n o actu al death i n th e f i r st d e a th ,
th e r e can , pe r f o r ce , be n o actu al r e s u r r e cti o n f r o m th e d e a d .
C o n s e qu e n tl y, al l th e awe -i n spi r i n g d e pi cti o n s o f th e Sec
o n d Ad ve n tth e po we r an d gl o r y, th e h o sts o f r e s pl e n d e n t
a tt e n d i n g an ge l s, th e o pe n i n g o f th e gr ave s, th e d e ad co mi n g
f o r th , a n d th e gl ad r e u n i o n s f o r th e r i gh te o u s f o r e ve r mo r e
ar e l o o ke d u po n as si mpl y Or i e n ta l f i gu r e s o f spe e ch . T h e y
ar e co n s tr u e d to me an n o t h i n g mo r e th an th e e me r ge n ce o f
th e s pi r i t f r o m i ts e n cu mbe r i n g bo d y-pr i so n , r e l e ase d l i ke a
bal l o o n wh e n th e co r d i s cu t th a t ti e s i t to e ar th , so t h a t i t can
so ar abo ve to th e r e al ms o f bl i ss. T h a t i s th e f an ci f u l pi ctu r e
i n h e r i te d f r o m pagan ph i l o so ph y an d C h r i s ti an d e vi ati o n .
12. Sec o n d D e a t h F o l l o w s Se c o n d R e s u r r e c t i o n .
T h e "second deathn ame d o n l y i n th e Apo cal ypse , bu t r e
f e r r e d to i n pr i n ci pl e man y ti me s e l se wh e r e i s n o t me r e l y
th e n a tu r a l d e a th th a t co me s u po n al l me n at th e cl o se o f th i s
l i f e , bu t i s a d e ath co mi n g after th e r e s u r r e cti o n , r e s tr i cte d to
th o se wh o ar e ad ju d ge d u n wo r th y o f e te r n al l i f e . Fo u r ti me s
th i s te r m se co n d d e a t h i s e mpl o ye d a n d i n var i abl y pl ace d
i n co n tr as t wi th l i f e e ve r l asti n g, wh i ch i s gi ve n to th e r i gh t
e o u s. No te th e m agai n :
Be th o u f ai th f u l u n to d e ath , an d I wi l l gi ve th e e a cr o wn o f l i f e.
. . . He t h a t o ve r co me th sh al l n o t be h u r t o f th e second death" (Rev.
2:10, 11).
Bl essed an d h o l y i s h e th a t h ath pa r t i n th e f i r st r e s u r r e cti o n : o n
such th e second death hath no power (Rev. 20:6).
An d I saw a gr e at wh i te th r o n e , an d h i m th a t sat o n i t, f r o m
wh o se f ace th e e ar th an d th e h e ave n f l ed away; a n d th e r e was f o u n d
n o pl ace f o r th e m. An d I saw th e d e ad , smal l an d gr e at, s tan d be f o r e
Go d ; an d th e bo o ks we r e o pe n e d : an d a n o th e r bo o k was o pe n e d , wh i ch
i s th e bo o k o f l i f e : an d th e d e ad wer e ju d ge d o u t o f th o se th i n gs wh i ch
we r e wr i tte n i n th e bo o ks, acco r d i n g to th e i r wo rks. An d th e sea gave
u p th e d e ad wh i ch wer e i n i t; an d d e ath an d h e l l d e l i ve r e d u p th e d e ad
wh i ch we r e i n th e m: an d th e y we r e ju d ge d eve r y man acco r d i n g to th e i r
wo r ks. An d d e ath an d h e l l we r e cast i n to th e l ake o f f i r e. T h i s i s th e
17
second death. An d wh o so e ve r was n o t f o u n d wr i tte n i n th e bo o k o f
l i f e was cast i n to th e l ake o f f i r e (vs. 11-15).
T h e n , a f te r a gl o wi n g d e s cr i pti o n o f th e gl o r i e s o f th e
h e ave n l y Par ad i se , wh e n Go d sh al l wi pe away al l te ar s f r o m
th e i r eyes; an d th e r e sh al l be no more death, n e i t h e r so r r o w,
n o r cr yi n g, n e i t h e r sh al l th e r e be an y mo r e pai n : f o r th e f o r
me r th i n gs ar e passe d awayth e r e ve l ato r d e cl ar e s:
Bu t th e f e ar f u l , a n d u n be l i e vi n g, an d th e abo mi n abl e , an d mu r
d e r e r s, an d wh o r e mo n ge r s, an d so r ce r e r s, an d i d o l ate r s, an d al l l i ar s,
sh al l h ave th e i r pa r t i n th e l ake wh i ch bu r n e th wi th f i re an d br i m
sto n e : wh i ch i s th e second death (Re v. 21:8).
13. S e c o n d D e a t h f o r I r r e c l a i m a b l y W i c k e d O n l y .
No w i t i s u n d e n i a bl e th a t th e r e can be n o second d e ath wi t h
o u t a first d e ath . An d th e se co n d mu s t be an actu al death, l i ke
th e f i r st, o th e r wi se th e r e co u l d be n o pr o pr i e ty i n e mpl o yi n g
th e te r m s e c o n d As state d , th e f i r st d e ath i s th e d e a th to
wh i ch al l e ar th l y cr e atu r e s ar e su bje ct. Man al o n e h as a r e s u r
r e cti o n , a n d a n o th e r l i f e o f f e r e d by an o mn i po te n t Savi o u r
th r o u gh a r e s u r r e cti o n f r o m th e d e ad . So th e first death i s th e
co mmo n l o t o f al l me n f r o m Ad am o n war d , i r r e spe cti ve o f
ch ar acte r o r co n d u ct as i n d i vi d u al s . Bu t as i n Ad am al l d i e ,
e ve n so i n C h r i s t sh al l al l be mad e al i ve (1 C o r . 15:22).
T h e "second d e a t h i s th e d e sti n y o n l y o f th o se wh o n e g
l e ct so gr e at s al vati o n (He b. 2:3), o f f e r e d th r o u gh C h r i st.
C o n s e qu e n tl y, th e se co n d d e ath i s so l e l y f o r th e i r r e cl ai mabl y
wi cke d . We wh o l i ve i n th e pr e s e n t l i f e ar e al l bo r n to d i e
o n ce . Bu t we mu s t be bo r n agai n , by a h e ave n l y s pi r i tu a l
bi r t h , i f we ar e to avo i d th e se co n d d e ath , an d th u s l i ve f o r
e ve r . As th e f i r st d e ath pu ts an e n d to ma n s e ar th l y l i f e , a n d
h e r e ve r ts to th e d u s t f r o m wh i ch h e was f o r me d , so th e se co n d
d e ath pr e cl u d e s e n tr an ce u po n th e l i f e be yo n d , an d r e man d s
al l wh o f al l u n d e r i ts d o o m o f d e s tr u cti o n , bo th so u l an d
bo d y (Matt. 10:28), to th e n o n e xi s te n ce f r o m wh i ch th e y
we r e f i r st cal l e d .
Wh e th e r th e pr o ce ss o f d e s tr u cti o n be l o n ge r o r s h o r te r ,
acco r d i n g to th e ju s t man d ate s o f th e ju d gme n t, th e e n d o f
th e pr o ce ss i s death. As Pau l says, wh o se end [o f th e e n e mi e s
o f th e cr o ss, Ph i l . 3:18] i s destruction (v. 19), an d th e end
o f th o se th i n gs i s death (Ro m. 6:21; cf . 1:32). De ath i s
th e r e f o r e th e f i n al e n d o f si n , th e f i nal i ssue o f th e co n f l i ct
be twe e n C h r i s t an d Satan , th e f i nal co n s u mmati o n o f th e
cr u e l e xpe r i me n t o f si n , so vi vi d l y pi ctu r e d i n th e Re ve l ati o n .
Fo r th e r i gh te o u s th e f i r st d e ath l asts o n l y u n t i l th e f i r st r e s u r
r e cti o n . Fo r th e wi cke d , th e se co n d d e ath , f o l l o wi n g th e se co n d
r e s u r r e cti o n , l asts f o r e ve r .
14. T h e T wo W a y s : W a y o f L i f e , a n d W a y o f D e a t h .
T wo o ppo s i te ways ar e se t f o r th i n Scr i ptu r e , al o n g wi th
th e f act t h a t al l me n tr e ad o n e o r th e o th e r . Mo ses o f o l d was
cal l e d u po n to d e cl ar e to Go d s an ci e n t pe o pl e : I cal l h e ave n
an d e a r th to r e co r d th i s d ay agai n st yo u , t h a t I [th e Lo r d ]
h ave se t be f o r e yo u life a n d death, bl e ssi n g a n d cu r si n g:
th e r e f o r e ch o o se life, th at bo th th o u an d th y seed may l i ve
(De u t. 30:19).
I n ve r se 15 l i f e a n d good an d d e ath an d evil ar e ti e d
i n se par abl y to ge th e r i n th e co n tr as ti n g co u pl e ts. Late r , J e r e
mi ah r e pe a te d th e same so l e mn d i ctu m, br o ad e n i n g e ach i n to
a way: T h u s s ai th th e Lo r d ; Be h o l d , I se t be f o r e yo u th e
way of life, a n d th e way of death (J e r . 21:8).
Bu t h o w, i t mi gh t be aske d , co u l d th e way o f h o l i n e ss be
cal l e d th e way everlasting, as th e psal mi st pu ts i t, i n co n
tr as t wi th th e wi cke d way (Ps. 139:24), i f both ways ar e
e ve r l asti n go n e wi th e ve r l asti n g h o l i n e ss an d h appi n e ss, th e
o th e r e ve r l as ti n g si n a n d mi se r y? T h e n th e wi se man war n s,
T h e r e i s a way wh i ch se e me th r i gh t u n to a man , bu t th e end
th e r e o f ar e th e ways of death (Pr o v. 14:12; 16:25). I t h as
o n e e n d . Ne xt, Eze ki e l th r o ws th e se ways i n to vi vi d co n tr as t,
d e cl ar i n g t h a t th e so u l th a t s i n n e th , i t sh al l die (Eze. 18:20),
bu t th e r e pe n t a n t r i gh te o u s sh al l save h i s so u l alive (v. 27).
An d h e d e cl ar e s: I h ave n o pl e as u r e i n th e death o f h i m t h a t
d i e th , s ai th th e Lo r d Go d : wh e r e f o r e t u r n yo u r se l ve s, an d
live ye (v. 32).
C h r i s t Hi mse l f pi cks u p an d pr esses th i s th e me o f th e
two ways:
En te r ye i n a t th e s tr ai t gate : f o r wi d e i s th e gate , an d br o ad i s
th e way, th a t l e ad e th to destruction, an d man y th e r e be wh i ch go i n
th e r e at: be cau se s tr ai t i s th e gate , an d n ar r o w i s th e way, wh i ch l e ad e th
u n to life, an d f ew th e r e be th a t f i n d i t (Matt. 7:13, 14).
An d as mi gh t be e xpe cte d , Pau l l i ke wi se str esses th e e n d
o f th e two ways:
Fo r i f ye l i ve af te r th e f l esh , ye sh al l die: bu t i f ye th r o u gh th e
Spi r i t d o mo r ti f y th e d e e d s o f th e bo dy, ye sh al l live (Ro m. 8:13).
Be n o t d e ce i ve d ; Go d i s n o t mo cke d : f o r wh atso e ve r a man sow-
e th , th a t sh al l h e al so r e ap. Fo r h e th a t so we th to h i s f l esh sh al l o f th e
f l esh r e a p corruption; bu t h e th a t so we th to th e Spi r i t sh al l o f th e
Spi r i t r e a p life everlasting (Gal . 6:7, 8).
15. D e s t i n e d E n d i n g s o f t h e T w o W a y s .Su mmar i z
i n g: Af te r Hi s r e s u r r e cti o n C h r i s t was r e ce i ve d u p i n to He ave n
as a pl e d ge o f th e co mi n g r e s to r ati o n o f h u man i ty, a n d as
pr o o f o f th e e te r n al u n i o n n o w e stabl i sh e d be twe e n Go d a n d
r e d e e me d man . Wh e n C h r i s t appe ar s agai n , th e se co n d ti me ,
He wi l l raise th e s l e e pi n g sai n ts an d translate th e l i vi n g o n e s
(1 C o r . 15:21-24, 51-57). An d wh e n th e a ppo i n te d h o u r sh al l
co me , th e wi cke d d e ad wh o se n ame s h ave be e n bl o tte d o u t
o f th e bo o k o f l i f e wi l l be br o u gh t f o r th f r o m t h e i r gr ave s to
r e ce i ve se n te n ce a n d to be co n su me d by th e second d e ath ,
wh i ch i n vo l ve s u t t e r d e s tr u cti o n o f bo d y an d so u l , al o n g wi th
th e o bl i t e r a ti o n o f Satan , th e mal i gn a u th o r o f si n , r u i n , a n d
d e a th (Matt. 25:31, 32, 41, 46)a n d al l h i s e vi l co h o r ts wi th
h i m.
He a n d h i s e vi l mi n i o n s an d al l me n an d d e mo n s wh o
f o l l o w h i m wi l l pe r i sh u tte r l y i n th e l ake o f f i re an d br i m
sto n e (Re v. 20:5-15). An d al l th i s be cau se o f ch o o si n g th e e vi l
a n d r e je cti n g th e go o d . T h i s i n vo l ve s th e e xti n cti o n o f al l
l i f e , th e u t t e r e n d o f th e i n d i vi d u al h u man pe r so n al i ty. No t h
i n g r e mai n s bu t th e e l e me n ts o f wh i ch i t was co mpo se d . An d
th e se d i s i n te gr ate , a n d th e pe r so n be co me s as th o u gh h e h ad
n o t be e n .
T h e pr o mi s e d n e w h e ave n a n d n e w e ar th wi l l r e pl ace
th i s age -o l d , si n -scar r e d ba ttl e gr o u n d , a n d a cl e an u n i ve r s e
wi l l be br o u gh t i n to be i n gwi th o u t si n , si n n e r s, o r Satan to
mar (Re v. 21; 22). T h e r i gh te o u s wi l l h ave al l r e ce i ve d I m
mo r tal i ty a n d i n co r r u pti o n . T h e n i t i s th a t th e y wi l l s h i n e
f o r th as th e s u n (Matt. 13:43), a n d as th e star s f o r e ve r an d
e ve r (Dan . 12:3). T h e n Go d wi l l be al l i n a l l , a n d th e
gl o r y o f th e Lo r d wi l l f i l l th e e ar th f o r e ve r (Hab. 2:14; cf . Isa.
11:9). T h o s e ar e th e u l ti ma t e i ssues, th e o u tco me o f th e two
ways o f Li f e an d De ath .
I I I . Fu n d ame n tal Fal l acy of Immo r tal -So ul i st C o nce pt
Be f o r e cl o si n g th i s ch a pte r l e t us f ace th i s i n co n te s tabl e
f act f r an kl y: So me th i n g h a ppe n e d l o n g ago i n th e th e o l o gi cal
wo r l d . T h e r ad i cal d i s ti n cti o n be twe e n th e n a tu r a l a n d th e
s u pe r n a tu r a l , as pe r tai n s to th e n a tu r e a n d d e sti n y o f man ,
came to be co n f u se d a n d f l o u te d , al o n g wi th a d e n i al o f th e
gu l f t h a t i s f i xe d i n Scr i ptu r e be twe e n th e ph ysi cal , e ar th l y,
a n d tr an s i to r y, a n d t h a t wh i ch i s s pi r i tu a l , h e ave n l y, a n d e te r
n a l a d i s ti n cti o n e xpl i ci tl y s pe l l e d o u t by I n s pi r ati o n .
An u n wa r r a n te d , mysti cal , al l e go r i cal i n te r pr e ta t i o n h as
be e n i mpo se d u po n th e pi vo tal wo r d s o f Scr i ptu r e , su ch as
s o u l , d e a th , r e s u r r e cti o n , d e s tr u cti o n . T h i s wh o l e
ar e a o f d o ctr i n e h as be e n a r bi t r a r i l y br o u gh t u n d e r a spe ci o u s
syste m o f al l e go r i zati o n , o r s pi r i tu al i zati o n , bo r r o we d f r o m
Ph i l o th e J e w a n d Or i ge n th e Ne o pl ato n i c C h r i s ti an ph i l o s o
ph e r . De a th , i n ste ad o f be i n g r e co gn i ze d as an u n co n sci o u s
sl e e p, i s co n s i d e r e d by mu l t i pl i e d mi l l i o n s to be th e mysti c
d o o r by wh i ch th e righteous e n te r f o r e ve r u po n th a t h i gh e r
state o f e xi ste n ce f o r wh i ch th e y h ave be e n pr e pa r i n g h e r e be
l o w.
An d as f o r th e i r r e par a bl y wi cke d , d e a th i s l i ke wi se
co n ce i ve d to be th e i n e xo r a bl e d o o r by wh i ch th e wicked e n te r
u po n a h o pe l e ss s tate o f paralleling eternal life, o n l y i n si n
a n d mi se r y. T o su ch , d e a t h i s s ti l l e te r n al e xi ste n ce . So to
th e I mmo r tal -So u l i s t, th e second d e ath i s si mpl y u n e n d i n g
l i f e i n ceasel ess si n a n d i r r e me d i abl e to r me n t. Su ch co n te n d e r s
ar e co mpl e te l y baf f l ed i n a tt e mpti n g to e xpl ai n th e second
death aspe ctme r e l y maki n g i t unalterable continuance f o r
e ve r , i n ste ad o f a pe n al i ze d ending, a n d th u s mi ssi n g th e f u n d a
me n tal po i n t o f th e co mpar i so n .
Be yo n d qu e s ti o n , th e n o ti o n o f I n n a te I mmo r ta l i ty
s tar te d so me wh e r e , so me ti me . An d h i sto r y atte sts t h a t i t ste ms
back th r o u gh Pr o te s tan ti s m to th e o l d e r C ath o l i ci sm, a n d
th e n ce back to th e e ar l y C h r i s ti an an d J e wi sh apo stasi e s, a n d
pr i o r to th at back to pagan ph i l o so ph yan d , be f o r e al l th e se ,
back to th e o r i gi n al l i e o f Satan , u t te r e d wi th i n th e gate s o f
Ed e n . Su ch i s th e i n d e l i bl e tr ai l o f th i s d e l u si ve f i cti o n t h a t
h as i n s i n u ate d i tse l f i n to th e te ach i n gs o f C h r i s ti an i ty a n d h as
e stabl i sh e d i tse l f as a pr e po n d e r a n t be l i e f o f bo th C ath o l i ci sm
a n d Pr o te s tan ti s m. Bu t su ch a l i n e age i s th e r e aso n we d o n o t
h e s i tate to ch al l e n ge i ts val i d i ty an d to u r ge i ts r e pu d i a ti o n .
1. D u a l i s m N o t Pa r t o f D i v i n e P l a n o f t h e A g es .
T h e r e i s al so a r e l ate d i n vo l ve me n t i n th e Ete r n al T o r me n t
d o gma. I f Satan an d h i s d e mo n i c a n d h u man f o l l o we r s ar e n o t
to be an d ca n n o t be d e str o ye d , th e n C h r i s t can n o t be co me
Lo r d o f a l l , n o r Hi s ki n gd o m a u n i ve r sal ki n gd o m. I n su ch
an e ve n t, a spe ci al se gme n t o f Hi s ki n gd o m wo u l d h ave to be
po r ti o n e d of f , f o r al l e te r n i ty, as a spe ci al h a bi t a ti o n f o r e n e
mi e s th a t He can n o t co n qu e r an d d e str o y. He can t o r me n t
th e m an d i so l ate th e m, bu t th e y can sti l l bl asph e me Hi s n ame
a n d d e f y Hi s po we r to h ar m th e m f u r t h e r a n d t h a t f o r e ve r -
mo r e . So th e y say.
Pi ctu r e th e sce n e : Ragi n g h o sts be l o w, wi th gr o an s an d
bl asph e mi e s, l i vi n g o n f o r e ve r u n d e r a pagan d u al i s m spawn e d
i n Pe r si a o f o l d . Bu t th e d u al i s ti c co n ce pt o f Pe r si an Zo r o as
tr i an i s m was base d o n th e co n te n ti o n t h a t th e r e ar e two e te r n al
pr i n ci pl e s (Or mu zd an d Ah r i man ), o n e e te r n al l y go o d a n d
th e o th e r e ve r l asti n gl y e vi l ; th a t th e se we r e bo th wi th o u t be
gi n n i n g a n d bo th wi th o u t e n d , an d so co n ti n u e o n i n e te r n al ,
u n e n d i n g co n f l i ct wi th e ach o th e r .
On th e co n tr ar y, C h r i s ti an th e o l o gi an s wh o ar e pr o po
n e n ts o f I mmo r tal -So u l i sm, wh i l e h o l d i n g t h a t th e r e ar e two
su ch o ppo s i n g pr i n ci pl e s , an d pr i n ci pal s , n o w at war wi th e ach
o th e r , say t h a t o n l y th e Go d h e ad h ad n o be gi n n i n g an d was
e te r n al l y e xi s te n t t h r o u gh o u t th e e te r n i ty o f th e past. T h e y
r e co gn i ze t h a t e vi l , s te mmi n g f r o m Satan as a u th o r , i s an i n
n o vati o n a n d h ad a be gi n n i n g. Bu t th e y i l l o gi cal l y h o l d th a t
n o w, h avi n g be gu n to be , i t mu s t f o r e ve r r e ma i n i n be i n g,
e n d l e ssl y ma r r i n g an d ch al l e n gi n g Go d s o n ce pe r f e ct u n i
ve r se . Mo r e th an th at, th e y mai n ta i n , o r co n ce d e , th a t God
Himself cannot put an end to its existence.
T h a t i s a tr e me n d o u s l y se r i o u s ch ar ge to make , an d o n e
t h a t i s co mpl e te l y a t var i an ce wi th th e Sacr e d Wo r d , wh i ch
d e cl ar e s t h a t Go d wi l l f i n al l y e xti r pate al l e vi l f r o m th e u n i
ve r se . Wh a t He h as cr e ate d He can d e str o y. T h e t r u t h i s th a t
e vi l i s bu t a tr agi c e pi so d e a te mpo r ar y i n te r l u d e i n th e
d i vi n e , e te r n al pl an o f th e ages. An d as i t h ad a be gi n n i n g i n
ti me , so wi l l i t e n d wi th i n th e co n f i n e s o f ti me , be f o r e th e
ae o n s o f th e e te r n i ty o f th e f u tu r e be gi n to u n r o l l . Si n i s r e l a
ti ve l y i n ci d e n tal an d passi n g, n o t i n te gr al an d pe r pe tu al . T h e
ti me wi l l co me wh e n i t wi l l e n d . T h e l ake o f f i r e wi l l mar k
th e e xo d u s o f si n an d d e ath f o r e ve r .
T h u s th e s u btl e , d e l u si ve , d u al f i cti o n o f I n n a t e I mmo r tal i ty
a n d En d l e ss T o r me n t o bscu r e s th e gl o r y o f th e go spe l an d
we ake n s i ts po we r a n d appe al (1) by d e n yi n g to C h r i s t Hi s
ch i e f gl o r yth e be sto wal o f l i f e e te r n al u po n th e r i gh te o u s,
a n d (2) by d e n yi n g Hi s u l ti ma te tr i u mph i n th e d e s tr u cti o n
o f al l Hi s f oes. T h a t i s wh y we s tan d u po n th e Bi bl e pl atf o r m
o f C o n d i ti o n al i s m. T h a t i s wh y we ar e C o n d i ti o n al i s ts .
PART III
Hi stori cal Devel opment of Innate-
Immortal i ty C oncept
(900 B.C . to th e T i me of C h ri st)
Rise of Platonic Postulate and Penetration
Into Jewry
IMPACT OF GREEK PHILOSOPHY ON EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH
(C o ve r i n g De scr i pti o n s f o r Pi cto r i al C h ar t I)
1. T h r e e f o l d O r i g i n o f I mmo r t a l -So u l i s t Co n c e pt .Pi cto r i al C h ar t I
o n th e f o l l o wi n g pages af f o r ds a co mpact pan o r ami c vi ew o f th e battl e o f th e
ce n tu r i e s o ve r th e o r i gi n , n atu r e , an d d e sti n y o f man , e xte n d i n g f r o m 900 b .c . to
a .d . 600. Wi th r o o tage i n th e e th n i c r e l i gi o u s co ncepts o f In d i a, Pe r si a, an d
Egypt, an d e mbr aci n g Immo r tal -So u l i sm wi th a d e ci de dl y pan th e i sti c ti n ge
an d i n vo l vi n g e man ati o n f r o m th e Al l -So ul , pr e -e xi ste n ce , r e i n car n ati o n , tr an s
mi gr ati o n , r e abs o r pti o n , an d Pe r si an Du al i smth ese co ncepts pe n e tr ate d th e
e ar l i e st Gr e e k cu l ts an d myster i es (Di o nysi ac, Or ph i c, an d El e u si n i an ), wh i ch
f o l l o wed th e Gr e e k po e ts Ho me r an d He si o d, wh o al so h e l d to th e co n ti n u i n g
pe r si ste n ce o f th e so ul , be l i e ve d i mpr i so n e d i n h u man bo di es.
T h e n f o l l o ws a seri es o f co nf l i cti ng sch ool s o f Gr e e k speculative ph i l o so ph y
th e Io ni c, Pyth ago r i an , El e ati c, e t ce te r abe twe e n 640 an d 550 B.C ., each h avi n g
Immo r tal -So u l i sm as th e co mmo n d e n o mi n ato r bu t i n f u se d wi th var yi n g degrees
o f pan th e i sm, e man ati o n , pr e -e xi ste n ce , r e i n car n ati o n , an d Du al i sm.
2. P l a t o n i s m Su m mi t o f H u ma n R ea s o n i n g .Ne xt, i n r e acti o n , th e
So ph i sts wi th th e i r ske pti ci sm an d th e Ato mi sts wi th th e i r mate r i al i sm we l l -ni gh
h al te d th i s speculative ph i l o so ph y. Never th el ess, u n d e r P l a t o , Gr eek systematic
ph i l o so ph y r e ach e d th e su mmi t o f h u man r e aso n i n g o n h u man de sti n y, yet r e
tai n e d th e pr e vi o u s n o ti o n s o f pr e -e xi ste n ce an d successi ve i n car n ati o n s o f th e
i mmo r tal an d i n d e s tr u cti bl e so u l , bu t no w wi th eternal persistence of personality,
as wel l as pu n i s h me n t f o r th e wi cked.
Ho we ve r , a seco nd r e acti o n se t i n , spe ar h e ad e d by A r i s t o t l e , wh o d e n i e d th e
th e o r y o f pr e -e xi ste n ce an d r e i n car n ati o n an d de cr i e d th e pe r si ste n ce o f th e
pe r so n al o r i n d i vi d u al i mmo r tal i ty co nce ptwi th f u r th e r r e pu d i ati o n s by th e
Stoi cs, Epi cu r e an s, an d Skepti cs. Gr eek ph i l o so ph y was th u s th r o wn i n to a co n
f u si o n th at pe r si ste d th r o u gh o u t th e Ro man wr i te r s. I t be came mar ke d by
path e ti c d e spai r an d was e ve n tu al l y r ecast th r o u gh ecl e cti c se l ecti o n an d r e
o r gan i zati o n i n to th e po we r f u l Ne o pl ato n i c Sch ool o f Ph i l o so ph y.
3. P e n e t r a t e s J e w r y D u r i n g I n t e r - T e s t a me n t P e r i o d . Me an ti me , i n th e
i n te r -T e s tame n t pe r i o d two gr o u ps o f J e wi sh Apo cr yph al an d pse u d e pi gr aph i cal
wr i te r s appe ar e d , d u r i n g th e l ast two ce n tu r i e s B.C . an d th e f i r st ce n tu r y a .d .
T h e e ar l i e r wr i te r s mai n tai n e d th e C o n d i ti o n al i st po si ti o n o f th e i r f o r e f ath e r s
an d th i s l i n e cu l mi n ate d i n th e C o n d i ti o n al i st wi tness o f th e Dead Sea scr ol l s.
T h e seco nd par al l e l i n g gr o u p, bu t appe ar i n g f i f ty years l ate r , r ef l ected th e
Gr e e k su r vi val -o f -th e -so u l co nce pt, pr aye r s f o r th e d e ad , o u tr i gh t i mmo r tal i ty
of th e so ul , an d d e n i al o f th e r e su r r e cti o n . T h i s Immo r tal -So u l i st gr o u p came to
cl i max wi th th e po we r f u l P h i l o of Al e xan d r i a, wh o al l ego r i zed th e Ol d T e s ta
me n t to br i n g i t i n to e sse n ti al acco rd wi th Pl ato n i c Gr e e k ph i l o so ph y, wi th i ts
e man ati o n i sm, pr e -e xi ste n ce , r e i n car n ati o n , u n bo d i e d so ul s, an d e te r n al pu n i s h
me n t. An d P h i l o (d. c. a .d . 47) was cl ear l y th e pr e cu r so r o f th e Ne o pl ato n i sm
o f th e e ar l y C h r i sti an Er a.
4. C h r i s t I mpl a n t s Co n d i t i o n a l i s m i n A po s t o l i c R a n k s .At th a t very ti me
C h r i st an d th e apo stl e s appe ar e d i n Pal e sti n e , co n f i r mi ng, cl ar i f yi n g, an d e n
l ar gi n g th e C o n d i ti o n al i st te ach i n g o f th e Ol d T e stame n t, wi th i mmo r tal i ty
th r o u gh C h r i st f o r th e r i gh te o u s o nl y, besto wed as a gi f t at th e r e su r r e cti o n , an d
wi th u n r e pe n t a n t si n n e r s to be u l ti mate l y destr o yed.
T h u s th e r e i s esse nti al C o n d i ti o n al i st u n i ty an d co n ti n u i ty be twe e n th e Ol d
T e stame n t an d th e New. T h i s vi ew co n ti n u e d i n tact th r o u gh o u t al l th e Apo sto l i c
Fath e r s, an d i n a co n spi cu o u s l i n e o f Ante -Ni ce n e an d Po st-Ni ce n e Fath e r s (J u sti n ,
Ir e n ae u s, No vati an , Ar n o bi u s, Lactan ti u s, e t ce te r a).
5. I n n a t e I mmo r t a l i t y B e l a t e d l y I n f i l t r a t e s C h u r c h . No t u n ti l c. a .d .
180 d i d A t h e n a g o r a s be co me th e f i rst Christian wr i te r to cl ai m th e so u l to be
i n n ate l y i mmo r tal , wh i ch Pl ato n i c te r m an d co n ce pt T e r t u l l i a n de ve l o pe d i n to
(Continued on page 528)
523
-1
900
H
800 700
AGE-OLD CONFLICT OVER
A B A T T L E G R O U N D O F T H E C E N T U R I E S
A T H E O L O G I C A L T R I L E M MA
DEVELOPMENTand PENETRATION
of IMMORTALITY POSTULATE
Innate Immwtal'Hi
EGYPTIAN SOuLlSnn
Tr ns vmgrJ+on
D I O N YS I A C .
(Transmigration)
HOMER
H E S I O D 0R PH ,C MYS T E R I E S
( Separate Survival ( pantf' etsm ini Reincarnation)
of Soul )
E L E U S I N I A N MYS T E R I E S
( Reincarnation BoJm?r''Sn) ^
T H E O L O G I C A L T R I L E MMA
O C O N D I T I O N A L !ST
ETERNAL TORMENTI ST
UNIVERSAL RESTORATI ONI ST
o
Designed by Le Roy E. Froom, 19 6 4
T HE HE BR E W S CR I P T U R E S
THE LAW-THE PROPHETS - TH
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MA N S N A T U R E and D E S T I N Y
S C H O O L S O F
3R E E K PH I L O S O PH Y /
R E A C T I O N
Greek Philosophy's Four Problems
1. Origin of the World 3. E xistence of G od
Z. Na +ure of +He S oul 4*. C ri+erla of T ruth
LYRIC POETS
AESCHYLUS
EURI PI DES
Pi n d a r (incarnation)
S O PH I S T S ,
( H a i t i Speculative Philosophy)
H A L E S (Water)
N A XI MA N D E R (infinite)
MA XI ME N E S (A ir)
E R A C L I T U S (Fire)
G* ORGI A S
( D e 9 eeome l:*hmeh)
R E A CT IO N
Z E N O o f C I T I U M (Mai eri al i sKc Panl kei sm)
S Y S T E M A T IC philosophy
S O C R A T E S STOICS
t
(Soul as emanated spark)
PYTHAGOREANS
PYTHAGORAS (Pre-exi st ence)
PHERECYDES (Pant hei sm)
E L E A T I C S
XENOPHANES (Pantheism ^ Reincarnation)
PARMENIDES (Pa n t h e i s m)
ZENO (Preexi st ence)
ATOM I STS
LEUCIPPUS (Dualism)
D E M O C R I T U S (Materialism)
C O MPR O MI S E R S
EMPEDOCLES (Dual i sm ^ TranSmiyratien)
ANAXAGORAS (Dual i sm)
I AMBLI CHUS
PLATO
CL EA N TH ES
CHRYSI PPUS
fte- e x i s t e n c e
S u cc e ss ive Incarnations
Soul Immortaliti) I} Indestructible
Recollection et Former Existence
E P l C U R E A N S ( E t t , i c i l )
^ÊPI C URUS
'. (R&rmannt Cessation)
S KE PT I C S
ARI STOTLE
( p e r i p a t e t i c s )
P Y R R H O
p ,
E C L E C T I C S
.'c
ABANOONS:
Personal Imkoatality
D E N IES i
PleexiiTencs
. R e i n c a r n a t i o n
J E W I S H
C.4 2 S
0
I NNATI STS
(Alexandrian Jews)
I N T E R -T E S T A ME N T
WRITINGS WR I T E R S C O N D I T I O N A L I S T
o
' -k * ma
TOBIT
(WickoJ Annihilai
( O L D T E S T A M E N T
CANON CL O S E S )
SIRACH
(Unconscious)
; _
TWO SCHOOLS DEVELOP
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R E S T O R A T I O N I S M
NEW T E S T A M E N T CANON
A C O N D I T I O N A L
I MMO R T A L I T Y
C H R I S T I A N
CHURCH
APOSTOLIC FATHERS
CHRIST
ANO THE
A P O S T L E S
CLEMENT of ROME (u*orUihja6ift)
I G N A T I U S (Sleep)
B A R N A B A S (Bierna\ Death)
H E R M A S (Wicked Consumed)
P O L Y C A R P (Resurrection Sole Qoestio
0 1 0 G N E T U S (Terminated)
D I O A C H E
ATHENAGOR
FATAL G A P
^ ONE CENTURY LATE
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RADICAL DEPARTURES
FROM APOSTOLIC
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1 USE Of I MMORTAL SOU
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t o
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UN I V ER SA L
I N N A T E
I MMORTALI TY
RECASTING AND REGROUPING (Eclectic)
To P l a t o (indefeasible Immortalit-g Centers in North Africa
R O MA N
WR I T E R S
L U C R E T I U S (Eternal Sleep) E P I C T E T U S (Refusion)
V E R G I L (World Sool) TACITUS (Fatalism)
CLEMEN
of AUtAHO
(Rest orati
- HORACE (Eternal Sleep) PLINY (fentheism)
MANI LIUS (fWheism) O V I D (DivineSpork) MARCUS AURELIUS
( Re -a bs o r pt i o n ) J SB
(Everlasting Sleep)
CATULLUS(H*mal Night) S E N E C A (stoic) PLUTARCH
C I C E R O (Preexistence) CATO(0eethUtterEnd) JUVENAL(ESlMp)^ P A G A N
/ N E O -PL A T O N I
PATHETI C DESPAI R P R E P O N D E R A N T /
JUBILEES
[ MACCABEES ( PrjH*rs 'for f k e ' b e a i' )
WI SDOM
(C onf rad
(
5ooi S u r v i v e s ) ^ _
ResurrAction AL**<ionj)
J U D I T H
SIBYLLINES
(Man Mortal)
[.Wicketto takes)
E T H I O P I C E N O C H
(Wicked to Ashes)
- SCHOOL
L UC I US APUL EI US (Wo r l d So u l )
N U M E N SI U S (I n car n ati o n Puwsl
AMMON I U S S A C C A S
(hleo-Pis ton i sm )
PLOTINUS
(Emanation Dualism
D E A D S E A S C R O L L S j^ck^c^Êr*ys*r] PORPHY
- r n r \ n t n iVMronn Disa
ALLEGORI ZED O.T.
( t m a n s T i o n )
(Pre-existence)
(I n ca r n a t i o n s )
WM ACCABEES J0SEPHU5 f c w r K S U
PH IL O
_ _ p p n r i i n u*ronn Disappears Forever]
SLAVONIC ENOCH 1L t b U K A b (Sl e e pe r s C al l ed Fo r tk Wi cke d Exti n gu i sh e d )
S Y R IA C BA R U CH (RighteousSleepPunishment Terminates)
(I MMO R T A L -S O U L I S M B E C O ME S PR E PO N D E R A N T )
100
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BC A D
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100
I
200
t
rly Collections 170, General Acceplance 503-397)
T E -N I C E N E F A T H E R S T R U E E S C H A T O L O G I C A L
OUTLINE
(onl y o c c a s io na l voices) o
JSTIN ivrj mr 'i PO S T - N I C E N E F A T H E R S
d ' M d l l a c t a n t i u s ( I w - S H ) . .....
i f.i i I j v m7r:,.r r a ;t
ATIAN THEOPHILUS N EME SIUS
OLYCRATES (Life Bestowed)
N O V A T I A N
A R N O B I U S
A M B R O S E
1PPOLYT US
CYPRIAN
IlNUCfUS FELIX
M i m
CHRYSOSTOM
JEROME
ENDLESS
TORMENT
of WICKED
FALSE ESCHATOLOGY
ÂpostolicConceptCompletelyAbandoned)
(Fi r * Never Consumes,
Eternal Ki l l i ng)
AUGUSTI NE
THREE
COMPETING-
S Y S T E M S
OF
ESCHAT0 L06Y
PREVALENT
FROM
N O W
ON
( Inherent Immortality tor All Men
Conscious Torment- Forever)
B E C O ME S PR E D O MI N A N T F A I T H
O F D O MI N A N T C H U R C H
F O R C E N T U R I E S
(Involve* Forced Salvati on)
C HOOL
S o r i g e n s p r i n c p l e
P 0 O S T R A O F A L L E G O R I Z A T I O N
(Spiritual Resurrection
-US 3ml Fi(turaîve AJvenf)
RESTORATION IS
CON D EM N ED R E T A I N E D B Y
CATH O LI C CHURCH
OtOYMUS
QREeOHY
.AST STANO OF
PAGAN PHI LOSOPHY
FALSE ESCHATOLO& Y
THEODORE of MOPSUESTIA
JUSTINIAN PROSCRIBES RESTORATWMiSM S 4 A
J U L I A N (Apostate)
(Suppresses Christianity)
1AMBLICHUS (Necromancy)
THE T R IL E M M A
( Emanation ; Reabsor|>tion ]
(Mysticism Union ; OrientalismJ
A c a d e m y C l o s e d
PAGAN PHILOSOPHY FORBIDDEN BY JUSTINIAN 5 2 9
T H R E E C O N F L I C T I N G S C H O O L S N O W E S T A B L I S H E D
O C O N D I T I O N A L I S M ETERNAL T O R M E N T I S M UNIV. R E S T O R A T I O N I S M
300
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500
I
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a system based o n universal I n n ate Immo r tal i ty f o r si n n e r s as wel l as sai nts, an d
th u s i n vo l vi n g Ete r n al T o r me n t f o r th e i n co r r i gi bl y wi ckedwh i ch d o ctr i n e i s
si mpl y th e co n ti n u ati o n o f Pe r si an Du al i sm.
Bu t, i n pr o te sti n g agai n st th i s d o gma o f e te r n al to r tu r e (wi th a f i re th a t
r enews bu t do es n o t co n su me as i t bu ms), O r i g e n , th e C h r i sti an Ne o pl ato n i c
ph i l o so ph e r o f Al e xan d r i a, wh i l e h o l d i n g th e i d e n ti cal u n i ve r sal In n ate -Immo r -
tal i ty po stu l ate d e r i ve d d i r e ctl y f r o m Pl ato an d i n d i r e ctl y th r o u gh Ph i l o
an d no w al l e go r i zi n g th e New T e stame n t tr u th s o f th e r e su r r e cti o n an d th e
Seco nd Adve nt, de ve l o pe d th e r i val sch o o l o f th e u l ti mate Uni ve r sal Re sto r ati o n
o f al l th e wi cked, wh i ch i nvo l ved th e en f o r ce d f i nal sal vati o n o f al l si n n e r s,
i n cl u d i n g th e de vi l h i msel f .
6. E t e r n a l - T o r me n t D o g ma A s c e n d a n t b y a .d . 600.Ho wever , i t was T e r -
tu l l i an i sm, wi th i ts Ete r n al -T o r me n t co r o l l ar y, th a t spr e ad r e l entl essl y, l ate r au g
me n te d by th e po we r f u l pe n o f A u g u s t i n e , u n ti l i t became th e d o mi n an t po si ti o n
o n th e so u l an d i ts d e sti n y. An d pr o po r ti o n ate l y Re sto r ati o n i sm de cl i n e d , wh i l e
C o n d i ti o n al i sm was no w n ar r o we d to a th i n l i n e o f o ccasi o nal voi ces. So by
a .d . 600 th e th r e e r i val "systems, o r sch ool s, h ad beco me e stabl i sh e d.
Bu t th e C o n d i ti o n al i st l i n e , wi th i ts f i del i ty to th e Wo r d an d i ts tr u e esch a-
to l o gy, was l ar ge l y i n e cl i pse u n ti l th e Pr o te stan t Re f o r mati o n , as was al so
Re sto r ati o n i sm (o r Un i ver sal i sm) u n ti l po st-Re f o r mati o n ti mes. Me an wh i l e ,
T e r tu l l i an -Au gu sti n i an i sm, bo l d l y e stabl i sh e d o n th e Pl ato n i c (an d Ph i l o n i c)
pl atf o r m, pr e vai l e d f o r a th o u san d years, u n ti l th e r e acti o n an d r e vi val o f
C o n d i ti o n al i sm came u n d e r th e Pr o te stan t Re f o r mati o n .
7. T r u t h E n t er s T w i l i g h t Sh a d o w s .Such i s th e si gni f i cance o f th i s ch ar t.
Immo r tal -So u l i sm was th u s cl e ar l y co ncei ved an d br o u gh t f o r th by pagan ph i l o s
o ph y, an d ad o pte d f i rst by th e Alexandrian J ews, an d th e n acce pte d by C h r i sti an s
i n No r th e r n Af ri cach i ef l y T e r tu l l i an o f C ar th age , Or i ge n o f Al e xan d r i a, an d
Au gu sti n e o f Hi ppo , an d th e i r respe cti ve f o l l o wers. T h i s su bse qu e n tl y d e ve l o pe d
an d co n ti n u e d o n i n to th e pr e d o mi n an t me d i e val Ro man C ath o l i c po si ti o n o n
th e n a tu r e an d d e sti n y o f th e so ul . No o th e r co ncl usi o n can r i gh tl y be d r awn
th a t acco rds wi th th e su m to tal o f th e f acts o f h i sto r y.
Such was th e si tu ati o n as we e n te r th e sh ado ws o f th e Dar k Ages wh e n
t r u t h was l ar ge l y si l e nce d f o r ce n tu r i e s. T h e e me r ge nce i s pr e se n te d i n vo l u me
2, an d pi ctu r e d i n Pi cto r i al C h ar t II.
C H A P T E R T W E N T Y - N I N E
Gr e e k Ph i l osoph y Reach es Summi t
of Pagan T h i nki ng
I. Gr e e k T h i n ki n g Exh au sts Un i n spi r e d Specul ati ve Re aso n i n g
C e n tu r i e s be f o r e th e d awn o f th e C h r i s ti an Er a th e Gr e e ks
d e ve l o pe d a ci vi l i zati o n su r passi n g al l pr e vi o u s cu l tu r e s . T h e i r
l an gu age was pe r f e cte d i n to th e mo st ad e qu ate ve h i cl e e ve r
d e vi se d f o r co n ve yi n g h u man th o u gh t. T h e i r r e l i gi o n , h o we ve r ,
was a po l yth e i s ti c pe r so n i f i cati o n o f th e po we r s o f n a tu r e , base d
o n a s e mi pan th e i s ti c co n ce pt o f th e wo r l d . T h e i r man y go ds
e mbo d i e d th e base r , as we l l as th e n o bl e r , passi o n s o f th e h u ma n
so u l . An d th e r e was l i ttl e co n ce pt o f Go d as a pe r s o n al i ty o r o f
si n as an o f f e nse agai n s t a h o l y Go d a n d i n vo l vi n g gu i l t.
Fr o m a bo u t 600 b .c . o n war d ph i l o s o ph y o ccu pi e d an i n
cr e asi n gl y d o mi n a n t pl ace i n Gr e e k l i f e , a n d be gan to u n d e r
mi n e cr e d e n ce i n th e cr u d e po l yth e i sm o f th e past. Su ch t h i n k
e r s as Pyth ago r as, So cr ate s, Pl ato , Ar i sto tl e , a n d Ze n o we l l -n i gh
e xh au s te d th e r e al m o f u n i n s pi r e d s pe cu l ati ve r e as o n i n g. T h e
ph i l o s o ph y o f th e f o u r th ce n tu r y was d o mi n ate d by S o c r a t e s
(c. 470-399 B .C .) ; n e ve r th e l e ss h e was e xe cu te d by th e Ath e n i an s
f o r h i s a th e i s m. Hi s gr e ate st pu pi l , P l a t o (427-347 B .C .) ,
f o u n d e d th e Ol d e r Acad e my. An d A r i s t o t l e (384-322 B .C .) ,
pu pi l o f Pl a to a n d te ach e r o f Al e xan d e r th e Gr e at, f o u n d e d th e
Pe r i pa te ti c (wal ki n g ar o u n d ) Sch o o l , o r Lyce u m, i n th e gr o ve
o f Lycus. T h e s e me n pe r so n i f i e d th e s u mmi t o f pagan ph i l o s o
ph y. Un d e r th e m spe cu l ati ve th o u gh t pr o vi d e d th e l o f ti e st
pagan ph i l o s o ph y o f i mmo r tal i ty to a ppe ar i n al l past ti me .
1. I m p r i n t e d I m m o r t a l - S o u l i s m o n W o r l d T h o u g h t .
529
At th e Ver y Ze n i th o f Gr e e ce s Gl o r y, Gr eek T h i n ke r s We l l -n i gh Exh au ste d th e
Re al m o f Un i n spi r e d Spe cu l ati ve Reaso n i n g.
T h a t th e Gr e e ks l e f t t h e i r i mpact u po n th e wo r l d o f t h o u gh t
as pe r tai n s to th e n a tu r e , o r i gi n , a n d d e sti n y o f man as n o
o t h e r pe o pl e o f th e past h ave e ve r d o n e , i s be yo n d co n tr o ve r sy.
Bo th t h e i r i d e as a n d t h e i r te r mi n o l o gy h ave be e n h e avi l y
d r af te d u po n by th e make r s o f e ar l y No r t h Af r i can C h r i s ti an
th e o l o gy, a n d pr i o r to th at by Ph i l o o f th e J e ws, l i ke wi se o f
Al e xan d r i a. I t s h o u l d be bo r n e i n mi n d th a t wh e n C h r i s t came ,
He l l e n i c t h o u gh t r u l e d th e wo r l d , a n d t h a t wo r l d was a Ro man
wo r l d . Its i n f l u e n ce h as pe r si ste d th r o u gh th e su cce e d i n g ce n
tu r i e s . Su ch i s th e l ar ge r backgr o u n d .
T h e d o ctr i n e o f th e I n n a te I mmo r ta l i ty o f so u l bo th i n
t h o u gh t a n d i n ph r ase , i n te ach i n g a n d i n te r mi n o l o gy, i s th u s
d e r i ve d d i r e ctl y f r o m Gr e e k ph i l o so ph y. Ne ve r s h o u l d i t be
f o r go tte n t h a t it was in Greece that the highest pagan develop
ment of the Immortal-Soulism concept took place. Wh i l e th e
th o u gh t, bu t n o t th e ph r ase , was f o u n d amo n g th e Egypti an s,
bo th th e Pl ato n i c Gr e e k te ach i n g a n d th e te r mi n o l o gy r e a p
pe a r e d i n J u d ai s m, be f o r e , as we l l as af te r , th e appe ar an ce o f
C h r i s t, a n d e ve n mo r e co n spi cu o u sl y amo n g C h r i sti an s f r o m
th e se co n d ce n tu r y o n war d .
530
GREEK PHI LOSOPHY REAC HES SUMMIT 531
2. F i r s t C o n f i n e d t o P o e t s a n d P h i l o s o p h e r s ; N e v e r
G e n e r a l l y H e l d .T h e co n ce pt o f i n n ate , i n d e f e asi bl e I mmo r
tal i ty was th e pr o d u ct o f th e po e tr y, myth o l o gy, a n d ph i l o so ph y
o f Gr e e ce , h o we ve r , r a t h e r th an o f i ts r e l i gi o n . I t came th r o u gh
i ts bar d s a n d sages, n o t i ts pr i e sts a n d pr o ph e ts . So wh i l e su ch
spe cu l ati ve th o u gh t pr o je cte d th e th e o r y o f Immo r tal -So u l i sm,
i t n e ve r be came ge n e r al o r po pu l ar , th e masses h o l d i n g to th e
o l d myth o l o gi e s. T h e y f e ar e d a f atal d i ss o l u ti o n , e i th e r u po n
d e ath o r l ate r . T h e ph i l o s o ph i c pr e s e n tati o n was to o co mpl e x
an d to o s pe cu l ati ve f o r po pu l ar u n d e r s ta n d i n g o r acce ptan ce .
3. E a r l y T e a c h i n g P o r t r a y s J o y l e s s A f t e r w o r l d .
T h e pr e vai l i n g a tt i t u d e was d e vo i d o f pe r s o n al h o pe . T h e e ar l y
He l l e n i c te ach i n g was d i m, f r agme n tar y, u n ce r tai n , i n co n si st
e n t. I t af f i r me d a jo yl e ss af te r wo r l d wr appe d i n gl o o m, a d ar k
sh ad o w o f th i s wo r l d , wh e r e me n co n ti n u e d to e xi st as wr e tch e d
sh ad e s o f t h e i r f o r me r sel ves. T h e i ssue was, Is d e ath a state o f
u t t e r u n co n sci o u sn e ss, o r a n n i h i l a ti o n , o r a mi gr ati o n to a be t
t e r wo r l d ? T h e an ci e n t Gr e e ks d i d n o t th i n k o f bo d y a n d so u l
as d i d th e Egypti an swi th co n ti n u an ce o f th e l a t te r as d e pe n d
e n t u po n th e f o r me r .
T h e s e par ate e xi ste n ce o f th e so u l was th e mo st pr i mi ti ve
Gr e e k co n ce pti o n . Vagu e i n th e ti me o f Ho me r (n i n th
ce n tu r y B .C .) , th i s co n ce pti o n was i n te n s i f i e d u n d e r Ae sch yl u s
a n d Pi n d a r (f i f th ce n tu r y). T h e l ate r d o ctr i n e o f th e tr an s mi
gr ati o n o f so u l s, wi d e l y h e l d by o t h e r pe o pl e s, h ad n o pa r t i n
th e co n ce pts o f th e e ar l y Gr e e ks, u n d e r Ho me r a n d He si o d .
T h e pr i mi ti ve co n ce pt o f th e so u l , o r gh o st, d e f i n e d i t as a s o r t
o f f i ne matte r , l i ke smo ke , wh i ch acco r d i n g to Ho me r se par ate s
i tse l f f r o m th e bo d y at d e ath . T h e n o ti o n s o f i mmo r tal i ty we r e
vagu e , as we r e th o se o f f u tu r e r e war d s an d pu n i s h me n ts a
mu r ky abyss wi th gate s o f i r o n a n d f l o o r s o f br ass, as o ne,
ph r as e d i t. T h e i r se ar ch f o r i mmo r tal l i f e af te r d e a th was pa
th e ti c.
4. F i v e S t a g e s i n P h i l o s o p h i c a l D e v e l o p m e n t .Ph i l o s
o ph y i n Gr e e ce passe d th r o u gh se ve r al pe r i o d s, o r stages: (1)
C h ar t A
Pagan Greek Phi l osophers on t he I mmort al i t y Issue
Time Sequence, School of Thought, and M a j o r Position
on Origin, Nature, and Destiny of Man
1. Prelimina ry S ta ge Poets, C ults, a nd Mysteries
Homer (c. 85 0 B.C.), epic poet separate survival of depersonalized soul
Hesiod (8th cent.), epic poet conscious activity of soul
Dionysiac cult (transmigration introduced)
Orphic mysteries (pantheism and reincarnation)
Eleusinian mysteries (souls must be released from body-prison)
2. T he I onics (or Milesia ns)
Thales (c. 6 4 0 - 5 4 6 B.C.), founder "water," first principle
Anaximander (c. 6 1 1- 547 B.C.) "infinite," first principle
Anaximenes of Miletus (c. 500-c. 42 8 B.C.) " a i r , " first principle
Heraclitus (c. 544-c. 484 B.C.) "eternal fire," soul an emanated spark
3. T he Pytha gorea ns
Pythagoras (c. 5 8 2- 496 B.C.) pre-existence and transmigration
Pherecydes (6th cent. B.C.) eternal souls and pantheism
4. T he E lea tics (U nity a nd C ontinuity); a nd H era clitus (in O pposition)
Xenophanes (c. 570-c. 47 5 B.C.), founder pantheism and reincarna
tion
Parmenides (c. 540-c. 47 0 B.C.) pantheistic concept
Zeno of Elea (5th cent.) pre-existence and alternating life
5. T ra gic a nd L yric Poets
Aeschylus (5 25 -45 6 B.C.), tragic poet judgment
Euripides (c. 4 8 0 - 4 0 6 B.C.), tragic poet uncertainty
Pindar (c. 5 2 2- 443 B.C.), greatest lyric poet successive incarnations;
interchangeable immortality
6. C ompromise Philosophica l S ystems (5th cent.)
Empedocles (c. 5 0 0- 430 B.C.) dualism, purgation, transmigration
Anaxagoras (c. 50 0- 428 B.C.) dualism, dissolution of soul
lamblichus (d. c. 333 B.C.)
7. T he A tomists
Leucippus (fl. 50 0 B.C.) philosophical materialism
Democritus (460-355 B.C.) conscious existence disappears at death
8. T he S ophists (halt speculative philosophy)
Gorgias (c. 485-c. 38 0 B.C.) and Protagoras (5th cent.) dead may
become nothing
9. T he S ystema tic Philosophers
Socrates (c. 4 7 0 - 3 9 9 B.C.), founder, Socratic method
Plato (c. 42 7 - 3 4 7 B.C.), founder, Older Academy
Aristotle (3 84 -32 2 B.C.), founder, Peripatetics
10. T he S toics
Zeno of Citium (c. 355-c. 263 B.C.), founder, Stoic School (materialistic
pantheism)
Cleanthes (c. 304/03-c. 23 3 / 3 2 B.C.), successor
Chrysippus (281 /77 -2 08 /04 B.C.)
11. T he E picurea ns E thica l Period
Epicurus (c. 3 4 2 - 2 7 0 B.C.), founder permanent cessation of life
12. T he S keptics
Pyrrho (c. 365-c. 27 5 B.C.), founder undermines Immortal-Soulism
Plutarch (c. A.D. 46-c. 120), biographer and moralist
13. T he E clectics (and the Cynics)
14. T he N eopla tonists
Plotinus (c. A.D. 205- 270)
532
T h e Scientific Period, wi th He r acl i tu s an d Pyth ago r as (c. 510
B .C .) ; (2) th e Period of Enlightenment, wi th tr a n s i ti o n to th e
s tu d y o f man , u n d e r th e So ph i sts (f i f th ce n tu r y), a n d So cr ate s;
(3) th e Systematic Philosophers, wi th Pl ato a n d th e Acad e my,
wi th Ar i s to tl e a n d h i s Pe r i pate ti cs ; (4) th e l ate r Ethical Period,
wi th Ze n o o f C i ti u m (d. c. 263 b .c .) a n d th e Sto i cs, Epi cu r u s
(d. 270 b .c .) a n d th e Epi cu r e an s, Pyr r h o (th i r d ce n tu r y) an d
th e Ske pti cs, a n d th e Ecl e cti cs, wi th Ph i l o (d. c. a .d . 47); a n d
(5) f i n al l y Neoplatonism, be gi n n i n g u n d e r Ph i l o bu t d e ve l o pe d
l ar ge l y u n d e r Pl o ti n u s (c. a .d . 205-270), a n d cl i maxi n g i n th e
Al e xa n d r i an Ph i l o s o ph i cal Sch o o l o f th e C h u r ch Fath e r s. We
wi l l tr ace th e se pr o gr e ssi ve l y o r ch r o n o l o gi cal l y. (T h e acco m
pan yi n g C h a r t A o n th e o ppo s i te page wi l l ai d i n f o l l o wi n g
th e s e qu e n ce a n d gr as pi n g r e l ati o n s h i ps .)
5. T h i s C h a pt e r Ba s ed o n R ec o g n i z ed A u t h o r i t i e s .
Sch o l ar s o f n o te wi th n o po si ti o n to su s tai n an d n o cau se to
ad vo cate (an d n o t h o l d i n g pe r so n al l y to C o n d i ti o n al i s m) h ave
t h o r o u gh l y co mpasse d th e te ach i n gs o f Gr e e k ph i l o s o ph y a n d
h ave co me i n d e pe n d e n tl y to s i mi l ar co n cl u si o n s, agr e e i n g th a t
th e o r i gi n , n a tu r e , a n d d e s ti n y o f man was o n e o f Gr e e k ph i l o s o
ph ys pr i mar y co n ce r n s. T h i s te ach i n g was i n te r wo ve n as a
d i s ti n cti ve t h r e a d al l th r o u gh th e pa tt e r n o f t h e i r th o u gh t. An d
th e se sch o l ar s h ave l e f t t h e i r l i f e l o n g stu d i e s a n d an al yse s o n
r e co r d . Wi th ch ar acte r i s ti c th o r o u gh n e s s su ch me n as Ro h d e ,
Ze l l e r , Ri t te r , Pr e l l e r , Fa i r ba i r n , Dr ape r , C h ar l e s, Gr u be , a n d
o th e r s h ave wr i tte n wh o l e bo o ks, sets o f bo o ks, o r ch apte r s d e al
i n g wi th th i s aspe ct o f Gr e e k th o u gh t.
He i d e l be r g Un i ve r s i tys Dr . Er wi n Ro h d e s e xh au sti ve
s tu d y Psyche The Cult of Souls and Belief in Immortality
Among the Greeks r a n t h r o u gh e i gh t Ge r man e d i ti o n s . I t i s
pr i ce l e ss as a r e f e r e n ce . Be r l i n Un i ve r s i tys Dr . Ed u a r d Ze l l e r s
two -vo l u me A History of Greek Philosophy h ad f o u r Ge r man
e d i ti o n s .1An d h i s Outlines of the History of Greek Philosophy
1Dr . Ed u a r d Ze l l e r pr o d u ce d a wh o l e se r i e s o f vo l u me s A History of Greek Philosophy
(two vo l u me s ); T he Pre-Socratic Philosophy; Socrates and the Socratic Schools; Plato and the
Older Academy; A History o f the Eclecticism in Greek Philosophy; Aristotle and the Early
Peripatetics (two vo l u me s ); T h e Stoics, Epicureans and Scepticswh i ch a t t e s t t h e s co pe o f
th i s gr e a t s ch o l a r s r e s e ar ch e s .
534 C ONDI T I ONAL !ST FAI T H
h ad t h i r te e n Ge r man e d i ti o n s a n d at l e ast se ve n Ame r i can
pr i n ti n gs .
Se ve r al ch apte r s i n Dr . An d r e w Fa i r ba i r n s Studies in the
Philosophy of Religion and History (i n cl u d i n g two o n Be l i e f
i n I mmo r ta l i ty), a n d Oxf o r d s gr e at sch o l ar , Dr . R. H. C h ar l e s,
i n h i s A Critical History of the Doctrine of a Future Life, wi th
i ts se cti o n Do ctr i n e o f th e So u l a n d th e Fu t u r e Li f e Amo n g
th e Gr e e ks, ar e bo th h i gh l y val u abl e . Me n ti o n s h o u l d al so be
mad e o f se cti o n s i n Al ge r , Sal mo n d , a n d Hu d s o n . Su ch i s th e
cu mu l ati ve e xpe r t e vi d e n ce avai l abl e .
Fo r e xampl e , acco r d i n g to th e pe n e tr ati n g an al ysi s o f J o h n
W. Dr ape r ,2 i n History of the Intellectual Development of
Europe, Gr e e k ph i l o s o ph y i s te r se l y su mmar i ze d as r e vo l vi n g
a r o u n d f o u r Pr o bl e ms: (1) Or i gi n o f th e Wo r l d ; (2) Na t u r e
o f th e So ul ; (3) Exi ste n ce o f Go d ; (4) C r i te r i o n o f T r u t h . *
Su ch an an al ysi s i n d i cate s th e n e ce ssi ty o f a pr e l i mi n ar y su r ve y
o f th e var i o u s sch o o l s o f ph i l o so ph y l e ad i n g u p to Pl ato , wh o
e s tabl i s h e d th e syn th e si ze d pa tt e r n t h a t so pr o f o u n d l y i n f l u
e n ce d th e C h r i s ti an C h u r ch f r o m th e se co n d a n d t h i r d ce n tu r i e s
o n war d . T h e s e sch o l ar l y tr e ati se s o f th e past f o r m th e basi s o f
th i s ch apte r . T h e po si ti o n s h e r e su r ve ye d ar e th e r e f o r e ampl y
d o cu me n te d a n d cro ss-ch e cke d.
I n vi e w o f th e f i n d i n gs o f th e vast mu l ti pl e r e se ar ch o f th e se
gr e a t C h r i s ti an sch o l ar s, i t i s ti me t h a t co n s i d e r ati o n be gi ve n
to th e i mpact th at Pl ato a n d th e a n te ce d e n t Gr e e k ph i l o s o ph e r s
e xe r te d u po n th e th i n ki n g an d be l i e f s o f th e e ar l y, me d i e val ,
a n d mo d e r n C h r i s ti an C h u r ch .
I I . Pr e l i mi n ar y StageI n i ti ate d by Poets, C ul ts, an d Mysteri es
1. H o m e r : P e r s i s t en c e o f L i f e Bey o n d D e a t h .Abo u t
th e e ar l i e s t e xpr e ssi o n o f be l i e f i n th e pe r si ste n ce o f life be
a Dr . Dr a pe r , l o n g o f t h e u n i ve r s i ty o f t h e C i t y o f Ne w Y o r k, was a s ci e n ti f i c h i s to r i a n ,
e d u ca t o r , a n d a u t h o r o f te xts . He pr o d u ce d h i s a n a l yti ca l h i s to r y o f ph i l o s o ph y i n 1863.
3 J o h n W. Dr a pe r , History o f the Intellectual Development of Europe, vo l . 1, pp. vi i i , 207.
GREEK PHI LOSOPHY REAC HES SUMMI T 535
yond death appe ar s i n Ho me r an d th e Ho me r i c po e ms (c. 850
B .C .) . Apa r t f r o m th e qu e s ti o n o f th e i r pr e ci se o r i gi n a n d a u th o r
sh i p, a n d wh e th e r th e y spr an g f r o m e a r l i e r ba r d s / th e se po e ms
ar e a wi tn e ss to th e be l i e f o f th e ti me . T h o u gh th e y co n tai n co n
f l i cti n g state me n ts, d e ath was n o t be l i e ve d to be th e e n d o f
man ; s o me th i n g was be l i e ve d to su r vi ve . De ath was n o t e xti n c
ti o n , bu t co n ti n u an ce o f e xi ste n ce . As n o te d , th e so u l i s co n
ce i ve d to be ai r y a n d br e ath l i ke , a ki n d o f mi sty d o u bl e o f
th e ph ysi cal bo d y, a n d s u pe r i o r th e r e to . I t i s al l ve r y h azy
a n d e th e r e al .
Ho me r h e l d t h a t l i f e af te r d e ath was a sh ad o wy co u n te r
pa r t o f f u l l -bl o o d e d bo d i l y l i f e o n e ar th , a f o r m wi th o u t s u b
stan ce (Iliad 23; Odyssey 11), th e so u l s f l e e i n g to th e h o u se
o f Had e s, ga th e r i n g pl ace f o r th e d e par te d . T h e y can n o t spe ak
u n t i l a d r a u gh t o f l i vi n g bl o o d h as r e s to r e d l i f e to th e m. T h e r e
was n o t h i n g s pi r i tu a l abo u t Ho me r s so ul s. Dr . S. D. F. Sal -
mo n d r e co r d s th a t th e Gr e e k af te r wo r l d was
a jo yl ess l an d , wr apt i n mu r ky gl o o m, th e d ar k sh ad o w an d spe n t co py
o f th e wo r l d , i n wh i ch me n co n ti n u e to e xi st as th e wr e tch e d i mages o f
th e i r f o r me r sel ves. 6
I n Ho me r o n l y o n e pa r t o f ma n s co mpo si te n a tu r e su r vi ve s
d e ath . I t was a so r t o f so u l -su bstan ce s o me th i n g po ssessi ng
f acu l ti e s th a t ch ar acte r i ze co n sci o u s l i f e . T h e so u l , h e tau gh t,
e n jo ys an i n d e pe n d e n t a n d se cr e t e xi ste n ce i n th e bo d y, a n d
u po n th e d e ath o f th e bo d y i n d e pe n d e n tl y wi th d r aws i tse l f . I t
e xe r ci se s n o f u n cti o n o f th e h u ma n s pi r i t (th o u gh t, wi l l , e mo
ti o n ), wh i ch be l o n g to th e mi n d . An d al l f u n cti o n s o f th e bo d y
d i s appe ar wi th i ts d i ss o l u ti o n i n to th e o r i gi n al e l e me n ts. Upo n
th e d e ath o f th e bo d y, a n d e n tr an ce i n to Had e s,8th e so u l l o ses
co n sci o u sn e ss an d t h o u gh t (Iliad xxi i i , 103, 104; 75, 76). I t
kn o ws n o t h i n g o f th e u ppe r wo r l d , a n d can n o t r e t u r n th i th e r .
An d i ts pe r s o n al i ty do e s n o t pe r si st.
* So me , s u ch as A. M. Fa i r ba i r n , be l i e ve Ho me r a n d He s i o d a r e myt h i ca l co l l e cti o n s
(Studies in the Philosophy of Religion and History, p. 152).
BSt e wa r t D. F. Sal mo n d , l h e Christian Doctrine o f Immortality, p. 129.
6C f . R. H. C h a r l e s , A Critical History of the Doctrine of a Future L ife ; Er wi n Ro h d e ,
Psyche; Ze l l e r , History o f Greek Philosophy (2 vo l s .); Le wi s C a mpbe l l , Religion of Green
Literature; Fa i r ba i r n , op. cit.
Par ts o f th e Odyssey (x, xi ) d o su gge st an o ccasi o n al r e t u r n
o f co n sci o u sn e ss. Bu t i f i mmo r tal i ty we r e vo u ch saf e d to an y
i n d i vi d u al i t mu s t be gi ve n wh e n l i vi n g, th r o u gh tr an s l ati o n
to th e El ysi an f i el ds. An d as n o te d , i t was th e po e ts wh o we r e
th e e ar l i e st h e r al d s o f a po ssi bl e i mmo r tal i ty f o r man . T h e
masses we r e u n mo ve d by th i s s e n ti me n t, an d l i ve d a n d d i e d
u n d e r th e te r r o r s o f a cr u e l f atal i sm.
Ho we ve r , acco r d i n g to He s i o d (e i gh th ce n tu r y), su r vi val s
o f an i mi sm appe ar . I n Works and Days (a .d . 109-201) d e ath
came to me n o f th e go l d e n r ace l i ke a sl e e p, maki n g th e m l i ke
go ds a n d par take r s i n i mmo r tal i ty. Af te r d e ath th e y be came
watch e r s o ve r man ki n d , a n d e xe r ci se d l ar ge po we r s. Me n o f th e
s i l ve r r ace h ad th e i r abo d e u n d e r th e e ar th , bu t we r e bl e sse d i n
th e u n d e r wo r l d . T h o s e o f th e br o n ze r ace be came ph an to ms i n
Had e s. Su ch we r e th e myth i cal co n ce pts o f co n sci o u s a n d i n d e
pe n d e n t acti vi ty o f so u l s af te r d e ath th a t h e l pe d to f o r m th e
e ar l y Gr e e k d o ctr i n e o f i mmo r tal i ty.
2. T r a n s mi gr a t i o n T h e o r y I n t r o d u ce d b y D i o n ys i a c
C u l t . Acco r d i n g to R. H. C h ar l e s, Oxf o r d au th o r i ty, th e f i r st
ad van ce ste p to war d a d e ve l o pe d Immo r tal -So u l i sm i n Gr e e ce ,
o f wh i ch we h ave kn o wl e d ge , came th r o u gh th e Di o n ysi ac cu l t 1
o f T h r ace . T h i s was base d o n th e pr e s u ppo s i ti o n o f th e o r i gi n al
ki n s h i p o f th e go ds an d man . T h e Di o n ysi acs tau gh t t h a t so u l s
r e ta i n co n sci o u sn e ss af te r d e ath , a n d th a t th r o u gh ce r tai n r i te s,
ce r e mo n i e s, a n d ecstasi es man be co me s o n e wi th th e go ds.
I mmo r ta l i ty a n d d i vi n i ty we r e u se d as i n te r ch an ge abl e
te r ms. At d e ath th e so u l bu r sts th e f e tte r s o f th e bo d y. T h e so u l
h as a r e al e xi ste n ce an d co n ti n u an ce , an d r e tu r n s to e a r th f o r
o th e r i n car n ati o n s . T h u s th e d o ctr i n e o f tr an s mi gr ati o n o f so ul s,
l ate r to a ppe ar agai n an d agai n , came to be ad o pte d , wi th th e
so u l passi n g th r o u gh successi ve i n car n ati o n s .8So th e co n ce pt o f
th e f u tu r e l i f e be gan to be tr an s f o r me d by th e Di o n ysi acs, a
se cr e t e sch ato l o gi cal cu l t.8
7Dionysiac pe r t a i n s to t h e f e s ti val s o f t h e El e u s i n i a n Mys te r i e s , i n h o n o r o f th e
Ol ympi a n go d , Di o n ys u s, l a t e r ca l l e d Bacch u s .
8Se e Ro h d e , op. ci t., pp. 253-266; C h a r l e s , T h e Doctrine o f a Future L i f e , p. 146;
Fa i r ba i m, op. cit., pp. 186-188.
* Fa i r ba i m, op. ci t., p. 179.
He si o d, An o th e r Ear l y Po e t, Li kewi se Po ets Li ke Ho me r We r e th e Ear l i e st
T a u gh t th e C o nsci o us an d In d e pe n d e n t Gr e e k Pr o po n e n ts o f th e Pe r si ste n ce o f
Acti vi ty o f th e So ul Af te r De ath . th e Soul Beyo nd De ath .
3. O r p h i c s : P e r m e a t e d W i t h P a n t h e i s m a n d R e i n c a r -
n a t i o n i s m . So o n n e w e l e me n ts we r e br o u gh t i n f r o m th e
Orphic Mysteries (se cr e t r i te s f o r th e i n i t i a t e d f r o m th e myth i
cal pr o ph e t a n d mu si ci an , Or ph e u s o f T h r a ce ) a n d f r o m th e
Eleusinian Mysteries, co mi n g f r o m El e u si s i n a n ci e n t Atti ca.
T h e Or ph i c Myste r i e s d i f f e r e d f r o m th e El e u s i n i an i n th e i r
f o r e i gn o r i gi n a n d distinctly pantheistic basis.10T h e y bu ttr e s s e d
th i s n e w n o t i o n o f th e f u tu r e l i f e by i n si s ti n g th a t th e so u l i s
d i vi n e . He n ce th e co n ce pt o f th e so u l as th e h i gh e st, o r d i vi n e ,
pa r t o f man was i mpo r te d i n to Gr e e ce by th e se mysti c Or ph i c
te ach e r s, wh o se d o ctr i n e s o r i gi n al l y came f r o m th e East.
T h e i mmo r tal i ty th e y t a u gh t was n o t a pal e r e f l e cti o n o f
th e e ar th l y l i f e , bu t a release, or deliverance, of the soul from
the bodyth e bo d y be i n g co n s i d e r e d a pr i s o n o r to mb.u An d
10Pa n t h e i s mf r o m t h e Gr e e k pan (a l l ) a n d Theos (Go d ), o r al l Go d t h e be l i e f
o r t h e o r y t h a t Go d a n d t h e u n i ve r s e a r e i d e n t i ca l . Pa n t h e i s t i c s yste ms go ba ck t o e a r l i e s t
ti me s , e s pe ci al l y i n Hi n d u i s m. Pa n th e i s m i n t e r pr e t s t h e u n i ve r s e i n te r ms o f Go d , o r Go d
i n te r ms o f t h e u n i ve r s e , a n d i s acco r d i n gl y r e l i gi o u s o r ma te r i a l i s ti c i n e mph as i s .
11G. M . A. Gr u be , Platos Thought, p. 121; C h a r l e s , T he Doctrine o f the Future L i f e ,
pp. 146, 147; Fa i r ba n ks , A Handbook o f Greek Religion, pp. 244-246.
537
th e ch ai n o f r e bi r th s i n vo l ve d mu st be br o ke n i f th e so u l i s to
f i n d f r e e d o m wi th th e go ds.
T h e e sse nce o f Or ph i c e mph asi s was t h a t th e i n i ti a te mi gh t,
by pu r e l i f e a n d asce ti ci sm a n d mysti cal ce r e mo n i e s, ach i e ve
mysti c i d e n ti f i cati o n wi th th e d i vi n e n a tu r e , a n d th u s pe r f e ct
h i s i mmo r tal ch ar acte r n o t as th e Di o n ysi acs, wh o o f te n s o u gh t
to d e ve l o p th i s i mmo r tal i ty th r o u gh o r gi asti c ecstasy. Mo r e t h a n
th at, i n Or ph i c te ach i n g tr an s mi gr ati o n (me te mpsych o si s)
co me s to be n o t me r e l y a me an s o f pr e se r vi n g th e vi tal i ty o f
th e so u l bu t al so a pu n i s h me n t an d d i sci pl i n e f o r th e so u l .
Ho we ve r , i t i s al l e ge d t h a t th e so u l d o e s n o t a tt a i n i ts
h i gh e s t f r e e d o m u n t i l f r e e d f r o m th i s cycl e o f r e bi r th s , an d
l i ve s e te r n al l y i n Go d .18Af te r man y i n car n ati o n s i t r i se s to
pe r f e cti o n a n d i s absorbed, or reabsorbed, into the divine. By
th i s ti me th e r e i s a we l l -d e f i n e d d o ctr i n e o f th e o r i gi n , e sse nce ,
a n d d e sti n y o f th e so u l . T h e Eas te r n ti n ge i s u n mi s takabl e .
As i n d i cate d , u n d e r th e Or ph i cs th e r e came i n an i n d i s
s o l u bl e co n n e cti o n be twe e n gu i l t a n d e xpi ati o n . T h e so u l
me e ts wi th r e t r i bu t i ve ju d gme n t i n th e l o we r wo r l d . Had e s
be co me s th e i n te r me d i a te abo d e o f th e so u l , wh e r e i t i s pu r i
f i ed, u n t i l ti me f o r i ts r e t u r n to th e u ppe r l i f e . T h e n at l ast,
wh e n f u l l y cl e an s e d th r o u gh i ts cycl e o f r e bi r th s , i t asce n d s
. . . to e n jo y a n e ve r -e n d i n g e xi ste n ce wi th Go d . T h u s th e
so u l , pu r e o r i mpu r e , i s h e l d to be n o t o n l y i mmo r tal bu t
e te r n a l a n d co n s e qu e n tl y wi th o u t be gi n n i n g o r e n d .
Acco r d i n g to th e e xh au sti ve r e se ar ch e s o f Er wi n Ro h d e ,
th e Or ph i c po e ms a n d th e o go n y co mbi n e d transmigration
wi th th e divinity of the soul, a n d str e sse d th e mi gr ati o n o f
th e so u l th r o u gh man y mo r tal bo d i e s. I t i s e sse n ti al to n o te
t h a t th e so u l i s po r tr aye d as pa r t o f th e al l -e mbr aci n g Di vi n e
Esse n ce , wi th r e cu r r i n g i n car n ati o n s tr ave r s i n g a gr e at C i r cl e
o f Ne ce ssi ty i n th e Wh e e l o f Bi r th . 14I t i s a cycl e o f be co m
i n g a n d pe r i s h i n g, pe r pe tu al l y r e pe ate d .
u Me te mps ych o s i s , o r t r a n s mi gr a t i o n t h e jpassi n g o f t h e s o u l a t d e a t h i n t o a n o t h e r
bo d y, t h e mi gr a t i o n f r o m o n e bo d y to a n o t h e r u n t i l co mpl e t e pu r i f i ca ti o n h as be e n a ch i e ve d .
13C f . Ro h d e , op. ci t., pp. 344-347; C h a r l e s , T h e Doctrine o f a Future L i f e , pp. 146, 147.
14Ro h d e , op. r t f ., pp. 342-347.
T h e r e i s a l t e r n a ti n g po l l u t i o n a n d pu r i f i cati o n f o r th e se
d e ath l e ss so ul s. T h e so u l i s i mpr i s o n e d i n a ce l l (bo d y),
f r o m wh i ch i t i s pe r i o d i cal l y se t f r e e o n l y so o n to be i mpr i s
o n e d agai n . So i t i s successi vel y f e tte r e d a n d u n f e tte r e d . As
th e so u l i s i mmo r tal , e ve n th e wi cke d can n o t pe r i sh e n ti r e l y.
Bu t n o Ete r n a l T o r me n t i n h e l l was tau gh t, o n l y r e pe ate d
tr an s mi gr ati o n s . Su ch i s th e pagan f o u n d ati o n .
An d Dr . Ed u a r d Ze l l e r , f o r me r pr o f e sso r o f ph i l o so ph y
i n th e u n i ve r s i ti e s o f Be r l i n a n d He i d e l be r g, po i n ts o u t th e
f act th a t i n Gr e e k l i t e r a tu r e pan th e i s m f i r st cl e ar l y appe ar s i n
a f r agme n t o f th e se Or ph i c po e ms, an d t h a t th e pan th e i s ti c
s tr ai n r u n s th r o u gh th e wh o l e Or ph i c co smo go n y, o r th e o r y
o f th e o r i gi n o f th e wo r l d . An d h e ci te s He r o d o tu s as d e cl ar
i n g t h a t th e Or ph i cs o bta i n e d th e tr an s mi gr ati o n co n ce pt f r o m
Egypto r mo r e accu r ate l y, f r o m Egypt a n d I n d i a. So i t came
to pass th a t i n d u e ti me th e se co n ce pts passe d f r o m th e myste r i e s
to Gr e e k ph i l o s o ph y.15
Fu r th e r mo r e , acco r d i n g to Fa i r ba i m,1* th e Or ph i c th e o s
o ph y 1T was a s pe cu l ati o n amal gam o f Gr e e k, Or i e n ta l , a n d
Egypti an e l e me n ts, i ts s pe cu l ati ve e l e me n ts taki n g o n th i s
cr u d e pan th e i s m. T h e u n i ve r se , th e y h e l d th e e ar th , star r y
h e ave n s, s u n , a n d ma n i ssu e d f r o m Zeus. An d th e ge n
e r a ti o n pr i n ci pl e o f th e u n i ve r s e e mbr ace s th e ge n e r ate d , o r
u n i ve r se . Or ph i c pan th e i s m was th u s a d i sti n cti ve d e ve l o p
me n t, wi th i ts ch ar acte r i s ti c ph r ase o l o gy. An d pan th e i s m
al ways i n vo l ve d me te mpsych o si s.
Wh i l e th e r e ar e n e w f o r ms, th e be i n g i s h e l d to be al ways
th e same . So man , e ma n ati n g f r o m th e Su pr e me On e , h as a
cycl e o f appe ar an ce s. T h e s pi r i t, o r so u l , i s to be s e par ate d
f r o m th e bo d y-pr i so n i n wh i ch i t i s co n f i n e d be cau se o f past
si ns. T h e n a t d e ath th e so u l e n te r s Had e s to be r e war d e d o r
Ze l l e r , History of Greek Philosophy, vo l . 1, pp. 64-74, 101.
i Fa i r ba i r n , op. ci t., pp. 174-183.
17Theosophyt h e i n t u i t i ve kn o wl e d ge o f t h e Di vi n e by mys ti cal i n s i gh t a n d ph i l o
s o ph i cal s pe cu l a ti o n , a n d co ve r i n g s u ch r e l i gi o u s a n d ph i l o s o ph i cal syste ms as pa n t h e i s m a n d
n a t u r a l mys ti ci s m. I t th u s i n cl u d e s t h e t e a ch i n gs o f Bu d d h a , Pl o ti n u s , a n d t h e Gn o s ti cs .
T h e o s o ph i s ts d e n y bo t h t h e pe r s o n a l i t y o f Go d a n d t h e co n t i n u i n g personal, o r i n d i vi d u a l ,
i mmo r ta l i t y o f ma n .
pu n i s h e d , a n d r e t u r n e d to e ar th . Abs o l u ti o n s a n d r i te s pu r i f y
th e so u l .
Su mmar i zi n g th e n : I n th e Or ph i cs, th e I n n ate -I mmo r tal -
i ty co n ce pt i s e n te r e d u po n as a n e w stage o f d e ve l o pme n t,
th e so u l be i n g to man wh at Go d i s to th e wo r l d . Mo r e o ve r ,
d e ath d e str o ys o n l y th e pr i s o n . Wh i l e th e r e i s co n ti n u an ce ,
th e i n d i vi d u al i s, as Fa i r ba i r n pu ts i t, o n l y an e man ati o n
f r o m a d e i f i e d u n i ve r se , r e vo l vi n g i n a cycl e o f n e ce ssi ty. 18
I I I . Ph i l o so ph i cal Devel o pmentsIo ni c, El e ati c, an d
Pyth ago r e an Po si ti o ns
1. I o n i a n S c h o o l : A i r , W a t e r , F i r e , I n f i n i t e .
As state d , Gr e e k ph i l o so ph y, wh i ch d e ve l o pe d f r o m th e Gr e e k
po e ts, be gan as an a tt e mpt to f i n d n a tu r a l cause s f o r th e ph e
n o me n a o f th e wo r l d a n d th e u n i ve r se . T h e e ar l i e s t sch o o l o f
Gr e e k ph i l o s o ph y was f o u n d e d at Mi l e tu s, th e I o n i a n capi tal .
I t i s th e r e f o r e cal l e d bo th th e Mi l e si an a n d th e I o n i a n Sch o o l .
T h e I o n i a n vi e w was mate r i al i s ti c, i n t h a t i t s o u gh t to r e d u ce
th e baf f l i n g cau se o f al l th i n gs to o n e u n d e r l yi n g su bstan ce wi th
math e mati cal r ati o s a n d pr o po r ti o n s .
T h a l e s (c. 640-546 B .C .) , th e f i r st Gr e e k ph i l o s o ph e r a n d
o n e o f th e se ve n sages, 18was th e f i r st to a tt e mpt a sci e n ti f i c
e xpl a n a ti o n o f th e wo r l d by se e ki n g th e u n i f yi n g pr i n ci pl e o f
e xi ste n ce . Be l i e vi n g th e wo r l d to be a u n i t, a n d be gi n n i n g
wi th ph ysi cal s pe cu l ati o n (po ssi bl y i n f l u e n ce d by Egypt a n d
i ts f e r ti l i zi n g Ni l e ), T h a l e s s o u gh t i n water th e so u r ce o f l i f e
a n d th e f i r st pr i n ci pl e o f al l th i n gs. T o h i m s o u l was th e
syn o n ym o f l i f e a n d th e cau se o f mo ti o n .41
Bu t th r e e r i val vi ews so o n pr o po se d o th e r s o l u ti o n s.
A n a xi me n e s (c. 500-c. 428 b .c .) asse r te d t h a t th e h u man so u l
co n si sts o f atmo s ph e r i c a i r (ai r l i ke ), a n d mate r i a l l i f e co n
si sts o f i n h a l i n g a n d e xh al i n g i t. Wh e n t h a t pr o ce ss sto ps,
Ib id ., p. 182.
19Ze l l e r , Outline o f the History of Greek Philosophy, pp. 35, 42, 43.
20Fa i r ba i r n , op. ci t., p. 183.
21Dr a pe r , op. ci t., vo l . 1, pp. 95, 96.
GREEK PHI LOSOPHY REAC HES SUMMI T 541
d e ath co me s. He al so h e l d th a t a i r i s th e s o u l o f th e wo r l d ,
a n d th e Un i ve r s al Be i n g was i d e n ti f i e d wi th th e ai r we br e ath e .
Bu t A n a x i m a n d e r ( c. 611-547 b . c . ) , o f Mi l e tu s, h e l d t h a t al l
th i n gs ar o se by s e par ati o n f r o m a u n i ve r s al mi xtu r e o f al l ,
wh i ch basi c su bstan ce h e cal l e d T h e I n f i n i t e , ch ar acte r i ze d
by i n te r n al e n e r gy a n d abs o l u te u n ch an ge abi l i ty.22 On th e
co n tr ar y, H e r a c l i t u s ( c . 544-c. 484 B .C .) , o f Eph e su s, h e l d th e
f i r st pr i n ci pl e to be f i r e .
Wi th so me th e s o u l to o k o n n e w me an i n g, be i n g co m
pl e te l y i d e n ti f i e d wi th th e mi n d , th e h u man po we r s o f th o u gh t
a n d wi l l . Its i n d i vi d u al e xi ste n ce af te r d e ath was i n co n ce i v
abl e . Wi t h su ch , th e so u l was me r e l y a f u n cti o n o f th e var i o u s
e l e me n ts o f th e bo d ya tr a n s i e n t i n d i vi d u al i s m t h a t t e r mi
n a te d a t d e ath . T h e s e ar e al l s pe cu l ati ve ph i l o so ph i e s.
2. E l e a t i c S c h o o l : P h i l o s o p h y B e c o m e s P a n t h e i s t i c .
T h e po l e mi c o f th e El e ati c Sch o o l (n ame d f r o m El e a), an d
f o u n d e d by Xe n o ph an e s a n d Par me n i d e s , wi th Ze n o , was
agai n st th e po pu l ar po l yth e i sm. I t was o ste n si bl y se ar ch i n g
f o r th e pe r ma n e n t a n d i n d e s tr u cti bl e ami d th e pe r i s h abl e
a n d e van e sce n t. T h e El e ati cs tau gh t th a t al l th i n gs we r e a
u n i t, a n d t h a t u n i t was Go d a n d so th e vi e w was d e f i n i te l y
pan th e i s ti c. T h e y str e sse d th e u n i ty a n d co n ti n u i ty o f th e
wo r l d , as to u ch i n g Go d an d man . T h e y h e l d to e te r n al a n d
ch an ge l e ss r e al i ty o f be i n g a n d th e u n r e a l i ty o f ch an ge ch an ge
be i n g o n l y a ppa r e n t an d d e l u si ve . Eve r yth i n g t h a t i s e xi sts;
th e r e f o r e be i n g i s i n d e s tr u cti bl e . So ul s go f r o m l i gh t to
d ar kn e ss a n d back agai n .23Bu t th e pan th e i s ti c co n ce pts o f th i s
sch o o l l e f t n o r o o m f o r th e f u tu r e i n d i vi d u al e xi ste n ce o f
th e s o u l . 24
X e n o p h a n e s (c. 570-475 b .c .) pu t h i s d o ctr i n e s i n to pr acti cal
f o r ms, d i f f e r i n g f r o m Ho me r a n d He si o d . He pr o cl ai me d Go d
an al l -po we r f u l Be i n g, e xi s ti n g f r o m e te r n i ty. Ye t h i s was n o t
a mo n o th e i s ti c po si ti o n . Hi s was a ph i l o s o ph i cal pan th e i s ti c
22I b i d . , pp. 98, 99, 104-106.
23Fa i r ba i m, op. ci t., pp. 186, 187.
24C h a r l e s , The Doctrine of a Future L i f e , p. 148.
542 C ONDIT IONALIST FAIT H
god. T h e o n e pr i n ci pl e , o r po wer , was th e same as th e o n e
i mmu tabl e , mate r i al uni ve r se , th e substance o f wh i ch , h avi n g
e xi ste d f r o m e te r n i ty, mu st be i d e n ti cal wi th Go do th e r wi se
th e r e wo u l d be two Omn i pr e se n ts.
T o h i m, Go d was th e wo r l d o f n atu r e , u n d e r i ve d an d
i mpe r i sh abl e . T h u s h e aban d o n e d th e pu r s u i t o f visible na
ture an d tu r n e d to an i n ve sti gati o n o f Be i ng an d o f Go d.5
Ze l l e r o bser ves, Xe n o ph an e s i s th e f i rst ph i l o so ph i cal r e pr e
se n tati ve o f th e pan th e i sm, wh i ch al so u n d e r l i e s th e system
o f He r acl e i tu s. 28
P a r m e n i d e s (c. 540-c. 470 B .C .), stressi ng u n i ty an d pe r ma
n e n ce o f Be i ng, tau gh t th e pre-exi stence o f th e so ul an d i ts
sur vi val af te r th e d e ath o f th e bo d y27a h o l d o ve r f r o m th e
Or ph i c an d Pyth ago r e an sch ool s. Hi s pan th e i sm appe ar s i n
th e d e cl ar ati o n th at th e Al l o f th e cosmos i s th o u gh t an d i n te l
l i gence. An d by pl aci n g th o u gh t an d be i n g i n par al l e l i sm
wi th each o th e r , an d co n te n d i n g th at i t i s f o r th e sake o f being
th at thought exi sts, h e sets th e m f o r th as o ne .28
He al so associ ates l i gh t wi th Be i ng, an d n i gh t wi th No n-
Be i n g, an d seems to h ave co nce i ved th e be gi n n i n g o f th e
h u man race as a d e ve l o pme n t f r o m pr i mi ti ve sl i me, br o u gh t
abo u t by th e h e at o f th e sun. An d h e i n si ste n tl y d e r i ve d th e
l i f e of th e so ul f r o m th e mi xtu r e o f substances i n th e bo dy.20
Such wer e h i s cu r i o u s co ncepts.
Z e n o o f El ea (f i f th ce n tu r y) bo l dl y d e f e n d e d h i s pr edeces
sors d o ctr i n e o f th e mo ti o nl e ss Al l -On e . An d i n d e al i n g
wi th th e o r i gi n an d n atu r e of th e so ul h e to o h e l d i t to be
th e r e s u l tan t o f a mate r i al mi xtu r e , n o t an i n d e pe n d e n t
su bstan ce . Ne ver th e l ess, th e El eati cs i nco n si ste n tl y h e l d th at
th e d e i ty th at r u l e s th e wo r l d at o ne ti me sends i t [th e pr e
e xi ste n t] o u t o f th e In vi si bl e i n to th e Vi si bl e, an d at an o th e r
ti me back agai n . (By Vi si bl e i s me an t th e l i f e in th e body.)
25Dr a pe r , op. cit., vo l . 1, pp. 120, 121.
20Ze l l e r , History o f Greek Philosophy, vo l . 2, p. 106.
27C h a r l e s , Doctrine o f a Future L i f e , p. 148.
28Dr a pe r , op. ci t., vo l . 1. p. 121.
28Ze l l e r , History of Greek Philosophy, vo l . 1, pp. 594, 602.
Her acl i tus Hel d th e Soul to Be an
Emanati o n From th e Uni versal Soul
Wh i ch C ompri ses Ever yth i ng and Is
Imper i sh abl e.
An d th i s process, i t i s ad d e d , i s several ti mes r e pe ate d , i n th o se
two wo r l d san al te r n ati n g l i f e. T h a t to o, of co urse, i s str ai gh t
Or ph i c-Pyth ago r e an th e o so ph y. 30
3. H e r a c l i t u s : S o u l Is I m m o r t a l S pa r k F r o m E t e r n a l
F i r e .Oppo si n g T h al e s po si ti o n o n a i r as th e u n i f yi n g
pr i n ci pl e o f exi stence, H e r a c l i t u s (c. 544-c. 484 b.c.) h e l d ever-
l i vi ng, d i vi n e f i r e to be th e an i mati n g pr i n ci pl e o f th e u n i
verse. An d o f th i s i n f i n i te f i re th e so ul i s a spar k o r po r ti o n 31
an d th e pu r e r th e f i re, th e mo r e pe r f e ct th e so ul . C o nse
qu e n tl y, th e pe r i sh abl e bo dy was despi sed. T h e so ul o f man
i s an e man ati o n f r o m th e un i ve r sal f i re, o r soul , wh i ch co m
pri ses e ve r yth i n g an d sustai ns al l , an d i s i mpe r i sh abl e . T h u s
man an d th e gods ar e sai d to be aki n. T h e very bi r th o f man
i s . . . a bi r th i n to d e ath , bu t th e so ul l i ves on.
Ri t te r ci tes He r acl i tu s as sayi ng th at d e ath i s i n o u r l i f e,
an d l i f e i n o u r d e ath . Agai n, Men ar e mo r tal gods, th e gods
i mmo r tal me n , l i vi n g i n man s de ath , an d dyi ng i n man s l i f e .
T h e h e ave n of th e Io n i c was r e abso r pti o n i n to th e d i vi n e
r e aso n . 32
30Ro h d e , op. ci t., p. 373.
31Fa i r ba i r n , op. cit., pp. 187, 188.
32Ri t t e r , T h e History of Ancient Philosophy, vo l . 1, pp. 250, 251.
543
In o ppo si ti o n to th e El eati cs, He r acl i tu s d e n i e d th at pe r
man e n ce exi sts. He i nsi ste d o n th e ch an ge abi l i ty of al l th i ngs,
e ve r yth i n g be i n g i n a state of co n ti n u al f l ux, o f mo ve me n t
an d f l ow, wi th co n ti n u i n g gr o wth an d decay an d bal ance i n
th e se ch anges. Ze l l e r stresses He r acl i tu s' be l i e f i n th e pr e
exi ste nce o f th e so ul an d i ts co n ti n u an ce af te r d e ath . Wh i l e
th e r e ar e pe r i o d i c co nf l agr ati o ns o f th e wo r l d, th e so ul survi ves
th e m al l . Li f e i s pr e se r ve d by th e r e n e wal o f th e d i vi n e f i re.
Soul s e n te r bo di e s because th e y r e qu i r e a ch ange. T h e y beco me
wear y o f th e same state. An d th e uni ve r sal so ul i s si mpl y th i s
d i vi n e an i mati n g f i r e. Soul s e n te r th e h u man bo dy f r o m a
h i gh e r e xi stence.33
He r e ar e key expr essi o ns f r o m Ro h d e s h i gh l y d o cu me n te d ,
maste r f u l survey: Li vi n g i s beco mi ng, ch angi ng, be co mi n g
so me th i n g d i f f e r e n t wi th o u t cessati o n. Fi r e an d psych e [soul ]
ar e i n te r ch an ge abl e te r ms. 34A po r ti o n of h i s [go ds] u n i ve r sal
wi sdo m i s l i vi n g i n th e so ul o f man . T h e so ul i s a po r ti o n
o f th e u n i ve r sal Fi r e . I t abso r bs f r esh f i re f r o m th e l i vi n g
Fi r e o f th e u n i ve r se th at su r r o u n d s i t. Mo r eo ver , th e so ul
does n o t mai n tai n i tse l f as a si ngl e pe r so n , bu t i s i n r e al i ty
a seri es o f soul s an d pe r so nal i ti e s, o n e taki n g th e pl ace of an
o th e r an d o u sti n g an d be i n g o u ste d i n tu r n . 36
T h e r e i s n o such th i n g as d e ath i n th e abso l u te sense
an e n d f o l l o wed by no be gi n n i n g. Fo r man , d e ath i s o n l y
a po i n t wh e r e o n e co n d i ti o n of th i ngs gi ves way to an o th e r
. . . i n vo l vi n g d e ath f o r o n e bu t si mu l tan e o u sl y br i n gi n g bi r th
an d l i f e f o r an o th e r . 36An d f i nal l y, T h e so ul o f man h as a
cl ai m to i mmo r tal i ty o nl y as an e man ati o n of th e u n i ve r sal
Re aso n, an d sh ares th e i mmo r tal i ty wh i ch bel o ngs to i t. 37
T h a t i s th e gross pagan co n ce pt h e l d by He r acl i tu s, d e r i ve d
f r o m th e Mysteri es, wi th r an k pan th e i sm, e man ati o n , tr an s
mi gr ati o n , an d r e abso r pti o n wi th i ts l oss o f co n ti n u i n g pe r
so nal i ty.
33Ze l l e r , History o f Greek Philosophy, vo l . 2, pp. 1-114, e s pe ci al l y pp. 79-87.
34Ro h d e , op. ci t., p. 367.
33I b id. , pp. 368, 369.
Pyth agoras Li kewi se T au gh t th e
Ete r ni ty of th e Soul and Successi ve
T ransmi grati o ns.
4. P y t h a g o r a s : E t e r n i t y o f S o u l a n d S u c c e s s i v e T r a n s
m i g r a t i o n s . T h e te ach i n g o f P y t h a g o r a s ( c. 582-496 B .C .) ,
f o u n d e r of th e Pyth ago r e an soci ety, o r br o th e r h o o d , was ch ar
acte r i ze d by a pr o n o u n ce d metempsych o si s, d e r i ve d f r o m th e
Or ph i cs. I n f act, Pyth ago r as si mpl y ph i l o so ph i ze d th e Or ph i c
th eo so ph y. Pyth ago r as tau gh t th at Go d was th e gr e at f o u n tai n ,
o r i mmo r tal mi n d , wh ence th e mi n d s o r soul s of al l i n te l l i ge n t
bei ngs e man ate d ; th at th e so ul e xi ste d as an e n ti ty be f o r e i t
an i mate d th e bo dy; th at i t wi l l tr an smi gr ate successi vel y th r o u gh
d i f f e r e n t bo di e s u n ti l i t r e tu r n s to Go d, i ts o r i gi n al so urce,
an d i s reabsorbed into His essence. He h e l d th e so ul to be
mate r i al , n o t pu r e spi r i t.
Soul s ar e sai d to be co nf i ne d to bo di e s because of pr e vi o us
si ns, an d ar e r el e ase d th r o u gh th e d e ath of th e body. Pyth ago r as
th u s af f i rmed th e co n ti n u e d be i n g o f th e so ul ,38each so ul
r e tu r n i n g to an e ar th l y l i f e.38T h u s th e so ul i s an i mpe r i sh abl e
essence, as n o r e al e n ti ty i s ever e i th e r made o r destr o yed.
Pyth ago r as e mph asi zed th e h ar mo n y of th e sph er es, wi th
math e mati cs as th e basi s of h i s spe cul ati ve system. Nu mbe r s
wer e th e substance of th i ngs, an d th e h ar mo n y o f th e cel esti al
38Fa i r ba i r n . op. cit., pp. 184-186.
38Ze l l e r , History of Greek Philosophy, vo l . 1, p. 486.
18 545
sph er es was based o n th e assu mpti o n th at th e y were se par ate d
by i nte r val s, co r r e spo n d i n g to var i o us l e ngth s of i n s tr u me n tal
str i ngs, an d th u s pr o d u ce d h ar mo n y. T h e u n i ve r se i s i n an
e te r n al f l ux, wi th persons, as wel l as events, r e pe ate d i n
r e gu l ar cycl es. T h e Pyth ago r e ans l ai d mu ch stress o n o ppo
si tes, a co n ce pt l i kewi se f o u n d i n co n te mpo r ar y Gno sti ci sm.
Embr aci n g th ese te nets, ar i sto cr ati c secr et soci eti es, o r br o th e r
h o o ds, wer e f o r me d , ad h e r i n g to a r i go r o u s code.
Acco r d i n g to Ro h d e s resear ch es, Pyth ago r as tau gh t th at
th e so ul of man i s th e d o u bl e o f th e ph ysi cal bo dy, cast
do wn f r o m th e h e i gh ts f o r pu n i sh me n t, an d th us co nf i ne d to
cu sto d y o f a bo dy. Bu t a so ul h as n o r e al o r necessary co n
n e cti o n wi th th e par ti cu l ar bo dy i n wh i ch i t dwel l s, bu t may
possess any body. Wh e n d e ath separ ates th e so ul f r o m th e bo dy
th e r e i s f i rst a pe r i o d o f pu r i f i cati o n i n Hades, an d th e n a
r e tu r n to e ar th , to be r e bo r n i n to an o th e r body. T h i s i s r e
pe ate d man y ti mes. Fi nal l y, af te r a seque nce of tr an smi gr a
ti o ns i t i s r e l e ase d f r o m i ts e ar th l y pi l gr i mage an d i s r e sto r e d
to a d i vi n e exi stence.
T h e Pyth ago r e an goal o f th e so ul was th i s u l ti mate r e sto r a
ti o n to th e d i vi n e state wi th th e godsan e man ci pate d e xi st
e nce as a bo di l ess s pi r i t. 40T h u s th e ch ai n of d e ath s an d r e bi r th s
i s br o ke n , wi th escape f r o m th e cycl e as th e u l ti mate be n e f i t."
T h a t was th e sol e h o pe of escape.
T o pu t i t an o th e r way, Pyth ago r as h e l d th at n u mbe r i s
th e essence o r f i rst pr i n ci pl e o f th i n gsAl l comes f r o m o n e ,
an d Go d e mbraces al l an d actuate s al l , an d i s bu t o n e . T h i s,
o f co ur se, i s sh e e r pan th e i sm, d o ubtl e ss d e r i ve d f r o m Egypt an d
In d i a.43So l o ng as th e soul i s i n th e bo dy i t r e qu i r e s th e bo dy
. . . ; se par ate d f r o m th e bo dy i t l eads an i n co r po r e al l i f e i n
th e h i gh e r wo r l d 43a vi ew l ate r e mbr ace d by Pl ato . Pyth ago r as
l i kewi se h e l d th e th e o r y of th e musi c o f th e sph e r e s, an d th e
so ul as th e h ar mo n y o f th e body, l i ke th e me l o dy o f a l yre.
40Ro h d e , op. cit., pp. 376, 398, n o te 50.
Ibid., pp. 375. 376, 399, n o te 50.
42Dr a pe r , op. ci t., vo l . 1, pp. 111-115.
C H A P T E R T H I R T Y
So ph i sts React Agai nst C o nf l i cti ng
Specul ati ve Sch ool s
I n o r d e r f o r us to sense th e si gni f i cance o f th e l ate r
po stu l ate s of Pl ato n i sm th at u l ti mate l y be came d o mi n an t, i t
i s essenti al to h ave a pan o r ami c vi ew o f th e d e ve l o pi n g ph i l o s
o ph y o f an ci e n t Gr eece as co nce r ns th e so ul an d i ts f ate. In
spo ts i t may seem a bi t te d i o u s an d tr i vi al . Bu t such a survey
i s necessary i f we ar e r e al i sti cal l y to tr ace th e r i se o f Pl ato n i sm
to i ts pr e-emi nence .
I . Par al l e l i n g T r agi c an d Lyr i c Po ets Buttr e ss Po si ti o ns
1. T i d e s o f P o e t i c O pi n i o n E bb a n d F l o w .T h e l yri c
po ets ke pt wi th i n th e Ho me r i c f r ame wo r k, an d th e dr amas
o f A e s ch yl u s (525-456 B .C .) , gr e ate st of Gr e e k tr agi c po ets,
l i kewi se mi r r o r e d th e f ai th of th e po pu l ace , u n mo d i f i e d by
al i e n i nf l uences. Bu t th ese ar e th e pr i n ce l y d e ad , n o t th e
co mmo n r u n . T h e y r e pr o d u ce d th e o l d Ho me r i c co n ce pti o n s
o f Hade s an d th e so ul th e so ul n o t be i n g a sh adow, bu t a
r e al , actu al be i ng. Bu t i ts state was co l d an d d r e ar y. T h e i r
o n l y l i gh t was co mmi n gl e d wi th dar kness. T h e u n d e r wo r l d s
an d af te r wo r l d s wer e r e tr i bu ti ve , bu t th e pe n al ti e s o f gu i l t
o ve r sh ado we d th e r ewar ds of r i gh teo usness. Soul s co n ti n u e
semi co nsci o usl y af te r d e ath , th e i r f o rms r e se mbl i n g th e i r
e ar th l y state .1
T o gi ve l i f e to th e per so nages i n h i s dr amas, Aesch yl us
1A. M. Fa i r ba i m, Studies in the Philosophy o f Religion, pp. 194, 195.
547
to o k th e l egends of th e past, ad ju sti n g th e m to cu r r e n t th o u gh t,
an d pu t th e m i n th e se tti n g of h i s o wn co nvi cti o ns. So meti mes
th e r e i s a twi l i gh t exi stence, as i n Ho me r . Bu t spe cu l ati o n o n
th e so ul af te r d e ath d i d n o t i n te r e st h i m.8Ho we ver , th e r e i s
a ju d gme n t be yo nd d e ath , i n Hades. Bu t th i s ju d gme n t o nl y
co mpl e te d th e r e tr i bu ti o n ge n e r al l y e xe cu te d o n e ar th .
E u r i p i d e s ( c . 480-406 b . c . ) , an o th e r Ath e n i an tr agi c d r am
ati st, so unds n o cl e ar n o te . Hi s dr amas l i kewi se ref l ect th e
po pu l ar vi ew as wel l as th e var i an t co nf l i cti ng vi ews o f th e
Or ph i cs, ph i l o so ph e r s, an d So ph i stsso meti mes d o u bti n g,
so meti mes af f i r mi ng, th e po ssi bi l i ti es o f th e o th e r wo r l d. T h e y
sway to an d f r o, th e wh o l e qu e sti o n o f th e af te r l i f e be i n g l e f t
unan swe r e d . At d e ath th e so ul r e tu r n s to th e ai r , i ts cr e ati ve
e l e me n t, par ti n g wi th i ts i n d e pe n d e n t exi stence. Man i s
n o th i n g, an d si nks i n to n o th i n gn e ss.3
2. P i n d a r : S o u l I s I m a g e o f E t e r n i t y . Wh i l e ph i l o s
o ph e r s r e pr e se n te d th e pe r so n al vi ews of a f ew e l i te , th e par al
l e l l i n g tr agi c an d l yri c po ets wer e mo r e n ati o n al i n th e i r
po r tr ayal s, l argel y r e pe ati n g th e myth o l o gy o f f o r me r ti mes.
P i n d a r ( c. 522-443 B .C .) , pr e -e mi n e n t l yri c po e t of T h e be s,
dr e w u po n bo th th e o l d Or ph i c th eo so ph y an d th e n e wbo r n
ph i l o so ph y f o r h i s po r tr ayal s of th e so ul an d af te r l i f e .
T wo d i sti n ct, i r r e co n ci l abl e vi ews ar e pr e se n te d . Some
ti mes th e y ar e Ho me r i c, wi th Hades as th e e ve r l asti n g abo d e
of th e sh ades; i n o th e r s th e Or ph i c type pr evai l s. T h u s th e
so ul i s th e i nvi si bl e d o u bl e of th e man , l argel y d o r man t
d u r i n g e ar th s acti vi ti e san i mage of e te r n i ty. I t spr i ngs
f r o m th e gods {Frag. 131), an d wh at survi ves i n th e o th e r
wo r l d i s th e so ul i tsel f , n o t a sh adow-i mage.
T h e r e ar e mo r al awards, th e go o d go i ng to dwel l amo n g
th e gods, wi th desce nt i n to a bo dy be i n g th e r e su l t o f some
an ci e n t gu i l t. Af te r d e ath r e tr i bu ti ve ju d gme n t f ol l ows i n
Had e s to ato n e f o r past of f enses, an d th e co n d e mn e d ar e
pl u n ge d i n to T ar tar u s . T h e so ul mu st be e mbo d i e d at l east
2Ro h d e , Psyche, pp. 421-425.
3Sal mo n d , Christian Doctrine, p. 139.
SOPHIST S REAC T AGAINST SPEC ULAT IVE SC HOOLS 549
th r e e ti mes be f o r e i t can h o pe f o r an e n d of i ts e ar th l y co urse.
T h e past l i f e d e te r mi n e s th e co n d i ti o n s o f th e pr e se n t, an d
th e pr e se n t f i xes th o se of th e f u tu r e . Af te r a pe r i o d of years i n
Hade s th e pu r i f i e d so ul can ascend an d e n te r th e Isl es of
th e Bl e st (Ol. i i , 57-60, 69-75).* I n Pi n d ar th i s co urse of th e
so ul appe ar s, o n e o de te l l i n g of th e myth i cal i n te r ch an ge abl e
i mmo r tal i ty, al te r n ate l y i n He ave n an d Hade s (10th Nemean
Ode).
T h e so ul , d e sce ndi ng f r o m th e gods, r e mai n s al i ve af te r
th e d e ath o f th e body. If i t does n o t f i nd a su i tabl e r e sti n g
pl ace, i t mu st l i ve agai n i n an o th e r e ar th l y bo dy u n ti l a th i r d
f aul tl ess l i f e ends i ts e ar th l y co ur se. T h r i ce tr i e d by bi r th an d
d e ath , th e so ul , i f i t keeps f r e e f r o m si n, ascends to th e u ppe r
wo r l d to l i ve i n th e Isl ands of th e Bl est. 8T h a t, of co ur se,
i s o u t-an d -o u t tr an smi gr ati o n i sm si mpl y i n Gr e e k f o r m. As
Zel l er pu ts i t, pu n i sh me n t th u s gi ves o ppo r tu n i ty f o r h appi ne ss
i n th e h e r e af te r , wh i ch co n ce pt was acqu i r e d f r o m th e Orph i cs.*
Acco r d i n g to Ro h d e s mi n u te e xami n ati o n , Pi n d ar teach es
th at, af te r i ts se par ati o n f r o m th e bo dy, th e so ul d i sappe ar s i n
th e u n d e r wo r l d . T h i s o th e r l i f e, wh i ch i s e ve r l asti n g an d
i mmo r tal , dwel l s f o r a ti me i n a mo r tal bo dy because o f an
ci e n t gu i l t. Hades, wi th i ts d ar k r i ve r s of i nky bl ackness i n
T ar tar u s , awai ts th e i mpi o u s af te r d e ath . Ro h d e summar i zes
Pi n d ar s po si ti o n as a d i vi n e o r i gi n f o r th e so ul , wan de r i ngs
th r o u gh sever al bo di e s (i n car n ati o n s), ju d gme n t i n Hades,
assi gnme nts to th e u ppe r o r l o wer wo r l ds, an d at l ast escape
f r o m th e co n str i cti n g ci rcl e of bi r th s, to beco me a go d. 7Such ,
h e avers, i s Pi n d ar s d o ctr i n e of th e soul .
I I . I n e vi tabl e Re acti o n Un d e r C o mpr o mi ser s, Atomi sts,
an d Soph i sts
1. E mpe d o c l e s : D o o me d by Si n t o T r a n s mi g r a t i o n s .
1Se e C h a r l e s , The Doctrine o f a Future L i f e , pp. 150, 151; Sal mo n d , op. ci t., pp. 139-
142; Wi l l i a m R. Al ge r , T h e Destiny of the Soul. A Critical History of the Doctrine of a Future
L ife . pp. 182-184.
5Fa i r ba i r n , op. cit., pp. 192, 193.
7Ro h d e , op. ci t., pp. 414-418.
T h e f i rst ph i l o so ph e r to i n tr o d u ce th e co n ce pti o n o f th e f o u r
e l e me n tsf i re, ai r , water , an d e ar th as divine, eternal forces
was E m p e d o c l e s (c. 500-430 b . c . ) , o f Si ci l y. T o th ese h e ad d e d
th e two pr i mar y pr i n ci pl e s o f l ove an d h ate l ove th e cr e ati ve
po wer , h ate th e destr o yer . Between th ese th e r e i s u n r e mi tti n g
str i f e . Bu t i n h i s mysti c th eo l o gy Empedo cl e s was de f i n i te l y
al l i e d wi th th e Or ph i c-Pyth ago r e an po si ti o ns.8He d i d n o t f o u n d
a sch ool bu t, l i ke Pyth ago r as an d He r acl i tu s, h e l d to th e l i te r al
tr an smi gr ati o n o f h u man soul s th r o u gh th e bo di e s o f an i mal s
an d me n , an d th e su bse qu e n t r e tu r n of th e pu r i f i e d soul s to
th e gods, f r o m wh i ch th e y o r i gi n al l y came. An d Empedo cl e s
h e l d to th e i mmu tabl e d e cr e e of Fate, i n cl u d i n g th e ban i sh
me n t o f th e de mo ns f o r 30,000 seasons f r o m amo n g th e
Bl essed. 9
Empedo cl e s pr e se n te d a si n gu l ar d u al i sti c vi ewa Du al i sm
o f th e i n n e r l i f e d e te cte d i n Ho me r . T h e of f i ce o f th e so ul
i s n e i th e r pe r ce pti o n n o r th o u gh t, bo th of wh i ch , h e h e l d, ar e
me r e l y f u n cti o n s o f th e body. Pe r ce pti o n attests d i vi n e e xi st
ence i n th e past. T h o u gh t, e xi sti n g si de by si de wi th th e so ul
i n man , per i sh es wi th th e bo dy. Bu t th e soul , i f n o t i mmo r tal , i s
at l east l o ng-l i ved. T h e po stu l ate o f tr an smi gr ati o n n atu r al l y
f o r me d a par t o f h i s system. Bu t be twe e n i ts var i o us i n co r po r a
ti o ns th e so ul does n o t descend i n to an u n d e r gr o u n d Hades, as
i n Or ph i c an d Pyth ago r e an bel i ef . An d wh e n al l e l e me n ts
r e tu r n to th e i r o r i gi n al u n i ty, al l soul san d even th e gods
ar e r e u n i te d i n th e d i vi n e u n i ve r sal spi r i t, to appe ar i n a newl y
r e sto r e d wo r l d .10
Empedo cl e s h el d, f u r th e r , th at nothing can begin which
formerly was not, and nothing that exists can perish. Man s
o r i gi n al state was si nl ess. Bu t man f el l , an d h e to o was d o o me d
to wan d e r th r i ce te n th o u san d years apar t f r o m th e bl e ssed
a f u gi ti ve f r o m th e gods, an d an o u tcast d we l l i n g i n pe r pe tu al
str i f e. As h ate do mi n ate s, mo ti o n i s ceasel ess an d r est i s i m-
8Ze l l e r , History o f Greek Philosophy, vo l . 2, pp. 117-184; Outlines of the History of
Greek Philosophy, pp. 72-75; Dr a pe r , History o f the Intellectual Development of Europe, vo l . 1,
pp. 123, 124.
10Se e C h a r l e s , T h e Doctrine of a Future L ife , pp. 149, 150.
possi bl e. Bu t i n th e co e xi sti ng sph e r e of l ove, wh e n th e pi o us
di e th e y beco me death l ess go ds, an d n o l o n ge r mo r tal s.11
T h u s, man i s a f al l e n go d co n d e mn e d to wan d e r o n e ar th ,
sky-aspi r i ng bu t se nse-cl o ude d. Pu r ge d by pe nance , h e r e tu r n s
to h i s f o r me r go d l i ke e xpe r i e n ce .
Empedo cl e s h e l d th at r e al i ty i s Many, n o t One. An d
pe r man e n ce bel o ngs to th e pr i n ci pal e l e me nts wh i ch ch ange to
th e i r sh i f ti n g r e l ati o n s. Ear l i e r i t was f e l t th at matte r i s al i ve,
bu t Par me n i d e s r e mo ve d th at co n ce pti o n . An d no w Empedo cl e s
ad d e d th ese two agenci es, l o ve an d h ate , as co n tr o l l i n g th e f o u r
el ements. T h e h i sto r y o f th e un i ve r se i s, h e h e l d, o sci l l ati o n to
an d f r o be twe e n co mpl e te acco r d an d to tal di sh ar mo ny. So wh i l e
n o t be l o n gi n g o r gan i zati o n al l y to th e Pyth ago r e an Sch ool ,
Empedo cl e s ad o pte d i ts te ach i ngs o n th e soul . De ath wo u l d f ree
th e so ul f r o m i ts l ast co r po r e al e n ve l o pe . I t n e ve r agai n
wo u l d e n te r a bo dy, bu t l i ve f o r ever i n f r e e do m an d d i vi n
i ty. 12Such was th e Immo r tal -So ul i sm su ppo r t gi ven by Em
pedocl es.
2. A n a x a g o r a s : D u a l i s m a n d D i s s o l u t i o n o f t h e S o u l .
Fi f ty years af te r Pyth ago r as, h i s successor, A n a x a g o r a s , o f Io n i a
(c. 500-428 B .C .) , vi si te d Egypt, wh i ch vi si t was n o t wi th o u t i ts
ef f ects u po n h i s th i n ki n g. T h e f u n d ame n tal pr i n ci pl e of h i s
ph i l o so ph y was th e u n ch an ge abi l i ty of th e u n i ve r se as a wh o l e,
o r i n o th e r words, th e eternity of matter. As h e expr essed i t:
Wr o n gl y d o th e Gr e e ks su ppo se th a t au gh t be gi n s o r ceases to be,
f o r n o th i n g co me s i n to be i n g o r i s d e str o ye d , bu t al l i s an aggr e gati o n
o r se cr e ti o n o f pr e -e xi ste n t th i n gs, so th a t al l becoming mi gh t mo r e
co r r e ctl y be cal l e d becoming-mixed, an d al l co r r u pti o n becoming-
separate. 13
Anaxago r as al so became pe r su ad e d th at mi n d i s co m
pl e te l y d e tach e d f r o m matte r , an d acts u po n matte r wi th i n te l
l i gence an d desi gn i n th e f o r mati o n of th e u n i ve r se .14T h e i n i ti al
11Fa i r ba i r n , op. ci t., pp. 188, 189. C f . Ri t t e r , History o f Ancient Philosophy, vo l . 1,
p. 501.
12 Ro h d e , op. ci t., pp. 379. 380.
13Dr a pe r , op. ci t., vo l . 1, p. 108. (I t a l i cs s u ppl i e d .) Se e al so Fa i r ba i r n , op. cit., pp.
189, 190.
14Wi l l i am En f i e l d , T h e History o f Philosophy From the Earliest Periods, bo o k 2, ch a p. 3,
p. 87.
mo vi n g f orce, wh i ch br o u gh t o r d e r o u t o f ch aos, h e d e si gn ate d
as In te l l e ct (Nous), o r al l -pe r vad i n g Mi n d . Re je cti n g th e
f ate co nce pt, h e i mpu te d i t to reaso n. Mi n d i s i n f i n i te an d
abso l u te , an d Anaxago r as made n o d i sti n cti o n be twe e n mi n d
an d so u l . He al so h e l d to a Dual i sm, as i n d i cate d by th e
mo vi n g f o r ce an d th e mo ve d mass.
An d h e stressed th e o ppo si ti o n be twe e n th e i n te l l e ctu al
an d th e ph ysi cal . Reaso n, h e sai d, was th e pr i me mo ve r , e mpl o y
i n g ai r , wate r , an d f i re as agents. Such was An axago r as cos
mo go ny. C o mpo u n d s were n o t f o r mati o n , bu t ar r an ge me n ts.
T h u s al l par ts o f th e an i mal bo dy pr e-exi st i n f o o d, an d ar e
me r e l y co l l e cte d th e r e f r o m. I n f act, al l th e ph e n o me n a of l i f e
ar e e xpl ai n e d i n h i s Magi an d o ctr i n e of Dual i sm be twe e n mi n d
an d matte r .16
Ro h d e cal l s h i m th e f i rst deci si ve an d co nsci o us d u al i st
amo n g Gr e e k ph i l o so ph e r s. 14He sets mi n d an d matte r
o ve r agai nst each o th e r , an d mi n d i s po wer of th o u gh t an d f orce
o f wi l l . Sel f -exi stent mi n d i nf l uences matte r wi th o u t i tse l f
be i n g mo ve d by i t. No w, as an i mate d bei ngs spr i n g f r o m th e
Wo r l d -Mi n d , i n d i vi d u al soul s ar e th e r e f o r e n o t sel f -exi stent
af te r th e d i sso l u ti o n of th e u n i te d . T h u s th e vi ew i s def i
n i te l y ascr i be d to h i m th at separation from the body is also ' the
souls death. He d i d n o t, h o wever , te ach th e i n d e str u cti bi l i ty
o f th e i n d i vi d u al s pi r i t. 17I t was al l specul ati ve .
Dr . R. H. C h ar l e s adds th at th e co n ti n u e d pe r so n al i mmo r
tal i ty o f th e so ul was
i n co n ce i vabl e f r o m An axago r as pr i n ci pl e o f an al l -pe r vad i n g mi n d .
Fo r th o u gh th i s mi n d i n d i vi d u al i ze d i tse l f i n ce r tai n ma te r i al co mbi n a
ti o n s, i t r e ti r e d i n to i tse l f o n th e d i sso l u ti o n o f th e se . w
Because o f h i s th e i sti c teach i ngs, Anaxago r as was accused
o f ath e i sm an d i mpi e ty, as h e cl ai me d th e su n to be a r e d -h o t
sto ne , n o t a d i vi n e bei ng. An d because o f th i s an d o th e r te ach
i ngs, such as h i s Pe r si an Dual i sm, h e was cast i n to pr i so n an d
15Ro h d e , op. ci t., pp. 386-388.
I b id. , p. 386.
17Ibid ., p. 388. (I t a l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
18C h a r l e s , T he Doctrine of a Future L ife , p. 150.
co n d e mn e d to d e ath . Bu t h e escaped an d e n d e d h i s days i n
exi l e. I t sh o u l d be n o te d th at po pu l ar r e vo l t was de ve l o pi n g
agai n st th e e r r ati c spe cul ati o ns of ph i l o so ph y, several ph i l o s
o ph e r s h avi n g h ad to f l ee an d some h avi n g suf f er ed d e ath .1
3. A t o m i s t s : C o n s c i o u s E x i s t e n c e D i s a p p e a r s a t D e a t h .
At th i s ju n ctu r e th e Ato mi st Sch ool was f o u n d e d i n r e vo l t
agai nst cu r r e n t ph i l o so ph i cal co n te n ti o n s. I t was e stabl i sh e d by
L e u c i p p u s (fl . 500 b . c . ) an d h i s gr e ate r pu pi l D e m o c r i t u s (460-
355 b . c . ) . Expe r ts agree th at Le u ci ppu s gave th e f i rst cl e ar state
me n t of philosophical materialism. C o n te mpo r ar y myth i cal cos
mo go ny was r e je cte d i n f avo r of a me ch an i cal e xpl an ati o n . T h e
Ato mi sts h e l d th at matte r i tse l f co n tai n s al l th at i s necessary f o r
an u n d e r stan d i n g of th e wo r l d str u ctu r e . An d th e soul , th e y
sai d, i s n o e xce pti o n . I t i s co r po r e al , co mpo sed of f i r e an d soul -
ato ms, th e f i nest an d mo st acti ve o f al l , ef f ecti ng th e mo ve me n t
of l i vi n g th i ngs.
Mo r eo ver , as th ey exi st, th e se ato ms ar e e n d o we d wi th sen
sati o n o n l y as th e y come to ge th e r i n ce r tai n r e l ati o n sh i ps, as
i n th e case o f th e h u man body. So th e Ato mi sts l i kewi se mai n
tai n e d th at consci o usness di sappe ar s wi th th e d i sso l u ti o n of th e
body, f r o m wh i ch th e so ul -ato ms wer e co mpl e te l y se par ate d.
An d so se par ate d , i t i s i mpo ssi bl e th at th e y sh o u l d ever r e tu r n
to i t.20T h e bo dy i s th e vessel o f th e so ul , wh i ch i s th e d i vi n e
i n th i ngs. Bu t th e soul , d i s tr i bu te d th r o u gh o u t th e u n i ve r se ,
i s th e De i tyth e Wo r l d-So ul an d Re aso n . 21
Star ti n g wi th ato ms an d th e vo i d, th e Ato mi sts, wi th th e
ph ysi cal bases of th e i r system, h e l d th at al l th i ngs ar e co m
po sed o f i nvi si bl e , i n tan gi bl e , an d i n d i vi d u al par ti cl e s o r ato ms,
wh i ch by r easo n of var i ati o n i n th e i r co n f i gu r ati o n , co mbi n a
ti o n , o r po si ti o n, gi ve r i se to th e var i e ti e s of f o r ms. Bu t to th e
ato m i tse l f th ey i mpu te d self-existence an d eternal duration.
T h a t i s h o w th e many can ar i se f r o m one.
An d th i s ge n e r al f o r mati ve pr i n ci pl e o f n atu r e th e y r e gar d e d
19Dr a pe r , op. cit., p. 111.
20Ze l l e r , History of Greek Philosophy, vo l . 2, pp. 256-261.
21Ib id . , pp. 262-264.
as th e l aw o f desti ny, o r f ate. T h u s pr o d u cti o n of new th i n gs
i s o nl y ne w aggregati o ns. An d co ntr ar i wi se , th e decay o f th e
o l d i s si mpl y se par ati o ns. An d th e so ul i s a f i nel y co n sti tu te d
f o r m f i tte d i n to a grosser bo d i l y f rame. Skepti cal Ato mi sts even
we n t so f ar as to assert th at th e wo r l d i s an i l l usi ve ph an tasm,
an d th at th e r e i s n o Go d.
C o n ce r n i n g man , th ey h o l d th at br e ath i n g draws i n f resh
so ul stu f f f r o m th e ai r , su ppl yi n g i t to th e body. He nce ,
wh e n br e ath i n g ceases, d e ath ensues, because of an i nsuf f i ci ent
su ppl y o f th e an i mati n g atoms. T h u s at d e ath th e u n i f i e d soul
ceases to exi st. Ro h d e states th e i r co n te n ti o n th us:
T h e continued existence of the soul after death, an i mmo r tal i ty
i n wh ate ve r ma n n e r th e th i n g may be co n ce i ve d , i s h e r e f o r th e f i r st ti me
i n th e h i sto r y o f Gr e e k th o u gh t, expressly denied 43
T h a t was f i f th -ce ntur y ph i l o so ph i cal mate r i al i sm as i t pe r
tai n e d to th e so ul an d i mmo r tal i ty. I t was a co n f u si n g pi ctu r e .
4. So ph i s t s : B r i n g S pe cu l a t i v e P h i l o s o ph y t o a S t a n d
s t i l l . In ph i l o so ph y th e co nf l i ct o f u n i ty agai nst mu l ti pl i ci ty
was r eso l ved by th e ato mi st th e o r y ad vance d by Empedo cl e s
an d Anaxago r as o n mi n d , o r nous, an d be f o r e th at by Le u ci p
pus. Ho we ver , ph i l o so ph y tu r n e d f r o m ph ysi cs to eth i cs, an d
so o n th e So ph i sts (f i f th ce n tu r y b.c.) became th e te ach er s o f
Gr eece, an d advo cates of th e su bje cti vi ty of standar ds.
As al r e ad y n o te d , th e star ti n g po i n t of Gr e ci an ph i l o so ph y
was th e ph ysi cal . T h e e ar th was co n si d e r e d th e ce n te r o f al l . So
an e xpl an ati o n o f th e o r i gi n an d de sti ny o f th e wo r l d an d of
man was u n d e r take n . I n te n ti o n an d desi gn wer e appar e n t. Bu t
th e h e l i o ce n tr i c co n ce pt o f th e pl an e tar y system was i n tr o d u ce d ,
an d th e e ar th r e d u ce d to a su bo r d i n ate po si ti o n. An d as we h ave
seen, pan th e i sti c n o ti o n s of th e n atu r e o f th e wo r l d became
pr o n o u n ce d , an d th e i n e vi tabl e po stul ate s o f e man ati o n , tr an s
mi gr ati o n , an d abso r pti o n wer e i n tr o d u ce d . T h e n th e i d e a
th at matte r , mo ti o n , an d ti me ar e ph an to ms o f th e i magi n ati o n
came to th e f o r e th at ato ms an d space al o n e exi st.
22Dr a pe r , op. cit., pp. 124-126.
23Ro h d e , op. ci t., p. 386. (I ta l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
An d n o w th e Soph i sts, teach er s o f pr acti cal wi sdo m, appe ar
th e o u tgr o wth o f pe cu l i ar co n d i ti o n s an d th e ti me pl ayi n g
u p th e spe cu l ati o n s of o n e sch ool agai nst th o se of an o th e r an d
r e pr e se n ti n g th e m al l as of l i ttl e o r n o val ue. P r o t a g o r a s (f i f th
ce n tu r y b . c . ) was o ne o f th e f i rst. So i t was th at speculative
physical philosophy was br o u gh t to a stan d sti l l , wi th n o co n
str u cti ve al ter nati ve.*4T h e f ate of th e soul came to th e f o r e
f r o n t o f di scussi o n. Ro h d e states Pr o tago r as po si ti o n th us:
De ath , a n d wh ate ve r may r e ve al i tse l f af te r d e ath , i s be yo n d th e
e xpe r i e n ce o f an y man . I t may be th a t co mpl e te d i sappe ar an ce i n to
n o th i n gn e ss f o l l o ws d e ath ; th a t th e d e ad man beco me s si mpl y n o th i n g. 58
So i t was th at th e Soph i sts, assai l i ng th e l e ad i n g ph i l o
so ph i cal co n te n ti o n s o f th e day, pe r so nal i ze d th e gr o wth o f
cr i ti cal i n qu i r y. Obse r vi n g th e co nf l i cti ng ph i l o so ph i cal sch ool s
an d th e i r co n tr ad i cto r y co nce pti o ns, th e y ad r o i tl y an d so ph i sti -
cal l y co n te n d e d th at th e r e i s n o e stabl i sh e d tr u th , n o r e al
r e l i gi o n , n o su r e ju sti ce , n o u n assai l abl e vi r tu e th at th e o nl y
o bje ct i n l i f e i s r ati o n al ph ysi cal an d i n te l l e ctu al e n jo yme n t.
So th e so ul , some even h e l d , i s si mpl y th e aggr egate of th e
d i f f e r e n t mo me n ts o f th i n ki n g. T h u s th e y e n d e d i n bl e ak ske p
ti ci sm, i f n o t star k ath e i sm. T h a t was th e cri si s at th i s ju n ctu r e .2
T h u s th e Soph i sts of th e f i f th an d f o u r th ce n tu r i e s wer e n o t
so mu ch a sect as a pr o f essi o n. T h e y pr o f essed kno wl e dge o r
ski l l as te ach er s. T h e y d i f f e r e d so mu ch i n abi l i ty, ch ar acte r , an d
emph asi s th at Ar i sto tl e de f i ne d a So ph i st as a man wh o makes
mo ne y by sh am wi sdo m. T h u s th e wo r d came to co n n o te
so ph i str y. Bu t Gr o tto d e ni e s th i sth e y mi gh t be co mpar e d
to Vo l tai r e , Di d e r o t, an d Ro usseau i n th e Fr e n ch Re vo l u ti o n .
T h e So ph i sts i n cl u d e d l e ad i n g te ach er s l i ke Go r gi as an d
Pr o tago r as, mad e f amo us by Pl ato . Bu t th e f o u n d ati o n of th e i r
te ach i n g was l ai d i n skepti ci sm. G o r g i a s , f o r exampl e , e xpr essed
h i s n i h i l i sm i n th r e e pr o po si ti o n s: (1) No th i n g exi sts; (2) i f
an yth i n g e xi ste d i t co u l d n o t be kno wn ; an d (3) i f an yth i n g
24Dr a pe r , op. ci t., pp. 141, 142.
26Ro h d e , op. ci t. , p. 438.
M Dr a pe r , op. ci t., pp. 137, 138.
e xi ste d an d wer e kno wabl e , th at kno wl edge co u l d n o t be co m
mu n i cate d to o th e r s. P r o t a g o r a s h e l d th at kno wl edge i s so
var i abl e th at al l tr u th i s bu t r e l ati ve . No th i n g exi sts at any ti me ,
bu t e ve r yth i n g i s al ways i n a state of beco mi ng. Even th e e xi st
e nce of th e gods i s u n ce r tai n . So th e l e ad i n g Soph i sts so u gh t to
an n i h i l ate bo th exi stence an d kno wl edge. I n th i s th e y wer e
o ppo se d by Socrates, Pl ato , an d Ar i sto tl e .
5. S u c h a S u r v e y J u s t i f i a b l e a n d E s s e n t i a l . A we i r d ,
co nf l i cti ng, an d o f t-co nf usi ng pan o r ama h as th u s u n f o l d e d be
f o r e us. Pr o po si ti o n an d co u n te r pr o po si ti o n , acti o n an d r e
acti o n , advance an d recessi o n, swi ngi ng to an d f ro , l i ke a vast
su r gi n g ti d e i n i ts i n e xo r abl e advance. C r u d i ti e s an d pu e r i l i ti e s
th at o f f end th e senses h ave i n te r mi n gl e d wi th majesti c o u t-
r each es af te r be tte r u n d e r stan d i n gs. Even br i ef l y to f ol l ow th e se
d e ve l o pme n ts wo u l d be prof i tl ess an d wear i so me wer e th e y n o t
vi tal l y co n n e cte d wi th th e gr e at Pl ato n i c po si ti o ns th at e ve n tu
ate d th e r e f r o m, an d wh i ch so mi gh ti l y i nf l u e n ce d th e ce n tu r i e s
th at f ol l ow. T h a t i s th e ju sti f i cati o n f o r th e i r tr ace me n t h e r e .
T h e so ur ce an d o r i gi n of man y o f Pl ato s co nce pts u n mi stakabl y
stem f r o m th e se e ar l i e r ph i l o so ph e r s an d po ets we h ave ju s t
sur veyedan d back to th e i r spawn i n g gr o u n d i n Egypt an d th e
Or i e n t.
I n th e l i gh t o f al l th i s, i t i s th e r e f o r e bo th ju sti f i abl e an d
essenti al to ge t th e i mpo r t o f th i s secti o n o f th e sear ch f o r
i mmo r tal i ty. Di staste f ul as th i s search may appe ar at f i r st, as
wel l as a bi t wear i so me an d pro f i tl ess, i t i s an u n avo i d abl e par t
of th e i n d i spe n sabl e backgr o u n d f o r o u r qu e st o f th e be gi n n i n gs
o f th e i mpo si n g Innate -Immo r tal i ty-o f -th e -so u l co n ce pt th at
wel l -ni gh swept al l be f o r e i t, o nce i t was syncr eti zed an d co m
pl e te d by Pl ato , an d f i nal l y acce pte d by a co mpr o mi si n g C h r i s
ti an i ty i n th e seco nd an d th i r d ce n tu r i e s.
Pl ato wi l l th e r e f o r e be gi ve n speci al se par ate coverage.
Bu t f i rst we pause f o r Ar i sto tl e , an d th e af te r math , be f o r e pr o
cee di ng. We wi l l sh o r tl y be i n a po si ti o n to r eco gni ze, u n d e r
stan d , an d e val u ate Pl ato s syncr eti zed po si ti o ns, so o n to be
di scussed at some l e n gth , i n r e l ati o n to th ese an te ce d e n t co n
cepts of th e var i o us ph i l o so ph i cal sch ool s.
6. U n p a r a l l e l e d I m p a c t o f G r e c i a n P h i l o s o p h y . T h i s
ch apte r cl oses wi th th e r e i te r ati n g o f th e f act th at n o n ati o n of
an ti qu i ty e ve r mad e so gr e at an i mpact o n th e i n te l l e ctu al l i f e
o f man as d i d Greece, si tu ate d o n a smal l , r o ck-bo u n d Me d i
te r r an e an pe n i n su l a. T h o u gh r e l ati ve l y f ew i n n u mbe r , th e
Gr eeks l e f t an i n d e l i bl e i mpr i n t o n al l su bse qu e n t ph i l o so ph y,
th eo l o gy, me d i ci n e , ar t, po e tr y, l i te r atu r e , l ogi c, d r ama, l aw,
sci ence, go ve r n me n t, math e mati cs, an d astr o no my.
Bu t i t i s pr i mar i l y th e ph i l o so ph i co r e l i gi o u s angl e th at co n
cer ns o u r que st. T h e Gr eeks str essed th e i de a of man s u n i qu e
wo r th , th e su mmi t of th e i r ph i l o so ph e r s co n te n ti o n be i n g th e
gl o r y o f man h i s I n n ate I mmo r tal i ty an d h i s tr an sce n d e n t de s
ti ny. Pl ato was ad mi tte d l y th e gr e ate st ph i l o so ph e r o f th i s gi f te d
pe o pl e . An d o n e o f h i s majo r co nce r ns was th e o r i gi n , n atu r e ,
an d d e sti n y o f man. T o th i s h e appl i e d h i mse l f u n r e mi tti n gl y.
But his was the pursuit of truth without benefit of divine
guidance, without the protective counsel of inspired prophets,
or the surety of an inerrant Guidebook. I t was sh eer , u n ai d e d
h u man i n te l l e ct, atte mpti n g by h u man wi sdom al o n e to search
o u t th e tr u t h o n th e n atu r e an d de sti ny of man . Hi s co nce pts
stan d wi th o u t a par al l e l i n th e pe r man e n ce of th e i r i mpr ess
u po n al l su bse qu e n t ge n e r ati o n s. Bu t th e y wer e i n mo r tal co n
f l i ct wi th th e Wo r d of Go d.
C H A P T E R T H I R T Y - O N E
Pl a t o Pagan Fo u n tai n h e ad of
In n ate -Immo r tal i ty Streams
Wh e n o n e appr o ach e s th e study of Pl ato s po stul ate s o n th e
i mmo r tal i ty o f th e so ul , two backgr o u n d f acts sh o u l d be bo r n e
i n mi n d : (1) Several Gr e e k ph i l o so ph e r s h ad pr e ce d e d Pl ato
i n h o l d i n g to Immo r tal -So ul i sm i n var yi n g f o rms an d degrees
th at h i s was a synth esi s, as wel l as an advance; an d (2) th e co n
ce pt o f I n n ate Immo r tal i ty was n o t th e po pu l ar o r ge n e r al
vi ew cu r r e n t i n Greece. Rath e r , i t was th e te ach i n g of a smal l
gr o u p, ch i ef l y o f ph i l o so ph e r s, wi th Pl ato pr e -e mi n e n t.
P l a t o (427-347 B .C .) , f amo us Gr e e k ph i l o so ph e r o f Ath e n s,
i s ge n e r al l y r e co gni ze d as o ne o f th e gr e ate st th i n ke r s o f al l
an ti qu i ty. I n sh e e r massi ve spe cul ati ve th o u gh t an d l o gi cal
r e aso n i n g h e i s co n si d e r e d unsu r passe d amo n g al l pagan ph i
l o so ph ers. Of d i sti n gu i sh e d f ami l y an d th e h i gh e st tr ai n i n g, h e
was f i rst i n te r e ste d i n po e tr y, th e n i n state cr af t. Bu t wh e n h e be
came a pu pi l o f Socrates th e cu r r e n t o f h i s l i f e ch ange d.
Hi s cl ose acqu ai n tan ce wi th Socrates (u n ti l th e l a tte r s
d e ath ) br o u gh t h i m u n d e r th e spel l o f ph i l o so ph i c te ach i ng,
an d tu r n e d h i m f r o m po e tr y an d pu bl i c l i f e to th e pi n n acl e o f
ph i l o so ph y. An d h e, i n tu r n , became th e te ach e r o f th e cel e
br ate d Ar i sto tl e . T h u s th e mai n d e ve l o pme n t o f Gr e e k ph i l o s
o ph y f l ows f r o m Socrates th r o u gh Pl ato an d Ar i sto tl e . T h e
se que nce an d o ve r l ap l ooks so me wh at l i ke th i s:
Socrates (470-399 b . c . )
PLAT O (427-347 b . c . )
Ar i sto tl e (384-322 b . c . )
Pl ato stands wi th o u t a pe e r amo n g th e me n o f ge ni us i n th e
558
Fro m Socrates th e Mai n De
vel opment of Greek Ph i
l osoph y Fl owed On T h r o u gh
Pl ato and Ari stotl e.
ph i l o so ph i cal wo r l d. He was th e f o u n d e r of th e Ol d e r Academy
at Ath e ns, wh i ch co n ti n u e d wi th o u t a br e ak u n ti l di sso l ved
e i gh t ce n tu r i e s l ate r , i n a . d . 529, by Empe r o r J u sti n i an . In d e e d ,
th e f o u n d i n g of th e Academy was th e tu r n i n g po i n t i n Pl ato s
car e e r an d a me mo r abl e e ve n t i n We ste r n Eu r o pe an h i sto r y.
I t was th e f i rst pe r man e n t i n s ti tu ti o n f o r th e pr o se cu ti o n of
sci enti f i c l e ar n i n g by resear ch , wi th pu r e math e mati cs as th e
co r e of th e cu r r i cu l u mth e pr o ge n i to r of th e me d i e val u n i
versi ty.
T h e tr agi c e n d of Socrates made a pr o f o u n d i mpr e ssi o n
u po n th e yo u th f u l Pl ato . He f e l t a sense of desti ny, d r i vi n g
h i m o n to devo te h i s l i f e to th e d e ve l o pme n t o f ph i l o so ph y o n
an i n d e pe n d e n t basi s an d to co mmi t h i s te ach i n g to wr i ti n g
f o r ge n e r ati o n s to come. In pr e par ati o n h e tr ave l e d f o r te n
years, acqu ai n ti n g h i mse l f wi th th e ph i l o so ph i e s of h i s day. He
stu d i e d i n Egypt, C yr ene, Si ci l y, an d gr e ate r Gr eece. Hi s wi de
tr avel s, h i s acqu ai n tan ce wi th Socrates, h i s r e tu r n to Ath ens,
an d h i s e stabl i sh me n t of th e Academy, wer e th e pr e l i mi n ar i e s
559
560
C ONDIT IONALIST FAIT H
of h i s r e mar kabl e car e e r , wi th i ts amazi ng i nf l uence u po n th e
th i n ke r s of su bse qu e n t ce n tu r i e s.
I. In te r e st C e n te r e d i n Or i gi n , Natu r e , an d Desti ny o f Soul
1. Su pr e me A t t e mpt s t o I n t e r p r e t R i d d l e o f L i f e .
Li ke Socrates be f o r e h i m, Pl ato s i n te r e st co n ce r n i n g man ce n
te r e d i n th e o r i gi n , n atu r e , an d de sti ny of th e so ul . Hi s o wn
str e am h ad i ts i n spi r ati o n f r o m th e Socr ati c f o u n tai n . Bu t h e
co u l d n o t r e st u n ti l h e h ad d e ve l o pe d th ose co ncepts, an d h ad
gi ve n th e m l i f e, f o r m, an d d i r e cti o n . He f e l t th at h e mu st me e t
th e pr e vai l i n g skepti ci sm an d u n r ave l th e secrets of th e gr ave
acco r di ng, of co ur se, to h i s pagan concepts.
An d i n Pl ato th e so u l s d i gni ty, vi tal i ty, th e i n d e pe n d e n ce
o f th e body, th e d i vi n e o r i gi n of al l , pr o pi ti ati o n , ju d gme n t, an d
mo r al r e war d f o r al l sur e l y r each th e i r l o f ti est pagan expr essi o n.
As a r e su l t th e Pl ato n i c di al o gues r eveal th e su pr e me atte mpt of
sh e e r u n ai d e d h u man r easo n to i n te r pr e t th e r i d d l e of l i f e an d
i mmo r tal i ty.
Wi th Pl ato , h o wever, ph i l o so ph y to o k o n a r emo te ne ss
f r o m pr acti cal co ncer ns, an d became abso r be d i n pu r e i n te l -
l e ctual i sm, di vo r ce d f ro m everyday l i f e. In th i s h e di f f e r e d f r o m
Socrates, wh o was a man of th e peo pl e. Bu t Pl ato sto o d al o o f
f r o m th e wo r l d, abso r be d i n tr an sce n d e n tal dr eams an d ab
str acti o n s, as so meo ne h as pu t i t. He was an ar i sto cr at, wi th
d i sd ai n f o r th e o pi n i o n of th e masses. So h e l e f t th e o ppo r
tu n i ti e s o f pu bl i c l i f e th at wo u l d i n h i bi t f r e e do m of th o u gh t
an d acti o n.
2. I mpa ct o n J e w i s h a n d C h r i s t i a n T h o u gh t . T h o u gh
Pl ato was a pr e -C h r i sti an pagan ph i l o so ph e r , be yo nd qu e sti o n
n o si ngl e man d i d so mu ch to ch ange th e r e l i gi o u s co nce pt of
th e mu l ti tu d e s be yo n d h i s day, f i rst i n Jewry,1th e n i n ti me
1Pl a t o s i mpa ct o n J e wi s h t h o u gh t ca me t h r o u gh Ph i l o s r e ca s t i n g o f Pl a t o s syste m i n t o
Ne o pl a to n i s m, e l a bo r a t e d by Pl o ti n u s ( d . 270 A . D . ) , a n d be co mi n g a n t i -C h r i s t i a n u n d e r Po r ph yr y
( d . c. 305 a . d . ) .
PLAT OFOUNT AINHEAD OF INNAT E IMMORT ALIT Y 561
i n C h r i ste n d o m, f i rst i n Catholic ci rcl es, an d f i nal l y i n Protes
tant r anks. He was mo r e e mi n e n t th an e i th e r Socrates o r Ar i s
to tl e i n cr e ati n g an d se tti n g th e i mmo r tal i ty patte r n o f th e
f u tu r e an d i n r e d i r e cti n g th e cu r r e n t of h u man th o u gh t co n
ce r n i n g th e n atu r e an d d e sti n y of th e soul .
He was th e i n h e r i to r of th e o l d myth i cal co nce pts of
Ho me r an d Hesi o d, an d of th e Or ph i c sear ch i ngs i n to th e
myster i es of th e uni ve r se , wh e r e i n me n were co n si d e r e d e man a
ti o ns of th e dei ty. An d h e d r af te d f r eel y u po n th e me taph ysi cal
spe cu l ati o n s of th e l yri c poets. Bu t u n d e r Pl ato , th e o go ny be
came th eo l o gy, an d spe cu l ati o n became dogma.
Pl ato s wr i ti n gs e xe r te d a tr e me n d o u s i nf l ue nce n o t o nl y
u po n Ar i sto tl e , th e Stoi cs, C i cer o , an d Pl u tar ch , an d as n o te d
o n Ph i l o an d th e Ne o pl ato n i sts, bu t especi al l y o n e ar l y C h u r ch
Fath e r s l i ke Or i ge n . He al so pr o f o u n d l y af f ected Au gu sti n e .
As a co nse que nce , th r o u gh o u t th e Mi d d l e Ages, Pl ato n i c co n
cepts ach i e ve d a pe r man e n t pl ace i n Lati n C h r i sti an i ty.
T h e Re nai ssance l e d to a r evi val o f i n te r e st i n Pl ato . In
th e si xte e n th ce n tu r y th e r e was steady Pl ato n i c emph asi s o n
r e l i gi o n i n En gl an d , u n d e r J o h n C o l e t, J o h n Fi sh e r , an d
T h o mas Mo r e. An d i n th e se ve n te e n th ce n tu r y th e C ambr i d ge
Pl ato n i sts u r ge d th e r e tu r n of th eo l o gy to th e Pl ato n i c ph i l o s
o ph y pl atf o r m as an an ti d o te to co n tr o ve r si al ar i d i ti e s of
co n te mpo r ar y C al vi ni sm an d th e secul ar i sm of T h o mas Ho bbs.
Str o ng Pl ato n i c i nf l uences wer e al so pr e se n t amo n g var i o us
Engl i sh th e o l o gi an s of th e n i n e te e n th ce n tu r y, such as Be n jami n
J o we tt, F. D. Maur i ce , an d C h ar l e s Ki ngsl ey. On th e o th e r h an d ,
Pr o te stan t o r th o d o xy o n th e C o n ti n e n t, wi th i ts d i str u st of
n atu r al r e aso n, was ge n e r al l y h o sti l e to Pl ato ni sm.
I t sh o u l d be ad d e d th at Pl ato s twe nty-f o ur works r an ge
f r o m 22 pages to 418, i n th e i r mo d e r n pr i n te d f o r m. T h e bu l k
o f h i s wr i ti n gs ar e i n d i al o gu e f o r m, th e Ath e n i an mo de of di s
cussi on, o f te n se tti n g f o r th Socrates as th e pr i n ci pal spo kesman,
wi th var i o u s pu pi l s o r cr i ti cs taki n g par t i n th e di scussi o n 3
2Sch o l ar s a r e u n a bl e to d e t e r mi n e ju s t h o w f a r t h e s pe e ch e s r e pr e s e n t t h e be l i e f s o f
So cr ate s a n d i n t e r l o cu t o r s ,_ a n d h o w mu ch th e y vo i ce Pl a t o s o wn be l i e f s . Bu t t h a t th e y do
r e pr e s e n t Pl a t o s pe r s o n a l vi e ws i s co mmo n l y u n d e r s to o d .
th e d i al o gu e usual l y be i n g n ame d af te r a l e ad i n g pu pi l . T h e se
we wi l l e xami ne .
3. B a c k g r o u n d a n d E s s e n c e o f P l a t o s I m m o r t a l - S o u l -
i s m . Pl ato was d e f i ni te l y i n f l ue nce d by th e Or ph i c Mysteri es
an d Pyth ago r e an an d Zo r o astr i an co ncepts. T h e se al l me t, an d
were f use d i n to h i s co mpl e x d o ctr i n e o f th e i mmo r tal i ty o f th e
so ul , th e d i sti n cti o n of so ul an d bo dy,3an d th e i d e n ti f i cati o n
o f so ul wi th mi n d . T h i s pl aced h i s i mmo r tal i ty th esi s o n a new
f o o ti ng.
T h e Pl ato n i c d o ctr i n e i s f i rst an d l ast a d o ctr i n e of th e
persistence of th e soul . Acco r di ng to Pl ato , i mmo r tal i ty i s a
qu al i ty i n h e r e n t i n man, a co nse que nce o f h i s n atu r e . Al l of
Pl ato s l o gi c an d i magi n ati o n wer e spe n t i n pr o o f o f th i s o n e
po stu l ate at wh ate ve r cost to o th e r co ncepts. He su stai n e d i t
by ar gu i n g th e so u l s desi r e an d capaci ty f o r kno wl edge, i ts
si mpl e an d i nvi si bl e n atu r e (th e n i ts th r e e f o l d an d co mpl i
cate d n atu r e ), i ts essenti al an d i nvi si bl e ch ar acte r , th e po we r of
r e mi n i sce n ce , th e ci r cl e of n atu r e , an d such l i ke.
Wi th th i s came th e i n e vi tabl e an d i n se par abl e do gma o f
tr an smi gr ati o n th e exi stence of th e soul i n a par ti cu l ar bo dy
as a pu n i s h me n t f o r th e si ns of a pr evi o us i n car n ati o n . An d th e
do o m of i ts si ns i n th e pr e se n t bo dy was i ts descent i n to o th e r
bo di e s an d th e po stpo n e me n t of i ts f i nal de l i ver ance . T o Pl ato
i mmo r tal i ty an d pr e-exi stence were abso l ute l y i n se par abl e .
4. P r e s e n t L i f e O n e E p i s o d e i n E n d l e s s S e q u e n c e . Si nce
th e so ul i s i mmo r tal , o u r pr e se n t l i f e i s, h e h el d, o nl y o n e e pi
sode i n i ts endl ess h i sto r y. If th i s be so, th e so ul mu st l o n g ago
h ave l e ar n e d e ve r yth i ng, an d needs o nl y to be pu t i n mi n d of
so me th i n g te mpo r ar i l y f o r go tte n . T h i s was h i s d o ctr i n e o f r e c
o l l e cti o n . Kno wl edge i s r e co l l e cti o n r e me mbe r i n g wh at th e
so ul knew be f o r e bi r th . T h u s:
T h e so u l , th e n , as be i n g i mmo r tal , an d h avi n g be e n bo r n agai n
man y ti mes, an d h avi n g se en al l th i n gs th a t e xi st, wh e th e r i n th i s wo r l d
o r i n th e wo r l d be l o w, h as kn o wl e d ge o f th e m al l ; an d i t i s n o wo n d e r
3 Se e Le wi s C a mpbe l l , Religion o f Greek Literature, pp. 350, 351.
t h a t sh e sh o u l d be abl e to cal l to r e me mbr an ce al l th a t sh e e ve r kn e w
a bo u t vi r tu e an d abo u t e ve r yth i n g (81c).4
T r u t h , Pl ato ave r r e d, i s e te r n al . An d si nce tr u t h exi sts
o n l y as appr e h e n d e d by th e mi n d , th e r e f o r e th e mi n d , o r so ul ,
mu st be e te r n al . I n Meno, Pl ato ackno wl edges th e i mmo r tal i ty
th esi s as spr i n gi n g f r o m po e ti c myth . T h a t i s atte ste d f r o m th e
way i t i s i n tr o d u ce d by th e expr e ssi o n po ets an d pr i e sts
wh i ch i s th e r e gu l ar way o f i n tr o d u ci n g a myth . 5
5. T h r e e M a i n A r g u m e n t s o f I n d e f e a s i b l e I m m o r t a l i t y .
We may summar i ze Pl ato s th r e e mai n ar gu me n ts f o r th e i m
mo r tal i ty o f th e so ul as th e po stu l ate s of :
a. RebirthLi vi n g soul s co me f r o m th e dead, an d th e d e ad
f r o m th e l i vi ng. T h e so ul bo r n i n to th i s wo r l d i s o ne th at h as
come back f r o m th e o th e r wo r l d to wh i ch th e so ul goes at
d e ath . T h e bo dy i s si mpl y th e i n s tr u me n t th at th e so ul uses
wh i l e h e r e so th e r e i s a d o u bl e jo u r n e y.
b. RecollectionKno wl edge of a f o r me r stage of exi stence
i s r e tai n e d by th e so ul af te r th e d e ath of th e bo dy i n th i s
cycl i cal r e cu r r e n ce . T h e so ul was f ul l y i n te l l i ge n t be f o r e i t was
e mbo d i e d . T h e r e f o r e th e so ul i s so me th i n g di vi ne , an d i n n o
d an ge r of di ssi pati o n . In d e f e asi bl e i mmo r tal i ty an d i n d e str u ct
i bi l i ty (as wel l as pre-exi stence) f o l l o w as a matte r of co urse.
c. The Idea conceptT h e ke yno te of Pl ato n i c ph i l o s
o ph y i s th i s th e o r y of i de as, th at r e al i ty bel o ngs n o t to th e
i n d i vi d u al mate r i al th i n g (a tr e e , a man , th i s bo o k), bu t to
th e an te ce d e n t idea of th e tr e e , man , o r bo o k. T h e tan gi bl e
th i n gs are, h e h e l d , bu t f l eeti ng an d pe r i sh abl e , me r e copi es of
th e f o r m o r i d e a, wh i ch abi des i n ch angel ess u n i ty f o r ever .
An d to r e co ve r th i s i s th e sol e o bje ct of kno wl edge.
Bu t at best Pl ato s co n te n ti o n s wer e o nl y a sur mi se, a h o pe,
a co n je ctu r e th at th e r e mu st be so me th i n g be yo nd th e grave
at l east f o r th e soul s of a n o bl e f ew. Dr . R. H. C h ar l es, al so
stresses th e i mpo r tan t f act th at
4Be n ja mi n J o we t t , Platos Meno, i n L i br a r y o f L i be r a l Ar ts , No . 12 (h e r e a f t e r a bbr e vi
a t e d to L L A ), p. 37.
5G. M. A. Gr u be , Platos Thought, p. 124, n o te 1.
th e i mmo r tal i ty o f th e so ul n e ve r be came a pa r t o f th e n ati o n al [Gr e e k]
cr e e d , bu t r e mai n e d th e pe cu l i ar pr o pe r ty o f i n d i vi d u al th e o l o gi an s an d
ph i l o s o ph e r s. 9
Ge n e r al i ty of acceptance was to co me to ce r tai n gr o ups
l ate r . Bu t i t was n o t sh ar e d by many co n te mpo r ar i e s. No w l e t
us tr ace th e u n f o l d i n g story.
I I . C o mpl ex In vo l ve ments o f Pl ato s Immo r tal i ty Po stu l ate s
T h e ju sti f i cati o n an d th e necessi ty f o r th i s extensi ve e xami
n ati o n of Pl ato s vi ews are, f i rst, th at o nl y as we ar e acqu ai n te d
wi th Pl ato s basi c pr o po si ti o n s wi l l we be i n a po si ti o n to r eco g
ni ze th e si mi l ar i ty of vi ew an d th e h eavy d r af t mad e u po n
Pl ato s th o u gh t an d te r mi no l o gy, f i rst by Ph i l o th e J e w an d th e n
by Or i ge n th e C h r i sti an wi th gr avel y d e vi ati n g ef f ects u po n
bo th f ai th s. An d , second, th e pr i n ci pl e th at f aul ty premi ses
i n e vi tabl y l e ad to u n so u n d an d f al se co ncl usi o ns wi l l beco me
i ncr e asi ngl y appar e n t as we pr o ce e d .7
1. O r i g i n a n d N a t u r e o f t h e C o s m o s . Pl ato e xpl ai n s
th e o r i gi n an d n atu r e of th e cosmos as e mbr aci n g th e e te r n al
patte r n , th e mate r i al s, an d th e De mi u r ge , wh o br i n gs
abo u t i n th e r e ce ptacl e th e ne ar e st l i keness of th e patte r n
wh i ch i t i s po ssi bl e to pr o d u ce . Hi s Timaeus di sti n gu i sh e s be
tween th at wh i ch al ways i s an d h as n o be co mi n g, an d th at
wh i ch i s al ways be co mi ng bu t n e ve r i s. 8
2. C o n f l i c t i n g R e c i t a l s o f C r e a t i o n o f M a n . Pr o f esso r
J o we tt, th e Pl ato au th o r i ty, br i n gs o u t th e f act th at two wi del y
co nf l i cti ng tal es o f th e cr e ati o n of th e uni ve r se an d o f man ar e
pr o je cte d by Pl ato (47c, 69a-90d).I n th e Timaeus th e Make r
6C h ar l e s , T he Doctrine of a Future L i f e , p. 156.
7T h e pu r po s e o f th i s wo r k i s n o t to pr e s e n t a n e w cr i t i ca l tr a n s l a ti o n o f Pl a t o 's o r i gi n al
Gr e e k te xts . Acce pt a bl e s t a n d a r d t r a n s l a ti o n s h a ve be e n d e l i be r a t e l y e mpl o ye d . Ou r o bje cti ve
i s to an al yze a n d pr e s e n t t h e r e co r d e d e vi d e n ce , a n d to d r a w val i d co n cl u s i o n s f r o m r e co gn i ze d
tr a n s l a ti o n s th u s to f o l l o w th e co n t i n u i n g s to r y u n i mpe d e d by t e ch n i ca l mi n u t i a e . We
a r e h e r e tr a ci n g t h e l a r ge r o ve r -al l Pl a t o n i c po s i ti o n s , so as to gr a s p t h e i r bas i c po s tu l a te s , a n d
t h e i r e f f e cts f i r s t u po n J e wr y a n d th e n o n t h e C h r i s t i a n C h u r ch .
8Gl e n n R. Mo r r o w, I n t r o d u ct i o n to J o we t t . Platos Timaeus, i n L L A, No . 14, p. 15.
9J o we t t , Timaeus, i n L L A, No . 14, pp. 29, 30, 52-73.
f i rst cr eates th e uni ve r se , th e n del egates th e cr e ati o n of man an d
an i mal s to an i n f e r i o r o r d e r of gods, f o r th e cr e ato r cr e ate d
many gods, of wh o m h e i s th e ar ti f i ce r an d f ath e r . T h e y
r ece i ve f r o m h i m th e d i vi n e an d i mmo r tal e l e me n tth at i s,
th e so u l an d co mbi n e i t i n d u e pr o po r ti o n wi th th e mate r i al
an d pe r i sh abl e . T h u s man came i n to bei ng.
Bu t evi l was bo r n i n h i m by r easo n of h i s co mpo si te
n atu r e . Eve r yth i n g goo d an d evi l , h e h o l ds, o r i gi n ate s i n th e
so ul an d spr eads to th e body. If man struggl es agai n st h i s
passi ons an d desi res, h e can make h i s pi l gr i mage u n h ar me d .
If h e yi el ds to te mptati o n s h e (an d n o t th e C r e ato r ) i s r e spo n
si bl e f o r h i s evi l state .10T h a t i s o n e co nce pt of th e i n ce pti o n
of evi l th at was pr o je cte d .
On th e o th e r h an d , i n th e Statesman (269 f f .), th e r i d d l e
of th e u n i ve r se recei ves a d i f f e r e n t an d co n tr ad i cto r y so l u ti o n .
T h e r e was a ti me , th e tal e goesa Go l d e n Age i n th e d i stan t
pastwh e n, acco r d i n g to a ce l e br ate d l e gend, th e d e i ty (or
cr e ato r ) pr e si d e d o ver th e r e vo l u ti o n s of th e wo r l d, an d man
l i ved i n i nno ce nce . But, i n th e process of ti me, th e d i vi n e
pi l o t of th e u n i ve r se wi th d r e w h i s h an d f r o m th e co ntr o l s,
an d th e un i ve r se be gan to r ever se i ts r o tati o n , an d th e d e str u c
ti o n o f al l cr e atu r e s r e su l te d .
T h e n , acco r d i n g to th e myth , a new r ace succeeded. At
f i rst al l was wel l . Bu t gr ad u al l y th e evi l i n h e r e n t i n matte r
r e asse r te d i tsel f , an d th e wo r l d was soon r e ad y f o r ch aos
agai n. T h e n th e d e i ty agai n to o k co n tr o l , r e sto r i n g o r d e r to
cr e ati o n an d maki n g th e wo r l d i mmo r tal an d sel f -cr eati ng i n
th e cosmi c ch ange. Men an d ani mal s no w r e pr o d u ce d th e i r
o wn speci es, af te r th e i r ki nds, an d ci vi l i zati o n d e ve l o pe d (Laws
677 f f .). He r e i s Pl ato s we i r d pr e se n tati o n i n h i s o wn words,
ti e d i n wi th h i s tr an smi gr ati o n pr emi se:
Fo r wh e n th i s wh o l e o r d e r o f th i n gs h ad co me to i ts d e s ti n e d e n d ,
th e r e mu st n e e d s be u n i ve r sal ch an ge o n ce mo r e . Fo r d i e e a r th bo r n
r ace h ad by n o w be co me qu i te e xh au ste d each so ul h ad r u n th r o u gh
10C f . Pl a t o , The Republic 617, i n Lo e b C l as s i cal L i br a r y (h e r e a f t e r a bbr e vi a t e d to
L C L ), Plato T h e Republic, vo l . 2, pp. 503-505.
Under Pl ato , One of th e Greatest T h i n ke r s of Al l Anti qui ty, Immortal -Soul i sm
Reach ed Its Amazi ng Hei gh t.
i ts appo i n te d n u mbe r o f bi r th s an d h ad r e tu r n e d as se ed to th e e ar th
as man y ti mes as h ad be e n o r d ai n e d f o r i t (272 e).n
So a mysti cal h aze i s cast, by Pl ato , o ver th e o r i gi n o f evi l
an d th e gr o wth o f ci vi l i zati o n amo n g me n .
3. E pi t o me o f P l a t o s C o n ce pt o f So u l .J o we tt, i n th e
maste r i n d e x to h i s two -vo l ume tr an sl ati o n of The Dialogues
u J . B. Ske mp, Platos Statesman, i n L L A, No . 57. pp. 29-32.
18J o we t t , The Dialogues of Plato, vo l . 2, pp. 484, 485. Se e al so M a r t i n Os wal d , I n t r o
d u ct i o n t o Ske mp, Platos Statesman, i n L L A, No . 57, pp. 24-27.
566
of Plato, abl y summar i zes Pl ato s teach i ngs o n th e soul u n d e r
several h eads. T h i s wi l l pr o vi d e an o ve r al l vi ew of Pl ato s
cu r i o u s co nce ptswi th some u n avo i d abl e r e pe ti ti o n :
a. T h e so ul al l egedl y exi sts pr i o r to th e bo dy (Timaeus
34 e)th e bo dy to be i ts ser vant, h e e d i n g i ts co mmands, wh i l e
th e soul e ve r seeks to escape f r o m th e bo dy i n wh i ch i t i s
e ncage d, o r e n to mbe d , th u s to go to i ts h o me wi th God.
b. I n th e Laws th e r e ar e two so ul sa goo d an d an evi l
(Laws 896). Such a Dual i sm seeks to acco u n t f o r th e exi stence
o f evi l . (In Timaeus, Pl ato e xpl ai n s th e wi ckedness of man
by th e h ypo th e si s of th i s second, o r mo r tal so u l as th e
wo r k o f th e i n f e r i o r gods, an d i n wh i ch passi ons an d desi res
h ave th e i r se at.)
c. T h e di vi si o n of th e so ul i n to th r e e el e me nts, reaso n,
spi r i t, appe ti te (o r desi r es) . . . i s mad e th e means of cl assi f y
i ng th e d i f f e r e n t f orms of go ve r n me n t. Vi r tu e i s th e h ar mo n y
. . . of th ese el e me nts, wh e n th e d i ctate s of r e aso n ar e e nf o r ce d
by passi on agai nst th e appe ti te s, wh i l e vi ce i s th e anar ch y o r di s
co r d of th e so ul wh en passi o n an d appe ti te jo i n i n r e be l l i o n
agai nst r e aso n .
d. T h e pr e-exi stence of th e so ul i s pr e se n te d i n Meno,
Phaedo, an d Phaedrus. In Meno (86) an d Phaedo (73), r e
me mbr an ce of a pr e vi o us e xi ste n ce i s mad e a pr o o f o f i m
mo r tal i ty. I t i s al so al l u d e d to i n th e myth of Er (Republic
621 a). (In Phaedo d o u bt i s expr essed by Si mmi as an d C ebes
th at th e so ul i s i mmo r tal . T h e y f e ar th at al th o u gh th e so ul
may o u tl i ve many bo di es, i t may be wo r n o u t i n th e end,
an d at l ast pe r i sh an d decay.)
e. T h e i mmo r tal i ty o f th e so ul i s di scussed ch i ef l y i n th e
Phaedo an d The Republic, bu t i t i s me n ti o n e d i n var i o us o th e r
wr i ti ngs. No ti ce i s take n of th e cl ai m th at th e soul r esembl es
a h ar mo n y, l i ke th e musi c of th e l yre. Bu t th i s i s d e n i e d
because th e so ul i s d e cl ar e d to be a cause, n o t an ef f ect. I t
l eads th e body, wh er eas h ar mo n y f ol l ows th e i n str u me n t. An d
i t al l ows f o r di sco r d. Li f e, wh i ch i s th e essence of th e so ul ,
e xcl udes d e ath . De ath can n o t be pr e d i cate d o f th e soul .
/. T h e co n d i ti o n of th e so ul af te r d e ath i s d e scr i be d i n sev
e r al di al o gues u n d e r th e f o r m of myth s. Al l atte st th at th e so ul ,
u po n r el ease f rom th e body, goes to gi ve acco unt of i tse l f be f o r e
th e ju d gme n t seatth e r i gh te o u s be i n g se nt to th e Isl es of
th e Bl est; th e wi cked to suf f er pu n i sh me n t, n o t h o pel ess o r
e te r n al , bu t pr o po r ti o n ate to th e i r of f enses. In Phaedo 113 e
an d Gorgias 525, a f ew gr e at si nner s, h owever, ar e co nsi gne d
to Hades. Wh e n th e pe n al ty h as be e n pai d, th e soul mu st
ch oose a new l i f e , wi th r e spo n si bi l i ty o f ch oi ce r e sti n g u po n
i tsel f . If i t h as l e ar n e d wi sdo m i t i s gi ven a be tte r l ot. Bu t i f i t
persi sts i n f ol l y, an d ch ooses an i n f e r i o r l i f e, i t assumes th e
f o r m o f a l o wer an i mal . Bu t th e r e i s even a l i mi t to th e bl e ssed
ness o f th e r i gh te o u swh e n th e appo i n te d ti me comes, th e y
to o mu st make new ch oi ces (Phaedrus 249; Republic 619 c).
g. T h e d o ctr i n e o f th e tr an smi gr ati o n o f soul s was e vi d e n tl y
ad o pte d by Pl ato because i t co mpo r te d wi th th e co n ce pt th at
h e u n i f o r ml y expresses o f th e r e me d i al n atu r e o f pu n i sh me n t.
T h i s was e vi d e n tl y d e r i ve d f r o m Or i e n tal sources bu t th r o u gh
Pyth ago r e an ch an n e l s.13
Such ar e Pl ato s l e ad i n g f anci es co n ce r n i n g th e soul .
4. T w o f o l d So u l s , F i xe d N u mbe r , a n d T r a n s mi gr a
t i o n .He r e i s o ne of Pl ato s amazi ng vi ews: Ho l d i n g to th e
Pyth ago r e an d o ctr i n e of th e e te r n i ty of th e soul , h e be l i e ve d
th at th e to tal n u mbe r of soul s i s f i xed, th at i t i s i mpo ssi bl e
th at th e r e sh o u l d be mo r e th an ar e al l o tte d , so th at wh ate ve r
th e n u mbe r of soul s, al l mu st h ave e xi sted f r o m e te r n i ty. T h i s
was basi c.
An o th e r str an ge te ach i n g was th at th e so ul i s two f o l d
th at wh i ch i s i mmo r tal be i n g d e r i ve d f r o m th e go o d su pr e me
god, an d th at wh i ch i s mo r tal be i n g cr e ate d by th e i n f e r i o r
gods, an d mai n tai n e d by co n stan t accr eti o ns. T h e se are, r e
specti vel y, th e r ati o n al an d an i mal soul s. T h e f o r me r i s essen
ti al be i ng, an d i s i n tr i n si cal l y good. It i s i mmo r tal an d can n o t
be de str o ye d by mo r al evi l . In th i s co nce pt of th e sel f -subsi st
ence o f th e soul l ay th e ger m of Re sto r ati o n i sm.
13J o we t t , Dialogues o f Plato, vo l . 2, pp. 921-923.
Pl ato al so h e l d to th e successi ve mi gr ati o n of soul s th r o u gh
var i o u s h u man an d br u te f orms. An d h e h e l d th e d o ctr i n e
o f e te r n al pu n i sh me n t f o r some, i n vo l vi n g deadl y Dual i sm.
Mo r eo ver , th e d i vi n e po we r was l i mi te d , an d th e al l o tte d pe
r i o d d e te r mi n e d by an al l o tte d n u mbe r . Bu t th e po we r o f th e
gods was u n abl e to br i n g al l th i ngs to pe r f e cti o n , h e nce th e
str an ge d o ctr i n e of e te r n al vi ci ssi tude.
5. W e i r d A ggr e ga t i o n o f P l a t o n i c C o n ce pt s . Pl ato
al so h ad we i r d n o ti o n s co n ce r n i n g th e wo r k of th e De mi u r ge
i n th e f o r mati o n of soul s. T h e se i n cl u d e d th e n u mbe r o f soul s
e qu al to th e stars, th e pl ace assi gned to each so ul i n i ts own
pe cu l i ar star, th e r e l ati o n of man s soul to th e wo r l d so ul , th e
tr i par ti te n atu r e of th e so ul , i ts pl ace me n t i n th e bo dy, i ts
spe ctr al f o r m, pr o wl i n g ar o u n d to mbs an d r e ve r ti n g to th e
bo di e s of beasts, bi r ds, an d i nsects, such as asses, wol ves, h awks,
ki tes, bees, wasps, ants. T h e se were al l an i n te gr al par t of
Pl ato s r e aso ni ng, an d th e i n se par abl e gr o u n d wo r k f o r h i s co n
cl usi o ns.
T h e Pl ato n i c th e o r y of I n n ate Immo r tal i ty th e r e f o r e d e
pe nds f o r i ts mai n su ppo r t u po n th e po stu l ate of th e pr e-exi st
ence o f th e soul , an d i s i n e xtr i cabl y bo u n d u p wi th th e assump
ti o n o f metempsych o si s.14
6. M y t h i c a l T a l e o f t h e J u d gme n t I n vo ke d . So sur e
i s Pl ato of h i s be l i e f i n i mmo r tal i ty th at h e empl oys h i s ar gu
me n ts ch i ef l y to ju sti f y h i s bel i ef s. An d th e r e i s n o avo i d i n g
r e co gn i ti o n of th e f act th at h e su ppo r ts h i s vi ews as co nce r ns
th e ju d gme n t by r e co u r se to f o u r myth s,15i n h i s e n d e avo r to
br i d ge th e ch asm be twe e n th e seen an d th e u nse e n wo r l d. An d
th e se myth s h ave, i n tu r n , h ad a very mar ke d i nf l uence u po n
th e l ate r bel i ef s of o th e r s.
Fo r e xampl e : Pl ato s Republic cl oses wi th th e l e ge n d of
Er , th e son of Ar me n i u s, wh o al l egedl y saw i n tr an ce th e judg-
14Se e Phaedo 71-82; Timaeus 42, 92; Phaedrus 246-249; a n d Meno 81.
18Gorgias 523-526; Phaedo 113, 114; Phaedrus 249-257; a n d T he Republic 614-616.
me n t of th e d e ad an d th e h i d d e n gl o r i es of th e u n se e n wo r l d,
an d wh o r e tu r n e d wi th o u t d r i n ki n g o f th e Ri ve r of Fo r ge tf u l
ness. 16T h u s h e was abl e to r e cal l wh at h e saw, wh i ch e xpe
r i e n ce was n o t vo uch saf ed to th e o th e r s.
In n o ti n g th i s, we sh o u l d ever r e me mbe r th at Pl ato mai n
tai ns th e po stu l ate of th e tr an smi gr ati o n o f soul s an d th e
l o n g jo u r n e y o f soul s (af te r ju d gme n t) f o r th e i r r e bi r th as
bi r d s o r ani mal s. T h e tal e i s bri ef l y th i s: Er d i e d i n battl e .
Wh e n th e corpses wer e gath e r e d te n days l ater , Er s body, u n
l i ke th e rest, was n o t decayed. T wo days l ate r , wh i l e l yi ng o n
th e f u n e r al pyre, Er r eco ve r e d an d r e co u n te d wh at h e h ad seen
i n th e o th e r wo r l d.
Acco r di ng to th e tal e, wh e n h i s soul l e f t h i s bo dy i t jo u r
ne ye d wi th many o th e r s an d came to a myste r i o us pl ace wh er e
th e r e wer e two o pe n i n gs i n to th e e ar th , si de by si de, an d two
co r r e spo n d i n g o pe n i n gs i n to th e sky above. Between th ese
o pe n i n gs sat judges. An d acco r di ng to th e r especti ve ver di cts
th ey o r d e r e d th e soul s o f th e righteous to go to th e r i gh t, an d
ascend i n to th e sky, an d th e soul s of th e wicked to go to th e l ef t,
an d do wn war d i n to th e e ar th . Er was to l d to r e po r t to man ki n d
abo u t th i s o th e r wo r l d.
He d e cl ar e d th at h e saw soul s come u p f o r ju d gme n t an d
d e par t e i th e r by an o pe n i n g i n to th e sky o r by o ne i n to th e
e ar th . Bu t th r o u gh th e o th e r two o pe ni ngs (i n to th e sky an d
e ar th ) Er saw soul s ar r i vi n gal l th e stained f r o m wi th i n th e
e ar th , an d th e stainless back f r o m th e sky. T h o se f r o m th e
sky ar r i ve d as f r o m a l o ng jo u r n e y, an d d e par te d to a meado w,
wh e r e th ey gr e e te d many f r i ends, te l l i n g of i n d e scr i babl e be au ty
an d pl e asu r e i n th e sky. T h e o th e r s, wi th tears, to l d of th e i r
th o u san d -ye ar jo u r n e y an d suf f eri ngs u n d e r th e e ar th . Fo r al l
th e i r mi sdeeds th e y pai d a te n f o l d pe nal ty. T h e grossl y wi cked,
th e i n cu r abl e si nne r s, h ad f ear f ul pu n i sh me n t, an d were cast
i n to th e te r r o r s of He l l . Such were th e pe n al ti e s an d pu n i sh
me nts an d th e co n tr asti n g bl essi ngs po r tr aye d.
18Pl a t o , Th e Republic 614-621, i n L C L , Plato The Republic, vo l . 2, pp. 491-521.
Bu t th at was n o t al l . Af te r a seven-day r e spi te th e gr o ups
i n th e me ado w wer e o bl i ge d to pr o cee d o n th e i r jo u r n e y,
ch o o si ng acco r d i n g to past i n car n ati o n s, to beco me as bi r ds, o r
beasts, o r wo me neach d r i n ki n g f r o m th e waters o f f o r ge tf u l
ness, wh i ch bl o t o u t me mo r y of th e pr evi o us l i f e. T h e n Er
awoke. As a seque l , Socrates ad mo n i sh e d th at th e so ul i s i m
mo r tal an d capabl e o f e n d u r i n g al l e xtre mes of go o d an d e vi l .
So l i ve, h e urges, th at bo th h e r e an d i n th at jo u r n e y of a
th o u san d years, wh e r e o f I h ave to l d you, we sh al l f ar e we l l .
Such a crass myth was par t an d par ce l of Pl ato s po r tr ayal of
th e de sti ny o f th e soul .
7. D u a l i s m I n v o l v e d i n T wo E t e r n a l S o u l s . T h e
Laws i s pr i mar i l y po l i ti cal , bu t i n Book x stress i s l ai d o n r e l i
gi o us bel i ef s. T h i s secti o n embo di e s Pl ato s e xpo si ti o n o f n atu r al
th eo l o gyth e co smo l o gi cal ar gu me n t based o n th e be l i e f th at
al l mo ti o n r e qu i r e s a go o d so u l as i ts source. T h e exi stence
o f a seco nd mal e f i ce nt wo r l d-so ul , i d e n ti f i e d wi th necessi ty,
i s al so d e f e n d e d (x. 896). Go d i s th e go o d su pr e me so ul , al o ng
wi th a seco nd mal e f i ce nt wo r l d-so ul wh i ch , of co urse, i s u n
co nce al ed Dual i sm.
T h e Laws r e pe ats an d ampl i f i es wh at i s sai d el sewh er e
th at al l th at h as l i f e h as soul (726).18Bu t i n Book x th e r e i s th i s
new emph asi sth at th e so ul (th e sel f -mo ti o n) i s prior to th e
bo d y, an d i s th e cause of al l mo ti o n (896).19Mo r eo ver , so ul i s
th e cause of all things good and bad, just and unjust. I t resi des
i n e ve r yth i n g th at h as mo ve me n ti n cl u d i n g th e h eavens. It
d i r e cts al l th i ngs th r o u gh wi l l . T h e soul di r e cts al l th i ngs
i n h eave n, an d e ar th , an d th e sea an d h e r mo ve me n ts (897).
T h i s i s e l abo r ate d o n. Evi l i s i n cl u d e d , as wel l as good. Fu r
th e r mo r e , there are declared to be at least two soulsone
the author of good, and the other of evil (896).20 Such i s
Pl ato s Dual i sm.
T h i s Du al i sm co n se qu e n tl y i nvol ves two war r i n g soul s
17J o we t t , Dialogues o f Plato, vo l . 2, p. 638.
i n He ave n . T h e go o d so ul , o r soul s, gi f te d wi th wi sdo m, ar e
r e spo n si bl e f o r th e mo ti o n s of th e sun, mo o n, an d stars, an d
ar e r i gh tl y cal l ed gods (899). T h e bad soul s ar e th e soul s of
i gn o r an t me n. Ign o r an ce (absence of kno wl edge) causes some
soul s to mi sd i r e ct th e i r powers. T h i s i s to be cu r e d by te ach i n g
an d e d u cati o n . Bu t th e so ul i s th e h i gh e st an d n o bl e st par t of
man . An d th e wo r l d i s go ve r n e d by th e be tte r of th e two
so ul s (897, 898).21T h e i mpl i cati o n s, h o wever, ar e f ar r e ach
i ng. Such i s an o th e r of th e str ange vagar i es so ber l y pu t f o r th by
Pl ato as par t o f h i s i mmo r tal -so ul th esi s.
21I b id ., pp. 639, 640. Se e al so Gr u be , op. cit., p. 146.
C H A P T E R T H I R T Y - T W O
Pagan Ph i l osoph ys Basi c Arguments
f or Immortal 'Soul i sm
T h e PhaedoPe ak o f Pl ato s T e ach i n g o n th e Soul
Many abl e sch ol ars be l i e ve th at th e earliest gr o u p of Pl a
to s di al o gue s i n cl ude s th e Phaedo, th e Gorgias, an d th e Sympo
sium; th at i n th e second, o r middle, period ar e f o u n d The Re
public, th e Phaedrus, an d th e Theaetetus; wh i l e i n th e th i r d
an d last period ar e cl u ste r e d th e Timaeus, th e Philebus, an d
th e Lawsth e l atte r r eco gni ze d as Pl ato s l ast.1By d e al i n g i n
d e pth s wi th th e Phaedo, th e Phaedrus, an d th e Timaeus, we
th e r e f o r e to u ch o n al l th r e e majo r pe r i o d s i n Pl ato s vi ews an d
wr i ti ngs. But, be f o r e be gi n n i n g th e survey, th i s ge n e r al state
me n t f r o m a speci al i st sh o u l d be n o te d .
1. I mmo r t a l - S o u l i s m N o t O r i g i n a l l y H e l d by P l a t o .
Acco r d i n g to Oxf o r d s Dr . R. H. C h ar l es, In n ate Immo r tal i ty
was not originally a part of Platos thinking. He r e i s C h ar l e ss
state me n t:
T h e i mmo r tal i ty o f th e so u l was n o t o r i gi n al l y a pa r t o f Pl a to s
system. We h ave i n th e Republic th e var i o u s stages th r o u gh wh i ch h i s
vi e ws passe d be f o r e h e ar r i ve d at h i s matu r e s t co n vi cti o n s. 2
An d wi th th at po i n t i s to be pl ace d th e co mmo nl y r eco g
ni ze d f act th at th e death l essness of th e so ul , i n endl ess h appi
ness o r mi sery, was n o t th e ge n e r al be l i e f of th e Gr eeks. Fur -
1T h i s l i s ti n g i s bas e d o n s tyl o me tr y, d e ve l o pe d by Le wi s C a mpbe l l . Se e al so Gr u be ,
op. ci t. , pp. xi , xi i .
2C h a r l e s , T h e Doctrine of the Future L ife , p. 152. (He ci te s K r o h n , Pf l e i d e r e r , a n d
Ro h d e .)
573
th e r mo r e , th e Phaedo i s a jo i n t d e cl ar ati o n o f th e vi ews o f
bo th Socrates and Pl ato , o r at l e ast o f Socrates th r o u gh Pl ato s
mi n d an d h an d .
2. D i s t i n ct i v e A n gl e s o f T h r e e D i a l o gu e s . As n o te d ,
wi th bu t f ew e xce pti o ns, Pl ato s wr i ti n gs ar e i n th e f o r m o f
di al o gue so f te n wi th Socrates as th e pr i n ci pal speaker , i n co l
l o quy wi th ce r tai n cr i ti cs o r pu pi l s. Bu t i t i s ge n e r al l y r e co g
ni ze d th at th e var i o us speakers ar e r e al l y vo i ci ng Pl ato s o wn
bel i ef s. Each o f th e th r e e gr e at di al o gues h e r e sur veyed makes
i ts o wn appr o ach , as co nce r ns th e so ul th e Timaeus, i n th e
l i gh t o f th e so u l s divine origin; th e Phaedrus, as a pr i n ci pl e
o f mo ti o n an d a prior existence; an d th e Phaedo, u n f o l d i n g
th e grandeur of its after existence, as wel l as gath e r i n g to ge th e r
th e var i o us r easo ni ngs an d co mpl e ti n g th e ar gu me n ts.
T h e d i vi n e an d e n d u r i n g so ul , d e sti n e d to e te r n al e xi st
ence, i s h e r e co n tr aste d wi th th e mu tabl e , pe r i sh i n g h u man
body. T h e Phaedo f ar surpasses al l pr e vi o us attai n me n ts of
pagan Gr e e k th o u gh t o n th e o r i gi n , n atu r e , an d desti ny of th e
so ul . Le t us f i rst anal yze th e evi dence of th e Phaedo, mo st
f amo us of al l Pl ato s wr i ti ngs.8
3. T h e S o u l I s t h e M a n .T h e majo r di scussi o n o f
th e n atu r e o f th e so ul i s r e str i cte d pr i n ci pal l y to th e Phaedo,
Phaedrus, an d Timaeus, bu t i t i s al so i nvo l ve d i n The Republic
an d th e Laws. An d i t i s bri ef l y to u ch e d u po n i n such smal l e r
works as Meno, Gorgias, Theaetetus, Philebus, Statesman,
Sophist, Symposium, an d Alcibiades i th i r te e n i n al l . Fo r i n
stance, i n Alcibiades i (130) th e r e i s di scussi o n o f man as o ne
o f th r e e th i n gsso ul , body, o r bo th to ge th e r f o r mi n g th e
wh o l e . 4T h e spe ake r r ejects th e co nce pt th at th e co mbi n ati o n
3N o t e : I n co mpas s i n g Pl a t o s wi tn e ss o n t h e so u l , h e a vy d r a f t h as be e n ma d e o n Dr .
G. M. A. Gr u be s Plato s Thought (1935), wi t h i ts h i gh l y val u abl e I n d e x. Un d e r th e D i a l o g u e s
d i vi si o n , te n o f Pl a t o s s e pa r a t e wo r ks a r e l i s te d Laws, Meno, Phaedo, Phaedrus, Philebus,
Politicus, Republic, Sophist, Symposium, Timaeust h e page s be a r i n g o n i mmo r ta l i t y be i n g
l i s te d . Mo r e o ve r , h i s ma s t e r f u l ch a pt e r f o u r , o n T h e Na t u r e o f t h e So u l , d e al s wi t h th e s e
i n r u n n i n g co mme n t a r y f o r m. Hi s ke e n a n d co mpr e h e n s i ve co n cl u s i o n s h ave bo r n e o u t t h e
wi tn e ss o f my o wn i n d e pe n d e n t s e a r ch o f t h e s o u r ce s , a n d h ave be e n u s e d as a ch e ck f o r my
o wn f i n d i n gs . (Se e Gr u be , op. cit., page s 316, 317.)
* J o we t t , Dialogues o f Plato, vo l . 2, p. 765.
PAGAN BASIC ARGUMENT S FOR IMMORT AL-SOULISM 575
of th e f i rst two co n sti tu te s th e man , an d f l atl y says th at o nl y
th e so ul i s ma n .6
4. S o cr a t e s W e l co me s D e a t h a s I n i t i a t i o n t o A f t e r
l i f e . T h e Phaedo i s a d r amati c acco u n t of th e l ast co nver sa
ti o ns an d co nce r ns o f Socrates, o n e of th e n o bl e st of pagan te ach
ers, d u r i n g h i s l ast h o u r s o n e ar th . T h e scene, an Ath e n i an
pr i so n ; th e ti me , th e su mme r of 399 b . c . T h e day i s spe n t di s
cussi ng th e o r i gi n , n atu r e , an d de sti ny of th e h u man so ul . T h i s
i n d i cate s th e i mpo r tan ce of th e th eme.
T h e i mmo r tal i ty of th e so ul i s h e r e set f o r th wi th to u ch
i n g backgr o u n d an d path e ti c se tti ng. I t pr esents Socrates an d
h i s f r i e n d s i n th e pr i so n, th e ch ee r f ul ne ss of th e vi cti m, th e
di stress of h i s f r i ends, th e e mo ti o n of th e jai l e r . Socrates, th e
ph i l o so ph e r , does n o t f ear d e ath wh i ch h e r e pe ate d l y decl ares
to be th e se par ati o n of soul f r o m bo d y i n wh i ch i t i s encased
because h e h ad r epr essed th e l usts th at h ad beset h i s e m
bo d i e d so ul . He f e l t h i mse l f pr e par e d i n h i s pagan way. An d
no w h e wel comes d e ath as th e f i nal step i n an i n i ti ati o n i n to
tr u e be i n g. An d th i s po si ti o n was ackno wl e dged to be i n
sh ar p co n tr ast wi th th e cu r r e n t be l i e f of th e masses th at th e
h u man so ul i s n o mo r e th an th e ph ysi cal br e ath wh i ch d e ath
di sper ses. 8
5. D e a t h D e c l a r e d F i n a l S t e p I n t o T r u e B e i n g.
Because of i l l ness Pl ato was n o t pr e se n t d u r i n g th i s di al o gu e
o n th at f ate f u l day. El even wer e pr e se nt. Ph ae d o (af te r wh o m
h e n ame d i t) gave a f ai th f u l r e po r t to Pl ato , th e n twenty-e i gh t,
wh o h ad be e n wi th Socrates f o r e i gh t years. Un d e r Pl ato s h an d
i t beco mes a sto r y u n match e d i n th e annal s o f an ci e n t l i te r a
tu r e . In th i s co l l o qu y o n l i f e an d d e ath Socrates, as a ph i l o so
ph e r , wi th i mpe r tu r babl e cal m wel comes d e ath as th e f i nal
ste p o f e n tr an ce i n to tr u e be i n g, h o l d i n g th at o nl y af te r
d e ath does th e so ul exi st by h ersel f , se par ate f r o m th e bo d y
(67)/
5I b id . , p. 766.
6F. H. An d e r s o n , I n t r o d u ct i o n to F. J . C h u r ch , Platos Phaedo, i n L L A No . 30, p. xi i i .
Dr . An d e r s o n i s pr o f e s s o r o f ph i l o s o ph y, Un i ve r s i t y o f T o r o n t o .
7C h u r ch , op. ci t. , p. 12.
Bu t, we r e pe at, th e Socrates o f th e Phaedo expresses exactl y
th e same co nce pts h e l d by Pl ato , as atte ste d by al l h i s o th e r
wr i ti n gs. T h e voi ce i s th e r e f o r e th at o f Socrates-Pl ato, spe aki ng
i n uni so n.
6. D e a t h : S e pa r a t i o n o f S o u l F r o m B o d y.Soc
r ate s l au n ch e s i n to h i s mai n co n te n ti o n s by asser ti ng:
I am as su r e as I can be i n such matte r s th a t I am go i n g to l i ve
wi th go ds wh o ar e ver y go o d maste r s. An d th e r e f o r e I am n o t so mu ch
gr i e ve d at d e ath ; I am co n f i d e n t th a t th e d e ad h ave so me ki n d o f e xi ste n ce ,
an d , as h as be e n sai d o f o l d , an e xi ste n ce th a t i s f ar be tte r f o r th e go o d
th a n f o r th e wi cke d (63).8
T h i s co nce pt, th e n , was n o t o r i gi n al wi th Socrates.
De cl ar i n g th at h e was of go o d ch e e r , an d h o pi n g to gai n
th e gr e ate st go o d i n th e o th e r wo r l d (64), Socrates asks,
Do we bel i eve d e ath to be an yth i n g? (64). T h e n h e expressl y
def i nes d e ath as th e se par ati o n of th e soul f r o m th e bo d y,
an d asks:
Do es n o t d e ath me an th a t th e bo d y co mes to e xi st by i tsel f , se par ate d
f r o m th e so u l , an d th a t th e so u l exi sts by h e r se l f , se par ate d f r o m th e body?
Wh a t i s d e ath bu t th at? (64).
T h a t i s th e i n i ti al pr emi se i n th e So crates-Pl ato r e aso ni ng.
He decl ar es th at as l o ng as we h ave th i s body, an d an
evi l of th at so r t i s mi n gl e d wi th o u r soul s, we sh al l n e ve r f ul l y
gai n wh at we d e si r e . I t i s asser ted th at we l i ve i n sl avery
to th e cares o f th e bo d y. 10On l y af te r we ar e d e ad can we
gai n th e wi sdo m wh i ch we d e si r e (66).u An d wh y? Fo r
th e n , an d n o t ti l l th e n , wi l l th e soul exi st by h er sel f , se par ate
f r o m th e bo d y (67).12
Si x ti mes i n th e f o u r pages of secti o ns 64 to 67 th i s th o u gh t
an d th e te r m se par ati o n of so ul an d bo dy o ccur .
7. P o p u l a r V i e w: S o u l P e r i s h e s a t D e a t h .On e of
So cr ates co mpan i o n s, C ebes, o f te n spe aki ng i n o ppo si ti o n to
Socrates, voi ces th e po pu l ar Gr e e k skepti ci sm:
* I b id ., pp. 7, 8.
0I b id. , p. 9.
*>I b i d ., p. 11.
I b id ., p. 12.
12Ibid.
Bu t me n ar e ver y i n cr e d u l o u s o f wh at yo u h ave sai d o f th e so ul .
T h e y f e ar t h a t sh e wi l l n o l o n ge r e xi st an ywh e r e wh e n sh e h as l e f t th e
bo d y, bu t th a t sh e wi l l be d e str o ye d an d pe r i sh o n th e ver y d ay o f d e ath .
T h e y th i n k th a t th e mo me n t t h a t sh e i s r e l e ase d an d l eaves th e bo d y,
sh e wi l l be d i sso l ve d an d van i sh away l i ke br e ath o r smo ke, an d th e n ce
f o r war d cease to e xi st at a l l (70).l s
I t i s to be n o te d th at destroy an d perish, dissolve an d van
ish, ar e h e r e used as d e n o ti n g co mpl e te cessati o n o f exi stence.
8. L i vi n g A r e B o r n O n l y F r o m t h e D e a d .Socrates-
Pl ato f o r th i s was th e i r jo i n t te ach i n gi nsi st th at th r o u gh
d e ath me n ar e bo r n , o r bo r n agai n , i n to th e n e xt wo r l d .
T h i s th o u gh t i s r e pe ate d th r e e ti mes i n th e o n e par agr aph . A
var i an t f o r m, ge n e r ate d f r o m th e d e ad , l i kewi se appe ar s
mo r e th an o nce i n cl ose pr o xi mi ty (71, 72).1* He r e i s a preci se
state me n t, based o n an an ci e n t be l i e f :
Le t us co n s i d e r wh e th e r o r n o t th e so ul s o f me n e xi st i n th e n e xt
wo r l d af te r d e ath , th u s. There is an ancient belief, which we remember,
th a t o n l e avi n g th i s wo r l d th e y e xi st th e r e , an d th a t th e y r e tu r n h i th e r
an d ar e bo r n agai n f r o m th e d e ad . Bu t i f i t be tr u e th a t th e l i vi n g ar e
bo r n f r o m th e d e ad , o u r so ul s mu st e xi st i n th e o th e r wo r l d ; o th e r wi se
th e y co u l d n o t be bo r n agai n . I t wi l l be a suf f i ci ent pr o o f th a t th i s i s so
i f we can r e al l y pr o ve th a t th e l i vi n g ar e bo r n o n l y f r o m th e d e a d (xv.
70).15
9. S o u l D e c l a r e d I m m o r t a l , I n d e s t r u c t i b l e , I n
d i s s o l u bl e . An d no w i n Phaedo 73 th e key ph r ase so ul
i mmo r tal f i rst appear s. T h i s o n e te r m i mmo r tal , i s me n
ti o n e d abo u t n i n e te e n ti mes i n th i s seventy-f o ur-page tr e ati se .
And, i n ad d i ti o n , sever al var i an ts ar e ad d e d i mpe r i sh abl e ,
i n d e str u cti bl e , u n ch an gi n g, u n ch an ge abl e , i n d i sso l u
bl e , an d d i vi n e . T h e r e i s n o escapi ng Pl ato s i n te n t.
10. P o s t u l a t e o f S o u l s P r e - e x i s t e n ce I n vo l ve d .
C ebes po i n ts o u t th e l o gi cal an d i n e vi tabl e co n cl u si o n to th i s
i mmo r tal i ty ar gu me n t i n th ese words:
"I f th e d o ctr i n e wh i ch yo u ar e f o n d o f stati n g, th a t o u r l e ar n i n g i s
I bid. , p. 15.
I bid., pp. 16-18.
15I b id ., p. 16. (I tal i cs su ppl i e d .)
19
o n l y a pr o ce ss o f r e co l l e cti o n , be tr u e , th e n I su ppo se we mu st h ave
l e ar n e d at so me f o r me r ti me wh at we r e co l l e ct no w. An d th a t wo u l d be
i mpo ssi bl e u n l e ss o u r so ul s h ad e xi ste d so me wh e r e be f o r e th e y came i n to
h u ma n f o r m. So th a t i s a n o th e r r e aso n f o r be l i e vi n g th e so u l i mmo r tal
(73).
Re co l l e cti o n of f o r me r exi stences i s th u s an ad d e d ar gu
me n t th at i s used.
11. S o u l s M u s t H a ve E xi s t e d B e f o r e B i r t h .Socrates
ar gu e d th at kno wl edge i s r e mi ni sce nce by th e so ul o f f o r me r
mo des o f exi stence i n o th e r bo di e skno wl edge be f o r e o u r
bi r t h (76)." T h e co mpan i o n s of Socrates l ogi cal l y r ai se d th e
qu e sti o n as to wh e th e r th e so u l s pre-exi stence i s r e al l y pr o o f
of i ts sur vi val i n pe r pe tu i ty.18Socrates i nsi sts th at
o u r so ul s mu st h ave e xi ste d be f o r e e ve r we we r e bo r n . Bu t i f th e y d o
n o t e xi st, th e n o u r r e aso n i n g wi l l h ave be e n th r o wn away. Is i t so? I f
th e se i d e as e xi st, do es i t n o t at o n ce f o l l o w th a t o u r so ul s mu st h ave
e xi ste d be f o r e we we r e bo r n , a n d i f th e y d o n o t e xi st, th e n n e i th e r d i d
o u r so ul s? (76).
Bu t th ese i de as bear , of co ur se, o n prior exi stence, r ath e r
th an after exi stence.
I t i s to be o bser ved th at th i s e xpr essi o n, exi ste d be f o r e
e ver we were bo r n , appe ar s f i ve ti mes i n Phaedo 76-77,20to
ge th e r wi th th e expr essi o n al l l i f e i s ge n e r ate d f r o m d e ath
(77).21Si mmi as states th at C ebes i s pe r f e ctl y co n vi n ce d th at
o u r soul s e xi ste d be f o r e we wer e bo r n (77). Bu t h e adds
th at h e h i mse l f does n o t th i n k
th a t yo u h ave pr o ve d th a t th e so u l wi l l co n ti n u e to e xi st wh e n we ar e
d e ad . T h e co mmo n f e ar wrh i ch C e be s spo ke of , th a t sh e may be scatte r e d
to th e wi n d s at d e ath , an d th a t d e a th may be th e e n d o f h e r e xi ste n ce ,
sti l l stan d s i n th e way. Assu mi n g th a t th e so u l i s ge n e r ate d an d co mes
to ge th e r f r o m so me o th e r e l e me n ts, an d e xi sts be f o r e sh e e ve r e n te r s
th e h u ma n bo dy, wh y sh o u l d sh e n o t co me to an e n d an d be d e str o ye d ,
af te r sh e h as e n te r e d i n to th e bo d y, wh e n sh e i s r e l e ase d f r o m i t?" (77).21
I t mu st al so be sh o wn, h e adds, th at o u r soul s wi l l co n
ti n u e to exi st af te r we ar e d e ad . . . i f th e pr o o f i s to be com-
M I bid., p. 19. C f . xxxvi i . 88, p. 39. 20Ibid., pp. 25-27.
Ibid ., pp. 24, 25. 21I bid., p. 26.
Ib id ., pp. 38, 39. 22Ibid.
Ib id . , p. 25. 22Ibid.
pl e te . Bu t Socrates i nsi sts th at th at h as be e n sh o wn (77).24
Socrates ch i des th e m f o r be i n g af r ai d th at th e wi n d wi l l
r e al l y bl o w th e so ul away an d di sper se h e r wh e n sh e l eaves th e
bo d y (77). He decl ares th at th e so ul i s n o t co mpo u n d an d
co mpo si te , an d th at wh at i s uncompounded i s n o t l i abl e to
d i sso l u ti o n (78). T o h i m th at ar gu me n t was f i nal .
12. S o u l I n vi s i bl e , U n ch a n ge a bl e ; B o d y V i s i bl e ,
C h a n gi n g. T wo ki nds of exi stence, vi si bl e an d i n vi si bl e ,
ar e n e xt set f o r th by So crates-Pl ato . T h e i n vi si bl e i s u n
ch an ge abl e an d u n ch an gi n g, an d th e vi si bl e i s al ways
ch an gi n g. T h e bo d y i s d e f i ni ti ve l y th e vi si bl e , wh er eas
th e so u l i s th e i n vi si bl e (79). Bu t th e soul empl oys th e
bo d y, maki n g use o f i ts si gh t, h e ar i n g, an d o th e r senses. So,
th e Phaedo co ncl udes, th e so ul goes away to th e pu r e , an d
e te r n al , an d i mmo r tal , an d u n ch an ge abl e , to wh i ch sh e i s ki n
(79). On th e co n tr ar y, th e bo dy i s ch an ge abl e . T h e n comes
th e d e cl ar ati o n , T h e so ul i s l i ke th e d i vi n e , an d th e bo dy i s
l i ke th e mo r tal (80).2T h e two ar e i n co mpl e te an ti th e si s.
An d no w comes th e su mmar i zi n g d e cl ar ati o n :
T h e so u l i s mo st l i ke th e d i vi n e , an d th e i mmo r tal , an d th e i n te l
l i gi bl e , an d th e u n i f o r m, an d th e i n d i sso l u bl e , an d th e u n ch an ge abl e ;
wh i l e th e bo d y i s mo st l i ke th e h u ma n , an d th e mo r tal , an d th e u n i n te l
l i gi bl e , an d th e mu l ti f o r m, an d th e d i sso l u bl e , an d th e ch an ge abl e (80).
Wo r d s co u l d n o t be mo r e e xpl i ci t.
13. S o u l s I mpr i s o n e d i n Su cce s s i o n o f A n i ma l B o d
i e s . T h e ar gu me n t i s n e xt pr e se n te d th at af te r a man i s
dead, th e vi si bl e par t of h i mth e bo dy, o r co r pse i s
su bje ct, i n d u e ti me , to d i sso l u ti o n an d d e co mpo si ti o n . Bu t
th e pu r e so ul , wh i ch i s i n vi si bl e , goes to Hade s (th e unse e n
wo r l d ), to dwel l wi th th e go o d an d wi se Go d (80).*1No
tai n t o f th e bo d y adh e r e s, bu t th e soul goes away to th e
i nvi si bl e , d i vi ne , an d i mmo r tal (81).32 On th e co n tr ar y, th e
24Ibid.
25Ibid., p. 26.
28I b id . , p. 27.
27Ibid., p. 28.
25Ibid., p. 29.
20Ibid.
aI bid. , p. 30.
si Ibid.
32Ibid. , p. 31.
so ul th at i s def i l ed an d i mpu r e , o n i ts d e par tu r e i s dr agge d
back to th e vi si bl e wo r l d , an d h e r e h au n ts th e graves an d
to mbs (81).33Socrates descri bes th e m as i mpr i so n e d soul s:
T h e se ar e n o t th e so ul s o f th e go o d , bu t o f th e evi l , wh i ch ar e co m
pe l l e d to wan d e r i n such pl ace s as a pu n i s h me n t f o r th e wi cke d l i ves
th a t th e y h ave l i ve d ; an d th e i r wan d e r i n gs co n ti n u e u n ti l , f r o m th e
d e si r e f o r th e co r po r e al [a bo dy] th a t cl i n gs to th e m, th e y ar e agai n i m
pr i s o n e d i n a bo dy.
An d , h e co n ti n u e d , th e y ar e i mpr i so n e d , pr o babl y, i n th e bo d i e s
o f an i mal s wi th h abi ts si mi l ar to th e h abi ts wh i ch wer e th e i r s i n th e i r
l i f e ti me (81).84
T h i s r e i n car n ati o n i n th e bo di e s of an i mal s i n cl ude s asses
an d su ch l i ke an i mal si f o ne h as be e n gl u tto n o u s, o r pe r
ch ance, i f o n e h as be e n tyr an n o u s, i n th e bo di e s of wol ves,
an d h awks, an d ki te s. In sh o r t, . . . each e n te r s an an i mal
wi th h abi ts l i ke i ts o wn (82).
T h i s th o u gh t o f th e so u l s be i n g i mpr i so n e d i n a bo dy,
an d bo u n d i n h e r pr i so n h o use, th e bo d y, i s r e pe ate d sever al
ti mes. Re f e r e n ce i s al so mad e to th e so u l s be i n g bo u n d an d
f aste n e d , an d th e co n d i ti o n i s cal l e d a capti vi ty, f r o m
wh i ch th e so ul mu st be r e l e ase d (82; 83). A so ul i s d e
f i l ed wi th th e bo dy wh e n sh e l eaves i t, an d can n o t be pu r e
wh e n sh e r each es th e o th e r wo r l d; an d so sh e soon f al l s back
i n to an o th e r bo dy an d takes r o o t i n i t, l i ke seed th at i s so wn
(83). Bu t th e ph i l o so ph e r o r l o ve r o f kn o wl e d ge goes to th e
race o f th e go ds. 39Ph i l o so ph y stri ves to r e l e ase th e so ul
f r o m h e r capti vi ty (83).40So d e ath i s a speci al bo o n to th e
th i n ke r . T h e se an d o th e r f e atu r e s co n sti tu te th e So crates-Pl ato
Immo r tal -So ul i sm i n al l i ts bal dness.
14. S o u l W e a r s O u t Su cce s s i o n o f M a n y B o d i e s .
T h e Phaedo co n te n d s th at th e so ul passes th r o u gh a succes
si o n o f bo di es. In f act, i t i s d e cl ar e d th at each so ul wears o u t
many bo d i e s (87). T h e so ul i s wh o l l y i n d e str u cti bl e an d
33ib i d .
31I b id . , p. 32.
33Ibid.
38I b id . , pp. 32, 33.
37I bid., pp. 33, 34.
38I bid., p. 34.
38I bid., p. 32.
i mmo r tal , n o t dyi n g wh e n th e bo dy di es.41T h e n Socrates r e
pe ats th e que sti o n s r ai se d by Si mmi as an d C ebes:
Si mmi as, I th i n k, h as f e ar s an d mi sgi vi n gs th a t th e so ul , be i n g o f
th e n a t u r e o f a h ar mo n y, may pe r i sh be f o r e th e bo d y, th o u gh sh e i s
mo r e d i vi n e an d n o bl e r th a n th e bo d y. C e bes, i f I am n o t mi stake n ,
co n ce d e d t h a t th e so ul i s mo r e e n d u r i n g th a n th e bo d y; bu t h e sai d
t h a t n o o n e co u l d te l l wh e th e r th e so ul , af te r we ar i n g o u t man y bo d i e s
man y ti mes, d i d n o t h e r se l f pe r i sh o n l e avi n g h e r l ast bo d y, an d wh e th e r
d e a th be n o t pr e ci se l y th i sth e d e s tr u cti o n o f th e so ul ; f o r th e d e s tr u c
ti o n o f th e bo d y i s u n ce as i n g (91)/2
15. S o u l a s I n s t r u m e n t a l H a r mo n y A r gu me n t Di s
mi s s e d .Si mmi as pr e se nts th e h ar mo n y co u n te r -th e o r y of th e
so u l th at th e soul i s as be au ti f u l musi c f r o m a musi cal i n
s tr u me n t, bu t per i sh es wi th th e d e str u cti o n o f th e mo r tal
bo dy, o r co r po r e al i n str u me n t. T h e so ul th e r e f o r e i s a r e
s u l tan t mi xtu r e an d h ar mo n y of th e e l e me nts by wh i ch o u r
bo dy i s . . . h e l d to ge th e r . I t may pe r i sh be f o r e th e bo d y
(86).43Socrates ar gu e d th at o u r soul s mu st necessari l y h ave
e xi ste d so mewh er e el se, be f o r e th e y wer e i mpr i so n e d i n o u r
bo d i e s (92). He r e i s C ebes su mmar i zi n g ar gu me n t:
Ou r so ul s e xi ste d i n th e pe r i o d be f o r e we wer e bo r n , bu t al so th a t
th e r e i s n o r e aso n wh y so me o f th e m sh o u l d n o t co n ti n u e to e xi st i n th e
f u tu r e , an d o f te n co me i n to be i n g, an d d i e agai n , af te r we ar e d e ad ; f o r
th e so u l i s str o n g e n o u gh by n a t u r e to e n d u r e co mi n g i n to be i n g man y
ti mes. He mi gh t gr an t th at, wi th o u t co n ce d i n g th a t sh e suf f ers n o h ar m
i n al l th e se bi r th s, o r th a t sh e i s n o t at l ast wh o l l y d e str o ye d at o n e o f
th e d e ath s; an d h e mi gh t say th a t n o man kn o ws wh e n th i s d e ath an d
d i ss o l u ti o n o f th e bo d y wh i ch br i n gs d e s tr u cti o n to th e so ul , wi l l be,
f o r i t i s i mpo ssi bl e f o r an y man to f i n d o u t th at. Bu t i f th i s i s tr u e , a
ma n s co n f i d e n ce abo u t d e ath mu st be an i r r a ti o n a l co n f i d e n ce , u n l e ss
h e can pr o ve th a t th e so u l i s wh o l l y i n d e s tr u cti bl e an d i mmo r tal . Oth e r
wi se e ve r yo n e wh o i s d yi n g mu st f e ar th a t h i s so u l wi l l pe r i sh u tte r l y
th i s ti me i n h e r s e par ati o n f r o m th e bo d y (88).4B
T h e pr e-exi stence an d tr an smi gr ati o n an d r e i n co r po r ati o n
of so ul s i s th u s th e be dr o ck f o u n d ati o n u po n wh i ch th e wh o l e
s u pe r s tr u ctu r e of th e Pl ato n i c i mmo r tal i ty of th e so ul i s
bu i l t.
I b id ., pp. 38, 39.
42I bid., p. 43.
13Ib id ., pp. 36, 37.
44Ibid., p. 43.
45I bid., p. 39.
T h i s ar gu me n t qu ash e d th e h ar mo n y co n te n ti o n wi th Soc
r ate s co mpani o ns. T h e h ar mo n y o bvi o usl y co u l d n o t exi st be
f o r e th e i n str u me n t (92).
16. S o u l s I m m o r t a l i t y C o n n o t e s I n d e s t r u c t i b i l i t y .
So cr ates (an d Pl ato s) cl o si ng ar gu me n t i s th i s: Si nce th e
so ul i s i mmo r tal (106), i t i s th e r e f o r e i mpe r i sh abl e . 47
T h i s br o u gh t th e can d i d admi ssi o n f r o m C ebes: Beyo nd al l
qu e sti o n th e so ul i s i mmo r tal an d i mpe r i sh abl e , an d o u r soul s
wi l l i n d e e d exi st i n th e o th e r wo r l d (107).48
T h e n comes th e ad mo n i ti o n , bu t based o n an if:
"If i t be tr u e th a t th e so ul i s i mmo r tal , we h ave to take car e o f h e r ,
n o t me r e l y o n acco u n t o f th e ti me wh i ch we cal l l i f e , bu t al so o n acco u n t
o f al l ti me [f u tu r i ty]. No w we can see h o w te r r i bl e i s th e d an ge r o f
n e gl e ct. Fo r i f d e ath h ad be e n a r e l e ase f r o m al l th i n gs, i t wo u l d h ave
be e n a go d se n d to th e wi cke d; f o r wh e n th e y d i e d th e y wo u l d h ave
be e n r e l e ase d wi th th e i r so ul s f r o m th e bo d y an d f r o m th e i r o wn
wi cke dness. Bu t no w we h ave f o u n d th a t th e so u l i s i mmo r tal , an d so
h e r o n l y r e f u ge an d sal vati o n f r o m e vi l i s to be co me as pe r f e ct an d wi se
as po ssi bl e . Fo r sh e take s n o th i n g wi th h e r to th e o th e r wo r l d bu t h e r
e d u cati o n an d cu l tu r e ; an d th e se, i t i s sai d , ar e o f th e gr e ate st ser vi ce
o r o f th e gr e ate st i n ju r y to th e d e ad man at th e ver y be gi n n i n g o f h i s
jo u r n e y t h i t h e r (107).
17. F a n ci e d F a t e o f I n c o r r i gi bl y W i cke d .No t o nl y
does th e Phaedo assert a f u tu r e l i f e, i t avows a r e tr i bu ti ve o r d e r
o f th at l i f e. I t decl ar es a ju d gme n t af te r d e ath f o r al l soul s, ac
co r d i n g to th e deeds d o n e i n th e bo dywi th a He ave n f o r th e
pu r e an d a He l l f o r th e vi l e, an d a gr ad ati o n o f r ewar ds an d pu n
i sh me nts. An d i t af f i rms a co r r e spo n d e n ce be twe e n si n an d
r e al i ty. Af te r d e scr i bi n g th e e ar th an d th e d we l l i n g pl ace of
th e gods, Socrates to uch es u po n T ar tar u s, wi th i ts n e ve r -f ai l
i ng, tu r bi d u n d e r gr o u n d r i ve r s of wate r an d f i re an d su r gi n g
l i qu i d mu d , l i ke a l ava str e am, an d o f e ar th s gr e at
ch asms, o n e o f wh i ch i s T ar tar u s (111-114). As au th o r i ty
h e qu o te s Ho me r an d o th e r po ets.61
Ibid . , pp. 43, 44. Ib id., pp. 62, 63.
47 I bid., pp. 61, 62. i bid pp 66.69.
I b id . , p. 62.
31T h e pa r t t h a t pa ga n myth s pl a ye d i n Pl a t o s pr e s e n t a ti o n s i s al so s e e n i n t h e Gorgias
d e s cr i pti o n o f t h e ju d gme n t a n d r e t r i bu t i o n i n Tartarus, wh i ch i s co n f e s s e d l y bas e d o n a myt h ,
L. DAVI D, A R TI ST BETTM ANN ARCHI VE
Socrates, Pr o po u n d i n g th e Soul s Immo r tal i ty, Was C ondemned to Death and
C ompel l ed to Dri nk th e Poi soned Heml ock.
Fo u r r i ve r s ar e de scr i be d Oceanus, Ach e r o n, Pyr i ph l e g-
e th o n , an d C o cytusal l f al l i n g i n to T ar tar u s (112, 113).
Wh e n th e d e ad come, se n te nce i s f i rst passed o n th e m acco r d
i n g as th e i r l i ves. Some ar e pu n i sh e d f o r th e i r cr i mes,
an d pu r i f i e d an d abso l ve d, an d r e war d e d acco r di ng to th e i r
dese r ts. T h e i n cu r abl y wi cked ar e h u r l e d do wn to T a r t a
r u s as th e i r f atee te r n al i mpr i so n me n twh ence th e y n e ve r
co me f o r th agai n . T h o se th at ar e n o t i r r e me d i al ar e l i ke
wi se cast i n to T ar tar u s f o r a l i mi te d ti me . Af te r a year , i f th e y
r e pe n t, th e y ar e cast f o r th , an d th e i r suf f er i ngs cease. Oth e r
wi se se n te n ce to T ar tar u s i s passed (113, 114).82
Bu t th e r i gh te o u s ar e set f ree an d r el e ase d f r o m th i s
wo r l d, as f r o m a pr i so n . T h e se th e n ce f o r th dwel l i n a pu r e
h abi tati o n o n th e e ar th s su r f ace . Bu t th o se wh o h ave pu r i
f i ed th emsel ves wi th ph i l o so ph y, th e n ce f o r th , wi th o u t bo d
i es, pr o ce e d to i n d e scr i babl y f ai r dwel l i ngs. An d Socrates
adds, No bl e i s th e pri ze, an d gr e at th e h o pe . Socr ates-Pl ato,
i t mu st be ad d e d , d i d n o t cl ai m th at th e so u l s f u tu r e wo u l d be
bu t wh i ch Pl at o n e ve r t h e l e s s r e ga r d e d as a t r u e s t o r y, a n d as s t r i ct t r u t h (523) (Platos
Gorgtas, i n L L A, No . 20, p. 102).
52C h u r ch , Platos Phaedo, i n L L A, No . 30, p. 69.
583
exactl y as h e r e pi ctu r e d , bu t r ath e r th at if th e so ul i s i mmo r tal ,
so me th i n g o f th e ki n d mu st be be f o r e i t (114).53
18. D r i n k s t h e H e m l o c k a n d F a c e s J o u r n e y .T h e n
comes th e d r amati c mo me n t, wh e n Socrates mu st d r i n k th e
h eml o ck, an d awai t h i s jo u r n e y to th e o th e r wo r l d . He i n
dul ge s i n a pl e asan tr y wh e n h e r e pl i e s to C r i to s qu e sti o n ,
Ho w sh al l we bu r y yo u? He answers, He th i n ks th at I am
th e bo dy wh i ch h e wi l l pr e se n tl y see as a co rpse, an d h e asks
h o w h e i s to bu r y me. . . . Say th at yo u ar e bu r yi n g my bo dy;
an d yo u may bu r y i t as you pl e ase (115, 116).**
Af te r bath i n g h i mse l f an d se n d i n g away h i s f ami l y, So cra
tes cal l s f o r th e cu p of po i so n, an d says, Bu t I suppo se th at
I may, an d mu st, pr ay to th e gods th at my jo u r n e y h ence may
be pr o spe r o u s (117).MT h e n cal ml y, wi th o u t ch ange o f co l o r
o r f e atu r e , h e d r ai n s th e cup. Hi s l egs beco me h eavy, u n d e r
th e ef f ects o f th e h eml o ck, an d h e l i es do wn, as th e co l dness
an d sti f f ness o f d e ath spr e ad o ver h i s body. Hi s eyes an d l i ps
ar e cl osed. T h e e n d h as come.
63I b id ., pp. 69, 70. Se e al so Republic 614 f f . f o r mo r e d e t a i l e d a cco u n t o f t h e r e wa r d s
a n d pu n i s h me n ts o f t h e n e xt wo r l d .
64C h u r ch , Platos Phaedo, p. 71.
I b i d . , p. 73.
C H A P T E R T H I R T Y - T H R E E
Immo r tal Hu man Soul s Par t of
Wo r l d 'So u l
I. PhaedrusMyth i cal Fl i gh ts o f C o mpo si te Wi n ge d Soul s
Pl ato s Phaedrus, an o th e r l ate wo r k, h as a secti o n br i n g
i n g o u t f u r th e r po i n ts o n th e al l e ge d nature o f th e so ul (245)1
th at be ar d i r e ctl y o n I n n ate Immo r tal i ty. Par t of th i s di scus
si o n par al l e l s th e ar gu me n t appe ar i n g i n Laws 893-896.a Bu t i n
Phaedrus th e so ul i s set f o r th as a mysti cal co mpo si te, h avi n g
h i gh e r an d l o wer el e me nts, wh er eas i n th e Phaedo i t appe ar s
as o n e an d i ndi vi si bl e .
1. C r u c i a l C o n f l i c t s B e t w e e n P a r t s o f So u l .As
i n ti mate d , th e r e ar e al l e ge dl y th r e e par ts o f th e same so ul
(253).3T h e co nf l i ct po r tr aye d h e r e i s within the soul, r ath e r
th an be twe e n so ul an d body, as i n th e Phaedo. An d i n th e
Gorgias th e r e i s co n si ste n t r e f e r e n ce to th at part o f th e so u l
wh e r e th e desi res ar e l o cated, th e u n pr i n ci pl e d pa r t (493).4
I n Phaedrus, i n th e go o d l i f e th e passi o ns ar e o be d i e n t to th e i n
te l l e ct, wh i ch i s th e ch ar i o te e r , co n tr o l l i n g th e l i f e an d pr o d u c
i n g a state of h ar mo n y (253).' T h u s th e r e ar e var i ati o n s an d
di scr e panci e s be twe e n th e d i f f e r e n t di al o gues.
2. T r i pa r t i t e D i v i s i o n o f So u l B u i l t o n M y t h .
He r e i n th e Phaedrus, Pl ato so ber l y pr e se nts th e asto n i sh i n g
1W. C . He l mbo l d a n d W. G. Ra bi n o wi tz, Platos Phaedrus, i n L L A , No . 40, p. 27.
2J o we t t , Dialogues of Plato, vo l . 2, pp. 634-638.
3He l mbo l d a n d Ra bi n o wi tz, op. ci t., p. 38.
4W. C . He l mbo l d , Platos Gorgias, i n L L A , No . 20, p. 63.
EHe l mbo l d a n d Ra bi n o wi tz, loc. cit.
585
myth of th e th r e e -par t f o r m o f th e i mmo r tal soul , co ve r i ng
n o t o nl y h u man bei ngs bu t th e gods, as wel l . We mu st no w
f o l l o w th e amazi ng r e aso n i n g th at l eads to h i s co ncl usi o ns. T h e
po e ti cal f i gur e of a tr i par t co mpo si te o f th e soul i s u n abash e d l y
pr e se n te d , i n th e l i ke n i n g of th e so ul to a wi nge d gr o u p i n th e
f o r m of a pai r of h orses (one, wh i te an d good; th e o th e r , bl ack
an d evi l ), wi th i n te l l e ct as th e ch ar i o te e r bu t al l th r e e
f o r mi n g a u n i t (246-248). Because o f th e co n tr ar i n e ss of o n e
o f th e h orses th e d r i vi n g i s di f f i cul t, an d gr ave di f f i cul ti es d e
vel o p.
On th e co n tr ar y, i n th e case of th e gods, both steeds an d
d r i ve r ar e e n ti r e l y n o bl e . Ho we ver , wi th man th ey ar e mixed
th e ch ar i o te e r h avi n g di f f i cul ty wi th h i s steeds (246).7W. C .
He l mbo l d , of th e Un i ve r si ty of C al i f o r n i a, summar i zes i n h i s
In tr o d u cti o n th e o u tco me of th e cl ash be twe e n th e pl u n gi n g
h orses. I t i s th e sto r y of descent f r o m th e h eavens to th e e ar th
i n th i s cu r i o u s way:
T h e soul l oses f eath er s f r o m i ts wi ngs; i t dr o ps to e ar th
an d takes a h o me , th at i s, a bo dy wh i ch i s go ve r ne d by th e
co mpo si te so u l . 8
Such i s th e f antasti c tal e, wi th i ts po eti c i magery, i n vo ke d
to e nf o r ce Pl ato s ar gu me n t.
3. F a u l t i n W i n g s a n d B l a c k St e e d .Dr. He l m-
bo l d o u tl i n e s th e causea f au l t i n th e wi ngs. So th e so ul , i n
te n d e d to so ar th r o u gh th e h e ave ns, dr o ps i n ste ad to e ar th .
Bu t f au l t al so attach e s to th e u n r u l y bl ack steed. As a r e su l t of
th e pl u n gi n g of th e bl ack h orse, an d th e co n se qu e n t cr u sh an d
co n f u si o n , th e so ul becomes l ame, o r br eaks i ts wi ngs, an d
i s d e pr i ve d of r e captu r i n g o n e ar th th e beati f i c vi si o n
gl i mpse d before birth. T h u s th e so ul i s ti e d i n i n se par abl y
wi th th e co n ce pt o f r e i n car n ati o n . Str angel y e n o u gh , o nl y th e
so ul of th e ph i l o so ph e r r e tai n s i ts wi ngs, because h e h as co m
mu n i o n th r o u gh me mo r y wi th th o se i deas, th e co mmu n i o n
wi th wh i ch causes a god to be d i vi n e . 9Happi n e ss de pe n d s
IMMORT AL HUMAN SOULS PART OF WORLD-SOUL 587
u po n sel f -co ntr o l . If th i s i s co mpl e te , th e i r be ati tu d e i s as
su r e d f o r e te r n i ty. 10
4. So u l N o t D e r i v e d , H e n c e N o t D e s t r u c t i b l e .
In Socrates Second Speech , Pl ato h as Socrates say th at we
mu st di sco ver th e tr u th abo u t th e n atu r e of th e so ul , bo th th e
d i vi n e an d th e h u man . An d h e of f ers as pr o o f th e co n te n ti o n
th at every so ul i s i mmo r tal , f o r th at wh i ch moves i tse l f i s i m
mo r tal th at i s, mo ti o n th at i s n o t d e r i ve d f r o m so me th i n g
el se, an d h e nce n e ve r ceases.
He e xpl ai n s th at a f i rst pr i n ci pl e can n o t be derived
f r o m an yth i n g at al l , f or , i f d e r i ve d f r o m so me th i n g el se, i t
wo u l d l ose i ts n a tu r e i n th e process of d e r i vati o n . T h e n h e
adds, as a co nse que nce , An d si nce i t [th e soul ] does n o t come
i n to be i n g, i t mu st al so be imperishable.. . . It is capable neither
of destruction nor derivation (245).u I t can n o t co me i n to
be i n g o r go o u t of be i ng. T h a t i s th e Phaedrus co n te n
ti o n an d th e gi st of i ts ar gu me n t as to i mmo r tal i ty.
5. T wo So u l s : O n e G o o d , O n e E v i l .Bu t i t i s
n o t th at si mpl e. As Pl ato states i n Laws (896): So u l i s th e
mo ti o n wh i ch can move i tse l f . I t i s th e f i rst o r i gi n an d mo v
i n g po we r o f al l th at i s, o r h as beco me, o r wi l l be . T h u s th e
soul is prior to th e bo d y; th e body is second an d comes af te r
wards, an d i s bo r n to o bey th e so u l . No w, to th i s, Pl ato adds,
T h e so ul i s th e cause o f go o d an d evi l , base an d h o n o r abl e ,
ju st an d u n ju st, an d of al l o th e r o ppo si tes, i f we suppo se h e r to
be th e cause of al l th i n gs.
Si nce th e soul o r d e r s an d i n h abi ts al l th i ngs th at mo ve ,
i t th e r e f o r e o r d e r s al so th e h e ave ns. T h e n comes th e star
tl i n g d e cl ar ati o n th at th e r e ar e n o t l ess th an two soul so ne
th e au th o r o f good, an d th e o th e r of e vi l . 12T h u s we ar e agai n
l e d back to star k Dual i sm, wi th al l i ts f earso me i mpl i cati o n s,
as n o te d el sewh er e.
10I bid . , p. xi .
11I b id . , p. 27. No te 9 gi ve s a l t e r n a t e r e a d i n g, Wh a t i s e ve r i n mo t i o n i s i mmo r t a l .
12J e we t t , Dialogues of Plato, vo l . 2, p. 638.
6. Se l f -m o t i o n I s E s s e n c e o f So u l .T h e n , i n th e
Phaedrus, a d e f i n i ti o n of th e so u l as se l f -mo ti o n f ol l ows
i n th e se e xpl i ci t wo r ds:
Si nce th a t wh i ch i s mo ve d by i tse l f h as be e n sh o wn to be i mmo r tal ,
we sh al l n o t be d i sgr ace d i f we d e cl ar e th a t this self-motion is the essence,
the very definition of the soul. Fo r eve r y bo d y th a t i s mo ve d f r o m wi th o u t
i s so ul l ess; an d eve r y bo d y t h a t d e r i ve s i ts mo ti o n f r o m wi th i n i tse l f
h as a so ul , si nce th a t i s i n d e e d th e so u l s n atu r e . Bu t i f th i s i s so, th a t
wh at r e al l y mo ves i tse l f i s n o t th e bo d y a n d i s n o th i n g el se bu t th e so ul ,
then soul must necessarily be uncreated and immortal (245, 246).1S
T h a t i s u n e qu i vo cal th e so ul i s u n cr e ate d . An d th e
Phaedrus i mme d i ate l y co ncl udes, As f o r th e so u l s i mmo r tal
i ty, e n o u gh h as be e n sai d (246).14
Re ve r ti n g to th e so u l s f o r m, expr essed mo r e bri ef l y an d
i n h u man l an gu age , Pl ato devel o ps th e f amo us wi nged-h o r ses
an d ch ar i o te e r -f i gu r e ar gu me n t, wi th i ts po e ti c d r ape r yth e
gr o u p h avi n g gr o wn i n to o ne:
I t i s l i ke th e co mpo si te u n i o n o f po we r s i n a te am o f wi n ge d h o r se s
a n d th e i r ch ar i o te e r . No w al l th e go d s h o r se s an d ch ar i o te e r s ar e go o d
a n d o f go o d d e sce n t, bu t th o se o f o th e r be i n gs ar e mixed. I n th e case
o f th e h u ma n so ul , f i rst o f al l , i t i s a pa i r o f h o r se s th a t th e ch ar i o te e r
d o mi n ate s; o n e o f th e m i s n o bl e an d h an d so me an d o f go o d br e e d i n g,
wh i l e th e o th e r i s th e ver y o ppo si te , so th a t o u r ch ar i o te e r necessar i l y
h as a di f f i cul t an d tr o u bl e so me task (246).15
T h e r e ar e, th e r e f o r e , th e go o d soul s o f th e gods an d th e
mi xe d soul s of h u man bei ngs.
7. I m m o r t a l S o u l P l u s M o r t a l B o d y E qu a l s
L i v i n g B e i n g .Ne xt i t i s e xpl ai n e d th at a l i vi ng be i n g i s
cal l e d bo th mo r tal and i mmo r tal ; th at i s, th e so ul i s i mmo r tal ,
th e bo dy mo r tal . Bu t th e soul , wh i ch traverses th e e n ti r e
h e ave n , i s, o ddl y, so meti mes i n o ne f o r m, so meti mes i n an
o th e r . Wh e n th e so ul i s pe r f e ct an d f ul l y wi n ge d i t soars o n
h i gh . Bu t i f i t l oses i ts wi ngs, i t descends u n ti l i t can f asten
o n so me th i n g so l i d . I t takes o n an e ar th l y bo d y. So th i s
13He l mbo l d a n d Ra bi n o wi tz, op. ci t., pp. 27, 28. (I t a l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
14I b i d . , p. 28.
Ibid.
co mpo si te str u ctu r e of so ul an d bo dy jo i n e d to ge th e r i s cal l ed
a living being an d i s f u r th e r d e si gn ate d as mo r tal (246).19
8. W i n g T h e i r W a y W i t h t h e G o d s . T h e n atu r al
f u n cti o n o f a wi n g i s to r ai se wh at i s h eavy, an d so ar wi th i t to
th e d we l l i n g pl ace o f th e gods (246).17Mo r e th an al l el se, th e
so ul par take s o f th e d i vi n e n atu r e . Bu t wi th man th e r e i s str i f e
be twe e n th e go o d an d th e evi l . T h e h o r se of evi l n a t u r e pu l l s
th e ch ar i o t h e avi l y to war d th e e ar th i f th e ch ar i o te e r h as
n o t tr ai n e d h i m we l l (247).18Bu t wh e n th e i mmo r tal soul s
co me to th e s u mmi t th e y take th e i r po si ti o n i n He ave n , wi th
i ts e n tr an ci n g vi stas mo r e wo n d e r f u l th an ever po e t h as e n
vi si o ne d. Such , h e decl ar es, i s th e tr u th . An d such i s th e l i f e o f
th e gods (248) as th e y r an ge th r o u gh th e uni ve rse, acco mpa
n i e d by th e pu r e so ul s.
9. V i c i s s i t u d e s o f D i s e mb o d i e d So u l s a n d W i n g s .T h e
myth descr i bes th e jo u r n e y of th e d i se mbo d i e d soul s, i n gr o ups
acco r d i n g to th e i r ch ar acte r s, l i f te d u p by l ove of be au ty
wh i ch causes th e i r wi ngs to gr o w. T h e gods, abo ve th e r i m of
He ave n , spe n d th e i r ti me i n co n te mpl ati o n of th e actu al i de al
Fo r ms, an d h u man soul s f o l l o w o n as best th e y can. Ami d
th e cr ush an d co n f u si o n th ey to o occasi o nal l y catch a gl i mpse of
th e e te r n al Fo r ms, bu t l ose th e i r wi ngs an d d r o p back to
e ar th . Back h e r e , th r o u gh th e l o ve of be au tywh i ch r e mi n d s
th e m o f th e abso l u te be au ty th e y saw abo veth e wi ngs of th e
so ul be gi n to gr o w agai n (254-256).20T h u s th e tal e i s r e pe ate d
i n var yi ng f o r m. Bu t Pl ato urges:
At th e be gi n n i n g o f th i s sto r y o f o u r s we d i vi d e d e ve r y so u l i n to
th r e e par ts, two o f wh i ch h ad th e f o r m o f h o r ses, th e th i r d th a t o f a
ch ar i o te e r . Le t us r e ta i n th i s. As we sai d, o n e o f th e h o r ses i s go o d , th e
o th e r i s n o t (253).21
10. T i m e Sc h e d u l e o f P r o g r e s s i v e I n c a r n a t i o n s .So th e
h u man soul so meti me s ri ses, so meti me s si nks. T h e h orses ar e
16Ibid. w Ibid.
Ib id ., p. 29. Ibid., p. 30.
20I bid., pp. 38-42; s e e al so Gr u be , Platos Thought, pp. 131, 132.
21He l mbo l d a n d Ra bi n o wi tz, op. ci t., pp. 37, 3o .
u n r u l y. An d as o th e r soul s al so seek th e h ei gh ts, th ey jo stl e
an d tr ampl e o n o n e an o th e r . As bef o r e n o te d , i n th e d e spe r
ate str u ggl e man y ar e l amed, an d many h ave th e i r wi ngs
br o ke n th r o u gh th e i n co mpe te n ce o f th e i r ch ar i o te e r s. Bu t
acco r d i n g to th e Decr ee of De sti n y th ose soul s th at h ave
cau gh t si gh t of tr u th ar e f r ee f r o m h ar m u n ti l th e n e xt r e vo
l u ti o n .
T h e so ul , h o wever, th at i s u n abl e to keep u p, grows
h e avy. An d i n i ts h eavi ness mo l ts i ts wi ngs an d f al l s to
e ar th . Bu t such a soul sh al l n o t be pl an te d i n any beast i n
i ts f i rst bi r t h . In ste ad , i t i s pl an te d i n a human bo dyas
i n a po e t, mo n ar ch , busi nessman, ph ysi ci an, pr i e st, cr af tsman ,
f ar me r , so ph i st, e t ce te r a.22
An d soul s ar e bo r n o ver an d over. T h a t pr i n ci pl e i s i n
vo l ved i n th e ar gu me n t of th e Phaedrus.
T h e so ul does n o t r e tu r n to th e pl ace of i ts o r i gi n f o r
10,000 yearsf o r i t takes th at l e ngth o f ti me f o r i t to r e gai n
i ts wi ngs. An d i f a soul pur sue s wi sdom f o r th r e e i n car n a
ti o n s i n successi o n, i t wi l l beco me wi nge d i n th e th i r d
pe r i o d of 1000 years an d so d e par t i n th e 3000th ye ar (248,
249).13Such ar e th e wi l d vagar i es o f th e Phaedrus. T h e basi s
o f th e ti me sch e dul e i s n o t di scl osed.
11. Se c o n d I n c a r n a t i o n A f t e r T h o u s a n d Y e a r s .Bu t
th e tal e co n ti n u e s. Some, h avi n g f i ni sh ed th e i r "first l i f e
ar e sai d to go to r ecei ve ju d gme n t i n pl aces of ch asti se
me n t, be n e ath th e e ar th . Oth e r s ar e car r i e d al o f t by J u s
ti ce to some par t of th e h eave ns. T h e n , af te r th i s th o u san d
years, bo th gr o u ps d r aw l ots an d ch oose th e i r second [i n car
n ate d ] l i f e , each so ul ch o o si ng as i t wi sh es.
A h u man so ul may e n te r th e l i f e o f a be ast. So some
an i mal s ar e d e gr ad e d h u man soul s. An d conversel y, a beast
wh o was o n ce h u man may beco me a man agai n f or, i t i s
state d , a so ul wh i ch h as n e ve r seen th e tr u t h can n o t pass i n to
th i s h u man f o r m of o u r s. Fu r th e r mo r e , th e soul r e me mbe r s
wh at i t o nce saw as i t mad e i ts jo u r n e y wi th a go d , gazi ng
u po n Re al i ty i tse l f . Pl ato th e n i n te r e sti n gl y adds at th i s
po i n t, I t i s r i gh t f o r o nl y th e ph i l o so ph e r s mi n d to h ave
wi ngs, f o r h e al o ne beco mes tr u l y pe r f e cte d. He separ ates
h i mse l f f r o m th e busy i n te r e sts of me n an d appr o ach es th e d i
vi n e (249).24
Such ar e some of th e asto n i sh i n g vi ci ssi tudes of th e h u
man so u l as h e r e so ber l y po r tr aye d .
12. So u l s B e c o m e L i k e t h e G o d s T h e y F o l l o w .T h e se
pe r i o ds of tr an si ti o n ar e ti mes of agi tati o n an d d e spai r as th e
h u man soul s associ ate wi th var i o us gods. Some ar e n o t di s
f i gur ed by th i s so-cal l ed bo dy th at we car r y abo u t wi th us, i m
pr i so n e d i n i t l i ke oysters i n a sh e l l . Oth e r s ar e beset by h u
man passi ons, an d h ave pai n an d di stress, as th e stu mp of th e
wi ngs begi ns to spr o u t as su ppo r t f o r th e so ul l i ke th e gums of
a ch i l d wh en cu tti n g te e th . Bu t i t i s th e first incarnation
upon earth th at i s d e cl ar e d to be th e cr u ci al ti me. T h e soul s
of th ose wh o f ol l ow a go o d go d come to r esembl e th at go d .
T h o se f o l l o wi ng evi l gods beco me exactl y l i ke th e i r go d
(252, 253).
Such wer e th e po e ti cal f i gur es, o r l egends, so ber l y used
to po r tr ay th e vi ci ssi tudes o f th e i mmo r tal so u l i n i ts var i e d
mi gr ati o n s an d tr an smi gr ati o n s across th e mi l l e n n i u ms of ti me .
I t mu st no w be appar e n t th at to i n te l l i ge n tl y an d l o gi cal l y
accept Pl ato s co ncl usi o ns o n th e i mmo r tal i ty of th e so ul o ne
mu st be wi l l i n g to f ol l ow th e actu al pr emi ses f r o m wh i ch th ose
co ncl usi o ns ar e dr awn. An d th i s i n e vi tabl y necessi tates a grasp
o f th ose pr emi ses, wh i ch h ave h e r e be e n pr e se nte d.
T o r e je ct Pl ato s e r r ati c pr emi ses wh i l e acce pti n g h i s co n
cl usi o ns i s o bvi o usl y an i n co n si ste n t pr o ce d u r e . T h a t i s wh y
we h ave can d i d l y e xami n e d th e po stul ate s u po n wh i ch Pl ato
based h i s d e d u cti o n s, l est th e espousal of h i s co ncl usi o ns l ead us
i n to u n wi tti n g e mbar r assme n t.
24I bid., p. 32.
25I bid ., pp. 34-37. (I ta l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
I I . TimaeusHu man So ul Di l u te d Par t of
Wo r l d-So ul
I t i s o bvi o us th at we mu st be acqu ai n te d wi th pr eci sel y
what Pl ato tau gh t an d why i n o r d e r to u n d e r stan d an d e val u
ate h i s ar gu me n ts, an d th u s to d e te r mi n e th e so undness an d
val i d i ty of h i s co ncl usi o ns as l ate r accepted by Ph i l o , Or i ge n ,
an d o th e r seven to th i s day. Le t us th e r e f o r e e xami n e th e
h e ar t of an o th e r o f h i s key tr eati ses, th e i mpo r tan t Timaeus,
th at l i kewi se bear s o n th e o r i gi n , n atu r e , an d d e sti n y of man .
Fi r st, as to th e uni ve r se.
1. P l a t o s T h e o r y o f U n i v e r s e a n d M a n . T h e T i
maeus, di scussi ng f i rst th e o r i gi n an d n atu r e o f th e f ar-f l ung
uni ve rse, an d th e n of man, was o n e o f Pl ato s l atest an d mo st
matu r e pr o d u cti o n s. I t was co mpo sed wh e n h e was n e ar i n g
seventy, sh o r tl y af te r 360 b . c . 20 He r e th e d i al o gu e f o r m gi ves
way to co n ti n u o u s di sco ur se. De al i n g wi th cosmol ogy (th e
th e o r y of th e uni ve r se ) an d n atu r al sci ence, h e comes to th e
ge n e r ati o n of th e u n i ve r se (d e n o mi n ate d a l i vi n g sph e r e co m
po sed of so u l an d bo d y). Pl ato di scusses th e qu e sti o n s of
be i n g an d be co mi n g an d ceasel ess ch ange. An d wh i l e th e
r e aso n i n g i s can d i d l y based o n myth , ne ver th el ess, acco r d i n g
to Dr. Gl e n n Mo r r o w, i t co n sti tu te s a state me n t of wh at Pl ato
actu al l y be l i e ve d.27
T h e Timaeus pr e se nts th e vi si bl e wo r l d as a cr e ati o n ,
based o n a pl an n e d e te r n al patte r n , br o u gh t abo u t by a cause
wo r ki n g f o r th e be st, a cr e ati o n pr o d u ce d by th e acti vi ty o f
th e myth i cal De mi u r ge (ar ti f i ce r , o r cosmi c cr af tsman ),
br i n gi n g o r d e r o u t o f d i so r d e r l y mate r i al s, as f ar as th e i r
n atu r e pe r mi ts, f o r h u man soul s can do wr o ng of th e i r own wi l l .
T h i s te l eo l o gi cal vi ew of th e un i ve r se was u n i qu e , se tti n g asi de
th e co smo go ni es o f pr e vi o us ph i l o so ph e r s an d o f po pu l ar cu r
26Gl e n n R. Mo r r o w, I n t r o d u ct i o n to J o we t t , Platos Timaeus, i n L L A, No . 14, p. vi i .
Timaeus h as be e n r e ga r d e d as o n e o f Pl a t o s mo s t i mpo r t a n t wo r ks. I t was , i n f a ct , al mo s t th e
o n l y wo r k o f Pl a t o kn o wn to Eu r o pe i n t h e Mi d d l e Age s (I n t r o d u ct i o n , p. xxi i i ).
27Ibid . , p. x. Dr . Mo r r o w i s pr o f e s s o r o f ph i l o s o ph y, Un i ve r s i t y o f Pe n n s yl va n i a .
r e n t myth o l o gy.28Timaeus th u s begi ns wi th th e ge n e r ati o n o f
th e wo r l d an d l eads o n to th e cr e ati o n of man . 29
Acco r d i n g to th e Timaeus, wh e n th e C r e ato r f o r me d th e
u n i ve r se as a wh o l e, an d th e stars th e r e i n , wi th th e i r go dl i ke
n atu r e s, He co mman d e d th e cr e ate d gods to pr o d u ce mo r tal
bei ngs (41-43).30 Bu t He Hi mse l f pr e par e d th e i r immortal
par t i n th e same cu p i n wh i ch He h ad f ash i o ne d th e wo rl d-
so u l th e o nl y di f f er ence be i n g th at th e y wer e l ess pu r e .
2. W o r l d -So u l W i t h St a r s a s D i v i n e So u l s .
We sh o u l d tar r y l o ng e n o u gh at th i s po i n t to gr asp Pl ato s
co n ce pt of th e wo r l d system, th e sh ape o f wh i ch h e l i ke n e d to
a gl o be . Acco r d i n g to Dr. Ed u ar d Zel l er , n o te d Ge r man h i s
to r i an o f ph i l o so ph y, an d Pr o te stan t th e o l o gi an an d sci enti st,
th e e ar th was h e l d by Pl ato to be an i mmo vabl e r o u n d bal l i n
th e ce n te r , at th e axi s of th e uni ve r se . T h e sun, mo o n, an d
pl an e ts ci r cl e th e e ar th , th e h eave n of f i xed stars f o r mi n g th e
o u te r mo st ci rcl e, tu r n i n g i n o ne day ar o u n d th e axi s of th e u n i
verse. An d th e se mo ti o ns of th e h eave nl y bo di e s gi ve ri se to
ti me , each h eave nl y bo dy h avi n g i ts o wn o r bi t.31T h e n comes
th i s si gni f i cant su mmar i zi n g state me n t by Zel l er :
Far f r o m se ei ng, l i ke An axago r as an d De mo cr i tu s, o n l y d e ad masses
i n th e h e ave n l y bo di e s, Pl ato r e gar d s th e m as l i vi n g be i n gs, wh o se so ul s
mu st be h i gh e r an d d i vi n e r th a n h u man soul s, i n pr o po r ti o n as th e i r
bo d i e s ar e br i gh te r an d f ai r e r th a n o u r s. 32
Ze l l e r adds th at si nce th e stars i n th e i r mo ti o n f o l l o w pu r e
math e mati cal l aws
i f th e so u l i s, ge n e r al l y, th e mo vi n g pr i n ci pl e , th e mo st pe r f e ct so u l mu st
be wh e r e th e r e i s th e mo st pe r f e ct mo ti o n ; an d i f th e mo ti ve po we r i n
th e So ul i s acco mpan i e d by th e f acu l ty o f kn o wl e d ge , th e h i gh e st kn o wl
e d ge mu st be l o n g to th a t so u l wh i ch by a pe r f e ctl y r e gu l ar mo ti o n o f
bo d y e vi nce s th e h i gh e st r e aso n . 33
T h u s th e cosmos, ci r cl i n g abo u t i tsel f , i s abso l u te l y u n i -
28Ib id ., p. xi .
28J o we t t , Platos Timaeus, i n L L A, No . 14, p. 11.
30Ib id. , p. 22 f f .
31Ze l l e r , Plato and the Older Academy, pp. 379-384.
32Ibid ., p. 384.
33Ibid ., pp. 384, 385.
f o r m an d h ar mo n i o u s, an d possesses th e mo st d i vi n e an d
r e aso n abl e so u l . Ze l l e r th e n summar i zes Pl ato s e xpan d e d
state me n t: T h e stars ar e th e r e f o r e th e n o bl e st an d mo st i n
te l l i ge n t of al l cr e ate d n atu r e s; th ey ar e th e cr e ate d gods, as
th e u n i ve r se i s th e o n e cr e ate d Go d . 34
Such was Pl ato s dei f i cati o n of n atu r e . T h e h eave nl y bo d
i es wer e o pe n l y r e gar d e d as vi si bl e gods.
3. D u a l i s m : E v i l W i l l N e v e r C e a s e t o B e .An o th e r
d i sti n cti ve pr i n ci pl e th at emerges i n Timaeus i s th at of Du al
i sm. Pr i mar y (o r di vi n e ) an d seco ndar y (o r au xi l i ar y) causes
i n cr e ati o n ar e set f o r th . T h e Nous (Mi nd) i s pe r su ad e d o f n e
cessi ty to br i n g th e gr e ate r par t of cr e ate d th i ngs to pe r f e c
ti o n . 36I t wi l l be wel l to be ar i n mi n d th i s i mpo r tan t o bse r va
ti o n of Dr. Mo r r o w be f o r e we pr o cee d:
"Pl a to s Go d i s n o t o mn i po te n t, as i s th e Go d o f He br e w an d C h r i s
ti an th e o l o gy. T h e d i vi n e cr af tsman f r e qu e n tl y f i nds h i mse l f h ampe r e d
by th e i mpe r f e cti o n o f h i s mate r i al s, an d by a ce r tai n i n co r r i gi bi l i ty r e si
d e n t i n th e m. Hi s ai m al ways i s to r e al i ze th e go o d , bu t we ar e r e mi n d e d
agai n an d agai n th a t h i s ach i e ve me n t i s l i mi te d by wh at i s po ssi bl e . 30
T h a t i s a f u n d ame n tal l i mi tati o n , an d i t i nvol ves an o th e r
pr i n ci pl e .
At th i s po i n t f r an k an d o pe n Dual i sm appe ar s i n Pl ato .
T h i s i s ampl i f i e d i n Pl ato s i mpo r tan t Theaetetus, wh i ch
h o l ds a ce n tr al po si ti o n i n th e s tr u ctu r e o f Pl ato s system of
ph i l o so ph y. T h u s :
"Evi l s . . . can n e ve r pass away, f o r th e r e mu st al ways r e mai n
s o me th i n g wh i ch i s an tago n i s ti c to go o d. Havi n g n o pl ace amo n g th e
go d s i n h e ave n , o f necessi ty th e y h o ve r ar o u n d th e mo r tal n atu r e an d
th i s e ar th l y sph e r e . Wh e r e f o r e we o u gh t to f l y away f r o m e a r th to
h e ave n as qu i ckl y as we can ; an d to f l y away i s to be co me l i ke Go d , as
f ar as th i s i s po ssi bl e ; an d to be co me l i ke h i m i s to be co me h o l y, ju st,
an d wi se (176).31
In such matte r s i t i s to be bo r n e i n mi n d th at Pl ato bo r-
34Ib id . , p. 385.
38Mo r r o w, op. cit., p. xi i i .
33I bid., p. xi v.
37J o we t t , Platos Theaetetus, i n L L A, No . 13, p. 41; cf . I n t r o d u ct i o n , p. vi i .
r o we d h eavi l y f r o m al mo st al l of h i s predecessors, co mbi n i n g
th e i r i nsi gh ts to f o r m a si ngl e u n i f i e d th e o r y o f r e al i ty. 38Bu t
e vi l , Pl ato h e l d, i s d ue , n o t to th e wi l l o r desi gn of th e
C r e ato r , bu t to th e ch ar acte r of th e mate r i al s u po n wh i ch h e
wo r ks, f o r Go d i s th e au th o r o nl y of go o d. 38
4. So u l I s So u r c e o f A l l M o t i o n .Wi th th e se th r e e
f acto rs o pe r ati ve th e e te r n al patte r n , th e mate r i al s, an d
th e De mi u r ge T i mae u s d i sti ngui sh e s be twe e n th at
wh i ch , as h e gr aph i cal l y puts i t, al ways i s an d h as n o be co m
i n g, an d th at wh i ch i s al ways be co mi n g an d n e ve r i s. *
So ul i s th e so ur ce o f mo ti o n mo ti o n be i n g so me th i n g
capabl e o f mo vi n g i tse l f , an d th i s sel f -mo vi ng agency be i n g
so u l . 41So th e De mi u r ge (o r Nous) creates so u l f i rst th e
wo rl d-so ul an d th e n th e so ul of man . 42So ul , mo vi n g an d
l i vi n g, was, h e adds, th e cr e ate d i mage of th e e te r n al go ds.
So ul i s th e r e f o r e a mo vi n g i mage of e te r n i ty (37).43
T h i s was a new co n ce pt i n ph i l o so ph y, e mbo d yi n g f ar-
r e ach i n g ef f ects. Soul i s th e be gi n n i n g, o r i gi n , an d f i rst pr i n ci
pl e o f l i f e. As pr e vi o usl y n o te d , th e wo r l d i tse l f i s al l egedl y a
l i vi ng be i n g, e n d o we d wi th soul an d mi n d an d th at so ul i s
spr e ad th r o u gh o u t th e un i ve r se .44T h a t i s th e essence of Pl a
to ni sm o n th e so ul . As Mo r r o w says, h e ar gues th at al l mo ti o n
e ve n tu al l y pr esuppo ses so me th i n g th at i s capabl e of mo vi n g
i tsel f , an d th at th i s sel f -mo vi ng agency i s so u l . 48
5. I n t e r m e d i a t e E x i s t e n c e B e t w e e n B e i n g a n d
B e c o m i n g .As Mo r r o w f u r th e r o bserves, T h e e l abo r ate
d e scr i pti o n o f th e C r e ati o n of soul (34c-36e) i s di f f i cul t to
co mpr e h e n d , an d h as be e n th e th e me of al mo st endl ess co m
me n t an d co n tr o ve r sy. He states th at th e so u l i s set f o r th
as so co n sti tu te d as to h ave a ki n d o f exi stence i n te r me d i ate
be twe e n Be i n g an d Be co mi ng. 40Fu r th e r , th e wo rl d-so ul i s a
38I bid., pp. vi i i , i x. 45Mo r r o w, op. cit., p. xvi .
39Mo r r o w, op. ci t., p. xv. 4 J o we tt, Timaeus, i n L L A, No . 14, p. xvi i .
*Ibid.
41Ib id ., p. xvi .
42Ibid.
43J o we t t , Timaeus, i n L L A, No . 14, p. 19.
44Se e Gr u bc, op. cit., p. 142.
mi xtu r e o f th e i n d i vi si bl e an d di vi si bl e ki nds of be i n g, 4T wh at
e ve r th ese te rms i mpl y. T h e th r e e i n gr e d i e n ts o f be i n g ar e d e
f i ned as essence, sameness, an d o th e r n e ss. 18An d th e ac
co u n t of cr e ati o n i s th e sto r y o f successi ve acti o ns pe r f o r me d
by th e De mi u r ge , 49T h i s br i ngs Pl ato s pr i mal pr i n ci pl e s be
f o r e us.
6. I m m o r t a l P a r t o f M a n F a s h i o n e d b y P r i m a l C r e
a t o r . Pl ato th e n di scusses a th i r d e n ti ty, th e r e ce ptacl e , o r
n u r se o f al l ge n e r ati o n . Because of i ts f orml essness . . . th e
r e ce ptacl e can n o t be appr e h e n d e d by sense . . . ; i t can o n l y be
af f i r med as so me th i n g th at mu st be assumed i f Beco mi ng i s to
o ccu r (52 c). An d th i s r e ce ptacl e , h e h o l ds, i s as e te r n al as
i s th e patte r n . 50T h e n th e acco u n t o f cr e ati o n cu l mi n ate s i n
th e cr e ati o n o f man (41b-47c, 69a-90d). An d th e n e xt e m
ph asi s i s u po n th e bo di l y ve h i cl e , i n ste ad o f th e so ul th at
uses i t. In th e Republic, man s so ul i s co mpo si te, co n si sti ng o f
a d i vi n e par t (th e reaso n), an d two mo r tal par ts (spi r i t an d
appe ti te ). 81Bu t i n Timaeus Pl ato descr i bes h ow
th e i mmo r tal par t, th e r e aso n , was mad e by th e De mi u r ge h i mse l f ,
a n d f r o m th e same i n gr e d i e n ts as we r e u se d i n th e maki n g o f th e wo r l d -
so ul , though much diluted. T o th e cr e ate d go d s, acti n g as h i s age n ts,
th e De mi u r ge e n tr u s te d th e maki n g o f th e mo r tal par ts o f ma n s so u l
an d th e bo d y i n wh i ch th e y ar e h o u se d . 82
An d h e adds, T h u s r e aso n i s th e tr u l y d i vi n e e l e me n t i n
man . 83
He r e ar e Pl ato s words:
No w o f th e d i vi n e , h e h i mse l f was th e cr e ato r , bu t th e cr e ati o n o f
th e mo r tal h e co mmi tte d to h i s o f f spr i n g. An d th e y, i mi tati n g h i m,
r e ce i ve d f r o m h i m th e i mmo r tal pr i n ci pl e o f th e so u l ; an d ar o u n d th i s
th e y pr o ce e d e d to f ash i o n a mo r tal bo d y, an d mad e i t to be th e ve h i cl e
o f th e so ul , an d co n s tr u cte d wi th i n th e bo d y a so u l o f an o th e r n a t u r e
wh i ch was mo r tal , su bje ct to te r r i bl e an d i r r e si sti bl e af f ecti o nsf i r st o f
al l , pl e asu r e , th e gr e ate st i n ci te me n t to e vi l ; th e n , pai n , wh i ch d e te r s
f r o m go o d ; al so r ash n e ss an d f e ar , two f o o l i sh co u n se l o r s, an ge r h a r d to
47I bid., p. xvi i j. _ _ 81I b id. , p. xx.
48Ibid . , pp. xvi i , xvi i i . 83Ibid. , p. xxi . (I t a l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
49Ibid . , p. xx. 83Ibid. Se e al so Gr u be , op. ci t., p. 143.
80I b id . , p. xi x.
be appe ase d , an d h o pe easi l y l e d astr ayth e se th e y mi n gl e d wi th i r r a
ti o n a l sense an d wi th al l -d ar i n g l o ve acco r d i n g to necessar y l aws, an d
so f r ame d ma n (69).M
So, h e h o l ds, man s so ul i s i mmo r tal , u n ch an ge abl e , i m
pe r i sh abl e , e te r n al , bu t h i s bo dy i s mo r tal .
7. Su c c e s s i v e B i r t h s i n Sc a l e o f T r a n s mi g r a t o r y D e g
r a d a t i o n . Sti l l an o th e r si n gu l ar po i n t i s stressed i n Ti-
maeus. Af te r d e scr i bi n g th e soul of th e u n i ve r se , Pl ato h e r e
agai n, as el sewh er e, r e f e r s to h u man soul s as e qu al i n n u mbe r
to th e star s, ad d i n g th at each soul i s assi gned to a star .
Pl ato decl ar es th at acco r d i n g to th e l aws of de sti n y, th e f i rst
bi r th wo u l d be o n e an d th e same f o r al l , so as to avo i d di scr i m
i n ati o n . T h e se soul s wer e th e n to be i mpl an te d i n bo d i e s.
T h e n comes th i s stu n n i n g d e cl ar ati o n :
He wh o l i ve d wel l d u r i n g h i s appo i n te d ti me was to r e t u r n an d
d we l l i n h i s n ati ve star , an d th e r e h e wo u l d h ave a bl e ssed an d co n ge n i al
exi ste n ce . Bu t i f h e f ai l e d i n a t ta i n i n g th i s, at the second birth he would
pass into a woman, an d i f , wh e n i n th a t state o f be i n g, h e d i d n o t desi st
f r o m evi l , h e wo u l d co n ti n u al l y be ch an ge d i n to so me br u te wh o r e se m
bl e d h i m i n th e e vi l n a t u r e wh i ch h e h ad acqu i r e d , an d wo u l d n o t cease
f r o m h i s to i l s an d tr an s f o r mati o n s u n ti l h e f o l l o we d th e r e vo l u ti o n o f
th e same an d th e l i ke wi th i n h i m, an d o ve r came by th e h e l p o f r e aso n
th e tu r bu l e n t a n d i r r a ti o n a l mo b o f l ate r accr e ti o n s mad e u p o f f i re
an d ai r an d wate r an d e ar th , an d r e tu r n e d to th e f o r m o f h i s f i r st an d
be t te r state (42).5T
So i t was th at th e i mmo r tal so u l was f aste ne d i n , o r to,
a bo dy th at was i n a state of pe r pe tu al i nf l ux an d ef f l ux
(43). Fr anci s M. C o r n f o r d , f o r me r pr o f esso r o f ph i l o so ph y at
th e Uni ve r si ty of C ambr i d ge , summar i zes Pl ato s co n ce pt i n
th i s way:
Af te r th e jo u r n e y i n th e i r star ch ar i o ts, th e i mmo r tal so ul s ar e n e xt
so wn l i ke se ed i n th e pl an e ts an d co mmi tte d to th e car e o f th e cr e ate d
go ds. On l y th e i mmo r tal e l e me n t i n th e so ul , as th e i mme d i ate cr e ati o n
o f th e De mi u r ge , i s i n d i sso l u bl e . T h e s u bo r d i n ate d i vi n i ti e s mu st ad d
54J o wct t , Timaeus, i n L L A, No . 14, pp. 52, 53.
58 C f . C h u r ch , Phaedo, i n L L A, No . 30, pp. 27, 28.
56J o wct t , Timaeus, i n L L A, No . 14, p. 24.
67I bid., pp. 24, 25. (I t a l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
88Ibid., p. 25.
th e bo d y an d th o se mo r tal par ts o f th e so ul wh i ch te mpo r ar y asso ci ati o n
wi th th e bo d y e n tai l s (42 d-e).68
8. A l l A n i m a t e d L i f e I n c l u d e d i n L i v i n g B e i n g s .
On e f u r th e r po si ti o n i s to be n o te d . So ul , Pl ato tau gh t,
spr eads f r o m th e h i gh e st to th e l owest of l i vi ng be i n gs. T h e
var i ati o n s an d gr ad ati o n s ar e d e scr i be d th us:
Fo r e ve r yth i n g th a t par take s o f l i f e may be tr u l y cal l e d a l i vi n g
be i n g, a n d th e an i mal o f wh i ch we ar e n o w spe aki n g par take s o f th e
th i r d ki n d o f so u l . . . h avi n g n o pa r t i n o pi n i o n o r r e aso n o r mi n d ,
bu t o n l y i n f e e l i n gs o f pl e asu r e an d pai n an d th e de si r e s wh i ch acco m
pan y th e m (77) .e0
9. M a n s I m m o r t a l So u l D e c l a r e d H o u s e d i n H e a d .
We co n cl u d e by o bse r vi n g th at Pl ato l ocates th e d we l l i n g
pl ace o f th e i mmo r tal soul of man i n i ts mo r tal h abi tati o n th us:
Go d gave th e so ve r e i gn pa r t o f th e h u man so u l to be th e d i vi n i ty
o f e ach o n e , be i n g th a t pa r t wh i ch , as we say, dwel l s at th e to p o f th e
bo d y [th e h e ad ], an d i n asmu ch as we ar e a pl a n t n o t o f an e ar th l y bu t
o f a h e ave n l y gr o wth , r ai se s us f r o m e ar th to o u r ki n d r e d wh o ar e i n
h e ave n . An d i n th i s we say tr u l y; f o r th e d i vi n e po we r su spe n d e d th e
h e ad an d r o o t o f us f r o m th a t pl ace wh e r e th e ge n e r ati o n o f th e so u l
f i rst be gan , an d th u s mad e th e wh o l e bo d y u pr i gh t (90).81
An d h e adds, T h u s o u r o r i gi n al desi gn of di sco u r si n g
abo u t th e u n i ve r se do wn to th e cr e ati o n o f man i s n e ar l y co m
pl e te d (90) .*2
Such ar e some of th e asto n i sh i n g po stul ates, u tte r l y f o r
ei gn to mo d e r n th o u gh t, u po n wh i ch Pl ato bu i l t h i s r e aso ni ng,
an d f r o m wh i ch h e dr ew h i s basi c co n cl u si o n th e I n n ate I m
mo r tal i ty o f th e h u man soul .
58F. M. C o mf o r d , Platos Cosmology, i n L L A, No . 101, p. 146.
00J o we t t , Timaeus, i n L L A, No . 14. p. 60.
61I b i d . , p. 73.
I b id . , p. 74.
C H A P T E R T H I R T Y - F O U R
Ske pti cal Reacti o ns Er u pt
Agai nst Pl ato ni sm
I. Ar i sto tl e Aban d o n s Pl ato s Po stu l ate of
Pe r so n al Immo r tal i ty
A r i s t o t l e , o f Stagi r a (384-322 B .C .), gr e ate st of Pl ato s
pu pi l su n d e r wh o m h e sat f o r twe nty yearsan d f o r th r e e
years tu to r o f Al e xan d e r th e Gr e at, i s r e gar d e d as o n e o f
th e gi an t i nte l l e cts of th e an ci e n t wo r l d. Do l l i n ge r si gni f i cantl y
cal l s h i m, Pl ato s mo st i l l u str i o u s di sci pl e, an d at th e same
ti me h i s gr e ate st o ppo n e n t. 1
He was r eco gni zed as u n su r passe d i n l ogi c an d di al ecti cs,
an d h i s ph i l o so ph y was pr acti cal an d matte r of f act r ath e r
th an mysti cal an d specul ati ve . He systemati zed f o r mal r e aso n
i n g an d was co n si d e r e d th e u l ti mate i n h i s f i el d, sur passi ng al l
be f o r e h i m i n th e n atu r al sci ence of h i s day. He was cal l ed
u n i ve r sal do cto r , f o r h e co mpassed th e wh o l e ci rcl e of h u man
sci ence of h i s day an d was th e cr e ato r o f l ogi c, eth i cs, psych o l
ogy, an d n atu r al h i stor y.
I n 335 b . c . Ar i sto tl e f o u n d e d h i s Pe r i pate ti c Sch ool i n
Ath ens. Hi s stu d e n ts wer e cal l e d Pe r i pate ti cs (wal ki ng ph i l o s
o ph er s), f o r i t was h i s h abi t to d e l i ve r h i s l e ctur e s wh i l e
wal ki ng. He r e je cte d Pl ato s d o ctr i n e of i de as, mai n tai n i n g
th at i deas ar e n o t r e al i ti e s bu t me r e l y me n tal abstr acti o ns. T h e
i de a exi sts in th i ngs, n o t apar t f ro m th i ngs. Ar i sto tl e h e l d th at
Go d i s an i mmate r i al Spi r i t wh o i s th e Fi r st an d Fi n al C ause.
1J o h a n n J . I . vo n Do l l i n ge r , T h e Gentile and the Jew, vo l . 1, p. 333.
599
600 C ONDIT IONAL!ST FAIT H
Such an assu mpti o n , h e sai d, i s i ne scapabl e f r o m th e evi dences
o f desi gn i n n atu r e .
He d i d no t, h o wever , r eco gni ze a d i vi n e Personality. Go d,
h e h e l d, i s pu r e ener gy, tr an sce n d i n g th e un i ve r se th e u n
mo ve d Mo ver of al l th i ngs, wi th o u t pl u r al i ty an d wi th o u t
par ts. Mo r eo ver , Ar i sto tl e co u l d n o t co ncei ve of Go d as f r am
i n g th e wo r l d at any gi ven ti me . T h e process, h e th o u gh t, was
an e te r n al o ne.
1. Q u e s t i o n s P l a t o s R e a s o n i n g o n I m m o r t a l i t y .
Wi th Ar i sto tl e th e pe r i o d of th e gr e at spe cul ati ve system of
ph i l o so ph y i s br o u gh t to a cl ose. Fo l l o wi ng h i m ph i l o so ph y
takes a new tu r n , f o r h e i n tr o d u ce s th e age of r easo n. Gr eece
h ad go ne th r o u gh h e r pe r i o d of cr e d u l i ty, h e r e r a o f i n qu i r y,
an d h e r ti me o f spe cu l ati o n . An d now, i n mar ke d co n tr ast,
Ar i sto tl e moves f r o m th e spe cul ati ve sch eme of Pl ato to th e
sci enti f i c me th o d .
Ar i sto tl e s ph i l o so ph i cal me th o d was th e r ever se of th at
of Pl ato , wh ose star ti n g po i n t was th e u n i ve r sal th e very
e xi stence of wh i ch was a matte r of f ai th . T h e n , f r o m th e u n i
versal , h e de scende d to par ti cu l ar s. On th e co n tr ar y, Ar i sto tl e
rose f r o m par ti cu l ar s to uni ve r sal s, ad van ci n g by i n d u cti o n .
Hi s system was th e r e f o r e cal l e d i n d u cti ve ph i l o so ph y. Pl ato
h ad tr u ste d to i magi n ati o n , Ar i sto tl e r e l i e d o n r easo n.
In ste ad of Pl ato s f anci f ul remi ni scences, o r abstr acti o n s
f r o m f o r me r e xper i ences, as h e th o u gh t, i n o th e r pr e vi o usl y
i n car n ate d l i vesAr i sto tl e so u gh t to su bsti tu te actu al e xpe r i
ences i n th i s l i f e, r e cal l i n g f acts an d co l l ati n g th e m an d d i s
co ve r i ng l i kenesses an d di f f erences. But, l i ke o th e r s be f o r e
h i m, Ar i sto tl e was sti l l co nf used. Fo r exampl e , h e h e l d th at
matte r h as a tr i pl e f o r msi mpl e substance, h i gh e r substance,
an d abso l u te substance, o r Go d Hi mse l f ; th at th e u n i ve r se i s
i mmu tabl e an d e te r n al ; an d th at th e pr i mi ti ve f orce th at gi ves
r i se to al l mo ti o n an d ch ange i s n atu r e . He al so h e l d th at th e
wo r l d i s a l i vi n g be i ng, h avi n g a so ul .2J o h n Dr ape r summa-
1 Dr a pe r , History of the Intellectual Development of Europe, vo l . 1, pp. 177-181.
Ari stotl e, Pl ato s Greatest
Pu pi l , Aban d o n s Pl a t o s
Po stul ate of "Per so nal Im
mo r tal i ty.
ri zes Ar i sto tl e s di scussi o n of wh at h e bel i eves to be th e f u n c
ti o ns of th e h u man so ul an d body, wi th th i s si mpl e state me n t:
I t i s d o u btf u l wh e th e r Ar i sto tl e be l i e ve d i n th e i mmo r tal i ty of
th e so ul , n o deci si ve passage to th at ef f ect o ccu r r i n g i n such of
h i s wo rks as ar e e xtan t. 3
T h a t i s bo r n e o u t by my o wn i n ve sti gati o n .
2. A r i s t o t l e i n Sh a r p C o n t r a s t W i t h P l a t o . T aki n g
Pl ato n i sm as h i s basi s, Ar i sto tl e sensed i ts co n tr ad i cti o n s an d i ts
gaps, an d str u ck o u t i n to new path s. In many aspects th ese two
gr e at th i n ke r s of an ti qu i ty ar e i n al mo st co mpl e te co n tr ast. As
Do l l i n ge r says, Pl ato was th e ph i l o so ph e r o f th e i n te l l e ct, Ar i s
to tl e o f n atu r e .4As to th e r e l ati o n o f Go d to th e wo r l d , Pl ato
set Hi m f o r th as th e Maste r -Bui l de r , Ar i sto tl e as th e l ast e n d
o r Fi n al C ause. T h e wo r l d , h e h e l d , i s f r o m e te r n i ty, an d th e
e n ti r e cosmos wi th o u t be gi n n i n g an d th e r e f o r e i n d e str u cti bl e .
=Ibid ., p. 181.
4Do l l i n ge r , op. ext., vo l . 1, pp. 333, 334.
601
But, as n o te d , Ar i sto tl e al so r e je cte d an d co mbate d
Pl ato s d o ctr i n e of i deas an d i ts co nsequences. He pl ace d i n n a
tu r e th e f or ms th at appe ar to be e mbo d i e d i n h er . T h e y were
n o t pl an te d by Go d i n n atu r e bu t th ey co n sti tu te h e r r e al
essence. Pl ato s Go d i s i n te l l i ge n t po wer, o r d e r i n g an d su stai n
i n g th e wo r l d, o r cosmos. Bu t to Ar i sto tl e th e Fi r st C ause i s an
e te r n al , e ver -ene r gi zi ng substance, co r r e spo n d i n g to Pl ato s
Wo r l d-So ul r ath e r th an h i s cr e ati ve De mi ur ge . T o Ar i sto tl e
th e r e co u l d be n o pl u r al i ty of gods.
3. S o u l I s t h e P r i n c i p l e o f L i f e . Ar i sto tl e i s l i kewi se
f ar f r o m Pl ato i n h i s d o ctr i n e of th e so ul an d i ts i mmo r tal i ty.
He ch al l enge s th e twi n co ncepts of pr e-exi stence an d me te mp
sychosi s. He r e je cts as absu r d th e n o ti o n th at th e so ul co u l d
e n te r any bo dy i t l i ked. And h e r e gar d e d Pl ato s th e o r y of r e m
i ni scence as f r i vo l o u s an d co n tr ad i cto r y. T o Ar i sto tl e th e
so ul exi sts pr i mar i l y as qu i cke n i n g th e bo d y. I t i s th e pr i n
ci pl e th at gi ves f o r m, mo ti o n , an d d e ve l o pme n t to th e bo dy
pe n e tr ati n g an d e n e r gi zi ng i t as th e principle of life.
T h e bo dy i s n o th i n g of i tsel f , exce pt as a me d i u m th r o u gh
wh i ch th e so ul i s r e al i ze d.5I t can n o t be i magi n e d wi th o u t th e
body, o r th e bo dy wi th o u t i t. An d Ar i sto tl e di vi des th e soul
i n to th r e e co mpo n e n t par tsth e n u tr i ti ve , th e sensi ti ve, an d
th e th i n ki n g po we r (nous). Wh at Go d i s to th e uni ve r se , th at
th e nous i s to th e so ul .6
4. O n l y D i v i n e R e a s o n I s I m m o r t a l . T h e r e al l y h u
man par t th at comes i n to be i n g mu st al so pass away. On l y th e
d i vi n e r easo n i s i mmo r tal . He r e i s Do l l i n ge r s co mme n t o n
Ar i sto tl e s po si ti o n :
On l y th e d i vi n e r e aso n i s i mmo r tal ; bu t, as th e me mo r y be l o n gs to
th e se n si ti ve so ul , an d i n d i vi d u al th o u gh t d e pe n d s o n th e u n d e r s ta n d i n g
o r passi ve nous o n l y, al l sel f -co nsci o usness mu st cease wi th d e a th . 7
In o th e r words, th e r e i s n o co nsci ous co n ti n u an ce . Never -
SKEPT IC AL REAC T I ONS ERUPT AGAINST PLAT ONISM 603
theless, in one fragment preserved by Eudemus, Aristotle seems
to support an immortal-soul concept.
Wh e n mi n d i s s e t f r e e f r o m i ts pr e s e n t co n d i t i o n s i t a ppe a r s as
ju s t wh a t i t i s a n d n o t h i n g mo r e : th i s a l o n e i s i mmo r t a l a n d e t e r n a l
(we do not, however, remember its former activity be cau s e , wh i l e mi n d
i n th i s se n se i s impassible, mind as passi ve i s d e s t r u cti bl e ), a n d wi t h o u t i t
nothing thinks." 8
Dollinger observes that he was here obviously speaking
exoterically to Eudemus, not scientifically.
5. S e p a r a t e d S o u l H a s N o I n d e p e n d e n t E x i s t e n c e .
Erwin Rohde maintains that in Aristotles discussion of the
souls nature and destiny two voices are distinctly audible,
first, the physicist, then the metaphysician. The living, organic,
physical body brings the potential into existence. Independent
life resides in the body. But the soul is bodiless and immate
rial, and is the cause, not the resultant, of the merging of the
various functions of the body, which exists for the souls benefit.
It dwells within a natural organism. It is not to be regarded
as separate from the body, any more than the vision is
separate from the eye.10 Rohde explains Aristotles position in
this way:
Wh e n th e l i vi n g cr e a t u r e d i e s th e ma t t e r o f wh i ch i t was co mpo s e d
l o se s i ts s pe ci al a d a pt a t i o n to a pu r po s e f u l o r gan i s m, a n d th i s a d a pt a
t i o n was i ts l i f e ; wi t h o u t i t t h e r e can be n o i n d e pe n d e n t Su bs tan ce . . . .
T h e Fo r m, th e f u n ct i o n a l po we r o f th e o n ce -l i vi n g o r gan i s m, i ts s o u l ,
h as n o l o n ge r a n y i n d e pe n d e n t e xi s te n ce . 11
T h e r e i s n o t h i n g l e f t t h a t can be t h o u gh t o f as f o r mi n g th e co n t e n t
o f th e l i f e a n d a cti vi ty o f th e Mi n d i n i ts s e pa r a te e xi s te n ce a f t e r th e
co mpl e t i o n o f i ts pe r i o d o f l i f e o n e a r t h . . . .
T h e t h o u gh t o f i mmo r ta l i ty cast i n th i s f o r m co u l d n o l o n ge r
po sse ss an y r e a l va l u e o r e th i ca l s i gn i f i can ce f o r ma n . 12
In other words, there is a loss, or submergence, of person
ality or individuality in that continuance.
8Ari stotl e, De anima, book 3, ch ap. 5, 23-25, i n The Works of Aristotle (J . A. Smi th
t r .), vol . 1, i n Gr e at Books o f th e Western Worl d, vol . 8, p. 662. (i tal i cs suppl i ed.)
0Do l l i nger, op. cit., vol . 1, p. 339.
10Roh de. Psyche, p. 493.
11Ibid. In th e do cumentati o n and no tes Roh de ci tes sch ol ars wh o af f i rm th at Ari sto tl es
words can onl y mean the denial of immortality. See pages, 512, 513, note 34.
12Ibid., p. 496.
6. T r i p a r t i t e N a t u r e : B o d y, S o u l , a n d M i n d . Aristotle
distinguishes between mind and soul, and separates man
into three parts body, soul, and mind. The mind is that
in us which thinks and conceives. 13 It enters into man at his
creation, and is separate from the soul. In its relationship to
the body and soul it is the ruling element over both.14 The
mind is what the individual man is, and without mind man
could not exist. When death occurs, the mind disappears into
impenetrable darkness. The separate existence of the mind,
persisting for itself alone, is therefore beyond not merely
our perception but our conceiving as well.
7. R o h d e Su mma r i ze s A r i s t o t l e s P o s i t i o n . Rohde
brings out the fact that in his youth Aristotle had been a com
plete Platonist, indulging in phantasies about the origin, na
ture, and destiny of the soul. Later he repudiated the concept
of the soul as inhabiting the body. The soul was the reali
zation of the life of this entirely distinct and physical organism.
Mind, according to Aristotle, is not to be included in the soul,
but is coupled with the soul from without and for its limited
period of life. It has no compulsive urge for deliverance. Aris
totle thus distinguishes between mind and soul. He does not
conceive of its separate existence after the completion of its
period of life on earth. 17
8. Z e l l e r o n P r e - e xi s t e n ce , I n ca r n a t i o n s , a n d P e r s o n a l
I m m o r t a l i t y . Eduard Zeller gives a similar analysis:
I n h i s e a r l i e r wr i t i n gs h e [Ar i s to tl e ] e n u n ci a t e d th e Pl a t o n i c d o c
t r i n e s o f t h e pr e -e xi s te n ce o f th e so u l , i ts i n ca r ce r a t i o n i n t h e bo d y,
a n d i ts r e t u r n a t d e a t h to a h i gh e r e xi s te n ce . He t h e r e f o r e as s u me d
th e co n t i n u e d pe r s o n a l i t y a n d se l f -co n sci o u s e xi s te n ce o f t h e i n d i vi d u a l
a f t e r d e a t h . 18
But, Zeller continues, as Aristotle developed his own
system he was necessarily led to question these assumptions.
i * Ibid., p. 493. la Ibid., p. 495.
14Ibid., p. 494. 17Ibid., p. 496; cf . p. 383.
15Ibid., pp. 494, 495.
18Zel l er, Aristotle and the Earlier Peripatetics, vol . 2, p. 130.
Aristotle considered the human soul as the entelechy 19 of
the body, in whose service the whole body is enlisted. Here
is the explanation:
As h e came to co n ce i ve o f bo d y a n d s o u l as e s s e n ti al l y u n i t e d ,
a n d to d e f i n e th e s o u l as th e entelechy o f th e bo d y, a n d as, f u r t h e r , h e
be came co n vi n ce d t h a t e ve r y s o u l r e qu i r e s i ts o wn pr o pe r o r ga n , a n d
mu s t r e ma i n wh o l l y i n o pe r a t i ve wi t h o u t i t, h e was n e ce ss ar i l y l e d , n o t
o n l y to r e ga r d t h e pi l gr i ma ge o f t h e s o u l i n th e o t h e r wo r l d as a myth,
bu t al so to qu e s t i o n th e d o ct r i n e s o f pr e -e xi s te n ce a n d i mmo r ta l i ty as
th e y we r e h e l d by Pl a t o . I n a s mu ch as th e s o u l i s d e pe n d e n t u po n th e
bo d y f o r i ts e xi s te n ce a n d acti vi ty, i t mu s t co me i n t o e xi s te n ce a n d
pe r i s h wi th i t . 20
Zeller adds that Aristotle expressly rejects the idea that
the dead are happy, but rather that death brings the loss of
all senses. Hence
u n d e r th e s e ci r cu ms tan ce s i t i s i mpo s s i bl e to say t h a t Ar i s to tl e t a u gh t
a d o ct r i n e o f pe r s o n a l i mmo r ta l i ty. He t a u gh t me r e l y th e co n t i n u e d
e xi s te n ce o f t h i n ki n g s pi r i t , d e n yi n g to i t al l th e a t t r i bu t e s o f pe r s o n a l i t y. 21
9. W e s t c o t t A gr e e s W i t h Z e l l e r , R o h d e , a n d D r a pe r .
Anglican Bishop B. F. Westcott22 states that Aristotle
examined with most elaborate care the immortality ques
tion, and sums it up thus:
Ste r n l y a n d pi ti l e s s l y h e s tate s th e l as t co n cl u s i o n o f ma n s n a t u r a l
h o pe o f i mmo r ta l i ty as te s te d by r e a s o n . 23
T h e ju d gme n t o f Ar i s to tl e su ms u p th e f i n al r e s u l t o f Gr e e k Ph i l o s
o ph y o n th e s o u l , as a s u bje ct o f pu r e s pe cu l a ti o n . Fr o m h i s ti me ph i l o s o
ph y be came e s s e n ti al l y pr a ct i ca l . 2i
10. O t h e r S c h o l a r s A gr e e i n F o r e go i n g E v a l u a t i o n s .
Emmanuel Petavel, in his classic The Problem of Immortality,
concurs:
Aristotle, for his part, scarcely mentions immortality;
18Entelechya di f f i cul t Ar i stotel i an ter m, meani ng th e per f ected real i zati on o r com
pl ete actual i ty, as co ntr asted wi th mer e po tenti al exi stence, and real i zed i n an or gani zed bei ng,
such as an i ndi vi dual man.
20Ibid., pp. 130, 131; cf . pp. 8-10; al so p. 120.
27Ibid., p. 134.
22B r o o k e Fo ss W e s t c o t t (1825-1901), Angl i can bi sh op, Bi bl i cal sch o l ar, and auth o r ,
was prof essor of di vi ni ty at C ambr i dge Uni versi ty, canon of Westmi nster, and bi sh op of Dur h am.
He was al so one of th e New T e stame n t revi sers.
23B. F. Westcott, The Gospel of the Resurrection, p. 125.
21Ibid., p. 128.
the little that he does say about it is very much like Conditional-
ism. 28
Dr. Stewart Salmond, professor of theology, Free Church
College, Aberdeen, says significantly:
Fe w h ave be e n s ati sf i e d by th e Pl a t o n i c d o ct r i n e . I t ma d e bu t s can ty
co n qu e s ts e i t h e r a t th e ti me o r i n l a t e r s ch o o l s o f Gr e e k a n d Ro ma n
th o u gh t . I t was n o t acce pt e d e ve n by Pl a t o s o wn i mme d i a te d i s ci pl e s . I t
d o e s n o t a ppe a r to h a ve o bt a i n e d an y pl a ce wi t h Ar i s to tl e , i n wh o se wr i t
i n gs th e wh o l e qu e s t i o n o f th e i mmo r t a l i t y o f th e s o u l i s i gn o r e d ; o r , i f
n o t i gn o r e d , i t i s l e f t so . . . i n d e t e r mi n a t e by th e gr e a t Sta gi r i te [Ar i s to tl e ]
t h a t Or i ge n [Contra Celsum, i i i . 75] cl asse s h i m wi th Epi cu r u s i n th i s
ma t t e r , a n d mo d e r n sch o l ar s, n o t a f e w, h ave co n cl u d e d t h a t h e d i d
n o t be l i e ve i n th e s o u l s af t e r -l i f e . 29
And the eminent Dr. Dollinger puts Aristotles teaching
in this terse way: The really human in the soul, that which
has come into being, must also pass away . . . ; only the divine
reason is immortal. 27
The contrast with Platos position is noteworthy.
11. C e n t u r i e s - o l d C o n f l i c t O ve r A r i s t o t l e s P o s i t i o n .
Because of his conflicting statements, the question as to
whether Aristotle taught or denied the immortality of the soul
has been the subject of innumerable debates from his day until
now. But his main repeated position is quite clear. And it is in
controvertible that his name has been cited by many of his ablest
followers in every generation as authority for rejecting the
doctrine of personal, Innate Immortality. That is why examples
have been cited. The battle has raged over the literal versus
the figurative, the esoteric and the popular.38But as Prof. Hein
rich Ritter, formerly of the University of Gottingen, wisely
says:
T h e d i s pu t e ca n n o t be s e t tl e d by an y pass age i n h i s e xt a n t wo r ks. . . .
We mu s t, th e r e f o r e , d r a w o u r co n cl u s i o n . . . f r o m th e ge n e r a l co n
t e xt o f A r i s t o t l e s d o ct r i n e ; a n d f r o m th i s i t i s cl e ar , t h a t h e h a d n o
25Emmanuel Petavel , The Problem of Immortality, p. 51; cf . p. 279 (Ari stotl e . . .
h ardl y ever al l uded to th e subje ct).
28Sal mond, Christian Doctrine, pp. 151, 152.
27Dol l i nger, op. cit., vol . 1, p. 339; see al so pp. 338-340.
28Al ger, History of the Doctrine of a Future Life, p. 191.
co n ce pt i o n o f th e i mmo r t a l i t y o f an y i n d i vi d u a l r a t i o n a l e n t i t y, a l t h o u gh
h e d i d as cr i be a n e t e r n a l e xi s te n ce i n Go d to t h e u n i ve r s a l r e a s o n . 28
I I . Wi d e spr e ad Oppo si ti o n by Stoi cs, Epi cu r e an s, an d Skepti cs
The inability of Platonic philosophy as an ethical system
to give that rest and assurance to the soul that it professed to
provide, and the detached devotion of the Peripatetics to
science and history, created a distrust of all existing systems
and a skeptical questioning of all philosophical claims and
certainties. This gave rise to three significant movements the
Stoics, the Epicureans, and the Skeptics.
1. S t o i c i s m : M a t e r i a l i s t i c P a n t h e i s m ; U l t i m a t e Loss
o f P e r s o n a l i t y . The Stoic School was launched by Z e n o of
Citium (c. 355-c. 263 B.C .), contemporary of Aristotle, when the
populace had grown weary of the endless bickerings between
the conflicting schools of philosophy. Zenos disciples, first called
Zenonians, received their permanent name, Stoics, from Stoa,
the painted porch where they first assembled for instruction.
And Stoicism, it is to be noted, came to exert a profound in
fluence in both pre-Christian and early Christian times, for
it persisted aggressively for centuries. (See Tabular Chart A,
page 532.)
Stoicism was basically a materialistic pantheism, and was
the direct antithesis of Platonism. It not only proclaimed the
freedom of the human will but professed to explain all life,
as well. I n it Fate played a major role. From eternity every
thing is determined by an infinite chain of foregone causes. 80
The Stoics regarded matter (motionless, passive, un
formed) and force (active, moving, molding) as the two
ultimate principles, yet actually one, with God as the working
force of the universe. And according to Ritter, they regarded
the soul, which concerns us, as
"a n e ma n a t e d po r t i o n o f th e u n i ve r s a l f i r e , o r u n i ve r s a l r e a s o n , wh i ch
29Ri tte r , History of Ancient Philosophy, vol . 3, p. 256, note.
30Dol l i nger, op. cit., vol . 1, p. 350.
e n co mpas s e s t h e h e a ve n , a n d r u l e s Al l ; a n d t h e r e f o r e i t ca n o n l y be pr e
s e r ve d by t h e co n s t a n t l y a ccr u i n g f i r e . 81
2. P e r i o d i c R e a bs o r pt i o n s I n t o D e i t y . The entire
cosmos was regarded as conscious. And consciousness was con
sidered as synonymous with Deity. God, they held, is the World-
Soul, and the world an organized living being. The soul of the
world was therefore everywhere present which belief, of
course, is simply pantheism. Furthermore, all things were, the
Stoics believed, destined to be periodically reabsorbed into the
Deity, with the process beginning all over again after each con
flagration.32
But the human soul, believed to be none other than the
warm breath within us, was considered part of the World-
Soul, or Deity. And though the soul survives the body, it is
absorbed back into the World-Soul at the end of each cosmic
period, where it is to be noted, its individuality is lost. That
should ever be remembered. T o the Stoic, therefore, immor
tality meant extension of life, but not an absolute personal or
individual immortality.
The Stoics considered all substances including the human
soul and the Deity as bodies, something corporeal. What
ever was real was material. And specifically, the soul was
regarded as warm vapor, or fire, with the World-Soul hav
ing the same relationship to the universe as the human soul
to the body. It was believed to permeate and interpenetrate
the whole body. And this fire of the soul was believed to
be nourished by the blood. And as to its ultimate, Zeller puts
it in this form: After death the souls were supposed to endure
until the end of the world, when they returned with every
thing else to God. 83 That was the declared end.
3. T h e S o u l a F r a gme n t o f t h e D i vi n e . According to
Stoicism, the Universe is God. God is thus not only the
matter but the form, the life and the power of the world.
31Ri tte r , op. cit., vol . 1, pp. 249, 250. See al so Dol l i nger, op. cit., vol . 1, p. 349.
82C f . Do l l i nger , op. cit., vol . 1, p. 351.
33Zel l er, Outlines of the History of Greek Philosophy, pp. 227-248.
Deity was considered the original matter, the fiery breath
of life that maintains and changes the world. Rohde states it
this way: The universal deity . . . is thus at once matter,
mind, and formative principle. But the soul of man, . . .
endowed with reason, is a fragment of the divine, and is
itself divine like everything else in the world only in a
purer degree.
Lower matter degenerates progressively as it gets farther
and farther from the divine fire. The individual soul, though
distinct from the body, dwells in the body. Yet it is not thereby
completely detached from the universal life, and remains
subject to universal Law. It is an emanation, the Stoics
insisted, from the universal Reason. Nevertheless, the soul
has self-determination, and is responsible for its own decisions
and acts.34
4. E t e r n a l So u l - E s s e n ce L o s e s P e r s o n a l I n d i v i d u a l i t y .
It is to be observed that the Stoics held the concept of a
single and absolute Being, refusing to recognize, in contrast
to some, a paralleling, dualistic principle of evil. They did
believe, however, that the individual is capable of violating
the laws of the all-embracing Deity. Rohde calls attention to
the important fact that pure pantheism cannot postulate a
paralleling principle of evil, through the overthrow of which
a lost unity of God is restored.35
In common with others, they held that death is the sep
aration of the soul from the body. This soul-essence does not,
they taught, perish with the body. But God, the Soul of the
world, is eternally indestructible. Furthermore, no under
world was recognized by the Stoics. T o them the extension of
life was in the ethereal heavens. Thus we see that the Stoic
doctrine of immortality never extended to personal, individual
immortality.30 And Stoicism, it should not be forgotten, pro
jected its weighty influence for several centuries into the
Christian Era.
34Ro h de, op. cit., pp. 497, 498.
20
35Ibid., pp. 498 , 499. =lbid., pp. 500, 501.
5. H o p e l e s s n e s s a n d I n a d e q u a c y o f S t o i c i s m . Sum
marizing: The soul of man is regarded as a portion and
fragment of the divine principle of the universe. It has no
independent existence of its own. But it is not destined to
perish with the body. When the cycle of duration is accom
plished, it is destined after death to reabsorption into the
Source whence it came. Stoical philosophy held that whatever
had a beginning must perforce have an end, and that there
is but one real existence.
According to Zeller, the one remains, while the many
change and pass. Deity, the active power of the universe, pro
duces all things from himself. But, after a certain period, Deity
draws them back into himself. Then he produces a new
world in a new cycle and so on forever, repeating endlessly.*7
That was the disillusioning essence and the stark hopelessness
of Stoicism. It has been aptly said that its materialistic divinity,
its unspiritual humanity, and its fatalistic universe separate
it completely from all revealed religion, Jewish or Christian.
Such was one of the reactionary, divisive forces now operative
against Platonism.
I I I . Epi cu r e an i smGross Mate r i al i sm an d C essati o n o f Soul
1. D e a t h B r i n g s P e r m a n e n t C e s s a t i o n o f L i f e . At
approximately the same time E p i c u r u s , of Athens (c. 342-270
B.C .), appeared, with his reactionary Epicureans. Imitating
Aristotles Peripatetics, Epicurus purchased a garden in the
heart of Athens, and founded his school. (See Tabular Chart
A, page 532.) He held that the senses provide the sole criteria
of truth. And, significantly enough, among other things he
frankly called for an abandonment of belief in survival. His
was a form of skepticism and utter materialism. And it like
wise flourished for several centuries, beginning before and
continuing after Christ.
Epicurus reasserted the materialistic atoms-concept first
37Zel l e r, Stoics, Epicureans and Sceptics, pp. 165-167.
projected by Democritus. (See page 553.) Epicureanism also
had a definite Cyreniac tinge. Epicurus did not attempt to
deny the popular concept of the gods, but asserted that they
had nothing to do with the affairs of the universe or of man.
And he specifically denied any kind of immortality of the soul
conditional or natural. Epicurus contended that matter is
uncreated and indestructible, and that activity is resident in
all matter from eternity.
He taught that the primitive elements of matter are
indivisible particles, or atoms, which are eternal and imperish
able. These pass through various combinations, and progres
sively assume new forms and properties. Thus the worlds,
infinite in number and infinitely varied, came to be.
2. W o r l d F o r ma t i o n s R e s u l t o f B l i n d C h a n ce . These
atoms, he believed, are constantly forming new combinations
and undergoing periodic dissolutions. But all this, he held, is
produced by chance/* with no controlling intelligence. As
noted, Epicurus regarded the universe as material, infinite in
extent and eternal in duration. In fact, he recognized two
kinds of existence (1) that of bodies, and (2) that of void,
space, or vacuum. But, we repeat for emphasis, he held that
the world was produced by chance 38 the chance coming to
gether, with adherence of atoms of infinite number, size, and
shape. And further, beyond our world there are innumerable
others, similarly appearing by accident. His was indeed a for
tuitous concurrence of atoms concept!
As to the soul, in all this, at the death of the body the
soul-atoms are scattered, having no shelter and abode, and
the soul consequently ceases to exist. This understanding, Epi
curus held, frees one from the terrors of Hades. He argued
that death is nothing to us, for one only is when death is not;
where death is, he is no longer there. 40 Epicurus contended
that the great evil that afflicts man is fear fear of the gods,
fear of death, fear of natural things, and fear of destiny. T o
38See al so Dol l i nger , op. cit., vol . 1, p. 361.
39Dr aper , op. cit., vol . 1, pp. 165-168.
40Roh de, op. cit., p. 505.
eradicate these fears was the ultimate aim of his speculations.41
3. P l e a s u r e C a n o n i ze d W i t h o u t R e s t r a i n t . Life was
therefore set forth as without divine sanction, without human
responsibility, without existence hereafter, and with neither
reward nor penalty for ones words or acts during life. There
was no moral constraint, no domain of conscience, no real
standards or ethics, no divine authority or superintendence
and, we reiterate, man was said to be without a hereafter.
Such was the radical nature of the Epicurean reaction against
Platonism.
I n all this fanfare Epicurus disparaged science and the
predominant philosophy, and depreciated logic. Rejecting all
mythical contentions and conceptions, and denying the super
natural he canonized pleasure, advising men to accept life
as it comes, and enjoy pleasure while they may. His philosophy
was therefore the art of enjoying the present life as the supreme
end of mans being, which he called the only rational attitude.
Epicurus felt no concern over death, or the power of the
gods holding they were only a delusion. The soul, which
he taught is merely an aggregation of atoms, is resolved at
death into its constituents. One can, of course, understand
Epicurus revulsion against the crude mythical notions and
puerilities of prior schools of philosophy. But his pendulum
had swung to the opposite irrational extreme in denial.
4. S e pa r a t e d S o u l U t t e r l y C e a s e s . As we have seen,
to Epicurus there was no reality but bodily reality corporeal
substance. Thus the body of the soul consists of subtle
particles the finest, lightest atoms. And it dissolves instan
taneously upon death. A soulless body, he argued, is no heavier
than one in which there is a soul. So he insisted that when
the connection between soul and body is fully severed, then
the soul can no longer exist its constituent atoms being
dispersed in a moment. 42
42Zel l er, Stoics, Epicureans and Sceptics, pp. 452-456.
And Rohde states it thus: The atomist doctrine renewed
by Epicurus demanded in the most emphatic manner of its
adherents that they should abandon the belief in personal
survival. 43
5. M a y R e a p p e a r a s A n o t h e r P e r s o n . Epicurus thus
clearly taught that when death occurs the soul-atoms and the
body-atoms are separated, and the body finally dissolves. Con
sequently the separated soul disappears. It is blown away
by the wind, as he put it, and disappears like smoke in the
air. But the material elements are indestructible. They might,
in fact, in the future combine, with the life-stuff, in another
person.
But, he said, if so it would be as a new creature. The
original man is obliterated by death, with no bond of con
sciousness between the two. The living creature is therefore
but temporary, and death no longer concerns him. This
proposition the Epicureans never tired of hammering home.
The terrors of eternity cast no shadow over the life. One
devotes himself to life without repining, filling every moment
to the full.44
6. I r r e c o n c i l a b l e C l a s h e s B e t w e e n S t o i c s a n d E p i c u
r e a n s . The opposition of the Stoics to the Epicureans was
occasioned by the extreme materialism and fortuitism of the
latter. With Epicurus the universe was an aggregation of blind
atoms, compacted and governed by an equally blind chance;
with Zeno and his Stoics, it was a divine organism, vital in
all its parts, and governed by the immutable decrees of Fate.
With Epicurus the gods had nothing to do with human affairs,
while with Zeno everything was controlled by superintending
Providence.
The Stoics regarded nature as a product of design, whereas
the Epicureans explained it as an entirely mechanical product.
The Stoics adhered to fatalism, but saw God everywhere; the
43Roh de, op. cit., p. 504. C f . Lucretius, book 3, on Li f e and Mi n d .
44Roh de, op. cit., pp. 505, 506.
Epicureans, as irreligious free thinkers, held the theory of
atoms and of necessity.45 Such were the irreconcilable differ
ences of these two reactionary groups, both antagonistic to
Platonism.
IV. Skepti csPyr r h o Un d e r mi n e s Basi s o f Immo r tal -So ul i sm
Just as the pre-Platonic philosophy was challenged by
the appearance and arguments of the skeptical Sophists, so
now the post-Platonic developments climax with the Pyrrho-
nian Skeptics, who doubted everything. So a distrust of the
powers of reason now followed the period of speculative ex
cesses. The confusion and contradiction of the conflicting stand
ard schools had resulted in the feeling that there are no
determining criteria of truth. This induced widespread doubt.
Such was the situation when P y r r h o of Elis (c. 365-c. 275
B.C .), founder of the Skeptics, who, capitalizing on the prin
ciple of doubt, added to the confusion produced by the con
tentions of the Stoics and Epicureans. Pyrrho insisted that,
inasmuch as there is no certainty in dogmatic belief, happi
ness consists in perfect freedom from all mental perturbation.
(See Tabular Chart A, page 532.)
Using the weapons devised by the earlier Sophists, the
Skeptics now directed them chiefly against ethics. The induc
tive system, they held, is at best only a probability. Thus the
conflicting speculations involved everything in doubt and
uncertainty. So the Pyrrhonists, the avowed Skeptics of the
age who boldly questioned the distinctions between true and
false, virtue and vice, right and wrong, and advocated eman
cipation from any sort of moral and religious restraint held
that definitions and inductions add nothing to knowledge.
But in discarding definitions and inductions, they too
struck at the heart of the philosophical method.48 Thus
indirectly Pyrrho likewise struck at the dogma of the immor-
15Zel l er, Stoics, Epicureans and Sceptics, p. 505.
16Dr aper , op. cit., vol . 1, pp. 164, 165.
tal soul, as premised upon the speculations of philosophy.
Pyrrhonism, however, was short lived. Such skepticism was
too negative to satisfy any save a peculiar few. But it helped
to prick the bubble of conceit that had developed among the
dominant philosophies, including Platonism.
The persistence of the Platonic postulate becomes evident
when one sees how it lived on despite the combined opposi
tion of strong reactionary groups. When the conflict of views
subsided, Platos Innate Immortal-Soulism, inconsistent as it
was, continued on, conquering and to conquer next penetrat
ing the ranks of the Roman conquerors. And while the form
changed, the essence remained the same.
C h ar t B
Roman Wri t ers and Phi l osophers Fol l ow Greek Predecessors
Philosophic Positions Perpetuated; but Materialistic Reactions
Predominate; Adroit Recasting Undertaken, Followed by Final
Emergence of Modified Neoplatonic School
1. Mani l i us (1st cent. B.C .)f atal i sti c panth ei sm; soul par t
of Worl d-Soul
2. Ci cero (106-43 B.C .)Pl ato ni st; eter nal pre-exi stence, or
ete r nal sl eep
3. Lucret i us (c. 96-c. 55 B.C .)mater i al i st; e ter nal d e ath -sl e e p
4. Cat ul l us (c. 84-54 B.C .)sl eep of e ter nal ni gh t
5. Horace (65-8 B.C .)e te r nal sl eep i n n e th e r worl d
6. Vergi l (70-19 B.C .)spar k of Worl d-Soul r etur ns to source
7. Ovi d (43 B.C .-A.D. 18)di vi ne spar k pr o duced man
8. Cat o (95-46 B.C .), an d J ul i us C ae sar d e ath is u tte r end
9. Seneca (4 B.C .-A.D. 65)Stoi c; soul co nti nues ti l l ne xt co n
f l agr ati o n
10. Pl i ny t he El der (A.D. 23-79)par t of panth ei sti c worl d
11. Taci t us (c. A.D. 55-1 17)bel i ever i n f atal i sm
12. Epi ct et us (c. A.D. 60-120)Stoi c; ref usi on of soul
13. Pl ut arch (c. A.D. 46-120)Pl atoni st; Dual i st; soul s ete r nal
14. Juvenal (c. A.D. 60-c. 140)d e ath an ever l asti ng sl eep
15. Marcus Aurel i us (A.D. 121-180)l ast Stoi c; reabso rpti o n
i nto Worl d-Soul
16. Luci an (c. A.D. 126-200)Greek ph i l osoph y i mported f rom
East
17. Pl ot i nus (c. A.D. 205-270)Dual i sm; e man ati o n ; f usi on
wi th th e abso l ute
18. [Porph yry (c. A.D. 232-c. 304); l ambl i ch us (c. A.D. 250-
c. 333); J ul i an (A.D. 332-363)]
19. A.D. 529J usti ni an cl oses academy; pagan ph i l osoph y f o r
bi dden; ph i l osoph ers exi l ed
Pathetic Despair Predominant Among Roman Thinkers
Except f o r o ccasi onal Pl atoni c, Stoi c, or Pyth ago r ean h ol d
overs (amo ng wh om panth ei sm, e manati o n, r e i ncar nati o n, an d
reabso r pti o n were common), th e ul ti mate l oss of al l personal i ty
was a r ecurri ng vi ew.
616
C H A P T E R T H I R T Y - F I V E
Path e ti c Despai r Predomi nant
Among Roman T h i nkers
In the great bulk of Latin and Greek literature belonging
to the last century before Christ and the first century after,
a strain of despair echoes and re-echoes through the prose
and poetry of Rome lyric, elegiac, tragic, and philosophic.
I. Wi d e spr e ad Re vo l t Agai nst Pl ato n i c Po si ti o ns
There was widespread revolt against the vaunted claims of
the Platonic philosophy. Comparatively few were satisfied with
Platos teaching. Dr. Salmond states significantly, It made
scanty conquests either at the time or in later schools of Greek
and Roman thought. 1As a matter of fact, it was not even ac
cepted by Platos own immediate disciples not even by his star
pupil, Aristotle, as we have seen. Nevertheless it persisted.
At best it offered hope mainly for the philosopher cult,
rather than for mankind as a whole. No perfection was held
out for the souls of the nonphilosophical. Moreover, it prof
fered immortality for only the half of a man, for it depreci
ated and degraded the body. It made the body the source of
all evils and defilements, as hampering the way to virtue and
knowledge. Death alone offered welcome release from oppres
sion by the body, with purity attainable only through the
separation of the soul from the body. Platos holiness expressly
demanded riddance of the body. And the heaven of Platonisms
highest aspiration was a bodiless condition. That was the best
that Platonism had to offer.
1Sal mond, Christian Doctrine of Immortality, pp. 151, 152.
617
i
REVIEW PICTURES
Wh i l e Ro me Was Ru l i n g th e Wo r l d , He l l e n i c T h o u gh t an d Ph i l o so ph y We r e
Sti l l Su pr e me .
1. B a r r e n C o m f o r t o f St o i cs , E pi cu r e a n s , a n d Ske pt i cs .
The Stoics, whose influence continued for centuries into
the Christian Era, though sympathetic with Platos moral pur
pose, thought of the soul of man as destined to reabsorption
into the great World-Soul after death, and believed that it sur
vived for a certain time but never beyond the worlds periodic
conflagration.2 T o them life was a vast cycle of perpetual birth
and death without any abiding personality. And the Epicurean
was coldly materialistic and skeptical.
The popular refrain of the masses, Soon we shall fall
asleep to wake no more, was the recurring voice of Greek and
Roman anthology poetry, prose, and sepulchral inscription.3
2Do l l i nger , The Gentile and the Jew, vol . 2, p. 140.
3Ibid., pp. 142-147.
618
DESPAIR PREDOMI NANT AMONG ROMAN T HI NK ERS 619
The tombs were silent on a blessed immortality, and were mute
as to future rewards or punishments.
As before stated, when Christ appeared Hellenic thought
ruled the world a world then controlled by Rome, with
Greco-Latin belief and disbelief in mortal conflict. Mankind
desperately needed One who could speak with an authority
higher than that of the philosophers, One who has the power of
an endless life. There was a pathetic longing among Roman
thinkers for certainty concerning the soul and the hereafter.
2. M a n i l i u s : H o l d s a F a t a l i s t i c P a n t h e i s m. Many
writers in this crucial period were markedly skeptical, some
showing undisguised contempt for the Hellenic views. But the
pantheistic strain still echoed. That too is significant. Caius
M a n i l i u s (1st cent. B.C .), Roman tribune and legislator, in his
astronomical poem taught a fatalistic pantheism, probably de
rived from Stoic sources.4 T o him the world itself is God
the World-Soul man constituting a portion of Deity, with
his life and destiny dependent on the stars, the fates steering
the course of the world, and each man responsible for his own
destiny. That was one concept.
With the exception of Lucretius, we shall present the
Roman witnesses with broad rapid strokes, based upon the
exhaustive studies of men such as Munich Universitys professor
Johann J. I. von Dollinger, whose masterful treatise covering
this area is well documented.6 We desire only to sketch the
scene as a bridge to the next great section.
3. C i ce r o : V a c i l l a t e s B e t w e e n B e l i e f a n d D o u bt .
Amid the widespread unbelief C i ce r o (106-43 B.C .), master of
rhetoric and celebrated orator, philosopher and statesman, and
noted writer of Latin prose, was the only Roman thinker of the
day who publicly contended on philosophical grounds for a
* Dol l i nger, ibid., pp. 136, 137.
5J o h ann J . I. von Do l l i nger (1799-1890), cel ebr ated Ger man th eol ogi an and h i stori an,
was prof essor of eccl esi asti cal h i story at Muni ch Uni versi ty. Oppo si ng th e cl ai m of papal
i nf al l i bi l i ty at the_ Vati can C ounci l o f 1869-1870, h e was excommuni cated i n 1871. He was
au th o r of abo ut ei gh t books of gr e at val ue. Hi s two-vol ume The Gentile and the Jew in the
Courts of the Temple of Christ (Darnel l , t r .), af f or ds a def i ni ti ve coverage of Greek and
Roman pagani sm, r el i gi on, and ph i l osoph y, and th e reacti on agai nst th e Pl atoni c co ncept.
real and individual existence of the soul after death. And this
was because he was a professed Platonist. The Peripatetics
Dicaearchus and Aristoxenus denied the existence of soul. And
the Stoic Panastius had renounced the periodic conflagration-
of-the-world theory, as well as the temporary duration of the
soul.6 (On Ciceros chronological sequence see page 616.)
At times even Cicero is inconsistent. For example, he
sometimes sees nothing but poetic fancy or ancient superstition
in the notion of a retributive future. But in his Tusculan Dis
putations he supported Platos positions. The soul, he there
says, is an entity, divine in origin and eternal in principle. God
and the soul are of the same texture. And after death the
soul goes to fellowship with the gods.
But along with his eternal duration of the soul went the
customary pre-existence-of-the-soul concept. And with these
went the principle of its own movement, within itself mans
soul existing as a being from eternity, subsisting by its own
power, indistinguishable from deity, with emanation from the
divine spirit. Cicero did not say it was god, but it was divine.
This led him to look with high anticipation to the day when he
would join the divine communion of souls. Yet he recognized
that his arguments were only a probability. 7 And while he
accepted much of Platos doctrine, and reproduced not a little
of his reasoning, Cicero nevertheless considered Platos specula
tive arguments on the nature of the soul to be largely conjec
ture, and merely a possibility. 8
At times Cicero speaks bravely, saying that if he errs regard
ing immortality, he delights in his error. However, when faced
with the sorrow of personal bereavement he is not so confident.
He seeks comfort in the concept of the unconsciousness of
death, and records, If there is nothing good in death, at least
there is no evil. 9 But he said:
I f I e r r i n h o l d i n g d i e so u l s o f me n to be i mmo r ta l , I d o so gl ad l y;
n o r wh i l e l i f e l as ts wi l l I su f f e r th i s e r r o r , i n wh i ch I d e l i gh t , to be t o r n
Ibid., pp. 121, 122, 141, 142. 7Ibid.. pp. 141-143.
8See C i cero, Disputationes Tusculanae i . 27, 31, 38; v. 13; i n LC L.
9Ibid., i . 38; cf . Letters, ad. L. Mesain Epp. v. 21; ad Toran vi . 21.
f r o m me . I f we ar e n o t i mmo r ta l , t h e n i t i s d e s i r a bl e f o r ma n t h a t h e
s h o u l d be e xti n gu i s h e d a t h i s h o u r o f d e pa r t u r e . 10
Ciceros view of the pre-existence of souls led him to the
concept of mans earthly existence being a state of punishment
for sins committed in a previous life. But he repudiated this
in his Hortensius and in Consolation upon the death of his own
daughter. And he added the disconsolate words, Not to be
born is by far the best thing. . . . But the next best thing is,
if you have been born, to die as soon as possible. 11 In an
other place he speaks of punishment after death as an old
fancy. So he vacillated between doubt and hope.
However, most of Ciceros contemporaries were not in
agreement with his Platonism. Caesar and Cato held that death
was the end of all things, there being neither joy nor sorrow
beyond the grave. Vergil, Ovid, and Horace sought comfort
and protection in the thought of an eternal sleep in the night
of the nether world. Catullus cried to Lesbia, When the short
day is past and gone, the sleep of eternal night awaits us both. 18
And Seneca said, There is nothing after death, and death itself
is nothing; you will then be with the unborn. 11 And Pliny
declared the notion of existence after death to be an invention
of childish folly.15 Dollinger calls attention to a vital point:
Ph i l o s o ph e r s u t t e r l y f a i l e d i n gr a s pi n g th e i d e a o f pe r s o n a l i t y.
He mme d i n by t h e i r ma t e r i a l h o r i zo n , th e y u n d e r s t o o d by th e s o u l a
ki n d o f s e cr e ti o n o r e va po r a t i o n o f br a i n , bl o o d , o r h e a r t , o r a s o r t o f
r e s pi r a t i o n . T h e y d e s cr i be d i t as a s u bt l e , a e r i a l , o r f i e r y s u bs tan ce ; o r
co n ce i ve d i t to be a me r e qu a l i t y, l i ke th e h a r mo n y o f a mu s i cal i n s t r u
me n t , wh i ch was l o s t i n th e d i s s o l u t i o n o f th e bo d y. w
I I . Lu cr e ti u sBl e ak Mate r i al i sm an d Ete r n al Death -Sl eep
Epicureanism, simplest of all Greek philosophies, pene
trated Rome about 175 b.c. A century later Titus L u cr e t i u s
Carus (c. 96-c. 55 b.c.), the great Latin poet of his day, con-
10Quo ted i n Do l l i nger, op. cit., vol . 2, p. 142.
u Quo ted i n Lactanti us, The Divine Institutes i i i . 18, 19, i n ANF, vol . 7, p. 90.
12Dol l i nger, op. cit., vol . 2, p. 153. 15Ibid., p. i 44.
13Ibid. i #Ibid.
Lu cr e ti u s Voi ced a Pr o n o u n ce d Re
acti o n Agai nst th e Po stu l ate s o f
Pl ato n i sm.
temporary of Cicero and himself an Epicurean, wrote his amaz
ing poem The Nature of the Universe. This was produced
probably about 55 B.C ., after profound study of the Greek
language and philosophy. He sought to dispel by science all
fear of death and destruction. It was abstruse speculation, with
some sublime concepts in mystic settings a poets portrayal
of the then scientific outlook.
Lucretius dismissed Divine Providence and an immortal
soul alike as empty illusions. He was an antagonist of pagan
Roman religio (religion), with its superstitions and taboos
designed to terrorize. But out of the depths of pessimistic
skepticism he rises at times to pathetic heights. The tradition
is that he died a suicide consonant with the principles he
professed. Here is his actual teaching.
1. B o o k Syn o ps i s R e v e a l s S t a r k M a t e r i a l i s m. Trans
lator Ronald E. Lathams Synopsis of The Nature of the Universe
(pages 21-26), shows that Book 1, on Matter and Space, deals
with the creative force of nature. It praises Epicurus for
delivering mankind from superstition. Nothing, Lucretius
states, is ever created out of nothing, and nothing is ever
annihilated. Matter exists in the form of invisible atoms.
622
But in addition, the universe contains empty space the
universe consisting only of these two. Lucretius refutes the
false philosophical theories of Heraclitus, Empedocles, and
Anaxagoras, insisting that the universe is boundless, and
without a centre.
Book 2, on the Movements and Shapes of Atoms, states
that the atoms are always on the move, and that the world
was not made by gods. Furthermore, our world is but one
of an infinite number, self-regulating, and without inter
ference from the gods. But it had a beginning and will soon
have an end.
Book 3, on Life and Mind, praises Epicurus for reveal
ing the true nature of the universe, and removing the fear
of death and of torment after death. It insists that the mind
is part of the body, and that mind and spirit are of a single
corporeal substance. Life depends upon the union of mind-
spirit with body. And mind and spirit, he says, were born
and will die. Lucretius comments on the blessings of mor
tality, and declares the imaginary pains of Hell are symbolic
of earthly sufferings.
2. T h e T e r r i f y i n g I s s u e s o f D e a t h . At the outset of
Book 1 Lucretius speaks of those
h a u n t e d by th e f e a r o f e t e r n a l pu n i s h me n t a f t e r d e a t h . T h e y kn o w
n o t h i n g o f t h e n a t u r e o f th e s pi r i t . Is i t bo r n , o r i s i t i mpl a n t e d i n u s
a t bi r t h ? Do e s i t pe r i s h wi th us, d i s s o l ve d by d e a t h , o r d o e s i t vi s i t th e
mu r ky d e pt h s a n d d r e a r y sl o u gh s o f Had e s ? Or i s i t t r a n s pl a n t e d by
d i vi n e po we r i n t o o t h e r cr e atu r e s ? . . .
En n i u s i n d e e d i n h i s i mmo r t a l ve r se s pr o cl a i ms t h a t t h e r e i s al so
a He l l , wh i ch i s pe o pl e d n o t by o u r a ctu a l s pi r i t s o r bo d i e s bu t o n l y by
s h ad o wy i mage s, gh as tl y pa l e (v. 93).17
3. T h e I d l e F a n cy o f F o o l s . Lucretius insists that
nothing can ever be created by divine power out of nothing
(162) that is, nothing can come into existence without
atoms. 18 And in reverse, nature resolves everything into its
17Ro nal d Lath am, Lucretius on the Nature of the Universe, T h e Pengui n C l assi cs, p. 30.
Ibid., p. 31.
component atoms and never reduces anything to nothing (226).1B
If throughout this bygone eternity there have persisted bodies
from which the universe has been perpetually renewed, they
must certainly be possessed of immortality. Therefore things
cannot be reduced to nothing (227).20 This he denies.
4. R a r i f i e d W i n d L e a ve s B o d y a t D e a t h . Coming in
Book 3 to the heart of the question, Lucretius holds that mind
and spirit are interconnected, and both are composed of
matter of very fine texture. 21 He then declares: The body
at death is abandoned by a sort of rarified wind mixed with
warmth, while the warmth carries with it also air. 22
5. B o t h S pi r i t a n d B o d y A r e M o r t a l . Vital spirit,
he says, is present in the whole body, as well as these atoms
of spirit, which are less in magnitude than those composing
our body and flesh. 23 Mind is more dominant than spirit.
And minds, he adds, are neither birthless nor deathless. 21
The spirit, he opines, is flimsy stuff composed of tiny par
ticles. 20 Then he twice states that spirit is mortal.20 And
without body the mind alone cannot perform vital functions.
So both alike must be reckoned mortal. 27
6. R i d i cu l e s I m m o r t a l S pi r i t s Se e ki n g B o d i e s . Allud
ing to the belief of some that an immortal spirit is slipped
into the body at birth, 28 Lucretius ridicules this reincarnation
theory by commenting:
I t i s s u r e l y l u d i cr o u s to s u ppo s e t h a t s pi r i t s a r e s t a n d i n g by a t t h e
ma t i n g a n d bi r t h o f a n i ma l s a n u mbe r l e s s n u mbe r o f i mmo r ta l s o n
t h e l o o k-o u t f o r mo r t a l f r ame s, jo s t l i n g a n d s qu a bbl i n g to ge t i n f i r st
a n d e s t a bl i s h th e ms e l ve s mo s t f i r ml y. 28
7. D e a t h : E t e r n a l S l e e p W i t h N o A w a ke n i n g. T u r n
ing to death, Lucretius comments, Death is nothing to us
and no concern of ours, since our tenure of the mind is mortal.
18Ibid., p. 33.
30Ibid., p. 34.
31Ibid., pp. 100, 101.
32Ibid., p. 103.
23Ibid., pp. 106, 107.
34Ibid., pp. 107, 108.
38Ibid., p. 109.
30Ibid., pp. 109, 112.
27Ibid., p. 116.
28Ibid., p. 116. See al so pp. 117, 118.
29 Ibid., p. 119.
We shall be no more. 30Therefore we have nothing to fear
in death, since one who no longer is cannot suffer. Mortal
life has been usurped by death the i m m o r t a l 31Death must be
regarded as sleep. And nothing is more restful than soundest
sleep. 33 So the alleged torments of Hell are brushed off as
the present disciplines of life. Thus Lucretius dismisses Hell
belching abominable fumes with its boiling pitch. 33 There
simply awaits for all the same eternal death. 34
Such was the bleak prospect and the stark materialism of
Epicurean Roman skepticism and disillusionment in 55 b.c.
It was a pronounced reaction against the postulates of Platonism
and the other philosophies based on the old mythologies and the
pantheistic reincarnation and reabsorption theories, often tied
in therewith. But that was not all.
I I I . Skepticism, Pantheism, Emanation, Refusion All
Intermingled
Two classes sought to free themselves from the terrors
invested in the prospect of death and the nether world first
the Materialists, who sought to prove that death was to man
the absolute end of all; and the later Platonists, who maintained
that this world is the Hades, that Heaven is our home, and that
death is but an ascent to a better life.
1. C a t u l l u s a n d H o r a c e : D e a t h , S l e e p o f E t e r n a l
N i g h t . We pass briefly over Gaius Valerius C a t u l l u s (c. 84-
54 b.c.) , celebrated Roman poet and versatile genius, who en
joyed the society of the noted such as Cicero and Caesar
who declared that he knew of nothing to follow the short day
of life but the sleep of eternal night.36 And the same is to be
said of H o r a c e (65-8 b.c.) , famous Latin lyric and satirical
poet, from the point of common sense, who likewise saw nothing
after death but weary night and endless exile, that makes it
3Ibid., p. 121.
*1 Ibid., p. 122.
32Ibid., p. 125.
" Ib i d . , p. 127.
34Ibid., p. 129.
35Catullus v. 4.
Maste r f u l Ro man C i cero Publ i cl y C o n te n d e d f o r th e C o n ti n u e d Exi ste n ce o f
th e Soul Af te r De ath .
T o Vergi l , An o th e r Ro man Po e t, th e Spar k o f Wo r l d-So u l Fi r e Must Re tu r n to
Its Source.
Un ce r tai n ty an d C o n tr ad i cti o n Mar ke d th e Wi tne ss o f th e Stoi c Seneca.
wise to snatch the present hours for pleasure.30He left the future
to the gods.
2. V e r gi l : S pa r k o f W o r l d - S o u l F i r e R e t u r n s t o S o u r ce .
V e r gi l (70-19 b.c.), famous Roman epic, dramatic, and idyllic
poet, philosopher, and intimate friend of Horace, wrote that
there is a world-soul filling and moving the universe, inter
penetrating Heaven, earth, sea, sun, moon, beast, and man.
It is divine fire [the Pythagorean concept], bestowing and
sustaining universal life. The particles of world-soul, consti
tuting man, descend to the lower world for judgment. Then,
it is alleged, a new body is assigned for it to animate. And if,
after many migrations, at long last its stains are wiped away,
it returns again, like purified ether, to its fount.87He held to an
inexorable destiny.
3. O vi d : D i vi n e S pa r k G a ve B e i n g t o M a n . Ovi d , or
Publius Ovidius Naso (43 b.c.- a .d . 18), Roman poet and leading
37Ibid., p. 37; see Aenid vi . 727-751.
626
writer of the Augustan Age, who was exiled from Rome in a .d .
9, likewise held to this ether-god, or Pythagorean doctrine of
souls that nature herself formed the world out of chaos.
And the holy fire, or ether, the power of Heaven, has the heights
of Olympus as a dwelling place. Ovid held that a spark of this
divine ether descending to earth, gave being to man.38
4. Se n e ca : U n c e r t a i n t y a n d C o n t r a d i c t i o n M a r k W i t
n e s s . Stoicism had by now assumed the role of a religion. But
with the later Roman Stoics Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus
Aurelius there was a strong reaction against certain of its
logical subtleties. S e n e ca (4 b.c.-a .d . 65), celebrated Stoic philos
opher, known for his brilliance of language, held that the soul,
with kinship to God, would continue on after death, until the
next periodic conflagration, after which all things start anew.
Thus the blessed spirits will attain to the eternal. But his con
cept of the state after death was full of conflict and uncertainty.
On another occasion he declared, There is nothing after
death. At times he spoke of the last day of this present life
as a birthday to the eternal. He talks of deliverance from the
bondage of life, and of a happier state after being received
into the region of the departed. But at still other times he
consoles himself with the concept of the loss of all conscious
ness, and therefore the impossibility of any future torment.
Death . . . preceded our present existence, and there was
nothing disagreeable about it nor will there be after death.30
5. P l i n y : P a n t h e i s t i c U n i ve r s e ; M a n P a r t o f G o d .
P l i n y t h e E l d e r , or Gaius Plinius Secundus (a .d . 23-79),
celebrated Roman naturalist, author, lawyer, soldier, and pro
consul, in his Natural History explains the universe pantheisti-
cally as a divine being the sun being the supreme deity in
nature and the spirit of the whole. Man is possessed of a portion
of that spirit. So there is deification of parts of nature and
apotheosis of men. The deity is, he says, nothing but the power
38Dol l i nger, ob. cit., vol . 2, pp. 137, 138.
38Ibid., pp. 140, 141.
of nature in the sense held by the Stoics.40Yet in another place
he says that existence after death is the invention of folly.41
In his Natural History Pliny plainly affirms that death is
an everlasting sleep.42And the whole school of Epicureans sup
ported such a position, invoking the combined forces of ridicule
and argument in its advocacy. As already seen, their views are
ably defended by Lucretius in his The Nature of the Universe.
And Horace, Juvenal, and Persius concur.
6. E pi ct e t u s : R e f u s i o n o f S o u l I mme d i a t e a t D e a t h .
E pi ct e t u s of Hieropolis (c. a .d . 60-120), another celebrated
Stoic moralist and philosopher, taught at Rome until a .d . 94,
when all philosophers were banished from the city by edict of
Domitian. Epictetus seemingly believed that the refusion of the
human soul back into the World-Soul takes place immediately
upon its separation from the body man being an emanation
from God anyway. Death, he held, is a return, or reunion, of
the soul to its kindred elements,43 specifically reverting to the
element of fire. T o him there is no Hades.
7. P l u t a r c h : I d e a o f A n n i h i l a t i o n I s I n t o l e r a b l e .
P l u t a r c h (c. a .d . 46-120), however, Greek biographer and high-
ranking moralist, and foe of Stoicism, expressly defended the
immortality of the soul and a divine providence. As a philos
opher he is to be classed among the Platonists, with a heavy
leaning toward the prevailing Orientalism. He was also a
Dualist, recognizing an eternal principle of evil confronting
God from all eternity. Souls were not made, he said, to bloom
but for a day and then be annihilated forever.
He leaned openly on the Dionysiac beliefs, though admit
ting them to be founded on myths. Plutarch disparaged rewards
and punishments in an afterlife. And he adds that the idea of
annihilation was intolerable to the Greek mind. If the only
choice they had was between entire extinction and an eternity
of torment in Hades, they would have chosen the latter. 44
Ibid., p. 138.
Ibid., p. 144.
42Pl i ny, Historica Naturcdis, i i . 7.
43D611i nger, op. cit., vol . 2, pp. 128, 140.
44Ibid., pp. 131-133, 145.
T o Hi sto r i an Pl u tar ch , Li kewi se a Pl ato n i st,
th e Id e a o f An n i h i l ati o n Was In to l e r abl e .
Such was the wide diversity of views afloat at the time. And this
was contemporary with Christ and the apostles.
8. M a r cu s A u r e l i u s : S o u l R e a bs o r be d I n t o W o r l d - S o u l .
M a r cu s A u r e l i u s A n t o n i u s (a .d . 121-180), noted Roman
emperor-philosopher of the Stoic persuasion, betrayed a like
hesitation as to whether the dissolution and refusion of the
soul are immediately upon death or at the final conflagration
of the world. He leaned toward the former. However, he was
clear on the souls ultimate disappearance upon its dissolution,
with reabsorption in the World-Soul and re-entry into another
portion of the universe, this process of dissolution and begin
ning anew going on to all eternity.46The Stoic philosophers end
with the emperor, and confusion becomes more pronounced.
And it should be added just here that L u ci a n , or Lucius
Apuleius (c. a .d . 126-200), satirical writer and Platonic philos
opher, pressed the point that much of Greek philosophy was
originally brought in from the East. Such testimony is signifi
cant.
9. T a c i t u s : B e l i e v e r i n F a t a l i s t i c P r i n ci pl e . The
confessions of Publius Cornelius T a c i t u s (c . a .d . 55-117), great
est of Roman historians and noted legal orator, praetor, consul,
and friend of Pliny the Younger, are less explicit. He denies the
Ibid., pp. 129, 141, 175.
629
conduct of events by divine providence and any appearance
of retributive justice in human affairs. He was not sure whether
human events are controlled by destiny, immutable necessity,
or mere hazard. He was evidently a believer in fatalistic
principle.
That is the list. We may therefore rightly say that uncer
tainty, doubt, confusion, and contradiction prevailed and
neutralized one another among the intellectuals, with the great
est influence still exerted by the Stoics. They taught that souls
were comprised of ethereal fire, derived from the World-Soul,
and continued to exist in a separate state of being for a time
after death. But no souls last longer than the general conflagra
tion, when they are reabsorbed, and return to the primal fire.
10. C o n cl u s i o n : B o t h V i e ws L e a d t o E x t i n c t i o n o f P e r
s o n a l i t y . These variant views led to two alternatives: (1)
holding to the extinction of the soul along with the body; or (2)
explaining it is a portion and emanation of the divine World-
Soul, to be reabsorbed. If the latter, they expatiated on the
heavenly origin of the soul, its descent from the bosom of the
Deity to this life, and its return after death to its home. This
return was simply a refusion of the part into the whole, from
which it had been temporarily separated, and would be accom
panied by the extinction of individual consciousness. Pantheism,
reincarnation, and reabsorption are common and loss of all
personality.
Those who refuse to accept the mythical speculations had
to choose between two theories as to the origin of the human
race: (1) Either the soul had no more a beginning than the
world, both existing from all eternity, through an infinite
series of successive generations; or (2) there was an admitted
beginning of the race, but not an act of creation. Man emerged,
springing forth from the slime of earth, either impregnated by
the sun or spontaneously.
But both theories led to the ultimate loss of all individu-
Ibid., p. 139.
ality. The first had a cycle of perpetual births and deaths; the
second left all to blind destiny.47 Both presented a dreary pros
pect. Such was the situation in Roman thought when Christian
ity was getting under way.
Ibid., pp. 144, 145.
C H A P T E R T H I R T Y - S I X
Al e xan d r i an Jews Forsake
Ancestral Pl atf orm
I. The Tragedy of the Great Departure
We are about to trace one of the tragedies of ancient church
history the adoption, by one segment of the Jewish Church,
of the essential elements of Platos enticing pagan philosophy
concerning the nature and destiny of man. As previously men
tioned, it will not be a pleasant journey for us to take, but it is
unavoidable if we are to understand how Gods chosen people
of old became confused by the subtle sophistries of devious
reasoning, with one segment adopting these concepts that cast
aside the uniform teachings of Moses and the prophets those
holy men of old who wrote under inspiration and set forth
the revealed truth of God on this question.
Some questioning minds began to toy with these alluring
pagan speculations and, becoming enamored, lost their bear
ings and brought confusion and tragedy into the ranks of
Jewry. Fortunately, not all took the tangent path, fraught with
such fateful consequences. Others and a goodly number at
that remained true to the faith of their fathers. Resultant
conflicts and exchanges were sharp. The wanderers strayed
into barren deserts, as it were, that were dull and profitless,
but nonetheless real and disastrous. We will pass over these
arid spots as rapidly as consistent with a balanced portrayal.
Happier will be our experience when we come to survey
the stout allegiance of others to the revealed verities of Old
Testament Scripture, as the breach widened over the irruption
632
Du r i n g th e In te r -T e s tame n t Pe r i o d th e J ews We r e De bati n g Ove r C o n f l i cti ng
Vi ews o f T r u t h an d Er r o r .
of Platonic Immortal-Soulism in the ranks of Jewry. So we
turn to the pathetic record of the great departure and its reper
cussions that reach over into the Christian Era.
II. Character and Significance of Apocryphal and
Pseudepigraphal Teachings
1. P r o ph e t s F o l l o w e d by P r i e s t s a n d P r i e s t l y S t r u ggl e s .
We now revert to the historic Jews, for it was among the
Hebrews that Platonic Immortal-Soulism first began its inroads
among believers in Holy Scripture. Following the close of the
line of the Old Testament prophets from among the Hebrews
came the period of the priests. Two widely different major
sects emerged the eclectic, traditional, formalist Pharisees
(the religious), and the skeptical, materialistic Sadducees (the
political) whose interests centered in the Temple and on power.
The Pharisees were eclectic because their beliefs were
633
C h ar t C
COMPARATI VE LI STS OF OLD TESTAM ENT BOOKS, SHOWI NG SEPTUAGI NT
AND ROMAN CATHOLI C ENLARGEMENTS
(Apocryphal Port i ons Indi cat ed by It al i cs)
1 2 3 4
Pa lestinia n Jewish A lexa nd ria n S eptua gint R oma n C a tholic Protesta nt
The Law Genesis Genesis Genesis
Genesis
Exodus Exodus Exodus
Exodus
Leviticus Leviticus Leviticus
Leviticus
Numbers Numbers Numbers
Numbers
Deuteronomy Deuteronomy Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy
Joshua Josue (Joshua) Joshua
Judges Judges Judges
The Prophets Ruth Ruth Ruth
Joshua 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 1 Samuel
Judges 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 2 Samuel
1 Samuel 3 Kings (1 Kings) 3 Kings (1 Kings) 1 Kings
2 Samuel
4 Kings (2 Kings) 4 Kings (2 Kings) 2 Kings
1 Kings
1 Chronicles 1 Paralipomenon (1 Chronicles) 1 Chronicles
2 Kings
2 Chronicles 2 Paralipomenon (2 Chronicles) 2 Chronicles
Isaiah 1 Esdras 1 Esdras (Ezra) Ezra
Jeremiah 2 Esdras (Ezra and 2 Esdras (Nehemiah) Nehemiah
Ezekiel
Nehemiah) Tobias ( Tobit) Esther
The Twelve
Psalms Judith Job
(Hosea
Proverbs Esther (10:4 to 16:24 added) Psalms
Joel
Ecclesiastes Job Proverbs
Amos
Song (of Songs) Psalms Ecclesiastes
Obadiah Job Proverbs Song of Solomon
Jonah
Wisdom of Solomon Ecclesiastes Isaiah
Micah
Wisdom of Sirach, or Canticle of Canticles (Song Jeremiah
Nahum
Ecclesiasticus of Solomon) Lamentations
Habakkuk
Esther, with additions Wisdom Ezekiel
Zephaniah
Judith Ecclesiasticus Daniel
Haggai
T obit Isaias (Isaiah) Hosea
Zechariah
Hosea Jeremias [including Lamenta Joel
Malachi)
Amos tions], with Baruch Amos
Micah Ezechiel Obadiah
The Writings
Joel Daniel [3:24-90 (Song of the Jonah
Psalms Obadiah Three Children), Chap. 13 Micah
Proverbs Jonah (Susanna), and Chap. 14 (Bel Nahum
Job Nahum and the Dragon) added] Habakkuk
COMPARATI VE LI STS OF OLD TESTAM ENT BOOKS Cont i nued
l
Pa lestinia n Jewish
Song of Songs
Ruth
Lamentations
Ecclesiastes
Esther
Daniel
Ezra
Nehemiah
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
(Without Apocryphal
additions)
A lexa nd ria n S eptua gint
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Baruch
Lamentations
Epistle of Jeremy
Ezekiel
Daniel, with additions of
Song of the Three Children
Susannah
Bel and the Dragon
1 Maccabees
2 Maccabees
3 Maccabees
4 Maccabees
Psalms of Solomon
Enoch
Odes, including the
prayer of Manasses
R oma n C a tholic
Osee (Hosea)
Joel
Amos
Abdias (Obadiah)
Jonas (Jonah)
Micheas (Micah)
Nahum
Habacuc (Habakkuk)
Sophonias (Zephaniah)
Aggeus (Haggai)
Zacharias (Zechariah)
Malachias (Malachi)
/ Machabees
2 Machabees
Protesta nt
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
(Without added
Apocrypha)
C OMPARAT IVE LIST S OF OLD T EST AMENT BOORS, WI T H APOC RY PHAL ENLARGEMENT S (IN IT ALIC S)
I t wi l l be o bse r ve d th at th e Pal e sti n i an stan d ar d l i st (without th e Apo cr yph a) i s r e sto r e d i n th e stan d ar d Pr o te stan t versi o ns.1On th e co n tr ar y, th e
Al e xan d r i an Septuagint,2 o r Lar ge r C an o n (with Apo cr yph a), i s l ar gel y f o l l o wed by th e Ro man C ath o l i c Vu l gate (au th o r i ze d by th e C o u n ci l o f T r e n t,
1546).3In ci d e n tal l y, th e po st-Ni ce n e ch u r ch l i st o f Hi ppo (3d C o u n ci l o f C ar th age , 4th cent.) i n cl u d e d si x apo cr yph al bo o ks,4wh e r e as th e Me di e val Wal -
d e n si an l i st, i n th e C o nf essi o n o f Fai th ,5states th at th e apo cr yph al bo o ks ar e e xtr acan o n i cal . T h e si gni f i cance o f th e f o u r l i sts, th e Al e xan d r i an f acto r , i s
o bvi o us. (C f . Prophetic Faith, vol . 1, pp. 76-85.)
1See The Holy Bible According to the Masoretic Text. A New Translation.
2See The Ola Testament in Greek According to the Septuagint, ed. by Henr y Barcl ay Swetc, vol s. 1-3.
3 Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent (trans. by H. J . Sch r o eder ), sessi on 4, Apri l 8, 1546, pp. 17, 18.
4C h arl es J oseph Hef el e, A History of the Councils of the Church, vol . 2, p. 400.
5Samuel Mo r l and, The History of the Evangelical Churches of the Valleys of Piemont, pp. 30, 31.
drawn from a number of systems; traditional because they
placed oral tradition on a parity with Scripture; and formalist
because they often neglected weightier matters for scrupulous
detail. The Pharisees were the popular party, stressing religious
freedom and emphasizing synagogue worship.
On the other hand, the Sadducees were skeptical, because
they openly denied the Pharisaic postulate of disembodied
souls, angels, and spirits. They were materialistic because they
rejected belief in retribution in an afterlife, and particularly
in the resurrection explaining away those statements in the
Old Testament referring to a future life. The Sadducees, how
ever, never had the following of the masses.
In addition, a third Jewish sect was the Essenes, the
monks, as it were, stressing piety, justice, benevolence, and
a hallowed way of life. They lived in communities, linked
together by common beliefs and practices. And they were
confined to Palestine and Syria.
The later Zealots in the early Christian Era were the
party of revolt, who had broken away from the Pharisees. They
were men of military action, devoted to national independence,
who took the sword and fanatically resisted the Roman rule to
the death. In fact, it was their resistance that led to the destruc
tion of Jerusalem in a .d . 70.
During this inter-Testament period, in the cross currents
of Palestinian Judaism, the Pharisees and Sadducees were in
constant conflict, somewhat like the Fundamentalists and
Modernists of Protestantism today. Nevertheless, both wor
shiped in the same Temple, and together formed the Sanhedrin
the supreme governing body of seventy members with first
one group ascendant, then the other, and with the two
factions ever struggling for the supremacy.
The Sadducees cared little about preserving the purity of
the Jewish faith, but were absorbed with the enlargement of
political power and prestige. But they were never popular.
And with the destruction of Jerusalem the Sanhedrin ended,
and the Sadducees ceased to exist. Thus the Pharisees were
ALEXANDRI AN J EWS FORSAKE PLAT FORM 637
left to impose their concepts, and concentrated on worship in
the synagogue. The legalistic literature of Judaism was collected
in the Mishnah/ about a .d . 200, and the T a l mu d 2 followed,
between a .d . 200 and 500.
2. A p o c r y p h a l a n d A p o c a l y p t i c W r i t i n g s A ppe a r . The
gap between the writing of the last book of the Old Testament
and the first book of the New has often been misconceived as a
bleak, barren, and silent period. Nothing could be farther
from the truth. These centuries were, in fact, remarkable ones,
and anything but barren or silent. Instead, they were filled
with intense literary activity, for this was the time when the
Jewish apocryphal books were in the process of production and
circulation.
The Apocrypha,3 separate from Scripture, was a unique
admixture of fact, fancy, and fiction. Truth and error were
intermingled. The component books included not only his
torical and literary treatises but a collection of apocalyptic
missives brought forth by mystics and seers, and left on record
for the centuries. Some of the Jews accepted them as canonical; *
others rejected them as noncanonical and apocryphal. But
they were neither forbidden nor suppressed.
During this critical period many were deeply concerned
over conflicting views of truth and error that were current,
as well as gravely apprehensive over things to come. The Messi
anic hope found highly figurative expression, and an increas
ingly high expectancy marked the era. Many solemnly declared
that events of worldwide import and dimension were destined
to occur in the predicted latter times, and that the climax of
human affairs would be marked by divine interposition. Thus
1 Mishnah (Hebrew, i nstr ucti o n )th e au th o r i tati ve col l ecti on of J ewi sh or al l aw
th at f orms th e basi s of bo th th e Pal esti ni an and th e Babyl oni an versi ons o f th e T al mud.
2Talmudth e compi l ati on th at embodi es th e Mi sh nah . or or al teach i ng of th e J ews,
and th e Gemar a, o r col l ecti on o f th e di scussi ons of th e Mi sh nah . T h e smal l er J erusal em
T al mud (c. a . d . 200) gi ves th e di scussi ons of th e Pal esti ni an rabbi s, wh ereas th e l ar ger and
mor e i mpo r tant Babyl oni an T al mud (c. a . d . 500) is th e auth o r i tati ve gui de to spi ri tual l i f e.
3Apocrypha (f r o m th e Gr . h i d d e n )th e f o urteen added books of th e Ol d T estament
appear i ng i n th e Greek Septuagi nt bu t no t f ound i n th e Hebr ew canon bei ng excl uded by
th e non-Hel l eni sti c Pal esti ni an J ews, and l i kewi se excl uded f rom th e Pro te stant A.V.. R.V.,
et ceter a. T h ey wer e, h owever , r e tai n e d i n th e Lati n Vul gate and i n th e Roman C ath ol i c
Douay Ver si on.
4Canon (f r o m the_ Gr . measuri ng r o d , o r r u l e )a l i st, or catal o gue, of th e
acknowl edged i nspi red wri ti ngs of th e Ol d, and l ate r o f th e New, T estament.
the apocalyptic literature made its appearance, giving utterance
to new concepts and often leading away from Judaic patterns
of previous centuries.
Significantly enough, the question most constantly and
ardently discussed was that of eschatology, or the multiple
doctrine of the last things including the nature of the soul,
the state and place of the dead, the nature of the resurrection,
future rewards and punishments, and the fate of both the
wicked and the righteous. That is why an understanding of
this literature is incumbent upon us.
The time period of the writing of the Apocrypha covers
roughly the last two centuries prior to the Christian Era and
the first century a .d . The production of these Jewish treatises
consequently continued until the apostles had actually com
pleted the writing of the books of the New Testament canon.
The New Testament did not therefore appear in the midst
of a literary vacuum, as regards our quest.
3. PSEUDEPIGRAPHA INVOKES PREST IGE OF FORMER PROPH
ET S. The names of former Jewish prophets and leaders were
also invoked in support of various of these apocryphal produc
tions. Although the activity of the Hebrew prophets had ended
and the Old Testament canon was closed, these apocalyptic
writings were frequently sent forth under the name of some
ancient Hebrew worthy in order to add greater weight to
these new predictions of things to come such as The Book
of Enoch, The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs, The Wis
dom of Solomon, The Assumption of Moses, et cetera.
These were accordingly called pseudepigraphicals writings.
Although of unknown authorship, and of none-too-certain
dating, they nevertheless afford a valuable insight into this
crucial transition period in Jewish thinking and Judaisms
changing outlook and into the penetration of Platonism into
Jewry. Historically, they were actually written and widely
read, and exerted considerable influence at the time, as well
5Pseudepigraphawr i ti ngs ascr i bed to some o th er th an th e i r real auth o r , wi th a
vi ew to gi vi ng th em enh anced auth o r i tyas of Enoch , Moses, Sol omon, Baruch , Ezra.
as subsequently even to this day. They are therefore important
in our quest.
4. I n f l u e n c e d by T h i n k i n g o f S u r r o u n d i n g N a t i o n s .
Thus it was that these compositions of the Jews historical,
apocalyptical, ethical, mystical, and fictional were definitely
influenced by the impact of the thinking of the Egyptians,
Babylonians, Persians, and especially the Greeks under whom the
Jews had been subjected in the successive captivities of the
centuries. Such is the background setting of the Jewish inter-
Testamental apocryphal and apocalyptic literature.
Some of these productions were akin to Dantes Divine
Comedy or Miltons Paradise Lost. Some reflected the thinking
and feeling of their age; some forecast the future. And all of
them molded Jewish religious thought, especially on the nature
and destiny of man. Some of these writings, it will be found,
were in harmony with Old Testament truth; others were sharply
at variance therewith. And some of the incipient errors of this
pre-Christian Era were erelong to develop into full-blown
departure from the historic faith of their fathers.
5. A p o c r y p h a E x c l u d e d F r o m P a l e s t i n i a n C a n o n .
There is another important point that should be noted here:
The apocryphal books, included in the larger Alexandrian
Greek Septuagint translation, were excluded from the Pales
tinian Hebreiu canon. This fact must not be missed. They were
in the Alexandrian version only, and were not accepted at the
Jerusalem base. Thus, while the Alexandrian Septuagint trans
lators took certain lesser liberties with the Hebrew text ex
panding, abbreviating, transposing, and otherwise modifying
their revolutionary and far-reaching innovation was the adding
of these fourteen apocryphal books to the Old Testament canon,
all of which were produced after the close of the Old Testament
canon.
But the New Testament apostle-writers of the newborn
Christian Church did not recognize them as canonical. And
scholarly, conservative Church Fathers like Athanasius, Greg
ory of Nazianzus, Cyril of Jerusalem, Julius Africanus, and
Jerome protested against including these Alexandrian accre
tions in the canon.9 And it is also to be observed that the later
difference between the Protestant Old Testament canon and
that of Rome is precisely this difference between the Palestinian
canon and the larger Alexandrian canon.
6. E xt e n s i ve C o ve r a ge J u s t i f i e d a n d I mpe r a t i v e . Be
cause of the obviously vital bearing that all this and much more
has upon our quest, we shall go rather fully into the historic
background. We will trace in this introductory chapter the
results of the pressures exerted upon Israel during her cap
tivities, the sources of Judaisms departures, and the several
related factors.
The significance of the important witness of the extra-
canonical Jewish literature of the inter-Testamental period
climaxes with the witness of the famous Dead Sea scrolls and
their epochal testimony. And the far-reaching, contrasting
innovations of Philo Judaeus form their tragic counterpart.
I I I . Hi sto r i cal Backgr o u n d o f J e wi sh C apti vi ti e s an d De cl i ne
We would stress the point that, as the setting for the
crucial developments that come within the field of our quest,
it is essential that we have the historical background of the
successive Jewish captivities and final decline clearly before
us. Let us therefore go back to the sixth century b.c.
1. S u bj u ga t i o n by B a byl o n , T h e n by P e r s i a . In 587 B.C .,
the Jewish nation, having steadily declined since the days of
Solomon, was nearly annihilated at the time of Nebuchadnezzars
destruction of the first Temple 7and Jerusalem and the remnant
9Gregory of Nazi anzus and Epi ph ani us questi o ned th e i r canoni ci ty, and i n th e west
J ero me especi al l y woul d no t admi t th em i nto th e Hebr ew l i st as cano ni cal . On th e co ntr ar y,
Ambrose and Augusti ne pl aced th em on th e same f ooti ng as cano ni cal Scr i ptures.
7T h er e were th r ee templ es: C l ) th at of Sol omon, th e gr e at centr al sanctuary of Israel ,
wh i ch was destroyed i n 586 b . c . j i n th e Babyl oni an co nquest of J erusal em^(2) th at of Zerub-
babel , th e r ebui l di ng begi nni ng i n 520/19 B . C. , desecrated by Anti och us Epi ph anes, and r edcdi -
cated under J udas Maccabaeus; and (3) th e gr e at Her o di an T empl e, begun i n 19 B . C. and
destro yed i n a .d . 70, wh en th e T empl e worsh i p and i ts pr i esth ood ceased.
ALEXANDRIAN J EWS FORSAKE PLAT FORM 641
were carried into captivity in Babylon.8 In Babylon, however,
Nebuchadnezzar permitted the Hebrew exiles to retain much
of their freedom and to preserve their religious faith and
practices.
Then in 539 the Persian leader Cyrus conquered Babylon,
and in his first year as king of Babylon he issued a decree per
mitting the Jews to return to Palestine. The second Temple
was constructed in Jerusalem, under Zerubbabel, and com
pleted in 515 b.c. Ezra, and later Nehemiah, returned to
Jerusalem and rebuilt the city walls and restored the observance
of the law.
2. S y r i a n O ppr e s s i o n a n d M a c ca be a n R e v o l t . Darkness
then fell upon Palestinian affairs. The seclusion was broken
in 332 b.c. by the appearance at Jerusalem of Alexander the
Great. But after his death Palestine fell under the rule of the
Ptolemies (323-c. 200), and the Jews became the object of con
tention between the rival dynasties of the Ptolemies of Egypt
and the Seleucids of Syria.
After Judea fell into the hands of Syria, a Hellenizing
process made rapid progress among the Jews. But under Anti-
ochus I V Epiphanes (175-164/63), the struggle between the
Hellenic and Hebraic influences came to the fore. Judaism
was declared illegal, the observance of its religious practices
was made a capital offense, and the Jews were compelled to
worship idols.
Under the revolt beginning in 168 B.C ., Judas Maccabaeus
and his brothers resisted by force of arms and effective bargain
ing. The Syrians were finally compelled to give independence
to the Jews. Simon Maccabaeus was voted high priest and
ethnarch (or ruler) in 141 /40 b.c. these positions then becom
ing hereditary.
3. R o me s D o mi n a n ce , J e r u s a l e m s D e s t r u c t i o n , a n d t h e
D i a s po r a . A d i s pu t e a mo n g r i v a l br o t h e r s o ve r t h e t h r o n e l e d
8T h e J ews i n Pal esti ne were u n d e r Babyl oni an r ul e (605-539 B . C . ) , Per si an rul e (539-
332 B . C . ) , Al exander, th e Ptol emi es, and th e Sel euci ds (332-168 B . C . ) , th e Maccabees (168-
63 B . C . ) , and un d e r th e Romans f rom 63 b .c .
PAINTING BY JES SCHLAIKJER, N.A. 1 9 5 7 8Y THE REVIEW AND HERALD
Pau l th e Apo stl e Po r tr aye d th e Immo r tal i zati o n o f th e 21
Re d e e me d a t th e Re su r r e cti o n Atte n d an t Upo n th e Seco nd
Adve nt.
Ro me i n th e He yday o f Its Po wer Was th e Scene o f th e Ri se an d Spr e ad o f th e
C h r i sti an Fai th , Wi th Its Message to Man o f Li f e On l y i n C h r i st.
to the invoking of the help of Rome in 65 b.c. A s a result
Pompey marched on Jerusalem and ended Judeas inde
pendence in 63 b.c. When Antipater was poisoned Herod
assumed authority, and was eventually made king of Judea
(40 b.c.) by appointment of the Roman Senate. He gained con
trol of Palestine in 37 b.c., and began rebuilding the Temple.
Because murder and outrage marked his reign he was hated
by the Jews.
After his death Palestine was divided among his sons. And
after a decade Emperor Augustus annexed Judea and Samaria
as a Roman province, ruled over by a procurator. But the
country seethed with discontent and rebellion, fomented by
the Jewish Zealots in Galilee. This was roughly the period of
Philo and Josephus.
Under Pontius Pilate, Jesus was crucified in a .d . 31. For
a brief period Emperor Claudius reunified Palestine under the
kingship of Agrippa, grandson of Herod. Then most of it was
again put under procurators. Because of subsequent misgovern-
ment the people were incited to revolt, and by a .d . 66 the Jews
rebelled, and open warfare broke out against the Romans.
In a .d . 70 the Temple was destroyed by Titus, and soon all
Palestine was in Roman hands. Judeas independence was
642
buried under the ruins of the city and the Temple. After
Simon bar Cochebas rebellion ( a .d . 132-135), Jerusalem was
made a Gentile city, and barred to the Jews. Such Was the
historical panorama.
Next note the impact of the captivities of the Jews upon
their thinking as regards the nature and destiny of the soul.
IV. T r i pl e Expo su r e to Immo r tal i ty Po stu l ate
i n T h r e e C apti vi ti e s
Turning next to the relationships of this checkered history
to the changing Jewish understanding of the nature and destiny
of the soul, we first note that prior to the age of the Maccabees
(168-63 b.c.) the Jews had no important writings outside
the Old Testament. There were, of course, some archeological
inscriptions, but the canonical Scriptures stood alone in their
sublime majesty and authority. Then human comments, reason
ings, developments, and inferences began to appear. But these
came after Israel had felt the impact of special pressures, partic
ularly under the Grecian influence, the last of a succession
of exposures to foreign influences. As just noted, the series
embraced the Egyptian, Babylonian, Persian, and Grecian cap
tivities. Each had its own particular emphasis and focal points
of pressure. Note them.
1. E g y p t i a n I m m o r t a l - S o u l i s m a n d T r a n s m i g r a t i o n .
In their early captivity in Egypt the Jews first came in contact
with a clearly defined postulate of the Innate Immortality of
the soul and a corresponding future retribution. Coupled
with these was the notion of the transmigration of souls.9 This
latter teaching is, of course, fundamentally at variance with
the doctrine of the resurrection of the body. This Egyptian
exposure lasted about two centuries, terminating in the fifteenth
century b.c.
9T ech ni cal l y ter med metempsych osi sth e do ctri ne th at soul s mi grate f r om one body
i nto ano th er , u n ti l co mpl ete puri f i cati on h as been ach i eved.
644 C OND1T I ONALI ST FAI T H
2. P e r s i a n R e t r i b u t i o n i s m a n d D e a d l y D u a l i s m. Next,
during their subjection to the Persian power, the Jews came
in contact with Eastern Zoroastrianism, with its Zend-Avesta10
and its doctrine of future retributions involving the resur
rection of the body and the eternal reward of the righteous
at a future judgment, and corresponding punishment of the
wicked. This system, which was allegedly based upon a special
revelation, not on philosophical speculation, and which in
volved the deadly pall of Dualism,11 left its imprint, though it
did not immediately change Hebrew teachings.
3. G r e e k I m m o r t a l i s m B a s e d o n P h i l o s o p h i c a l S p e c u l a
t i o n . Then finally, during the period of Alexander and his
successors, the Jews came into close contact with a doctrine
of Innate Immortality of the soul and future eternal retribu
tion based not on a professed revelation but on philosophical
speculation, or reasoning.
This involved the concept of pre-existence and transmigra
tion of souls, based upon the premise of the souls alleged
divine, immortal, and eternal nature as a kind of self-existent,
eternal deity. These positions were developed by Plato, and
repeated by Cicero as derived from Plato for the philosophical
systems of the Greeks and Romans were substantially the same.
This third period extended until the time of Christ.
4. A n t i o c h u s Se e ks t o R e p l a c e J e w i s h U s a ge s W i t h
G r e c i a n . The age of the Maccabees forms part of this third
period, and completed the great circuit of exposure to foreign
influences upon the Jewish mind. This Maccabean age began
with a period of intense religious persecution of the Jews
under Antiochus Epiphanes. It was an epoch of crisis, as Anti
ochus undertook the eradication of the religious teachings and
10Avestasacr ed book of th e Zoroastrl ans or Parsi s, se tti ng f o rth th e rel i gi ous bel i ef o f
th e anci ent Persi ans.
11Dualisma metaph ysi cal system wh i ch h ol ds th at good and evi l are th e outcome, or
pr o duct, of separate and equal l y ul ti mate f i rst causes. T h e worl d was made by Or muzd. th e
good god, wh i l e Ah ri man, th e evi l spi r i t, tempts man to wr o ng._ But God wi l l f i nal l y tr i umph
over evi l , and al l soul s eventual l y pass over th e br i dge of deci si on (f rom wh i ch some must
f i rst f al l i nto pur i f yi ng f l ames), and enjoy eter nal bl i ss.
practices of the Jews, and their replacement with those of
Greece.
As we have seen, Antiochus captured Jerusalem, plundered
the Temple, massacred the people, superimposed the altar
of Jupiter upon that of Jehovah, and defiled the Temple by
sacrifices of swines flesh. He sought to destroy the Law of
Moses by invoking the death penalty upon those possessing
copies, and prohibiting the Temple services, as well as the
keeping of the Sabbath and circumcision. The heroic stand of
Judas Maccabees and his brothers in behalf of the Jewish
faith is one of the classics of religious history. Their wars were
based upon deep religious convictions.
5. A p o c r y p h a l W r i t i n g s E m e r g e D u r i n g M a c c a b e a n
P e r i o d . It was following such cruel circumstances, during the
two centuries just prior to the Christian Era, that the earliest
non-Biblical declarations of the Jews on human destiny began
to appear after, be it noted, the establishment of the kingdom
of the Maccabees. It was during this period that the two leading
concepts of future rewards and retributions began to come
into focus, one of which had not been held, prior to this, by
the Jews. And it also began to be espoused by the Christian
Church from the second century of the Christian Era onward.
These two major positions were: (1) The older concept
of the eternal blessedness of the righteous through bestoived
immortality, along with the ultimate destruction of the wicked;
and then (2) the new concept of the eternal blessedness of
the innately immortal righteous and the Eternal Torment of
the immortal wicked. And to these must be added a third
position that came in to a limited degree the eternal blessed
ness of the innately immortal righteous and the final restoration
of the indefeasibly immortal wicked, after limited remedial
punishment.
All three positions came to be held and defended by some
among the Jews by the time of Christs public ministry. And
all three views came to be embraced among the early Christians
COURTESY, BEECH AIRCRAFT CORP. OAVID BERGER, ARTIST
Al e xan d e r s Go al Was T h a t th e Gl o r i es o f Greece Sh o ul d Ul ti mate l y In f u se Al l
C i vi l i zati o ns an d C u l tu r e s.
by the middle of the third century a .d . And the Jewish views
had a marked bearing upon their Christian espousal.
6. P a ga n D u a l i s m M a ke s I t s I mpr e s s . In this connection,
one further factor should not be overlooked that for centuries
before Christ the dualistic thesis of two eternal, self-existent
powers, or gods one good and the other evil, and each creat
ing its own system was persistently promulgated. This point
is vital, for it logically involves the contention of the eternal
duration of evil, as well as of good in other words, the Eternal
Torment of the immortally wicked. (Some, however, held
that good was in the ultimate to be victorious.)
The Jews were made aware of this dualistic concept, which
originated in Persia and first affected the North African group.
Later it touched the Christians and made its impress upon the
Christian followers of Tertullian of Carthage likewise in
646
North Africa. The third position was sponsored by Origen
of Alexandria and his Restorationist followers. This places
the threefold picture before us. These three schools will all be
noted in due course.
Next let us note Alexandria, focal point for the new
developments.
V. Al e xan d r i aI n te l l e ctu al C e n te r o f Le ar n e d Wo r l d
1. A l e x a n d e r s V i s i o n o f G r e e k I n t e l l e c t u a l D o mi
n a n c e . In his subjugation of the Persian world Alexander
the Great simultaneously brought the Jewish race under
Grecian rule. His ambitious goal was that the genius of Greece
should ultimately infuse all civilizations, first with the Greek
language and then its literature, customs, and philosophy.
T o this end he founded the city of Alexandria, which
became not only the crossroads and mixing bowl of the
nations, and a center of political power, commerce, and wealth,
but the hub of literary and scientific development. Alexander
envisioned it as the intellectual metropolis of the learned world.
Scores of Greek cities developed around the Mediterranean
basin, and hosts of Jews swarmed to these cities.
2. P t o l e m i e s a n d S e l e u ci d s S t r u g g l e f o r M a s t e r y .
After Alexanders death the struggle for mastery soon narrowed
down to the Ptolemies of Egypt and the Seleucids of Syria.
The Ptolemies transferred more than one hundred thousand
Jews into Egypt, which figure grew to a million by the time
of Christ. These exiles were thrust into a new environment,
a new language, and the involvements of a new Greek philos
ophy. In the market places they heard men discussing the lofty
idealism and intriguing philosophy of Plato, Aristotle, and
Zeno. In time they began to feel the pull and the power of
the surrounding Greek intellectualism, with its focal point in
Alexandria. They studied its language, its history, and its philos
ophy, and were moved thereby.
In th e Vast Al e xan d r i an Li br ar y, Wi th Its Amazi ng Assembl age o f Scrol l s,
He br e w Stu d e n ts We r e In d u cte d In to Gr eek Ph i l o so ph y.
But the Jews of Palestine, caught between two fires, re
mained conservative and traditional. Thus a definite cleavage
developed, Palestinian Judaism maintaining independence of
thought, with views definitely, if not radically, different from
the later Alexandrian Jews with their Platonic anthropology.
The Syrian tyranny and the accession of Antiochus (IV)
Epiphanes marked a period of anguish for the Jews. We repeat,
for emphasis, that Antiochus suppressed the Jewish religion,
massacred the Jews, pillaged the Temple of its treasures, turned
it over to the worship of Zeus, prohibited all sacrifices and
services under pain of death, and caused swines flesh to be
offered on the altar. He transformed Jerusalem into a Greek
city, garrisoned by Syrians. But under the Maccabean revolt
the Temple services were restored by the Jewish patriots.
648
3. H e b r e w S t u d e n t s I n d u c t e d I n t o G r e e k L e a r n i n g .
Meantime Alexandria was not only the meeting place of Europe,
Asia, and Africa but also to a large extent the focal point of
western Judaism. Alexandrias vast library of more than a half
million papyrus rolls represented the accumulated learning
of the nations. Its academies, its vast museum (actually a royal
university), its halls of philosophy, and school of medicine
attracted scholars from all over the world, many thousands
converging there from all lands. Historians, poets, and philos
ophers came to sit at the feet of Greek masters.
And here also in the multiple halls of the library and
university Hebrew students read Greek philosophy and poetry.
Inevitably yet imperceptibly the charm and brilliance of Hellen
ism began to captivate the mind of the Alexandrian Jews. After
the Greek language was adopted by them it soon became neces
sary for the Scriptures to be translated into the Greek Sep-
tuagint. This, be it noted, was begun under the reign of Ptolemy
Philadelphus, which translation became a sort of peoples
Bible for the Jews of the Dispersion.
The next step was to attempt to explain Judaism to the
Greeks to present an apologetic for its faith, so as to appeal
to Greek thought. This took the form of such books as Ecclesi-
asticus, written originally in Hebrew by Jesus the son of Sira,
and translated into Greek by his grandson, probably about 132
B.C .; the Books of the Maccabees, 2 Enoch (the Slavonic Book
of Enoch). The Sibylline Oracles sought to parallel current
heathen myths with the stories of the Old Testament, but
tinctured with Hellenic terms. This literature was a strange
commingling of Platonic, Jewish, Rabbinic, Socradc, and
Egyptian elements.
VI. Process Wh e r e by th e J ews C h an ge d T h e i r Anth r o po l o gy
1. S h i f t i n g F r o m t h e A n c e s t r a l F o u n d a t i o n s . Com-
mendably the Jews held tenaciously to their monotheism. On
this they never yielded, never ceasing to denounce the multi-
pie gods of the polytheistic nations. But they began to bor
row Greek terms to expound their own distinctive beliefs. In
the Septuagint translation, for example, they did not coin new
Greek terms, but employed existing Greek ideology, thus
opening the door to misunderstanding, confusion, and
compromise.
Next, they found and studied those Greek philosophers
who had risen above idol veneration and worshiped the one
invisible God. They then sought to show that the supreme
god of the philosophers is actually the same as the one
Supreme God of the Hebrews.
Finally, they began to present their beliefs in accom
modated philosophical form. For instance, they attempted to
show that the Moses story of Creation really sets forth the best
in pagan cosmogony. They felt that with God as Creator there
was a basis of kinship here, and common ground. And there
was much emphasis on divine wisdom, as in the apocalyptic
Wisdom literature (the collected sayings and parables of
Israels sages),12 appearing about this time, which paralleled
certain pagan positions.
2. P r e s e n t e d R e l i gi o u s V i e w s i n P h i l o s o p h i c a l S e t t i n g .
The Alexandrian Jews did not repudiate Greek philosophy,
but used it to set forth their own viewpoint. They made it
clear that, while the Jews rejected the heathen deities, they
were not atheists. Instead, they sought to present their religion
as a superior philosophy, somewhat akin to Platonic philos
ophy, which they often cited. That was the situation when
P h i l o (c. 20 b.c.-c. a .d . 50) appeared, and carried the prin
ciple of synthesis to its disastrous ultimate lengths. And this
involved in particular a radical departure on the nature and
destiny of man or their anthropology.
3. T r a n s m i t t e d F r o m J e w s t o C h r i s t i a n s . The apoc
ryphal literature was often characterized by weird, cryptic,
12Fo r exampl e, The Wisdom of Solomon 3:11; 4:19, i n th e Apocryph a, Greek and
Engl i sh , Septuagi nt Ver si on, pp. 56, 58.
and mysterious but intriguing imagery. Nevertheless it ex
erted a widespread influence. Apocalyptic imagination was
given full rein, and there were multiple assurances of the
restoration of Israel through divine judgments and super
natural intervention, destined to end the reign of sin and
establish Gods kingdom. As stated, fourteen of these apoc
ryphal writings were included, in whole or part, in the canon
list of the Greek Septuagint of Alexandria. And as mentioned,
these were later incorporated in Jeromes Vulgate, and finally
by the Roman Catholic Church in the Douay Version of
Counter Reformation fame. That is the line of transmission
from Jewish to Christian ranks.
As one able writer aptly put it, the apocalyptic imagina
tion swept the strings, and soared on the wings of specu
lation. While the Sacred Canon had closed, pseudonymous
writers continued to assume the prophetic role and the predic
tive style, often, as mentioned, feigning the name of a former
prophet or leader in order to obtain prestige such as Enoch,
Baruch, Solomon, Ezra. And though these pseudepig-
raphal writings did not find their way into the canon, they
were widely read notwithstanding, some being quoted even
more widely than the incorporated apocryphal books, strange
as it may seem.
4. P h i l o F u s e s I t I n t o a S ys t e m. Such was the situation
when Philo of Alexandria appeared on the scene, which was
now all set for revolutionary advances or at least for
sweeping changes. In him this Alexandrian trend came to a
climax, and sporadic thinking on the Innate Immortality of
the soul and the Eternal Torment of the wicked was fused
into a movement, a system, and a school of thought. And
students came from all parts to study under him. A revolu
tionary change of thinking was taking place.
Let us now note these general developments in more
specific form as they pertain to the soul, the hereafter, and
the unseen world.
VII. Source o f Re vo l u ti o n ar y C o ncepts o f Unse e n Wo r l d
It is apparent that throughout this new inter-Testament
apocalyptic literature the hereafter, or life beyond the grave,
was unquestionably the predominant theme. By the time of
Jesus there was widespread expectation among the Pharisees
of life beyond the grave uninterrupted by death. But there
was a long and intriguing background behind it all. This
concept had developed slowly but steadily during the three-
hundred-year interval between the Testaments. It sprang from
the popular apocalyptic writings produced during this disil
lusioning period, and was brought in to brighten the valley
of the shadow of death, as one writer puts it.
1. R e v o l u t i o n a r y C o n c e pt s D e v e l o pe d i n T i me o f M a c
ca be e s . As noted, when the Jewish commonwealth fell with
the destruction of the Temple under Nebuchadnezzar, the
Babylonian captivity began. At this time synagogues were
introduced for nonsacrificial congregational worship, and the
thoughts of the Jews turned more and more toward the future
life of the individual soul. The very foundations of earthly
expectation about them now seemed shattered.
Throughout Old Testament times the Hebrew she61 had
been considered the vague abode of all the dead, for good
and bad alike equivalent to the grave.13 The dark under
world, the nether world of silence and sleep, was like the
hades in the Greek. Its inmates were the dead, and it was not
a place of conscious torment. But, owing to the outside con
tacts and influences mentioned, the conviction developed with
some that sheol is not the final curtain to the drama of life,
as aptly expressed. There must be reward or retribution beyond
the grave. And, according to Rabbi S. Zeitlin, this conception
of rewards and punishments in the next world came into
focus and was developed in the time of the Maccabees.
13G. F. Moore. Judaism, vol . 2, p. 289.
14S. Zei tl i n, History of Second Commonwealth, p. 52.
2. P e r s i a n I m p a c t S t r e n g t h e n s R e s u r r e c t i o n C o n c e pt .
It was during the period of exile under Persia that the
Zoroastrian stress on Dualism and on the resurrection came
to be accentuated among the Jews the struggle between the
forces of good and evil, to end in the triumph of good, and
with the resurrection of the dead to vindicate the righteous.
But this resurrection to eternal life was to be the sole prerog
ative of the righteous. And we should pause to observe, just
here, that the Jews did not hesitate to appropriate the thought
and incorporate the teachings of other peoples or cultures
so long as they did not appear to be alien to the genius of
Judaism. This is attested by the scholarly Rabbi Israel Levin-
thal:
We o f t e n d o n o t r e al i ze h o w mu ch th e J e ws we r e i n f l u e n ce d i n t h e i r
co smo l o gi cal a n d e s ch ato l o gi cal co n ce pt i o n s by th e Babyl o n i an s , wh o h a d
a f i xe d n o t i o n o f t h e co smi c sys te m wh i ch h e l d sway u n t i l th e d ays o f
C o pe r n i cu s wh o spo ke wi th s u ch a u t h o r i t a t i ve n e s s a bo u t th e se ve n pl a n
e ta r y s ph e r e s , th e se ve n h e a ve n s o n e o n to p o f th e o th e r , a n d , by way
o f symme tr y, t h e se ve n h e l l s , o n e be l o w th e o t h e r [a ppe a r i n g i n th e
a po ca l ypti c l i t e r a t u r e ]. An d so , to o , i t i s n o w ge n e r a l l y r e co gn i ze d t h a t
t h e r e was a ma r ke d i n f l u e n ce t h r o u gh th e me e t i n g wi th th e Pe r s i an s ,
a n d t h e i r e l a bo r a t e a n d i n t r i ca t e te a ch i n gs a bo u t th e h e r e a f t e r . T h i s
s u d d e n co n t a ct wi th o t h e r mi n d s a n d cu l t u r e s was a po we r f u l f a ct o r i n
s h a pi n g th e e s ch ato l o gi cal vi e ws o f th e J e ws . 18
And this principle applies particularly to the inter-Testa
ment period.
It should also be emphasized here that apart from its
Old Testament origin the truth of the resurrection had found
its chief supporting emphasis in Persian Zoroastrianism. It was
not found in Egypt or in Greece, and Greek philosophy was
antagonistic to it. Thus it was that a Persianized-Pharisaic
theology as to the resurrection came to prevail in a substan
tial section of Jewry.
3. S p e c u l a t i o n s C r y s t a l l i z e a s t o I n t e r m e d i a t e S t a t e .
Then sheol began to be considered by some as an inter
15Israel H. Levi nth al , Judaism, p. 158.
mediate state a kind of prelude or vestibule to Heaven or
Hell, a preliminary period of punishment (as in the pseude-
pigraphal Enoch xxii. 9-13), with the righteous, upon death,
entering at once into the life of blessedness. And erelong
with some, such speculation became belief if not indeed
dogma.
Fantastic speculations on Paradise developed (as in the
books of Enoch and the Jubilees). Sometimes Paradise was
conceived to be on earth, sometimes in Heaven with an
upper paradise, and a lower paradise as a section of sheolJ*
and Heaven as the abode of the conscious, living, righteous
dead. Angelology was stressed, as was the case with other
peoples of the time, with a highly developed heavenly hierarchy
as instruments to carry out the mission of God. This is found,
for example, in the Jubilees, Ethiopic Enoch, 2 Esdras, and
2 Baruch.
Dr. Levinthal also interestingly states that according to
the testimony of most scholars, this literature was the product
of the Essenes, who had separated themselves from the com
mon expectations of life. (This will be noted further as we
come to the important witness of the Dead Sea scrolls.) More
over, in this time the names of angels were brought in, some
of them gleaned from Babylon.18 And demonology was like
wise stressed, with the kingdom of evil ruled by Satan. The
picture was filling out.
4. C l i m a x R e a c h e d i n P l a t o n i c C o n c e pt s U n d e r P h i l o .
Coming now to the climax in this preview, we find that
the Jews of Egypt (particularly of Alexandria) began definitely
to adopt the Platonic concept of the Innate Immortality of
16T h i s l ater cr e pt i nto th e Apostl es C r eedth e descent i nto Hel l , or Hades, ph rase.
17Levi nth al , op. cil., p. 160.
18Mi ch ael , th e pro tecti ng angel ; Gabri el , th e reveal i ng angel ; Ur i el , watch er over
sheol; Ragucl , watch er over th e stel l ar uni ver se; Remi al , angel of judgment; and Ph anuel , angel
of resurre cti on (R. H. C h arl es, The Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha of the Old Testament,
vol . 2, p. 201, Enoch xx. 1-8). Ur i el , one of th e h ol y angel s, wh o is over th e worl d and over
T ar tar us. Raph ael , one of th e h ol y angel s wh o is over th e spi ri ts o f men. Raguel , one of th e
h ol y angel s who takes vengeance on th e wo rl d of th e l umi nari es. Mi ch ael , one of th e h ol y angel s,
to wi t, h e th at is set over th e best par t o f manki nd and over ch aos. Saraqael , one o f th e hol y
angel s, wh o is set over th e spi ri ts, who si n i n th e spi r i t. Gabri el , one of th e h ol y angel s, wh o is
over Par adi se and th e serpents and th e C h erubi m. Remi el , one of th e h ol y angel s, wh om God
set over th ose wh o r i se.
the soul. In their new environment, surrounded by the subtle
ties of Greek thought and absorbing its philosophy, they
slowly developed a system of Greco-Judaic philosophy, adapted
and synthesized according to their own tradition and pattern
of belief. It has been appropriately called the Alexandrian
Jewish philosophy.
This involved a radically new method of interpretation
of Scripture the devastating allegorical system, which was
brought to climax by Philo, who was the end product of the
great intellectual center of Alexandria, and master of synthesis.
He used Greek terminology to describe the accommodated
beliefs and institutions of Jewry as to the origin, nature, and
destiny of man. This also gives us the time relationship of the
development.
5. E t e r n a l - H e l l C o n ce pt a P a ga n I n v e n t i o n . It should
be added here that the aforementioned eschatological concept
of an eternal Dualism an eternal Hell coeval with and for
ever paralleling an eternal Paradise is foreign to the orig
inal teachings of Judaism. Moreover, such a final Dualism
presupposes a metaphysical Dualism of two eternal and in
compatible principles at the beginning, which is likewise
utterly foreign to pure Hebrew concepts.
A theology that derives everything from a single power,
or principle the omnipotent God alone can only conceive
of evil as an innovator, which could not possibly crystallize
in an eternal Dualism. There is a necessary correspondence
between the principle of absolute creation and the complete
restoration of all things. Judaism cannot, therefore, rightly be
accused of inventing and imposing on the world an eternal
Hell. Such a Hell is of pagan, not of Old Testament, origin.
6. Su cce s s i ve E xi l e s L e a ve P e r m a n e n t I mpr e s s . It is
also to be remembered that these apocalyptic inter-Testament
writings, often inconsistent and contradictory, were obviously
produced under the impact and impress of the thinking of
the Egyptians, Babylonians, Persians, and Greeks, to whom
the Jews had been subject, in succession, for centuries during
their several exiles though they still believed, theoretically,
that the Old Testament was the supreme standard of faith
and truth.
In these centuries, therefore, between the Maccabees and
the formation of the New Testament canon, the influence
of the Maccabean Age began its spread across the pages of
history with a strange commingling of Jewish and then Chris
tian elements. Thus the Sibylline Oracles were begun by pa
gans, continued by Jews, and finished by Christians. And the
Jewish Apocalypse of Ezra was later provided with a Chris
tian introduction and close.
And it was during this same age of the Maccabees when
the Jewish faith and polity was again under heavy attack,
and the two leading parties of the Pharisees and Sadducees
were developing that this strong current of belief took shape
as to the universal Innate Immortality of the soul and the
consequently Eternal Torment of the wicked. This river of
opinion, as it has been appropriately called, was so broad
and deep, and now so strong, that it carried a large section
of the Hellenized Jewish populace along in its current. Thus
we are brought down to the first century of the Christian (or
Common) Era.
C H A P T E R T H I R T Y - S E V E N
Al i e n Note Injected Into
Inter-T estament Wri ti ngs
As stated, following the close of the Old Testament canon,
about 425 B.C ., a series of Apocryphal and pseudepigraphal
Jewish writings began to appear, some of them definitely bear
ing on the origin, nature, and destiny of man. These ranged
in time between 200 b.c. and a .d . 100. Some were largely
apocalyptic in tone and structure. The first three, and there
fore the earliest (Sirach, Tobit, and the Sibyllines), main
tained the historic Conditionalist positions of their forefathers.
But about 130 b.c. a distinctly alien note began to appear,
beginning with The Book of Jubilees and 2 Maccabees. Some,
such as The Wisdom of Solomon, vacillated between the two
positions. (The sequence, category, and timing of each and
all will be apparent by referring to Tabular Chart D, on
page 658.)
The next six treatises appeared in the early Christian
Era the Ethiopian Enoch, Slavonic Enoch, Syriac Apocalypse
of Baruch, and 2 Esdras all continued to be Conditionalist,
while two, Judith and 4 Maccabees, set forth the Innate-
Immortality postulate, with its corollary of the Eternal T o r
ment of the wicked.
Then, following these apocryphal and pseudepigraphal
writings, there come two climactic and contrasting groups of
writings of great significance. Both appear in the transition
hour from the old to the new dispensations, at the dawn of
the Christian Era. These are, first, the consistently Conditional
ist Dead Sea scrolls, and, second, the militantly Immortal-Soulist
657
C h ar t D
TWO VI EWS OF LI FE AND DEATH I N JEWI SH I NTER-TESTAMENT WRI TI NGS
(Apocryphal and Pseudepigraphal Literature c. 2 0 0 B.C. to A.D. 150)
C O N D I T I O N A L I M M O R T A L I T Y
(Eternal Death of Wicked)
I I . I N N A T E I M M O R T A L I T Y
(Endless Torment of Wicked)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Approximate
Dating
190-170
180
140
150 B.C.-c. A.D. 60
1-50
75-78
90 -1 00
B .C .
Book of Tobit
Sirach, or Ecclesiasticus
(Jewish) Sibylline Oracles
Ethiopic Enoch*
Slavonic Enoch
Syriac Apocalypse of
Baruch
2 Esdras
A .D .
Approximate
Dating
130-125
153-105
48-40
10 B.C.-A.D. 1
100 B.C.-A.D. 70
2 Maccabees
Book of Jubilees
Wisdom of Solomon
Book of Judith
4 Maccabees
(Other Determinative Writings)
13 170 B.C.-A.D. 68 Dead Sea (Essene) Scrolls
14 20 B.C.-A.D. 50 Philo
15 77-94 Josephus
C ond itiona list Total 8 I nna te Total 7
* Recent i nvesti gators gi ve a l ater d ate. See C ross, The Ancient Library of Qfimran, pp. 146-150; Burr ows, More Light on the Dead Sea Scrolls, p. 180.
SIGNIFICANCE OF INTER-TESTAMENT JEWISH WRITINGS
T wo d i sti n ctl y o ppo si n g vi ews o n th e o r i gi n , n atu r e , an d d e sti n y o f man ar e f o u n d i n th e i n te r -T e s tame n t J e wi sh wr i ti ngs. And so me o sci l l ate d be
twe e n th e se o ppo si n g vi ews (cf . Wisdom of Solomon). Three C o n d i ti o n al i st wo rks (Tobit, Sirach, an d Sibyllines), be gi n n i n g abo u t 190 B.C., pr e ce d e d th e
f i rst I n n ate -Immo r tal i ty wr i ti n gs (2 Maccabees an d Jubilee), wh i ch vi ew d i d n o t appe ar pr i o r to 150 b .c . And two C o n d i ti o n al i st Apo cr yph al wr i ti n gs
(Syriac Baruch an d 2 Esdras) e xte n d be yo n d th e In n ate gr o u p o f f i ve, i n th e r i gh t-h an d co l u mn , between th e two C o n d i ti o n al i st gr o u ps o f th r e e an d f o u r ,
r especti vel y, e n d i n g wi th 2 Esdras.
I t i s i mpo r tan t to n o te th at i n ad d i ti o n to th e Apo cr yph al an d ps e u d e pi gr aph al wr i ti ngs, th e Dead Sea (Essene) Scrolls ar e pr e po n d e r an tl y C o n d i ti o n
al i st, an d r e pr e se n t an i mpr essi ve stan d o n th i s vi ew, wh e r e as th e l ast two i n th e pe r i o d co vered (Ph i l o an d J o se ph u s) ar e Immo r tal -So u l i sts. T h u s th e
two o ppo si n g gr o u ps, abo u t e qu al l y d i vi d e d , cl ose wi th th e I n n ate -Immo r tal i ty po stu l ate o f Ph i l o pr e d o mi n an t, an d e xe r te d a d e te r mi n i n g i n f l u e n ce o n
th e Al e xan d r i an C h r i sti an gr o u p a l i ttl e l ate r .
ALIEN NOT E I NJ EC T ED 659
writings of Philo Judaeus the latter destined shortly to exert
a profound influence upon three variant groups (Jews, pagans,
and Christians). Thus these opposing groups, about equally
divided, had drawn far apart with Philos aggressive position
ascendant, and soon becoming a determining influence. This
was especially true among the Alexandrian Neoplatonic Chris
tian group a little later.
I. Pseudo -Si byl l i nesMo r tal Man s Ro l e i n Dr ama o f th e Ages
One of the first in the apocalyptic writings of the time
that must be noted is the Sibylline Oracles. These oracular
utterances were of Greek origin. They began in the second
century B.C ., though the parts here noted are dated in the
early Christian Era, and exerted considerable influence. The
Sibyllines are a composite, falling into three categories pagan,
Jewish, and Christian; though all apparently had their place
of writing in Egypt. The latter two groups called the pseudo-
Sibylline writings were composed in imitation of the ante
cedent heathen sibyls (Greek designation for a mysterious
prophetess, or revealer of the secrets of the gods).
1. A R e f l e c t i o n o f O n e V i e w o f t h e S o u l . These writ
ing are not here cited for any authority attached to them,
or because of their known authorship, but as a reflection, or
voice, of the time, setting forth one view of the soul and its
destiny and expressing dim presentiments of the future as
conceived by the writers. What we are here to survey is from
the Jeiuish sibyls, dated about a .d . 80.
The pseudo-Sibyllines flourished in the first three cen
turies a .d ., and passed with the downfall of pagan Rome. They
were apparently a device used first by Jewish and then by
Christian writers in the hope of catching the ear and thus
winning the heathen to their respective faiths, by copying
the Greek hexameter verse of the heathen sibyls.
This form of writing also afforded protection against
pagan retaliation, which protection was a highly important
factor. By simulating the pagan sibyls and concealing their
message in figure and symbol, the writers could the more
safely utter their predictions that mighty eternal Rome was
destined to perish a forecast fraught with peril for the writer.
So this Jewish sibyl was couched in the phrasings of a pagan
prophetess.
2. P o r t r a y e d D r a m a o f t h e J u d g m e n t . A history of
the world was here attempted, and a prediction of mankinds
future fate, both individual and corporate. It was an attempt
to embrace all history in one grand theocratic sweep, with
the proud kingdoms of the world of men to be destroyed in
order to make way for the reign of the Messiah and the future
kingdom of God and the righteous.
Its fundamental emphasis was on the terrors of the last
times and the drama of the judgment the dead of all ages
summoned before the tribunal of God, their bodies raised
by the power of God, the righteous to be purified and the
wicked to be plunged into final ruin. The separation of good
and evil is curiously portrayed as effected by passing through
a river of fire, angels conveying the righteous to safety, and
the wicked abandoned in the fire for destruction.
The coming judgment is therefore a day of wrath,
they declared, which will destroy the world by fire. But it will
be preceded by darkness and distress of nations, the light even
of the heavenly bodies failing. Then God will appear in the
clouds to destroy the earth and consume evil men, as Messiah
comes to assume the predicted kingdom.1 These were the
elements that made the Sibyllines conspicuous in the litera
ture of the time. And in the second century an imperial
decree forbade the reading of the Sibyllines, because they
contained prophecies of the coming world kingdom of Messiah.
1R. H. C h arl es, The Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha of the Old Testament, vol . 2,
p. 375. (Ro ber t H. C h arl es [d. 1931J, wh ose text we sh al l f ol l ow, was regar ded as th e gr eat
auth o r i ty of h i s day i n J ewi sh esch atol ogy and apocal ypti c matter s. He was no t onl y prof essor
at Dubl i n and Oxf o rd bu t al so arch deaco n o f Westmi nster.)
I I . Fate f u l Desti ny o f Al l Man ki n d Po r tr aye d
1. M a n I s M o r t a l ; G o d I s I m m o r t a l . In this portrayal
two contrasting terms and their connotations run persistently
throughout this Jewish section of the Sibylline Oracles that
man, the creature, is indeed mortal , but God, the self-
existent Creator is immortal, eternal and incorruptible.
I n Fragment 1 the opening words are O ye mortal men of
flesh (1:1). Then the terms mortal flesh, mortals, and
vain mortals are repeated constantly, in contrast with the
eternal God (1:1, 9, 11, 13, 25).2
The contrast is continued in Fragment 2, and Fragment
3 states that any thing brought into being wholly perishes,
God could not have been fashioned from the loins of a man
(3:1, 2).3 Mortal man is contrasted with the incorruptible
Creator, the Eternal. And the thought is added that the
wicked are at last to be burned with fire (3:12, 17, 44),* while
the blessed inherit life, throughout the aeonian time, dwell
ing in the fertile garden of Paradise (3:47, 48).6
Book 3 iterates, reiterates, and amplifies the fact that in
contrast with the Eternal Saviour and immortal king,
man, fashioned by God, is mortal (3:17, 35).6 But Belial
deceives mortals (3:68). And the sibyl records that the
Mighty God threatened mortals when they made a tower
at Babylon (3:97-104), and as a result tongues were multi
plied.
Thus mortal men were incited to strife (3:103), and
this is the beginning of war to all mortals (3:154, 155).T
Thus the term mortals and the idea of mortality of man
appears again and again (3:182, 195, 217, 259).8 It seems to
be the continuing overtone. But the Immortal God (3:283)
is presented in connection with the provision of the good at
the end that awaits the righteous.
3Ibid., p. 377. 0 Ibid., p. 379.
3 Ibid. 7 Ibid., pp. 380, 381.
Ibid., p. 378. * Ibid., pp. 382, 383.
5Ibid. Ibid., p. 383.
2. F a t e f u l J u d g m e n t D a y T r i e s M o r t a l M e n . T h e
f ate f ul day o f ju d gme n t comes to mo r tal man as a summo ns
f r o m th e Ete r n al Go d (3:741-744).10T h e n Go d wi l l bu r n
wi th f i re th e race o f s tu bbo r n me n (3:761). Ho wever , to th e
go dl y th e Ete r n al wi l l o pe n th e po r tal s of th e bl essed, an d
al l joys, an d e ve r l asti n g sense an d e te r n al gl adness (3:770, 771).
T h e se tu r bu l e n t ti mes wi l l al l co me to pass wh e n th e e n d
o f al l th i n gs i s co mi n g o n th e e ar th (3:797).n T h u s th e
mysteri es o f Go d ar e pr o cl ai me d to mo r tal s an d mo r tal
me n (3:812, 823).12
3. R e s u r r e c t e d A f t e r F i r e R e d u c e s t o A s h e s . Book 4
co n ti n u e s th e str ai n , d e cl ar i n g th at th e mi gh ty Go d can n o t be
me asu r e d wi th mo r tal eyes, seei ng He was n o t f ash i o ne d by
mo r tal h an d (4: l l ).13T h e n , tu r n i n g to th e wo r l d s pr o ph e ti c
o u tl i n e , wh i ch f orecasts d e str u cti o n an d co nf l agr ati o n f o r th e
e ar th (4:160, 161), th e si byl excl ai ms, O i l l -star r e d mo r tal s
(4:162). Ne xt th e f i nal catacl ysm i s po r tr aye d T h e wh o l e
wo r l d sh al l h e ar a r u mbl i n g an d a mi gh ty r o ar (4:175). T h e n
sh al l Go d bu r n th e wh o l e e ar th , an d co nsume th e wh o l e race
o f me n (4:176). An d He sh al l bu r n e ve r yth i n g o u t, an d
th e r e sh al l be sooty d u s t (4:178).
T h e n , wh en e ve r yth i n g sh al l h ave be e n r e d u ce d to d u st
an d ash es, Go d wi l l qu e n ch th e gi an t f i r e an d r e-f o rm man
th at h as pe r i sh e d , an d sh al l r ai se u p mo r tal s o nce mo r e as
th e y were be f o r e (4:179-182). T h e wi cked wi l l be i n th e
bl ack recesses o f h e l l , wh i l e th e godl y sh al l dwel l agai n
o n e ar th wh e n Go d gi ves br e ath an d l i f e an d grace to th e m
(4:186-189).1*T h a t i s th e si byl s l ast-day o u tl i n e , o r esch atol o gy.
Book 5 al so speaks of Go d, th e C h i e f o f al l , th e Immo r tal
an d Ete r n al , an d mo r tal me n (5:276, 277). T h e e n d to
mo r tal me n an d th e u tte r d e str u cti o n o f th e u n go dl y ar e
r e pe ate d (5:301, 302), wi th th e o bse r vati o n th at th e d e ad bo di e s
o n e ar th ar e mo r e n u me r o u s th an th e san d (5:305). Fi r e
sh al l r ai n o n mo r tal me n (5:377).1T Bu t th e Fath e r i s f r o m
10Ibid ., p. 391. 12Ibid., p. 393. 1I bid., p. 3%. 10Ibid., p. 403.
11Ibid ., p. 392. 13Ibid. Ibid., p. 402. 17Ibid., p. 404.
e ve r l asti n g, th e Gr e at Ete r n al Go d (5:498, 500).18 Hi s
po we r an d ju sti ce wi l l pr e vai l , an d evi l be pu n i sh e d .
4. F o u r W o r l d P o w e r s and E s c h a t o l o g i c a l End.Al l
th i s was par t o f th e gr e at pr o ph e ti c sweep o f th e ce n tu r i e s
l e ad i n g to th e gr an d cl i max of th e ages. T h e si byl , o bvi o usl y
patte r n e d h e r pr o ph e cy o f f o u r wo r l d powers af te r th e br o ad
o u tl i n e o f th e Bi bl i cal Dan i e l 2 an d 7, wh i ch te l l of th ese
same f o u r successi ve ki ngdo ms. An d th e si byl d ar i n gl y names
an d descr i be s th e m i n sequence. Fi r st, th e Assyr i ans, o r
Babyl o ni ans, r u l e o ver al l man ki n d (4:49). T h e n th e
str o n ge r Medes an d Pe r si an s ascend th e th r o n e of po wer
(4:54, 62).19Ne xt th e Mace d o n i an s o ve r th r o w th e Per si ans
an d gr asp th e wo r l d sce ptr e (4:88).
And, f i nal l y, th e gr e at I tal i an , o r Ro man , po we r f r o m
th e west, takes o ver an d oppresses th e e ar th (4:103, 104).20
But, th e si byl bo l d l y decl ares, Go d wi l l at l ast de str o y th e
n ati o n s o f mo r tal man by a gr e at co n f l agr ati o n (4:160, 161),
th e n rai se u p mo r tal man agai n, f r o m th e mo l d e r i n g mo u n d s
o f e ar th (4:181, 182).a Even th e o ve r th r o w of a l awl ess u s u r pe r
(a so r t o f an ti ch r i st) i s po r tr aye d i n co n n e cti o n wi th th e
d e str u cti o n of Ro me an d th e f i ery ju d gme n ts to come at th e
wo r l d s e n d (5:34, 177, 178).22
Such i s th e cu r i o u s bu t ne ver th el ess pe r ti n e n t wi tness of
th i s se cti o n o f th e pseudo-Sibylline wr i ti n gs i n th i s i n te r -
T e stame n t pe r i o d o n th e co n tr ast an d co nf l i ct of mo r tal man
wi th Immo r tal Go d , i n te r mi n gl e d wi th str ange spe cu l ati o n s
an d asser ti o ns. T h e se l atte r e xtr an e o u s e l e me nts ar e i n mar ke d
co n tr ast wi th th e so und, r e aso nabl e , an d co nsi ste nt pi ctu r e
po r tr aye d by th e Ol d an d th e New T e s tame n t pe n me n .
Such ar e th e pe i si sti n g co ntr asts of mo r tal an d i mmo r tal
i n th e Sibyllines. I t was o n e of th e voi ces i n th e f i rst ce n tu r y
of th e C h r i sti an Er a. Var yi ng vi ews wer e th u s h e l d an d pr o
cl ai me d.
WI bid ., p. 406.
10I bid., p. 394.
20I bid., p. 395.
21I bid., p. 396.
22I bid., pp. 397, 400.
I I I . Var i an t Po si ti o ns Pr e se n te d by Mi n o r Wr i te r s
1. T o b i t : G r a v e I s E t e r n a l i n A n n i h i l a t i o n E f f e c t s .
Tobit, an o th e r Apo cr yph al wr i ti n g, i n cl u d e d i n th e e n l ar ge d
Al e xan d r i an can o n , pr o babl y e man ate d f r o m Egypt. I t i s th e
sto r y o f T o bi t, a pi o u s J ew of th e capti vi ty of Ni n e ve h . Pr o b
abl y o r i gi n al l y wr i tte n i n Ar amai c i t i s d ate d abo u t 190-
170 B .C .151 Fo r me r l y r e gar d e d as h i sto r i cal , i t h as co me to be
co n si d e r e d me r e l y f o l kl o r e wi th a h i sto r i cal basi s, bu t e n r i ch e d
wi th th e f abl e of th e gr ate f u l dead, an d sh o wi ng tr aces of
Magi an demo no l o gy.
Ne ver th e l ess, i t e xe r te d some i nf l uence. Si nce th e bo o k
i s a mi xtu r e o f pi e ty an d su pe r sti ti o n , i ts te sti mo ny i s n o t
deci si ve. Bu t i t i s i n d i cati ve of a tr e n d . T h e wr i te r desi r es
to be r e l e ase d f r o m of f th e e ar th an d beco me e ar th agai n (3:6).
In d e ath h e sees rel ease f r o m di str ess. T h e grave i s a pl ace
o f d ar kn e ss (4:10, l l ).28Acco r d i n g to C h ar l e ss su mmati o n ,
i n h i s i n tr o d u cti o n , T h e grave i s e xte r n al i n i ts an n i h i l ati n g
ef f ects. 20
2. S i r a c h : No R e m e m b r a n c e i n t h e G r a v e . Br i e f n o te
mu st al so be take n o f th e Apo cr yph al bo o k o f Ecclesiasticus,
o r Sirach, o n e o f th e Wi sdo m Wr i ti n gs. T h i s was pr o babl y
wr i tte n , o r co mpi l e d , abo u t 200-175 B .C ., by J e sus Ben-Si r a, a
J e r u sal e mi te h o l d i n g th e Sadduce an po si ti o n an d i n cl i n i n g
to war d r ati o n al i sm. He d i d n o t be l i e ve i n In n ate Immo r tal i ty,
an d set f o r th n o h o pe of a r e su r r e cti o n . He sh ows th at al r e ad y
i n h i s day two vi ews co n ce r n i n g d e ath exi st amo n g me n . 87
He i s h e r e n o te d o n l y because h e i s o ne of th e var i an t voi ces
o n r e co r d at th e ti me , h e ar d ju st as th e d i ve r ge n t vi ews we r e
be gi n n i n g to be i n je cte d . Acco r di ng to Dr. C h ar l es, th e Sirach
tau gh t th at i n d e ath th e r e i s n o r e me mbr an ce o f T h e e , 28
an d th at i n d e ath o n e i s r e sti n g i n th e grave.
Acco r d i n g to Ben-Si r a, th an ksgi vi n g h as pe r i sh e d f r o m
23I bid., vo l . 1, p. 193.
* Ibid . , p. 208.
20Ibid., pp. 211, 212.
28I bid., p. 197.
27I bid., pp. 268, 269.
28Ibid., pp. 313, 314.
th e l i ps of th e de ad, as o ne th at i s n o t. De ath i s n o t, h o w
ever, th e e n d of al l th i ngs. T h e r e i s a f u tu r e l i f e. Bu t th e r e i s
no me n ti o n o f endl ess pu n i sh me n t. He r e ar e two key excer pts:
In Sh eol th e r e i s n o d e l i gh t (14:16); an d th an ksgi vi n g
pe r i sh e th f r o m th e d e ad as f r o m o ne th at i s n o t (17:28).ao
Ben-Si r as f u n d ame n tal be l i e f r e gar d i n g th e h e r e af te r was
mu ch l i ke th e te ach i n g o f th e Psal msIn d e ath th e r e i s no
r e me mbr an ce of th e e: i n th e grave wh o sh al l gi ve th e e th anks?
(Ps. 6:5). T h u s h e says:
Fo r wh at pl e asu r e h a t h Go d i n al l th at pe r i sh i n Hades; i n pl ace
of th o se wh o l i ve an d gi ve Hi m pr ai se ? T h an ksgi vi n g pe r i sh e th f r o m
th e d e ad as f r o m o n e th a t i s n o t, (bu t) h e th a t l i ve th an d i s i n h e al th
pr ai s e th th e Lo r d (17:47, 28).31
De ath i s so meti me s spo ken o f as a pu n i sh me n t. But, says
C h arl es, th e r e i s n o wh e r e any me n ti o n of pu n i sh me n t af te r
d e ath . 32T h e sense i n wh i ch h e l i ves af te r d e ath i s by means
of th e wi sdom h e acqu i r e d i n h i s l i f e ti me death l ess, po st
h u mo u s f ame. T h u s : Hi s u n d e r stan d i n g many do prai se,
an d n e ve r sh al l h i s n ame be bl o tte d o u t: h i s me mo r y sh al l
n o t cease, an d h i s n ame sh al l l i ve f r o m ge n e r ati o n to ge n e r a
ti o n (39:9)."
So th e wr i te r says, We e p ge ntl y f o r th e de ad, f o r h e
h ath f o u n d r e s t (22:l l ).34
T h e He br e w descr i bes man s state i n d e ath : Hu mbl e
(th y) pr i d e gr e atl y, f o r th e e xpe ctati o n of man i s decay (7:17).38
An d th e Gr e e k r e n d e r s i t, Fo r th e pu n i sh me n t o f th e u n
godl y man i s f i re an d th e wo r m. 38Such i s an o th e r of th e
co nf l i cti ng mi n o r voi ces.
3. J u d i t h S u p p o r t s E t e r n a l - T o r m e n t C o n c e p t . On
th e o th e r h an d , th e Apo cr yph al bo o k of Judith} n ame d af te r
i ts h e r o i n e , was wr i tte n by an avowedl y Ph ar i sai c J e w of
Pal e sti n e i n th e l atte r par t of th e l ast ce n tu r y pr i o r to th e
C h r i sti an Er a.37I t was pu t i n th e f o r m of a h i sto r i cal epi so de
I bid., p. 368. 33 Ibid., p. 313.
*' I bid., p. 378. * Ibid., p. 456.
31Ibid., pp. 377, 378. 3<Ibid ., p. 391.
35Ibid., p. 340; n o te 17 r e a d s , f i r e a n d t h e wo r m.
33Ibid., p. 314. 3? Ib id ., pp. 246, 247.
d e scr i bi n g th e de f e at of th e Assyri ans by th e J ews th r o u gh th e
prowess of a wo man. It was an assur ance th at de l i ve r an ce wi l l
come. Go d wi l l pu n i sh tr ansgr essi o n i n th e day o f ju d gme n t,
at wh i ch ti me th e wi cked wi l l be co nsi gne d to Eternal Torment.
He r e i s th e so l i tar y r e f er ence: T o pu t f i re an d wor ms i n
th e i r f l esh; an d th e y sh al l weep an d f eel th e i r pai n f o r e ve r
(16:17).38
T h u s, as th e C h r i sti an Er a appr o ach es, d i sti n ctl y var i an t
voi ces str i ve f o r a h e ar i n g i n th e r anks o f J ewry.
IV. Di f f er i ng Books o f Maccabees Exe mpl i f y Di vergenci es
T h e f o u r Books of the Maccabees wer e n ame d af te r th e
J e wi sh h e r o J u d as Maccabaeus (d. 161 B .C .) , l e ad e r of th e
He br e w r e vo l t agai nst th e Syri ans f o r th e pu r i f i cati o n of th e
T e mpl e an d th e r e sto r ati o n of i ts wo r sh i p. T h e f i rst two bo o ks
ar e i n cl u d e d i n th e can o n of th e Gr e e k an d Lati n ch ur ch e s,
an d i n th e Apo cr yph a of ce r tai n Engl i sh Bi bl es. 1 Maccabees
traces th e h i sto r y of th e J ews f r o m th e accessi on of An ti o ch u s
Epi ph an e s (175 b . c . ) to th e d e ath of Si mo n Maccabaeus (135
B .C .).
2 Maccabees l argel y par al l el s, r ath e r th an f ol l ows, Book
1, Dr. C h ar l es suggesti ng th at i t may even be th e o l d e r . I t
descr i bes th e h o r r o r s o f th e Maccabean wars f r o m th e d e ath
o f Syr i an ki n g Sel eucus IV (176 b . c . ) to th e vi cto r y o f J u d as
Maccabaeus o ver Ni can o r (d. 161 B .C .) . I t i s an e pi to me of
th e l ar ger , o r i gi n al wo r k by J aso n o f C yr ene.
4 Maccabees i s a ph i l o so ph i cal tr e ati se addr essed to th e
J ews o n th e supr e macy o f d e vo u t r easo n o ver th e passi o ns.
Fo r a ti me i t was e r r o n e o u sl y attr i bu te d to J o se ph u s, bu t was
o bvi o usl y wr i tte n by a He l l e n i sti c J e w o f Al e xan d r i a, l ate r
th an Book 2 bu t bef o r e a . d . 70. Books 2 an d 4 ar e co mmo nl y
r eco gni zed as be ar i n g o n th e i mmo r tal i ty qu e sti o n we ar e
tr aci n g, as i s appar e n t f r o m th e f o l l o wi ng r e ce n t au th o r i ty:
38I bid., p. 267; n o te 17 ad d s , i .e ., wi t h o u t l o s i n g co n sci o u sn e ss o f t h e i r pa i n .
T h e Bo o ks o f th e Maccabe e s co n tai n i mpo r ta n t d o ctr i n al te ach i n g
o n i mmo r tal i ty (2 Macc. 7. 9, 23, 37 a n d 4 Macc.), th e val u e o f h u man
su f f e r i n g as a me an s o f e xpi ati o n (2 Macc. 7. 39 f .) an d pr aye r s f o r th e
d e ad (2 Macc. 12. 43-5). T h i s l ast passage h as pl aye d an i mpo r ta n t pa r t
i n th e d e f e n ce o f th e d o ctr i n e o f Pu r gato r y. 38
1. 2 M a c c a b e e s I n n a t e I m m o r t a l i t y W i t h P r a y e r s
f o r D e a d . T h a t He br e w vi ews of th e so ul an d i ts d e sti n y h ad
u n d e r go n e l i ttl e al te r ati o n u n ti l a ce n tu r y an d a h al f pr i o r
to th e C h r i sti an Er a i s atte ste d by th e e ar l i e r apo cr yph al wr i t
i ngs. T h e n th e di ver genci es be gi n, wi th 2 Maccabees as a cl e ar
case i n d e par tu r e . T h i s was wr i tte n to e n co ur age th e J ews to
h o l d f ast th e f ai th o f th e i r f ath e r s an d to pr o vi d e an i n s pi r
i n g acco u n t o f th e i r r e l i gi o n an d sanctuar y.
T h e pr e se n t f o r m of th e tr e ati se i s an abr i d gme n t o f th e
o r i gi n al wo r k, made abo u t 125 B .C . by J ason of C yr ene, a
He l l e n i sti c J ew. 1 Maccabees h ad be e n wr i tte n by a Sadducee
an d f r i e n d o f th e Maccabean dynasty, bu t 2 Maccabees was
co mpo sed by an Al e xan d r i an Ph ar i se e , suspi ci o us o f th e Mac
cabees, wh o so u gh t to su stai n Ph ar i sai sm as th e o nl y l e gi t
i mate J ewi sh f ai th . It makes n o r e f e r e n ce to th e co mi n g
Messi ah .
2. B e l i e v e s B o t h i n I m m o r t a l i t y a n d i n R e s u r r e c t i o n .
2 Maccabees r e pe ate d l y asserts be l i e f i n th e sur vi val o f th e
soul u po n th e d e ath o f th e bo dy, as wel l as te ach i n g th at
af te r d e ath only the righteous r i se u p wi th th e i r bo di e s i n
r e u n i o n wi th th o se n e ar an d d e ar (7:11, 22f f .; 14:46)/ T h u s we
r e ad, wh en th ey ar e r ai sed u p i t i s to l i f e e ve r l asti n g (7:10).
Agai n, th e C r e ato r i n me rcy wi l l r e sto r e to yo u th e br e ath
of l i f e (7:23). So wi l l th ey be r e ce i ved agai n (7:29).
3. P r a y e r t o a n d S a c r i f i c e s f o r t h e D e a d C o m m e n d e d .
Bu t an o th e r d i sti n ct i n n o vati o n i s i n tr o d u ce d . T h e wr i te r
of 2 Maccabees co n te n d s th at Go d does n o t i r r e vo cabl y seal
th e e te r n al do o m o f me n i mme d i ate l y at d e ath , bu t th at He
39The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (h e r e a f t e r a bbr e vi a t e d as ODCC), a r t .,
Ma cca be e s , p. 839.
40C h a r l e s , T he Apocrypha and Pseudepierapha, vo l . 1, pp. 141. 152.
41 Ibid., p. 141.
may be i n f l ue nce d by th e pr ayer s an d sacri f i ces of th e su r vi v
i n g f r i e n d s of th e d e par te d d e ad (12:43-45). T h e pr acti ce mu st
h ave be e n co mmo n, as i t i s co mme n d e d . T h e Ro man C h u r ch ,
i t i s to be n o te d , l eans h eavi l y o n th i s pr e ce d e n t. In f act, th e
l ate r po pu l ar i ty o f 2 Maccabees i s d u e , i n l ar ge par t, to th e
su ppo r t f o u n d i n i t by Ro man C ath o l i cs f o r th e i r pr acti ce of
pr ayer s f o r th e d e ad (12:43-45) an d f o r i nter cessi o n o f sai nts
(15:11-16). T h i s po i n t i s so vi tal th at we qu o te th e f i rst passage:
He [J u d as Maccabae us] th e n co l l e cte d f r o m th e m, man by man , th e
su m o f two th o u san d d r ach mas o f si l ver , wh i ch h e f o r war d e d to J e r u
sal em f o r a si n-o f f e r i ng. I n th i s h e acte d qu i te r i gh tl y an d pr o pe r l y,
be ar i n g i n mi n d th e r e su r r e cti o n f o r i f h e h ad n o t e xpe cte d th e f al l e n
to r i se agai n , i t wo u l d h ave be e n su pe r f l u o u s an d si l l y to pr ay f o r th e
d e ad an d h avi n g r e gar d to th e s pl e n d o u r o f th e gr aci o u s r e war d wh i ch
i s r e se r ve d f o r th o se wh o h ave f al l e n asl e e p i n go d l i n e ssa h o l y an d
pi o u s co n si d e r ati o n ! He n ce h e mad e pr o pi ti a ti o n f o r th e d e ad , th a t th e y
mi gh t be r e l e ase d f r o m th e i r s i n (12:48-45).'
4. V i c a r i o u s S u f f e r i n g E x p i a t e s G o d s A n g e r . T wo ad
d i ti o n al po i n ts sh o u l d al so be n o te d : (1) T h e vicarious suffer
ings o f th e r i gh te o u s mar tyr s al l egedl y serve to e xpi ate Go d s
ju st ange r , th u s ato n i n g f o r th e si ns o f th e r e st of Go d s pe o pl e,
an d stayi ng Hi s an ge r (7:33-38); an d (2), th e intercession of
saints (15:11-16), as wel l as th e i n te r po si ti o n of angel s (f i ve
r e spl e n d e n t me n f r o m h e ave n ) f o r th e sal vati o n of Go d s
pe o pl e (10:29).
5. H o p e o f S e v e n B r o t h e r s B a s e d o n R e s u r r e c t i o n .
C h apte r si x tel l s of th e He l l e n i zati o n o f th e Jews. In ch ap
te r seven th e mo vi n g sto r y i s to l d of th e mar tyr d o m o f seven
br o th e r s an d th e i r mo th e r , al l i n o ne day, f o r r e f u si n g to
o bey th e d e man d s o f An ti o ch u s Epi ph ane s, o be d i e n ce to wh i ch
wo u l d vi o l ate th e co mmands of Go d. On e by o n e th ese n o bl e
me n wer e to r tu r e d an d mu ti l ate d , bu t th e y r e f u se d to yi el d.
On e bo l d l y d e cl ar e d th at i f sl ai n th e Ki ng of He ave n wo u l d
rai se us u p, an d wo ul d revi ve us to l i f e e ve r l asti n g (7:9,
10). T h e i r h o pe d i vi n e was th at th ey sh o u l d be r ai se d u p
42 Ibid., p. 150. 44Ibid ., p. 153.
I b id . , pp. 141, 142. 45Ibid., p. 146.
PA I NT I N G BY A N T O N I O C I S E R I BETTMANN ARCHIVE
T h e Seven Sons of Sol omona,
T o ge t h e r Wi t h T h e i r
Moth er, Wer e Al l Sl augh
tered i n One Day, Under
Anti och us Epi ph anes i n th e
T e r r i bl e Desecrati on,
by Go d agai n (7:14). On e bo l d l y d e cl ar e d to An ti o ch u s,
T h o u sh al t h ave n o r e su r r e cti o n to l i f e (7:15).
An d th e co ur age o us mo th e r assured h e r sons th at th e
C r e ato r o f th e wo r l d , wh o h ad f ash i o n e d each , wo u l d i n
me rcy r e sto r e to yo u th e br e ath o f l i f e agai n (7:23).
T h e yo unge st son, th e l ast to di e, sh e ad mo n i sh e d , Sh ow
th ysel f wo r th y . . . , an d acce pt th y d e ath , th at by Go d s
me rcy I may r ece i ve th e e agai n to ge th e r wi th th y br o th e r s
(7:24, 30). He so l e mnl y war n e d th e ki ng, T h o u h ast n o t
669
670
yet escaped th e ju d gme n t o f th e Al mi gh ty Go d wh o seeth al l
(7:35, 36). In stan d i n g f i rm u n to d e ath h e te l l s o f to r me n t
an d pl agu e s to be vi si ted u po n tr ansgr esso r s (7:38). Such
was th e i r h e r o i c f ai th i n th e r e su r r e cti o n .
If ever i n al l J e wi sh l i te r atu r e o n e wo ul d e xpe ct to f i nd
a d e cl ar ati o n o f Ete r n al T o r me n t f o r th i s tyr an t, i t wo u l d
seem to be h e r e . Bu t th e r e i s n o al l u si o n to Ge h e n n a. T h e
str o n ge st wo r d i s, T h o u sh al t h ave n o r e su r r e cti o n to l i f e
(7:14),47wh i ch , as De an Far r ar no tes, wo u l d at th e wo r st
seem to po i n t to f i nal e xti n cti o n , o r an n i h i l ati o n . An d wh i l e
th e f ai th f u l r ece i ve o ver f l o wi ng l i f e , th e sacr i l egi o us, de se r v
i n g An ti o ch u s Epi ph an e s recei ves ju st pu n i s h me n t f o r h i s
pr i d e , bu t n o t a syl l abl e abo u t endl ess to r me n ts (7:36).
<a l b i d . , pp. 141, 142.
I b i d . , p. 141.
48F. W. Fa r r a r , Mercy and Judgment, p. 192.
C H A P T E R T H I R T Y - E I G H T
n n ate Immo r tal i ty Establ i sh ed
by Last C e n tu r y B.C .
I. The Book of JubileesSoul Survi ves; Re su r r e cti o n
Aban d o n e d
We co me n e xt to th e apo cr yph al Book of Jubilees, cal l e d
i mpo r tan t by Dr . C h ar l es. I t was wi del y r e ad i n some o f th e
ear l y C h r i sti an ch u r ch e s. I t i s i mpo r tan t f o r us to o because i t
f ur ni sh e s, appar e n tl y, th e e ar l i e st r e co r d e d i nstance i n th e
apo cr yph al wr i ti n gs o f th e e xpe cte d e n tr an ce f o r th e soul s of
th e r i gh te o u s u po n a bl essed i mmo r tal i ty i mme d i ate l y af te r
d e ath . 1
I t was cal l e d Jubilees because i t di vi des Bi bl i cal h i sto r y,
f r o m C r e ati o n o n war d , i n to J u bi l e e s, o r pe r i o d s of f orty-
n i n e years each th e h e ptad i c system. I t was al so cal l e d T h e
Li ttl e Genesi s, because i t co n sti tu te s a co mpe n d i u m of Ge n
esi s. Its au th o r was o bvi o usl y a Pal e sti n i an J ew, because h e
gave mi n u te d e scr i pti o n s of th i n gs J ewi sh , an d pr o babl y h e
was a Ph ar i se e . T h e majo r i ty of au th o r i ti e s pl aces i ts d ate
abo u t 135 b . c .
C o mpr i si n g a co mme n tar y o n th e cano ni cal bo o ks of
Genesi s an d Exo d u s, i t advances th e th e o r y th at th e sons
of Go d , of Genesi s 6, wer e angel s wh o seduced th e d au gh
te r s o f me n (4:22; 5:l -4).2Acco r di ng to The Book of Jubilees,
h u man d e pr avi ty stems f r o m th i s r ath e r th an f r o m th e f al l
of Adam, an d o ccasi o ned th e Del uge. Hu man f r e e d o m an d
1C h ar l e s , Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha, vo l . 2, p. 9.
2Ibid . , pp. 19, 20.
671
r e spo n si bi l i ty ar e emph asi zed. And de mo no l o gy i s al so str essed,
d e mo ns be i n g th e o f f spr i ng of f al l e n angel s (5:1-4; 7:27).3T h e
d o ctr i n e o f r e tr i bu ti o n i s l i kewi se pressed, an d f i nal ju d gme n t
bo th f o r th e h u man an d th e su pe r h u man wo r l ds (5:10-14;
10:1-15).*
1. I n n a t e I m m o r t a l i t y A l r e a d y F i r m l y E s t a b l i s h e d .
The Book of Jubilees th u s reveal s an o th e r f acet o f J e wi sh
be l i e f i n th e ce n tu r y bef o r e th e C h r i sti an Er ath at the pos
tulate of Innate Immortality was already firmly established
on the part of some. I t proves th at many J ews by no w be l i e ve d
i n th e sur vi val o f th e soul af te r th e d e ath of th e bo dy (23:31),
an d h ad aban d o n e d al l h o pe of a r e su r r e cti o n of th e bo d y. 6
No wh e r e i s th e r e su r r e cti o n me n ti o n e d i n th e tr e ati se .
T h e Jubilees tau gh t th e exi stence o f Satan (Mastema), ch i e f
o f th e l egi ons of evi l spi r i ts (10:8, 9)a wh i ch h ave d o mi n i o n
o ve r me n. I t sh ows th at many J ews bel i eved i n th e co mi n g
an d ki n gd o m of th e Messi ah , an d th e gr e at day o f ju d gme n t
(31:18, 19, n o te ; 23:11, 30).7 Bu t i n th at co mi n g ki n gd o m
th e r e sh al l be n o Satan n o r any evi l destr o yer ; f o r al l th e i r
days sh al l be days o f bl essi ng an d h e al i n g (23:27-29).8
2. Body R e s t s ; S p i r i t L i v es On I n d e p e n d e n t l y . As to
th e n atu r e an d de sti ny of man , Jubilees tau gh t th at th e
bo n e s rest wh i l e th e spi r i ts l i ve o n i n d e pe n d e n tl y. So
th e l i f e of th e spi r i t, se par ate d f r o m th e body, i s po r tr aye d .
He r e ar e th e pr eci se words i n th e Jubilees:
An d th e i r bo n e s sh al l r e st i n th e e ar th , an d th e i r s pi r i ts sh al l h ave
mu ch jo y, a n d th e y sh al l kn o w th a t i t i s th e Lo r d wh o e xe cu te s ju d g
me n t, an d sh o ws me r cy to h u n d r e d s an d th o u san d s an d to al l th at l o ve
Hi m (23:31).
T h u s, acco r d i n g to C h arl es, o u tstan d i n g Br i ti sh au th o r i ty
o n th e apo cr yph al wr i ti ngs, T h i s i s th e e ar l i e st atte ste d
i n stan ce of th i s e xpe ctati o n i n th e l ast two ce n tu r i e s B.C. 10
T h e new th esi s h ad be e n pu t f o r th .
3Ibid., pp. 20, 24. 1Ibid., pp. 20, 27, 28. 3Ibid., p. 9.
0Ibid . , p. 28. 7Ib id. , pp. 61, 49. 8I b id., p. 49.
0Ibid. C h a r l e s s n o te o n ve r s e 31 i s : T h e bo d i e s r e s t, bu t t h e s pi r i t s r i s e .
1(1I bid., pp. 9, 10.
I NNAT E I MMORT ALI T Y EST ABLISHED 673
I I . 4 MaccabeesPresses Immortal -Soul i sm Beyond
Al l Predecessors
4 Maccabees, l i kewi se n ame d af te r J u d as Maccabaeus, was
a ph i l o so ph i cal tr e ati se o n th e supr emacy of r easo n o ver pas
si o n, as i l l u str ate d by th e str uggl es of th e Maccabees. It was
e vi d e n tl y wr i tte n ar o u n d th e be gi n n i n g o f th e C h r i sti an Er a
by a He l l e n i sti c J ew i n o r d e r to steady th e J ews, su r r o u n d e d
as th e y wer e by ph i l o so ph i cal h e ath e n i sm. T h e y were to stan d
al o n e , i so l ate d by ch ar acte r an d bl essi ng.
Bu t th e wr i te r was h i mse l f pr o f o u n d l y i nf l u e n ce d by
Al e xan d r i an co nceptsth at i s, by Pl ato n i sm an d Neo -Pyth ag-
o r e an i sm.11At f i rst th i s bo o k was attr i bu te d to J o se ph us, bu t
th at was di spr o ve d. T h o u gh i t was n e gl e cte d by th e J ews, i t
was l au d e d by th e We ste r n C h u r ch .
1. Men G o t o R e s p e c t i v e R e w a r d s a t D e a t h . At th e
ti me o f th e wr i ti n g of 4 Maccabees, i n ad d i ti o n to th e two
gr e at J e wi sh sects, th e Ph ar i sees an d th e Sadducees, th e r e was
a th i r d sect r e pr e se n te d by th e au th o r . Dr. C h ar l es o bserves
th at th e wr i te r was s atu r ate d wi th Gr eek ph i l o so ph y, as
atte ste d by h i s systemati c ad o pti o n of th e i r te r mi no l o gy. T h e
wr i te r was a Ph ar i see o f th e same sch ool of th o u gh t as Ph i l o ,
co n te n d i n g th at at d e ath me n me e t wi th th e r e war d o r pu n
i sh me n t d u e f o r th e i r de e ds.
In br i e f , th e r i gh te o u s de ad ar e i mme d i ate l y r ecei ved
i n to bl i ss. (See 10:15; 13:17; 17:18; 18:23.) An d th e wi cked
suf f er e te r n al to r tu r e . (See 9:8, 32; 10:11, 15; 12:19; 13:15;
18:5, 22.)12T h e y ar e to r me n te d i n f i re f o r e ve r (9:9; 6:76). T h e
f ai th f u l rise to endl ess bl i ss wh i l e th e wi cked descend to e n d
l ess to r me n t, var yi ng i n i n te nsi ty. T h i s tr e ati se wel l i l l u str ate s
th e asce n d an t ph i l o so ph y of th i s sch ool of J ewi sh be l i e f ju st
be f o r e th e ti me of C h r i st an d th e apo stl es.18 Dr . C h ar l e ss
e xpl an ati o n i s wo r th qu o ti n g:
11Ib id . , p. 662.
Ibid.
a I bid., p. 654.
22
Ho w th e Al e xan d r i an Sch o o l came to ad o pt th e d o ctr i n e o f th e
i mmo r tal i ty o f th e so u l bu t n o t o f th e r e su r r e cti o n o f th e bo d y i s to o
l ar ge a su bje ct to e n t e r u po n h e r e , bu t i t i s u su al l y a ttr i bu te d to th e i r
h avi n g co me u n d e r th e i n f l u e n ce o f th e ph i l o so ph y o f Pl ato an d d i e neo -
Pyth ago r e an s. T h a t th e a u th o r was satu r ate d wi th Gr e e k ph i l o so ph y i s
pr o ve d by h i s syste mati c ad o pti o n o f i ts te r mi n o l o gy. 14
Because of th i s f act The Books of the Maccabees (espe
ci al l y 2 an d 4) ar e o f te n ci te d by pr o po n e n ts of Immo r tal -So ul -
i sm, si nce th e y u n e qu i vo cal l y te ach I n n ate Immo r tal i ty. An d
th e y ar e especi al l y i n vo ke d by Ro man C ath o l i cs because th e y
al so te ach pr ayer s f o r th e d e ad an d Pu r gato r y. Wi th th e basi c
pr e mi se we n t th ese i nse par abl e , su ppo r ti n g co r o l l ar i e s.
2. R i g h t e o u s I m m e d i a t e l y R e c e i v e d I n t o H e a v e n . T h e
wr i te r of 4 Maccabees co n te n d s th at at d e ath th e r i gh te o u s ar e
i mme d i ate l y r ece i ve d i n to bl i ss. He r e ar e th e d o cu me n te d
d e cl ar ati o n s: Af te r d e ath , Abr ah am, Isaac, an d J aco b sh al l
r ece i ve us, an d al l o u r f o r e f ath e r s sh al l pr ai se u s (13:17).19
Acco r di ng to th i s wr i te r , th e seven mar tyr e d sons of So l o mo na,
r e f e r r e d to i n 2 Maccabees, no w do bo th stan d besi de th e
th r o n e o f Go d an d l i ve th e bl essed age (17:18).17T h e se same
mar tyr e d seven sons ar e gath e r e d to ge th e r u n to th e pl ace of
th e i r ancesto r s, having received pure and immortal souls from
God (18:23). T h e r e i s h e r e , appar e n tl y, n o me n ti o n o f a
r e su r r e cti o n of th e body. T h i s i s, of co urse, i n d i r e ct co nf l i ct
wi th th e po si ti o n o f 2 Maccabees.
3. W i c k e d Pu n ish ed W i t h E t e r n a l T o r t u r e . T h e
wi cked e n d u r e to r me n ts wi th o u t end. T h u s: Bu t th o u f o r
o u r cr u e l mu r d e r sh al t suf f er at th e h ands of d i vi n e ju sti ce
suf f i ci ent to r me n t by f i re f o r e ve r (9:9). An d , T h o u f o r
th y i mpi e ty an d th y cr u e l ty sh al t e n d u r e to r me n ts wi th o u t
e n d (10:11), el sewh er e r e f e r r e d to as e te r n al d o o m (10:
15).20Agai n, Fo r wh i ch th i ngs th e d i vi n e ju sti ce del i ver s th e e
11I b id ., p. 662. Se e al so W. O. E. Oe s te r l e y a n d G. H. Bo x, Synagogue Religion and
Worship, p. 224.
15"U n t o Go d t h e y d i e n o t , as o u r pa t r i a r ch s , A br a h a m a n d I s a a c a n d J a co b, d i e d n o t,
bu t t h a t th e y l i ve u n t o Go d ([7:19]; ibid., p. 675).
18C h a r l e s , op. cit., p. 679.
u n to a mo r e r api d an d an e te r n al f i re an d to r me n ts wh i ch sh al l
n o t l eave h o l d o n th e e to al l e te r n i ty (12:12).21 An d l ast,
Fo r a gr e at str uggl e an d pe r i l o f th e soul awai ts i n e te r n al
to r me n t th o se wh o tr ansgress th e o r d i n an ce of Go d (13:15).
Such i s th e 4 Maccabees testi mo ny.
I I I . The Wisdom of SolomonStrange C ombi nati on
of Gl ar i ng C ontradi cti ons
An o th e r pse u d e pi gr aph i n th e Apo cr yph a, The Wisdom
of Solomon, pr esents a co n f u si n g pi ctu r e because of ce r tai n
gl ar i n g co n tr ad i cti o n s. T h e o pe n i n g ch apte r s ar e cl ear l y Gr eek
i n th o u gh t an d th eo l o gy r ath e r th an J ewi sh . T h i s secti o n d i s
cusses th e d i f f e r e n t de sti ni es awai ti n g th e r i gh te o u s an d th e
wi ckedth e r i gh te o u s to be r e war d e d wi th bl essed i mmo r tal
i ty, wh i l e th e u n go dl y wi l l ce r tai n l y be pu n i sh e d . Bu t th e
e ar l i e r i n d i vi d u al i mmo r tal i ty i s l ate r sh ade d wi th n ati o n al
i mmo r tal i ty.
T h e d ati n g i s f r e qu e n tl y pl aced, as by C h ar l es, be twe e n
50 an d 30 b. c . f o r th e f i rst par t of th e bo o k an d 30 b . c . to a . d .
10 f o r th e seco nd par t.23As par t of th e Apo cr yph a i t e xe r te d
co n si d e r abl e i nf l uence o n C h r i sti an th o u gh t, f o r i t was a
r ath e r br i l l i an t pr o d u cti o n , estee med because of th e spl e n d o r
of i ts d i cti o n .
T h e wr i te r was o bvi o usl y an Al e xan d r i an Ph ar i se e , f ul l y
acqu ai n te d wi th Gr e e k l i te r atu r e an d ph i l o so ph y, an d pr o
f o u n d l y i nf l ue nce d th e r e by. He d i sco unts th e Epi cu r e an po si
ti o n o f some wh o h e l d th at af te r th i s l i f e n o n e was ever
kno wn th at r e tu r n e d f r o m Had e s (2: l ).24Bu t gl ar i n g i n co n
si stenci es an d co n tr ad i cti o n s appe ar i n th e tr e ati se . Fo r e x
ampl e , th e wr i te r says, I mysel f al so am mo r tal , l i ke to al l
(7:1); yet th e d e ath o f th e r i gh te o u s i s asser ted to be f o l l o wed
by i mme d i ate i mmo r tal i ty.
Agai n, i n d e ath th e r i gh te o u s sh al l be at r e st (4:7);
21Ibid.. p. 678.
I bid., p. 537.
22Ibid., p. 679.
25Ibid., p. 545.
23Ibid., vol . 1, p. 521.
20Ibid., p. 540.
o r , we sh al l be as th o u gh we h ad n e ve r be e n (2:2).27An d
yet at th e same ti me th e r i gh te o u s de ad ar e al l egedl y keenl y
al i ve. But o f th at, mo r e l ate r . So i n th eo l o gy th e wr i te r (o r
wr i ter s) i s bo l d l y Al e xan d r i an ; o r mo r e accur atel y, h e e xh i bi ts
a co nf l i cti ng bl e n d of Ph ar i sai c J u d ai sm an d Gr e e k ph i l o so ph y.
1. C u r i o u s A d m i x t u r e o f T r u t h an d E r r o r . The Wis
dom of Solomon pr esents a str an ge mi xtu r e of tr u t h an d e r r o r .
I t d i sti n ctl y decl ar es th at i mmo r tal i ty bel o ngs to th e go o d,
wh i l e d e str u cti o n , i ts o ppo si te , i s th e de sti ny of th e wi cked.
T h i s seems th e mo r e su r pr i si n g i n th e l i gh t of th e pr e po n d e r an t
Al e xan d r i an emph asi s o f th e bo o k. Yet, d e spi te th e Gr e e k In-
n ate -Immo r tal i ty aspect, i t seeks to co mbi n e wi th i t bo d i l y
r e su r r e cti o n an d aspects o f C o n d i ti o n al i sm. No te th ese wh o l e
some words:
C o u r t n o t d e ath i n th e e r r o r o f yo u r l i f e ; n e i th e r d r aw u po n yo u r
sel ves d e s tr u cti o n by th e wo r ks o f yo u r h an d s: be cau se Go d mad e n o t
d e ath ; n e i th e r d e l i gh te th h e wh e n th e l i vi n g pe r i sh : f o r h e cr e ate d al l
th i n gs th a t th e y mi gh t h ave be i n g: an d th e pr o d u cts o f th e wo r l d are
h e al th so me , an d th e r e i s n o po i so n o f d e s tr u cti o n i n th e m: n o r h a t h
Had e s r o yal d o mi n i o n u po n e ar th ; f o r r i gh te o u sn e ss i s i mmo r tal , (bu t
th e gai n o f u n r i gh te o u sn e ss i s d e a th ) (1:12-15).
2. I m m o r t a l i t y Is f o r t h e R i g h t e o u s O n l y . T h e
Epi cu r e an co n ce pt o f pl e asur e i n l i f e an d e xti n cti o n at d e ath
i s n o te d as see ki ng to di spr o ve th e f al l acy of th e co n tr ar y vi ew.
Yet Wisdom says:
. . . Go d cr e ate d man f o r i n co r r u pti o n , an d mad e h i m an i mage o f
h i s o wn pr o pe r be i n g; bu t by th e en vy o f th e d e vi l d e ath e n te r e d i n to
th e wo r l d , an d th e y th a t be l o n g to h i s r e al m e xpe r i e n ce i t. Bu t th e so ul s
o f th e r i gh te o u s ar e i n th e h a n d o f Go d , an d n o to r me n t sh al l to u ch
th e m (2:25-3: l ).29
T h e co n ce pt of r e sto r ati o n i sm i s, h o wever , to be f o u n d .
T h u s :
In th e eyes o f f o o l s th e y se eme d to d i e ; an d th e i r d e pa r tu r e was
acco u n te d to be their h u r t, an d th e i r go i n g f r o m us to be their r u i n : bu t
th e y ar e i n peace . Fo r th o u gh i n th e si gh t o f me n th e y be pu n i sh e d , th e i r
h o pe i s f u l l o f i mmo r tal i ty; an d h avi n g bo r n e a l i ttl e ch aste n i n g, th e y
Ibid., p. 537. I bid., p. 536. * Ibid., p. 538.
sh al l r e ce i ve gr e at go o d ; be cau se Go d te ste d th e m, an d f o u n d th e m wo r th y
o f h i mse l f . As go l d i n th e f u r n ace h e pr o ve d th e m, an d as a wh o l e bu r n t
of Feri ng h e acce pte d th e m. An d i n th e ti me o f th e i r vi si tati o n th e y sh al l
sh i n e f o r th (3:2-7).30
3. T r a n s l a t i o n o f S o m e I s A l l u d e d t o . Al l u si o n i s
mad e to th e tr an sl ati o n of some (l i ke Eno ch ) wh o ar e cau gh t
away, an d h aste n e d . . . o u t of th e wi ckedness o f e ar th
(4:7-14).31
4. D e s t r u c t i o n o f W i c k e d I s U t t e r E n d . T h e d e str u c
ti o n o f th e wi cked i s r e pe ate d l y me n ti o n e d . Fo r e xampl e :
Be cause h e sh al l d ash th e m spe ech l ess to th e gr o u n d , an d sh al l
sh ake th e m f r o m th e f o u n d ati o n s, an d th e y sh al l l i e u tte r l y waste, an d
be i n an gu i sh , an d th e i r me mo r y sh al l pe r i s h (4:19).32
T h e y ar e u tte r l y co n su me d (5:13); th e h o pe of th e
u n go d l y i s l i ke ch af f car r i e d of f by th e wi n d ; l i ke smoke
wh i ch i s scatte r e d by th e wi n d , an d passeth away as th e
r e me mbr an ce of a guest th at tar r i e th bu t a d ay (5:14).34
5. I m m o r t a l i t y I s F r u i t o f R i g h t e o u s n e s s a n d O b e d i
e n c e . In co n tr ast h e says of th e r i gh te o u s: Bu t th e r i gh te o u s
l i ve f o r ever, an d i n th e Lo r d i s th e i r r e war d , an d th e car e f o r
th e m wi th th e Most Hi gh (5:15).
An d th e par t pl ayed by o be d i e n ce to Go d s l aw i s th i s:
T o gi ve h e e d to h e r [wi sd o ms] l aws i s th e assu r an ce o f i n co r r u pti o n ;
an d i n co r r u pti o n br i n ge th n e ar u n to Go d (6:18, 19).38
Fo r to kn o w th e e i s pe r f e ct r i gh te o u sn e ss, yea, to kn o w th y d o mi n i o n
i s th e r o o t o f i mmo r tal i ty (15:3).
I t wi l l be o bser ved th at th e i mmo r tal i ty h e r e spo ken
o f i s e qu i val e n t to l i vi ng f o r e ve r mo r e , an d i s expressl y co n
f i ned to th e r i gh te o u s. T h at, of co urse, i s th e C o n d i ti o n al i st
po si ti o n . And th e u tte r d e str u cti o n of th e wi cked, as pr i mar i l y
n o te d , i ndi cate s th e i r e n ti r e e n d l i kewi se C o n d i ti o n al i st.
30Ibid., p. 539.
si Ibid., pp. 540, 541.
32Ibid., pp. 541, 542. Se e al so x. 3, 6 ("pe r i s h e d , pe r i s h i n g ); 11:19 (co n s u me ,
d e s t r o y ); 12:12, 14 ( d e s t r u ct i o n , pu n i s h e d ), o n pp. 551, 553, 555.
33Ibid., p. 542.
3<Ibid., p. 543.
33Ibid.
38Ibid., p. 545. A f o o tn o t e (6:18, 19) r e a d s , T h e ke e pi n g o f h e r l aws i s i mmo r t a l i t y;
i mmo r t a l i t y br i n ge t h n e a r to Go d .
37Ibid., p. 559.
IV. In n ate Immo r tal i ty and Noxi ous Invol vements
Bu t th at i s n o t al l . T h e o ppo si te an d co nf l i cti ng si de of
th e same tr e ati se mu st be n o te d th e Gr e e k In n ate -Immo r tal -
i ty po stu l ate an d i ts i nvo l vements. T o grasp th i s i s i mpe r ati ve
i n o r d e r to u n d e r stan d an d e val u ate th e pseudo -So l o mo ns
r e aso n i n g an d h i s co ncl usi o ns. Le t us no w f ol l ow So l o mo n s
majo r r e aso n i n gwh i ch was e vi d e n tl y wr i tte n sh o r tl y be f o r e
th e bi r th of Ph i l o .
I t wi l l al so be wel l to n o te th at at th i s ti me th e r e wer e
bel i e ve d to be a mi l l i o n J ews i n Egypt, h al f of th e m i n Al e x
an d r i a, an d a gr e at n u mbe r ti n ctu r e d wi th He l l e n i sm (1:1,
n o te ).38T h i s i s th e se tti n g of th e o th e r si de o f th e co nf l i cti ng
pi ctu r e pr e se n te d i n The Wisdom of Solomon. Pe r h aps i t
ref l ects th e h an d of an o th e r wr i te r o r r e d acto r .
1. U n a b a s h e d l y Avows I n n a t e I m m o r t a l i t y . Par t I
(ch aps. 1-6) deal s wi th esch atol ogy an d o pe nl y aban d o n s th e
h i sto r i cal J e wi sh tr ad i ti o n al vi ew. As me n ti o n e d , i t vi vi dl y
po r tr ays th e d i f f e r e n t desti ni e s awai ti n g th e r i gh te o u s an d
th e ungo dl y. In Dr . C h ar l e ss d e tai l e d I n tr o d u cti o n h e i s
e i gh t ti mes co n str ai n e d to stress th e f act th at th e wr i te r of
The Wisdom of Solomon e n u n ci ate s th e d o ctr i n e o f entrance
upon immortality immediately upon death.
Hi s several state me n ts ar e: T h e wr i te r e n u n ci ate s th e
d o ctr i n e o f i mmo r tal i ty i mme d i ate l y af te r d e ath ; a bl essed
i mmo r tal i ty wi th Go d e n te r e d i mme d i ate l y u po n d e ath ; th e
so ul i mme d i ate l y af te r d e ath recei ves i ts f u l l r e war d , h appi ne ss
o r mi sery, l i f e o r d e ath ; i mmo r tal i ty i mme d i ate l y af te r d e ath
a pu r e l y Gr e e k i d e a; af te r th e i r d e ath th e i r soul s ar e
gu ar d e d by an ge l s; th e wr i te r si mpl y ad d e d th e i dea of th e
i mmo r tal i ty of th e soul i mme d i ate l y af te r d e ath to o ne o r
o th e r of th e cu r r e n t f or ms of J ewi sh esch ato l o gy; th e wr i te r
ad o pte d a pu r e l y Gr e e k vi ew of i mmo r tal i ty; an d ad o pte d
38F. W. Fa r r a r , Mercy and Judgment, p. 535.
th e Gr e e k i de a o f i mmo r tal i ty. 30And scr u ti n y of th e tr e ati se
justi f i es th e mu l ti pl e state me n ts of C h arl es.
2. W i s d o m t h e S o u r c e o f I m m o r t a l i t y . Par t II
(ch ap. 6:6 to ch ap. 11) i s a panegyr i c o n wi sdo m. T h e wr i te r
pr e se nts a r e mo te , tr an sce n d e n t Go d wi th n o i mme d i ate co n
tact wi th th e wo r l d. Al l r e l ati o n sh i ps ar e by me ans of Wi sdo m
n o t a pe r so n, bu t th e pe r so ni f i cati o n of th i s attr i bu te of
Go d. Wi sd o m i s set f o r th as omnipotent (al l -po we r f u l , th e
i n str u me n t i n th e maki n g of al l th i ngs7:22, 27; 8:5, 6); as
omniscient (kn o we th al l th i n gs8:11; 9:11).
Wi sdo m i s po r tr aye d as th e C r e ato r (as above, ar ti f i ce r
of al l th i n gs7:22, 23; 8:5, 6). Mo r eo ver , wi sdo m i s i m m o r
t a l (8:17, n o te ), an d th o se aki n to h e r sh ar e h e r i mmo r tal
i ty (8:13, 17). T h r o u gh wi sdom were th ey saved (9:18),
an d i t i s Wi sd o m th at de l i ve r e d o u t of tr o u bl e s (10:9)/
3. T h e R i g h t e o u s O n l y S e e m t o D i e . T h e r i gh te o u s
do n o t actu al l y e xpe r i e n ce d e ath , th ey o nl y seem to d i e (3:2)."
T h e y ar e i n pe ace (3:3). I t i s pu r e l y a spi r i tu al d e ath ; i t
does n o t me an u l ti mate e xti n cti o n . T h e wi cked co n ti n u e i n
a mi se r abl e co n d i ti o n i n th e n e xt wo r l d. Such ar e al l i n
an gu i sh (4:19).42 Bu t al l pu n i sh me n t i s r e me d i al and
r e f o r mati ve .
T h e f i r st par t of th e wr i te r s so l u ti o n to th e si n pr o bl e m
i s th e th e o r y th at suf f er i ng i s me an t to test th e r i gh te o u s
an d pr o ve th e m wo r th y of i mmo r tal i ty an d co mmu n i o n wi th
Go d , 43as go l d i n th e f ur n ace , h e pr o ve d th e m (3:6). T h o u gh
th ey be pu n i sh e d , th e i r h o pe i s f u l l of i mmo r tal i ty (3:4).44
T h at, i t i s to be no te d , i s si mi l ar to Ph i l o s d e cl ar ati o n :
T h e wi se man wh o appe ar s to h ave d e par te d f r o m th i s
mo r tal l i f e l i ves i n a l i f e i mmo r tal (3:2, n o te ).4*
T h e su mmar i zi n g su bh e ad f o l l o wi ng 4:6, i n th e C h ar l e s
e d i ti o n , r eads, T h e pr e matu r e d e ath of th e r i gh te o u s i s f ol -
39Ib id ., pp. 518, 529-531. 43 I bid., p. 530.
40I b id ., pp. 546-551. I bid., p. 539.
I b id ., p. 539. Ibid.
42I b id ., pp. 530, 542.
l o wed by i mmo r tal i ty. 16Bu t i t co n ti n u e s, T h e very me mo r y
of th e un go d l y sh al l pe r i sh . As to spi r i tu al d e ath , th e wr i te r
o f Wisdom says, We al so, as soon as we were bo r n , ceased to
be ( 5:13), be i n g u tte r l y co nsume d i n o u r wi ckedne ss,
l i ke smo ke wh i ch i s scatte r e d by th e wi n d an d passeth away
( 5 : 14).47
4. Assumes P r e - e x i s t e n c e o f t h e S o u l . T h e wr i te r of
th i s Wi sd o m pse u d e pi gr aph assumes th e exi stence of th e
so ul be f o r e bi r th ( 8:20).48 T h u s h e says, I mysel f am mo r tal ,
l i ke to al l , an d am spr u n g f r o m o ne bo r n of th e e ar th (7:1).
Hi s bo dy was i n co n tr ast to th e so ul wh i ch pr e -e xi ste d (8:2,
n o te ).49An d h e adds, A go o d so ul f el l to my l o t; an d I came
i n to a bo dy u n d e f i l e d (8:19).
He expresses th e th o u gh t th at th e so ul wh i ch was l e n t
h i m sh al l agai n be d e man d e d (15:8), an d r e f er s to o ne wh ose
o wn spi r i t i s bo r r o we d ( 1 5 : 16).61 T h i s e vi d e n tl y i nvo l ve d
so me f o r m o f pr e-exi stence as an i n se par abl e par t of h i s In n ate -
Immo r tal i ty co nce pt. T h e r e i s th e same d e pr e ci ati o n o f th e
bo dy as i n Pl ato ni sm. He speaks of h o w a co r r u pti bl e bo dy
we i gh e th do wn th e so u l an d th e e ar th l y f r ame l i e th h e avy
(9:15).
Such i s th e str ange co nf l i cti ng pi ctu r e pr e se n te d i n th e
apo cr yph al Wisdom of Solomon. An d such wer e th e i n se par abl e
pr emi ses l yi ng back of h i s In n ate -Immo r tal i ty co ncl usi o ns. T h i s
was th e tr an si ti o n h o u r i n J u d ai sm. Var i an t voi ces str u ggl e d
f o r u tte r an ce . Bu t th e tr e n d was Pl ato ni c.
Ibid., p. 540.
Ibid., pp. 542. 543.
Ibid., pp. 531. 549.
Ibid., p. 545.
m Ibid., p. 549.
Ibid., p. 560.
Ibid., p. 550.
C H A P T E R T H I R T Y - N I N E
Ma jo r i t y Ad h e r e to Hi sto r i c
C o n di ti o n al i sm
I. Ethiopic EnochUnder wo r l d T o r ments End i n Anni h i l ati o n
We no w tu r n to ce r tai n stal war t C o n d i ti o n al i sts wh o
par al l e l an d cl ose th e J e wi sh d i spe n sati o n wi tness, co u n te r
bal an ci n g th e advocates o f Immo r tal -So ul i sm just ci te d. T h e
Ethiopic Enoch, o r 1 Enoch (n o t to be co nf used wi th several
o th e r Eno ch s), consi sts, acco r d i n g to Li ttman n ,1o f a seri es of
l ayers, o r secti ons, th e o l d e st pr o d u ce d abo u t 200 b . c . an d th e
l ate st abo u t 63 b . c . Some o f i t was co n se qu e n tl y pr e-Maccabean.
Ho we ver , th e bu l k o f i t was e vi d e n tl y wr i tte n be twe e n
144 an d 120 b . c . by a J e w o f n o r th e r n Pal e sti ne , wh i l e o th e r
po r ti o n s wer e seemi ngl y pr o d u ce d by a Sadducee. I t i s a
pse u d e pi gr aph , an d gr e ate r au th o r i ty i s be i n g so u gh t f o r
i t by th e pu tti n g o f i t i n to th e mo u th of th e Bi bl i cal Eno ch .
I n any e ve n t th e Ethiopic Enoch i s o n e of th e mo r e co mpr e
h ensi ve of th e J ewi sh apocal ypses. Fuch s says:
[It i s] th e mo st magn i f i ce n t o f al l apo cal ypse s, th e apo cal ypti c Bi bl e
o f th e ti me o f J e su s. . . . I t af f o r ds th e mo st i mpo r ta n t r e l i gi o -h i sto r i cal
mate r i al f o r th e stu d y o f th e mysti c te n d e n cy, amo n g th e J e ws o f th e
Maccabe an ti me, wh i ch so me pr o n o u n ce to be al r e ad y Esse n e . 2
R. H. C h ar l es gi ves a f o r mi d abl e l i st of mo r e th an f i f ty
New T e s tame n t passages th at co i n ci d e e i th e r i n ph r aseo l o gy
o r i n th o u gh t wi th passages i n th e Ethiopic Enochsome of
th e m str i ki n gl y si mi l ar .3On e e xce r pt was appar e n tl y qu o te d
1 En n o L i t t ma n n , En o ch , Bo o ks o f , T h e Jewish Encyclopedia, vo l . 5, pp. 179-182.
2 H. Fu ch s , En o ch , Bo o k o f , T h e Universal Jewish Encyclopedia, vo l . 4, p. 132.
3C h a r l e s , The Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha, vo l . 2, pp. 180, 181.
681
by J u d e , i n verses 14, 15 (see Book of Enoch 1:9).4An d Enoch
n o t o nl y e xe r te d a d e f i n i te i n f l ue nce o n J u d ai sm bu t al so
pl ayed a si gni f i cant par t i n th e f o r mati o n o f C h r i sti an Gn o s
ti ci sm. Ho we ver , ar o u n d a . d . 300 th i s tr e ati se began to be
d i scr e d i te d by th e C h r i sti an C h u r ch . Never th e l ess, i t ref l ects
cl ear l y th e ge n e r al te nde ncy o f J e wi sh th i n ki n g i n th e i m
me d i ate pr e -C h r i sti an Era. T h e f u tu r e ju d gme n t i s po r tr aye d
an d th e ti mes o f f i nal r e sti tu ti o n , al o n g wi th f al l e n angel s
an d l egi ons of dar kness, th e r e su r r e cti o n an d r e tr i bu ti o n , an d
f i nal r ewar ds. Such was i ts esch ato l o gi cal o u tl i n e .
1. S o m b e r S c e n e s o f J u d g m e n t D a y D e p i c t e d . H e deal s
wi th th e appr o ach i n g ju d gme n t of th e wi cked, wi th th e
Ri gh te o u s On e co mi n g as ju d ge (38:2). T h e so be r i n g scenes
o f th e f u tu r e day o f ju d gme n t o f man an d f al l en angel s ar e
d e pi cte d :
An d th e Lo r d o f Spi r i ts pl ace d th e El e ct On e o n th e th r o n e o f gl o r y.
An d h e sh al l ju d ge al l th e wo r ks o f th e h o l y abo ve i n h e ave n , an d i n
th e bal an ce sh al l th e i r d e e d s be we i gh e d (61:8).
T h e wi cked He wi l l d e l i ve r to th e angel s f o r pu n i s h
me n t, to e xe cu te vengeance o n th e m. Bu t th e r i gh te o u s an d
el e ct sh al l be saved o n th at day, an d n e ve r th e n ce f o r war d
see th e f ace o f th e si n n e r s an d u n r i gh te o u s. T h e i r gar me n ts
sh al l n o t gro w o l d n o r th e i r gl o r y pass away (62:10-16).
T h e days o f th e i r l i f e sh al l be u n e n d i n g, an d th e days of
th e h o l y wi th o u t n u mbe r (68:3).T
T h e so mbe r scenes o f th e gr e at assi ze ar e pr e se n te d , wi th
th e bo o ks o f th e l i vi n g o pe n (47:3). T h e Mo st Hi gh wi l l
e xe cu te gr e at ju d ge me n t amo ngst si n n e r s (100:4),8an d f ear
an d tr e mbl i n g wi l l co me u po n th e m (102:1-3).
2. R e s u r r e c t i o n E x p r e s s l y P o r t r a y e d . On th e qu e sti o n
o f d e ath , r e su r r e cti o n , an d th e i n te r me d i ate state, co n tr ad i cto r y
state me n ts so meti me s appe ar ju st as wo u l d be e xpe cte d i n a
bo o k of co mpo si te au th o r sh i p, wi th i ts par ts wr i tte n o ver an
MAJ ORI T Y ADHERE T O HI ST ORI C C ONDI T I ONALI SM 683
e xte n d e d pe r i o d . So meti mes me n ti o n i s mad e of a ge ne r al
r e su r r e cti o n , so meti mes of a par ti al o ne. As to th e sl e e p of
th e r i gh te o u s, En o ch i n te r e sti n gl y says, An d th o u gh th e
r i gh te o u s sl eep a l o n g sl eep, th e y h ave n o u gh t to f e ar (100:
5).10He r e i s an i l l u mi n ati n g e xce r pt:
An d i n th o se days sh al l th e e a r th al so gi ve back th a t wh i ch h as
be e n e n tr u s te d to i t, an d Sh eo l al so sh al l gi ve back th a t wh i ch i t h as
r e ce i ve d , a n d h e l l sh al l gi ve back th a t wh i ch i t owes. Fo r i n th o se days
th e El e ct On e sh al l ar i se , an d h e sh al l ch o o se th e r i gh te o u s an d h o l y
f r o m amo n g th e m: f o r th e d ay h as d r awn n i gh th a t th e y sh o u l d be save d
(51:1, 2).11
I t h as be e n n o te d th at th e f i rst al l e ge d use o f th e wo r d
Sh e o l i n i ts Ne w T e s tame n t si gn i f i cati o n i n th ese apo ca
l ypti c wr i ti n gs appe ar s h e r e i n 1 Enoch
3. W i c k e d t o Be U t t e r l y Consumed. Var i o us verses
te l l o f co mi n g u tte r d e str u cti o n of th e wi cked, wi th n o tr ace
r e mai n i n g:
An d I wi l l gi ve th e m o ve r i n to th e h an d s o f Mi n e e l e ct: as str aw i n
th e f i re so sh al l th e y bu r n be f o r e th e f ace o f th e h o l y: as l e ad i n th e
wate r sh al l th e y si n k be f o r e th e f ace o f th e r i gh te o u s, and no trace of
them shall any more he found (48:9).13
Yet th e si n n e r s sh al l be d e str o ye d be f o r e th e f ace o f th e Lo r d o f
Spi r i ts, an d th e y sh al l be ban i sh e d f r o m of f th e f ace o f Hi s e ar th , an d
th e y sh al l pe r i sh f o r e ve r an d e ve r (53:2).14
On th i s po i n t o f u tte r d e str u cti o n De an F. W. Far r ar , of
C an te r bu r y, observes po i n te d l y:
T h e bo o k [o f Enoch] e xpl ai n s i ts o wn th r e ats to me an a n n i h i l a
ti o n , wh i ch i s th e ver y an ti th e si s o f e n d l e ss to r me n t. 15
An e ve r l asti n g ju d gme n t sh al l be e xe cu te d , an d bl asph e me r s shall
be annihilated e ve r ywh e r e (Enoch 92:16 [Ar ch bi sh o p Lau r e n ce ]). 16
Evi l ki ngs an d th e mi gh ty wi l l suf f er a sever er pu n i sh
me n tbe i n g cast i n to bu r n i n g f i r e i n a d e e p val l ey, wi th
gr e at ch ai n s pr e par e d f o r th e h osts of Azazel (au th o r of
I b i d ., p. 272.
w I b id ., p. 218.
i i I b id ., p. 185.
13I b i d . , p. 217. (I t a l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
1I b id., p. 220.
15Fa r r a r , Mercy and Judgment, p. 187. Hi s f o o tn o t e po i n t s o u t t h a t i n a cco r d a n ce
wi t h J e wi s h i d i o ma n n i h i l a t i o n i s d e s cr i be d as be i n g d e s tr o ye d , co n d e mn e d , s l ai n f o r e ve r .
1I b id. , p. 189.
si n), wh o ar e cast i n to th e abyss o f co mpl e te co n d e mn ati o n
(54:1-5).1T
4. T o r m e n t s o f A c c u r s e d i n U n d e r w o r l d . On th e o th e r
h an d , a f o r e r u n n e r o f Dan te s Divine Comedy appe ar s i n th e
tr e ati se f r o m so me o th e r h an d . En o ch i s l ed by an ange l
th r o u gh bo th h e ave n an d th e u n d e r wo r l d . He sees th e pr i so n
o f th e ange l s an d th e pl ace o f pu n i sh me n t o f f al l e n angel s
(21:7-10). T h e y ar e ju d ge d ti l l th e y ar e made an e n d o f
(19:2). An d En o ch gi ves a d e tai l e d d e scr i pti o n o f th e
mo u n tai n s of f i re. He sees h e ave n s sto r e h o use of r ai n , h ai l ,
an d th u n d e r .
Du r i n g h i s wan d e r i n gs h e comes to Sh eol . He sees h o l
l ow pl aces, d e e p an d d ar k an d wi de, f o r th e spi r i ts of th e
so ul s of th e d e ad , th e soul s o f th e ch i l d r e n o f me n wh o
sh o u l d assembl e th e r e . He h ear s th e m make appe al to th e
co u r ts of He ave n (22:2-6).18Sh eol , i n th i s i nstance, i s n o l o n ge r
a pl ace wh er e th e d e ad ar e unco nsci o us, an d u n awar e of wh at
i s h appe n i n g o n e ar th .
Un d e r th e h an d of th i s wr i te r th e y ar e f ul l y co nsci o us,
an d r ai se th e i r voi ces i n cl amo r . He r e th e u n r i gh te o u s suf f er
gr e at pai n , an d th e r e ar e sco urgi ngs f o r th o se accur sed f o r
e ve r (22:9-12).
T h u s , wh i l e some passages (acco r di ng to th e C h ar l e s e d i
ti o n ) acco r d wi th New T e s tame n t th o u gh t, th e r e i s o n th e
o th e r h an d a r ad i cal d e par tu r e f r o m th e f o r me r Ol d T e s ta
me n t teach i ngs o n d e ath an d th e desti ny of th e so ul h e r e af te r .
An d th e i n n o vati o n s u n qu e sti o n abl y l ai d th e gr o u n d wo r k f o r
man y of th e pr o n o u n ce d d e par tu r e s th at l ate r cr e pt i n to th e
th i n ki n g o f th e C h r i sti an C h u r ch . Bu t we n e e d to kno w h ow
th ese d e par tu r e s came abo u t, th at we may u n d e r stan d th e gr ave
r esul ts.
We mu st press th r o u gh th e r e mai n i n g wr i ti n gs th at we
may h ave th e wh o l e story be f o r e us.
17C h a r l e s , Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha, vo l . 2, p. 220.
w Ibid . , p. 202.
Ib id . , p. 203.
I I . Slavonic EnochEte r nal Heaven and Unendi ng Hel l
f or Immo r tal Soul s
T h e o ppo si te pi ctu r e i s po r tr aye d i n The Book of the
Secrets of Enoch, cal l e d th e Slavonic Enoch (o r 2 Enoch),
wh i ch i s pr e se r ve d o n l y i n th e Sl avoni c f o r m. I t i s n o t a
tr an sl ati o n o f th e Ethiopic Enoch, f o r al th o u gh th e same
su bje ct i s tr e ate d , i t i s a d i f f e r e n t pse u d e pi gr aph . He r e En o ch
i s l e d th r o u gh th e te n h eavens (ch aps. 2 to 22)Go d dwe l l i n g
i n th e te n th 20to l e ar n th e secrets of th e uni ve r se, th at h e
mi gh t i n str u ct an d teach th e f ear of th e Lo r d.
Acco r d i n g to C h ar l es, th e f i nal e d i to r of th i s l i ttl e wo r k
was cl ear l y a He l l e n i st J e w wh o l i ved i n Al e xan d r i a, Egypt,
f o u n tai n h e ad of th e Immo r tal -So u l th e o ry. T h e d ate i s evi
d e n tl y ear l y i n th e C h r i sti an Era, wi th i n th e f i rst f i f ty years.21
1. F i r s t J e w i s h P r o p o u n d e r o f S i x - T h o u s a n d - Y e a r
T h e o r y . He r e appar e n tl y f o r th e f i rst ti me i n J e wi sh l i t
e r atu r e appe ar s th e e qu ati o n of each day o f C r e ati o n week
f o r a th o u san d years of h u man h i sto r y, wi th i ts f i nal th o u
san d years o f r e st.22T h u s i t was bo th a h i sto r y of th e past
an d a f o recast o f th e f u tu r e a th e o r y wh i ch came to pl ay an
i mpo r tan t r o l e i n bo th ear l y an d mo d e r n C h i l i asm.
I t was an atte mpt to co mpu te th e ti me of th e e n d of th e
wo r l d ,23an d o f th e o pe n i n g u p of th e gates of e te r n i ty wh e n
ti me sh al l be no mo r e . Go d cr e ate d th e wo r l d o u t of n o th i n g
(24:2),24wi th th e speci f i cati o ns of each day of C r e ati o n week
(ch aps. 25 to 30). Man, i t i s h e r e r e co r d e d , was cr e ate d o n
th e si xth day o f C r e ati o n week (30:8-18),28 an d th e Fal l i s
d e pi cte d , as wel l as th e Fl o o d (31:1-34:3). An d th e Seco nd
C o mi n g i s al so expressl y tau gh t (32:1).29
Ibid. , pp. 432-443.
21Ibid. , pp. 426-429.
22T h i s s i x-th o u s a n d -ye a r co n ce pt f o r t h e d u r a t i o n o f t h e wo r l d , was n o t, h o we ve r ,
s i mpl y J e wi s h a po ca l ypt i c, bu t was t r a ce a bl e back to pa ga n i s m. T h e Zo r o a s t r i a n s i n Pe r s i a a n d
t h e Et r u s ca n s i n I t a l y be l i e ve d t h a t t h e h u ma n r a ce was to l i ve si x th o u s a n d ye ar s . So me
s ch o l ar s f i n d e vi d e n ce o f Pe r s i a n i n f l u e n ce i n t h e J e wi s h a po ca l ypti c a n d T a l mu d i c wr i ti n gs o n
th i s po i n t . C f . Wi l l i a m S. Fo x, Greek and Roman Mythology, p. 289; J . A. MacC u l l o ch ,
i n Ha s ti n gs , Encyclopedia o f Religion and Ethics, vo l . 5, pp. 376 381.
23C h a r l e s , Apocrypha ana Pseudepigrapha, vo l . 2, p. 451.
24Ib id. , p. 444. as bid> pp 448-450. I bid., p. 451.
2. S o u l s P r e p a r e d f o r E t e r n i t y B e f o r e W o r l d s F o r m a
t i o n . The Slavonic Enoch tau gh t th at al l soul s wer e pr e
par e d to e te r n i ty, be f o r e th e f o r mati o n o f th e wo r l d , an d
th u s be f o r e th e y to o k u p th e i r abo de i n mate r i al e ar th l y
f o r ms (23:4, 5). An d pl aces ar e si mi l ar l y pr e par e d f o r th e m
f o r al l e te r n i ty:
Man y man si o n s [ar e] pr e pa r e d f o r me n , go o d f o r th e go o d , an d
bad f o r th e bad , wi th o u t n u mbe r man y. Bl essed ar e th o se wh o e n te r th e
go o d h o use s, f o r i n th e bad (sc. h o use s) th e r e i s n o pe ace n o r r e t u r n (sc.
f r o m th e m) (61:2, $).*
3. F r e e W i l l , D e a t h , P u n i s h m e n t , a n d R e w a r d . Man
was o r i gi n al l y cr e ate d good, an d besto wed wi th f r ee wi l l , an d
th u s h ad po we r to ch oose be twe e n go o d an d evi l . He became
th e maste r o f h i s own de sti ny (30:15). De ath came as a r e su l t
o f si n (30:16). Al l wi l l be ju d ge d , an d pu n i sh e d o r r e war d e d
acco r d i n g to th e i r works (40:12, 13; 46:3). T h e r i gh te o u s wi l l
escape pu n i sh me n t, an d be gath e r e d i n to e te r n al l i f e (65:8).80
4. R i g h t e o u s L i v e E t e r n a l l y i n P a r a d i s e . Par adi se
i s pl aced i n th e th i r d h eaven, be twe e n co r r u pti bi l i ty an d i n
co r r u pti bi l i ty. In th e mi d st o f i t stands th e tr e e o f l i f e.
T h e r e ar e two spr i ngs se n d i n g f o r th mi l k an d h o ney an d
o i l an d wi ne (8:3-6).31 T h i s i s th e e te r n al i n h e r i tan ce of
th e r i gh te o u s (9: l ),82wh er e th e r i gh te o u s l i ve e te r n al l y (65:9),
possess e te r n al l i f e (65:10), an d escape th e gr e at ju d gme n t
(66:V).83I t i s a pl e asi ng pro spect.
5. M e r c i l e s s T o r t u r e s A r e E t e r n a l I n h e r i t a n c e
o f W i c k e d . At th e n o r th e r n e n d of th e th i r d h eave n i s He l l ,
a pl ace o f cr u e l darkness, l i gh te d o nl y by sh eets of mu r ky
f i r e (10:1-6).34Ever ywh er e i s f i re, an d str angel y, ever ywh er e
i s f rost. I n th e l o west h e l l th e wi cked pr i so ne r s ar e i n pai n ,
awai ti n g l i mi tl ess ju d gme n t (40:12, 13).85Merci l ess to r tu r e
i s th e e te r n al i n h e r i tan ce o f th e wi cked. Fo r such th e r e i s no
27Ibid., p. 466.
* Ib id ., pp. 449, 450.
I b id . , pp. 455, 456, 458.
3Ibid ., p. 468.
3i Ib id . , p. 434.
Ib id., p. 435.
33Ibid., p. 468.
a* Ibid., p. 435.
33Ibid., p. 456.
r e tu r n , an d n o r e pe n tan ce af te r d e ath . C r u e l an d merci l ess
angel s appl y f e ar f u l to r tu r e s to th o se co n d e mn e d to l i ve f o r
e ver th e r e i n , because of th e i r si ns agai nst Go d an d man. T h e
gu ar d i an s of He l l ar e th u s vi vi dl y de scr i be d:
I saw th e gu ar d i an s o f th e keys o f h e l l stan d i n g o ve r agai n st th e
gate s l i ke gr e at se r pe n ts, th e i r f aces l i ke l amps th a t ar e go n e o u t, th e i r
eyes l i ke d ar ke n e d f l ames, an d th e i r te e th n ake d d o wn to th e i r br e asts
(42:1, col . B).36
I t i s a f o r bi d d i n g pi ctu r e , bu t such ar e th e to r r i d teach i ngs
o f th i s e xtr a-Bi bl i cal J e wi sh apo cal ypti c, appe ar i n g ju st af te r
th e o pe n i n g of th e C h r i sti an Er a. T h e Ete r n al T o r me n t of
th e wi cked po stu l ate was th u s be i n g pr o mu l gate d i n th e i n te r -
T e s tame n t pe r i o d.
I I I . Syriac BaruchC o ndi ti o nal i st Vi ew; Ri gh teous Sl eep
T i l l Resurr ecti o n
On th e co n tr ar y, The Syriac Apocalypse of Baruch, o r
2 Baruch f o r sh o r t, was a co mpo si te wo rk, ch ar acte r i ze d by
Dr . C h ar l es as a n o bl e u tte r an ce . I t was e vi d e n tl y pr o d u ce d
by J ews of Ph ar i sai c backgr o u n d , i n th e l atte r h al f of th e f i rst
ce n tu r y of th e C h r i sti an Er a. I t was co n se qu e n tl y co n te mpo r ar y
wi th th e wr i ti n g of e ar l i e r po r ti o n s of th e New T estament.*7I t
i s l i kewi se a pse u d e pi gr aph , se n t f o r th as i f wr i tte n by Bar uch ,
J e r e mi ah s amanuensi s. Bu t i ts po si ti o n i s h i gh l y si gni f i cant,
d e f i ni te l y pr e se n ti n g as i t does th e C o n d i ti o n al i st vi ew o f i m
mo r tal i ty at th at cr i ti cal ti me.
T h e Syri ac 2 Baruchn o t to be co nf use d wi th th e l ate r
3 Baruch, The Greek Apocalypse of Baruch 38i s an apo l o gy
an d def ense o f J u d ai sm, an d af f ords an i l l u mi n ati n g e xampl e
o f o ne o f th e par al l e l i n g sch ool s of J ewi sh th o u gh t cu r r e n t
at th e ti me of th e apostl es. T h e bo o k, o r i gi n al l y wr i tte n i n
He br e w, was tr an sl ate d f r o m th e Gr e e k i n to Syri ac, an d bear s
MAJ ORI T Y ADHERE T O HI ST ORI C C ONDIT I ONALI SM 687
38Ibid.
37Ib id ., p. 470.
38Ib id. , pp. 527-541. I t was wr i t t e n pr o ba bl y so o n a f t e r a .d . 136.
str i ki n g si mi l ar i ty to 2 Esdras. Obse r ve ce r tai n ch ar acte r i sti c
po si ti o ns.
1. D e a t h , S l e e p , a n d R e s u r r e c t i o n . Dr . C h ar l e s cal l s
par ti cu l ar atte n ti o n to th e f act th at th e wr i te r of th e Syriac
Apocalypse adh e r e s to th e o l d e r J e wi sh vi ew of d e ath as a
sl e e p. He r e i s Bar u ch s state me n t:
Fo r th e r e h ave be e n man y year s l i ke th o se th a t ar e d e so l ate f r o m
th e days o f Abr ah am an d Isaac an d J aco b, an d o f al l th o se wh o ar e
l i ke th e m, wh o sl e e p i n th e e a r t h (21:24).*
An d th e an ti ci pate d awakeni ng, o r r e su r r e cti o n , wi l l take
pl ace, h e says, o nl y af te r th e de cr e e d n u mbe r o f per so ns to
l i ve o n th i s e ar th i s made up:
Because wh e n Ad am s i n n e d an d d e a th was d e cr e e d agai n st th o se
wh o sh o u l d be bo r n , th e n th e mu l ti tu d e o f th o se wh o sh o u l d be bo r n
was n u mbe r e d , a n d f o r th at n u mbe r a pl ace was pr e pa r e d wh e r e th e
l i vi n g mi gh t d we l l an d th e d e ad mi gh t be gu ar d e d . Be f o r e th e r e f o r e th e
n u mbe r af o r e sai d i s f u l f i l l e d , th e cr e atu r e wi l l n o t l i ve agai n , . . . an d
Sh eo l wi l l r e ce i ve th e d e a d (23:4, 5)/
An d d e ath , h e h o l ds, came th r o u gh i n d i vi d u al l y co mmi t
te d si n:
Fo r th o u gh Ad am f i r st si n n e d an d br o u gh t u n ti me l y d e ath u po n al l ,
ye t o f th o se wh o wre r e bo r n f r o m h i m each o n e o f th e m h as pr e par e d f o r
h i s o wn so u l to r me n t to co me, an d agai n e ach o n e o f th e m h as ch o se n
f o r h i mse l f gl o r i e s to co me (54:15).41
2. E s c h a t o l o g i c a l V i e w o f t h e L a s t T h i n g s . Bar u ch s
esch ato l o gi cal po r tr ayal i s vi vi d, i n cl u d i n g of co ur se th e ju d g
me n t (ch ap. 24). T h e si gns of th e e n d ar e e n u me r ate d (ch aps.
25, 26).3Woes wi l l sweep o ve r th e wo r l d co mmo ti o n , wars,
f ami nes, e ar th qu ake s, te r r o r s, th e f al l i ng of f i re, wi ckedness,
an d u n ch asti tyal l co mmi n gl e d (ch ap. 27).43Di stress an d d e
str u cti o n wi l l be wo r l dwi de, an d i r r e me d i al co r r u pti o n wi l l
pr evai l . T h e n Messi ah wi l l come. Bu t ce r tai n ch i l i asti c excesses
ar e al so po r tr aye d ever y vi ne to h ave a th o u san d br anch e s;
every br an ch pr o d u ci n g a th o u san d cl uster s; an d every cl u ste r
30I bid., p. 495.
43Ibid . , p. 496.
40Ibid.
43I bid., pp. 496, 497.
41I bid., p. 511.
a th o u san d gr apes (ch ap. 29).44 Bu t i t was by such f an ci f ul
po r tr ayal s th at th e wh o l e co nce pt of th e mi l l e n n i u m was
br o u gh t i n to d i sr e pu te .
3. R i g h t e o u s D ea d S l e e p U n t i l M e s s i a h s R e t u r n .
Wh e n Messi ah r e tu r n s, th e n al l wh o h ave f al l e n asl eep i n
h o pe o f Hi m sh al l r i se agai n . T h e r i gh te o u s wi l l al l be gath
e r e d i n a mo me n t, an d r e jo i ce to ge th e r , n o t gr i e vi n g th at o ne
h ad to wai t l o n ge r th an th e o th e r f o r th e f ul l co n su mmati o n .
Bu t th e wi cked, o n th e o th e r h an d , wi l l gr i eve because th e
ti me o f th e i r to r me n t an d pe r d i ti o n l i as ar r i ve d (ch ap. 30).46
So h e r e i n The Syrian Baruch we f i nd th e o r i gi n al C o n
d i ti o n al Immo r tal i ty co nce pt po r tr aye d an d pe r pe tu ate d by
Bar uch . C o mme n ti n g o n th i s, Dr. C h ar l e s adds au th o r i tati ve l y:
T h i s co n d i ti o n al i mmo r tal i ty of man appe ar s al so i n 1Eno ch
l xi x.l l , Wi sdo m i .13, 14, 2 Eno ch xxx.16, 17, 4 Ezr a i i i .7.46
I t was th u s o ne of th e two co nce pts no w cu r r e n t.
I t i s h i gh l y si gni f i cant th at Bar uch was n o t al o n e i n th i s
vi ew, th o u gh of co urse th e par al l e l Immo r tal -So u l i st vi ews h ad
no w be e n def i ni te l y d e ve l o pe d by o th e r s. So co n te mpo r ar y
sch ool s of o ppo si te te ach i n g were pr e val e n t i n J u d ai sm at
th i s ti me . Le t us th e r e f o r e sur vey Bar u ch wi th gr e ate r d e tai l
an d d o cu me n tati o n .
IV. Sets Fo r th th e C o ndi ti o nal i st School of Immo r tal i ty
1. E p i t o m e o f B a r u c h s H o p e o f Judaism.As n o te d ,
2 Baruch pr e se nts a pi ctu r e of th e h o pes of J u d ai sm i n th e
seco nd h al f o f th e f i rst ce n tu r y a.d. at th e ver y ti me th e
C h r i sti an apo stl es were al so wr i ti n g. I t sets f o r th o r i gi n al si n
an d f r ee wi l l (15:5-9; 19:12), wi th si n as a co nsci o us br e ach
o f mo r al l aw, an d h u man d e pr avi ty be gi n n i n g wi th Ad ams
si n. Ph ysi cal decl e nsi o n an d d e ath f o l l o w (17:3; 19:8; 23:4).
Oth e r wi se , C h ar l e s co mments, man wo u l d h ave be e n i m
mo r tal , th at i s, i mmo r tal si nner s.
T h e te n d e n cy to evi l became e stabl i sh e d i n man (48:42f f .),
wi th af f l i cti on, di sease, an d d e ath f o l l o wi ng.47 Bu t th e i ssues
o f r i gh t an d wr o n g r e mai n bef o r e man, an d th e po we r of
ch o i ce l i kewi se r e mai n s h i s (19:1, 3).48T h e n , at th e appo i n te d
ti me , th e Messi ah wi l l r e tu r n an d th e r i gh te o u s d e ad wi l l ri se
to a bl essed l i f e (30:1). T h e r i gh te o u s wi l l th u s r ecei ve th e i r
pr o mi se d r e war d (59:2) i n th e gl o r i es to come (54:15), wh i l e
th e u n r i gh te o u s ar e cast i n to th e to r me n t of f i re (54:14; 55:7;
59:2, 10).4e
2. P r a y s f o r End o f M o r t a l i t y and C o r r u p t i o n .
Bar u ch prays th at th e ti me of h u man mo r tal i ty an d co r r u p
ti bi l i ty may be e n d e d :
Br i n g to an e n d th e r e f o r e h e n ce f o r th mo r tal i ty. An d r e pr o ve acco r d
i n gl y th e an ge l o f d e ath , an d l e t T h y gl o r y appe ar , an d l e t th e mi gh t o f
T h y be au ty be kn o wn , an d l e t Sh eo l be se al e d so th a t f r o m th i s ti me
f o r war d i t may n o t r e ce i ve th e d e ad , an d l e t th e tr e asu r i e s [ch ambe r s]
o f so ul s r e sto r e th o se wh i ch ar e e n cl o se d i n th e m (21:25, 24).
3. Coming J u d g m e n t and M e s s i a h s A d v e n t . C h apte r s
twe n ty-f o u r an d twenty-f i ve te l l o f th e co mi n g ju d gme n t at
th e e n d o f days, an d ce r tai n pr ecur so r s, such as mu ch
tr i bu l ati o n , th at wo u l d pr ecede. T h e n ch apte r th i r ty o pens
wi th , An d i t sh al l co me to pass af te r th ese th i ngs, wh e n th e
ti me o f th e ad ve n t o f th e Messi ah i s f ul f i l l ed, th at He sh al l
r e tu r n i n gl o r y. 61 I t i s r e mar kabl e h o w o f te n th i s n o te i s
so u n d e d th r o u gh o u t th i s apo cr yph al l i te r atu r e . T h e r e was
h i gh expectancy, an d th e esch ato l o gi cal emph asi s was pr o
n o u n ce d .
4. R e s u r r e c t i o n and A s s e m b l a g e o f R i g h t e o u s D e a d .
Ne xt, th e tr e me n d o u s scenes of th e r e su r r e cti o n ar e i mme d i
ate l y po r tr aye d :
'T h e n al l wh o h ave f al l e n asl e e p i n h o pe o f Hi m sh al l r i se agai n .
Ibid.
ibid., p. 478.
Ibid., p. 479.
Ibid., pp. 494, 495.
Ibid., p. 498.
MAJ ORI T Y ADHERE T O HI ST ORI C C ONDIT I ONALI SM 691
An d i t sh al l co me to pass at th a t ti me th a t th e tr e asu r i e s [ch ambe r s]
wi l l be o pe n e d i n wh i ch i s pr e se r ve d th e n u mbe r o f th e so ul s o f th e
r i gh te o u s, an d th e y sh al l co me f o r th , an d a mu l ti tu d e o f so ul s sh al l be
se en to ge th e r i n o n e asse mbl age o f o n e th o u gh t, an d th e f i r st sh al l r e jo i ce
an d th e l ast sh al l n o t be gr i e ve d . Fo r th e y kn o w th a t th e ti me h as co me
o f wh i ch i t i s sai d, th a t i t i s th e co n s u mmati o n o f th e ti mes. Bu t th e
so ul s o f th e wi cke d, wh e n th e y be h o l d al l th e se th i n gs, sh al l th e n waste
away th e mo r e . Fo r th e y sh al l kn o w th a t th e i r to r me n t h as co me an d
th e i r pe r d i ti o n h as ar r i ve d (30:2-5).
5. T h e D u s t G i v e s U p t h e D e a d . T u r n i n g to th e desti ny
o f th e wi cked an d th e gr e at co n su mmati o n , an d th e me asu r e
me n t o f th e ti me s an d th e seasons, Bar uch says:
Fo r co r r u pti o n sh al l take th o se th a t be l o n g to i t, an d l i f e th o se
th a t be l o n g to i t. An d th e d u st sh al l be cal l e d , an d th e r e sh al l be sai d
to i t: Gi ve back th a t wh i ch i s n o t th i n e , an d r ai se u p al l th a t th o u h ast
ke pt u n ti l th i s ti me (43:7, 8).
Bu t Bar uch , wi th assur ance o f many e te r n al co n so l ati o n s
awai ti n g h i m, i s i n str u cte d :
Fo r th o u s h al t d e pa r t f r o m th i s pl ace , an d th o u sh al t pass f r o m
th e r e gi o n s wh i ch ar e n o w se en by th e e , an d th o u sh al t f o r ge t wh ate ve r
i s co r r u pti bl e , a n d sh al t n o t agai n r e cal l th o se th i n gs wh i ch h appe n
amo n g mo r tal s (43:2).
6. T h e P u n i s h m e n t o f t h e W i c k e d . C h apte r f o u r te e n
al l ude s to th e i n co r r i gi bl y wi cked, wi th n o mercy o n th o se
wh o d e par t to to r me n t (44:12). T h a t wi l l be th e i r tr agi c
i n h e r i tan ce o f th e pr o mi se d ti me . T o th e r i gh te o u s sh al l
be gi ven th e wo r l d to come, bu t th e d we l l i n g of th e r e st wh o
ar e many sh al l be i n th e f i r e (44:13-15).
In h i s pr aye r Bar uch r ef er s to th e d e str u cti o n th at i s to
be (48:7), th e mu l ti tu d e wh o f r o m th e ti me o f Eve h ave
tu r n e d to evi l , th e co mi n g o f th e J u d ge , th e we e pi n g o ver th e l i v
i ng r ath e r th an th e dead, th e mu l ti tu d e go i ng to co r r u pti o n ,
an d th e u n n u mbe r e d h ost of th o se wh o m th e f i re d e vo u r s
(48:37-47)."
7. B o d y R a i s e d I m m o r t a l a n d I n c o r r u p t i b l e . T h e n
Ibid.
I b id . , p. 502.
Ibid.
K Ibid., p. 503.
Ibid., p. 505.
n I bid., p. 507.
th e r e su r r e cti o n bo dy i s po r tr aye d as undying (51:3), incor
ruptible (74:2), an d invisible to mo r tal vi si o n (51:8). T h i s i s
appl i e d to th e r e d e e me d wh o ar e to l i ve i n th e r e n e we d wo r l d.
T h e r e su r r e cti o n r e u n i te s so ul an d bo dy (21:23; 42:8). T h u s :
T h e e ar th sh al l th e n assu r e d l y r e sto r e th e d e ad , [wh i ch i t no w
r ecei ves, i n o r d e r to pr e se r ve th e m]. I t sh al l make n o ch an ge i n th e i r
f o r m, bu t as i t h as r e ce i ve d , so sh al l i t r e sto r e th e m. An d as I [Go d]
d e l i ve r e d th e m u n to i t, so sh al l i t r ai se th e m' (50:2).
T h e n Bar uch asks, Wh y th e r e f o r e do we agai n mo u r n
f o r th ose wh o di e? Or wh y do we weep f o r th o se wh o d e par t
to Sh eo l ? (52:2). Lame n tati o n i s r ese r ve d f o r th o se u po n
wh o m to r me n t an d d e str u cti o n ar e co mi n g (51:3). Make
r eady th e so ul , h e admo ni sh es, f o r th e r e war d wh i ch i s l ai d
u p f o r yo u (52:7).
8. A T e r m i n a b l e R e t r i b u t i o n I n d i c a t e d . I n a so r t
o f h i sto r y o f man ki n d , af te r th e gi vi ng of th e l aw, Bar u ch
speaks o f h o w
a t th a t ti me th e l amp o f th e e te r n al l aw sh o n e o n al l th o se wh o sat
i n d ar kn e ss, wh i ch an n o u n ce d to th e m th at be l i e ve th e pr o mi se o f th e i r
r e war d , an d to th e m th a t d e n y, th e to r me n t o f f i re wh i ch i s r e se r ve d
f o r th e m (59:2, 3).60
I t sh o u l d be ad d e d th at, r e gar d i n g th e bo o k o f Bar u ch
wi th i ts te r ms pe r d i ti o n , to r me n t, an d f i r e, De an Far
r a r of C an te r bu r y observes: I t th e r e f o r e po i n ts to a te r mi n abl e ,
n o t to an i n te r mi n abl e , r e tr i bu ti o n . 91
Such i s Bar u ch s C o n d i ti o n al i st te sti mo ny.
68I b id . , p. 508. Se e n o te 50-51. (Br a cke ts i n o r i gi n a l .)
I b id . , p. 509.
I bid., p. 513.
81Fa r r a r , Mercy and Judgment, p. 191.
C H A P T E R F O R T Y
2 Esdras Mai ntai ns th e
C o n d i ti o n al i st Vi ew
I. 2 EsdrasImmo r tal i zati o n of Ri gh teous and Destructi on
of Wi cked
Esdr as i s bo th th e Gr e e k an d Lati n f o r m of Ezra,
2 Esdras 1be i n g o r i gi n al l y cal l e d th e Ezra-Apocal ypse. T h e r e
i s co mmo n agr e e me n t th at i t i s a co mpo si te, th e pr o d u ct of
a gr o u p of J e wi sh wr i te r s 2a pse u d e pi gr aph br o u gh t to ge th e r
an d i nve ste d wi th th e n ame Ezr a. T h i s co mpi l ati o n was evi
d e n tl y made ar o u n d th e cl ose of th e f i rst ce n tu r y a . d . , af te r
T i tu s ' d e str u cti o n of J e r u sal e m. Its i mpo r tan ce i n th i s survey
i s th e r e f o r e o bvi o us. Late r i t was tr an sl ate d i n to Lati n , Syri ac,
Eth i o pi c, Ar abi c, an d Ar me n i an . I t f o u n d e n tr an ce as an ap
pe n d i x i n to th e Lati n Vul gate , an d f r o m th e nce was r e tai n e d
i n ce r tai n Pr o te stan t Bi bl es as par t of th e Apo cr yph a. (See
C h ar t o n pages 634, 635.)
I n i ts pr e se n t f o r m 2 Esdras i s co mmo nl y d ate d be twe e n
a . d . 120 an d a . d . 150. I t was extensi vel y r ead, an d e xe r te d
co n si d e r abl e i nf l uence. Even i n mo d e m ti mes i t i s sti l l r e ad
f o r e di f i cati o n i n ce r tai n co mmu n i o n s. I t so ugh t to i mpr ess i ts
apo cal ypti c message u po n ce r tai n h o sti l e r abbi n i cal ci rcl es,
i n o r d e r to secur e a pe r man e n t pl ace i n o r th o d o x J u d ai sm.
J e r o me , i t sh o u l d be adde d, was th e f i rst to de ny i ts cano ni ci ty.
1 I t i s ca l l e d Se co n d be cau s e i n t h e V u l ga t e i t f o l l o ws th e ca n o n i ca l bo o ks o f Ezr a-
Ne h e mi a h , wh i ch a r e co mbi n e d a n d s tyl e d Fi r s t Ezr a .
2So me t h i n k i t to h a ve be e n bas e d o n t h e Sa l a th i e l apo cal yps e (o f ch a p. i . 1), o f a .d .
100, to wh i ch we r e a d d e d t h e Ea gl e Vi s i o n , t h e So n o f Ma n Vi s i o n , a n d t h e Ezr a -L e ge n d , f r o m
o t h e r apo cal yps e s , a n d e xt r a cts f r o m a n o l d Ezr a-apo ca l yps e .
693
I t i s ge n e r al l y ad mi tte d th at 2 Esdras co n tai n s some i n te r po l a
ti o ns by a l ate r h an d , as wel l as no ve l an d f antasti c el e me nts,
wh i ch f acts acco u n t f o r ce r tai n i nco nsi stenci e s an d co n tr ad i c
ti o ns i n th e te xt. An d so meti mes an expr essi o n wi l l appe ar i n
o n e tr an sl ati o n th at i s n o t pr e se n t i n o th e rs. He n ce an occa
si o nal co nf l i cti ng expr essi o n can n o t l o gi cal l y o ve r th r o w o r
n e u tr al i ze i ts pr e po n d e r an t C o n d i ti o n al i st evi dence.
1. H i s t o r y E x p l a i n e d i n L i g h t o f O r i g i n a l S i n . T h e
tr e ati se begi ns wi th th e d o ctr i n e of o r i gi n al si n. If an evi l
h e ar t i s tr an smi tte d to al l f r o m Adam, th e n al l h i sto r y mu st
be e xpl ai n e d an d ju sti f i e d i n th e l i gh t o f th i s f act. T h e majo r
epi so des o f h i sto r y ar e th e r e f o r e r e co u n te d th e wi ckedness
th at cal l e d f o r th th e Fl o o d, th e speedy apostasy agai n, th e n
an o th e r apostasy af te r th e gi vi ng o f th e l aw, an d yet an o th e r
af te r th e bu i l d i n g o f th e T e mpl e . Bu t th e cause of i t al l was
th e evi l h e ar t d e r i ve d f r o m Adam. T h i s pr o bl e m tr o u bl e d
Ezra. Bu t th e answer gi ven was th at th e u n d e r stan d i n g of
th e d o ctr i n e o f th e evi l h e ar t was be yo n d man s capaci ty. On l y
Go d u n d e r stan d s i t al l .
2. W o r l d s E n d , F i n a l J u d g m e n t , a n d R e s u l t s . T h e n
th e e n d of th e wo r l d, th e day of do o m, an d th e f i nal ju d gme n t
ar e set f o r th , an d i n th e i r l i gh t th e mysteri es of Ad ams si n
beco me cl ear . T h e si gns th at wi l l pr e ce de th e e n d , an d th e
ju d gme n t i tsel f , ar e d e scr i be d i n Ol d T e s tame n t setti ngs. An d
th e r e su r r e cti o n an d th e ju d gme n t ar e pr e se n te d i n th e ph r as
i n g of th e sleep of the dead. T h a t was th e esch ato l o gi cal f r ame
work. He r e i t i s i n some f ul l ness:
"An d
th e e ar th sh al l r e sto r e th o se th a t sl e e p i n h e r ,
an d th e d u st th o se th a t ar e at r e st th e r e i n ,
[an d th e ch ambe r s sh al l r e sto r e th o se th a t wer e co mmi tte d u n to
th e m].
An d th e Mo st Hi gh sh al l be r e ve al e d u po n th e th r o n e o f ju d ge me n t:
(an d th e n co me th th e En d )
an d co mpassi o n sh al l pass away,
(an d pi ty be f ar of f ,)
an d l o n gsu f f e r i n g wi th d r awn ;
2 ESDRAS MAI NT AI NS T HE C ONDI T I ONAL I ST VIEW 695
Bu t ju d ge me n t al o n e sh al l r e mai n ,
t r u t h sh al l stan d ,
an d f ai th f u l n e ss tr i u mph .
An d r e co mpe n se sh al l f o l l o w,
a n d th e r e war d be mad e man i f e st. . . .
An d th e n sh al l th e pi t o f to r me n t appe ar ,
an d o ve r agai n st i t th e pl ace o f r e f r e sh me n t;
T h e f u r n ace o f Ge h e n n a sh al l be mad e man i f e st,
a n d o ve r agai n st i t th e Par ad i se o f d e l i gh t.
An d th e n sh al l th e Mo st Hi gh say to th e n ati o n s th a t h ave be e n
r ai se d [f r o m th e d e ad ]:
Lo o k n o w an d co n si d e r wh o m ye h ave d e n i e d , wh o m ye h ave n o t
se r ve d, wh o se co mman d me n ts ye h ave d e spi se d .
Lo o k, no w, be f o r e [you]:
h e r e d e l i gh t an d r e f r e sh me n t,
th e r e f i re an d to r me n ts!
T h u s sh al l h e spe ak u n to th e m i n th e Day o f J u d ge me n t (7:32-38).
3. M o r t a l W o r l d S u c c e e d e d b y I m m o r t a l A g e . In
2 Esdras esch ato l o gi cal spe cul ati o ns ar e r i f e , an d a str o n g co n
tr ast i s mai n tai n e d be twe e n th e two agesth e pr e se n t an d th e
f u tu r e . Dr . C h ar l e s sums i t u p si gni f i cantl y: T h e co r r u pti bl e
wo r l d, an d al l th at i s mo r tal , wi l l di ssol ve, an d be succeeded
by th e i n co r r u pti bl e wo r l d an d i mmo r tal i ty. 4An d h i s f i nd
i ngs ar e wel l atte ste d.
T h e Lo r d h as appo i n te d th e ti me o f de l i ve r ance . T h e
co ur se an d d u r ati o n o f th e pr e se n t wo r l d i s pr e d e te r mi n e d ,
wi th th e gl o r i o u s be tte r wo r l d to f ol l ow th e catastr o ph i c co l
l apse o f th e pr e se n t o ne. Bu t si n h as n o t yet r e ach e d i ts
cl i max (4:26-31). T h e n th e si gns by wh i ch th e f ul l ness o f
ti me may be r eco gni zed ar e e n u me r ate d (4:32 to 5:16). Wh e n
th ese po r te n ts of th e l atte r days r e ach f u l f i l l me n t, th e pr e se n t
wo r l d wi l l te r mi n ate an d th e wo r l d to co me be gi n (6:1-10).
T h e day o f ju d gme n t wi l l h ave come, an n o u n ce d by a tr u mpe t
(7:1-25). No w l e t us survey i n some d e tai l th e r e mar kabl e
wi tness o f 2 Esdras, f o r i t i s a r e mar kabl e an d r e f r e sh i n g
pr e se n tati o n .
3C h a r l e s , Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha, vo l . 2, p. 583. (Br a cke ts i n o r i gi n a l .)
4I b id., p. 555.
I I . Documented Evi dence of Ezras C ondi ti onal i st Posi ti on
1. M o r t a l M a n i n a C o r r u p t i b l e W o r l d . 2 Esdras
takes th e f o rm o f a di al o gue , i n wh i ch th e speaker s ar e Ezr a
an d an angel . Go d s ways ar e d e f e n d e d by th e angel , wh o i s
Go d s spo kesman. T h e f i rst que sti o n s co nce r n th e so ur ce of
si n an d mi sery i n th e wo r l d , an d th e co n d e mn ati o n of me n ,
an d h o w af f l i cti on can be r e co n ci l e d wi th d i vi n e ju sti ce (3:4-
36). Ezra pr o tests i t, bu t i t i s ju sti f i e d o n th e gr o u n d th at me n
ar e f r ee mo r al agents an d kno w th e i r d u ty, bu t wi ckedl y r e
f use to do i t. T h e d i vi n e r e pl y mai n tai n s th at Go d s ways ar e
i n scr u tabl e . Ezra h ad n e ve r go ne do wn i n to Had e s, n o r
ascende d to He ave n , n o r e n te r e d Par ad i se (4:8).8 T h e
h u man s pi r i t can o nl y h o pe to u n d e r stan d d i ml y an d i n pa r t
(4:1-11). So Ezra submi ts. T h e angel answers f o r Go d:
Ho w th e n sh o u l d th y vessel (n o te 10: u n d e r s ta n d i n g) be abl e
to co mpr e h e n d th e way o f th e Mo st Hi gh ? Fo r th e way o f th e Mo st
Hi gh h as be e n f o r me d wi th o u t me asu r e , h o w, th e n , sh o u l d i t be po s
si bl e f o r a mortal in a corruptible loorld to u n d e r s tan d th e ways o f th e
I n co r r u pti bl e ? (4:11).T
2. N e w A g e a n d t h e I n t e r m e d i a t e S t a t e . Ezr a i s
to l d of a new age abo u t to dawn th at wi l l sol ve al l di f f i cul ti es
(4:22-32). An d h e i s assur ed th at th e [pr esent] age i s h aste n i n g
f ast to i ts e n d (4:26).8In answer to h i s qu e sti o n , Wh e n sh al l
th ese th i ngs be? th e r e pl y i s Wh e n th e n u mbe r of th e r i gh t
eo us i s co mpl e te . An d r e f e r e n ce i s myste r i o usl y made to th e
soul s o f th e r i gh te o u s i n th e i r ch ambe r s (no te : o r h abi ta
ti o n s) (4:34-43), an d to th e u n d e r wo r l d (infernum, o r Sh eol )
(4:41), a ge n e r al te r m f o r th e abo d e of th e wi cked dead.
T h e n th e si gns wh i ch pr e ce de th e En d (4:51-5:13) ar e
me n ti o n e d wo r l d pani c, h i d i n g of tr u th , bar r e n n e ss o f f ai th ,
an d i ncrease of i n i qu i ty, as wel l as ce r tai n cel esti al si gns (5:1-4).
T h e r e i s r e f e r e n ce to th e mysti c, esch ato l o gi cal ti me per i o ds of
Dan i e l ,10wh i ch mu st f i rst be f ul f i l l ed.
0I b id . , p. 565.
I bid., p. 564.
7I bid., p. 565. (I tal i cs su ppl i e d .)
s Ibid., p. 566.
0Ibid., p. 567.
10I b id., p. 569, n o te 4.
3. R i g h t e o u s t o L i v e , W h i l e U n g o d l y P e r i s h . Ezra i s
to l d, as e pi to mi ze d i n th e h eadi ngs, th at th e e ar th h as gr o wn
o l d an d i ts o f f spr i ng d e ge n e r ate (5:50-55), an d th at th e e n d
of th e age sh al l co me by th e agency of Go d al o n e (5:56-6:6).u
An d n u mbe r l e ss ar mi es of angel s ar e me n ti o n e d (6:3). T h e
di scussi o n co n ti n u e s o n th e co r r u pti o n of th e pr e se n t wo r l d,
an d th e o u tco me o f i t al l at th e e n d of th e age. T h e n th e
qu e sti o n i s asked Ezra, Wh y d i squ i e te st th o u th ysel f th at
th o u ar t co r r u pti bl e ? Wh y ar t th o u mo ved because th o u ar t
mo r tal ? (7:15). An d Ezra answers, T h o u h ast o r d ai n e d i n
th y l aw th at th e r i gh te o u s sh al l i n h e r i t th ese th i ngs, bu t th at
th e u n go d l y sh al l perish (7:17).12An d perish i s e mph asi zed
agai n i n verse 20, an d many ti mes i n ch apte r s seven an d n i n e .
4. G e n e r a l R e s u r r e c t i o n a n d F i n a l J u d g m e n t . T h e n
th e wr i te r comes to th e e n d o f th e age (7:26-44), th e r e ve l a
ti o n of th e Messi ah , th e ge n e r al r e su r r e cti o n , an d th e f i nal
ju d gme n t, wh e n th at wh i ch i s co r r u pti bl e sh al l pe r i sh (7:
31).13And the end of time is the beginning of Immortality
(7:43). T h e Messi ah s i mmo r tal co mpani o ns, Eno ch an d El i jah ,
wh o h ave n o t taste d d e ath (6:26), wi l l appe ar as evi dence
o f th e f u tu r e l i f e an d i ts r e war ds.
5. S l e e p e r s i n t h e D u s t C a l l e d F o r t h . Ne xt th e
di scussi o n tu r n s to th e r e sto r ati o n , o r r e su r r e cti o n , of th o se
wh o sl e e p i n th e d u st, u n ti l br o u gh t f o r th to ju d gme n t.
T h e e a r th sh al l r e sto r e th o se th a t sl e e p i n h e r , an d th e d u st th o se
th a t r e st th e r e i n , [an d th e ch ambe r s sh al l r e sto r e th o se th a t wer e co m
mi tte d u n to th e m]. An d th e Mo st Hi gh sh al l be r e ve al e d u po n th e th r o n e
o f ju d ge me n t: (an d th e n co me th th e En d ) (7:32, 33).1
6. T h e W i c k e d A r e D o o m e d t o D e s t r u c t i o n . Re c
o mpe nse sh al l f o l l o w, an d r i gh te o usne ss an d i n i qu i ty be
mani f e st. T h e n comes th i s co n tr ast:
11Ibid., p. 574. i s I bid., p. 582.
12Ibid., p. 581. . 14 Ibid , p. 576.
15T h i s co n ce pti o n was l i ke wi s e s tr e s s e d i n T h e Book o f Enoch.
18I bid., p. 583. (Br a cke ts i n o r i gi n a l .) (T h i s i s al l pa t t e r n e d a f t e r t h e pr o ph e t Da n i e l s
po r t r a ya l s .!
An d th e n sh al l th e pi t o f to r me n t appe ar , an d o ve r agai n st i t th e
pl ace o f r e f r e sh me n t; th e f u r n ace o f Ge h e n n a sh al l be mad e man i f e st,
a n d o ve r agai n st i t th e Par ad i se o f d e l i gh t (7:36).
An d Dr. S. D. F. Sal mo nd no te s th at
th e l an gu age o f th e l a te r apo cal ypti c bo o ks i s so me ti me s i n d e te r mi n ate ,
so th a t i t i s po ssi bl e to i n te r pr e t i t as po i n ti n g no w to an n i h i l a ti o n , an d
agai n to a pu n i s h me n t l i mi te d i n d u r ati o n . The Fourth Book of Esdras,
f o r e xampl e , says o f th e day o f ju d gme n t th a t i ts d u r a ti o n sh al l be as
i t we r e a h e bd o mad o f year s [7:30-(6): 16], an d d e scr i be s th e wi cke d as
d o o me d to be d e str o ye d [8:52-62]. 38
7. W i c k e d , a s a F l a m e , U l t i m a t e l y E x t i n g u i s h e d .
Ezra gri eves because th e n u mbe r of th e go o d i s so smal l
so many co n d e mn e d an d so f ew saved (7:45-74). T h e r e pl y i s
th at go l d i s scarcer th an si l ver , i r o n , l ead, an d cl ay (7:56, 57).
T h e n comes th e co mpar i so n to vapo u r an d to smo ke, an d
u n to th e f l ame. T h e y ar e f i red, bu r n h o tl y, ar e e xti n gu i sh e d
(7:61).1* Ezr as co mme n t i s th at i t were be tte r n o t to be an
acco u n tabl e an d co n d e mn e d f r ee mo r al agent, because we
pe r i sh an d kno w i t (7:64). T h e n f ol l ows Ezr as l ame n t o ver
th e sad co n d i ti o n an d de sti ny of man. Bu t th e answer i s th at
man i s acco u n tabl e to ju d gme n t, an d wi l l be pu n i sh e d because
o f h i s acco u n tabi l i ty (7:62-74).
Bu t wh i l e Ezra sti l l l ame nts th e f ewness of th e save d
(7:45-61) an d th e mu l ti tu d e of th e m th at pe r i sh (7:61),21
h e i n qu i r e s as to th e state of th e soul af te r d e ath an d be f o r e
ju d ge me n t (7:75-101), an d
"wh e th e r af te r d e ath , e ve n n o w wh e n eve r y o n e o f us mu st gi ve back h i s
so u l , we sh al l be ke pt i n r e st u n ti l th o se ti mes co me i n wh i ch th o u sh al t
r e n e w th e cr e ati o n , o r sh al l we suf f er to r tu r e f o r th wi th ? (7:75).
T h e answe r gi ve n i s th at al l soul s r e tu r n to Go d, an d
ar e assi gned pl aces awaiting th e ju d gme n t day:
Wh e n th e deci si ve d e cr e e h as go n e f o r th f r o m th e Mo st Hi gh th a t
th e man sh o u l d di e , as th e so u l f r o m th e bo d y d e par ts th a t i t may r e t u r n
to h i m wh o gave i t, to ad o r e th e gl o r y o f th e Mo st Hi gh (7:78, 79).
17i b i d .
18Sa l mo n d , The Christian Doctrine o f I mmortality, p. 365.
19C h a r l e s , Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha, vo l . 2, pp. 585, 586.
20I b id ., p. 586.
27Ibid., p. 585. C f . pp. 592 (8:1-3), 596 (8:41-44), 598 (8:55), 600 (9:16, 22).
22I bid., p. 587. 23Ibid.
On th e co n tr ar y, th o se wh o h ave n o t ke pt th e ways of
th e Most Hi gh , th at h ave despi sed h i s l aw, an d th at h ate
th o se wh o f e ar Go d such soul s sh al l n o t e n te r i n to h abi ta
ti o ns, bu t sh al l wan d e r abo u t h e n ce f o r th i n to r tu r e , ever
gr i e vi n g an d sad (7:79, 80).
T h e y co n te mpl ate th e to r tu r e l ai d u p f o r th emsel ves i n
th e l ast days, h o w th e h abi tati o n s of th e o th e r soul s ar e
gu ar d e d by angel s i n pr o f o u n d qu i e tn e ss, an d h ow th ey
mu st pass o ver i n to to r tu r e (7:85-87, 100, 101). Al l u si o n i s
mad e to th e r i gh te o u s wh e n th e y sh al l be se par ate d f ro m
th i s vessel of mo r tal i ty [no te: co r r u pti bl e vessel ] (7:88),
gath e r e d to ge th e r i n th e i r h abi tati o n s (7:101). T h e de ci
si ons o f th e ju d gme n t ar e f i nal , an d as to th e qu e sti o n of
i n te r ce ssi o n f o r si nne r s, th e answer i s th at th e r e i s n o i n te r
cessi o n o n th e day o f ju d ge me n t (7:102-115). No man can
assi st an o th e r , n o r cast h i s bu r d e n o n an o th e r . Each mu st be ar
h i s own.
8. T r e a s u r e s o f I m m o r t a l i t y M a d e M a n i f e s t t o E z r a .
Sti l l tr o u bl e d o ver th e f ate o f th e wi cked, Ezr a prays
to Go d wh o dwel l est e te r n al l y (8:20-30). Bu t th e d i vi n e
r e pl y (8:46-62) i s th at such i s man s desti ny, an d th at th e r e
sh o u l d be n o th o u gh t o f th e f ate of si n n e r s, wh i ch i s of
undetermined but limited duration, bu t r ath e r o ne sh o u l d
th i n k o f th e tr e asur e s o f i mmo r tal i ty (8:54). T h i s i s th e
assur ance:
Fo r to yo u i s o pe n e d Par ad i se , pl a n te d th e T r e e o f l i f e ; th e f u tu r e
Age pr e par e d , pl e n te o u sn e ss mad e r e ad y; a C i ty bu i l d e d , a Re st a p
po i n te d ; . . . an d De ath i s h i d d e n , Had e s f l ed away; C o r r u pti o n f o r
go tte n , so r r o ws passed away; an d i n th e e n d th e tr e asu r e s o f i mmo r tal i ty
ar e mad e man i f e s t (8:52-54).30
9. W i c k e d B r o u g h t t o D e a t h b y T o r m e n t . Ezr a i s
ad mo n i sh e d to ask n o mo r e co n ce r n i n g th e mu l ti tu d e of
th e m th at pe r i sh ; f o r h avi ng r e ce i ve d l i be r ty th ey despi sed
th e Mo st Hi gh ; sco r ned h i s Law, an d f orsook h i s ways, tr e ad
i n g th e sai nts u n d e r f o o t (8:55, 56). T h e Mo st Hi gh wi l l e d
n o t th at me n sh o u l d come to d e str u cti o n (8:59). Bu t th ey
h ave def i l ed th e Name of h i m wh o made th e m, an d h ave
pr o ve d th emsel ves u n gr ate f u l to h i m wh o pr e par e d l i f e f o r
th e m (8:60, 61).31
Sti l l me d i tati n g o n th e si gns of th e end, an d th e l ast
ti mes, Ezr a i s assured:
Fo r al l wh o f ai l e d to r e co gn i ze me i n th e i r l i f e ti me , al th o u gh I
d e a l t bo u n ti f u l l y wi th th e m; an d al l wh o h ave d e f i e d my Law, wh i l e
th e y ye t h ad l i be r ty, an d , wh i l e pl ace o f r e pe n tan ce was sti l l o pe n to
th e m, gave n o h e e d bu t sco r n e d (i t); th e se mu st be br o u gh t to kn o w
af te r d e ath by to r me n t (i x. 11, 12)3"
T h i s d e ath by to r me n t ph r ase h as o f te n be e n pu t f o r th
as evi de nce of th e d o ctr i n e o f e te r n al f u tu r e pu n i sh me n t. Bu t
th e case f o r Ete r n al T o r me n t i s n o t su stai n e d , f o r wh e r e ve r
th e wo r ds pe r i sh o r d e str u cti o n ar e used, th e y d e n o te
br i n gi n g o r co mi n g to an e n d . T h u s wh e n Ezra tel l s of
th e un go d l y pe r i sh i n g, i t i s al mo st i mme d i ate l y f o l l o wed by
th e th o u gh t th at th e r e be many wh o per i sh in this life (7:17,
20). So wh e th e r i t be pu n i sh me n t h e r e o r h e r e af te r , th e Lo r d
del i ver s to d e ath an d d e str u cti o n .
10. W i c k e d P e r i s h B e c a u s e o f D i s o b e d i e n c e . So to Ezra
was pr e se n te d th e ju sti f i cati o n o f th e f ewness of th e saved,
an d th at th e r e ar e mo r e wh o pe r i sh th an sh al l be saved, even
as th e f l ood i s gr e ate r th an a d r o p! (9:16). Al l Go d s bo u n ti e s
wer e pr e par e d i n th e e te r n al ages f o r th e o be d i e n t, bu t
because of co r r u pti o n th e wi cked ar e d e str o ye d (9:18-22).*
Agai n an d agai n th e r e i s th e th o u gh t th at th e d i so be d i e n t
pe r i sh because of th e i r wi l l f u l d i so be di e nce to th e wi l l an d
abi d i n g l aw of Go d (9:32-37).34
11. E z r a s S i n g l e P r o p h e c y D e a l s W i t h E s c h a t o l o g y .
In th e Eagl e Vi si o n (10:60-12:35) pr o ph e ti c symbol s ar e
pr e se n te d , an d th e co ur se of e mpi r e an d l o r d sh i p o ver th e
I bid., p. 598.
>2Ibid . , p. 599.
33Ibid., p. 600.
34Ibid., p. 602.
'2 ESDRAS MAI NT AI NS T HE C ONDI T I ONAL I ST VIEW 701
e ar th (12:23) i s po r tr aye d , i n r e l ati o n to i t al l . Its cl i max
i s ke pt f o r th e ti me wh e n i ts ti me f o r d i sso l u ti o n sh al l ap
pr o ach (12:21, 22). So th e r e i s, as i t wer e, a l amp i n a d ar k
pl ace, as a h ave n of saf ety f o r a sh i p i n a sto r m (12:42).38
T h i s i s Ezr as o n l y ve n tu r e i n to pr o ph ecy, an d h e h e r e
seeks to l i n k h i s Eagl e Vi si o n wi th th e par al l e l i n g vi si o n of
th e pr o ph e t Dan i e l o f th e f o u r wo r l d powers (Babyl o n, Medo-
Per si a, Gr eci a, an d Ro me ). Ezr as cl i macti c Eagl e par al l e l s
Dan i e l s symbo l i c f o u r th mo n ste r th e Ro man Empi r e (Dan.
2; 7; an d 8).mT h e vi si o n l eads u p to th e wo r l d s cl i max. T h u s
h i s pr o ph e ti c po r tr ayal i s def i ni te l y esch ato l o gi cal i n i n te n t.
12. T i m e s L a s t H o u r s , a n d M o r t a l i t y . In th e f i nal
Ezr a-Legend, Ezra, i n di scussi ng th e secrets of th e ti me s an d
th e e n d of th e seaso n (14:5), i s agai n to l d th at th e wo r l d
h as l o st i ts yo u th , an d th e ti mes ar e waxi ng o l d (14:10). T h e n
Ezra i s ad mo n i sh e d , No w do th o u r e n o u n ce th e l i f e th at i s
co r r u pti bl e , l e t go f r o m th e e th e cares of mo r tal i ty (14:13,
14).38
Ezr as l ast wo rds (14:27-36) i n cl u d e th e f o l l o wi ng co n
cl usi o n.
I f ye, th e n , wi l l r u l e o ve r yo u r o wn u n d e r s ta n d i n g an d wi l l di sci
pl i n e yo u r h e ar t, ye sh al l be pr e se r ve d al i ve an d af te r d e ath o btai n mer cy.
Fo r af te r d e a th sh al l th e J u d ge me n t co me, [wh e n we sh al l o n ce mo r e l i ve
agai n :] an d th e n sh al l th e n ame s o f th e r i gh te o u s be mad e man i f e st, an d
th e wo rks o f th e go dl ess d e cl ar e d (14:34, B5).88
Ezr a was cl ear l y a C o n d i ti o n al i st.
x - I b i d . , pp. 613, 614.
39Ib id . , p. 614.
=I bid., p. 613.
38Ibid., p. 621.
30Ibid., p. 623. (Br acke ts i n o r i gi n a l .)
C h ar t E
PARALLELI NG PAGAN AND CHRI STI AN NEOPLATONI C
SCHOOLS CENTER I N ALEXANDRI A
(Pagan School Climaxes in Resurgence of Paganism, Expiring in A.D. 529;
Christian Catechetic School Becomes Mighty Force, Giving Way to Developing
Catholic Church)
1. Philo (c. 20 B.C.-c. A.D. 47), precursor emanation; pre-existence; in
carnations
2. Lucius Apuleius (c. A.D. 126-c. 200) of Numidia Orientalism; World-
Soul postulate
3. N umenius (fl. A.D. 150-200) of Syria incarnations punishment for
former sins
Chri st i an Cat echet i cal School of Al exandri a
I. Pa nta enus (d. A.D. 190) Neoplatonic positions replace those of
apostles and Apostolic Fathers
II. C lement of Alexandria (d. A.D. 220) switches to Immortal-
Soulism, with restorative purgation of wicked
III. O rigen (d. A.D. 254), allegorizer pre-existence of souls; suc
cessive transmigrations; spiritual resurrection; ultimate res
toration of all
[Origenism condemned in A.D. 544, under Justinian, at a Council of
Constantinople]
IV. H era cles; Dionysius; Theognostus; Pierius; Didymus
4. A mmonius S a cca s (c. A.D. 175-c. 242) lays foundations of pagan Neo
platonism
5. Plotinus (c. A.D. 205- 270) of Egypt Orientalism; Emanation; Dualism;
Mysticism; Reabsorption
6. Porphyry (c. A.D. 232-c. 304), Skeptic holds to Universal-Soul; libera
tion from body
7. la mblichus (c. A.D. 250-c. 333) of Syria mythology; astrology; necro
mancy
8. Julian the Apostate (A.D. 332-363), emperor suppresses Christianity;
exalts paganism
9. Proclus (A.D. 41 2- 485 ) emanation; reabsorption; mystic union of soul
with deity
10. A.D. 52 9 Justinian closes academy; confiscates property; forbids teach
ing of philosophy; philosophers exiled to Persia
AC C OUT ERMENT S PASS, BUT MAIN PLAT ONIC T ENET REMAINS
No r th Af ri ca (par ti cul ar l y Al exandr i a and C arth age), gath er i ng pl ace f or
ph i l osoph er s, J ews, Gnosti cs, and C h r i sti an apol ogi sts and teach ers, was th e
r al l yi ng po i n t f or Neopl ato ni sm, bo th pagan and C h r i sti an, th e l ast gr eat system
of Greek ph i l osoph y. Its pene tr ati o ns co nti nued u n ti l th e C h r i sti an C h ur ch was
compassed by th e do ctr i nal dar kness of th e Mi ddl e Ages.
As wi th th e demi se of pagan Neo pl ato ni sm u n d e r J u sti n i an i n a .d . 529, so i n
a .d . 544 Or i gens Uni versal Resto rati o ni sm was condemned i n th e Second C ounci l
of C o nstanti no pl e, and T er tul l i an-Augusti ni ani sm prevai l ed, wi th i ts Uni versal
Innate -Immo r tal i ty po stul ate and Ete r nal -T o r me nt corol l ary.
T h u s, wh i l e th e accouter ments of Neo pl ato ni sm passedwi th i ts emanati o n,
pr e-exi stence, r ei ncar nati o n, and r eabso rpti o nth e basi c premi se of Pl ato ni sm
(th e In n ate Immo r tal i ty of th e soul ) became a pe r manent pl ank i n th e creed
of th e do mi nant C ath ol i c C h ur ch , wi th i ts par al l el i ng po stul ate of th e Ete r nal
T o r me n t of th e wi cked.
702
C H A P T E R F O R T Y - O N E
Ne o pl ato n i s ms Devel o pment
J ewi sh, Pagan, and C h r i sti an
As me n ti o n e d , we ar e wi tne ssi ng two si mu l tan e o u s bu t
co n tr asti n g d e ve l o pme n ts: o ne, th e pr o gressi ve ad o pti o n of
th e Pl ato n i c ph i l o so ph y of Immo r tal -So ul i sm by o ne gr o u p of
i n te r -T e stame n t J e wi sh wr i te r s; an d two, th e co n ti n u i n g f i del
i ty o f o th e r s to th e Mosai c f ai th of th e i r f ath e r sn ame l y, Ol d
T e stame n t C o n d i ti o n al i sm. I t i s a co nf use d an d co n f u si n g
u n f o l d me n t, sad bu t actu al , an d d e sti n e d i n d u e ti me pr o
f o u n d l y to af f ect a majo r secti o n of th e C h r i sti an C h u r ch .
T h a t i s because th i s segme nt of th e ch u r ch was i n f l ue nce d
n o t o n l y directly by th i s same Pl ato n i c ph i l o so ph y bu t indi
rectly by Pl ato th r o u gh th i s Al e xan d r i an wi ng o f th e J e w
i sh C h u r ch , par ti cu l ar l y th r o u gh Ph i l o . So we ar e h e r e tr aci n g
th e d e ve l o pme n t o f a d o u bl e tragedy.
I. Al exandr i aSeat of T wo Par al l el i ng School s
1. G r e e k P h i l o s o p h y T a k e s R o o t in Roman Empire.
Ro me was f o u n d e d some seven h u n d r e d years be f o r e C h r i st.
Bu t f o r ce n tu r i e s th e Ro mans were a f i erce, bar bar o u s pe o pl e,
taki n g l i ttl e i n te r e st e i th e r i n specul ati ve ph i l o so ph y o r i n
r e l i gi o n . No t u n ti l th e seco nd ce n tu r y b.c. d i d ph i l o so ph y
be gi n to be stu d i e d at Ro me , be i n g th e n i n tr o d u ce d by Gr e
ci an ph i l o so ph e r s. At f i rst th e r e was str o n g o ppo si ti o n f r o m
Ro man l e aders.
Bu t f o l l o wi ng Ro me s mi l i tar y co n qu e st of Gr eece th e
two n ati o n s be gan to co mmi ngl e. An d soon Gr e ci an r e l i gi o n
703
an d ph i l o so ph y be gan to f l o ur i sh at Ro me . T h o u gh vi cto r i o u s
i n war, th e co n qu e r o r s began to ad o pt th e ph i l o so ph i cal o pi n
i o ns o f th e van qu i sh e d .
Bef o r e l o n g every majo r Gr e ci an sch ool o f ph i l o so ph y
h ad i ts devo tees amo n g th e Ro mansPl ato ni sts, Pyth ago r e ans,
Stoi cs, Epi cu r e an s, Pyr r h o ni cs, an d o th e r s. Some l ate r sch ool s
o pe n l y d e n i e d th e i mmo r tal i ty of th e so ul . Bu t Pl ato n i sm,
wi th i ts i nsi ste nce o n I n n ate Immo r tal i ty, was e mbr ace d
by o th e r s, such as C i cer o (106-43 B. C. ). He gr e atl y ad mi r e d
Pl ato , an d wr o te mu ch to establ i sh th e th e o r y o f Immo r tal -
So ul i sm. In f act, h e so u gh t to do amo n g th e Ro man s
wh at Pl ato h ad d o n e f o r th i s d o ctr i n e amo ng th e Gr eeks.
Ne ve r th e l e ss, even C i cer o conf essed th at h e f e l t assur ance of
th e so u l s i mmo r tal i ty o nl y wh e n h e was ar gu i n g th e case
wh i l e i n h i s h o u r s of so be r r ef l e cti o n h e d o u bte d i t. T h u s :
I h ave r e ad an d r e -r e ad Pl ato s Phaedo, bu t, h o w i t i s, I kn o w n o t,
wh i l e I r e ad I asse n t; wh e n , h o we ve r , I h ave pu t asi de th e bo o k an d
h ave be gu n to co gi tate f o r mysel f o n th e i mmo r tal i ty o f soul s, al l my
asse n t sl i ps away. 1
2. N e o p l a t o n i c S c h o o l R e s u l t o f E c l e c t i c C h o i c e .
T h e n , abo u t th e be gi n n i n g of th e C h r i sti an Er a, a u n i qu e
sch ool was star te d i n Al e xan d r i a, Egypt, no w o f co ur se, co n sti
tu ti n g par t of th e Ro man Empi r e . It was an eclectic2sch ool ,
si gni f i cantl y cal l e d th e Sch ool of Ne o pl ato n i c Ph i l o so ph y.
We ar yi n g of th e endl ess d i spute s an d bi cke r i ngs be twe e n th e
d i f f e r e n t sects of ph i l o so ph y an d r e l i gi o n , ce r tai n pagan ph i
l o so ph er s f o r mu l ate d a pl an of gl e an i n g f r o m each sch ool
wh at was d e e me d best, an d co n so n an t wi th r easo nr e je cti n g
th e r e st of th e cl ash i ng. T h u s th e ri val s jo i n e d f orces, wi th
Pl ato n i sm as th e d e te r mi n i n g f acto r i n th e sel ecti o n.
T h i s ecl ecti ci sm, i t sh o u l d be adde d, was sti mu l ate d by
th e Ro man l ack of sympath y wi th su btl e me taph ysi cal ni ce ti e s
an d di sti n cti o n s. T o th e h ar d h e ad e d Ro mans th e d i spu te s of
1 C i ce r o , Dispulationes Tusculanae 1:11, qu o t e d i n Pe ta ve l , T he Problem o f Immortality,
p. 59.
2Eclecticismt h e a t t e mpt to r e a ch t h e h i gh e s t pr o ba bi l i t y by s e l e cti o n f r o m a l r e a d y
e xi s t i n g syste ms o f ph i l o s o ph y.
th e Gr e e k ph i l o so ph e r s wer e tr i f l i n g an d unseeml y. So Ne o
pl ato n i sm bu i l t u po n th i s new pl atf o r m, wi th i ts d e l e ti o n s an d
r e f i n e me n ts, bu t wi th the immortality of the soul remaining
one of its most conspicuous planks.
I t i s to be bo r n e i n mi n d i n th i s co n n e cti o n th at th e
masses o f th e Gr eeks an d Ro mans wer e sti l l si l e n t be f o r e th e
mystery o f d e ath , an d th e af te r l i f e h ad n o f i xed pl ace i n th e i r
th o u gh ts. T h e co l d cr i ti ci sm of th e ph i l o so ph e r s, th e ske pti
ci sm of th e poets, an d th e sne e r of th e sati r i sts h ad cast a pal l
of gl o o m o ver th e so r r o wi ng. An d th e h ypo th e ti cal h o pe of
i mmo r tal i ty was bu t th e u n ce r tai n h o pe o f th e f ew, n o t th e
e xpe ctati o n of th e masses.
3. A l e x a n d r i a t h e C e n t e r o f C o n f l i c t i n g C u l t u r e s .
Bu t l e t us pr o be a l i ttl e de e pe r . T h e co nque sts of Al e xan d e r
th e Gr e at, e xte n d i n g f r o m th e Me d i te r r an e an to th e In d u s,
br o u gh t th e Occi d e n tal an d Or i e n tal peo pl es, cu l tu r e s, an d
ci vi l i zati o ns cl o ser to ge th e r , o pe n i n g new ar eas of ph i l o so ph i cal
an d mysti cal l o re. T h e mo n o th e i sti c He br e ws, wh ose h o me
l ay be twe e n th e two, yi e l de d a d i sto r te d co n tr i bu ti o n th r o u gh
Ph i l o . T h e n th e successi o n of th e Ro man s to th e e mpi r e d r e w
East an d West even mo r e cl osel y to ge th e r .
Al e xan d r i a be came th e new wo r l d ce n te r of ph i l o so ph i cal
an d i n te l l e ctu al acti vi ty. He r e th e l e ar n i n g of Egypt co n ti n u e d
to f l o ur i sh . He r e Gr e e k po l yth ei sm, de i f yi n g n atu r e , an d Pe r
si an Dual i sm, wi th i ts pr i n ci pl e s of go o d an d evi l e te r n al l y
str u ggl i n g f o r master y, came to th e f ore. An d ad d e d to th ese,
I n d i an mysti ci sm, pan th e i sm, e man ati o n , r e i n car n ati o n , an d
r e abso r pti o n were al l i n te r je cte d i n var yi ng degrees. An d h e r e ,
f i nal l y, th e new C h r i sti an f ai th be gan to establ i sh i tsel f .
So i n th i s co smo po l i tan ci ty wi th i ts co nf l i cti ng co n ce p
ti o ns of mo ni sm an d d ual i sm, mo n o th e i sm an d po l yth e i sm,
magi sm an d mysti ci sm, an d asceti ci sm an d Or i e n tal i smbu t
pr i mar i l y Pl ato n i sma co mmo n pl atf o r m of po stu l ate s was
no w br o u gh t f o r th i n th e ear l y ce n tu r i e s of th e C h r i sti an Er a.
T h u s , we r e pe at, th i s r e l i gi o u s ecl ecti c ph i l o so ph y was d e ve l
o pe d u n d e r th e n ame of Ne o pl ato n i sm, wh i ch su ppl an te d th e
NEOPLAT ONI SMJ EWI SH, PAGAN, AND C HRI ST I AN 705
23
cl assi cal ph i l o so ph i e s, th e pagan di vi si o n o f wh i ch became
i n te n se l y h o sti l e to war d C h r i sti an i ty. (See Pi cto r i al C h ar t I,
pages 524-527, f o r ti me se que nce an d r e l ati o n sh i p.)
Ne o pl ato n i sm so ugh t to beco me th e r e pr e se n tati ve an d
type of al l r e l i gi o ns, co n te sti n g wi th C h r i sti an i ty f o r th e mi n d
an d co nsci ence o f man. I t was a syncreti sm th at so u gh t to
ar r ay al l th e i nf l uences an d f orces of pagani sm u n d e r i ts ban
n e r s i n a f i nal atte mpt to r esi st an d tu r n back th e d r e ad r i val
r e l i gi o n , C h r i sti an i ty, th at was spr e ad i n g al ar mi n gl y. Li ke th e
r i si n g sun, i t seemed d e sti n e d to ecl i pse every l esser l i gh t.
4. P a gan N e o p l a t o n i s m B e co m es A n t i - C h r i s t i a n . As
n o te d , pagan Ne o pl ato n i sm was ne ar l y coeval wi th th e ri se
o f C h r i sti an i ty, bu t e r e l o n g i t devel o pe d str o n g an ti -C h r i sti an
an d pan th e i sti c atti tu d e s. I t ce n te r e d f i rst i n Al e xan d r i a, th e n
tr an sf e r r e d to Ro me u n d e r Pl o ti n u s. Ne o pl ato n i sm grew o u t
o f th e f ai l u r e o f th e pr evi o us pagan ph i l o so ph i e s to sati sf y th e
l o ngi ngs of th e h u man so ul f o r ce r tai n ty co n ce r n i n g God, an d
th e o r i gi n , n atu r e , an d desti ny of man an d th e uni ve r se . T h e
assu mpti o n s o f th e o l d e r ph i l o so ph i e s, i n cl u d i n g th e o r i gi n al
Pl ato n i sm, h ad r e su l te d i n a r e acti o n of d i si l l u si o n me n t an d
skepti ci sm. T h i s l ed to a r e casti n g of th e o l d an d th e d e ve l o p
me n t o f Ne o pl ato n i sm.
T h i s new d e ve l o pme n t no w crystal l i zed at Al e xan d r i a.
T h e r e Ph i l o , as n o te d , at th e very dawn of th e C h r i sti an Er a
f i rst so u gh t to sh ow th e i n n e r h ar mo n y be twe e n Pl ato an d
Moses, o r Gr e e k ph i l o so ph y an d th e Jewish religion, ju s t as
Or i ge n soon e n d e avo r e d to do wi th Christianity an d Pl ato n i c
ph i l o so ph y. I t was an atte mpt to co mbi n e th e co nf l i cti ng sys
tems i n to o n e synth esi s. Ph i l o was cl ear l y o n e of th e pi o ne e r s
i n th i s br o ad Ne o pl ato n i c mo ve me n tth e l ast gr e at stan d of
Gr e e k ph i l o so ph y.
An d so i t came to pass, as we sh al l sh o r tl y see, th at th e
spe cu l ati o n s of Pl ato , ad mi tte d l y o ne of th e wo r l d s gr eate st
pagan ph i l o so ph e r s, came to e xe r t mo r e i nf l ue nce o n th e r e l i
gi o us o pi n i o n s o f co mpr o mi si n g C h r i sti an s th an th o se o f any
o th e r ph i l o so ph e r . He became th e unsu r passe d mo l d e r of bo th
C h r i sti an an d pagan th o u gh t i n th i s ar e a o f h u man desti ny.
I I . Pagan Ne o pl ato n i smGr e e k Ph i l o so ph ys Last Stan d
In h i s pe n e tr ati n g anal ysi s of th e h i sto r y of Gr eek ph i l o s
o ph y, th e n o te d prof essor, J o h n W. Dr ape r , astute l y su mma
r i ze d th e f o u r pr o bl e ms, o r i n qu i r i e s, o f Gr eek Ph i l o so ph y
as: 1. Or i gi n of th e Wo r l d ; 2. Natu r e of th e Soul ; 3. Exi st
ence o f Go d; 4. C r i te r i o n of T r u t h . 8 An d at th e cl ose of
h i s abl e tr ace me n t of i ts de ve l o pme n t, as h e l o o ke d back o ver
th e th o u san d years of i ts me an d e r i n gs, h e i n te r e sti n gl y o bser ved:
Un d e r th e sh ado w o f th e Pyr ami d s Gr e e k ph i l o so ph y was bo r n ;
af te r man y wan d e r i n gs f o r a th o u s an d year s r o u n d th e sh o r es o f th e
Me d i te r r an e an , i t came back to i ts n ati ve pl ace , an d u n d e r th e sh ad o w
of th e Pyr ami d s i t d i e d . *
T h e l ast stan d we wi l l no w tr ace wi th r api d str okes.
In i ts d e cl i n i n g days pagan ph i l o so ph y became r e tr o spe c
ti ve, f al l i n g back o n th e su ppo r t of an ci e n t myth i ci sm an d
spe cu l ati o n , an d bo r r o wi n g h eavi l y f r o m Or i e n tal i sm. Le t us
f ol l ow pagan Ne o pl ato n i sms r i se, d o mi n an ce , an d f al l .
1. P h i l o : P r e c u r s o r , B u i l d s Upon E m a n a t i o n T h e o r y .
Ear l i e st pr e cu r so r o f Ne o pl ato n i sm i n po i n t of ti me, as wel l as
i n i mpo r tan ce , i s P h i l o Ju daeus (c. 20 b.c.-c. a.d. 47). I n l ayi ng
th e f o u n d ati o n f o r Ne o pl ato n i sm h e i nvo ke d th e al l e go r i zi ng
me th o d of i n te r pr e ti n g th e Ol d T e stame n t, th e r e by wr e sti n g
th e Scr i ptu r e s 5i n an atte mpt to h ar mo n i ze Moses r e ve al e d
th e o l o gy wi th Pl ato s specul ati ve ph i l o so ph y. I t was an ackno wl
edged bl e n d i n g of Pl ato n i sm an d J u d ai sm, Dei ty an d matte r
be i n g r e gar d e d as th e two f i rst pr i n ci pl e s, e xi sti n g f r o m e te r
ni ty. An d h e bu i l t h i s system u po n th e e man ati o n co nce pt.
Dr ape r speci f i cal l y states, co n ce r n i n g h i s mysti cal ph i l o so ph y:
I t i s very cl ear , th e r e f o r e , th at th o u gh Ph i l o d e cl i n e d
3J o h n W. Dr a pe r , History o f the Intellectual Development of Europe, vo l . 1, p. 207.
Or i e n tal pantheism, h e l ai d h i s f o u n d ati o n o n th e Or i e n tal
th e o r y o f Emanation *
T h a t was th e star ti n g po i n t.7
2. Lu ci u s: A s s e r t s W o r l d - S o u l P r i n c i p l e . T h i s te n d
ency to patr o n i ze Or i e n tal i sm occurs sti l l mo r e str o n gl y i n
Lu ci u s A p u l e i u s (c. a.d. 126-c. 200), Nu mi d i a n 8te ach e r of th e
Pl ato n i c an d Ar i sto te l i an ph i l o so ph i e s, an d Lati n r e pr e se n ta
ti ve o f th e d e ve l o pi n g te n d e n cy to bl e n d th e Or i e n tal wi th
th e Occi d e n tal ph i l o so ph y. He tr i e d to br i d ge th e gu l f be twe e n
a tr an sce n d e n t Go d an d matte r by assumi ng th at th e r e we r e
n u me r o u s de mo ns as i n te r me d i ar i e s. 9
3. Numen iu s : I n c a r n a t i o n s P u n i s h m e n t s f o r P re v i o u s -
L i f e Sins.N u m e n i u s o f Apame a (fl . a.d. 150-200), Neo -
Pyth ago r e an ph i l o so ph e r an d f o r e r u n n e r o f Ne o pl ato n i sm,
l i kewi se h ad str o n g l e ani ngs to war d th e Or i e n tal . He bo l d l y
d e cl ar e d wh at h ad th e n beco me a ge n e r al bel i ef , namel y,
th at all Greek philosophy was originally brought from the
East 10He bo r r o we d f r o m th e magi ci ans, Egypti ans, Br ah
mans, an d J e ws. u T h a t i s si gni f i cant. He ci te d th e Stoi cs as
h o l d i n g th at th e Wo r l d-So ul al o n e i s e te r n al , an d th at al l
soul s ar e to be bl e n d e d an d i n te r mi n gl e d i mme d i ate l y af te r
d e ath .
He mai n tai n e d th at Pl ato co n sti tu te s th e co n n e cti n g l i n k,
actu al l y pr o cl ai mi n g i n Gr e e k f o r m th e r e ve al e d teach i ngs o f
Moses. Nu me n i u s we n t so f ar as to ask, Wh at i s Moses tal k
i n g bu t Atti c Gr e e k? An d h e styl e d Pl ato th e Atti c Moses.
T h i s was th e cr o wn i n g ar gu me n t o f Gr e e k ph i l o so ph y as a
ph i l o so ph i cal religion, as i t e n te r e d i n to mo r tal co nf l i ct wi th
th e r i si n g po we r o f C h r i sti an i ty.
Nu me n i u s h i mse l f syncr eti zed Pyth ago r e an , Egypti an,
Pe r si an , an d Or i e n tal dogmas. Mo r e especi al l y, h e made th e
6Ibid., p. 210. (I t a l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
7T h r a s yl l u s o f Me n d e s (d . a .d . 36) al so h a d a co n t e mpo r a r y pa r t , by a r r a n gi n g t h e
wo r ks o f Pl a t o a n d co mbi n i n g ce r t a i n Ne o -Pyth a go r e a n s pe cu l ati o n s wi t h Pl a t o n i s m.
8Ibid., pp. 210, 211.
0Ed u a r d Ze l l e r , Outlines of the History of Greek Philosophy, p. 309.
10Dr a pe r , op. ci t., vo l . 1, p. 211. (I t a l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
11Ze l l e r , Outlines of the History o f Greek Philosophy, p. 309.
Gospels th e su bje ct of ph i l o so ph i cal al l ego ry, ju st as Ph i l o
h ad d o n e wi th th e Pentateuch.u So h i gh l y was Nu me n i u s
estee med th at some r e gar d h i m as th e r e al f o u n d e r o f th e
Al e xan d r i an Sch ool . An d i t i s si gni f i cant th at Nu me n i u s h e l d
th e soul to be i mmo r tal an d i mmate r i al , wi th i ts descent f ro m
i ts f o r me r i n co r po r e al state i mpl yi n g mo r al d e l i n qu e n cy i n a
pr e vi o us l i f e. So th e basi c emph asi s co n ti n u e s.
4. A m m o n i u s : L a y s F o u n d a t i o n s f o r N e o p l a t o n i s m .
Usual l y r e gar d e d as th e f o u n d e r o f th e Al e xan d r i an sch ool of
Ne o pl ato n i c ph i l o so ph y, A m m o n i u s S a c c a s ( c . a . d . 175-c. 242)
was bo r n o f C h r i sti an par e n ts i n Al e xan d r i a an d tr ai n e d i n
th e C h r i sti an f ai th . He l apsed i n to pagani sm, h o wever, wh e n
h i s mi n d became abso r be d i n th e stu d y o f h e ath e n ph i l o so ph y,
an d h e h e l pe d i n l ayi ng th e f o u n d ati o n s of pagan Ne o pl ato
ni sm. Hi s f ame was d war f e d by th at of h i s f amo us pu pi l Pl o
ti nus. He i s al so sai d to h ave h ad Or i ge n as o n e of h i s stu d e n ts,
bu t h e l e f t n o au th e n ti c wr i ti n gs.13
Pagan Ne o pl ato n i sm, no w assumi ng th e aspect of a ph i l
o so ph i cal r e l i gi o n , soon began to co mbat th e r i si n g po wer
of C h r i sti an i ty, wi th Al e xan d r i a th e scene of th e co ntest. He r e
th e pagan sch ool was e stabl i sh e d th at l asted f o r some th r e e
h u n d r e d years. I t was i d e n ti f i e d wi th th e e xpi r i n g e f f o r t of
d e cad e n t Gr e e k ph i l o so ph y.14In th i s Ammo n i u s pl ayed h i s par t.
5. P l o t i n u s : O r i e n t a l i s m , D u a l i s m , E m a n a t i o n , R e
a b s o r p t i o n . We no w co me to th e ce l e br ate d Egypti an Ne o
pl ato n i c ph i l o so ph e r P l o t i n u s ( c. a . d . 205-270), th e f i rst to
devel o p, systemati ze, an d pu t i n to wr i tte n f o r m th e now-
cr ystal l i zi ng Ne o pl ato n i c po si ti o ns. Fo r el even years h e sat
u n d e r th e teach i ngs of Ammo ni us, th e n tr ave l e d to I n d i a an d
Per si a to acqu ai n t h i mse l f wi th Easte r n th o u gh t, stu d yi n g
u n d e r th e Br ah mans an d th e Magi . Fi n al l y h e o pe n e d a ph i l
o so ph i cal sch ool i n Ro me i n 244, te ach i n g th e r e u n ti l h i s
12K . O. Mu l l e r , History o f the Literature of Ancient Greece, vo l . 3. p. 182.
13Oxford Dictionary o f the Christian Church, a r t ., Ammo n i u s Saccas, p. 44.
14Dr a pe r , loc. cit.
710
d e ath . Hi s wr i ti n gs were pu bl i sh e d po sth u mo u sl yo ne d e al
i n g ju st wi th th e soul .
Pl o ti n u s acqu ai n te d h i mse l f wi th every system of ph i
l osoph y, an d cu l l e d wh ate ve r su ppo r te d h i s so l u ti o n o f th e
gr e at pr o bl e m of th o u gh t an d exi stence. Bu t to h i m Pl ato was
th e su pr e me au th o r i ty an d th e star ti n g po i n t o f h i s e xte n d e d
specul ati o ns. Pl o ti n u s Ne o pl ato n i sm was a r el i gi o -ph i l o so ph -
i cal ecl ecti ci sm. Ho wever , i t was al l mar ke d l y ti n ctu r e d wi th
Or i e n tal i sm, mysti ci sm, an d pan th e i sm.
Asceti c i n h abi ts, Pl o ti n u s h e l d h i s bo dy i n u tte r co n te mpt,
r e gar d i n g i t as a ph an to m an d a cl og to h i s soul . He co n si d e r e d
i t a pe n i te n ti al me ch ani sm f o r th e so u l . So ash ame d was h e
o f h i s bo dy th at h e wo u l d n e ve r name h i s par e n ts, n o r r e me m
be r h i s bi r th d ay, n o r al l o w a po r tr ai t to be pai n te d . T h e se
wer e al l , h e bel i eved, al i e n to th e so ul th e r e al sel f . He f o u n d
ju sti f i cati o n i n Pl ato f o r th e co nce pt th at T h o u gh t i s th e
So u l . So h e di spar age d th e l i f e of sense, an d e xto l l e d th e l i f e
o f pu r e th o u gh ttr an sce n d i n g th e wo r l d o f matte r .
He stressed u n i o n wi th Go d, an d r e tu r n to Dei ty. De n y
i n g th e pe r so n al i ty o f God, h e h e l d Dei ty to be th e f i rst pr i n
ci pl e. T h e so ul bel o ngs to th e super se nsuo us wo r l d, h e sai d,
an d l eads an e te r n al l i f e wi th o u t ti me. Fu r th e r , th e f i rst so ul
sends f o r th th e seco nd f r o m i t, l i ke a beam of l i gh t. T h i s
Pl o ti n u s cal l e d Natu r e .15
Un d e r th e Ne o pl ato n i c i mpu l se th i s ph i l o so ph i cal atti tu d e
was car r i e d i n to an intellectual mysticism. I t became a process
o f h i gh abstr acti o n me r e bei ng, as i n th e East. Go d became
th e i n f i n i te backgr o u n d mysti c co n te mpl ati o n be i n g th e u l t i
mate f o r man me l ti n g i n to oneness wi th th e Abso l ute.
Pl o ti n u s based h i s Ne o pl ato n i sm o n a new th e o r y o f
e man ati o n . Fi n i te exi stence was co n si d e r e d a pro gr essi ve f al l
i n g away f r o m o r i gi n al pe r f e cti o n th e e te r n al o n e o ver f l o wi ng
f r o m i ts ce n tr al be i ng, l o si ng i tse l f i n th e s u r r o u n d i n g d ar k
ness, th r o u gh spi r i t, so ul , an d bo dyth e bo dy be i n g th e
15Dr a pe r , op. ci t., vo l . 1, pp. 211-213; Ze l l e r , Outlines o f the History of Greek Philos
ophy, pp. 313-325.
Porph yr y, Soph i st and Skepti c, Pl o ti nus Stressed Worl d-Soul ,
Neverth el ess Hel d to th e Im- Emanati o n, Reabso r pti o n, and
mortal -Soul C oncept. Dual i sm.
l owest o f al l . T h u s i n d i vi d u al soul s se par ate f r o m th e Wo r l d -
Soul by a mysti c process. Such wer e th e l e ngth s to wh i ch
Pl o ti n u s went.
Fr o m h i s co n tact wi th Pe r si an i deas a pr o n o u n ce d Du al i sm
(f o u n d as n o te d i n i ts mo st pr o n o u n ce d f o r m i n Persi a) was
al so i n je cte d an d h avi n g a d i sti n ctl y asceti c ti n ge . In th e
mo r al str uggl e th e r e i s di vi si o n o f th e wo r l d i n to th e two co n
f l i cti ng pr i n ci pl e s o f go o d an d evi l . In Per si a i t was th e co n
test be twe e n Or mu zd an d Ah r i man , o r Go d an d th e devi l , l i gh t
an d dar kness. Evi l was co n n e cte d wi th th e bo dy an d th e l o wer
appe ti te sth at i s, matte r . T h e f l esh i s agai nst th e spi r i t. Sal va
ti o n th e r e f o r e l i es i n e xte r mi n ati n g th ese desi res an d cu l ti vati n g
th e pu r e l i f e of th e spi r i t, u n so i l e d by tai n t of bo dy. At o ne
po i n t h e even sai d, Wi th o u t th e exi stence o f evi l th e wo r l d
wo u l d be l ess pe r f e ct. 18
Pl o ti n u s l i kewi se stressed th e i de a of th e Wo r l d -So u l ,
cr e ato r of al l mate r i al th i ngs, an e man ati o n f r o m th e Nous
th e so ul be i n g th e i mage an d pr o d u ct of th e Nous. T h e soul s
16Qu o t e d i n Pe ta vcl , T h e Problem o f I mmortality, p. 433.
711
o f me n, i n co nse que nce of th e i r descent i n to h u man bo di es,
h ave f o r go tte n th e i r di vi n e o r i gi n , an d h ave beco me e str ange d
f r o m th e Go o d One . An d th e h i gh e st d u ty of man i s, h e h e l d ,
to r e tu r n i n to mysti cal u n i o n wi th th e Dei ty. T h i s r e tu r n to
o r i gi n al pe r f e cti o n mu st be acco mpl i sh e d by r i d d i n g oursel ves
o f th e r e str i cti o n s o f matte r , r i si n g abo ve th e f i ni te an d r e tr ac
i n g o u r steps to war d God.
T h e gr e at go al of exi stence, h e tau gh t, i s to wi th d r aw th e
so ul f r o m e xte r n al th i ngs an d f asten i t i n co n te mpl ati o n u po n
Go d. T h i s i s r e ach e d wh e n th e so ul , i n ecstasy, l oses al l
th o u gh t an d desi r e i n u n i o n wi th Go d, i s l o o sened f r o m i ts
mate r i al pr i so n se par ate d f r o m i n d i vi d u al co nsci o usness, an d
beco mes o n e wi th Go d, abso r be d an d co jo i ne d, ce n te r wi th
ce n te r .18T h at, o f co ur se, i s str ai gh t Or i e n tal i sm.
Pl o ti n u s i deas o n th e T r i n i ty wer e based o n a mysti cal
th e o r y of e man ati o n th e seco nd pr i n ci pl e i ssui ng by e man a
ti o n f r o m th e f i rst, an d th e th i r d o u t o f th e seco ndT h o u gh t
ar i si n g f r o m Reaso n, bu t T h o u gh t i s th e So ul . Re aso n , h e
h e l d , i s su r r o u n d e d by Ete r n i ty, bu t th e Soul i s su r r o u n d e d
by T i me . Such wer e th e new co nce pts h e ad d e d to Pl ato n i sm.
We ar e to de vo te l i f e, h e ur ge d , to i n ti mate co mmu n i o n
wi th Go d, divesting ourselves of all personality, an d passi ng
i n to th e co n d i ti o n o f ecstasy, i n wh i ch th e so ul i s l oosed f r o m
i ts mate r i al pr i so n an d se par ate d f r o m i n d i vi d u al consci ousness
an d r e abso r be d i n to th e i n f i n i te i n te l l i ge n ce wh ence i t
e man ate d . T h u s i n Pl o ti n u s th e str ai n o f Or i e n tal i sm i s pr e
d o mi n an t, to ge th e r wi th speci f i c I n d i an pr i n ci pl e s an d pr ac
ti ceseven th e process f o r passi ng i n to ecstasy by si tti n g l o ng
i n an i n var i abl e po stu r e , . . . o r by o bse r vi ng f o r a l o n g ti me
an u n u su al o r d e f i n i te man n e r of br e ath i n g, f ami l i ar to East
e r n devo tees.19T h i s was th e co mpl e x patte r n o f th e new pagan
Pl ato n i sm. But, wh e th e r pagan o r Al e xan d r i an C h r i sti an , i t
i n vo l ve d th e natur al -i mmo r tal i ty-o f -th e -so u l th esi s.
17The Oxford Dictionary o f the Christian Church, a r t ., Pl o t i n u s , pp. 1084, 1085.
18Dr a pe r , op. ci t., vo l . 1, pp. 213, 214.
18Ibid., p. 214.
6. P o r p h y r y : S k e p t i c , Y e t H o l d i n g t o U n i v e r s a l S o u l .
T h e o pi n i o n s of Pl o ti n u s wer e str e n gth e n e d an d tu r n e d
agai n st C h r i sti an i ty by h i s ce l e br ate d pu pi l P o r p h y r y , o f T yr e
(c. a.d. 232-c. 304). Of pagan par e n tage , h e stu d i e d ph i l o so ph y
at Ath e ns, be co mi n g pe r su ad e d of th e Ne o pl ato n i c pr i n ci pl e s
by Pl o ti n u s. He was al so d e vo te d to Ar i sto tl e s po stul ates. An d
h e to o e stabl i sh e d a sch ool at Ro me . He was pr o n o u n ce d i n
h i s h o sti l i ty agai nst al l r el i gi o ns, wi th speci al bi tte r n e ss agai nst
C h r i sti an i ty. Str angel y, h e to o was a pagan mysti c, bu t d e n i e d
i mmo r tal i ty to th e de mo ns wh o al l egedl y r u l e th e ai r . Hi s
emph asi s l i kewi se atte mpte d to wi th d r aw th e so ul f r o m co ntact
wi th th e sensi bl e wo r l d. An d h e si mi l ar l y r e co mme n d e d Or i
e n tal si l ence i n wo r sh i p an d pu r e th o u gh t.20T h i s emph asi s h ad
no w beco me mo r e th an a tr e n d , i t was a ch ar acte r i sti c.
As to th e soul , Po r ph yr y h e l d th at th e u n i ve r sal soul e m
braces th e essence o f th e i n d i vi d u al soul s, yet wi th o u t d i vi d i n g
i tse l f amo n g th e m. He d i d n o t e xte n d th e mi gr ati o n o f soul s
to th e bo di e s of ani mal s. T h e pu r i f i e d so ul l ooks f o r war d to
co mpl e te l i be r ati o n f r o m th e body. Ho we ver , h e h e l d th at
r e me mbr an ce o f th e e ar th l y state i s e xti n gu i sh e d . Fo r pu r i f i ca
ti o n h e advo cate d asceti ci sm an d cel i bacy. He r e pu d i ate d th e
pr e vai l i n g i deas abo u t th e gods.21 Hi s tr e ati se agai nst th e
C h r i sti an s was o r d e r e d pu bl i cl y bu r n e d by T h e o d o si u s I I i n
a.d. 448.
7. I a m b l i c h u s : M y t h o l o g y , A s t r o l o g y , N e c r o m a n c y .
Un d e r th e h i gh l y spe cu l ati ve an d su pe r sti ti o u s I a m b l i c h u s ,
o r J ambl i cu s (c. a.d. 250-c. 333), pu pi l of Po r ph yr y an d f o u n d e r
o f Syr i an Ne o pl ato n i sm, th e i nf l uences of th e East wer e sti l l
mo r e mar ke d l y f el t. Wh i l e Pl ato an d Ar i sto tl e wer e sti l l e x
po u n d e d , astr o l o gy, magi cal r i te s, an d ne cr o mancy be gan to
o ver sh ado w. Nu me r o u s Gr e e k an d Or i e n tal pagan myth o l
ogi es wer e i n tr o d u ce d , i n cl u d i n g n u mbe r symbo l i sm. T h e co n
ce pt of e man ati o n was str essed. Iambl i ch u s ar r an ge d th e var i
o us e man ati o n s i n su bo r d i n ate d tr i ad s. T h e l o west of al l i n
20Ibid., pp. 214, 215.
21Ze l l e r , Outlines o f the History of Greek Philosophy, pp. 323-325.
th e cosmos was th e wo r l d of sense. 23 He al so ch al l e n ge d
th e tr an smi gr ati o n of h u man soul s i n to th e bo di es of ani mal s.
So, i n th e l o si ng str u ggl e agai nst C h r i sti an i ty, th e succes
sors of Pl o ti n u s an d o th e r ch ampi o n s o f pagani sm staged a
r e su r ge n ce o f pagani sm. Bu t th i s ph ase soon passed, f o r th e
f u tu r e be l o n ge d to th e C h r i sti an f ai th . T h e i r pagan wo r l d
was f i l l ed wi th a gr e at h i e r ar ch y of soul sgods, demo ns, an d
me n wi th mysti cal af f i ni ti es an d r e l ati o n sh i ps be twe e n soul s,
wh i ch f i nd expr essi o n i n d i vi n ati o n , astrol ogy, an d magi cal
r i te s. 23
8. J u l i a n : Suppresses C h r i s t i a n i t y , E x a l t s Pagani sm.
Fo r th e mo me n t pagani sm seemed to h ave i ts ch ance, wh e n
th e Ro man e mpe r o r , J u l i a n t h e A p o s t a t e (a.d. 332-363),
co usi n o f C o n stan ti n e br o u gh t u p i n th e C h r i sti an f ai th bu t
tr ai n e d i n th e pagan ph i l o so ph i cal sch ool o f th e pagan Neo -
pl ato n i sts at Ath e n str i e d to rever se th e cu r r e n t o f h i sto r y.
At Ath e n s h e was i n i ti ate d i n to th e o l d El e u si n i an myster i es.
J u l i a n so u gh t to repr ess C h r i sti an i ty an d pr o mo te pagani sm
by every me ans sh o r t of pe r se cu ti o n . Bu t h i s sch eme came to
n o u gh t at h i s d e ath . Pagani sm h ad no w l o st th e str u ggl e
agai n st C h r i sti an i ty.
9. P r o c l u s : M y s t i c U n i o n o f S o u l W i t h D e i t y . T h e
l ast r e f u ge o f pagan Ne o pl ato n i sm was th e academy at Ath e ns,
i n co n n e cti o n wi th P r o c l u s (a.d. 412-485), ju st bef o r e i ts te r
mi n ati o n u n d e r J u sti n i an . Pr o cl us was a r e spe cte d sch o l ar ,
bu t asceti c an d f er vi d, wh o h ad h i gh r e gar d f o r th e an ci e n t
Or ph i c po ems an d C h al d e an oracl es. He no w so ugh t, ambi
ti o usl y, to d e ve l o p a co mpl e te th e o l o gi cal system e mbr aci n g
al l th e th e o l o gi cal an d ph i l o so ph i cal te ne ts o f h i s predecessors,
i n cl u d i n g th e th e o r y o f e man ati o n , e mbe l l i sh e d wi th mysti ci sm.
I t was based o n a co mpl i cate d tr i ad i c d e ve l o pme n t. T h e
so ul co mpri ses th r e e cl asses of par t-so ul sd i vi n e , d ae mo n i c
an d h u man , 24wi th de mo ns co n n e cte d wi th th e gods. He to o
22The Oxford Dictionary o f the Christian Church, a r t ., I a mbl i ch u s , p. 674; Ze l l e r ,
Outlines of the History of Greek Philosophy, pp. 325-327.
23A. K . Ro ge r s , A S t u d e n t s History of Philosophy, pp. 183, 184.
24Ze l l e r , Outlines o f the History o f Greek Philosophy, p. 331.
deal s wi th th e descent an d f u tu r e f o r tu n e s of th e i mmo r tal
so ul . Wi th h i m th e f i nal goal i s l i kewi se th e e l e vati o n o f th e
so ul to mysti c u n i o n wi th th e Dei ty.
Pr o cl us e njo ye d th e study of Pl ato , an d spe cu l ate d par
ti cu l ar l y o n th e man n e r i n wh i ch r e abso r pti o n i s to take pl ace
wh e th e r o n e can pass at once i n to th e pr i mi ti ve o r wh e th e r
a r e tu r n i n g successi o n of states i s r e qu i r e d . Un d e r h i m Ne o
pl ato n i sm r e ach e d i ts f i nal pagan f o r m.28 But, u n abl e to vi e
wi th C h r i sti an i ty, i ts mi ssi o n h ad si mpl y l apsed i n to an atte mpt
to pr eser ve th e o l d e r tr ad i ti o n s i n th e i r Or i e n tal setti ng.
T h e l ast r e f u ge of Ne o pl ato n i sm was th e academy at
Ath e ns. Bu t i n a . d . 529 i t was cl osed by Empe r o r J u sti n i an ,
th e pr o pe r ty conf i scated, th e te ach i ng o f pagan ph i l o so ph y f o r
bi d d e n , an d th e f ew r e mai n i n g ph i l o so ph e r s d r i ve n i n to e xi l e
i n Per si a. T h e f u tu r e be l o nge d to C h r i sti an i ty.
I I I . Par al l e l i n g C h r i sti an C ate ch e ti cal Sch ool
1. A l e x a n d r i a n C e n t e r E x e r t s P o w e r f u l I n f l u e n c e .
And now, f r o m th e l atte r par t o f th e seco nd ce n tu r y o n war d ,
a Christian C ate ch e ti cal (o r th eo l o gi cal ) Sch ool f l o ur i sh e d i n
Al e xan d r i a, addr e ssi ng i tsel f to th e pr o pagati o n o f th e C h r i s
ti an f ai th amo n g th e cu l tu r e d cl asses. Its f i rst kn o wn h e ad,
o r te ach e r , was P a n t a e n u s . 29 Bu t i t was u n d e r C l e me n t, an d
par ti cu l ar l y u n d e r th e pr e si d i n g geni us of Or i ge n , th at th e
C ate ch e ti cal Sch ool rose to i ts gr e ate st h e i gh t, attr acti n g n o t
o nl y C h r i sti an s bu t l ar ge n u mbe r s of pagans an d Gno sti cs 27
as wel l . I t was h e r e i n th i s sch ool th at th e f i rst atte mpt was
mad e to r e d u ce th e i n d i vi d u al d o ctr i n e s of C h r i sti an i ty to a
si ngl e u n i f i e d systeman d th i s d i sti n ctl y u n d e r th e i nf l uence
o f Ne o pl ato n i c pr i nci pl e s.
25I bid., p. 332; Dr a pe r , op. ci t., vo l . 1, pp. 215, 216.
'M Pantaenus (d . c. 190), pr o ba bl y o f Si ci l y, a n d f i r s t-kn o wn h e a d o f t h e Al e xa n d r i a n
C h r i s t i a n C a t e ch e t i ca l Sch o o l , was co n ve r t e d f r o m paga n i s m to t h e C h r i s t i a n f a i th . He t a u gh t a t
A l e xa n d r i a , wh e r e h e gr e a t l y i n f l u e n ce d h i s mo r e ce l e br a t e d d i s ci pl e , C l e me n t o f Al e xa n d r i a .
Acco r d i n g to Eu s e bi u s ( H . E . , V.x2) h e pr e a ch e d t h e go s pe l i n I n d i a , a n d o th e r s s ay i n
Et h i o pi a .
27T h e Gnostics d i f f e r e d ch i e f l y i n t h a t t h e y l a t e r h a d l i t t l e s ympa t h y wi t h t h e s pi r i t o f
C h r i s t i a n i t y o r wi t h t h e be l i e f i n t h e d i vi n e a u t h o r i t y o f t h e Ol d a n d Ne w T e s t a me n t s . T h e y
pa i d n o r e ga r d to t h e h i s to r i cal .
Af te r Or i ge n s e n f o r ce d r e ti r e me n t to C aesarea i n 231,
th e sch ool came mo r e d i r e ctl y u n d e r epi sco pal co n tr o l , wi th
He r acl es, Di o nysi us, T h e o gn o stu s, an d Pi e r i u s, an d successors,
o n to Di dymus. (See T abu l ar C h ar t E, page 702.) I t i s to be
r e me mbe r e d th at th i s C ate ch e ti cal Sch ool exi ste d al o ngsi de
th e Un i ve r si ty (Muse um) of Al e xan d r i a, an d co n ti n u e d to
attr act stu d e n ts f r o m d i stan t par ts.
2. C h a r a c t e r i z e d by S p e c u l a t i o n and A l l e g o r i z a t i o n .
As Al e xan d r i a h ad be e n th e f ocal po i n t of spe cul ati ve ph i
l oso ph y, especi al l y si nce th e C h r i sti an apo l o gi sts h ad e ar l i e r
be e n pagan ph i l o so ph e r s, i t was bu t n atu r al th at Al e xan d r i an
C h r i sti an i ty sh o u l d assume a d e f i n i te l y spe cul ati ve f o rm. An d
f u r th e r , as th e Al e xan d r i an th e o l o gi ans h ad be e n Pl ato n i sts
(wi th ad mi xtu r e s of Pyth ago r e ani sm an d Sto i ci sm), i t was n o t
s u r pr i s i n g th at, th o u gh th e y r e je cte d pagani sm as such , th e y
sh o u l d r e mai n d e f i ni te l y Ne o pl ato n i st, seeki ng to e xpl ai n C h r i s
ti an i ty acco r d i n g to th e Pl ato n i c catego r i esmu ch as Ph i l o
two ce n tu r i e s pr i o r h ad atte mpte d to e xpl ai n J u d ai sman d
l i kewi se al o n g al l ego r i cal l i nes, wi th consci ous i n d e bte d n e ss to
Ph i l o ,28as wel l as di r e ctl y back to Pl ato .
3. S ha d o ws D e e p e n I n t o M i d n i g h t o f M i d d l e A g es .
C l e me n t an d Or i ge n , th e ph i l o so ph i cal th e o l o gi ans, wer e th u s
th e ch i e f ar ch i te cts an d bu i l d e r s i n th i s r e co n str u cti o n . I t was
th e i r ge ni us th at f r ame d th e ar gu me n ts th at r e mo ve d th e i r
r e co n ci l abl e d i sagr e e me nts be twe e n Scr i ptu r e an d pagan ph i
l o so ph yby th e si mpl e devi ce of al l e go r i zi ng away th e i n te n t
of Ho l y Scr i ptu r e wh e n conf l i ct was i n e vi tabl e i f take n l i te r al l y.
Saf el y e n tr e n ch e d be h i n d th i s ef f ecti ve co n tr i van ce , th ey co u l d
r esi st th e assaul ts o f Scr i ptu r e agai nst th e devi o us po stul ate s
o f Ne o pl ato n i sm.
As ti me we n t o n th e e n ti r e co n to u r of th e f ai th o f th e
ch u r ch came to be al te r e d . An d wh e n th e e mpi r e co l l apsed
th e ch u r ch be gan to assume f i rst th e gu i d an ce an d e ve n tu al l y
th e co n tr o l o f th e state, we l d i n g th e f ar -f l ung C h r i sti an gr o u ps
28A. H. Ne wma n , A Manual of Church History, vo l . 1, pp. 271, 272.
i n to a si ngl e C ath o l i c bo dy wi th a d e f i ni te l y f o r mu l ate d o r th o
d o x cr ee d, wi th I n n ate Immo r tal i ty as o ne o f i ts ce n tr al do g
mas an d al l th at spr an g th e r e f r o m. An d i n i t al l , as th e l ate
A. K. Ro ger s, f o r me r l y o f Bu tl e r C o l l ege, si gni f i cantl y says:
Personal i mmo r tal i ty, wh i ch i n Gr e e k ph i l o so ph y h ad e i th e r be e n
r e je cte d o u tr i gh t o r h e l d wi th mu ch h e s i tati o n , beco me s a f u n d ame n tal
ar ti cl e o f th e C h r i s ti an cr e e d . 29
T h a t i s wh y we h ave tr ace d i t wi th such f ul l ness th r o u gh
th ese cr u ci al ce n tu r i e s.
So i t was th at Ne o pl ato n i sm came to o ver sh ado w th e l i gh t
of th e go spel h o pe o f i mmo r tal i ty th r o u gh th e r e su r r e cti o n ,
u n ti l th e sh adows d e e pe n e d i n to th e se ttl e d mi d n i gh t o f th e
Mi d d l e Ages. T h e C h r i sti an f ai th h ad be e n r e mo d e l e d . An d
wh e n th e bar bar i an n ati o n s of Eu r o pe , i n to wh i ch Ro me was
d i vi d e d , wer e co n ve r te d i n l ar ge n u mbe r s to th e r e co n str u cte d
C h r i sti an f ai th , i t was a n o r m si mi l ar i n man y r espects to th e i r
pr e -C h r i sti an co ncepts.
T h u s Pl ato n i sm, h avi n g f o u n d i ts way i n to pagan Ro me ,
i n d u e co ur se made i ts e n tr y i n to th e Ro man Church. An d as
Do cto r Sal mo nd r i gh tl y o bserves: T h e Pl ato n i c d o ctr i n e i s
f i rst an d l ast a d o ctr i n e o f th e per si stence of th e so ul s. 80
T h a t i s i ts si gni f i cance f o r us.
20Ro ge r s , op. ci t. , p. 192.
30Sa l mo n d , T h e Christian Doctrine of Immortality, p. 145.
C H A P T E R F O R T Y - T W O
Ph i l o J udaeus Fuses Pl ato ni c
Ph i l o so ph y Wi th J udai c Do ctr i n e
In d u l ge n ce mu st agai n be asked f o r h avi n g to tr ave r se
an o th e r te d i o u s secti o n o f th i s h i sto r i cal jo u r n e y. Bu t i t i s
i ne scapabl e i f we ar e to beco me awar e of th e gr ave d e par tu r e
th at h ad no w d e ve l o pe d i n J e wr ya di gr essi o n th at d r e w a
majo r se gme n t f ar th e r an d f ar th e r away f r o m th e Mosai c f ai th
o f th e i r f o r ebear s, as co nce r ns th e so ul . I t i s ad mi tte d l y a bar
r e n str e tch , n e i th e r pl e asan t n o r edi f yi ng to pass th r o u gh . Bu t
i t i s an i n te gr al par t of th e f ate f u l d e vi ati o n no w u n d e r way.
An d we mu st n o t l ose si gh t of th e f act th at i t i s n o t o nl y essen
ti al f o r th e r e co r d bu t necessary i n o r d e r to u n d e r stan d th e
e mascu l ati o n o f th e f ai th o f th e ch o sen pe o pl e , no w f ar
advanced.
I . Al e xan d r i a, Seat o f T wo Par al l e l i n g Sch ool s
1. On B o r d e r l i n e o f O l d and N e w . P h i l o Ju daeus (c.
20 b.c.-c. a.d. 47), mo st d i sti n gu i sh e d o f al l He l l e n i c J e wi sh
sch ol ar s an d f amo us as a ph i l o so ph i cal mysti c, exegete, an d
au th o r , was a n ati ve an d l i f e l o ng r e si d e n t of Al e xan d r i a. He
sto o d o n th e bo r d e r l i n e be twe e n th e o l d an d th e new. Hi s
l i f e co mpl e te l y span n e d th e th i r ty-th r e e -ye ar l i f e of J esus, an d
h e was co n te mpo r an e o u s n o t o n l y wi th th e pu bl i c mi n i str y of
C h r i st bu t wi th th e ear l y acti vi ti e s o f th e apo stl es, as wel l .
Ph i l o came f r o m a r i ch an d i n f l u e n ti al pr i e stl y f ami l y,
an d acco r d i n g to J o se ph u s, h ad a Ph ar i sai c backgr o u n d . He
r ece i ve d th e h i gh e st J ewi sh an d Gr e e k e d u cati o n th e ti mes
718
af f o r de d, was i n ti mate l y acqu ai n te d an d f asci nated wi th Pl a
to n i c ph i l o so ph y, an d qu o te d l e ar n e d l y f r o m Pl ato , Ar i sto tl e ,
an d th e Stoi cs. Bu t Ph i l o was an Alexandrian Platonic J ew,
n o t a Palestinian Zoroastrian J ew. He e xe r te d co n si d e r abl e
i n f l u e n ce i n po l i ti cal l i f e, an d at th i r ty-n i n e h e ad e d a f i ve-man
embassy to pl e ad be f o r e Empe r o r C al i gu l a, at Ro me , f o r th e
r e l i gi o u s r i gh ts of th e J ews.1
2. B l e n d s V a r i o u s V iew s I n t o S i n g l e S y s te m . In r e l i
gi o us o u tl o o k Ph i l o was an ecl ecti cgath e r i n g h i s teach i ngs
f r o m var i o us co n te mpo r ar y ph i l o so ph i cal systems, as wel l as
f r o m basi c J e wi sh sources, weavi ng th e m to ge th e r i n to a si ngl e
system. Acco r di ng to Ph i l o -speci al i st Dr . H. A. Wo l f so n,2h e
was ste e pe d i n bo th th e spi r i t an d th e te ach i ngs o f Pl ato , bu t
i n mo di f i e d an d ad apte d f o rm. In f act, h e was cal l ed th e J e w
i sh Pl ato . Hi s al l ego r i cal system o f i n te r pr e tati o n e n abl e d
h i m to di sco ve r , h e bel i eved, mu ch of th e Gr e e k ph i l o so ph y
h i d d e n i n th e Ol d T e stame n t. An d h e mai n tai n e d th at th e Ol d
T e s tame n t i n i ts dee pe st me an i n g an d r eal si gni f i cance i s to
be u n d e r sto o d al l ego r i cal l y.
Ph i l o f o r th r i gh tl y co n d e mn e d i d o l atr y, th e gods an d d e mi
gods of th e n ati o n s, th e d e i f i cati o n o f ki ngs, an d al l an i mal
wo r sh i pr ams, goats, dogs, cats, bi r d s, an d f i shesas wel l as
th e d e i f i cati o n of th e dead. He l i kewi se d e n o u n ce d myth o l o gy
an d th e mysteri es. Bu t h e used Greek te r mi n o l o gy to descr i be
th e bel i ef s an d i n sti tu ti o n s of Judaism/ th e r e by l e ad i n g to
co n f u si o n an d co mpr o mi se. And, mo st si gni f i cant of al l , h e
empl o ye d th e al l ego r i cal me th o d o f i n te r pr e tati o n wh e r e by
tr u e kn o wl e d ge i s e xtr acte d f r o m th e l e tte r of th e l aw,
th o u gh o f te n i n d i r e ct conf l i ct th e r e wi th .
3. P r e - e m i n e n t Champion o f I m m o r t a l - S o u l i s m . T h i s
f amo us Al e xan d r i an sch o l ar became th e mo st co nspi cuo us ch am
1I n s e a r ch i n g i n t o t h e l i f e a n d te a ch i n gs o f Ph i l o we h a ve f o l l o we d t h e l e a d o f H. A.
Wo l f s o n , Philo, 2 vo l s .; J a me s Dr u mmo n d , Philo Judaeus, 2 vo l s .; E. R. Go o d e n o u gh , An Intro
duction to Philo Judaeus; I . H. L e vi n t h a l , Judaism; H. A. A. K e n n e d y, Philos Contribution
to Religion; R. H. C h a r l e s , A Critical History of the Doctrine o f a Future L ife ; a n d o t h e r
a u t h o r i t a t i ve bo o ks a n d pe r i o d i ca l ar ti cl e s.^
2Dr . H a r r y A. W o l f s o n , Au s t r i a n -bo r n J e w, a n d pr o f e s s o r i n He br e w l i t e r a t u r e a n d
ph i l o s o ph y a t Ha r va r d Un i ve r s i t y, i s d o u btl e s s t h e gr e a t e s t Ame r i ca n a u t h o r i t y o n Ph i l o .
3H. A. Wo l f s o n , Philo, vo l . 1, pp. 88, 89.
PHI L O FUSES PHI LOSOPHY WI T H J UDAI C DOC T RI NE 719
pi o n o f th e i mmo r tal i ty-o f -th e-so ul po stu l ate of h i s day, wh i ch
h e d e r i ve d ch i ef l y f r o m Pl ato an d e xpo u n d e d i n Pl ato n i c terms.
Fl o u r i sh i n g at th e be gi n n i n g o f th e C h r i sti an (o r C o mmo n )
Er a, h e co n tr i bu te d mate r i al l y to th e acceptance o f th e In n ate -
Immo r tal i ty co n ce pt amo ng bo th J ews an d C h r i sti an s, to ge th e r
wi th th e sch eme o f e te r n al r e war ds an d pu n i sh me n ts th at
wer e i nse par abl e .
Ph i l o s two f o l d co n tr i bu ti o n as to th e n atu r e an d de sti ny
o f man mi gh t be sai d to be h i s r e je cti o n of th e r e su r r e cti o n
o f th e bo dy an d h i s espousal of th e n atu r al i mmo r tal i ty co n
ce pt. On e gr o u p o f th e o n co mi n g f ath e r s of th e C h r i sti an
C h u r ch such as C l e me n t o f Al e xan d r i a an d Or i ge n , bo r r o we d
h e avi l y f r o m Ph i l o , th e i r pr edecesso r an d f el l o w to wnsman,
an d wer e str o ngl y i nf l u e n ce d by h i m. (Fo r Ph i l o s ti me pl ace
me n t an d catego r y l i sti ng, see I n te r -T e stame n t T a bu l a r C h ar t
D o n page 658.)
I I . Basi c Fe atu r e s o f Ph i l o s T e ach i n g C o n ce r n i n g Man
1. R e v e l a t i o n t h e D i s t i n g u i s h i n g P r i n c i p l e o f N e o
p l a t o n i s m . Wh e n th e i n te l l e ctu al ce n te r of He l l e n i sm was
sh i f te d f r o m Ath e n s to Al e xan d r i a, J e wr y was e stabl i sh e d
th e r e al so. T h e po stul ate s of He l l e n i sm wer e based sol el y
u po n i n te l l e ctu al i n ve sti gati o n , r esear ch , an d anal ysi s. On th e
co n tr ar y, th e te ne ts o f J u d ai sm were based u po n d i vi n e r e ve l a
ti o n . Wh e n , th e r e f o r e , two such i n te l l e ctu al f orces as He l l e n i sm
an d J u d ai sm me tr e pr e se n ti n g Gr e ci an ph i l o so ph y an d th e
J e wi sh r e l i gi o n th e r e was bo u n d to be an e n co u n te r th at
wo u l d i n e vi tabl y r e su l t i n new al i gn me n ts.
T h i s co nf l i ct be twe e n He l l e n i sm an d J u d ai sm was basi cal l y
a spi r i tu al str uggl e , an d e ve n tu ate d i n a de f i n i te ch ange o f
th o u gh t an d be l i e f o n th e par t of a l arge se gme nt of J ewr y.
Ho w to r e co n ci l e th e i r f u n d ame n tal di f f er ences was th e qu e s
ti o n co n f r o n ti n g Ph i l o . The figurative interpretation of revela
tion pr o vi d e d th e n e e d e d br i dge . So th e antago ni sms wer e
r e co n ci l e d by th e i n ge n i o u s bu t co mpr o mi si n g devi ce o f al l e-
M e n r \ f
k o \ v
v / / V\
/ / f ' / Af AC
r t u i n n
v n n < \ ' i
/ A /
I i f t i l M I
///vv V'i
/ / \ \ * y j >fi
t <\ K i s. f i i
A U H f
N A / / xW'/ j
m i n e y t
* / ' / / / /A A./
A /A \////>
\
Ph i l o Di d More T h an Any
Oth er J ewi sh Leader of Hi s
Day i n Setti ng Asi de th e
T each i ngs of Hol y Wr i t on
th e Natur e and Desti ny of
th e Soul .
go r i zi ng th e Scr i ptu r e s to br i n g abo u t essenti al acco r d wi th
Pl ato n i c ph i l o so ph y.
It was th i s th at l ai d th e f o u n d ati o n of Ne o pl ato n i sma
ph i l o so ph y i n vo l vi n g i n i ts f o r mati ve pe r i o d th e syncr eti sm
of Al e xan d r i an -J e wi sh an d He l l e n i sti c-Pl ato n i c ph i l o so ph y.
I t was d i sti n gu i sh e d f r o m th at of pu r e Pl ato n i c ph i l o so ph y by
the adding of the principle of revelation co n tai n e d i n th e new
ph i l o so ph y, bo th i n i ts ear l y J e wi sh an d l ate r C h r i sti an f orms.
An d th e o r i gi n ato r an d pr e -e mi n e n t r e pr e se n tati ve of th i s new
syncr eti sm was Ph i l o .
He h e l d to th e i n spi r e d ch ar acte r o f th e Ol d T e stame n t
an d th e tr u th o f th e J ewi sh r e l i gi o n . But, as stated, wh i l e so
721
d o i n g h e al so i n tr o d u ce d an d su stai n e d h i s ph i l o so ph i cal co n
cepts by al l e go r i zi n g h i s J ewi sh bel i ef s. T h u s th e th e o l o gy of
Ph i l o was cl ear l y a bl e n d o f Pl ato n i sm an d J u d ai sm.
2. P h i l o s C o n c e p t o f God Was a S y n t h e s i s . Ph i l o
h e l d f ast to th e pe r so n al i ty o f Go di n co r po r e al , i n vi si bl e ,
e te r n al , sel f -exi stent, u n i ve r sal , o mn i sci e n t, o mn i po te n t, pe r
f ect, an d se l f -de te r mi ni ng. T h e wo r l d i s Hi s cr e ati o n , an d
He i s su r r o u n d e d by mi n i ste r i n g spi r i ts. But, i n acco r dance
wi th th e Pl ato n i c i de a o f tr an sce n d e n ce an d th e Stoi c co n ce pt
o f d i vi n e i mmi n e n ce , Ph i l o r e gar d e d Go d as e xal te d abo ve al l
co n tact wi th matte r , wh i ch h e h e l d to be essenti al l y evi l . He
so u gh t to br i d ge th i s gap wi th cr e ati ve an d r e gu l ato r y po wers
an d pr o vi si o ns, co mbi n i n g J ewi sh angel o l o gy wi th th e Stoi c
Logos co n ce pt an d Pl ato n i c i deassuch as th e vi ew th at Go d s
br e ath i s th at wh i ch gi ves l i f e.
C o mbi n i n g Ne o pl ato n i sm, Neo -Pyth ago r e ani sm, an d o l d
Egypti an ph i l o so ph y wi th J ewi sh co ncepts, Ph i l o th u s e xal te d
th e Su pr e me Be i ng abo ve al l co n tact wi th th e vi si bl e wo r l d.
An d h e e xpl ai n e d al l passages of th e Ol d T e stame n t th at
seemed i n co n si ste n t wi th such e xal tati o n as r e f e r r i n g n o t to
th e Su pr e me Bei ng bu t to a d e r i ve d be i ng, o r Logos.
T o Ph i l o , Go d stands apar t f r o m th e wo r l d i n i ne f f abl e
an d u l ti mate pe r f e cti o n , co n n e cte d wi th mu n d an e af f ai rs o nl y
by a seri es o f l esser i n te l l i gi bl e f orms o r powersso meti me s
as i n Pl ato n i c co ncepts, so meti mes aki n to J ewi sh angel o l o gy,
an d so meti me s as an e man ati o n f r o m Go d s n atu r e . T h i s co n
ce pt h as i ts co n su mmati o n i n Ph i l o s d o ctr i n e of th e Logos
th e me d i ato r o f Go d s r e ve l ati o n o f Hi msel f .
3. G r e e k and H e b r e w T h o u g h t B l e n d e d b y A l l e g o r i z a -
t i o n . Ph i l o so u gh t to bl e n d h i s h o n o r e d J e wi sh i n h e r i tan ce
wi th h i s newl y acqu i r e d He l l e n i sti c cu l tu r e , so as to r e co n ci l e
an d r e tai n th e tr e asu r e s o f bo th Pl ato n i c ph i l o so ph y an d
J e wi sh f ai th . He th e r e f o r e so u gh t to f use th e best o f Gr e e k
ph i l o so ph y wi th th e l e ad i n g co nce pts o f th e Ol d T e stame n t,
as wel l as cu r r e n t Rabbi n i sm. T o th i s e n d h e ad apte d an d
ad o pte d Gr e e k ph i l o so ph i cal th o u gh t. Mo st co nspi cuo usl y h e
accepted, i n acco mmo date d f o r m, th e Pl ato n i c co n ce pt o f r e l a
ti o n sh i p be twe e n Go d, th e wo r l d, an d man. As me n ti o n e d ,
h e br i d ge d th e gu l f wi th h i s Logos ph i l o so ph y an d acco m
pl i sh e d th e synth esi s by h i s al l e go r i cal me th o d of i n te r pr e ta
ti o n.
Un d e r th i s sch eme al l Scr i ptu r e became f i gur ati ve an d
symbo l i c. In th i s way a passage co u l d me an al mo st an yth i n g,
acco r d i n g to th e f ancy of th e i n te r pr e te r . T h u s al l e go r i zati o n
became th e uni ve r sal so l ve nt f o r every pe r pl e xi ty an d car e d
f o r e ve r yth i n g o ppo sed to h i s new ph i l o so ph i cal co ncepts. He
sti l l be l i e ve d th e l aw to be th e way to goodness, an d f ai th i n
J e h o vah th e e n tr an ce to e te r n al l i f ebu t al l i n acco mmo d ate d
f o r m an d r e ad ju ste d se tti n g an d ph r asi ng. He co n si d e r e d th at
i n Babyl o n an d J e r u sal e m th e J ews wer e l argel y wo r sh i pi n g
th e past; i n Al e xan d r i a th e y f aced th e f u tu r e .
Ph i l o s was a systemati c atte mpt to sh ow th e inner harmony
be twe e n Pl ato an d Moses; th at i s, be twe e n J ewi sh r e l i gi o u s
th o u gh t an d Gr e e k ph i l o so ph y. In di sco ver i ng th i s h i gh e r
sense of Scr i ptu r e , Ph i l o be l i e ve d h e h ad pe n e tr ate d th e o u te r
sh el l to ge t th e i n n e r ke r n e l o f wh at h e co nce i ved to be
f u n d ame n tal ph i l o so ph i c tr u th . He even de cl ar e d th at th ose
wh o h e l d to th e l i te r al i n te r pr e tati o n of Scr i ptu r e wer e u n
wo r th y an d su pe r sti ti o u s. T h e ce l e br ate d Ge r man He l l e n i st
pr o f esso r o f th e Uni ve r si ty of Go tti n ge n , Kar l Otto Mu l l e r ,
l o n g ago state d th e f acts succi nctl y:
T h e o bje ct o f Ph i l o . . . i s to h ar mo n i ze th e ph i l o so ph y o f r e l i gi o n ,
wh i ch h e h ad d e r i ve d f r o m a stu d y o f Pl ato , Ar i sto tl e , an d o th e r e mi n e n t
h e a th e n wr i te r s, wi th th e l e tte r o f th e bo o ks a t tr i bu te d to Moses. An d
h e ef f ects th i s r e co n ci l i ati o n by an u n l i mi te d use o f al l e go r y. *
4. St r a n g e C o n f l i c t i n g C o n c e pt s o f L o g o s .In Ph i l o s
Logos d o ctr i n e , as i n th e co untl ess aeons of th e l ate r C h r i sti an
Gno sti cs,5we see atte mpts to me d i ate be twe e n th e Su pr e me
Go d an d th o se aspects of th e mate r i al wo r l d th at wer e co n
4Mul l er , History of the Literature of Ancient Greece, vol . 3, p. 175.
5See p. 854 f f .
si d e r e d u n wo r th y of co n tact wi th Hi m. Ph i l o s Logos was th e
h i gh e st of th e d i vi n e f orces, th e so ul of th e wo r l d, th e i n te r
pr e te r an d r e ve al e r o f God. Hi s d o ctr i n e of th e Logos co mbi n e d
J ewi sh , Pl ato n i c, an d Stoi c co ncepts.
Hi s Logos was th e vi ce ge r e n t of Go d, th e me d i ato r be twe e n
th e Ete r n al , th e mate r i al , an d th e e ph e me r al . I t e mbo d i e d th e
Pl ato n i c i d e a o f good, th e Sto i c Wo r l d-So ul , an d th e J e wi sh
Sh e ki n ah an d e te r n al Hi gh Pr i est. I t was at o nce th e Angel of
th e Lo r d , Ete r n al Wi sdo m, th e Mi n d of Go d, th e Sh adow of
Go d, th e Fi r st-bo r n , C aptai n , Su ppl i cato r bu t not a per so n,
as such . Its i n vo l ve me nts ar e co n f u si n g an d di f f i cul t to grasp,
bu t th e y ar e essenti al to h i s vi ew.
An d Ph i l o s Logos i s baf f l i ng because h e empl oys th e te r m
i n so many d i f f e r e n t sensesas a d i vi n e f acul ty o f th o u gh t;
as th i n ki n g an d cr e ati ve acti vi ty; as th e r e su l t of th i n ki n g;
th e i de al wo r l d i tsel f ; an d th e acti ve, d i vi n e pr i n ci pl e , po tency,
o r agency i n th e vi si bl e wo r l d. Hi s very o bscu r i ty an d ambi gu i ty
cr e ate d endl ess spe cu l ati o n .0
J u s t as Ph i l o e qu ate d Logos wi th th e mi n d i n th e i n te l
l i gi bl e wo r l d, so h e came to use i t as th e e qu i val e n t of th e
mi n d th at i s i n man. Mo r eo ver , i n Pl ato , wh o m Ph i l o f o l l o wed,
Logos i s used as an e qu i val e n t of th e i mmo r tal so u l (Timaeus
46d, 69d-e), th e su pr e me f o r m of so ul wi th i n u s (Timaeus
90a), an d th e r ati o n al so ul par t of us (Republic i v. 439d).
So th e Logos wi th i n i s par t of th e pr e -e xi ste n t Logosth u s
th e mi n d wi th an d th e mi n d abo ve u s (Heres 236).7Such
was Ph i l o s su btl e an d co nf l i cti ng co n ce pt of th e Logos. No w
we co me to th e so ul qu e sti o n .
5. F l a s h P i c t u r es o f P h i l o s I mmo r t a l -So u l i s m.We
no w n o te i n ge n e r al te r ms 8th e h i gh e st po i n ts i n Ph i l o s te ach
0Wol f son, i n th e i ndex to hi s two-vol ume Philo, l i sts un d e r Logos th e f ol l owi ng di vi si ons,
among o th ers: Logos is th e mi nd of God i denti cal wi th Hi s essenceal so th e cr eated
th i nki ng mi nd . . . th e to tal i ty of i deas . . . or the_ to tal i ty o f power si mmanent i n th e
wo r l dth e i nstr ument of di vi ne pr o vi dence. Logos i s al so descri bed as angel , ar ch an ge l ,
bond of al l exi stence of th e uni ver se, e te r n al , i nco r r upti bl e, th e f i rst-born son of
Go d, i mage o f Go d, a second Go d, second to Go d, shadow of Go d, me d i ato r ,
h armoni zer of th e oppo si tes, source o f th e powers, wi sdom, and even Messi ah . AH
th i s and more (vol . 2, pp. 518, 519).
7Ibid., vol . 1, p. 393.
8We sh al l seek to h ol d to as si mpl e a f orm as possi bl e Ph i l os compl ex, i nvol ved, and
i ng, i n o r d e r to ge t an over-al l vi ew o f h i s co nce pts i n th e aggr e
gate. T h e d o cu me n te d par ti cu l ar s wi l l f o l l o w i n Secti o n I I I .
Man, acco r d i n g to Ph i l o , h as bo th an i r r ati o n al (o r an i
mal ) so ul an d a r ati o n al so ul . T h e f i rst i s h ad i n co mmo n wi th
al l l i vi n g cr e atu r e s; th e seco nd i s n o t possessed by ani mal s.
T h e mu l ti tu d e o f pr e-e xi ste nt, u n bo d i e d soul s i n th e h eavens
i n cl u d e th e angel s. Bu t r ati o n al soul s descend f r o m th e i r e te r n al
d we l l i n g pl ace an d e n te r h u man bo di es th at ar e u n d e r th e
d o mi n an ce o f th e i r r ati o n al soul s. An i n e vi tabl e battl e of th e
two soul s ensues, man s f r ee wi l l d e ci d i n g th e o u tco me f o r
e te r n i ty. An d Ph i l o def i nes i mmo r tal i ty as e te r n al per si stence,
o r exi stence.
Ph i l o h e l d th at th e br e ath of l i f e i s n o th i n g l ess th an th e
br e ath o f Go d, an d th at th e r ati o n al soul o f man i s u n cr e ate d .
De i ty an d matte r , h e tau gh t, ar e e xi ste n t f r o m al l e te r n i ty. T h u s
h e be l i e ve d th at wh i l e man s bo dy, f o r me d f r o m th e gr o u n d ,
i s mo r tal , h i s u n cr e ate d r ati o n al so ul i s i mmo r tal . Vi r tu e i s
th e tr e e o f i mmo r tal l i f e. An d as sal tsymbo l o f th e pe r pe tu i ty
of al l th i n gsi s a pr eser vati ve, so i s th e so ul as r e l ate s to man.
Bu t si n ch an ge d a h appy an d i mmo r tal l i f e i n to a wr e tch e d
an d mo r tal o n e f o r th e body. T h e d e ath th r e ate n e d was two
f o l do f th e man , an d o f th e soul . T h e d e ath of man, h e states,
i s th e se par ati o n o f th e so ul f r o m th e bo dy; an d th e d e ath o f
th e so ul i s i ts se d u cti o n by evi l an d co r r u pti o n . T o di e i s
actu al l y to l i vei n a d o o me d r e l ati o n sh i p. Bu t th e o r i gi n al
Genesi s e pi so de o f th e Gar d e n o f Ed e n was an al l ego r y, acco r d
i ng to Ph i l o .
T h e e th e r e al h eavens ar e th e f ath e r l an d of al l th e r ati o n al
soul s. An d u po n th e d e ath of th e bo dy th e r ati o n al so ul r e tu r n s
to th e r e al m of th e u n bo d i e d , amo ng th e stars, wh i ch al so ar e
o r h ave soul s. As to th e pu n i sh me n t of th e wi cked, Ph i l o i s
so meti me s h azy an d so meti mes co n tr ad i cto r y. Bu t man s f ree
wi l l an d pe r so n al ch o i ce justi f i es any d u e pu n i sh me n t.
Acco r d i n g to Ph i l o , th e r e i s (1) n o f o r mal ge n e r al judg-
weari some specul ati ons th at wr o ugh t such conf usi on, f i rst among h i s own peo pl e and l ater
among th e C h r i sti ans. Onl y by graspi ng just wh at Ph i l o sai d and di d can we see h ow, wh y,
and wh en a l arge segment of th e ch ur ch went astray on th e ori gi n, n atu r e , an d desti ny o f man.
me n t, (2) n o r e su r r e cti o n of th e body, bu t (3) e ve r l asti n g
pu n i sh me n t o f th e wi cked. Such ar e th e th r e e su mmar i zi n g
co ncl usi o ns co n ce r n i n g Ph i l o , acco r d i n g to R. H. C h ar l e s.9
T o Ph i l o th e bo dy i s th e so urce of evi l th e co rpse, th e
cof f i n, th e to mb o f th e soul . But, as n o te d , th e u n bo d i e d so ul
does n o t di e. I t r e tu r n s to th e h eavens, amo n g th e stars, wh ence
i t came. I t i s i n e xti n gu i sh abl e an d death l ess. T h e l ad d e r of
J aco bs d r e am, r e ach i n g f r o m e ar th to He ave n , i s th e ai rway
e xte n d i n g f r o m e ar th to He ave n f o r th ese i mmo r tal so ul s
some o f wh o m desce nde d to e ar th to dwe l l i n mo r tal bo di es.
Such a co n ce pt i s, o f co ur se, de f i n i te pr e-exi stence of a so r t.
Ph i l o be l i e ve d i n appo i n te d , co n tr asti n g l o cal i ti es (abo ve
an d be l o w) as th e abo d e o f th e d i se mbo d i e d spi r i ts o f go o d
an d wi cked me n. T h e go o d dwel l i n th e h eave nl y r egi o ns; th e
bad ar e ban i sh e d to th e n e th e r mo st par t o f Hades, wi th th e
i n cu r abl y evi l to T ar tar u s . Ph i l o i s at ti mes co n tr ad i cto r y i n
th i s ar ea, bu t h e cl ear l y i n d i cate s th at d e ath i s n o t th e e n d o f
pu n i s h me n ti t i s o n l y th e be gi n n i n g.
6. P h i l o s R e s p o n s i b i l i t y i n t h e G r e a t D e p a r t u r e .
Ph i l o s bo l d bu t su btl e al l ego r i cal e xpo si ti o ns were i mpr e sse d
n o t o nl y u po n h i s o wn age bu t u po n succee di ng ce n tu r i e s.
Hi s i n f l ue nce u po n th e Al e xan d r i an C h r i sti an sch ool of th e
ol o gy was pr o f o u n d . C l e me n t of Al e xan d r i a, an d par ti cu l ar l y
Or i ge n , as wel l as o th e r Lati n Fath e rs, ci te d h i m f reel y an d
appr o vi n gl y. An d h i s al l ego r i cal pr i n ci pl e of i n te r pr e tati o n of
Scr i ptu r e soon became an accepted f o r m o f Bi bl i cal exegesi s
i n a l arge se gme n t of th e C h r i sti an C h u r ch . Ph i l o d i d f o r
J e wr y wh at Or i ge n d i d l ate r f o r C h r i sti an i ty.
Ph i l o s actu al pe r ve r si o n of Bi bl e tr u th th r o u gh th i s al l e
go r i cal me th o d i s sensed o nl y as o ne sees h o w h e cast away
th e tr u e wi tness o f th e In spi r e d Wo r d by vi ti ati n g i ts tr u e
me an i n g th r o u gh ad o pti o n o f th e ph i l o so ph i cal vagar i es of
Pl ato , n o t o n l y i n acco mmo date d f o r m bu t i n th e actu al
su pe r se d i n g o f th e ve r i ti e s of Ho l y Scr i ptu r e . Despi te h i s
8C h arl es, The Doctrine of a Future Life, p. 314.
br i l l i an ce , h i s l e ar n i n g, an d h i s tr e me n d o u s i nf l uence, Ph i l o
u n qu e sti o n abl y d i d mo r e th an any o th e r si ngl e i n d i vi d u al of
th e He br e w race to set asi de th e o r i gi n al te ach i ngs of Ho l y
Wr i t o n th e o r i gi n , n atu r e , an d d e sti n y o f man. On e can
o nl y ad d , f e ar f u l wi l l be h i s r e spo n si bi l i ty.
Bu t o nl y as we ge t back to th e pr emi ses u po n wh i ch Ph i l o
po stu l ate d h i s co ncl usi o ns ar e we i n a po si ti o n to e val u ate
th e so undne sso r th e u n scr i ptu r al n e ssof h i s co ncl usi o ns.
On l y as we e xami n e h i s f o u n d ati o n s ar e we abl e to ju d ge th e
tr u stwo r th i n e ss of th e su pe r str u ctu r e h e bu i l t th e r e u po n . And
th i s we mu st no w do because of th e tr e me n d o u s i nf l uence
Ph i l o e xe r te d , f i rst u po n h i s o wn pe o pl e an d th e n u po n th e
bel i ef s o f a l ar ge se gme nt of th e ear l y C h r i sti an C h u r ch . An d
even be yo n d th ese h i s i nf l uence was f e l t u po n th e te ach i ngs
of Isl am.10
I I I . Scope an d Si gni f i cance o f Ph i l o s In n o vati o n
1. C o n t r i v e s A g r e e m e n t o f B i b l i c a l a n d P h i l o s o p h i
c a l T r u t h . T h e al l ego r i cal me th o d , d e ve l o pe d i n to a
system by Ph i l o , was th e i n te r pr e tati o n of a te xt i n te r ms o f
an o th e r co nce pt, at th e same ti me di scar d i n g th e l i te r al , h i sto r i
cal e l e me n t. Hi sto r i cal n ar r ati ve s wer e th u s n e u tr al i ze d as
me r e l y par abo l i c o r f i gur ati ve. Bu t th i s devi ce an te d ate d Ph i l o .
In J e wi sh tr ad i ti o n th e J e w h ad n o t co n si d e r e d h i mse l f bo u n d
to take Scr i ptu r e l i te r al l yf ree i n te r pr e tati o n be i n g f o l l o wed
i n th e Or al Law.
T h i s was acce n tu ate d wh e n J u d ai sm came i n co n tact wi th
Gr e e k ph i l o so ph y an d was str e n gth e n e d by th e tr an sl ati o n of
th e Se ptu agi n t. An d no w th i s pr i n ci pl e of f r ee, u n f e tte r e d
i n te r pr e tati o n was d e ve l o pe d by Ph i l o i n to an actu al ph i l o
so ph i cal system o f al l e go r i cal i n te r pr e tati o n th at br o u gh t h i m
to po si ti o ns star tl i n gl y si mi l ar to many of Pl ato s po stul ates,
wh i ch h e f o l l o wed.
10Wol f son, op. cit., vol . 1, p. 159.
T h e r e was th i s d i sti n ct di f f er e nce h o wever : As al r e ad y
n o te d , Gr e e k ph i l o so ph e r s, l i ke Pl ato , d i d not r e gar d th e i r
wr i ti n gs as i n spi r e d r evel ati o ns. T h e y co n si d e r e d th e m mo r e
as an ti ci pati o n s of tr u th . Ph i l o , o n th e o th e r h an d , r e gar d e d
Scr i ptu r e as an inspired revelationas kno wl edge an d tr u t h
r e ve al e d by God. But, h e r easo ne d, th e truth of i n spi r ati o n
mu st be i n agr e e me n t wi th th e truth of ph i l o so ph y an d r e aso n,
f o r tr u th i s tr u th wh e r e ve r f o u n d . An d th e f act th at th e
Gr eeks h ad di sco ver e d by r e aso n wh at th e J ews h ad d e r i ve d
by r e ve l ati o n , sh o we d th at i t mu st h ave be e n a gi f t f r o m Go d.
T h e r e f o r e , h e co n cl u d e d , th e r e mu st be u n d e r l yi n g agr e e
me n t be twe e n th e twoi f o nl y i t co u l d be di sco vered. An d th at
basi c acco r d was secur e d by Ph i l o th r o u gh th e d e l i be r ate al l e-
go r i zati o n of Scr i ptu r e . An yth i n g co n tr ar y to r e aso n was d e f tl y
e xpl ai n e d away u n d e r th i s ef f ecti ve pr o ce d u r e .
2. St r i k e s a t O r i g i n a n d D e s t i n y o f M a n . On th e
exi ste nce an d u n i ty o f Go d, th e cr e ati o n an d u n i ty of th e wo r l d ,
an d th e r e ve l ati o n an d abi d i n g ch ar acte r o f th e l aw th e r e was
n o pr o bl e m. T h e su bo r d i n ati o n o f ph i l o so ph y to Scr i ptu r e
h e r e was th e su bje cti o n of r easo n to f ai th . Bu t f r o m th e r e o n
su btl e bu t gr ave d e par tu r e s began to o btr u d e . Ph i l o assumed
th at Scr i ptu r e h as a two f o l d me an i n g, e xte r n al an d i n te r n al
(1) th e l i te r al o r seemi ng, an d (2) th e u n d e r l yi n g o r r e al ,
th e al l e go r i cal me an i n g, pe r ce i ve d by th e i n i ti ate d , be i n g i ts
tr u e i n te n t. T h i s l atte r ar ti f i ce Ph i l o f o l l o wed wi th o u t reser ve.
I t was h i s ch o sen me th o d f o r r e co n ci l i n g th e o u twar d l y var i an t
po si ti o ns.
T h e r e su l t was a Ne o pl ato n i c an d Ne o -Pyth ago r e an co n
ce pt of C r e ati o n . T h e h i sto r i ci ty o f th e Genesi s sto ry was th e r e by
di smi ssed as a myth , myth i cal no n se n se , an d f o l l y. 11In
th i s way Ph i l o to o k th e te rms of Scr i ptu r e , vo i de d th e i r e stab
l i sh e d me an i n g, an d gave th e m a ph i l o so ph i cal tu r n . T h u s
h e str u ck a bo dy bl o w at th e d i vi n e an d o n l y au th o r i tati ve
r e ve l ati o n o f th e o r i gi n , n atu r e , an d de sti ny of man .
h Ibid., p. 121.
3. G en es i s N a r r a t i v e o f C r e a t i o n V i t i a t e d . As ju st
n o te d , th i s str o ke was d i r e cte d par ti cu l ar l y at th e i n spi r e d
r e co r d o f th e o r i gi n an d desti ny of man. Eve r yth i n gnames,
n u mbe r s, events, sequence, h i sto r i cal n ar r ati o n was al l su b
je cte d to r e l e ntl e ss al l e go r i zati o n. T h e cr e ati o n of th e wo r l d
i n si x days, th e cr e ati o n of th e l o wer ani mal s, th e br i n gi n g i n to
e xi stence of Adam, th e f o r mati o n of Eve, th e Gar d e n of Ed e n ,
th e tr e e o f l i f e, th e f o u r r i vers, th e tal ki n g se r pe n t, th e te mpta
ti o n an d th e Fal l , th e e xpu l si o n f r o m Ede n, th e gar me n ts of
ski n al l came u n d e r th e d e vastati n g sweep of al l e go r i zati o n,
as be i n g gr e atl y at var i ance wi th tr u t h . 12
T h r o u gh th e al l ego r i cal me th o d th e tr u e kn o wl e d ge
was e xtr acte d f r o m th e l e tte r o f th e acco unt. T h e r e su l t was
r e vo l u ti o n ar y, as Ph i l o pl ays u po n th e two acco unts of th e
cr e ati o n o f man (of Gen. 1:27 an d 2:7), se tti n g o ne agai nst th e
o th e r .
Wh i l e th i s i s a grave i n d i ctme n t, i t i s f ul l y bo r n e o u t by
th e f acts. T h e amo u n t of He l l e n i sti c cosmogony an d me ta
ph ysi cs th at Ph i l o r eads o u t o f (o r r ath e r i n to ) th e f i rst th r e e
ch apte r s of Genesi s i s u tte r l y amazi ng. Days, h e says, do n o t
r e pr e se n t ti me , wh i ch (f o l l o wi ng Pl ato ) came o nl y wi th th e
mo ve me n t of h eave nl y bo di es i n space. T h e n u mbe r of days
i s me r e l y i d e al , n o t a r e str i cte d space of ti me . Actual l y, Ph i l o
h e l d th at al l th i n gs came i n to exi stence si mul tane o usl y. I t
i s qu i te f o o l i sh to th i n k th at th e wo r l d was cr e ate d i n si x days
o r i n a space of ti me at al l .
T h a t o bl i te r ate d th e days of C r e ati o n week.
T h e e l e me nts were, h e h e l d , e te r n al l y e xi ste n t. T h e si x
days si mpl y me an t cr e ati o n o r f o r mati o n acco r d i n g to a pl an,
a patte r n .13T h e n u me r o l o gi cal si gni f i cance of o n e to seven
i s pl ayed u p. Man was mad e i n th e i mage o f God, r e se mbl i n g
Go d, an d aspi r i n g to asso ci ati o n wi th Go d. Bu t as i n Pl ato s
Timaeus (69c), man was n o t mad e by Go d al o ne, o r di r ectl y,
bu t by assi stants. Le t us make man (Gen. 1:26) i s ci te d as
pr o o f .14So, f o l l o wi ng Pl ato agai n, Go d was r e l i e ve d f r o m th e
cau sati o n of evi l .
In th e seco nd sto ry o f C r e ati o n an d th e Fal l , man i s mad e
of mo th e r e ar th an d spi r i t. Fash i o ne d of th e best mate r i al s,
man was i n f u se d wi th th e br e ath of Go d , an d became o ne
wi th th e h eave nl y i ntel l i gence s. As to th e myth i cal f o r mati o n
of Eve o u t of th e si de of Adam, l i te r al i sm h e r e i s ch ar acte r i ze d
by Ph i l o as u n wo r th y.15T h e tr e e of l i f e i s pi ety, gr e ate st
o f al l vi r tue s, by wh i ch th e so ul i s establ i sh e d as i mmo r tal .
T h e do wnf al l of man came wi th th e cr e ati o n of wo man,
an d ph ysi cal desi re. T h e se r pe n t i s a symbo l of pl e asu r e ,
wh i l e th e spe aki ng se r pe n t i s di smi ssed as a myth . T h e gar
me n ts of ski ns wer e to po i n t o u t f r u gal i ty, an d as mo r e n o bl e
th an a pu r pl e r o be .18Go d mad e a bo dy f o r Adam wh e r e i n He
cl o th e d th e mi n d as wi th a gar me n t of ski n.17Go d s pur po se ,
Ph i l o h e l d , was to pr e se n t a gr an d o bje ct l esson.
4. L i k e A l l L i v i n g C r ea t u r es M a n H a s A n i ma l So u l .
Ph i l o h e l d th at th e r e ar e th r e e cl asses of l i vi ng be i n gs
ani mal s, me n, an d i n co r po r e al so ul s. 18Af te r di scussi ng i r
r ati o n al [or an i mal ] so ul s (th e soul s of l o wer an i mal s
f i shes, bi r ds, an d l an d -an i mal s), h e descr i bes th ese cr e ate d
be so u l e d cr e atur e s, o r l i vi n g so ul s, as h avi n g sensati o n,
i magi n ati o n , i mpu l se . 19T h e se i r r ati o n al soul s ar e e ar th l i ke ,
co r po r e al . 20 T h e i r r ati o n al so ul i s co r r u pti bl e . . . an d
mo r tal . . . , wh ereas th e r ati o n al so ul o r mi n d i s i n co r
r u pti bl e . . . an d i mmo r tal . 21
Ph i l o even f ol l ows Pl ato i n h o l d i n g th at th e an i mal , o r
i r r ati o n al so ul o f man, wi th i ts body, was cr e ate d by a su b
o r d i n ate god, o r seco ndar y d e i ti e sGo d s co-workers, so me
th i n g l i ke th e Gno sti c De mi u r ge co n ce pt.22 T h e te r m soul
mi gh t th e r e f o r e me an e i th e r an i r r ati o n al o r a r ati o n al so ul
o r bo th .23
Ibid., pp. 269, 270, 274, 286, 387.
15Ibid., pp. 120, 121. 111Ibid., pp. 121, 122. Ibid., p. 118.
Ibid., p. 366.
18Ibid., pp. 385, 386. 20Ibid., pp. 386, 387. 21Ibid., pp. 395, 396.
23Ibid., pp. 386, 387; see al so pp. 270, 274, 286.
23Ibid., p. 362.
Ph i l o expressl y states th at man al so possesses th i s i r r ati o n al
so ul , wi th i ts su bstan ce , i n th e co r po r e al f o rm. So meti mes
h e suggests th at th e l i f e bl o o d o r br e ath i s th e essence
of th e i r r ati o n al so ul .24He al so cal l s th e so ul th e se e d, o r th e
pr i n ci pl e o f th e ge n e r ati o n of an i mal si n wh i ch an i mal
l i f e di f f er s f r o m pl ants. An d Wo l f so n i n te r e sti n gl y observes:
T h e th r e e vi ews wh i ch h e [Ph i l o ] h appe n s to me n ti o n can
be i d e n ti f i e d wi th th r e e vi ews kn o wn i n Gr e e k ph i l o so ph y. 26
Ph i l o el se wh e r e speaks of th e i r r ati o n al soul as th e n u tr i ti ve
an d se n si ti ve f acul ti es, o r th e seven f acul ti es, name l y th e
f i ve senses, speech , an d ge n e r ati o n . 28 So, Ph i l o h e l d th at
i r r ati o n al so ul s wer e cr e ate d with bo di es, an d r ati o n al so ul s
without bo di e s.27
5. M a n A l s o H a s I mmo r t a l R a t i o n a l So u l . Acco r d
i n g to Ph i l o , wh i l e an i mal s h ave o nl y an i r r ati o n al , o r an i mal ,
soul (sh ar e d by man), man al so h as, i n ad d i ti o n , a r ati o n al
so ul o r mi n d . T h u s Ph i l o says: I . . . am many th i ngs, so ul
an d bo dy, an d of so ul th e r e i s a r ati o n al par t an d an i r r ati o n al
par t. 28Man i s th u s a d u ad . An d agai n l i ke Pl ato i n Timaeus,
Ph i l o h o l ds th at th e rational so ul was f o r me d by Go d Hi m
se l f , co mi n g d i r e ct f r o m Go d to al l me n. An d h e decl ares
th at i t i s th e i mage o f Go d . He says th e h u man
mi n d i s a f r agme n t of th at d i vi n e an d bl essed so ul f rom
wh i ch i t can n o t be se par ate d . 29 Agai n f o l l o wi ng Pl ato
(Timaeus, 4Id), Ph i l o says th at th e n u mbe r o f r ati o n al soul s
i s e qu al i n n u mbe r to th e star s, bu t pr i o r to th e i r descent
i n to bo di e s th e y h ad th e i r abo d e i n th e ai r . 30
T h e r ati o n al so ul descends an d e n te r s a bo dy th at i s
u n d e r th e d o mi n an ce of th e i r r ati o n al soul , an d th u s so jo u r n s
i n a l an d n o t i ts o wn . 31C o n se qu e n tl y th e r e i s a battl e of
th e two soul s, wi th man s f r ee wi l l d e ci d i n g th e o u tco me pl us
d i vi n e gr ace.32He n ce th e r e i s ju sti f i cati o n of pu n i sh me n t f o r
Ibid., p. 387. 23Ibid., p. 389.
* Ibid., p. 388. Ibid., p. 361.
28Ibid., p. 389. See al so p. 362.
26Ibid., pp. 389, 390; cf . C h arl es, Doctrine of a Future Life, p. 473.
33Ibid., p. 456.
32Ibid., p. 431.
man s wr o ng deci si o ns an d co n d u ct.33T h e bo dy i s e ver th e
f oe of th e soul .
6. C u r i o u s T h eo r y o f U n bo d i ed So u l s .Bu t th at i s
n o t al l . Wo l f so n summar i zes Ph i l o s cu r i o u s te ach i n g o n u n
bo d i e d soul s o r ange l s, wi th th e e th e r e al h eavens as th e i r
sto r e r o o m:
Of th e r ati o n al i n co r po r e al an d i mmo r tal so ul s cr e ate d by Go d
an d sto r e d away i n th e ai r n o t al l d e sce n d i n to bo di e s. T h e s e i n co r po r e al
so ul s, h e says, ar e ar r an ge d i n co mpan i e s th a t d i f f e r i n r a n k. T h e d i f
f e r e n ce be twe e n th e se co mpan i e s o f i n co r po r e al so ul s i s th a t so me o f
th e m ar e e n d o we d wi th a d i vi n e r co n s ti tu ti o n o r ar e o f a pe r f e ct pu r i ty
a n d e xce l l e n ce , an d h e n ce h ave n e ve r d e i gn e d to be br o u gh t i n to u n i o n
wi th an y o f th e par ts o f e a r th , o r h ave n o r e gar d f o r an y e ar th l y qu a r te r ,
o r h ave n e ve r f e l t an y cr avi n g af te r th e th i n gs o f th e e a r th . 34
T h i s, Wo l f so n observes, f r an kl y ref l ects Pl ato s po si ti o n
i n h i s Timaeus an d h i s Phaedrus, as r e gar ds i n d i vi d u al u n
bo d i e d so ul s th at mo u n t u pwar d wi th wi ngs. Bu t some, l o si ng
th e i r wi ngs, take u po n th emsel ves an e ar th l y bo d y. T o
Pl ato , i n th e Phaedrus (246a, c), wh e r e th e soul s ar e sai d to
be u n cr e ate d , th e di f f er e nce be twe e n th e two gr o ups o f
i n co r po r e al so ul s mu st h ave exi ste d f r o m e te r n i ty. An d i n
th e Timaeus (41d, e), wh e r e th e soul s ar e sai d to be cr e ate d ,
th e i r desce nt i s attr i bu te d to f ate. Bu t to Ph i l o , th e soul s ar e
cr e ate d ,35an d th e di f f erences r e su l t f r o m Go d s f r ee d e te r mi n i n g
wi l l .
Ph i l o h o l ds th at th o se i n co r po r e al r ati o n al an d i mmo r tal
soul s wh i ch do n o t descend i n to bo di e si n o th e r wo rds, be
co me i n car n ate d ar e wh at Scr i ptu r e cal l s angel s, th o u gh
some ph i l o so ph e r s cal l th e m d e mo n s. T h e Gr e e k te r m angelos
me ans h eave nl y me sse nge r . An d agai n th e r e i s f u r th e r si m
i l ar i ty to Pl ato ,38wh o al so h o l ds th at de mo ns ar e soul s (Phae
drus 246a, d, e). An d Ph i l o decl ar es th at th ese state me n ts
abo u t angel s an d de mo ns ar e n o t myth s.37
7. R o l e o f U n b o d i ed So u l -A n g el s . Acco r di ng to Ph i l o
th e o r i gi n al abo d e o f th ese i n co r po r e al u n bo d i e d soul sas
angel s (o r demo ns) i n vi si bl e to usi s i n th e ai r . T h a t
i s, th e y r an ge th r o u gh th e ai r an d i n h abi t th e e th e r e al
h eavens. Bu t th i s to o i s patte r n e d af te r Pl ato .38Pl ato al so h as
th ose angel s co n d u cti n g me n to th e ju d gme n t af te r d e ath , bu t
Ph i l o does n o t me n ti o n such a f u n cti o n .39In f act, h e does n o t
teach a ge n e r al an d f i nal ju d gme n t.40He does speak, h o wever,
o f th e r e tu r n of i mmo r tal soul s to th e d i vi n e o r h eave nl y
wo r l d to dwel l amo n g th e angel s.41
T h e se i nco r po r e al -so ul -ange l s, acco r di ng to Ph i l o , ar e
i n str u me n ts of d i vi n e pr o vi d e n ce , exer ci si ng car e o ve r th e
wo r l d as a wh o l e an d o ver man ki n d i n par ti cu l ar . T h e y h ave
ch ar ge an d car e of mo r tal man . T h e y ar e messengers an d
i n te r me d i ate s, o r mi d d l e cr e atu r e s. T h i s co n te n ti o n Ph i l o
su ppo r ts by J aco bs d r e am o f th e l ad d e r , wi th th e angel s
ascendi ng an d de sce ndi ng.42T h e y ar e Go d s l i e u te n an ts,
h e states, Hi s ser vants, mi n i ste r s, po wers, Hi s d i vi n e ar my.
He i n te r pr e ts Lo r d of Sabao th , as Lo r d o f angel s,
o r Lo r d of th e po wer s. He n ce th e angel s ar e a mo st
sacred co mpan y. 43An d th ese i n te r me d i ar i e s ar e necessary,
acco r di ng to bo th Pl ato an d Ph i l o , because Go d does n o t
mi n gl e o r co nver se wi th man ,44bu t i s r e mo te f r o m h i m. So
th e y ar e par t of Go d s pl an an d pr o vi si o n f o r d i r e ctl y gov
e r n i n g th e wo r l d.
And, acco r d i n g to Ph i l o , th ese i nco rpo r e al -so ul -ange l s
so meti mes appe ar to man , as i n th e cases o f Hagar , Abr ah am,
Isaac, J aco b, Moses (Gen. 16; 18; 22; 28; 32; Ex. 3; 14).
Fu r th e r mo r e pu n i ti ve angel s br i n g ju d gme n tsas o n Sodom
an d Go mo r r ah . An d th e r e ar e al so e vi l , o r f al l e n , angel s.
T h e se ar e al so cal l e d Sons o f Go d i n Genesi s 6, angel s wh o
38In suppo r t Wol f son h er e ci tes numer ous source statements f rom th e wri ti ngs o f each .
See pp. 369, 370.
38Ibid., p. 371.
40C h arl es, Doctrine of a Future Life, p. 314.
43Ibid., p. 372.
r e vo l te d u n d e r Satan," an d wh o wr o u gh t co n f u si o n wi th th e
d au gh te r s of me n .
8. D e f i n i t i o n a n d F u n c t i o n o f R a t i o n a l So u l .Acco r d
i n g to Ph i l o , th i s r ati o n al soul i s n o t co r po r e al (bl o o d, etc.)
bu t i n co r po r e al . " Wh i l e Pl ato pl aces i ts seat i n th e h e ad
( Timaeus 69e; 90a), Ph i l o says i t mi gh t al so be i n th e h e ar t.
T h e r e i s, h e says, a r e ci pr o cal r e l ati o n be twe e n th e i r r ati o n al
an d th e r ati o n al so ul , o r so ul s." Bu t Ph i l o al so co nnects th e
mi n d o f man wi th th e Logos, as does Pl ato (Timaeus 46d).
Ph i l o f u r th e r d i sti ngui sh e s be twe e n th e two br e ath s
ju s t br e ath f o r th e i r r ati o n al cr e atu r e s, an d th e br e ath
o f l i f e th at Go d br e ath e d i n to Adam. T h e l atte r i s n o t ai r
i n mo ti o n bu t a d i vi n e po we r , wh i ch Moses d e n o mi n ate d
th e i mage , a d i vi n e an d i n vi si bl e br e ath . Ph i l o says
th e r ati o n al f acul ty . . . i s a f r agme n t of th e u n i ve r sal so u l .
T h i s d i vi n e s pi r i t, wh i ch Go d br e ath e d i n to Ad am i s an
ef f ul gence of th e bl essed an d th r i ce-bl essed n atu r e o f Go d . "
9. I mmo r t a l i t y D e f i n e d a s Et e r n a l P e r s i s t e n c e .
T h e n Wo l f so n i mme d i ate l y no tes: Besi des i r r ati o n al i ty an d
r ati o n al i ty, co r po r e al i ty an d i n co r po r e al i ty, th ese two soul s o f
me n ar e d i sti n gu i sh e d o n e f r o m an o th e r by mo r tal i ty an d
i mmo r tal i ty. 80
T h e i r r ati o n al soul i s th e co r r u pti bl e an d mo r tal so ul
wh ereas th e r ati o n al so ul i s th e i n co r r u pti bl e an d i mmo r tal
so u l . Bu t th i s d i sti n cti o n l i kewi se r ef l ects th e vi ew o f Pl ato
('Timaeus 69c). An d l i ke Pl ato , Ph i l o says th at th e soul s
wh i ch ar e i mmo r tal soar back to th e pl ace wh ence th e y came .
Bu t d e vi ati n g f r o m Pl ato , Ph i l o co n si d e r e d th e i mmo r tal r a
ti o n al so ul as u n ge n e r ate d (cf . Phaedrus 246a). An d acco r d
i n g to Wo l f so n: I n Ph i l o , because of h i s d e n i al o f a u n i ve r sal
so ul , i mmo r tal i ty means th e eternal persistence of the indi
vidual soul as a distinct e n t i t y 82
18Ibid., pp. 382-385.
Ibid., p. 391.
Ibid., p. 392.
* Ibid., pp. 394, 395.
*>Ibid., p. 395.
Ibid., p. 396.
52Ibid. (Ital i cs suppl i ed.)
10. R e s u r r e c t i o n a n d I m m o r t a l i t y o f So u l . I n th e
ti me of C h r i st, an d th u s of Ph i l o , th e two bel i ef s of th e r e s u r
r e cti o n o f th e bo dy an d th e i mmo r tal i ty of th e so ul were
al r e ad y i n vo gue i n J u d ai sm. T h e r e su r r e cti o n was str essed
pr i mar i l y amo n g th e Pal e sti n i an J ews, wi th In n ate Immo r
tal i ty amo n g th e He l l e n i sti c J ews. T h e r e was co n stan t di s
cussi o n o ver th e d i ve r ge n t vi e wpo i nts i nvo l ved. Ech oes of
th i s appe ar i n th e Wi sdo m an d o th e r apo cal ypti c wr i ti ngs,
par ti cu l ar l y i n The Wisdom of Solomon (4:1). In th e l i gh t
of th i s Wo l f so n co mments:
I t i s n o t s u r pr i si n g th e r e f o r e t h a t Ph i l o sh o u l d al so l o o k f o r a
s cr i ptu r al pr o o f -te xt i n s u ppo r t o f th e be l i e f i n th e i mmo r tal i ty o f th e
so ul . T h e pr o o f -te xt wh i ch h e pr o d u ce s i s th e ver se i n wh i ch Go d says
to Abr ah am, Bu t th o u s h al t go to th y f ath e r s n o u r i sh e d wi th peace , i n
a go o d l y o l d age . C o mme n ti n g o n th i s ver se , Ph i l o says: He h e r e cl e ar l y
i n d i cate s th e i n co r r u pti bi l i ty o f th e so ul , wh e n i t tr an sf e r s i tse l f o u t o f
th e abo d e o f th e mo r tal bo d y an d r e tu r n s as i t we r e to th e me tr o po l i s
o f i ts f ath e r l an d , f r o m wh i ch i t o r i gi n al l y mi gr ate d i n to th e bo d y, f o r
wh at el se i s th i s bu t to pr o po se to h i m an d set be f o r e h i m an o th e r l i f e
apa r t f r o m th e bo dy?'
T h i s, of co ur se, i nvol ves a so r t o f tr an smi gr ati o n o f soul s,
bu t n o t i n vo l vi n g th e l o wer ani mal s. As to th e r e su r r e cti o n
aspect, C h ar l e s co mments,
As matte r was i n cu r abl y e vi l th e r e co u l d o f co ur se be n o r e s u r
r e cti o n o f th e bo d y. Ou r pr e se n t l i f e i n th e bo d y i s d e ath ; f o r th e bo d y
i s th e u tte r l y po l l u te d pr i so n o f th e so u l . 54
11. D e f i n i t i v e M e a n i n g o f F a t h e r l a n d o f So u l .
Ph i l o di scusses th r e e po ssi bl e me an i n gs o f f ath e r l an d i n
Scr i ptu r e , as i n ti mate d by th e te r m th y f ath e r s (Gen. 15:15),
to wh i ch th e r ati o n al so ul r e tu r n s. He r eje cts th r e e vi ews
al r e ad y cu r r e n t amo ng He l l e n i sti c J ews, ad o pte d f r o m Gr e e k
ph i l o so ph y. T h e se i nvo l ve, first, th e sun, mo o n an d o th e r
star s th at th e so ul wi l l u po n th e d e ath o f th e bo dy mo u n t
to h e ave n an d th e r e assume th e sph e r i cal sh ape of star s, co n
ti n u i n g i n th at co n d i ti o n u n ti l th e ge n e r al co n f l agr ati o n .
Ibid., pp. 397, 398.
M C h arl es, Doctrine of a Future Life, p. 314.
Su ppo r t o f such a vi ew was so u gh t i n th e verse An d th ey
th at be wi se sh al l sh i ne as th e br i gh tne ss of th e f i r mame nt;
an d th e y th at tu r n many to r i gh te o usne ss as th e stars f o r ever
an d e ve r (Dan. 12:3). T h r e e o f th e cu r r e n t apo cal ypti c wr i t
i ngs so af f i r med2 Baruch 51:10, An d th ey sh al l be made
e qu al to th e star s; 4 Ezra 7:97, T h e i r f ace i s d e sti n e d to
sh i n e as th e sun, . . . d e sti n e d to be made l i ke th e l i gh t of
th e star s; an d Enoch 104:2, Ye sh al l sh i ne as th e l i gh ts of
h e ave n . 65
T h e second co n ce pt was th at i mmo r tal soul s ascend to
He ave n, wh e r e th e y l i ve f o r a ce r tai n pe r i o d o f ti me amo ng
th e i de as, e vi d e n tl y based o n Pl ato (Republic 6:509, 510;
7:517; 10:614 T h e third i s th at u po n th e d e ath of th e
bo dy th e r ati o n al soul of each i n d i vi d u al i s r e abso r be d i n to
th e uni ve r sal so ul , th at i s, th e pr i mar y f i re o r e th e r , of wh i ch
i t i s o nl y a pa r tan Ar i sto te l i an vi ew.67Bu t n o n e o f th ese
was acce ptabl e to Ph i l o . Soul s do n o t beco me stars, f o r stars
ar e mad e of th e e l e me n tal f i re, wh er eas soul s ar e i mmate r i al .
Fo r th e same r e aso n th ey ar e n o t reso l ved i n to th e pr i mar y
f i re o r e th e r .
No r co u l d h e accept th e vi ew th at soul s go back to He ave n
to dwel l amo n g me r e i de as, f o r i deas ar e n o t i n th e h eavens
bu t i n th e wo r l d o f i n te l l i ge n ce . Wo l f so n says Ph i l o s vi ew,
r e pe ate d l y state d, was th at
th e soul s, o n d e pa r ti n g f r o m th e bo di e s, d o i n d e e d go back to h e ave n ,
bu t th e r e th e y r e jo i n th a t co mpan y o f so ul s wh i ch h ave n e ve r d e sce n d e d
i n to bo d i e s, n ame l y, an ge l s. 68
12. So u l s R et u r n t o R ea l m o f U n bo d i ed .So, acco r d
i ng to Ph i l o , to be gath e r e d to h i s pe o pl e i s si mpl y a e u ph e
mi sm f o r d e ath , th e pe o pl e be i n g th e pe o pl e o f Go d , th e
angel s. So h e co ncl udes, th e y ar e e qu al to th e angel s. T h u s:
We wh o ar e h e r e jo i n e d to th e bo d y, cr e atu r e s o f co mpo si ti o n an d
qu al i ty, sh al l be n o mo r e , bu t sh al l go f o r war d to o u r r e bi r th to be
amo n g th e u n bo d i e d . 69
55Wol f son, op. cit., vol . 1, pp. 398, 399.
58Ibid., pp. 399, 400.
"r Ibid., p. 400.
88Ibid., pp. 400, 401.
68Ibid., pp. 401, 402.
T h u s th e vi ew of Ph i l o th at th ese i mmo r tal so ul s f i nd
th e i r f i nal abo d e i n th e h eavens by th e si de of th e angel s,
acco rds wi th th e vi ew of Pl ato i n th e Phaedrus, th at i mmo r
tal soul s so ar to th e o u te r mo st h eavens, th e i n f i n i te vo i d
wh i ch su r r o u n d s th e wo r l d. T h e same vi ew i s f o u n d i n th e
i n te r -T e stame n t apo cal ypti c wr i ti ngs, as T h e y sh al l be made
l i ke u n to ange l s (2 Baruch 51:10), an d , Ye sh al l beco me
co mpan i o n s o f th e h osts o f h e ave n (Enoch 104:6). So He ave n,
th e h o me of th e angel s, i s th e u l ti mate abi d i n g pl ace of th e
i mmo r tal soul s. T h u s Abr ah am an d J aco b were ad d e d to th e
pe o pl e o f Go d . El i jah al so was car r i e d u p wi th a wh i r l wi n d
i n to He ave n, to be amo ng th e angel s.80
13. M e r g e s I m m o r t a l i t y a n d R e s u r r e c t i o n .Ph i l o u n i
f o r ml y speaks of th e i mmo r tal i ty of th e so ul r ath e r th an th e
r e su r r e cti o n o f th e body, an d n e ve r as d i sti n gu i sh e d f r o m i m
mo r tal i ty. T h u s h e dr e w u po n th e tr ad i ti o n al vo cabul ar y of
r e s u r r e cti o n to set f o r th h i s vi ew of i mmo r tal i ty. Hi s d i sti n c
ti ve mar k of r e su r r e cti o n was a new l i f e , a r eco very of
l i f e , an d was so used i n 2 Maccabees 7:9, 23. So Ph i l o
descr i bes i mmo r tal i ty as a new bi r t h , tu r n i n g a co r po r e al
r e su r r e cti o n i n to so me th i n g i n co r po r e al .81 T h u s i n th i s ar e a
Ph i l o ech oes th e th o u gh ts an d wor ds of Pl ato al l soul s r e tu r n
to th e pl ace wh ence th ey come.
14. E n d l e s s P u n i s h m e n t o f t h e W i c k e d .Pl ato h ad h e l d
th at th e r ati o n al so ul i s by i ts very n atu r e i n d e str u cti bl e , an d
can n o t be de str o ye d by th e wi ckedness of th e body. T h u s th e
so ul of th e wi cked was be l i e ve d to be i n d e str u cti bl e i n th e same
sense as th e so ul of th e r i gh te o u s. Pl ato h ad l i kewi se tau gh t th at
al l th at th e wi ckedness o f th e bo dy can do to th e so ul i s to
cause i t to go th r o u gh ce r tai n stages of r e i n car n ati o n i n beasts
(Timaeus 42b f f .; Phaedrus 249b), o r to pass th r o u gh a ce r
tai n pe r i o d of pu r i f i cati o n i n a ki n d of Pu r gato r y (Phaedrus
249a; Laws 905a f f .).
o Ibid., pp. 402, 403.
24
61Ibid., pp. 404, 405.
On th e o th e r h an d , th e Stoi cs h e l d th at th e so ul ceases
to exi st i mme d i ate l y u po n th e d e ath of th e body, an d i s at o nce
abso r be d i n th e uni ve r sal so ul (Diogenes 7:156). Oth e r s h e l d
th at such soul s co n ti n u e to exi st, bu t af te r a pe r i o d of ti me
pe r i sh , to ge th e r wi th th e i r bodi es.2Ph i l o r ef er s to th ese vi ews,
an d i n ce r tai n pl aces seems to l eave th e qu e sti o n o pe n. He r e
i s o n e such state me n t:
Wh e n we d i e , i s i t [th e so ul ] e xti n gu i sh e d an d d e str o ye d to ge th e r
wi th o u r bo di e s, o r do e s i t co n ti n u e to l i ve a l o n g ti me ? 63
I t sh o u l d be n o te d th at i n J u d ai sm th o se wh o be l i e ve d i n
i mmo r tal i ty speak o f i t as a r e war d r ese r ve d o n l y f o r th e r i gh t
eo us bu t d e n i e d to th e wi cked. T h u s th e Pal e sti n i an au th o r of
th e Psalms of Solomon says, T h e i n te r i tan ce o f si nne r s i s d e
str u cti o n an d d ar kn e ss (15:11 [10], cf . 14:6 [9]), an d si nne r s
sh al l pe r i sh f o r e ve r (15:15 [13]; cf . 15:13 [12]). Ph i l o si mi
l ar l y says th at awai ti n g th o se wh o l i ve i n th e way of th e
i mpi o u s wi l l be e te r n al d e ath {Post. 11:39). Bu t man y
stu d e n ts o f th e He l l e n i sti c J ewi sh l i te r atu r e bel i eve th at i n
asmuch as th e be l i e f i n th e i mmo r tal i ty of th e soul mu st h ave
co me to th e m f r o m Pl ato , l i ke Pl ato , th ey mu st al so be l i e ve i n
i ts i n d e str u cti bi l i ty. 65Ho we ver , Wo l f so n r i gh tl y observes th at
th e me r e f act th a t Ph i l o i s i n agr e e me n t wi th Pl ato as to th e i mmo r tal i ty
o f th e so u l do es n o t necessar i l y me an th a t h e mu st al so be i n agr e e me n t
wi th h i m as to i ts i n d e str u cti bi l i ty. T h r o u gh o u t h i s ph i l o so ph y, as we h ave
se en so f ar an d as we sh al l see agai n , Ph i l o co n stan tl y mo di f i es Pl a to s
ph i l o so ph y by i n tr o d u ci n g i n to i t so me new e l e me n t. T h e new e l e me n t
wh i ch h e h as i n tr o d u ce d i n to th e Pl ato n i c d o ctr i n e o f th e i mmo r tal i ty
o f th e so u l i s th e po ssi bi l i ty o f i ts d e s tr u cti o n i n th e case o f th e wi cke d,
a po ssi bi l i ty wh i ch l o gi cal l y f o l l o ws f r o m h i s be l i e f t h a t i ts i mmo r tal i ty
i n th e case o f th e r i gh te o u s i s d u e o n l y to an act o f d i vi n e pr o vi d e n ce . 00
Wo l f so n ref er s to th e f act th at Ph i l o ar gues th at n o th i n g
i n th e wo r l d i s r e al l y pe r i sh abl e , i nasmuch as th e i n d i vi d u al
bel o ngs to th e Ete r n al . Ph i l o di scusses th e vi ews of Ar i sto tl e ,
Pl ato , an d th e Stoi cs wi th r e gar d to th i s. Bu t Ph i l o does n o t
* Ibid., pp. 407, 408.
83Ibid., p. 408.
M Ibid., p. 409.
86Ibid., p. 410.
88Ibid.
PHI LO FUSES PHI LOSOPHY WI T H J UDAI C DOC T RI NE 739
use th e Ar i sto tl e emph asi s of th e i mmo r tal i ty o f th e race,
bu t r ath e r th e i mmo r tal i ty o f th e h u man soul. He speaks of
th e tr u e Had e s (Hade s stan d i n g i n th e Se ptu agi n t f o r th e
He br e w Sh eol ).87In an o th e r pl ace h e says:
He [Go d] ban i sh e s th e u n ju s t an d u n go d l y so u l f r o m h i mse l f to
th e f u r th e s t bo u n d s an d d i spe r se s i t to th e pl ace o f pl e asu r e s an d l usts
an d i n ju sti ce s; th a t pl ace i s mo st f i tl y cal l e d th e pl ace o f th e i mpi o u s'
(Congr. 1L57).68
Bu t Wo l f so n co mme nts f u r th e r th at i n ad d i ti o n to pu n i sh
me n t i n th i s l i f e, Ph i l o al so be l i e ve d i n th e pu n i sh me n t of
th e wi cked af te r d e ath . 00
15. A t t es t ed by Sc h o l a r l y A u t h o r i t i es . Despi te th e
ch al l enge s of some, Ph i l o u n d e n i abl y tau gh t th at th e to r me n t
of th e wi cked i s to be e te r n al . An d o u r f i ndi ngs ar e co nf i r me d
by several of th e o u tstan d i n g au th o r i ti e s o n Ph i l o . On th i s
po i n t R. H. C h ar l es i s po si ti ve.70An d h e r e i s Ph i l o s o wn u n
e qui vo cal d e cl ar ati o n :
He wh o i s cast f o r th by Go d i s su bje ct to e te r n al ban i sh me n t. Fo r
to h i m wh o i s n o t as ye t f i rml y i n th e gr i p o f wi cke dness i t i s o pe n to
r e pe n t an d r e tu r n to th e vi r tu e f r o m wh i ch h e was d r i ve n , as an e xi l e
r e tu r n s to h i s f ath e r l an d . Bu t to h i m th at i s we i gh e d d o wn an d e n sl ave d
by th a t f i er ce an d i n cu r abl e mal ad y, th e h o r r o r s o f th e f u tu r e mu st n e e d s
be u n d yi n g an d e te r n al : h e i s th r u s t f o r th to th e pl ace o f th e i mpi o u s,
th e r e to e n d u r e mi ser y co n ti n u o u s an d u n r e l i e ve d . 71
J ames Dr u mmo n d , pr i n ci pal o f New C ol l ege, Lo n d o n , an d
l ate r of Oxf o r d , su mmar i ze d Ph i l o s te ach i n g o n th i s po i n t
i n th e cl o si ng par agr aph s of h i s two -vo l ume cl assi c:
De ath i s n o t, as me n su ppo se , an e n d o f pu n i s h me n t. . . . Wh at,
th e n , i s th i s d e ath -pe n al ty? I t i s to l i ve al ways d yi n g, an d to e n d u r e , as
i t we r e , d e ath e n d l e ss an d u n e n d i n g. 72
An d H. A. A. Kennedy, pr o f esso r o f New T e stame n t,
New C o l l ege, Ed i n bu r gh , i n h i s abl e Philos Contribution to
Religion, l i kewi se co ncur s as h e e pi to mi ze d Ph i l o s po si ti o n
Ibid., p. 412.
08Ibid., p. 42.
09Ibid., no te 131.
70 See C h arl es, Doctrine of a Future Life, p. 314.
71 Ph i l o, On th e C h e r ubi m. 1:139, i n LC L, Ph i l o, vol . 2, p. 9.
72 J ames Dr ummo nd, Philo Judaeus, vol . 2, pp. 322, 323.
o n th e pu n i s h me n t o f th e wi cked i n th i s way: Li vi n g i n a
co n ti n u o u s d e ath , e n d u r i n g, i n a sense, a d e ath wh i ch i s i m
mo r tal an d endl ess. 73
Such was th e seri es o f r e vo l u ti o n ar y pr emi ses th at l ed
to Ph i l o s co ncl usi o n. T o accept th e l atte r , o ne mu st l o gi cal l y
be pr e par e d to f o l l o w th e f o r me r to be co nsi ste nt.
16. T w i n St r e a ms M er g e a t A l e x a n d r i a .Fr o m th e f o r e
go i n g evi dence i t i s th e r e f o r e appar e n t th at th e al l i e d In n ate -
I mmo r tal i ty an d Ete r n al -T o r me n t dogmas, pe r tai n i n g to th e
o r i gi n , n atu r e , an d desti ny of man , d i d n o t f i rst co me to l i gh t
i n th e C h r i sti an C h u r ch o f th e second century a .d . Rath e r ,
th e y h ad appe ar e d even th e n i n d e r i ve d f o r m (f ro m Pl ato
ni smi n th e Al e xan d r i an segme nt of J u d ai sm back i n th e
second century B.C ., mo r e th an th r e e h u n d r e d years pr i o r .
T h e se r e vo l u ti o n ar y teach i ngs br o ke f o r th , as al r e ady
seen, i n var i o us apo cal ypti c wr i ti n gsapo cr yph al , pse ude pi -
gr aph i cal , an d no w f i nal l y i n ad vance d f o r m i n Ph i l o f r o m
wh o m th e y f l owed o n i n to th e C h r i sti an C h u r ch , wh i ch was
al r e ad y i mbi bi n g th e same Pl ato n i c ph i l o so ph y d i r e ct f r o m
i ts pagan f o u n tai n h e ad . T h e se par al l e l i n g str eams o f Pl ato n i c
te ach i n g no w me t, me r ge d, an d gai n e d th e ascendancy i n th e
th i n ki n g o f C l e me n t an d Or i ge n an d th e gr e at Al e xan d r i an
C ate ch e ti cal Sch ool , h avi n g as o n e o f i ts car d i n al pr i n ci pl e s
th e Innate -Immo r tal i ty-o f -th e -so u l d o ctr i n e , pr o mu l gate d ce n
tu r i e s be f o r e by Pl ato th e Ath e n i an ph i l o so ph e r .
73H. A. A. Kennedy, Philos Contribution to Religion, p. 136.
C H A P T E R F O R T Y - T H R E E
De a d Sea Scrol l sPer meated
T h r o u gh o u t Wi th C o n d i ti o n al i sm
T h e ce l e br ate d Dead Sea scrol l s, r e tr i e ve d f r o m th e si l ence
o f ce n tu r i e s i n th e no w-f amo us caves of th e cl i f f s an d r avi ne s
n e ar Kh i r be t Qu mr an , at th e n o r th e r n e n d of th e De ad Sea,
l i kewi se h ave a d e f i n i te be ar i n g u po n o u r que st. T h e Qu mr an
scrol l s co mpri se po r ti o n s of n u me r o u s bo o ks of th e Ol d T e s ta
me n t cano n, to ge th e r wi th a n u mbe r of apo cr yph al an d pseu-
d e pi gr aph i cal wr i ti ngs, co mme n tar i e s, an d speci al treati ses.
Some of th ese ti gh tl y r o l l e d man u scr i ptstr u l y tr easur e s
of th e wi l de rne sswere f o u n d sto r e d away i n tal l cl ay jar s
(at l east th ose o f C ave I) f o r saf ety.1 T h e y were di sco ver e d
i n th e f i rst cave i n 1947 by a Be d o u i n sh e ph e r d l ad l o o ki n g
f o r h i s goats (wi th su bse qu e n t reco veri es an d excavati o ns i n
te n o th e r n e ar by caves). T h e i r ge nu i n e n e ss an d an ti qu i ty h ave
no w be e n ackno wl e dged wi th vi r tu al u n an i mi ty by th e wo r l d s
gr e at ar ch e o l o gi sts.2 T h e se scrol l s co mpri se a seri es of f i nds
wi th o u t pr e ce d e n t.
Wi th th e e xpl o r ati o n of th ese ad d i ti o n al caves i t became
appar e n t th at th i s co l l e cti o n of scrol l s h ad be e n th e tr e asu r e d
ce n tr al l i br ar y of th e co mmu n i tys h e ad qu ar te r s, wh i ch h as
si nce be e n excavated. Ar ch eo l o gi cal evi dence, co nsi sti ng of
1Fi nds i n caves subsequent to C ave I wer e no t stored i n jar s, bu t scattered-i ndi cati ng
th e h aste wi th wh i ch th ese o th e r preci ous scrol l s were secre ted i n caves, as co ntr asted wi th th e
care bestowed on th e scrol l s pl aced i n C ave I.
2Based on T . H. Gaster, The Dead Sea Scriptures; F. M. C ross, The Scrolls From the
Judaean Desert, The Ancient Library at Qumran and Modern Biblical Studies; F. F. Bruce.
Second Thoughts on the Dead Sea Scrolls; H. H. Rowl ey, The Covenanters of Damascus ana
the Dead Sea Scrolls; Mi l l ar Burr ows, T he Dead Sea Scrolls, and More Light on the Dead Sea
Scrolls; and o th er book and per i odi cal sources.
741
742
C ONDI T I ONALIST FAI T H
scr ol l wr appi ngs, co i ns,3an d po tte r y,4cl ear l y of th e seco nd an d
f i rst ce n tu r i e s b .c . an d th e f i rst ce n tu r y a .d ., al l h e l pe d to d e te r
mi n e th e d ati n g. T h e r ad i o -car bo n test, appl i e d to th e
deco mpo se d cl o th i n wh i ch th e scrol l s were bo u n d , l i kewi se
co n tr i bu te d to r e d u ci n g a pr o babi l i ty of d ati n g.5 T h u s th e
e ar l i e r battl e o f th e scrol l s h as be e n l argel y reso l ved. (Fo r
ch r o n o l o gi cal pl ace me n t an d catego r y o f th e scrol l s see T abu l ar
C h ar t D, page 658.)
I. T i mi n g and T each i ng of Essene Br oth erh ood
T h e d ate o f th e co mpo si ti o n o f th e pr i n ci pal n o n-Bi bl i cal
scrol l s, th e wo r k o f u n n ame d wr i ter s, d e te r mi n e d by th e af o r e
me n ti o n e d evi dences, may be assi gned to th e l ate seco nd an d
f i rst ce n tu r i e s B.C ., an d f i rst ce n tu r y a .d . T h e r e f o r e th e y f al l
l ar gel y wi th i n th e i n te r -T e stame n t pe r i o d .6T h ey ar e e vi d e n tl y
f r o m th e h e ad qu ar te r s l i br ar y of wh at wo ul d appe ar to be a
quasi -asceti c Esse n e 7 br o th e r h o o d at Qu mr an . An d mo st of
th e m wer e o bvi o usl y h i d d e n i n th e caves f o r saf e ke e pi ng wh e n
3A convi nci ng summary of coi n f i ndi ngs, made by Dr . Leo na Runni ng o f th e f acul ty o f
Andrews Uni ver si ty, drawn f r om Pr e de Vauxs reports i n Revue Biblique, coveri ng th e f i ve
excavati ons, shows th at th e coi ns ar e dated f ro m th e ti me of Anti och us VI (i n 136 b . c . ) , on
i nto th e C h r i sti an Era. T h ey bear th e i mpr i nt of a score of monar ch s, th e l ast bei ng Agri ppa II
( c. a .d . 86 ) .
4Po ttery f ound i n th e caves and th e Kh i r be t, and i n th e ear th f i l l o f th e tombs, ti es
th ese evi dences al l togeth er, under th e dati ng f urni sh ed by th e coi ns, and wi th i n th e peri od
i ndi cated by th e radi o-carbon test of th e l i nen.
5T h e to tal evi dence h as th us enabl ed th e pal eograph er s and arch eol ogi sts to date th e
Qumr an manuscr i pts wi th i n th e i nterval of a h al f ce n tu r y. See C ross, op. cit., p. xi i .
8Gaster pl aces th e dates of composi ti on between 170 b.c. and a .d . 68. See h i s pr ef ace,
p. vi i .
7T h e Esscnes (pro babl y meani ng pi ous ones) were a semi -asceti c sect, no t menti oned
i n th e Bi bl e or T al mud, bu t r ef e r r ed to by Ph i l o, th e el der Pl i ny, and J oseph us. T h ey evi dentl y
o ri gi nated i n th e second centur y b.c.. came to an end i n th e f i rst centur y a .d . At th e begi nni ng
of th e C h ri sti an Era th ey number ed abo ut f our th ousand.
C O U RT ES Y , A M E R I C A N S C H O O L S
O F O R I E N T A L R ES E ARC H
Dead Sea Scrol l s at Qumr an
Yi el d T h e i r Wi tness. Lef t
Entr ance to C l i f f si de C ave;
C ente r One of th e T i gh tl y
Rol l ed Scrol l s; Ri gh tSecti on of
Scrol l Ori gi nal l y Stored i n C l ay
DEAD SEA SC ROLLSPERMEAT ED WI T H C ONDIT I ONALI SM 743
d e str u cti o n of th e ce n te r by th e Ro mans u n d e r Vespasi an was
i mmi n e n t.
1. V i e w s o f t h e P e o pl e o f t h e Sc r o l l s . In ad d i ti o n
to th e i r i mpo r tan t co n tr i bu ti o n i n sh e d d i n g l i gh t o n th e tr an s
mi ssi o n of th e Ol d T e stame n t te xt, th i s bo dy of wr i ti ngs
r e pr e se n ts th e vi ews of a pr e -C h r i sti an J ewi sh co mmu n i ty, o r
br o th e r h o o d , th at h ad gi ven u p th e wo r l d an d so ugh t to f i nd
Go d i n th e de se r t of J u d e a.8Gl eams of a h i gh l y de ve l o pe d
Messi ani c h o pe appe ar , an d me n ti o n i s mad e of a T e ach e r of
Ri gh teo usness, to br i n g th e new age to bi r th . Si gns to be seen
i n th e l ast ge n e r ati o n ar e l i sted.8T h e to n e an d co nce pt of th e
wr i ti n gs ar e wh o l l y i n co nf l i ct wi th th o se of th e i r co n te mpo
r ar i e sPh i l o of Al e xan d r i a an d J o se ph u s of Pal e sti ne. T h e r e
wer e some di f f erences, h owever , be twe e n th e pe o pl e of th e
Qu mr an scrol l s an d th e tr ad i ti o n al co n ce pt of th e Essenes, as
e vi d e n ce d by th e sources.10T h i s was e vi d e n tl y d u e to var i an t
vi ews h e l d by th e var i o us gr o ups of Essenes.
2. L i k e W a l d e n s e s o f M e d i e v a l T i m e s .T h e pe o pl e of
th e scrol l s co n si d e r e d th emsel ves th e r e mn an t, th e e l e ct,
th e tr u e Isr ael , th e Sons of T r u t h , co n ti n u i n g Go d s co ve n an t
an d se e ki ng to re-emph asi ze th e te ach i ngs of th e i r f o r e f ath e r s i n
th e days of Moses. T h e y cl ai me d u n d e r stan d i n g an d vi si on,
an d f e l t th emsel ves o ppo sed by Bel i al an d h i s f orces, by me n
o f co r r u pti o n an d l i es, an d th e Sons of Dar kness. 11T h e y
so u gh t to escape th e po l i ti cal d i stu r ban ce s of th e ti mes an d th e
ve n al i ty of th e J e r u sal e mi te pri ests. T o avo i d po l l u ti o n , th ey
s h u n n e d co n tact wi th o th e r J ews.
Abo ve al l , th e y so ugh t to i n te r pr e t th e me an i n g of th e
pr e se n t wo r l d o r d e r an d th e new o r d e r co mi ng. T h e y be l i e ve d
a gr e at cri si s h o u r to be appr o ach i n g, wh en th e gr e at cycl e
of th e ages was abo u t to co mpl e te i ts r e vo l u ti o n . 12A f i nal
8T h ey ar e ch ar ged wi th cel i bacy by J oseph us. But i n th e texts of Qu mr an , women and
ch i l dr en ar e menti oned, and i n th e extensi ons of a suppl emental cemetery th e skel etons of
women and ch i l dr en ar e f ound. See C ross, ob. cit., p. 72.
0F. F. Bruce, Second Thoughts on the Dead Sea Scrolls, ch aps. 7, 8.
10F. M. C ross, Ancient Library at Qumran, p. 71.
11C aster , ob. cit., pp. 328-331, 335-337.
1SIbid., p. 7.
war was to be f o u gh tT h e War Between th e Sons of Li gh t
an d th e Sons o f Dar kne ssan d th e r e wo u l d be a ti tan i c
str u ggl e of th e two spi r i ts. T h e pe o pl e o f Qu mr an r e pr e se n te d
a r e vo l t agai nst d o ctr i n al d e par tu r e s, an d a r e tu r n to th e pr i mi -
ti ve He br e w f ai th . An d i n th i s r espect th e y mi gh t be l i ke n e d to
th e Wal denses o f me di eval ti mes i n th e C h r i sti an Er a, as wi l l
sh o r tl y beco me e vi de nt.
3. A ppr o a c h i n g E n d o f P r e s e n t A g e . T h e i r Manual of
Discipline (o r Ru l e o f th e C o mmu n i ty), th e i r Book of Hymns, o r
Psalms of Thanksgiving, an d th e i r War of the Children of
Light With the Children of Darkness, to ge th e r wi th th e i r
de scr i pti o n s of th e Fi nal Age, al l be ar o n th e n atu r e an d
d e sti n y of pman. T h e scrol l s par al l e l an d i n co r po r ate man y of
th e C o n d i ti o n al i st apo cr yph al an d pse u d e pi gr aph i cal te ach i ngs
of th e i n te r -T e stame n t pe r i o d th at we h ave ju st sur veyed. An d
th e y ar e d i sti n ctl y apo cal ypti c i n str u ctu r e .
T h e y bel i e ve d i n a f i nal co n f l agr ati o n si mi l ar to th at
set f o r th i n th e Sibylline Oracles (of c. 140 B.C .), an d h e l d i n
co mmo n some o f th e teach i ngs o f th e pse u d e pi gr aph s, such as
th e C o n d i ti o n al i st Syriac Apocalypse of Baruch an d The
Slavonic Book of Enoch. T h e i r te ach i ngs o n th e appr o ach i n g
r e n e wal of al l th i ngs were si mi l ar to th o se o f th e Book of Jubi
lees. Evi d e n tl y th e Essenes wer e l ar gel y th e pr o d u ce r s an d
be ar e r s of th e apo cal ypti c l i te r atu r e of J u d ai sm i n th i s i n te r -
T e s tame n t pe r i o d .13
T h e i r esch ato l o gi cal vi ews d we l t o n th e cu l mi n ati n g events
o f th e agesth e o u tco me o f d e ath , ju d gme n t, th e e n d o f th e
pr e se n t o r d e r an d e stabl i sh me n t o f th e new. T h e se wer e o bvi
o usl y amo n g th e i r ch i e f co ncer ns. J o se ph u s cal l s th e m f atal
i sti c. 14I t i s e vi d e n t th at th e br o th e r h o o d so ugh t to mai n tai n
th e tr u e f ai th i n an age o f mani f e st apostasy an d co nf usi o n,
be f o r e th e scenes o f f i nal ju d gme n t sh o u l d o ve r take man ki n d .
T h e y h ave so me wh at of a pr e d e sti n ar i an to ne.
13Ibid., p. 147.
14Fl avi us J oseph us Antiquities xi i i . 5.9, i n The Works of Flavius Josephus, p. 264.
DEAD SEA SC ROLLSPERMEAT ED WI T H C ONDI T I ONALI SM 745
4. M a j o r E m ph a s i s I s o n L a s t T h i n g s .I n T . H. Gaste r s
f i f teen-page Anal yti cal In d e x, f o u r pages ar e take n u p wi th th e
Last T h i n gs, o r esch ato l o gi cal do ctr i n e s (pp. 337-340).15Hi s
d o cu me n te d anal ysi s i ndi cate s th at th e br o th e r h o o d d i vi d e d
h i sto r y i n to two er asth e Er a of Wr ath o r Wi ckedness, an d
th e Er a of Favo r . 19T h e Re qu i tal i s cal l e d th e Fi n al Er a,
T i me of Vi si tati o n I n qu i s i ti o n , Fi n al J u d gme n t, an d Day
o f Re qu i tal , wh e n Spi r i ts an d angel s al so wi l l be ju d ge d .
I t i s al so a ti me of co n f l agr ati o n an d of War agai nst Be l i al .17
Amo n g th e Re war d s ar e l i ste d Re ne wal of th e Wo r l d ,
Ete r n al Pe ace , Sevenf o l d Li gh t, e t ce te r a.18Go d r e co r ds
deeds of me n f o r r e war d o r pu n i sh me n t; wh e n th e r i gh te o u s
wi l l acqu i r e a cr o wn of gl o r y an d a r o be of maje sty. 19C ross
po i n ts o u t th e i mpr essi ve f act th at th ese Essenes
se ar ch th e Scr i ptu r e s an d i n te r pr e t th e i r pr o ph e ci e s e sch ato l o gi cal l y as
se ve r al sch o l ar s h ave po i n te d o u t. Essene exegesi s h as n o r e al par al l e l
e i th e r i n Rabbi n i c J u d ai sm, o r i n Ph i l o n i c J u d ai sm. T h e i r i n te r pr e ta t i o n
i s n e i th e r l e gal i sti c n o r al l e go r i cal . Bu t i t f al l s pr e ci se l y i n to th e pa t te r n
o f th e New T e s t a me n ts use o f th e Ol d T e s tame n t. I n bo th , exegesi s i s
h i s to r i cal (i .e., e sch ato l o gi cal ), an d pn e u mati c. 20
T h e i r s co n sti tu te s a u n i qu e co n tr i bu ti o n i n a grave
tr an si ti o n h o u r .
5. P r o m i n e n t P l a c e G i v e n t o A n g e l s . Acco r di ng to th e
same Anal yti cal In d e x, th e i r Angel o l o gy was e l abo r ate . Angel s
ar e var i o usl y cal l e d d i vi n e be i n gs, h o st o f h e ave n , h o st
of th e h o l y o ne s, e te r n al h o st, sons o f h e ave n . Par ti cu l ar
angel s ar e d e si gn ate d as Pr i n ce of Li gh ts, Angel of Dar k
ness, Angel of T r u t h , Angel (s) of th e Pr e se nce , Angel s
of De str u cti o n , an d th e Angel of Adve r si ty. An d th e r e ar e
gu ar d i an angel s, pr o te cti ve angel s, an d participants in the final
eschatological war.21
15Dr. T h e o d o r H . G a s t e r , exper t i n th e per i o d dur i ng wh i ch th e scrol l s were wr i tten,
is prof essor of co mpar ati ve rel i gi ons at Dr opsi e C ol l ege, Ph i l adel ph i a, and vi si ti ng prof essor of
h i story o f rel i gi ons at C ol umbi a Uni versi ty. Dr . Gaster works i n twenty-ni ne l anguages and
di al ects.
18Gaster, op. cit., p. 337.
Ibid., pp. 337, 338.
18Ibid., p. 339.
10Ibid., p. 340.
20C ross, Ancient Library at Qumran, p. 163.
21Gaster, op. cit., pp. 340-342.
I I . C ompreh ensi ve Wi tness of Scrol l s on Mans
Natur e and Desti ny
I t i s no w de si r abl e to ch eck th e Qu mr an scrol l s system
ati cal l y wi th a vi ew to tr aci n g th e i r u n i qu e wi tness o n C o ndi -
ti o n al i sm. We sh al l acco r di ngl y f o l l o w th i s aspect th r o u gh
co nsecuti vel y, wi th d o cu me n tati o n . If th e r e i s some r e pe ti ti o n
o f th o u gh t i n th e several par ts, th i s cu mu l ati ve wi tness wi l l
bu t enf o r ce th e pr e po n d e r an ce o f th e po si ti o n mai n tai n e d .
1. Si n n e r s P e r i s h ; R i g h t e o u s D e s t i n e d f o r L i f e
E t e r n a l .T h e Zado ki te [or Damascus] Do cu me n tan o th e r
copy o f wh i ch h ad pr evi o usl y be e n di sco ver ed i n 1896 i n a
C ai r o synagogue, an d d ate d abo u t 176 b .c .wh i ch i s h e r e
ci te d , speaks (i , i -i i , 12) of Go d s spar i n g a r e mn an t, n o t
co n si gn i n g th e m to utter extinction 22 (T h e Gaste r tr an sl a
ti o n i s f o l l o wed i n al l qu o tati o n s.)23 In co n tr ast, o n Go d s
ju d gme n t o n th e wi cke d (i i , 2-13, 14-i i i , 12), th e Do cu me n t
speaks of th e i r pr e -d e te r mi n e d e n d , an d h ow th e an ci e n t
si n n e r s pe r i sh e d , an d became as th o u gh th e y h ad n e ve r
be e n . 24On th e co n tr ar y, of th e r i gh te o u s r e mn a n t (i i i , 12-
i v, 6) i t says, T h e y th at h o l d f ast u n to Hi m ar e d e sti n e d f o r
l i f e e te r n al . 25 T h i s po si ti o n i s su stai n e d th r o u gh o u t th e
scrol l s.
2. R i g h t e o u s St a n d i n G o d s P r e s e n c e F o r e v e r .I n th e
Hymn o f th e I n i ti an ts (Manual of Discipline, col s, x-xi ),
e xu l ti n g i n th e Most Hi gh as th e Fo u n tai n o f al l kno wl edge,
Spr i n g o f h o l i ness, Ze n i th o f al l gl o r y, Mi gh t o mn i po te n t, 28
th e wr i te r decl ar es th at wi th Go d l i es th e ju d gme n t of al l
l i vi ng, an d He i t i s wi l l awar d each man h i s dese r ts. No te i s
th e n take n o f th e Day o f Re qu i tal (no te 23: Do o msday)
f o r th e r e pr o bate .27Ho we ver , f o r th e r i gh te o u s Go d h as
22Ibid., p. 61.
23Dr . C aste r s transl ati o ns are recogni zed as f r e e and po pul ar r ath e r th an exacti ngl y
l i teral bu t th ey are th e best avai l abl e.
ch o se n to po sses [jtc] th e m f o r ever . He h as gi ve n th e m an i n h e r i tan ce i n
th e l o t o f th e Ho l y Bei ngs, . . . a f abr i c o f h o l i n e ss, a pl a n t e ve r gr e e n ,
f o r al l ti me to co me . 28
On th e co n tr ar y, th e wr i te r says h i s si ns co n d e mn h i m to
co mmu n i o n wi th . .. al l th at wal k i n dar kn e ss. He adds, Fo r
a mo r tal s way i s [not] of h i mse l f , th e ju d gme n t l i es wi th
Go d . 29An d th i s i s i n co n tr ast wi th th e f avo r wh i ch T h o u h ast
assu r e d to al l th e mo r tal el ect, to stan d i n T h y pr esence f o r
e ve r . 30T h e n h e asks, Wh at i s me r e mo r tal man ami d T h y
wo n d r o u s works? An d h e answers, He i s bu t a mo l d e d sh ape,
a th i n g n i ppe d o u t o f th e cl ay, wh ose attach me n t i s bu t to th e
d u s t. 31
3. M a n C r e a t e d f o r E t e r n i t y .In th e f i rst psal m of
th an ksgi vi n g (I, 5-39), Go d i s po r tr aye d as, i n cr e ati o n , cal l i n g
i n to be i n g spi r i ts i mmo r tal i n th e f o r m of h o l y angel s,
assi gned to gu i d e i n th e pr e se r vati o n of th e o r d e r of th e u n i
verse.32So to o wi th man , h e observes; h e was sh ape n of
cl aya f avo r i te expr essi o n. He to o was cr e ate d f o r al l th e
days of ti me an d f o r ages i n f i n i te f o r al l th e years of e te r
n i ty. 33 But, al as, h e became si n f u l an d po l l u te d , a spi r i t
e r r an t an d waywar d, an d th us co mi n g u n d e r ju d gme n t. T h e n
co me th e i n te r e sti n g words:
Al l th i n gs ar e i n scr i be d be f o r e T h e e i n a r e co r d i n g scr i pt, f o r ever y
mo me n t o f ti me , f o r th e i n f i n i te cycl es o f year s. . . . No si n gl e th i n g i s
h i d d e n , n au gh t mi ssi n g f r o m T h y pr e se n ce . *
Bu t th r o u gh Go d s l o vi n gki n d n e ss pr o vi si o n i s made f o r
th e s pi r i t of man to be cl e an se d o f si n s tai n t, th at Go d s
wo nder s may be sh o wn f o r th . 35T h e r e wi l l be a ju st sentence
u po n h i m. 38
4. No E s c a p e f o r W i c k e d i n F i n a l D o o m . I n Hymn
6 (I I I , 19-36), th e h ymn o d i st th an ks Go d because He h as take n
a s pi r i t d i sto r te d by si n, an d pu r ge d i t of th e tai n t of mu ch
28Ibid., p. 120. as bid., pp. 124, 125.
29Ibid. 3Ibid., p. 125.
30Ibid., p. 121. 35bid., p. 126.
31Ibid., p. 122. 3o bid., p. 125.
32Ibid., p. 124.
tr ansgr essi o n, an d gi ven i t a pl ace i n th e h o st o f th e h o l y
be i n gs, an d mad e a me r e man [mo l d e d o f cl ay] to sh ar e
th e l o t o f th e Spi r i ts of Kno wl edge. 37Bu t h e no te s h ow, f o r
th o se cau gh t i n th e nets o f wi ckedness an d co r r u pti o n ,
th e r e i s
n o h o pe o f escape; wh e n th e h o u r o f ju d gme n t str i ke s, wh e n th e l o t o f
Go d s an ge r i s cast u po n th e aban d o n e d , wh e n Hi s f u r y i s po u r e d f o r th
u po n d i sse mbl e r s, wh e n th e f i n al d o o m o f Hi s r age f al l s o n al l wo r th l e ss
th i n gs; wh e n th e to r r e n ts o f De ath d o swi r l , an d th e r e i s n o n e e scape . 38
Re f e r e n ce i s th e n mad e to r i ver s o f Be l i al :
Ri ve r s th a t ar e l i ke f i re wh i ch sweeps wi th f l ami n g spar ks d e vo u r i n g
al l th a t d r i n k th e i r wate r sa f i re wh i ch co nsumes al l f o u n d ati o n s o f cl ay,
e ve r y so l i d be d r o ck; wh e n th e f o u n d ati o n s o f th e mo u n tai n s be co me a
r agi n g bl aze, wh e n gr an i te r o o ts ar e tu r n e d to str e ams o f pi tch , wh e n th e
f l ame d e vo u r s d o wn th e gr e at abyss, wh e n th e f l oods o f Be l i al bu r s t f o r th
u n to h e l l i tse l f . 39
T h e n , h e co n ti n u e s, Go d th u n d e r s f o r th , an d
th e h o sts o f h e ave n gi ve f o r th th e i r voi ce, an d th e wo r l d s f o u n d ati o n s
r o ck an d r e e l ; wh e n war f ar e wage d by th e so l d i e r s o f h e ave n sweeps
th r o u gh th e wo r l d an d tu r n s n o t back u n ti l f i nal d o o mwar f ar e th e
l i ke o f wh i ch h as n e ve r be e n . 40
I I I . Fate of Wi cked Is Utte r Exti ncti o n
1. W i c k e d t o B e F o u n d N o M o r e , C u t O f f , W i pe d
O u t .I n Hymn 8 (IV, 5-40), th e d r e ad f ate of th e wi cked
tr ansgresso rs i s f u r th e r r e h e ar se d : T h o u wi l t sente nce al l me n
of de ce i t to be cu t of f , an d al l th e pr o ph e ts of e r r o r wi l l be
f o u n d n o mo r e . 41
C o n tr ar i wi se : T h e y th at ar e pl e asi ng to T h e e sh al l stan d
i n T h y pr esence f o r ever, an d th ey th at wal k i n th e way T h o u
desi r est r e st f i r m f o r al l ti me . 12
Bu t o f f r o war d me n , Go d passes sente nce o n th e m
th at th ey be cu t o f f . 13T h e n th e h ymn o d i st adds by way of co n
Ibid., p. 138. Ibid., p. 144.
Ibid., p. 139. Ibid.
38Ibid., pp. 139, 140. ibid p. 145.
40Ibid., p. 140.
DEAD SEA SC ROLLSPERMEAT ED WI T H C ONDI T I ONALI SM 749
tr ast, Ri gh te o usne ss l i es n o t wi th man , n o r pe r f e cti o n o f co n
d u ct wi th mo r tal s. On l y wi th Go d On Hi gh ar e al l wor ks of
r i gh te o u sn e ss. He wi l l br i n g u n to pe r f e cti o n th e l i f e of mo r tal
man; th at al l Hi s works may kno w h o w mi gh ty i s Hi s po wer ,
h o w pl e n te o u s Hi s l ove to al l wh o do Hi s wi l l . **
Bu t o f wi cked me n wh o o ppo se Hi s co ve n an t th e
wr i te r decl ar es:
Fo r T h o u wi l t wi pe o u t al l si n, an d i n T h y bo u n ty i t l i es to pu r i f y
man f r o m gu i l t. Man al o n e can n o t d o as T h o u h as t d o n e ; f o r T h o u i t
i s d i d s t cr e ate bo th th e r i gh te o u s an d th e wi cke d . 48
2. B u r n e d U n t i l T h e y B e D e s t r o y e d . T h e same
par al l e l i n g th e me i s co n ti n u e d i n Hymn 10 (V , 20- V I , 35).
T h e r i ve r s of Ed e n , wi th th e i r e ve r gr e e n bo ugh s, th r i ve
be yo n d [al l bo u n d s], 46bu t th e [pl an t of Be l i ]al , h as i ts
r o o ts su n k do wn i n to h e l l . In i ts [f i ery] spar ks al l [i nf amo us]
me n sh al l be bu r n e d ; i t sh al l be as a f l ame devouring th e gui l ty,
u n ti l th e y be destroyed "
T h e h ymn o d i st cl oses wi th a po r tr ayal of th e h osts of
wi ckedne ss battl i n g th e War r i o r o f He ave n, wh o br i n gs
f o r th Hi s weapo ns of war . Hi s l egi o ns go f o r th , [an d th e r e
sh al l be n o es]cape, f o r th e gu i l ty i mpu l se of me n. T h e y sh al l
trample it to destruction, 18an d n o n e sh al l escape. T h e y sh al l
be cu t of f wh e n th e battl e i s jo i n e d wi th th e pr e su mpti o u s
[si c]. 19
3. R i g h t e o u s N e v e r D i e ; W i c k e d W i t h e r . I n Hymn
14 (VIII, 4-36), th e f i gure i s ch ange d. Me n ar e l i ke n e d to
tr e e s. T h e r i gh te o u s stan d pl an te d . . . trees th at n e ve r d i e ,
wi th r o o ts su n ke n i n th e str e am of l i vi n g wate r .50Bu t i n co n tr ast:
[T h e tr e e s o f th e wi cke d sh al l be f e l l e d ] an d si n k l i ke l e ad i n
mi gh ty wate r s; an d a f i re sh al l go f o r th , an d th e y sh al l wi th e r . Bu t th e
o r ch ar d wh i ch I h ave pl a n te d sh al l bl o o m f o r e ve r . 81
An d h e adds, i n Hymn 15 (IX, 2-X, 12), th at as man i s
br o u gh t u n to ju d gme n t, th o se wh o h ave f o r f e i te d th e
** Ibid., p. 146. Ibid., p. 157.
45Ibid. >Ibid., p. 158.
48Ibid.. p. 155. so bid., p. 165.
47Ibid., p. 156. 6i Ibid., p. 166. (Brackets i n o r i gi nal .)
r i gh te o u s pr o vi si o ns o f Go d [are d o o me d to pe r d i ti o n ]. "
T h e n h e observes, Wh at i s man , me r e e ar th , kn e ad e d o u t of
[cl ay,] d e sti n e d to r e tu r n u n to th e d u st. 53
4. A n g e l s B r o u g h t t o J u d g m e n t a n d H e l l .I n Hymn
16 (X, 14-XI, 2) h e adver ts to th e f al l e n angel s:
Ho wbe i t, wh e n I h e ar h o w T h o u ju d ge st e ve n T h i n e an ge l s so
mi gh ty i n str e n gth , h o w th a t T h o u ar r ai gn e st e ve n th e Ho l y Ho st, my
h e a r t i s so r el y r acke d , my l o i n s ar e al l a-qu ake , my si gh i n g r e ach e s d o wn
i n to th e n e th e r mo st abyss an d pe n e tr ate s wi th al i n to th e ch ambe r s o f
h e l l . . . . Fo r h o w mu ch mo r e u po n man wi l l T h y se n te n ce go f o r th ?
An d wi l l n o t T h y ju d gme n t be wr e ake d u po n al l T h y wo r ks? M
T h e n h e jo yo usl y decl ares i n Hymn 17 (XI, 3-14) th at
T h o u h ast gr an te d i t u n to man [mo l d e d of cl ay] to be
pu r ge d of tr an sgr e ssi o n , an d to sh ar e th e l o t of T h y Ho l y
Bei ngs, to th e e n d th at th i s wo r m wh i ch i s man may be l i f te d
o u t of th e d u st to th e h e i gh t of e te r n al th i n gs, to jo i n th e
ch o i r i nvi si bl e , to be f o r e ver r e n e we d wi th al l th i ngs th at
ar e . 55
IV. Ete r nal Redempti o n and Utte r Exti ncti o n
1. D u s t R e t u r n t o D u s t . An d i n Hymn 19 (XI,
27-XII, 35) th e h ymn o d i st r e pe ats an of t-used ph r ase, Beh o l d,
I was take n f r o m d u st, n i ppe d o u t of cl ay. But, h e co n ti n u e s,
because o f po l l u ti o n , th at wh i ch i s mo l d e d of cl ay mu st needs
r e tu r n to d u st at th e e n d of i ts [term,] [and l i e agai n] i n th e
d u st wh ence i t was take n . T h e n h e says th at th e h ol y [angel s,]
th e e ve r l asti n g [spi ri ts,] th e r eser vo i r s of gl o ry,even th e y can
n o t te l l f o r th al l T h y gl o ry. . . . Ho w mu ch l ess, th e n , h e wh o
r e tu r n s to h i s d u st? 56T h a t i s th e n atu r al l o t of a cr e atu r e
o f cl ay.
2. P e r d i t i o n E t e r n a l v s . E n d u r i n g f o r A l l T i m e .
In C o l u mn XI I I , 1-21, th e h ymn o d i st asserts:
Ibid., p. 170.
Ibid., p. 178
M Ibid., pp. 172, 173. f 4Ibid., p. 176.
68Ibid., p. 184. (Br ackets i n o r i gi nal .)
Upo n al l th i n gs th a t d ef y T h e e T h o u br i n ge st pe r d i ti o n e te r n al .
So, i f mo r tal me n ke e p f ai th wi th T h e e , be h o l d , T h o u cr o wn e st th e i r
h e ad s wi th gl o r y e ve r l asti n g. 67
T h e n h e me d i tate s u po n th e h osts of T h y spi r i ts, th e
co n gr e gati o n of T h y Ho l y Bei ngs, an d Go d s cr e ati ve an d
su stai n i n g po wer , de cl ar i n g, T h o u ar t a Go d e ve r l asti n g,
an d [th at yet th e ti me wi l l come] [wh en T h o u wi l t r e war d th e
r i gh teo us,] an d th e wi cked wi l l be u tte r l y [do o me d.]. 58
3. I n i q u i t y C a n n o t E x i s t i n G o d s P r e s e n c e . T h e th e me
r u n s o n th r o u gh o u t th e r e mai n i n g h ymns. C o l u mn XIV, 1-27,
speaks of me n o f tr u th an d sons [of l i gh t], to be f o r al l
ge n e r ati o n s of ti me an d f o r al l th e [ages to co me.].69 He
asserts th at T h o u wi l t br i n g e te r n al do o m o n al l f r o wardness
an d tr ansgr e ssi o n. 60Bu t th e Lo r d f orgi ves th e m th at r e pe n t
th e i r tr ansgr essi o n, bu t vi si test th e i n i qu i ty of th e wi cke d. 91
I n C o l u mn XV, 9-26, th e h ymn o d i st asserts th at n o t by
th e h an d of f l esh can a mo r tal o r d e r h i s way. 92Go d cr e ate d
th e r i gh te o u s, . . . to h e e d T h y co ve n an t an d wal k i n T h y
ways. He o pe n e d al l th e str ai tne ss o f h i s so ul to e ve r l asti ng
sal vati o n an d pe r pe tu al peace u n f ai l i n g. Bu t th e wi cked ar e
r eser ved f o r th e day o f sl au gh te r , an d gr e at ju d gme n ts wi l l
co me u po n th e m.93 He co ncl udes by sayi ng th at T h o u ar t
a Go d of tr u th an d [h ate st]94al l wr o ngdo i ng; an d n o i n i qu i ty
sh al l exi st i n T h y pr e se n ce . 95
4. M o r t a l F l e s h R e d e e me d F o r e v e r m o r e .T h e cl os
i ng Hymn (C o l umns XVII, 1-XVIII, 30) deal s, al o ng wi th o th e r
th emes, wi th d i vi n e f o r gi veness an d T h an ksgi vi n g f o r d i vi n e
gr ace . T h o u gh f i r e th at devo ur s to th e n e th e r mo st h e l l
i s th e do o m th at awai ts th e wi cked, th e r e d e e me d wi l l serve
T h e e i n co nstancy, an d th e i r seed sh al l be e ver i n T h y
pr e se n ce . 90An d th e h ymn o d i st i mpl o r es, Re d e e m [my soul ,]
an d l et th e wi cked be br o u gh t to an e n d ! 97
Ibid., p. 185. * Ibid., p. 189.
58Ibid., pp. 186, 187. (Brackets i n o r i gi nal .) 01 Ibid., p. 190.
w Ibid., p. 188. (Brackets i n o r i gi nal .) 62 Ibid., p. 191.
Ibid., p. 192. .
64Al ternate readi ng, wi l t destro y, i n f ootnote.
<*Ibid., p. 193. <" Ibid., p. 197. 07Ibid., p. 198.
I n cl osi ng, h e exto l s Go d, wh o h as do n e th ese th i n gs,
an d h e asks, Fo r wh at i s mo r tal f l esh [th at T h o u sh o u l d st
so e xal t i t] an d wo r k such wo nder s wi th i t? 08An d h e r e pe ats
th e th o u gh t an d ph r ase mo r tal f l esh , an d r e n d e r s pr ai se th at
Go d r e d e e me d an d tr an sf o r me d h i m, th at h e may stan d [be
f o r e T h e e ] e ve r mo r e u n sh ake n i n th e gl ow of Pe r f e ct Li gh t,
ti l l th e e n d o f ti me , wh er e [no] dar kness i s f o r ever, an d wh e r e
al l i s peace u n bo u n d e d u n ti l th e e n d o f ti me .
V. Wi cked C ease and Wr o ng Di sappears Forever
1. W i c k e d W i l l C e a s e t o E x i s t .T u r n i n g to th e C o m
me n tar y o n Psal m 37 (Fr agme n t A: col . i ), verse 10Yet
a l i ttl e wh i l e, an d th e wi cked sh al l n o t be. T h o u gh I l o ok wel l
at h i s pl ace, h e sh al l n o t be th e co mme n tato r i n th e Qu mr an
scr o l l says, T h e y sh al l cease to exi st, an d n o wi cked man sh al l
be f o u n d o n e ar th . 70
2. F i n a l C l a s h o f G o o d a n d E v i l .T h e T r i u mph of
Go d i n th e f i nal age po r tr ays T h e War of th e Sons of Li gh t
an d th e Sons of Dar kne ss. In th e Pr o l o gu e (i , 1-17), th e battl e
i t pi ctu r e d as be twe e n th e Sons o f Li gh t an d th e h o st of
Be l i al . 71As to th e f orces engage d i n th at f i nal cl ash th e wr i te r
says, Fo r [wi th T h e e ] i n h eave n ar e a mu l ti tu d e o f h o l y bei ngs,
an d ar mi es o f angel s ar e i n T h y h ol y abo de , to [serve as] T h y
[l egi o nar i es]; an d do wn o n e ar th T h o u h ast [l i kewi se] pl aced
at T h y servi ce th e el ect of an h o l y pe o pl e . T h e n h e speaks
of th e ch ar te r of [Ete r nal ] Li f ean assur ance th at th r o u gh o u t
al l th e epoch s of ti me T h o u wi l t be th e i r ki n g. 72Ne xt, i n
co n tr ast wi th th e Angel o f Li gh t, an d h i s spi r i ts o f t r u t h
h e speaks o f Bel i al , th e angel of h o sti l i ty, an d h i s evi l angel s
o f d e str u cti o n , f o l l o wi ng th e l aws of d ar kn e ss. 73
3. E v e r l a s t i n g R e d e m p t i o n vs . A n n i h i l a t i o n .
08Ibid., p. 201. (Brackets i n o r i gi nal .) 71 Ibid., pp. 281, 282.
88Ibid., p. 202. (Brackets i n o r i gi nal .) 72 Ibid., p. 2%.
70Ibid., p. 259. 73 Ibid., p. 298. (Brackets i n o ri gi nal .)
T h e n , i n Pr e par ati o n s f o r Battl e (xv, 1, 2), af te r spe aki n g
of th e ti me o f tr o u bl e f o r Isr ae l , an d of th e [vi si tajti o n
o f war u po n al l n ati o n s, th e wr i te r adds: T h e y th at h ave
cast th e i r l o t wi th Go d sh al l [be bl essed] wi th e ve r l asti ng r e
d e mpti o n , bu t an n i h i l ati o n sh al l o ve r take al l th e wi cked n a
ti o n s. 74
Si mi l ar l y, i n th e New C o ve n an t (C o l umn 1), i n co n
tr asti n g th e wi cke d an d th e r i gh te o u s, th e f u r th e r words
appe ar , [T h o u wi l t make] an e n d of al l th at o ppress us. 73
4. W r o n g W i l l D i s a ppe a r F o r e v e r . An d f i nal l y, i n
The Coming Doom th e wr i te r cl oses by decl ar i ng:
Wr o n g i s go i n g to d e pa r t be f o r e Ri gh t, as d ar kn e ss d e par ts be f o r e
l i gh t. As smo ke d i sappe ar s an d i s n o mo r e , so wi l l Wr o n g d i s appe ar f o r
e ve r . Bu t Ri gh t wi l l be r e ve al e d l i ke th e su n . . . . T h e th i n g i s ce r tai n
to co me. T h e pr o ph e cy i s tr u e , an d by th i s yo u may kn o w th a t i t wi l l
n o t be r e vo ke d . 70
Such i s th e su stai n e d C o n d i ti o n al i st emph asi s of th ese
r e mar kabl e scrol l s of Qu mr an wr i tte n i n a ti me o f ch ange
an d u n ce r tai n ty i n o th e r secti o ns of J ewr y. T h e Ol d T e stame n t
r e f r ai n ech oes an d re-ech oes th r o u gh o u t th ese wr i ti n gs i n d i r e ct
an ti th e si s to th e co n te mpo r ar y co n te n ti o n s of Ph i l o o f Al e x
an d r i a, n o te d e xpo n e n t of Immo r tal -So ul i sm f o r al l an d Ete r n al
T o r me n t f o r th e i n co r r i gi bl y wi cked. T h e co n tr ast co u l d n o t be
mo r e co mpl e te o r vi tal . T wo sch ool s of th o u gh t pr e vai l e d as th e
pe r i o d of th e Ol d T e s tame n t gave way to th e New.
5. Si g n i f i c a n c e o f t h e G r e a t D i g r e s s i o n i n J e w r y .
T h u s we r est o u r case af te r pr e se n ti n g th e f ate f u l i n tr u si o n
of Pl ato n i c ph i l o so ph y i n to th e Al e xan d r i an wi ng of th e J ewi sh
C h u r ch , ne ver th el ess par al l e l e d by th e r e f r e sh i n g f i del i ty of
o th e r s i n Pal e sti n e to th e h i sto r i cal po si ti o ns o f th e Ol d T e s ta
me n t Scr i ptur e s o n th e tr u e n atu r e an d desti ny of man . T h e
gr e at d e par tu r e h as be e n wi tnessed. T h e spl i t o ver basi c co n
cepts co n ce r n i n g th e so ul h as beco me a r e al i tyn o t o n l y per ma-
7<Ibid., p. 301.
75Ibid., p. 311. (Brackets i n o r i gi nal .)
78Ibid., p. 313.
n e n tl y af f ecti ng th e J ews bu t so o n d e sti n e d tr agi cal l y to i n
f l uence th e r api d l y e xpan d i n g C h r i sti an C h u r ch as wel l .
Al e xan d r i a, scene of th e J e wi sh d e par tu r e , i s be f o r e to o
l o n g to beco me th e spawni ng gr o u n d of a si mi l ar de vastati o n
o f f ai th o n th e par t o f a l ar ge se gme n t o f th e C h r i sti an C h u r ch .
T h e new co nce pts wer e i n tr o d u ce d by co nver ts f r o m th e r an ks
of Ne o pl ato n i c ph i l o so ph y, tr ai n e d i n o r i n f l u e n ce d by th e
Al e xan d r i an i de o l o gy an d appe al . T h e se th e y br o u gh t wi th
th e m i n to th e ch u r ch th ey h ad espo used. An d th ese co nver ts
so o n became th e l eader s i n th e di gressi o n. I t i s a sto r y wi th o u t
a par al l e l i n th e an n al s o f two gr e at r e l ate d ch ur ch e s. I t i s
th e r e co r d of th e successf ul i mpact of a f asci nati ng f al l acy th at
capti vate d th e mi n d an d h as so ch ange d th e co ur se o f th o u gh t
as to beco me pr e d o mi n an t th r o u gh o u t th e C h r i sti an Er a. I t
pr e se nts a vi r i l i ty u n match e d i n th e an n al s o f th ese par al l e l i n g
r e l i gi o u s mo ve ments.
PART IV
Hi sto r i cal C onf l i cts C o mpass th e
Earl y C e n tu r i e s
(A.D. 150 to A.D. 500)
Positions of Subapostolic and Ante-Nicene
Fathers, and Post-Nicene Developments
Eventuate in a Theological Trilemma
Subapo sto l i c Wr i ter s C onsi stentl y
C ondi ti onal i st
C H A P T E R F O R T Y - F O U R
I. Si gni f i cance o f T e sti mo n y o f Aposto l i c Fath e r s
T h e te r m Apostolic Fathers, co i n e d l ate r , embraces th ose
C h r i sti an wr i te r s of th e su bapo sto l i c age wh o l i ved n e ar e st to,
o r wh ose l i ves par tl y par al l e l e d , th e l ast of th e apostl es. T h e y
ar e usual l y l i ste d as C l e me n t of Ro me , Ign ati u s of An ti o ch ,
th e wr i te r of The Didache an d of th e Epistle of Barnabas,
He r mas of Ro me , Po l ycar p of Smyrna, an d Papi as. An d to th ese
i s so meti mes ad d e d th e wr i te r of The Epistle of Mathetes to
Diognetus an d th at o f th e Homily of Clement. T h e ti me spr e ad
i s abo u t th e f i rst h al f of th e seco nd ce n tu r y.
T r u e , th e wr i ti n gs ar e f r agme n tar y. Some ar e l ost, bu t
o th e r s ar e pr e se r ve d i n wh o l e o r i n par t, th o u gh o f t i n tampe r e d
f o r m. T h e preci se au th o r s h i p o f ce r tai n e xtan t tr eati ses such
as The Didache i s n o t kno wn. Never th e l e ss th e y r e ve al th e
f ai th o f th e wr i te r at th at ti me , an d r ef l ect wi th some f i del i ty
vi ews cu r r e n t i n th at ear l y pe r i o d . T h e y ar e th e r e f o r e o f def i
n i te val ue i n o u r qu e st, f o r th e y ar e th e mo st pr i mi ti ve wr i ti ngs
o f ear l y C h r i sti an wi tness th at h ave be e n preser ved, an d
co n sti tu te al l of th e avai l abl e wr i ti n gs o f th e e ar l i e r successors
of th e apostl es. T h e i r co n tr ast wi th th e i n spi r e d wr i ti n gs of
Scr i ptu r e i s, of co ur se, tr e me n d o u s.
T h e i r s was th e h azy pe r i o d of earl y dawn, be f o r e th e
ampl i f i e d l i te r atu r e of th e ear l y ph i l o so ph e r s of th e ch u r ch
h ad devel o ped. T h e wr i ti n gs o f th e Apo sto l i c Fath e r s were
l argel y l e tte r s. Bu t th e y f o r m th e co n n e cti n g l i n k be twe e n th e
757
C h ar t F
THREE CONCEPTS OF LI FE AND DEATH AMONG EARLY CHURCH WRI TERS
I. C O N D I T I O N A L I MMO R T A L I T Y
1. E terna l D ea th of Wicked
I I . U N I VE R S A L I N N A T E I MMO R T A L I T Y
2. E nd less T orment of Wicked 3. U niversa l R estora tion of Wicked
A P O S T O L I C F A T H E R S
(Death
Date)
A.D.
1 c. 100 C L E M E N T of Rome
2 c. 107 Ignatius of Antioch
3 c. 120 The Didache (Palestine)
4 c. 140 Barnabas of Alexandria
5 c. 154 Hermas (Rome)
6 c. 155 Polycarp of Smyrna
7 c. 130 Epistle to Diognetus
8 c. 165 J U S T I N M A R T Y R 1 of Samaria
9 c. 172 Tatian 1 of Assyria
10 c. 180 Theophilus of Antioch
1 1 c. 190 Melito of Sardis
12 c. 196 Polycrates of Ephesus
13 20 2 I R E N AE U S of Lyons
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
A N T E - N I C E N E F A T H E R S
(C h ur ch Pr edomi nantl y Greek)
(Death
Date)
A.D.
190
220
c. 240
c. 236
(Death
Date)
A.D.
A T H E N A G O R A S of Athens
Pseudo-Clementines
Minucius Felix of Africa
T E R T U L L I A N of Carthage
Hippolytus of Portus Romanus
25 8 Cyprian of Carthage
28 0 Novation of Rome
33 0 Arnobius of Sicca
Clementine Homilies
c. 22 0 C L E M E N T 2 of Alexandria
25 4 ORIGEN of Alexandria
c. 2 7 0 Gregory Thaumaturgus of Neo-
Caesarea
309 Pamphilus of Caesarea
c. 28 2 Theognostus and Pierius
(Alexandria)
1Predo mi n antl y C ondi ti onal i st, bu t wi th some co ntr adi cto ry expressi ons.
2C h anged f ro m C ondi ti onal i st to Immortal -Soul i st.
P O S T - N I C E N E F A T H E R S
(C h ur ch Pr edomi nantl y Latin)
22 330 Lactantius of Nicomedia
23 340 Eusebius of Caesarea
24 373 Athanasius1 of Alexandria c. 373 Titus of Bostra
25 379 Basil of Caesarea
26 c. 390 Diodorus of Tarsus
27 398 Didymus of Alexandria
28 397 Ambrose of Milan c. 395 Gregory of Nyssa
29 c. 401 Nemesius of Emesa
30 407 Chrysostom of Constantinople
31 420 Jerome of Bethlehem
32 428 Theodore of Mopsuestic
33
430 A U G U S T I N E of Hippo
VARIANT POSITIONS OF TRILEMMA ON HUMAN DESTINY AND FUTURE PUNISHMENT
T h i s ch r o no l o gi cal an d cate go r i cal tabl e i n d i cate s th e appr o xi mate d ati n g an d var i an t vi ews o n th e n atu r e an d d e sti n y o f man h e l d by appr o xi mate l y
f o r ty l e ad i n g C h u r ch Fath e r sApo sto l i c, An te -Ni ce ne , an d Po st-Ni cenedo wn to Au gu sti n e . I t th u s cl assi f i es an d gr o u ps th e th r e e co nf l i cti ng po stu l ate s
o n h u man d e sti n y an d th e f u tu r e pu n i s h me n t o f th e wi cked co mpl e te l y de ve l o pe d by th e cl ose o f th e th i r d ce n tu r y.
T h e tabl e di scl oses th e f act th a t th e d o gma o f u n i ve r sal In n ate Immo r tal i ty was n o t i n tr o d u ce d u n ti l to war d th e cl ose o f th e second ce n tu r y a .d .te n
wr i te r s o f th e first sch o o l be i n g o n r e co r d be f o r e th e i n tr o d u cti o n o f th e second sch o o l , i n th e th i r d ce n tu r y. I t i de n ti f i e s th o se r e spo n si bl e f o r f i rst f aste n
i n g u po n th e ch u r ch th e Pl ato n i c do gma o f th e death l essne ss o f al l soul s, an d because o f th i s th e co r o l l ar y o f endl ess l i f e i n to r me n t f o r th e i n co r r i gi bl y
wi cked. I t l i kewi se sh ows h o w th e Or i ge n i sti c third sch ool o f Un i ve r sal Re sto r ati o n i sm d i d n o t appe ar u n ti l a h al f ce n tu r y l ate r . T h u s th e f atal gap be twe e n
th e o r i gi n al po si ti o n s o f th e pr i mi ti ve f ai th an d th ese l ate r i n n o vati o n s beco mes appar e n t.
C o n c l u s i o n s a n d O b s e r v a t i o n s : 1. T e r t u l l i a n an d A u g u s t i n e i n par ti cu l ar , i n mai n tai n i n g th e po si ti o n o f th e En dl e ss T o r me n t o f th e wi cked, h e l d
t h at th e y wi l l be cast i n to e te r n al f i re f o r pu n i s h me n t, wh i ch i s scr i ptu r al . Bu t, at th e same ti me h o l d i n g to th e Pl ato n i c ph i l o so ph y o f i n h e r e n t i n d e f e a
si bl e i mmo r tal i ty f o r al l me n , th e y e r r e d i n te ach i n g th at th e wi cked wi l l bu r n o n i n co nsci o us to r me n t, f o r ever wi th o u t e n d . T h u s th e y f l o u te d th e Bi bl e
d e cl ar ati o n th at af te r d u e an d ju s t pu n i s h me n t th e wi cked wi l l be u tte r l y co nsu me d, pass o u t o f exi stence, an d cease to be.
2. On th e o th e r h an d , O r ig e n an d h i s f o l l o wers, h o l d i n g to th e same ge n e r al Pl ato n i c pr e mi se o f u n i ve r sal In n ate Immo r tal i ty, tau gh t th a t Go d wi l l
n o t pe r mi t si n an d si n n e r s to co n ti n u e o n de f i an tl y f o r ever wh i ch po s i ti o n i s l i kewi se bo r n e o u t by Scr i ptu r e . Bu t th e y l i kewi se e r r e d by i n tr o d u ci n g
Uni ve r sal Re sto r ati o n i sm as th e means o f acco mpl i sh i n g th i s e n d. T h e y th e r e by e qu al l y l e f t th e Di vi n e Wo r d f o r h u man i n ve n ti o n an d Pl ato n i c ph i l o so ph y,
an d pr o mi se d l i f e wh e r e Go d h ad th r e ate n e d d e ath . Mo r eo ver, such a po si ti o n i nvo l ves a f o r ced sal vati o n co er ci ng th e wi l l o f f r e e mo r al age nts to
co n f o r m to u n i ve r sal r i gh te o usne ss.
3. I t r e mai n s to be ad d e d th a t th e Au gu sti n i an th e o r y f i nal l y pr e vai l e d a n d became th e o r th o d o x do gma o f th e d o mi n an t me di eval Ro man C ath o l i c
C h u r ch . And i t was l i kewi se r e tai n e d by a majo r i ty o f th e Pr o te stan t bo di es t h a t eme r ge d d u r i n g th e Pr o te stan t Re f o r mati o n .
4. Al ways, th r o u gh th e ce n tu r i e s, th e r e h ave been h o l d e r s o f th e o r i gi n al C o n d i ti o n al i st Immo r tal i ty an d f i nal d e str u cti o n o f th e wi cked po si ti o n s o f
th e e ar l i e st ch u r ch wr i te r s, th e Apo sto l i c Fath e r s, an d J u s ti n Mar tyr an d Ir e n ae u s. T h e se po si ti o n s co n ti n u e d to str e n gth e n u p u n ti l Lactan ti u s. And th ese
co n ti n u i n g wi tnesses h ave ste adi l y gr o wn i n n u mbe r an d vo l u me f r o m Re f o r mati o n days o n war d , cl i maxi n g wi th majo r d e ve l o pme n ts o f th e n i n e te e n th
an d twe n ti e th ce n tu r i e s.
[Some reserve must be made co ncerni ng a f ew wri ters, i ndi cated by a superi o r f i gure (*), who were pr edo mi nantl y C ondi ti onal i st, bu t wh ose wri ti ngs i ncl ude expressi ons no t
al ways consi stent th er ewi th .]
Ro me Ru l e d th e Wo r l d Fr o m
He r Seven-h i l l ed Spl e n d o r
Wh e n th e Fo l l o we r s o f C h r i st
Spr e ad T h e i r Message o f Li f e
T h r o u gh a Ri se n Savi o ur .
apo stl es an d th e An te -Ni ce n e Fath e rs. T h e y wer e, mo r e o ve r ,
wr i tte n i n th e ti me o f acce l e r ati n g speed i n th e spr e ad o f th e
ch u r ch , an d e mbr ace d th e ti me o f th e ear l y mar tyr s u n d e r th e
i n h u man cr u e l ti e s of pagan pe r se cu ti o n , f r o m Do mi ti an o n
war d.
T h e y co n sti tu te , as i t were, th e l i n ge r i n g ech oes of apo s
to l i c te ach i ng, bu t i n pro gr essi vel y d i sto r te d f o rm. Such l egends
as th at o f th e f abl e d ph o e n i x wer e by th i s ti me be gi n n i n g to
appe ar th e ph o e n i x be i n g a sacred bi r d i n Egypti an myth o l
ogy, suppo se d to l i ve f o r f i ve h u n d r e d years. And, at th e
e xpi r ati o n o f i ts l i f e, i t al l egedl y mad e a n e st of twi gs o n wh i ch
i t d i e d by bu r n i n g i tsel f al i ve. T h e n f r o m th e ash es, acco r d i n g
to myth o l o gy, th e r e arose an o th e r ph o e n i x, yo u n g an d be au ti
f ul . T h u s i t was th at th e ph o e n i x came to be take n as an ear l y
symbo l o f i mmo r tal i ty an d th e r e su r r e cti o n .
T h e ch u r ch o f th i s pe r i o d , i t i s to be n o te d , was e xpan d i n g
wh i l e th e mi gh t o f Ro man d o mi n i o n was at i ts wi dest an d
l o f ti est sway. T h u s th e f ul l , o ppr essi ve we i gh t of pagan perse-
l i SpSpf
760
Ro me an d th e C aesars Pr o vi d e d th e Se tti n g o f C h r i s ts Li f e an d th e Be gi n n i n g
o f th e C h r i sti an C h u r ch an d Its Message o f Li f e i n C h r i st. He r e ar e Ne r o ,
Augu stu s, an d Di o cl e ti an .
cu ti o n an d ph i l o so ph y was e xe r te d u po n th e e xpan d i n g ch u r ch ,
an d an i n e scapabl e co nf l i ct devel o ped. T h e Ear l y C h u r ch was
d i sti n ctl y pr e mi l l e n n i al i st i n h e r expectancy o f th e Second Ad
ve n t, wh i ch was ever h e r ar d e n t h o pe an d an ti ci pati o n , to be
i n se par abl y acco mpan i e d by th e l i te r al r e su r r e cti o n of th e
sai nts an d th e e stabl i sh me n t of th e ki n gd o m of Go d. Such i s
h e r esch atol ogy.
T h e two ways, as th ey ar e cal l ed, ar e co n stan tl y set f o r th ,
an d th e e n d i n gs of th e ways, l i f e an d d e ath wi th e te r n al l i f e
an d i mmo r tal i ty as th e gi f t of Go d f o r th e r e d e e me d , an d
r e str i cte d to bel i evers; an d th e co n tr ar y do o m o f d e ath an d
e ve r l asti n g d e str u cti o n f o r th e i mpe n i te n tl y wi cked. T h i s pat
te r n , o r emph asi s, i s woven co nsi ste ntl y th r o u gh o u t th e wr i ti n gs
o f th e Apo sto l i c Fath e r s, wh i ch we no w e xami ne .
761
N o t e : At th e very o u tse t o f th e e xce r pts to f ol l ow f r o m
th e var i o us C h u r ch Fath e rs, we wo u l d r e pe at th at, as wi th th e
apo cr yph al an d pse u d e pi gr aph al wr i te r s o f th e i n te r -T e stame n t
pe r i o d , we ar e n o t h e r e o f f er i ng a new an d cr i ti cal tr an sl ati o n
o f th ese Ear l y C h r i sti an C h u r ch wr i ter s. Rath e r , we ar e usi n g
stan d ar d acce ptabl e tr an sl ati o n s as th e basi s f o r asce r tai n i n g
th e i r te sti mo n y an d d r awi n g so u n d co ncl usi o ns th e r e f r o m,
pr e mi se d o n th e i r r e co r d e d teach i ngs as to th e n atu r e an d
de sti n y o f man . Occasi onal l y, al te r n ati ve tr an sl ati o n s ar e used
f o r cl ar i f i cati o n. Bu t th ese ar e take n f r o m o th e r r eco gni zed
r e n d e r i n gs.
I I . C l e me nt o f Ro meNe i th e r I n n ate Immo r tal i ty
No r Ete r n al T o r me n t
T h e e ar l i e st al l egedl y au th e n ti c wr i ti n gs of th e subpos-
to l i c ch u r ch pe r i o d th at h as co me do wn to us i s an epi stl e
by C l e me n t o f R o m e . T h o u gh h i s l i f e i s sh r o u d e d i n o bscur i ty,
h e was an ear l y pr e si d i n g pr e sbyte r o r o verseer, af te r war d
cal l e d bi sh o p, of Ro me . He i s i d e n ti f i e d by such th i r d -ce n tu r y
wr i te r s as T e r tu l l i a n an d Or i ge n as Pau l s co mpan i o n at
Ph i l i ppi (Ph i l . 4:3), an d th e r e f o r e a co n te mpo r ar y o f J o h n
th e apo stl e. Acco r d i n g to Eusebi us, C l e me n t d i e d i n th e th i r d
year of T r ajan ,1i .e., abo u t a .d . 100.
I n th i s tr an si ti o n al pe r i o d th e ch u r ch at Ro me h e l d an
i mpo r tan t bu t n o t yet o ve r sh ado wi ng pl ace, such as i t l ate r
came to occupy. T wo epi stl es ar e e xtan t u n d e r C l e me n ts n ame .
The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians, wr i tte n to a
si ste r ch u r ch i n th e name o f th e ch u r ch at Ro me , i s ver y
ge n e r al l y accr e d i te d as ge n u i n e th e o ne ackno wl e dged epi s
tl e , acco r d i n g to ch u r ch h i sto r i an Eusebi us. He states th at
i t was h e l d i n h i gh esteem an d was pu bl i cl y used i n a gr e at
man y ch u r ch e s. 2I t was pr o babl y pe n n e d abo u t a .d . 95, says
1Eusebi us. The Church History of Eusebius, book 3, ch ap. 34, i n The Nicene and Post-
Nicene Fathers (h er e af ter abbr evi ated NPNF), 2d seri es, vol . 1, p. 166.
2 Ibid., ch ap. 16, p. 147.
SUBAPOST OLIC WRI T ERS C ONDI T I ONALI ST S 763
We stco tt,3so o n af te r th e pe r se cu ti o n u n d e r Do mi ti an . T h e
epi stl e co mpri ses f i f ty-ni ne sh o r t ch apter s, an d may be sai d to
ref l ect th e su bapo sto l i c age.4On th e co n tr ar y, th e Second Epis
tle i s uni ve r sal l y r e co gni ze d as apo cr yph al , an d wi l l th e r e f o r e
n o t co n ce r n us.
1. C l e me n t o n t h e N a t u r e a n d D e s t i n y o f M a n .
Because o f th e u n i qu e ear l y po si ti o n of C l e me n tappar e n tl y
th e i n i ti al wr i te r avai l abl e af te r th e passi ng of th e apo stl es
we mu st survey h i s pr e se n tati o n i n some d e tai l . Fi r st of al l ,
we mu st asce r tai n h i s esch ato l o gi cal po si ti o ns, f o r th e y wi l l
au to mati cal l y reveal h i s vi ews co n ce r n i n g th e n atu r e an d
d esti ny of man . (See T a bu l a r C h ar tT h r e e C o ncepts o f Li f e
an d De ath Amo n g Ear l y C h u r ch Wr i te r so n page 758, f o r
C l e me n ts pl ace i n th e tr i pl e catego r i es i n to wh i ch th e Apo sto l i c,
Ante-, an d Po st-Ni cene Fath e r s gr o u p th emsel ves.)
2. Sec o n d A d v en t a n d R e s u r r ec t i o n H o pe D o mi n a n t .
T h e Second Ad ve n t e xpectancy mar ks th i s tr e ati se . He r e
i s a ch ar acte r i sti c r e f e r e n ce , sh o wi ng th e Ad ve n t h o pe to be
i n th e ver y f o r e f r o n t of C l e me n ts th i n ki n g:
Of a tr u th , so o n a n d su d d e n l y sh al l Hi s [C h r i sts] wi l l be acco m
pl i sh e d , as th e Scr i ptu r e al so be ar s wi tne ss, sayi ng, Spe e d i l y wi l l He co me,
an d wi l l n o t ta r r y; an d , T h e Lo r d sh al l su d d e n l y co me to Hi s te mpl e ,
e ve n th e Ho l y On e , f o r wh o m ye l o o k. 6
An d co n n e cte d i n se par abl y wi th th e Ad ve n t i s th e r e s u r
r e cti o n , to wh i ch C l e me n t attach e s gr e at i mpo r tan ce . T h u s
h e di scl oses h i s u n d e r s tan d i n g of th e esch ato l o gi cal o r d e r of
events. T h i s assur ance o f th e r e su r r e cti o n h e seeks to bu ttr e ss
f r o m n atu r e :
Le t us co n si d e r , be l o ve d , h o w th e Lo r d co n ti n u al l y pr o ve s to us
th a t th e r e sh al l be a f u tu r e r e su r r e cti o n , o f wh i ch He h as r e n d e r e d th e
3Brooke Foss Westcott, A General Survey of the History of the Canon of the New
Testament, pp. 23, 24.
4T h e onl y compl ete edi ti on o f th e Fath er s i s th e Lati n and Greek seri es o f J . P.
Mi gne. Vari ous Engl i sh tr ansl ati ons ar e avai l abl e-J. B. Li gh tf oot, E. J . Goodspeed, Ki r so pp
Lake, W. K. L. C l arke, and th e r ecent Roman C ath ol i c transl ati on by Franci s X. Gl i mm.
In studyi ng th e Apostol i c Fath er s we sh al l , h owever, use th at of Al exander Roberts and J ames
Donal dson i n th e standar d Ante-Nicene Fathers seri es, wh i ch ar e avai l abl e ever ywh ere.
6 The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians, ch ap. 23, i n The Ante-Nicene
Fathers (h e r e af te r abbr evi ated ANF), vol . 1, p. 11.
Lo r d J e su s C h r i st th e f i r st-f r ui ts by r ai si n g Hi m f r o m th e d e ad . Le t us
co n te mpl ate , be l o ve d , th e r e su r r e cti o n wh i ch i s a t al l ti mes taki n g pl ace.
Day an d n i gh t d e cl ar e to us a r e su r r e cti o n . T h e n i gh t si nks to sl e ep, an d
th e d ay ar i ses; th e d ay [agai n ] d e par ts, an d th e n i gh t co mes o n . Le t us
be h o l d th e f r u i ts [o f th e e ar th ], h o w th e so wi ng o f gr ai n takes pl ace .
T h e so wer go es f o r th , an d casts i t i n to th e gr o u n d ; an d th e seed be i n g
th u s scatte r e d , th o u gh d r y an d n ake d wh e n i t f e l l u po n th e e ar th , i s
gr ad u al l y di sso l ved. T h e n o u t o f i ts d i sso l u ti o n th e mi gh ty po we r o f th e
pr o vi d e n ce o f th e Lo r d r ai ses i t u p agai n , an d f r o m o n e se ed man y ar i se
an d br i n g f o r th f r u i t . 7
Agai n, o u r Make r wi l l rai se u p agai n th ose th at h ave
pi o usl y served Hi m, an d T h o u sh al t r ai se u p th i s f l esh of
mi n e , acco r d i n g to pr o mi se .8
3. T h e me P er s i s t s T h r o u g h o u t G e n u i n e E pi s t l e .In
ch apte r twenty-f i ve of th e epi stl e th e f abl e o f th e cu r i o u s an d
f an ci f u l bi r d th e ph o e n i x 9i s i n tr o d u ce d , take n f r o m He r o d o
tus an d Pl i ny. I t i s gi ve n as symbo l i zi ng th e r e su r r e cti o n , an d
th u s i n d i cate s th e we i r d pagan i magi ni ngs th at wer e even th e n
be gi n n i n g to appe ar i n C h r i sti an C h u r ch th i n ki n g.10 Bu t i n
ch apte r twenty-seven th e Bi bl i cal r e su r r e cti o n i s f u r th e r stressed
by C l e me n t, an d th e Second Ad ve n t i s r e f e r r e d to i n ch apte r
th i r ty-f o u r . Life in immortality i s pr e se n te d as th e gi f t of
Go d i n ch apte r th i rty-f i ve. Pu n i sh me n t wi th d e ath i s me n
ti o n e d i n ch apte r f o r ty-o ne, an d i n ch apte r f i f ty we r e ad th i s
pr o mi se :
Fo r i t i s wr i tte n , En te r i n th y se cr e t ch ambe r s f o r a l i ttl e ti me ,
u n ti l my wr ath a n d f u r y pass away; an d I wi l l r e me mbe r a pr o pi ti o u s
d ay,11an d wi l l r ai se yo u u p o u t o f yo u r gr ave s. 13
T h o se ar e th e h i gh po i nts.
4. A d v en t N o t e E v en i n Spu r i o u s Sec o n d E pi s t l e .
Even i n th e so-cal l ed Second Epistle, o r Ho mi l y, wi th i ts u n
kno wn au th o r , th e Ad ve n t n o te sti l l ech oes, th o u gh th e epi stl e
6Gl i mms tr . adds, and r egar d th e seasons.
7 Ibid., ch ap. 24, pp. 11, 12. (Brackets i n o r i gi nal .)
8Ibid' ch ap. 26, p. 12.
9ANF, vol . i , p. 12, note 2.
10Mosh ei m and Neander th i nk th i s myth i cal mater i al may be a l ate r i nter po l ati o n.
11Gl i mms tr .. th e good d ay.
l s The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians, ch ap. 50, i n ANF, vol . 1, p. 18.
i s wi th o u t au th o r i ty: Le t us th e n wai t f o r th e ki n gd o m of
Go d, f r o m h o u r to h o u r , i n l ove an d r i gh teo usness, seei ng
th at we kno w n o t th e day of th e appe ar i n g of Go d . 13
We wi l l no w tr ace wh at C l e me n t of Ro me teach es i n th e
au th e n ti c First Epistle i n r e gar d to i mmo r tal i ty an d pu n i sh
me n twi th pe r i sh i n g, d e str u cti o n , an d d e ath f o r th e wi cked,
an d sal vati o n an d l i f e an d i mmo r tal i ty f o r th e r e d e e me d as
th e gi f t of Go d, f o r wh i ch r e war d we mu st wai t.
5. Si g n i f i c a n t Si l en c es i n C l e me n t s W i t n e s s . Sch ol arl y
Angl i can Pr e be n d ar y He n r y C o n stabl e r i gh tl y cal l s atte n ti o n
to C l e me n ts si l ence o n ce r tai n po i n ts. C l e me n t n e ve r
speaks of th e immortality of the soul, u e i th e r i n th o u gh t o r
i n ph r asi ng, n o r of eternal punishing, bo th of wh i ch co ncepts
abo u n d i n l ate r ch u r ch wr i te r s, such as T e r tu l l i an (d. c. 240)
an d Au gu sti n e (d. 430). C l e me n t says th at man i s a mo r tal
cr e atu r e , co nsi sti ng o nl y o f d u st an d ash esh i s l i f e as bu t
th e l i f e of o n e day. 15T h i s i s si gni f i cant. Bu t h e i s f ar mo r e
th an negati ve.
6. I mmo r t a l i t y a G i f t o f G o d , t o Be So u g h t F o r .
C l e me n t sets f o r th i mmo r tal i ty as o n e of Go d s gl o r i o u s gi f ts
to th e r e de e me d. Li f e i n i mmo r tal i ty, as h e ph r ases i t, i s a
gift o f Go d to th e r i gh te o us. An d i t i s pr e par e d f o r such as
wai t f o r Hi m. T o gai n i t we mu st ear ne stl y str i ve f o r i t,
i n o r d e r th at we may sh ar e i n Hi s pr o mi se d gi f ts.18C l e me n t
d i d n o t bel i eve th at th e wi cked e i th e r possessed Immo r tal i ty
by n atu r e o r sh o u l d ever o btai n i t.
As to zde (l i f e , o r e xi ste n ce ), C l e me n t l i kewi se uses
i t o nl y i n th e sense of exi stence. He speaks of th e life of man
wh i ch may l ast bu t f o r a day. It i s n o t me r e h appi n e ss, o r
wel l -be i ng, as co n te n d e d by a l ate r sch ool of wr i te r s. Wi th
13The Second Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians, ch ap. 12, i n The Apostolic Fathers
(tr . by Ki r so pp Lake ), vol . I, p. 147, Loeb C l assi cal Li brary.
14Henr y C o nstabl e, The Duration and Nature of Future Punishment, p. 168.
15Ibid. See The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians i n ANF, ch aps. 38, 39, 17,
vol . 1, pp. 15, 9. 10.
19The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians, ch ap. 35, i n ANF, vol . 1, p. 14.
C l e me n t, righteousness is not life, but the way to life. 17An d
i t i s Go d s wi l l th at we sh o u l d taste o f i mmo r tal kn o wl e d ge ,
th e kno wl edge o f i mmo r tal i ty. 18
7. D e a t h Is Ce s s a t i o n o f A l l Li f e .C l e me n t pr esents
d e ath (thanatos) as th e l o t o f al l man ki n d . He sets i t f o r th
as th e d e pr i vati o n of l i f e, th e cessati on o f th e f acul ti es, th e
e n d i n g of al l acti vi ti es. Al l me n ar e su bje ct to i ts cl ai ms,
exce pt such as Eno ch , wh o was e xe mpte d by tr an sl ati o n , f or,
as C l e me n t says, d e ath was n e ve r kno wn to h appe n to h i m. 19
Bu t f r o m Abel o n to C h r i st an d th e mar tyr s, al l suf f ered d e ath .90
C h r i st, as o u r Savi o ur an d su bsti tu te , was br o u gh t d o wn to
d e ath . Agai n, Hi s soul was d e l i ve r e d to d e ath , an d He was
r e cko n e d amo n g th e transgressors, an d He bar e th e si ns of
man y.21
An d wh en C l e me n t di scusses th at d e ath wh i ch i s th e u l ti
mate f ate of th e wi cked, h e cl ear l y states th at th e y wi l l u l t i
mate l y be d e pr i ve d of al l exi stence, an d beco me n o n e xi ste n t.
He does n o t r e f e r to a me r e l y spi r i tu al d e ath i n si n, o r of
endl ess l i f e i n e ve r l asti ng mi sery, as was l ate r pr o je cte d by
T e r tu l l i an an d Au gu sti n e .
8. W i c k e d t o Pe r i s h , Be D e s t r o y e d , Ce a s e t o Ex i s t .
As to th e f u tu r e pu n i sh me n t o f th e wi cked, C l e me n t uses such
terms as teleutad (to f i ni sh , acco mpl i sh , e n d ), an d th u s
to d i e , as th e e n d o r l oss of h u man exi stence. He goes o n to
state th at d e ath was vi si ted u po n th e pe o pl e of J e r i ch o , an d
d e ath came to th e ar my of Ph ar ao h i n th e Re d Sea. T h a t i s
th e d e ath th at comes u po n al l me n th r o u gh si n.
Agai n an d agai n C l e me n t uses th e te r ms pe r i sh an d
d e s tr u cti o n 29as th e e qu i val e n t of pu n i sh e d wi th d e ath 23
f o r th e f ate of th e wi cked. He f r e qu e n tl y qu o te s f r o m th e
17C onstabl e, op. cit., p. 169. See The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians, ch aps.
16, 17, 48, i n AMF, vol . 1, pp. 9, 10, 18.
18The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians, ch ap. 36, i n ANF, vol . 1, pp. 14,
15, note 1.
18Ibid., ch ap. 9, p. 7.
20Ibid., ch aps. 4, 16, pp. 6, 9.
21Ibid., ch ap. 16. p. 9.
22Ibid., C haps. 12, 39, 51, 55, pp. 11, 15, 19, 20.
23Ibid., ch ap. 51, p. 16.
Ol d T e s tame n tth e New T e stame n t was n o t yet assembl ed
ci ti n g h o w tr ansgr esso r s ar e to be de str o ye d f ro m of f th e
f ace o f th e e ar th ; h o w th e pr o ph e t l o o ke d f o r th e wi cked an d
be h o l d , h e was n o t (ch ap. 14); h o w e vi l do er s ar e to be cu t
of f , al o n g wi th th e r e me mbr an ce of th e m f r o m th e e ar th
(ch ap. 22); h o w Go d wi l l destr o y th e m, l i te r al l y th e y ar e
to be wi pe d o u t, an d Go d wi l l bl o t o u t even th e i r n ame
f r o m u n d e r h e ave n (ch ap. 53). T h a t was C l e me n ts bel i ef .
I t i s sketch y, an d n o t ampl i f i ed, as wi th o th e r wr i te r s soon to
f ol l ow. Bu t h i s wi tness i s co n si ste n t an d co ncl usi ve, an d i s si gni f
i can t be cause of i ts ti mi n g.
9. Co n s t a b l e s Su m m a r y o f Cl e m e n t s Vi e w s .We can
do n o be tte r th an to qu o te Angl i can Pr e be n d ar y C o n stabl e s
co ncl usi o ns, back i n 1886, af te r co mpl e ti n g h i s pai n staki n g
e xami n ati o n of th i s epi stl e of C l e me n t:
T h e r e can be n o d o u bt th e n o f C l e me n t o f Ro me s vi ew o f f u tu r e
pu n i s h me n t. By h i s si l e n ce an d by h i s wo r ds h e te l l s us wh at i t was. Wi th
h i m th e r e was n o i mmo r tal i ty f o r any bu t th e r e d e e me d o f C h r i st. En d
l ess l i f e was, wi th h i m, o n l y f o r th o se wh o wo u l d use i t to th e gl o r y o f th e
Gi ve r . Fo r al l o th e r s th e r e was, af te r r e su r r e cti o n an d ju d gme n t, th e se n
te n ce to a se co n d d e ath , th e l oss o f e xi ste n ce f o r eve r , f r o m wh i ch th e y
wer e n e ve r to be r e cal l e d to an o th e r l i f e, a n o th e r pr o bati o n , an o th e r
o ppo r tu n i ty o f sal vati o n . 24
C l e me n t cl ear l y bel i e ve d th at i mmo r tal i ty was co n d i ti o n al
to be besto wed o n th e r i gh te o u s onl y.
I t wi l l be essenti al f o r us to watch th e seque nce an d r e l a
ti o n sh i ps o f th e l ast events, o r esch atol ogy, h e l d by each o f th ese
Apo sto l i c Fath e r s, f o r th e r e i n l i es th e cl u e to th e i r vi ews of
th e n atu r e an d de sti ny of man. In th i s way th e co nce pts of
C l e me n t o f Ro me , th o u gh f r agme n tar y, beco me u n mi stakabl e .
T h e o th e r s wi l l u n f o l d i n si mi l ar bu t cl e ar e r patte r n .
I I I . Ignati us of Anti och Immo r tal i ty Sol el y f or Sai nts;
Si nners to Peri sh
Pr e su mabl y n e xt i n ti mi n g amo ng th e Apo sto l i c Fath e r s
comes Ig n a t i u s , su r n ame d T h e o ph o r u s (d. c. a .d . 107), bi sh o p
24C o nstabl e, op. cit., p. 170.
o f An ti o ch , wh o suf f er ed mar tyr d o m by be i n g th r o wn to wi l d
beasts i n th e Fl avi an Amph i th e ate r at Ro me d u r i n g th e l atte r
h al f of T r a ja n s r e i gn (a .d . 98-117). He was co n ve r te d to th e
C h r i sti an f ai th i n matu r i ty, bu t th e r e st of h i s pe r so nal l i f e
i s wr appe d i n o bscur i ty.
Mo r e co ntr o ve r sy h as ce n te r e d ar o u n d Ign ati u s wr i ti n gs
th an ar o u n d th o se o f any o th e r Apo sto l i c Fath e r . Of th e f i f teen
epi stl es attr i bu te d to h i m e i gh t ar e uni ve r sal l y r e je cte d as
spur i o us. T h o se we wi l l i gno r e . T h e r e mai n i n g sevento th e
Eph esi ans, Magnesi ans, T r al l i an s, Ro mans, Ph i l ad e l ph i an s,
an d Smyrnaeans, an d to Po l ycar par e al l i n sh o r t an d l o n g
Gr e e k f orms. I t i s ge n e r al l y be l i e ve d th at th e l o n ge r ver si o ns
h ave o bvi o usl y be e n co r r u pte d by l ate r h ands, so th e sh o r te r
versi o ns ar e h e r e used.
Bu t even th e y ar e d o ubtl e ss n o t f ree f r o m i n te r po l a
ti o n . 20 Fo r exampl e , th e epi scopacy i s gi ve n an emph asi s
wh o l l y o u t o f ke e pi n g wi th th e kno wn ch u r ch po l i ty of th e
ear l y seco nd ce n tu r y.28T h e r e i s al so a Syri ac ver si o n of th r e e
epi stl esth e Eph esi ans, Ro mans, an d Po l ycarpwh i ch i s
h e l pf u l f o r co mpar i so n.
Wi th th i s i n tr o d u cti o n we tu r n to th e ge n u i n e Ign ati an
l e tte r s. (Ign ati u s ti mi n g an d catego r y appe ar o n T a bu l a r
C h ar t E, page 758.) Fo r co n ve ni e nce we wi l l n o te I gn ati u s e vi
d e n ce by i n d i vi d u al epi stl es.
1. T o t h e Ep h e s i a n s : I m m o r t a l i t y I s Gi f t o f Ch r i s t .
In The Epistle to the Ephesians Ign ati u s expresses co nsci o us
ness an d co n ce r n o ver th e appr o ach i n g l atter -day cri ses l yi ng
be f o r e th e ch u r ch . T h u s : T h e l ast ti mes ar e co me u po n us.
Le t us th e r e f o r e be of a r e ve r e n t spi r i t. He ur ges th e me n
o f Eph esus to stan d i n awe of th e wr ath to co me , an d
admo ni sh es, Let us be found in Christ Jesus unto the true
23Intro ducto r y No te to th e Epi stl e o f Ignati us to th e Eph esi ans, i n ANF, vol . 1, p. 47.
28On th e matte r of i nterpol ati on, sound advi ce is gi ven by th e l ate Arch bi sh op Dr .
Wi l l i am T empl e . He states th at we sh oul d bewar e o f acce pti ng, o r of r eadi ng i nto th ese earl y
wr i ti ngs, concepts th at were not i ntro duced i nto th e C h ri sti an creed f or ano th er centur y
o r so. T h eref o r e state ments or expressi ons th at were common par l ance l ater , bu t were f orei gn
to th e second centur y, may wel l be regar ded as l ater i nterpol ati o ns. T h at is good counsel .
C l ement of Rome Barnabas C ontrasts
Immo r tal i ty a Gi f t f o r Et e r n a l Li f e Wi t h
th e Ri gh teo us Onl y; Ete r nal Death ; Satan,
Fi nal Death th e Dep- Si nners, an d Evi l to
r i vati o n of Exi stence Be Destroyed,
f o r th e Wi cked.
Ignati us of Anti och
Immo r tal i ty Sol el y f or
Sai nts; Death f o r Si n
ners Means C easi ng
to Be.
Pol ycarp Resur rec
ti o n Is Sol e Gateway
to Immo r tal i ty; T h e r e
f o r e Re s u r r e ct i o n
Pi votal .
No te o n Po r tr a i ts o f C h u r ch Fath e r s He r e Re pr o d u ce d
Wh i l e actu al po r tr ai ts , busts, o r statu e s o f th e C h u r ch Fath e r s
o f th e e ar l y ce n tu r i e s h ave o n l y r ar e l y be e n pr e se r ve d , tr ad i ti o n al
l i ke nesses base d u po n th e d e scr i pti o n s l e f t by co n te mpo r ar i e s d o
e xi st. Wh i l e th e y ar e bu t ar ti sts co n ce pti o n s, th e y h e l p to pe r so n
al i ze th e se o f te n -n o te d me n wh o we r e th e l e ad i n g f i gur es i n th e
co n f l i ct o ve r tr u th , wi th i ts swayi ng battl e l i n e s an d u l ti mate
cr ystal l i zati o n i n to th r e e r i val sch o o l s o f th o u gh t o n th e n atu r e
an d d e sti n y o f man .
We pr e se n t th e m f o r wh at th e y ar e wo r th , th a t we may be tte r
vi su al i ze th e pr i n ci pal pe r so n al i ti e s i n th e str u ggl e th a t was tr e
me n d o u sl y r e al an d d e te r mi n ati ve i n th a t f o r mati ve pe r i o d o f th e
e ar l y ce n tu r i e s, an d th a t pr o f o u n d l y af f ected th e l i f e o f th e ch u r ch
acr oss th e e n ti r e C h r i s ti an Er a. T h e s e ar e l ar ge l y d r awn f r o m
An d r e T r e ve ts r e mar kabl e bo o k o f po r tr ai ts , wi th bi o gr aph i cal
sketch es, pr i n te d back i n 1584.
life. 27We sh al l see h o w th i s co n ti n u i n g th e me o f life in Christ
r u n s as a go l d e n th r e ad th r o u gh o u t h i s epi stl es. He r ef ers, f o r
e xampl e , i n ch apte r th r e e , to J esus C h r i st as o u r i n se par abl e
27 The Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians, ch ap. 11, i n ANF, vol . 1, p. 54. (Ital i cs
suppl i ed.)
25 769
l i f e . 28T h i s h e enl ar ges u po n i n ch apte r seve nte e n by d e cl ar
i n g th at o u r Lo r d was an o i n te d th at He mi gh t breathe
immortality into His Church He warns agai nst th e pr i n ce
o f th i s wo r l d l e ad i n g any away capti ve f r o m th e l i f e wh i ch
i s set be f o r e yo u . An d h e asks, Wh y do we f o o l i sh l y per i sh ,
n o t r e co gn i si n g th e gi f t wh i ch th e Lo r d h as of a tr u th se nt
to us? 29
I n ch apte r e i gh te e n Ign ati u s al l ude s to th e pr o vi si o n of th e
cross as be i n g to us sal vati o n an d life eternal.30 An d i n ch ap
te r n i n e te e n h e tel l s of Go d Hi mse l f be i n g man i f e ste d i n
h u man f o r m f o r th e renewal of eternal life. . . . He n ce f o r th
al l th i n gs wer e i n a state of tu mu l t, because He me d i tate d
th e abo l i ti o n o f d e ath . 31T h e n i n ch apte r twe nty h e i n te r e st
i ngl y r ef er s to br e aki n g o ne an d th e same br e ad , wh i ch i s th e
medicine of immortality, an d th e an ti d o te to pr e ve n t us f r o m
dyi ng, bu t [wh i ch causes] th at we sh o u l d live for ever i n J esus
C h r i st. 32Li f e, e te r n al l i f e, i s h i s bu r d e n .
I n al l of th i s Ign ati u s stresses th e f act th at th e gi f t of
Immo r tal i ty comes o nl y th r o u gh C h r i st, wh ereas d e ath i s th e
i n e vi tabl e po r ti o n of th e si n n e r . He says, i n ch apte r si xte en,
th at th e pe r so n wh o co r r u pts by wi cked d o ctr i n e th e f ai th
of Go d sh al l , th u s def i l ed, go away i n to everlasting33fire, an d
so sh al l every o ne th at h e ar ke ns u n to h i m. 34
T h e u n qu e n ch abl e n e ss of th e f i re does not, h o wever, i n
vol ve th e l ate r Au gu sti n i an co n ce pti o n of endl ess exi stence
i n to r me n t of al l wh o ar e cast i n to i t. T h a t do gma of th e i n
def e asi bl e i mmo r tal i ty o f th e wi cked as wel l as th e r i gh te o u s
was an i n n o vati o n n o t i n tr o d u ce d f o r an o th e r ce n tu r y. So,
i n wr i ti n g to th e Eph esi ans, Ign ati u s h o l ds th at i mmo r tal i ty
28Ibid., ch ap 3, p. 50. No te: Var i ant f orms of di vi si oni nto sh ort ch apter s (AMF),
i nto ch apter s and verses (Li gh tf o o t), and merel y i nto number ed secti ons (Gl i mm)may cause
some conf usi o n. We f ol l ow th e ANF styl ech apters onl y.
29Ibid., ch ap. 17, p. 56. Gl i mm reads, i nco r rupti bi l i ty f or i mmo r tal i ty.
30 Ibid., ch ap. 18, pp. 56, 57. (Ital i cs suppl i ed.)
31Ibid., ch ap. 19, p. 57. (Ital i cs suppl i ed.) Li gh tf o o t reads, as h e desi gned to
abol i sh d e ath .
32Ibid., ch ap. 20, p. 58. (Brackets i n or i gi nal , i tal i cs suppl i ed.)
33Li gh tf oot tr ., unquench abl e f i re.
34Ibid., ch ap. 16, p. 56.
an d e te r n al l i f e f o r th e r i gh te o u s ar e th e exact o ppo si tes
o f pe r i sh i n g f o r th e wi cked.
2. T o t h e Ma g n e s i a n s : D e a t h Is Ce a s i n g t o Be . At th e
ver y o u tse t o f Ign ati u s Epistle to the Magnesians (i n Io n i a,
Asi a Mi n o r ) h e speaks of C h r i st as th e co n stan t so ur ce of
o u r life. 36 He th e n sets f o r th th e two basi c al te r n ati ve s i n
ch apte r f i ve:
Seei ng, th e n , all thi?igs have an end, th ese two th i ngs ar e
si mu l tan e o u sl y set bef o r e usdeath an d life; an d every o ne
sh al l go u n to h i s own pl ace . 38
An d h e adds, co n ce r n i n g th e u n be l i e vi n g, an d th ose
C h r i sti an s n o t i n r eadi ne ss to di e i n to Hi s passi o n, th at Hi s
[C h r i sts] l i f e is not in us.37 In ch apte r te n h e makes th e
u n e qu i vo cal state me n t, Fo r wer e He to r e war d us acco r di ng
to o u r works, we sh o u l d cease to be. 38T h i s co mpo r ts wi th
I gn ati u s message to th e Eph esi ans, th at wh e n th e si n n e r i s
r e war d e d acco r di ng to h i s deeds h e wi l l th e n cease to exi st.
T h u s th e r e wi l l be an e n d of al l th i n gse xce pt of th o se wh o
par take o f th e pr o f f er ed l i f e i n C h r i st.
3. T o t h e T r a l l i a n s : L i f e T h r o u g h Ch r i s t s D e a t h .
In th e i n tr o d u cti o n to h i s Epistle to the Trallians (i n C ar i a,
Asi a Mi n o r , so uth e ast of Eph esus), Ign ati u s speaks o f J esus
C h r i st, wh o i s o u r h o pe, th r o u gh our rising again to Him,
o r i n th e resurrection wh i ch i s by Hi m. 39In th i s new tr e ati se
h e co n ti n u e s to wr i te i n h ar mo n y wi th h i s pr e vi o us de cl ar ati o ns,
as wh e n h e states i n ch apte r two, co n ce r n i n g J e sus C h r i st,
wh o d i e d f o r us, th at by be l i e vi n g i n Hi s d e ath , ye may escape
from death. " An d agai n i n ch apte r f o ur , I r e str ai n mysel f ,
l est I sh o u l d perish th r o u gh bo asti n g. 41An d f i nal l y, i n ch apte r
35The Epistle of Ignatius to the Magnesians, ch ap. 1, i n ANF, vol . 1, p. 59.
w Ibid., ch ap. 5, p. 61. (Ital i cs suppl i ed.) Gl i mms tr ., "to hi s appr o pri ate pl ace .
37Ibid., note 3 reads, af te r th e l i keness of Hi s passi o n.
38Ibid., ch ap. 10, p. 63. J . M. Denni sto n r enders i t, We ar e no mo r e (ouk
etiesmen) (The Perishing Soul, pp. 296, 297).
39The Epistle of Ignatius to the Trallians, Intr o ducti o n, i n ANF, vol . 1, p. 66. (Ital i cs
suppl i ed.)
40Ibid., ch ap. 2, p. 66. (Ital i cs suppl i ed.)
n i n e , th at as th e Fath e r qu i cke n e d C h r i st, so af te r th e same
man n e r Hi s Fath e r wi l l so raise up us wh o bel i eve i n Hi m
by C h r i st J esus, apar t f r o m wh o m we do n o t possess th e true
life. 42 Li f e, th e n , i s o nl y i n C h r i st, an d th o se wh o do n o t
possess th i s l i f e ar e to per i sh .
4. T o t h e R o m a n s : R e s u r r e c t i o n Fo l l o w s Sl e e p o f
D e a t h . C h apte r o ne of I gn ati u s Epistle to the Romans, wh i ch
i s ti tl e d As a Pr i so n e r , I Ho pe to See Yo u, was wr i tte n as h e
was h e ad i n g to war d Ro me , th at gr e at ci ty, f o r h i s appr o ach i n g
mar tyr d o m. Yet h e wel co med such a f ate, d e cl ar i n g, I t i s go o d
to set f r o m th e wo r l d u n to Go d, th at I may rise again to Hi m. 43
T h e r e su r r e cti o n was h i s u n f ai l i n g star of h o pe. An d i n ch apte r
f o u r , u po n go i ng to h i s d e ath , to be gr o u n d by th e te e th of
th e wi l d beasts, wh i ch wo u l d beco me h i s to mb, Ign ati u s states
si gni f i cantl y th at h e wi l l th e n h ave fallen asleep [i n d e ath ]. 44
Such was h i s co n ce pt of de ath .
In ch apte r si x h e decl ares, I t i s be tte r f o r me to di e i n
be h al f of J esus C h r i st, th an to r e i gn o ver al l th e ends of th e
e ar th . 45An d f i nal l y, i n ch apte r seven h e states th at h e h as
n o pl e asu r e i n co r r u pti bl e f ood, n o r i n th e pl e asur e s
of th i s l i f e , bu t i n th e br e ad of Go d , o r br e ad of l i f e ,
an d th e d r i n k of Go d, name l y Hi s bl o o d, wh i ch i s i n co r
r u pti bl e l ove an d eternal life. 46
5. E pi s t l e t o Po l y c a r p : Sl e e p , R e s u r r e c t i o n , I m m o r t a l
i t y .Fi nal l y, i n The Epistle of Ignatius to Polycarp, bi sh o p
o f th e Smyrnans, i n ch apte r two Ign ati u s e xh o r ts h i s f el l ow
bi sh o p to be so be r as an ath l e te of Go d: th e prize set be f o r e
th e e i s immortality and eternal life, o f wh i ch th o u ar t al so
pe r su ad e d . 47 I n ch apte r th r e e Ign ati u s ur ges Po l ycarp to
wei gh car e f u l l y th e ti mes. Lo o k f o r Hi m wh o i s abo ve al l
42Ibid., ch ap. 9, p. 70. (Ital i cs suppl i ed.) Li gh tf oot, "wi th o u t wh om we h ave no
tr ue l i f e .
43The Epistle of Ignatius to the Romans, ch ap. 2, i n ANF, vol . 1, p. 74. (Ital i cs sup-
pl i ed.)
44Ibid., ch ap. 4, p. 75. (Brackets i n th e o ri gi nal ; i tal i cs suppl i ed.)
45Ibid., ch ap. 6, p. 76.
47The Epistle of Ignatius to Polycarp, ch ap. 2, i n ANF, vol . 1, p. 94. (Ital i cs suppl i ed.)
ti me , e te r n al an d i nvi si bl e, yet wh o became vi si bl e f o r o u r
sakesth r o u gh th e i n car n ati o n , an d wh o i s co mi n g agai n .
T h e n h e adds i n ch apte r si x, o n T h e d u ti e s o f th e C h r i sti an
Fl o ck, th i s co mpr e h e n si ve po r tr ayal of th e essence an d u n i ty
o f C h r i sti an l i f e:
Labo u r to ge th e r wi th o n e an o th e r ; str i ve i n co mpan y to ge th e r ; r u n
to ge th e r ; suf f er to ge th e r ; sleep to ge th e r [i n d e ath ]; a n d awake to ge th e r
[i n th e r e su r r e cti o n ], as th e ste war ds, an d asso ci ates, an d se r van ts o f
Go d . 46
T h a t was I gn ati u s esch ato l o gi cal co n ce pt an d se qu e n ce
th e l atte r days, th e Adve nt, th e r e su r r e cti o n , i mmo r tal i ty.
6. G i f t o f G o d V e r s u s W a g e s o f S i n . T h a t i s th e bu r d e n
of Ign ati u s te sti mo ny. Hi s co n ti n u i n g th e me i s th e gift of life
and immortality for the saved in Christ, wi th pe r i sh i n g an d
ceasi ng to exi st f o r th e l ost, o u tsi d e of C h r i st. T h e r e i s n o
r e f e r e n ce to th i s th e me i n h i s epi stl es to th e Ph i l ad e l ph i an s an d
Smyrnaeans. Bu t i n th ese f i ve epi stl es ci te d h e i s u tte r l y si l e n t
i n r e gar d to any I n n ate Immo r tal i ty of th e so ul o r an yth i n g
aki n th e r e to . Inste ad, th e d e cl ar ati o n s of th ese se par ate tr eati ses
ar e a u n i t i n se tti n g f o r th i mmo r tal i ty an d i n co r r u pti bi l i ty as
co n f e r r e d i n, an d o nl y th r o u gh , C h r i st. I t i s n o t o u r s i n tr i n s i
cal l y. T h i s h e states co nstantl y. Bu t i t i s to be so u gh t f o r an d
o btai n e d .
As to th e d e ath of th e wi cked, even Dr . Ed war d Beech er,
th e Re sto r ati o n i st, ad mi ts th at i n some cases th e i de a of
an n i h i l ati o n i s suggested. Yes, bu t i t i s mo r e th an suggested,
i t i s asser ted. Ho we ver , th e be tte r te r ms ar e d e str o ye d ,
pe r i sh e d , ceasi ng to e xi st. T h a t f r o m Ign ati u s.
48Ibid., ch ap. 3, p. 94.
49Ibid., ch ap. 6, p. 95. (Ital i cs suppl i ed.) T h e Syri ac reads, ri se to geth er (ANF,
vol . 1, p. 100).
50Edward Beech er, History of Opinions on the Scriptural Doctrine of Retribution, p. 283.
C H A P T E R F O R T Y - F I V E
mmo r tal i ty Bestowed at Adve nt;
Wi cke d Destr o yed
I. DidacheFol l o ws Stan d ar d Patte r n o n th e T wo Ways
Sti l l an o th e r ear l y d e pi cti o n of th e no w f r e qu e n tl y stressed
two waysth e way o f life an d th e way o f death i n C h r i sti an
co n d u ctwas The Didache o r The Teaching of the Twelve
Apostles. T h i s an ci e n t C h r i sti an tr e ati se ,1d e al i n g wi th ear l y
C h r i sti an o r d e r , bel i ef s, an d wo r sh i p, was sti l l used as l ate as
th e f o u r th ce n tu r y. I t was a d i sci pl i ne , empl o ye d i n cate ch e ti
cal i n s tr u cti o n , to pr e par e new co nver ts f o r bapti sm.
The Didache i s qu i te si mi l ar i n emph asi s an d so mewh at
i n ph r asi n g to The Epistle of Barnabas. Bo th wr i te r s o bvi o usl y
d r e w f r o m a co mmo n so urce, bu i l d i n g o n an d e xpo u n d i n g
th e cu r r e n t bel i ef s an d pr acti ces f o r th e subapo sto l i c age. T h e
tr e ati se was f o o d f o r l ambs, n o t f o r th o se of f u l l age. I n
si ze i t i s abo u t th e same as th e Ser mo n o n th e Mo u n t, an d i s
co u ch e d i n th e si mpl e l anguage of th at tr an si ti o n al pe r i o d f r o m
New T e s tame n t usage to eccl esi asti cal Gr eek.
The Didache co r r e spo nds i n te ach i n g n o t o nl y to The
Epistle of Barnabas bu t to The Shepherd of Hermas, as wel l as
to The Apostolic Constitutions. I t i s r e f e r r e d to by var i o us ear l y
C h r i sti an wr i ter s, i n cl u d i n g h i sto r i an Euse bi us (d. c. a .d . 340).
Ath an asi u s (d. a .d . 373) states th at i t co mpr i se d r e ad i n g
f o r cate ch u me n s of Ge n ti l e bi r th . T h e pu r i ty o f th e te xt can n o t
be d e te r mi n e d . T h e r e ar e d o ubtl e ss some co r r u pti o n s. Its
1T h e document was recover ed by Greek Patr i ar ch Ph i l otl i eos Bryenni os of Ni co demi a,
i n th e l i brary of th e J erusal em Monaster y of th e Most Hol y Sepul ch re at C onstanti nopl e.
774
I MMORT AL I T Y BEST OWED AT ADVENT 775
ti mi n g i s r e cko n e d as appr o xi mati n g th at of Bar nabas, an d i s
no w pl aced at abo u t a .d . 120. Its o r i gi n was possi bl y Egypt o r
Syri a. (See T a bu l a r C h ar t F, o n page 758.)
The Didache was n o t pr e par e d f o r eccl esi asti cal center s,
bu t mo r e f o r r e mo te secti o ns. T h e r e ar e f r e qu e n t Ol d T e sta
me n t ref er ences, wi th ci tati o n s f r o m th e Gospel s, as th e New
T e s tame n t was n o t yet co mpi l e d . T h e r e i s mar ke d si mi l ar i ty
i n esch ato l o gi cal o u tl i n e to Pau l s T h e ssal o n i an l etter s. An d i t
i s i n d e f i n i te co n f o r mi ty wi th apo sto l i c te ach i ng, r e pr e se n ti n g
a vi e wpo i n t th at e r e l o n g came to be aban d o n e d u n d e r th e
i mpact o f th e Ne o pl ato n i c pressur es. He n ce i t di f f ers f ro m th e
r e co r d e d po si ti o ns of th e ch u r ch gener al l y, as h e l d i n post-
Ni ce n e ti mes. Bu t i t was sti l l th e apo sto l i c voi ce ech o i ng i n
su bapo sto l i c ti mes.
I I . Esch ato l o gi cal C o n ce pt o f Ear l y C h u r ch i n Ou tl i n e
1. T h e C o mmo n T h e me o f Su b a po s t o l i c A g e .In
h ar mo n y wi th ch ar acte r i sti c subapo sto l i c-age emph asi s, th e
co mmo n th e me of The Didache, o r The Teaching, i s th e
po r tr ayal o f th e two ways, o ne of l i f e an d o n e of d e ath .
T h e unity o f th e tr e ati se i s th u s pr eser ved, an d th e l ast ch apte r
di scl oses th e i n e vi tabl e e n d i n g o f th e two waysf o r th e go o d
i t i s life, f o r th e wi cked i t i s death. Fo l l o wi ng i s an e pi to me
o f th i s ear l y man u al f o r bapti smal i n str u cti o n .
In essence, th e way o f l i f e l eads to r eadi ness f o r th e
l ast eventsth e Second Adve nt, th e r e su r r e cti o n , an d th e
e te r n al ki ngdo m. In co n tr ast, th e way of d e ath l eads to th e
f i nal d e str u cti o n of th e i mpe n i te n tl y wi cked. T h o se wh o
f ol l ow th e way of l i f e wi l l pr acti ce th e l ove of Go d to th e i r
f el l ow man , par ti ci pate i n th e o r d i n an ce s of bapti sm an d th e
Lo r d s Su ppe r , wh i ch po i n t to l i f e e te r n al , an d engage i n
pr ayer s an d me d i tati o n , awai ti n g th e r e tu r n of th e Lo r d .
T h e r e i s n o ad mi xtu r e o f J ewi sh Ph i l o n i an o r Gr e e k Al e x
an d r i an ph i l o so ph y, an d n o th i n g r e mo te l y r e se mbl i n g th e l ate r
I n n ate -I mmo r tal i ty-o f -th e -s o u l co n ce pt e i th e r i n ph r ase o r
th o u gh t, an d i ts l ate r co mmo n co r o l l ar y, th e Ete r n al T o r me n t
of th e i mpe n i te n t.
T h e esch atol ogy o f The Didache i nvol ves th e l i vi ng s u r
vi val of a ce r tai n n u mbe r o f bel i ever s an d th e r e su r r e cti o n of
th e rest. Ete r n al l i f e i s co nce i ved of as i n d e pe n d e n t of th e
body. Af te r th e gr e at apostasy th e wo r l d passes th r o u gh tr i al
by f i re, an d th e r i gh te o u s ar e saved. T h e se ar e th e d e sti n e d
endi ngs of th e two ways.
2. I n v o l v e me n t s o f t h e W a y o f L i f e .He r e ar e th e
exact ci tati o n s. T h e o pe n i n g se nte nce of ch apte r o ne r eads:
T h e r e ar e two ways, o n e o f l i f e an d o n e o f d e ath ; bu t a gr e at d i f f e r
e n ce be twe e n th e two ways. T h e way o f l i f e, th e n , i s th i s: Fi r st, th o u
sh al t l o ve Go d wh o mad e th e e ; se co nd, th y n e i gh bo u r as th ys e l f . 2
T h e n f o l l o w th e mai n po i n ts o f th e Ser mo n o n th e Mo u n t.
The Teaching passes f rom th e po si ti ve to th e negati ve, an d
grosser an d l esser si ns ar e f o r bi d d e n . Af te r th e l i sti n g of var i o us
pr ece pts, ch apte r f o u r ends, T h i s i s th e way of l i f e (Bar
nabas, th e way o f l i gh t, n o te 29).3
3. W a y o f D e a t h C o n t r a s t ed W i t h E t e r n a l L i f e
P r o v i s i o n .C h apte r f i ve o pens wi th An d th e way of death
i s th i s. Bar n abas par al l e l i n g state me n t o f th e seco nd way i s
i nte nsi f i e d to th e way of eternal d e ath . 4T we n ty-two si ns ar e
th e n l i sted i n The Didache, wh i ch th e r i gh te o u s ar e to avo i d.
Af te r war n i n g agai nst f al se teach ers, th e r e i s ad mo n i ti o n to
bapti ze i n l i vi ng wate r (no te 18: Pr o babl y running water),
an d to par ti ci pate i n th e Lo r d s Suppe r . T h i s pr aye r f o r th e
ch u r ch , wh i ch i s to be gath e r e d to ge th e r f r o m th e ends of th e
e ar th i n to T h y ki n gd o m, i s th e n suggested, be gi n n i n g:
We th an k th e e , h o l y Fath e r . . . . T h o u , Maste r , al mi gh ty, d i d st
cr e ate al l th i n gs f o r T h y n ame s sake; T h o u gave st f o o d an d d r i n k to
me n f o r e n jo yme n t, th a t th e y mi gh t gi ve th an ks to T h e e ; bu t to us
[f o l l o wer s o f C h r i st] T h o u d i d st f r e el y gi ve s pi r i tu al f o o d an d d r i n k
an d l i f e e te r n al th r o u gh T h y Se r van t [J esus C h r i st]. 5
2The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, ch ap. 1, i n ANF, vol . 7, p. 377.
3Ibid., ch ap. 4, p. 378.
I MMORT ALI T Y BEST OWED AT ADVENT 777
T h e pr aye r draws to war d i ts cl ose wi th :
Re me mbe r , Lo r d , T h y C h u r ch , to d e l i ve r i t f r o m al l e vi l an d to
make i t pe r f e ct i n T h y l o ve, an d gath e r i t f r o m th e f o u r wi n d s, san cti f i e d
f o r T h y ki n gd o m wh i ch T h o u h as t pr e pa r e d f o r i t. 9
I t cl oses wi th th e appe al Le t th i s wo r l d pass away, an d
an ad mo n i ti o n to r e pe n tan ce an d h o l i ness.7 T h e n i t adds,
Maran athao u r Lo r d co me th .
4. P er i l s o f C o mi n g A po s t a s y P o r t r a y e d .T h e cl o si ng
ch apte r (si xteen), o n Watch f ul ne ss; T h e C o mi n g of th e
Lo r d , begi ns wi th th e words:
Watch f o r yo u r l i f e s sake (n o te 2; o ve r yo u r l i f e ). Le t n o t yo u r
l amps be qu e n ch e d , n o r yo u r l o i n s u n l o o se d ; bu t be ye r e ad y, f o r ye
kn o w n o t th e h o u r i n wh i ch o u r Lo r d co me th . 8
T h e war n i n g i s gi ven th at th e wh o l e ti me of yo u r f ai th
wi l l n o t pr o f i t you, i f ye be n o t made pe r f e ct i n th e l ast ti me .
T h a t i s a co n ti n u i n g th e me .
We n e xt r e ad:
Fo r i n th e l ast days f al se pr o ph e ts an d co r r u pte r s sh al l be mu l ti pl i e d ,
an d th e sh e e p sh al l be tu r n e d i n to wol ves, an d l o ve sh al l be tu r n e d i n to
h ate ; f o r wh e n l awl essness i n cr e ase th , th e y sh al l h ate an d pe r se cu te an d
be tr ay o n e an o th e r , an d th e n sh al l a ppe ar th e wo r l d -d e ce i ve r as So n o f
Go d , an d sh al l d o si gns an d wo n d e r s, an d th e e ar th sh al l be d e l i ve r e d
i n to h i s h a n d an d h e sh al l d o i n i qu i to u s th i n gs wh i ch h ave n e ve r yet
co me to pass si nce th e be gi n n i n g. 9
5. E s c h a t o l o g i c a l O u t l i n e o f L a s t T h i n g s .An d no w
f ol l ows th e o u tl i n e of th e l ast th i ngs, i n ti me s l ast h o u r , f r o m
The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles. Fi r st, th e ti me of tr i al :
T h e n sh al l th e cr e ati o n of me n co me i n to th e f i r e of
tr i al , an d many sh al l be mad e to stu mbl e an d sh al l pe r i sh ;
bu t th e y th at e n d u r e i n th e i r f ai th sh al l be saved. 10
Fi n al l y comes th e cl i max, at th e Second Adve nt, pr e se n te d
i n th ese words:
An d th e n sh al l a ppe ar th e si gns o f th e t r u t h [o f th e pe r so n al
ad ve n t]; f i rst, th e si gn o f an o u ts pr e ad i n g i n h e ave n (n o te 6: Hi tch -
Ibid.
T Ibid.
8Ibid., ch ap. 16, p. 382.
Ibid.
10Ibid.
co ck an d Br o wn , Sch af f an d o th e r s, pr e f e r o pe n i n g ); th e n th e si gn
o f th e s o u n d o f th e tr u mpe t; an d th i r d , th e r e su r r e cti o n o f th e d e ad ;
ye t n o t o f al l ,11bu t as i t i s sai d : T h e Lo r d sh al l co me an d al l Hi s sai n ts
wi th Hi m (n o te 17: "Pr o babl y i t i s base d u po n th e Pau l i n e e sch ato l o gy).
T h e n sh al l th e wo r l d see th e L o r d s co mi n g u po n th e cl o u d s o f h e ave n . 12
T h a t i s al l . T h e tr e ati se ends abr u ptl y, wi th th e Ad ve n t
expectancy. Bu t i t ref l ects th e apo sto l i c te ach i n g i n th e sub-
apo sto l i c age. I t f i ts th e patte r n th e Apo sto l i c Fath e r s pr e se n t
l i f e o nl y i n C h r i st f o r th e r i gh te o u s, o r C o n d i ti o n al I mmo r tal
i ty, an d e te r n al d e ath f o r th e wi cked.
I I I . Bar n abasC o ntr asts Ete r n al Li f e Wi th Ete r n al De ath
Vi r tu al l y n o sch o l ar ascri bes The Epistle of Barnabas
(c. a .d . 130-c. 140) to th e apo stl e Bar nabas, f r i e n d an d co m
pan i o n o f th e apo stl e Pau l . Rath e r , i t i s cr e d i te d to an o th e r of
th e same name . T h e i n te r n al evi dence h as al ways be e n co n cl u
si vel y agai n st th e o l d e r vi ew. T h e wr i te r was possi bl y a J e wi sh
C h r i sti an of Al e xan d r i a, f o r th e Bar nabas e pi stl e i s me n ti o n e d
by C l e me n t of Al e xan d r i a an d by Or i ge n , al so of Al e xan d r i a,
an d i ts te n d e n cy to al l ego r i ze f i ts i n to th e Al e xan d r i an scene.13
Al th o u gh th e au th o r can n o t be i d e n ti f i e d wi th any ce r
tai n ty, th e e pi stl e i tse l f comes to us f r o m h i gh an ti qu i ty. I t
so o n o btai n e d a r eco gni zed pl ace, an d was r e ad al o u d i n pu bl i c
wo r sh i p i n some of th e ear l y ch ur ch e s, acco r d i n g to Eusebi us,
wh o r an ks i t al o n g wi th such wr i ti ngs as The Shepherd (o r
Pastor) of HermasP J e r o me al so no te s i t. So The Epistle of
Barnabas mu st be surveyed, si nce i t bel o ngs i n th e catego ry
of th e Apo sto l i c Fath e r s. (See C h ar t F, page 758, f o r catego ry
an d ti me sequence .)
T h e f i rst par t o f th e e pi stl e i s d i r e cte d agai n st J u d ai zi n g,
11Gi i mm adds, me n . S. D. F. Sai mond observes: T h e resurrecti on of th e dead,
wh i ch , h owever, is not of al l men. but of th e sai nts (Christian Doctrine of Immortality, p. 596).
12The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, ch ap. 16, i n ANF, vol . 7, p. 382.
13A. H. Newman says, We canno t avoi d th e supposi ti on th at th e epi stl e was wr i tte n
by a man wh o h ad come un d e r th e i nf l uence of th e Al exandri an ph i l osoph y, pr obabl y of th e
ear l i er f orms of Gnosti ci sm as wel l (A Manual of Church History, vol . 1, pp. 221, 222).
14Eusebi us, Church History, book 3, ch ap. 25, i n NPNF, vol . 1, p. 156.
an d i s d e si gne d to sh ow th e abo l i ti o n o f J u d ai sm by me ans o f
th e spi r i tu al i n sti tu ti o n s o f C h r i sti an i ty. T h e wr i te r s grasp of
Dan i e l s o u tl i n e pr o ph eci es, i n ch apte r f o u r of th e epi stl e, i s
r ath e r r e mar kabl e f o r th e ti me , especi al l y h i s u n d e r stan d i n g
o f Dan i e l 7th e f o u r wo r l d powers, th e te n di vi si o ns of th e
f o u r th e mpi r e (Ro me ), f o l l o wed by th e co mi n g of th e Bl ack
On e , o r l awl ess o ne, pr i o r to th e Second Ad ve n t an d i mmi n e n t
day o f th e Lo r d .15T h e r e su r r e cti o n , at th e Adve nt, i s po r tr aye d
as th e gateway o f th e C h r i sti an h o pe an d e xpe ctati o n . T h u s
i s r e ve al e d th e wr i te r s u n d e r stan d i n g of th e o r d e r of l ast
events. T h i s h o pe was su bse qu e n tl y l ost th r o u gh th e al l ego r i -
zati o n o f th e pr o ph e ci e s, th e r e su r r e cti o n , an d th e Adve nt,
u n d e r Or i ge n , as wi l l be seen l ate r .
In th e f i el d of o u r qu e st i t i s Bar n abas emph asi s o n l i f e
an d d e ath , wi th th e pu n i sh me n t of th e wi cked d e pi cte d as
e te r n al , an d h i s po r tr ayal of th e two waysth e way of l i gh t
an d th e way o f dar knessan d th e i r i n e vi tabl e endi ngs th at
co nce r n us. T h i s co n ce pt of th e two ways no w becomes th e
patte r n wo ven al l th r o u gh th e r e mai n i n g wr i ti n gs of th e
Apo sto l i c Fath e r s. Le t us no w tr ace Bar n abas vi ews i n se quence
th r o u gh o u t th e twenty-o ne ch apte r s. T h e ph r asi n g i s so me
ti mes i n vo l ve d bu t th e i n te n t i s u n mi stakabl e .
IV. C o mi ng De str u cti o n o f Satan, Si nners, an d Al l Evi l
1. Ba s i c C o n t r a s t B e t w e e n L i f e a n d D e a t h .In ch ap
te r o n e me n ti o n i s made of h o pe f o r th e l i f e wh i ch He h as
pr o mi se d . 18 In ch apte r two th e ad mo n i ti o n appear s, We
o u gh t th e r e f o r e , br e th r e n , car e f u l l y to i n qu i r e co n ce r n i n g o u r
sal vati o n, l est th e wi cked o ne, h avi ng mad e h i s e n tr an ce by
dece i t, sh o u l d h u r l us f o r th (no te 6: l i te r al l y, sl i ng us o u t )
f r o m o u r [tr u e ] l i f e .17
15On Barnabas i nter pr etati o n of pro ph ecy, see L. E. Fro om, The Prophetic Faith
of Our Fathers, vol . 1, pp. 209-211.
l a The Epistle of Barnabas, ch ap. 1, i n ANF, vol . 1, p. 137. Li gh tf o o t tr ., th e l i f e
wh i ch is to co me.
17Ibid., ch ap. 2, p. 138. (Brackets i n o r i gi nal .)
C h apte r f i ve tel l s o f th e suf f er i ngs an d d e ath of C h r i st,
an d h o w Go d h as n o t l e f t us wi th o u t u n d e r stan d i n g i n r e gar d
to th i n gs wh i ch ar e to co me . An d Bar nabas adds th at th e
man perishes justly, wh o, h avi n g a kno wl edge of th e way of
r i gh te o usne ss, r ush es of f i n to th e way of darkness. 18 T h e n
h e po r tr ays th e par t th at C h r i st pl ayed i n th e conf l i ct:
"An d He (si nce i t be h o ve d Hi m to appe ar i n f l esh ), that He might
abolish death, an d reveal the resurrection from the dead, e n d u r e d [wh at
an d as He d i d ], i n o r d e r th a t He mi gh t f u l f i l l th e pr o mi se mad e u n to th e
f ath e r s, an d by pr e pa r i n g a n e w pe o pl e f o r Hi mse l f , mi gh t sh ow, wh i l e
He d we l t o n e ar th , th a t He , wh e n He h as r ai se d man ki n d , wi l l al so
ju d ge th e m. 19
Bu t th e wi cked, h e af f i rms, wh o co n te n d wi th Go d an d
o ppo se Hi m, sh al l al l wax o l d, l i ke a gar me n t, an d th e
mo th sh al l e at you u p. 20
2. L i f e T h r o u g h C h r i s t ; D e a t h T h r o u g h Si n . C h apte r
seven (o n T ype s o f C h r i s t) says th at C h r i st, wh o i s al so o u r
ju d ge , was str i cke n th at He mi gh t gi ve us l i f e:
I f th e r e f o r e th e So n o f Go d , wh o i s Lo r d [of al l th i n gs], an d wh o
wi l l ju d ge th e l i vi n g an d th e d e ad , suf f e r e d, th a t His stroke might give
us life, l e t us be l i e ve th a t th e Son o f Go d co u l d n o t h ave su f f e r e d e xce pt
f o r o u r sake . 21
C h apte r e i gh t (T h e Re d He i f e r a T ype of C h r i st) states
th at [th r o u gh th e cross] th o se be l i e vi n g o n Hi m sh al l live for
ever. 22An d h e adds, i n ch apte r n i n e , Wh o i s h e th at wi sh es
to l i ve f o r ever? By h e ar i n g l e t h i m h e ar th e voi ce of my
se r van t. 23T h a t i s man s par t. T h e n i n ch apte r te n, passi ng
to th e var i o u s pr e ce pts an d pr o h i bi ti o n s of Moses, Bar nabas
says, He means, T h o u sh al t n o t jo i n th ysel f o r be l i ke to
such me n as ar e u n go d l y to th e e nd, an d ar e co n d e mn e d
(no te 11: co n d e mn e d al r e ad y) to d e ath . 24Ne xt, i n ch apte r
el even, Bar nabas speaks of th e wate r of l i f e, th e r i ve r , an d
38Ibid. (Parenth esi s and brackets i n o r i gi nal ; i tal i cs suppl i ed.)
20Ibid., ch ap. 6, p. 140.
21Ibid., ch ap. 7, p. 141. (Br ackets i n ori gi nal ; i tal i cs suppl i ed.)
22Ibid., ch ap. 8, p. 142. (Brackets i n o ri gi nal ; i tal i cs suppl i ed.)
23Ibid., ch ap. 9, p. 142.
21Ibid., ch ap. 10, p. 143.
th e trees wh o se l eaves n e ve r f ade, an d co mments, An d wh o so
e ver sh al l e at of th ese sh al l l i ve f o r e ve r . T h i s me an e th : Wh o
soever, He decl ares, sh al l h e ar th e e [J esus] speaki ng, an d
bel i eve, sh al l live for ever. Wh o so e ve r i s u n co n d i ti o n al , bu t
assures i mmo r tal i ty f o r al l such as h e ar an d h eed. I n co n tr ast
th e un go d l y ar e l i ke th e ch af f , wh i ch th e wi n d sweeps away
f r o m th e f ace of th e e ar th . 25T h a t i s th e te n o r of h i s par al l e l i n g
seri es of co n te n ti o n s.
3. D e a t h F r o m Si n I n v o l v es D e s t r u c t i o n .I n ch apte r
twel ve Bar n abas states th at i t was because o f Isr ae l s si ns th at
th e y wer e d e l i ve r e d to d e ath . He th e n tel l s h ow, wh e n Moses
str e tch e d f o r th h i s h ands, vi cto r y f o r Isr ael r e su l te d , bu t wh e n
agai n h e l e t do wn h i s h ands, th e y wer e agai n de str o ye d . An d
wh y? T h a t th e y mi gh t kno w th at th ey co u l d n o t be saved
unl ess th e y pu t th e i r tr u s t i n Hi m. 28T h a t was th e co n d i ti o n
o f th e i r sal vati o n tr u st i n Hi m, o r co n d i ti o n al sal vati o n. T h e n
Bar nabas makes th i s appl i cati o n : Moses makes a type of J esus,
[si gni f yi ng] th at i t was necessary f o r Hi m to suf f er, [and al so]
th at He wo u l d be th e author of life [to o th e r s]. 27
T h a t i s, J esus d i e d to save me n co nsi gne d to d e ath .
4. T wo W a y s : o f D a r k n es s a n d o f L i g h t . C o mi n g
no w to T h e Seco nd Par t o f th e Epi stl e , d e al i n g speci f i cal l y
wi th T h e T wo Ways, Bar nabas says, i n ch apte r e i gh te e n ,
th at go o d an d evi l angel s gu ar d th e two ways:
T h e r e ar e two ways o f d o ctr i n e a n d au th o r i ty, th e o n e o f l i gh t,
an d th e o th e r o f d ar kn e ss. Bu t th e r e i s a gr e at d i f f e r e n ce be twe e n th e se
two ways. Fo r o ve r o n e ar e stati o n e d th e l i gh t-be ar i n g an ge l s o f Go d , bu t
o ve r th e o th e r th e an ge l s o f Satan . An d He i n d e e d (i .e., Go d ) i s Lo r d for
ever and ever, bu t h e (i .e., Satan ) i s pr i n ce o f the time of iniquity." 28
He r e ti me an d e te r n i ty ar e pl ace d i n an ti th e si sth e
e te r n al Go d, i n co n tr ast wi th Satan, wh o i s l i mi te d to th e
ti me o f i n i qu i ty th at wi l l end.
Ne xt, i n ch apte r n i n e te e n (T h e Way of Li gh t) Bar-
28Ibid., ch ap. 12. pp. 144, 145.
27Ibid., p. 145. (Brackets i n o ri gi nal ; i tal i cs suppl i ed.)
nabas war ns, T h o u sh al t n o t jo i n th ysel f to th ose wh o wal k i n
th e way of d e ath , 29o r darkness. An d i n ch apte r twe nty (T h e
Way o f Dar kn e ss) h e decl ares such a path to be th e way of
e te r n al d e ath . No te th e exact ph r asi ng:
Bu t th e way o f d ar kn e ss i s cr o o ke d , an d f u l l o f cu r s i n g;30 f o r i t
i s th e way o f eternal death wi th pu n i sh me n t, i n wh i ch way ar e th e th i n gs
th a t d e str o y th e so u l . 31
He pr o ceeds to e n u me r ate th ese th i n gs.
Dr. Petavel wel l co mments:
"I t sh o u l d be o bse r ve d th a t wh e n th e wo r d eternal qu al i f i e s an act,
th e e t e r n i ty i s th e at tr i bu te n o t o f th e act i tsel f , bu t o f th e r e su l t o f th e
act. I t th e n d e n o te s th e pe r pe tu i ty o f th e ef f ect pr o d u ce d by th e act o r
by th e age n t. 32
5. E t e r n a l D e a t h : Sy n o n y m f o r Sec o n d D e a t h .T h e
ph r ase e te r n al d e ath appe ar s i n ch apte r twenty f o r th e f i rst
ti me as a syno nym f o r th e seco nd an d de f i n i ti ve d e ath . I t i s
e te r n al d e ath wi th pu n i sh me n t. He r e d i sti n cti o n i s to be
mad e be twe e n pu n i sh me n t by deprivation of life an d me r e
pu n i s h me n t by pai n th r o u gh th e senses. Ete r n al d e ath wi th
pu n i s h me n t (meta timorias) o bvi o usl y i nvol ves an i n f l i cti o n
o f suf f e r i ng pr e ce d i n g d e ath , an d th e e n d of be i ng. An d th i s
state me n t by Bar nabas i s i mme d i ate l y f o l l o wed by th e co n cl u
si o n, i n ch apte r twenty-o ne, wh i ch o pens wi th :
I t i s wel l , th e r e f o r e , th a t h e wh o h as l e ar n e d th e ju d gme n ts o f th e
Lo r d , as man y as h ave be e n wr i tte n , sh o u l d wal k i n th e m. Fo r h e wh o
ke e pe th th e se sh al l be gl o r i f i e d i n th e ki n gd o m o f Go d ; bu t h e wh o
ch o o se th o th e r th i n gs [co n d e mn e d i n th e pr e vi o u s ch apte r ] sh al l be
destroyed [apoleitai] with his works. On th i s acco u n t th e r e wi l l be a
r e su r r e cti o n , o n th i s acco u n t a r e t r i bu t i o n ."33
T o pe r i sh wi th h i s works i s cl e ar l y to exi st n o mo r e . T h e
works ar e de str o ye d by co mi n g to an e n d . T h u s al so wi th th e
worker o f i n i qu i ty.31
29Ibid., ch ap. 19, p. 148.
80Gl i mms tr ., accur sed.
31The Epistle to Barnabas, ch ap. 20, p. 149.
32Petavel , The Problem of Immortality, p. 194.
33The Epistle of Barnabas, ch ap. 21, i n ANF, vol . 1, p. 149. (Ital i cs suppl i ed.)
34T h e stro ng shal l be as tow, and th e maker of i t as a spark, and th ey sh al l both
bu r n to geth er , and none sh al l quench th em (Isa. 1:31).
I MMORT ALI T Y BEST OWED AT ADVENT 783
6. T o Per i s h Is t o Ex i st No M o r e.Fo l l o wi ng th i s
d e cl ar ati o n o f d e str u cti o n Bar nabas i mme d i ate l y decl ares: Fo r
th e day i s at h an d o n wh i ch al l th i ngs sh al l perish with the evil
[one]. T h e Lo r d i s n e ar , an d Hi s r e war d . 35
Satan, si nner s, an d al l th i ngs wi l l th e n be de str o ye d
to ge th e r . So Bar nabas appr o pr i ate l y admo ni sh es: An d be ye
tau gh t of Go d, i n qu i r i n g d i l i ge n tl y wh at th e Lo r d asks f r o m
yo u; an d do i t th at ye may be saf e i n th e day o f ju d gme n t. 38
V. Ei gh t Lo gi cal an d In e scapabl e C o ncl usi o ns to Be Deduced
T h a t i s th e to tal te sti mo ny of Bar nabas, wi tness o f th e f ai th
o f th e ch u r ch at th i s ear l y pe r i o d . T h i s survey h as co ver e d th e
passages r e l ati n g to o u r quest. He r e f ol l ows a seri es of l ogi cal
co ncl usi o ns d e d u ce d f r o m th e f o r e go i ng evi dence, bo th as to
cl e ar af f i r mati o n an d si gni f i cant omi ssi o n.
1. I n th e e n ti r e epi stl e Bar nabas does n o t o nce h i n t,
e i th e r by ph r ase o r th o u gh t, th at man h as an i n n ate l y i mmo r
tal so ul .
2. He n e ve r o nce states o r i nf er s an yth i n g abo u t endl ess
suf f e r i ng o r to r me n t f o r th e wi cked. On th e co n tr ar y, th e y ar e
to di e, pe r i sh , be destr o yed, be bl o wn away as th e ch af f , an d
e ate n as by mo th s.
3. He speaks o f th e r l ee p of th e dead, th e co mi n g o f th e
Lo r d , th e r e su r r e cti o n a n / endl ess l i f e of th e r i gh te o u s, an d
de f i n i ti ve r e tr i bu ti o n of t.i r wi cked. Even Dr. Ed war d Beech er,
th e r e sto r ati o n i st, gr u d gi n gl y ad mi ts th at wh at h e [Bar nabas]
says may be u n d e r sto o d of th e an n i h i l ati o n of th e wi cke d. 87
4. Bar nabas speaks of l i f e th e h o pe of th e l i f e wh i ch
i s to co me an d of some wh o sh al l l i ve f o r e ve r , i .e., such
as h e ar th e voi ce o f my se r van t, an d of Satan d e pr i vi n g o th e r s
o f th at l i f e.
5. De ath f o r th e u n r e pe n tan t si n n e r i s a pu n i s h me n t
33Ibid. (Brackets i n o r i gi nal ; i tal i cs suppl i ed.)
38Ibid.
37Beech er , History of Opinions, p. 281.
th a t i s e te r n al e qu i val e n t to th e d e s tr u cti o n o f th e so u l .
By d e s tr o y h e e xpr e ssl y me an t to d i e , to pe r i sh , to br i n g to
an e n d h e n ce e te r n al d e a th .
6. As th e s i n n e r i s d e str o ye d to ge th e r wi th h i s works
wh i ch d e f i n i te l y co me to an e n d , so th e s i n n e r al so co me s to an
e n d , af te r a ppr o pr i a te pu n i s h me n t ce asi n g to be.
7. Satan , th e wi cke d o n e an d pr i n ce o f e vi l , i s to be
d e str o ye d al o n g wi th al l th i n gs e vi l . Bu t Satan i s se t f o r th
as e xi s ti n g o n l y f o r a ti me , th e ti me o f i n i qu i ty. I n co n
tr as t wi th th e Lo r d , wh o i s f r o m everlasting to everlasting
Satan i s si mpl y th e pr i n ce o f th i s passi n g wo r l d o f ti me .
8. T h u s th e u n go d l y n o t o n l y pe r i s h bu t ju s tl y pe r i s h ,
wh e r e as th e r i gh te o u s wi l l be e te r n al l y saved a n d gl o r i f i e d by
th e r e s u r r e cti o n at th e co mi n g o f th e Lo r d , wh e n th e y wi l l
r e ce i ve i n co r r u pti bi l i ty.
Su ch was th e C o n d i ti o n al I mmo r tal i ty vo i ce d by Bar n abas.
C H A P T E R F O R T Y - S I X
mmortal i ty a Gi f t; Death Is Utte r
Destructi on
He r masPo r tr ays Issues o f Ete r n al Li f e an d
Utte r De str u cti o n
Ne xt i n pr o babl e o r d e r o f ti me co me s The Shepherd
(o r Pastor) of Hermas (c. a .d . 154),1a po pu l ar co l l e cti o n o f
al l e go r i cal i n s tr u cti o n s f i ve so -cal l e d vi si o n s, twe l ve co mman d
me n ts, an d te n s i mi l i tu d e s , o r par abl e s, th a t we r e i n ci r cu l ati o n
i n th e se co n d , t h i r d , a n d f o u r th ce n tu r i e s . I t i s f i r st me n ti o n e d
i n th e Mu r a to r i a n Fr agme n t (c. a .d . 170) as wr i tte n ve r y
r e ce n tl y i n o u r ti me s , a n d i s n o te d by var i o u s An te - a n d Po st-
Ni ce n e ch u r ch wr i te r s. Mo r e th an th at, i t was r e ad i n pu bl i c
wo r sh i p i n th e ch u r ch e s .2Or i gi n al l y wr i tte n i n Gr e e k, i t was
so o n tr an s l ate d i n to L a ti n a n d Eth i o pi e , a n d i s i n cl u d e d i n
th e C o d e x Si n ai ti cu s.
The Pastor of Hermas was th e i n i ti a l e f f o r t a t C h r i s ti an
al l e go r y, a n d o ccu pi e s a po s i ti o n s i mi l ar to th a t o f Bu n yan s
Pilgrims Progress i n mo d e r n ti me s. I t co n tai n s l i ttl e d o gmati c
te ach i n g, bu t th r o ws l i gh t o n th e th e n -cu r r e n t be l i e f s o f th e
ch u r ch . He r mas al so to u ch e s o n pr o ph e cy, a l l u d i n g to th e
co mi n g co n f l i ct be twe e n a pe r s e cu ti n g be ast a n d a wo man i n
wh i te , symbo l i c o f th e ch u r ch e vi d e n tl y pa tte r n e d af te r Re ve
l ati o n 12.3He war n s o f co mi n g t r i bu l a t i o n f o r th e ch u r ch , an d
gi ves assu r an ce o f u l ti ma t e vi cto r y.
1 I n t r o d u ct o r y No te t o T h e Pa s to r o f He r ma s , i n ANF, vo l . 2, pp. 3-8. Go o d s pe e d
pl ace s i t a r o u n d 100.
2 Eu s e bi u s , Church History, ch a p. 3, i n NPNF , vo l . 1, p. 135.
3 On He r ma s i n t e r pr e t a t i o n o f pr o ph e cy s e e L . E. Fr o o m, Prophetic Faith, vo l . 1, pp.
213, 214.
785
T h e wr i te r l i ke n s th e gr o wth an d pe r f e cti o n o f th e ch u r ch
to th e bu i l d i n g o f a to we r , wi th sto n e s o f ch ar acte r . An d h e
ad d s, Wh e n th e to we r i s f i n i sh e d a n d bu i l t, th e n co me s th e
e n d . Fo l l o wi n g th a t i s th e co mi n g wo r l d f o r th e r i gh te o u s ,
wi th d e s tr u cti o n f o r th e i n co r r i gi bl e s i n n e r . Such , i n a wo r d ,
i s th e e sch ato l o gy o f He r mas. (See T a bl e F, o n page 758, f o r
ch r o n o l o gi cal pl ace me n t an d gr o u pi n g.)
I. T wo De sti n ati o n s Po r tr aye d i n Mu l ti pl e Fo r ms
T h e tr e ati se i s d i sti n cti ve i n f o r m a n d co n te n t. Fr o m
be gi n n i n g to e n d th e way o f l i f e a n d th e way o f d e a t h
ar e pl ace d i n par al l e l i n g co n tr as tth e r i gh te o u s l i vi n g u n to
Go d an d d e s ti n e d to e te r n al l i f e , o r l i f e i n th e wo r l d to co me ;
a n d th e s i n n e r d o o me d to d e ath , l oss o f l i f e , u t t e r d e s tr u cti o n ,
wi th Go d h avi n g po we r to save o r d e str o y. We wi l l f o l l o w th e
wi tn e ss o f He r mas th r o u gh th e th r e e cu r i o u s cate go r i e s
vi si o n s, co mman d me n ts, a n d s i mi l i tu d e s o n th e i ssues o f l i f e
a n d d e ath . Fi r st co me th e vi si o n s,4 str e ssi n g n o t o n l y th e
pr o f f e r e d l i f e bu t th e u t t e r d e s tr u cti o n f o r th e u n r e pe n t a n t
si n n e r .
1. E t e r n a l L i f e a n d E t e r n a l D e s t r u c t i o n . I n Vi si o n
Se co n d , He r mas l au n ch e s th e co n ti n u i n g co n tr ast. Wi cke d n e ss,
e vi l , an d wr o n g wo r ke th death, wh e r e as th o se wh o ar e
save d wi l l abi d e u n to eternal life. He ad d s, Bl e sse d ar e
al l th e y wh o pr acti se r i gh te o u sn e ss, f o r th e y sh al l never he
destroyed. 5 T h o s e ar e th e basi c co n tr astse te r n al l i f e an d
u t t e r d e s tr u cti o n . T h e pa tt e r n var i e s, bu t n o t th e pr i n ci pl e
a n d th e o u tco me . T h e e mph asi s al l th e way th r o u gh i s o n
l i f e l i f e i n C h r i st, r e s u r r e cte d l i f e , e te r n al l i f e .
2. P a s t S a i n t s H a v e F a l l e n A s l e e p.I n Vi si o n T h i r d
(C o n ce r n i n g th e Bu i l d i n g o f th e T r i u mph a n t C h u r ch ),
4Eu s e bi u s s tate s t h a t t h e Pe n te co s ta l pr o ph e t i c gi f t was n o t co n s i d e r e d as e xt i n ct , bu t
h a d a mi ssi o n to r e bu ke ca r n a l i t y a n d wo r l d l i n e s s. So me i n vo ke d Pa u l s s t a t e me n t De spi se
n o t pr o ph cs yi n gs ; pr o ve al l t h i n gs .
6 The Pastor of Hermas, Vision 2, ch a p. 3, i n ANF, vo l . 2, p. 12. (I t a l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
I MMORT AL I T Y A GI FT ; DEAT H UT T ER DEST RUC T I ON 787
He r mas po r tr ays a gr e at to we r , wi th C h r i sti an s as th e co m
po n e n t sto n e s, a n d th e u n f i t cast o u t pe r man e n tl y, u n l e ss
r e cl ai me d by r e pe n tan ce . T h e po l i s h e d s qu ar e wh i te sto n e s,
wh i ch f i tte d e xactl y i n to e ach o t h e r , ar e C h r i s ti an l e ad e r s
apo stl e s, bi sh o ps, te ach e r s, an d d e aco n s. So me o f th e m, h e
says, h ave fallen asleep, a n d so me sti l l r e mai n al i ve . *
Af te r d e s cr i bi n g th o se r o u gh , cr o o ke d , i l l -sh ape d sto n e s
t h a t we r e cast f ar away, as n o t f i t f o r th e bu i l d i n g,7He r mas
asse r ts t h a t n e ve r th e l e ss al l th e f ai th f u l wi l l i n h e r i t e te r n al
l i f e .8An d wh e n th e to we r i s f i n i sh e d , th e r e wi l l n o t be mo r e
r o o m f o r an y o n e , bu t h e wi l l be r e je cte d . 9T h e n th e u n r e pe n t
a n t h ypo cr i te s a n d so ns o f i n i qu i ty th a t can n o t be u s e d
ar e cu t of f a n d cast f ar away. 10Fi n al l y, h e d e cl ar e s, Wh e n
th e to we r i s f i n i sh e d an d bu i l t, th e n co me s th e e n d . An d h e
ad d s, I assu r e yo u i t wi l l be so o n f i n i sh e d . 11
So me pr o f e ss to see i n th i s th e ge r m o f th e d o ctr i n e o f
Pu r gato r y, o r cl ai m th a t i t te ach e s r e s to r ati o n f o r pe n i te n ts
i n th e n e th e r wo r l d , by me an s o f r e me d i al pu n i s h me n t. Bu t
th a t i s n o t th e caseas th e r e pe n tan ce i s f o r th o se i n th i s
l i f e , wh o ar e not yet cast i n to th e f i r e as f i n al l y i mpe n i te n t.
I t th e r e f o r e r e f e r s o n l y to th i s l i f e . Re pe n tan ce an d d e l i ve r y
f r o m pu n i s h me n t ar e po ssi bl e , but only in this life.
S. P e r s e c u t i o n a n d T r i u m p h o f C h u r c h S y m b o l i z e d .
Li ke th e o th e r Apo sto l i c Fath e r s, He r mas si mi l ar l y to u ch e s
o n pr o ph e cy. I n Vi si o n Fo u r th (C o n ce r n i n g th e T r i a l an d
T r i bu l a t i o n T h a t Ar e to C o me Upo n Me n ), He r mas pi ctu r e s
a symbo l i c r e pr e s e n ta ti o n o f th e t r i bu l a t i o n th at i s to co me .
He sees a mo n str o u s be ast, n o i sy an d po we r f u l , s ti r r i n g u p
a te r r i f i c d u st. Fi e r y l o custs i ssue f r o m i ts mo u th .32Ne xt, He r mas
sees a wo man cl o th e d e n ti r e l y i n wh i te , wh i ch r e pr e s e n ts
th e ch u r ch . 13T h i s be ast, He r mas says, po r tr ays th e gr e at
t r i bu l a t i o n th a t i s to co me . 14
a I bid . , Vi s i o n 3, ch a p. 5, p. 14. (I ta l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
7Ib id. , ch a p. 6, p. 15. 11I b i d . , ch a p. 8, p. 16.
8 I bid., ch a p. 8, p. 15. 12I b id., Vi si o n 4, ch a p. 1, pp. 17, 18.
9I bid., ch a p. 5, p. i 4. 13Ibid., ch a p. 2, p. 18.
10I bid . , ch a p. o , p. 14. 34I b i d . , ch a p. 3, p. 18.
He r mas i s cu r i o u s as to th e co l o r s h e h as se e n . I t i s
e xpl ai n e d th a t th e bl ack stan d s f o r th e pr e s e n t wo r l d , th e
wo r l d i n wh i ch we d we l l . T h e f i er y a n d bl o o d y po i n ts o u t
t h a t th e wo r l d mu st pe r i sh t h r o u gh bl o o d a n d f i r e . Bu t
th e wh i te i s the age that is to come, i n wh i ch th e e l e ct o f
Go d wi l l d we l l , wh o ar e e l e cte d by Go d to eternal life 18
Al l th i s was pa r t o f th e cu r i o u s symbo l i sm o f th e t r i bu l a t i o n
a n d t r i u mph an d e te r n al l i f e .
4. R i g h t e o u s H a v e L i f e ; W i ck e d No L i f e . I n Bo o k
Se co n d .C o mman d me n ts , af te r ad mo n i s h i n g al l to h ave
f ai th i n Go d , He r mas assur e s us th a t i f we h ave f ai th i n Hi m
a n d ke e p Hi s pr e ce pts, we sh al l o bta i n l i f e . 19On th e co n
tr ar y, h e th a t d o e th wi cke d l y wo r ks d e ath f o r h i ms e l f . 17
An d h e r e pe ats, th a t i f we h e ar a n d ke e p Hi s co mman d me n ts
we sh al l l i ve to Go d , 18 l i ve i n th e wo r l d to co me . T h e n
co me s th e cl i macti c state me n t:
T h e y o n l y wh o f e ar th e Lo r d an d ke e p Hi s co mman d me n ts h ave
life with God;19 bu t as to th o se wh o ke e p n o t Hi s co mman d me n ts, there
is no life in them. 20
He r mas cl e ar l y do e s not h o l d to i n h e r e n t, i n d e f e as i bl e
i mmo r tal i ty f o r th e wi cke d .
5. W i ck e d A r e t o P e r i s h a t L a s t . Agai n , i n C o mman d
me n t T we l f th , He r mas th r i ce war n s agai n st wi cke d d e s i r e ,
d e cl ar i n g i t i s wi l d , an d i s wi th di f f i cul ty tame d . He co n te n d s
i t i s r u i n o u s , d e s tr u cti ve . I t co n su me s th o se wh o ar e n o t o f
go o d d e s i r e , an d ar e e n ta n gl e d wi th th i s wo r l d . T h e s e
i t d e l i ve r s u p to d e a th an d sl ays e ve n th e se r van ts o f
Go d . 81 He d e cl ar e s th at th o se wh o ar e mas te r e d by e vi l
d e si r e s wi l l pe r i sh at l ast, be cau se th e se d e si r e s a r e f atal . 22
An d f i n al l y h e ad mo n i sh e s us to f e ar Hi m wh o h as al l po we r ,
38Ibid.
10I bid., C o mma n d me n ts 1,3, i n ANF, vo l . 2, pp. 20, 21.
37I bid., C o mma n d me n t 4, ch a p. 1, p. 21.
18Ibid., ch a p. 2, p. 22.
39Dr e s s e l t r ., s h al l l i ve f o r e ve r .
20He r ma s . C o mma n d me n t 7, p. 25.
21I bid., C o mma n d me n t 12, ch a p. 1, p. 28.
22I bid., ch a p. 2, p. 28.
both to save and destroy, an d ke e p Hi s co mman d me n ts, an d
ye wi l l live to G o d 23
6. R i g h t e o u s i n L i f e t o C o me ; W i ck e d C o n s u me d .
Bo o k T h i r d .Si mi l i tu d e s i s l ar ge l y i l l u s tr ati o n s o r par abl e s,
su ch as th e l e sso n o f th e tr e e s, th e to we r , e t ce te r a. I n Si mi l i tu d e
T h i r d , i n Wi n t e r Gr e e n T r e e s C a n n o t Be Di sti n gu i sh e d Fr o m
Wi t h e r e d , l eaf l ess tr e e s. So i n th i s wo r l d th e ju s t can n o t
al ways be d i s ti n gu i s h e d f r o m th e u n ju s t, f o r th e y may l o o k mu ch
al i ke h e r e . Bu t i n th e s u mme r Li vi n g T r e e s Ar e Di s ti n gu i sh e d
Fr o m Wi th e r e d by Fr u i t an d Li vi n g Le ave s. T h e sh e ph e r d
to l d h i m t h a t T h o s e . . . wh i ch ar e bu d d i n g ar e th e
r i gh te o u s wh o ar e to live in the world to come.' 24T h u s th e
f r u i ts o f th e r i gh te o u s ar e man i f e st.
Bu t th e u n f r u i t f u l si n n e r s, l i ke th e wi th e r e d tr e e s, . . .
sh al l be bu r n t as wo o d . T h e si n n e r s sh al l be co n su me d
be cau se th e y s i n n e d a n d d i d n o t r e pe n t , an d l i ke wi se th e
h e ath e n wh o kn e w n o t Hi m wh o cr e ate d th e m. Bu t i f we
se r ve Hi m we sh al l be ar f r u i t f o r th e l i f e to co me . 25
An d i n Si mi l i tu d e Fi f th h e ad d s th a t we ar e to ke e p th e
f l esh pu r e a n d stai n l e ss, f o r i f yo u d e f i l e yo u r f l e sh yo u
wi l l n o t l i ve . 28Bu r n i n g h e r e ce r tai n l y d e n o te s su f f e r i n g, bu t
n o t e n d l e ss su f f e r i n g.
7. W i ck e d D e s t i n e d t o E v e r l a s t i n g R u i n . Si mi l i tu d e
Si xth to u ch e s o n vo l u ptu o u s n e s s th at br i n gs d e ath an d co r r u p
ti o n . T h o s e wi th wh o m th e r e i s n o r e t u r n to l i f e th r o u gh
r e pe n t a n ce o n l y ad d to t h e i r si ns a n d bl asph e me th e n ame
o f th e Lo r d . Su ch ar e appo i n te d u n to d e a th . T h e y h ave be e n
pe r ve r te d f r o m th e t r u t h . Bu t e ve n amo n g th o se s te e pe d
i n co r r u pti o n th e r e i s h o pe o f r e pe n tan ce , by wh i ch i t i s
po ssi bl e to l i ve . T h u s agai n th e co n tr asts ar e br o u gh t i n to
vi e wa h o pe o f renewal f o r so me ; bu t f o r o th e r s d e ath
h as e ve r l as ti n g r u i n . 27 T h e r e ar e pu n i s h me n ts a n d to r tu r e s
24I bid., ch a p. 6, p. 30.
24Ib id . , Si mi l i t u d e 4, i n ANF, vo l . 2, p. 33. (I ta l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
28Ibid.
28Ibid ., Si mi l i t u d e 5, ch a p. 7, p. 36.
27I b id. , Si mi l i t u d e 6, ch a p. 2, p. 37.
f o r si n , bu t h e i s d e s cr i bi n g to r tu r e s such as occur during
life. An d o f su ch as r e s po n d to Go d s o ve r tu r e s, h e says, Fo r
th e r e st o f th e days o f th e i r l i f e th e y ar e s u bje ct to th e Lo r d
wi th pu r e h e ar ts . 28T h i s i s al l during life, an d be f o r e d e ath .
No pr o bati o n af te r d e ath i s h e r e o f f e r e d , as so me h ave pr o f e sse d
to see.
8. P u n i s h me n t I s P r o p o r t i o n a t e t o Si n .As to th e d u r a
ti o n o f th e pu n i s h me n t o f th e wi cke d , i n ch apte r f o u r He r mas
aske d th e tal l s h e ph e r d wh e th e r th o se wh o e n gage i n si n ar e
t o r t u r e d f o r th e same pe r i o d o f ti me th at th e y h ave i n d u l ge d
i n l u xu r y an d d e ce i t. An d th e an swe r i s, Lo n ge r th e ti me
o f i n d u l ge n ce i s s h o r t, bu t th a t o f pu n i s h me n t i s l o n g. Bu t th a t
n e i t h e r i n vo l ve s n o r i mpl i e s e n d l e ss su f f e r i n g. Havi n g l i f e ,
th e y gave th e mse l ve s o ve r to d e a th ; a n d th e war n i n g i s I f
th e y co n ti n u e i n th e m, an d d o n o t r e pe n t, th e y br i n g d e a th
u po n th e mse l ve s. 30
An d i n Si mi l i tu d e Ei gh th , u n d e r th e si mi l e o f a tr e e a n d
wi th e r e d br an ch e s, h e ad d s t h a t r e pe n tan ce i n vo l ve s l i f e to
s i n n e r s , bu t n o n -r e pe n tan ce d e a th . 31Amo n g th e r e pe n t a n t ,
th e n , i s f o u n d th e l i f e o f th e L o r d , bu t amo n g tr an sgr e sso r s,
d e a th . 32Su ch h al f -wi th e r e d br an ch e s l o st t h e i r l i ves th r o u gh
th e wi cke d n e ss wh i ch th e y co mmi tte d . 33
9. I n co r r i gi bl y W i cke d D i e f o r E v e r .T h e par abl e
o f th e to we r i s agai n r e f e r r e d to , i n Si mi l i tu d e Ni n t h . T h e
to we r i s th e C h u r ch , 31 f o u n d e d o n th e wo r d o f th e al mi gh ty
a n d gl o r i o u s Name , an d i t i s ke pt to ge th e r by th e i n vi s i bl e
po we r o f th e L o r d . 35T h a t to we r wi l l be f i n i sh e d . He r ma s
f o r me r r e ci tal o f th e u se d a n d r e je cte d sto n e s wi l l be r e cal l e d .
He r mas n o w ad d s th a t th o se wh o h ave kn o wn Go d , a n d
h ave se e n Hi s mi gh ty wo r ks, a n d sti l l co n ti n u e o n i n e vi l ,
sh al l be ch asti se d d o u bl y, an d sh al l d i e f o r e ve r . 33
28I bid., ch a p. 3, p. 37. 31I bid., ch a p. 6, p. 41.
29Ib id . , ch a p. 4, p. 37. 32I bid., ch a p. 7, p. 42.
30I bid., ch a p. 5, p. 38. 33I bid., ch a p. 8. p. 42.
34Ib id . , Si mi l i t u d e 9, ch a p. 13, p. 48; cf . Vi s i o n 3, ch a p. 3, p 13.
33I bid . , Vi si o n 3, ch a p. 3, p. 14.
38Ib id . , Si mi l i t u d e 9, ch a p. 18, p. 50.
10. C o n c l u s i o n s F r o m N o t a b l e S i l e n c e s i n H e r ma s .
Su ch i s th e te sti mo n y o f The Shepherd of Hermas o n th e n a tu r e
o f man wi th life as th e r e war d o f r e pe n tan ce a n d o be d i e n ce ,
a n d death as th e pu n i s h me n t f o r si n . T h e r e i s n o h i n t o f
co n sci o u sn e ss be twe e n d e ath an d th e r e s u r r e cti o n r ath e r ,
man sl e e ps. T h e r e i s n o t, h o we ve r , co mpl e te co n stan cy. T h e r e
i s n o t h i n g o f th e so u l go i n g to He ave n o r He l l at d e ath .
I n s te ad , th a t co n ce pt do e s n o t a ppe ar i n C h r i s ti an l i te r a tu r e
f o r a n o th e r f i f ty years. T h e r e i s n o t h i n g o f Ete r n al T o r me n t
o f th e d amn e d o n l y u t t e r d e s tr u cti o n af te r ju s t r e t r i bu t i o n
i n pr o po r ti o n to tr an sgr e ssi o n .
T h e r e i s n o th i n g o f an i mmo r tal so u l o r an y u n d yi n g
s pi r i tn e i t h e r o f th o se te r ms o r co n ce pts h ad as ye t be e n
i n tr o d u ce d i n to C h r i s ti an l i te r a tu r e . He r mas be l i e ve d e xpr e ssl y
i n th e mo r ta l i ty o f man , th e sl e e p o f th e d e ad , i mmo r tal i ty
as th e gi f t o f Go d f o r th e r i gh te o u s, a n d th a t u t te r , f i n al , an d
i r r e vo cabl e d e s tr u cti o n i s th e l o t o f th e u n r e pe n t a n t wi cke d
a d e ath i n wh i ch th e r e i s n o l i f e, o r r e t u r n to l i f e .
I I . Po l ycar pRe su r r e cti o n Is I mmo r tal i tys Sol e Gateway
So o n af te r th e mi d d l e o f th e se co n d ce n tu r y th e se r i e s
o f Apo sto l i c Fath e r s e n d s wi th th e ve n e r abl e P o l y c a r p (d. a .d .
155), mar tyr e d bi sh o p o f Smyr n a. Acco r d i n g to I r e n ae u s,
T e r t u l l i a n , a n d Eu se bi u s, h e was a d i sci pl e o f th e apo stl e J o h n
a n d al so th e te ach e r o f th e n o te d I r e n ae u s. Un d e r Mar cu s
An to n i n u s a sto r m o f pe r s e cu ti o n br o ke o u t i n Smyr n a, wh i ch ,
swe l l i n g i n to a te mpe st, e n gu l f e d Po l ycar p i n th e se ve n th ye ar
o f th e e mpe r o r s r e i gn . Hi s l ast pr aye r at th e stake , as h e was
bu r n e d f o r h i s f ai th , i s r e co r d e d by Eu se bi u s. I t te l l s o f h i s
u n wave r i n g be l i e f i n th e r e s u r r e cti o n o f th e so u l , as we l l as
o f th e bo d y.
Of Po l ycar ps pe r so n al l i f e l i ttl e i s kn o wn . Ir e n ae u s state s
t h a t h e n o t o n l y was a d i sci pl e o f J o h n bu t was a cqu ai n te d
wi th man y wh o kn e w C h r i st. Po l ycar p was bi sh o p o f Smyr n a
wh e n I gn ati u s was bi sh o p o f An ti o ch . I t was f r o m h i m th a t
Po l ycar p h ad r e ce i ve d a l e tte r sh o r tl y be f o r e h e was to su f f e r
d e ath at Ro me . An d d u r i n g h i s br i e f s o jo u r n i n Ro me , Po l y
car p bo r e wi tn e ss to th e apo sto l i c d o ctr i n e , an d a tte mpte d to
stay th e e n cr o ach i n g h e r e si e s.
Of var i o u s l e tte r s wr i tte n by Po l ycar p o n l y o n e h as be e n
pr e se r ve d h i s s h o r t Epistle to the Philippians. T h e ch u r ch
at Ph i l i ppi was th e f i r st o f th e Eu r o pe an ch u r ch e s to be
f o u n d e d , a n d was gr e atl y be l o ve d by Pau l . T h i s e pi stl e i s
ackn o wl e d ge d by al l as au th e n ti c, bo th f r o m e xte r n al an d
i n te r n a l e vi d e n ce .37 A majo r po r ti o n o f i t was i n co r po r ate d
by Eu se bi u s i n h i s Church History.38I n J e r o me s ti me Po l ycar p
was pu bl i cl y r e ad i n so me o f th e ch u r ch e s.
I I I . C o n d i ti o n al Re su r r e cti o n th e De te r mi n i n g Facto r
T h e e n ti r e e pi stl e , wh i ch i s i n te r wo ve n wi th r e f e r e n ce s
to mo r e Ne w T e s ta me n t wr i ti n gs th an an y o t h e r wo r k o f th i s
e ar l y age, h as be e n pr e se r ve d o n l y i n Lati n . T h e Gr e e k te xt
e n d s i n ch a pte r n i n e . T h e l e tte r i s n o t pr i ma r i l y d o ctr i n al ,
bu t i s a ge n e r al e xh o r ta ti o n to go d l i n e ss i n al l th e r e l a ti o n
sh i ps o f l i f e . Po l ycar p spe aks i n ge n e r al te r ms o f th e r e war d
o f th e r i gh te o u s an d th e pu n i s h me n t o f th e wi cke d , e mph asi zi n g
r e d e mpti o n o n l y th r o u gh C h r i s t a n d str e ssi n g th e r e s u r r e cti o n
f r o m th e d e ad a t th e Se co n d Ad ve n t a n d th e s u bs e qu e n t
r e i gn i n g o f th e sai n ts wi th C h r i st.
Po l ycar p f e l t str o n gl y th a t d e n i al o f th e i n car n ati o n i s o f
th e d e vi l . Mo r e t h a n th at, Po l ycar p d e cl ar e s th a t h e wh o
says th e r e i s n e i t h e r a r e s u r r e cti o n n o r a ju d gme n t, h e i s th e
f i r st-bo r n o f Satan . 30Bu t, se ve r e th o u gh h i s s tr i ctu r e s we r e ,
th e r e i s n o wh e r e an y i n ti ma ti o n e i th e r o f be l i e f i n th e e te r n al
su f f e r i n g o f th e l o st o r o f Re s to r ati o n i smn e i t h e r o f wh i ch
i n n o vati o n was i n tr o d u ce d u n t i l th r e e qu a r te r s o f a ce n tu r y
af te r th e d e ath o f th i s l ast o f th e Apo sto l i c Fath e r s.
37Se e I r e n a e u s , Against Heresies, bo o k 3, ch a p. 3, i n A NF , vo l . 1, p. 416; Eu s e bi u s ,
Church History, bo o k 4, ch a p. 14, i n NPNF, 2d s e r i e s, vo l . 1, pp. 187, 188.
38Eu s e bi u s , op. cit., bo o k 4, ch a p. 15.
38The Epistle o f Polycarp, ch a p. 7, i n ANF , vo l . 1, p. 34.
1. I g n a t i u s A d mo n i t i o n s R e ga r d i n g I m m o r t a l i t y . I t
i s to be r e me mbe r e d th a t Po l ycar p was th e r e ci pi e n t o f an
e pi stl e f r o m h i s f e l l o w bi sh o p I gn ati u s o f An ti o ch l i ke wi se
a be l i e ve r i n C o n d i ti o n al I mmo r tal i tyr e mi n d i n g Po l ycar p
t h a t h e i s, as i t we r e , an a th l e te o f Go d , s tr i vi n g f o r th e
pr i ze se t be f o r e th e e o f i mmo r tal i ty an d e te r n al l i f e . **
T h e n h e u r ge s Po l ycar p to r e me mbe r h i s o n e n e ss wi th h i s
f e l l o w l abo r e r s i n th e go spe l , l i s ti n g f i ve f e atu r e s i n wh i ch
th e y ar e to mai n ta i n th e i r u n i ty:
L abo u r to ge th e r wi th o n e an o th e r ; str i ve i n co mpan y to ge th e r ; r u n
to ge th e r ; suf f e r to ge th e r ; sl e ep to ge th e r [i n d e ath ]; an d awake to ge th e r
[i n th e r e su r r e cti o n ], as th e ste war d s, an d asso ci ates, an d se r van ts o f Go d . 41
T h a t i s cl e ar sl e e pi n g i n d e ath u n t i l awake n e d o n th e
r e s u r r e cti o n mo r n by th e Li f e -gi ve r .
Po l ycar ps o wn te sti mo n y may we l l be r e ad i n th e l i gh t
o f Bi sh o p I gn a ti u s ad mo n i ti o n s , to wh i ch h e su bscr i be d . T h e y
we r e o bvi o u sl y at o n e i n be l i e f as to th e n a tu r e an d d e sti n y
o f man . T h o u gh f r agme n tar y, th e se man y par ts pr e s e n t a
r a t h e r cl e ar o ve r -al l pi ctu r e .
2. R e s u r r e c t i o n P i v o t a l i n M a n s F u t u r e . I n Po l ycar ps
o wn vi e w th e r e s u r r e cti o n was pi vo tal i n r e l a ti o n to th e f u tu r e
d e sti n y o f man . I n ch apte r two o f h i s Epistle to the Philippians,
a f te r u r gi n g be l i e f i n o u r Lo r d J e su s C h r i st, wh o was Hi mse l f
r ai se d f r o m th e d e ad , gl o r i f i e d , a n d e n th r o n e d i n th e h e ave n s,
Po l ycar p te l l s o f Hi s se co n d ad ve n tan d wi th i t o f o u r o wn
co n s e qu e n t r e s u r r e cti o n :
He co mes as th e J u d ge o f th e l i vi n g an d th e d e ad . Hi s bl o o d wi l l
Go d r e qu i r e o f th o se wh o d o n o t be l i e ve i n Hi m. Bu t He wh o r ai se d
Hi m u p f r o m th e d e ad will raise up us also, i f we d o Hi s wi l l an d wal k
i n Hi s co mman d me n ts, an d l o ve wh at He l o ve d . 42
T h e cr u ci al i f make s i t co n d i ti o n al , a n d th e co n d i ti o n
i s cl e ar l y d e cl ar e d .
40Epistle of Ignatius to Polycarb, ch a p. 2, i n ANF, vo l . 1, p. 94.
41I b id . , ch a p. 6, p. 95.
42The Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians, ch a p. 2, i n A NF , vo l . 1, p. 33. (I t a l i cs
s u ppl i e d .)
3. S o l e B a s i s o f H o pe f o r F u t u r e W o r l d . T h e
r e l a ti o n s h i p o f th e r e s u r r e cti o n to o u r r e i gn wi th C h r i s t i n
th e f u tu r e wo r l d , co n d i ti o n e d o n o u r r e l ati o n s h i p to Hi m
i n th i s pr e s e n t wo r l d , i s pr e s e n te d i n ch apte r f i ve:
I f we pl e ase Hi m i n th i s pr e se n t wo r l d , we sh al l r e ce i ve al so th e
f u tu r e wo r l d , acco r d i n g as He h as pr o mi se d to us th a t He wi l l r ai se us
agai n f r o m th e d e ad , an d th a t i f we l i ve wo r th i l y o f Hi m, we sh al l al so
r e i gn to ge th e r wi th Hi m [2 T i m. 2:12].43
T h e r e pe t i t i o n o f th e i f cl e ar l y i n d i cate s e mph asi s o n th e
co n ce pt o f conditional resurrection a t th e ti me o f th e Se co n d
Ad ve n t. T h i s co n s ti tu te s th e ve r y essence o f C o n d i ti o n al i s m.
On l y th e r i gh te o u s co me f o r th at th e r e s u r r e cti o n o f th e ju s t.
No t al l ar e saved. No t al l h ave i n co r r u pti o n co n f e r r e d u po n
th e m. No t al l h ave a pa r t i n th e f u tu r e wo r l d . T h a t i s f o r
th e r i gh te o u s al o n e . Po l ycar p do e s n o t h e r e d e al wi th th e
e ve n tu al r e s u r r e cti o n o f th e wi cke d .
4. S t r i c t u r e s o n D e n i e r s o f t h e R e s u r r e c t i o n .
Po l ycar ps o n l y r e f e r e n ce to th e pr o ph e s i e d a n ti ch r i s t (1 J o h n
4:3) appe ar s i n ch apte r se ven i n co n n e cti o n wi th a d e n i al o f
th e r e s u r r e cti o n , wh e r e h e uses se ve r e s tr i ctu r e s i n d e s cr i bi n g
su ch pe r ve r te r s o f th e go spe l . Wa r n i n g o f th e d an ge r s o f th e
ti me h e says:
Fo r wh o so e ve r do es n o t co nf ess th a t J e su s C h r i st h as co me i n th e
f l esh , i s a n ti ch r i s t; a n d wh o so e ve r do es n o t co nf ess th e te sti mo n y o f th e
[su f f e r i n g o n th e ] cross, i s o f th e d e vi l ; an d wh o so e ve r pe r ve r ts th e
o r acl e s o f th e Lo r d to h i s o wn l usts, an d says th a t th e r e i s n e i th e r a
r e su r r e cti o n n o r a ju d gme n t, h e i s th e f i r st-bo r n o f Satan . 44
Bu t th e r e i s n o co n s i gn me n t to Ete r n al T o r me n t . Su ch
ar e th e te ach i n gs o f th e l ast o f th e Apo sto l i c Fath e r s, pr e ssi n g
i n si ste n tl y o n th e l i te r al r e s u r r e cti o n , so o n to co me u n d e r
attack. Po ssi bl y i n s tu d yi n g th e cu r r e n t tr e n d s, Po l ycar p h ad
a pr e mo n i ti o n o f co mi n g d e par tu r e s .
5. R e s u r r e c t i o n B o t h o f S o u l a n d B o d y. I n a d d i
ti o n , we s h o u l d n o te th e r e f e r e n ce s i n The Epistle Concerning
43Ibid . , ch a p. 5, p. 34. (I t a l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
44I bid., ch a p. 7, p. 34.
the Martyrdom of Polycarp, s e n t f o r th f r o m th e ch u r ch at
Smyr n a, o n e o f th e se ve n ch u r ch e s o f Asi a Mi n o r , to Ph i l o -
me l i u m (Ph r ygi a). I t i s ge n e r al l y r e gar d e d as au th e n ti c, th o u gh
th e r e ar e ce r tai n e xtr avagan t apo cr yph al su ppl e me n ts a ppe n d e d
at th e cl o se. T h i s e pi stl e gi ves a f i r s th an d acco u n t o f th e ci r cu m
stan ce s a tte n d i n g th e mar tyr d o m o f Po l ycar p, an d i s e vi d e n tl y
th e e ar l i e st o f th e mar tyr o l o gi e s. T h e au th e n ti c mai n po r ti o n
i s al so pr e se r ve d by Eu se bi u s as th e o l d e st r e co r d o f a mar tyr
d o m th a t h e kn e w. T h e pr aye r o f Po l ycar p at th e stake i s
pe r t i n e n t to o u r qu e st. Hi s d yi n g be l i e f an d h o pe i n th e r e s u r
r e cti o n i s agai n str e sse d , wi th a u n i qu e e mph asi s. He r e ar e
h i s wo r d s, af te r r e f e r r i n g to th e r i gh te o u s wh o l i ve be f o r e
T h e e :
O Lo r d Go d Al mi gh ty, d i e Fath e r o f T h y be l o ve d an d bl essed
So n J e su s C h r i st, . . . I gi ve T h e e th an ks th a t T h o u h as t co u n te d me
wo r th y o f th i s d ay an d th i s h o u r , th a t I sh o u l d h ave a pa r t i n th e
n u mbe r o f T h y mar tyr s, i n th e cu p o f th y C h r i st, to the resurrection of
eternal life, both of soul and body, th r o u gh th e i n co r r u pti o n [i mpar te d ]
by th e Ho l y Gh o st. 45
He cl e ar l y l i n ke d th e r e s u r r e cti o n o f bo th so u l a n d bo d y
wi th th e r e s u r r e cti o n u n to e te r n al l i f e.
6. No A l l u s i o n t o E t e r n a l T o r me n t .I n th e Smyrnaean
e pi stl e r e f e r e n ce i s mad e to Po l ycar ps bl ame l e ss l i f e , an d to
h i s be i n g cr o wn e d wi th th e wr e ath o f i mmo r tal i ty, 49 an d
h avi n g by pati e n ce o ve r co me th e u n ju s t go ve r n o r , a n d th u s
a cqu i r e d th e cr o wn o f i mmo r ta l i ty. 47T h e e pi stl e co n tai n s th i s
al l u s i o n to th e d e sti n y o f th e wi cke d i n qu o ti n g Po l ycar ps
r e pl y to th e pr o co n su l :
Bu t Po l ycar p sai d [to th e pr o co n su l ], T h o u th r e ate n e st me wi th
f i re wh i ch bu r n e th f o r an h o u r , an d af te r a l i ttl e i s e xti n gu i sh e d , bu t
a r t i gn o r an t o f th e f i re o f th e co mi n g ju d gme n t an d o f e te r n al pu n i sh -
45The Encyclical Epistle of the Church at Smyrna Concerning the Martyrdom of the Holy
Polycarp, ch a p. 14, i n ANF , vo l . 1, p. 42. (Br acke ts i n o r i gi n a l ; i tal i cs s u ppl i e d .) Eu s e bi u s
ve r s i o n r e ad s , i n t h e i mmo r t a l i t y o f t h e Ho l y Spi r i t (Church History, bo o k 4. ch a p. 15,
i n NPNF, 2d s e r i e s , vo l . 1, p. 191). Gl i mm r e ad s , i n t h e i n co r r u pt i bi l i t y o f t h e Ho l y Gh o s t
( The Apostolic Fathers, i n The Fathers of the Church s e r i e s, p. 158).
48T he Martyrdom o f Polycarp, ch a p. 17, i n ANF , vo l . 1, p. 42.
47I b id., ch a p. 19, p. 43.
me n t, r e se r ve d f o r th e u n go d l y. Bu t wh y tar r i e st th o u ? Br i n g f o r th
wh at th o u wi l t. 48
So h e we n t to h i s d e ath . Bu t th e r e i s n o t a wo r d a bo u t
Ete r n a l T o r me n t . He n e ve r i n ti mate s th e e n d l e ss e xi ste n ce
o f th e l o st i n e te r n al su f f e r i n g. Ete r n a l pu n i s h me n t i s n o t
e te r n al punishing. T h a t i s th e te sti mo n y o f Po l ycar p.
IV. Epistle of Mathetes to DiognetusImmo r tal So ul
an d Ete r n al Fi r e Pr o bl ems
At th i s po i n t n o te mu st be take n o f pe r t i n e n t s tate me n ts
i n th e n o t to o we l l kn o wn Epistle of Mathetes to Diognetus
(c. a . d . 130). So me pl ace i t i n th e e ar l y th i r d ce n tu r y. Mo e h l e r
cal l e d i t a br i l l i a n t ge m o f C h r i s ti an a n ti qu i t y. I t was an
an swe r f r o m an u n i d e n ti f i e d C h r i s ti an wh o was a maste r o f
Gr e e k styl e to an i n qu i r y f r o m th e d i s ti n gu i s h e d pagan
Di o gn e tu s, be l i e ve d by so me to h ave be e n th e t u t o r o f Mar cu s
Au r e l i u s .49Di o gn e tu s h ad aske d a se r i e s o f qu e sti o n s: Wh at
Go d d o th e C h r i s ti an s tr u s t i n? Wh y d o th e y d e spi se d e a th ?
Wh a t i s th e e xpl an ati o n o f th e i r mu tu a l l o ve? Wh a t i s th e i r
mo d e o f wo r sh i p, an d wh at i s th e d i f f e r e n ce be twe e n C h r i s ti an
be l i e f s an d th o se o f th e Gr e e ks a n d J e ws ?90
T h i s e pi stl e may be co n s i d e r e d a co n n e cti n g l i n k be twe e n
th e s h o r te r e xh o r tati o n s o f th e Apo sto l i c Fath e r s an d th e
e l abo r ate apo l o gi e s o f J u s ti n Mar tyr an d h i s successo rs. I t was
at o n e ti me wr o n gl y a t t r i bu t e d to J u s ti n . I t e mph asi ze s go d l y
l i vi n g r a t h e r th an d o gmati c be l i e f s. Yet i t co mbats wi th vi go r
th e twi n e r r o r s o f th e J e ws an d th e Gr e e ks, a n d sh o ws f ami l i
ar i ty wi th Pa u l i n e an d J o h a n n i n e te ach i n gs. I t i s be l i e ve d
to h ave be e n wr i tte n i n th e mi d -se co n d ce n tu r y, a n d i s th e r e f o r e
pl ace d at th e cl o se o f th e l i n e o f Apo sto l i c Fath e r s. (See T a bu l a r
C h a r t F, o n page 758.)
18I bid., ch a p. 11, p. 41. I t s h o u l d be n o te d t h a t th i s s t a t e me n t i s r e ce i ve d a t fourth
h a n d , acco r d i n g to C ave (L ife of Polycarp, ch a p. 6)th r o u gh Eu a r i s tu s , C ai u s , So cr ate s , a n d
Pi o n i u s , a n d i s th e r e f o r e n o n e to o tr u s two r th y as to e xa ct ph r a s i n g.
19Se e C h r i s t i a n C h a r l e s Bu n s e n , Hippolytus and His Age, vo l . 1, p. 188; al so Wi l
l i am F. A r n d t a n d F. Wi l bu r Gi n gr i ch , A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and
Other Early Christian Literature.
00The Epistle of Mathetes to Diognetus, ch a p. 1, i n ANF , vo l . 1, p. 25.
Math e te s we l l -ph r ase d an swe r wh i ch mi gh t we l l h ave
suf f i ced f o r a f o r mal wr i tte n d e f e n se pr e s e n te d to a ju d ge
co mpr i se s te n ch apte r s, pl u s two at th e cl o se r e co gn i ze d by al l
as a l ate r s pu r i o u s appe n d age . I t i s an e ar n e s t vi n d i cati o n o f
C h r i s ti an i ty, a bo o k o f C h r i s ti an e vi d e n ce s. I n ch apte r two
i t po r tr ays th e van i ty o f wo r s h i pi n g i d o l s, wh i ch ar e d e af ,
bl i n d , i n se n si bl e , wi th o u t l i f e o r l o co mo ti o n an d ar e corrupt
ible. T h e n i n ch apte r th r e e th e wr i te r di scusses th e sacr i f i ces
o f th e J e ws, an d th e C r e ato r , wh o stan d s i n n e e d o f n o t h i n g.
T h e i r me ats, ce r e mo n i al sabbath s an d n e w mo o n s, an d ci r cu m
ci si o n ar e n o w usel ess.51
1. P u t t o D e a t h ; R e s t o r e d T h r o u g h R e s u r r e c t i o n .
C h a pte r f i ve d e al s wi th th e par ad o xi cal l i f e o f th e C h r i sti an s.
As d o o th e r ci ti ze n s, th e y d we l l i n th e i r n ati ve l an d s, ye t ar e
f o r e i gn e r s an d s o jo u r n e r s . T h e y ar e r e gar d e d as al i e n s by
th e J e ws, an d ar e pe r s e cu te d by th e pagan s. Bu t th e r e i s n o
mar ke d d i f f e r e n ce .
T h e y ar e i n th e f l esh , bu t th e y d o n o t l i ve af te r th e f l esh . T h e y
pass th e i r days o n e ar th , bu t th e y ar e ci ti ze n s o f h e ave n . T h e y o bey
th e pr e scr i be d l aws, an d at th e same ti me su r pass th e l aw by th e i r l i ves.
T h e y l o ve al l me n , an d ar e pe r se cu te d by al l . T h e y ar e u n kn o wn an d
co n d e mn e d ; th e y ar e pu t to d e ath , an d restored to life. 62
T h i s r e s to r ati o n , o r co mi n g to l i f e , r e f e r s, o f co u r se , to
th e r e s u r r e cti o n at th e l ast day. An d Math e te s ad d s, Wh e n
pu n i s h e d , th e y r e jo i ce as i f qu i cke n e d i n to l i f e . 53T h e bl e sse d
h o pe o f th e Se co n d Ad ve n t was e ve r be f o r e th e m.
2. T h e R e l a t i o n s h i p o f S o u l a n d B o d y . I n ch a pte r si x
Math e te s pu ts T h e Re l ati o n o f C h r i sti an s to th e Wo r l d
i n th i s way:
Wh a t th e so u l i s i n th e bo d y, th a t ar e C h r i sti an s i n th e wo r l d . T h e
so ul i s d i spe r se d th r o u gh al l th e me mbe r s o f th e bo dy, an d C h r i sti an s
ar e scatte r e d th r o u gh al l th e ci ti e s o f th e wo r l d . T h e so ul d we l l s i n th e
bo dy, yet i s n o t o f th e bo d y; an d C h r i sti an s d we l l i n th e wo r l d , yet ar e
n o t o f th e wo r l d . 54
61I bid., ch a ps . 3, 4, p. 26.
62Ibid., ch a p. 5, p. 27. (I t a l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
53Ibid.
54I bid., ch a p. 6, p. 27.
T h e n h e ad d s, T h e f l esh [th e wo r l d ] h ate s th e so u l [th e
C h r i sti an s ], a n d war s agai n st i t . Ne ve r th e l e ss, th e so u l l o ves
th e f l esh th a t h ate s i t . 05T h a t i s wh y th e C h r i sti an s, al th o u gh
th e y ar e pu n i s h e d th r o u gh pe r s e cu ti o n , i n cr e ase i n n u mbe r
d ai l y.
3. F i r s t U s e o f I m m o r t a l S o u l i n C h r i s t i a n W r i t i n g s .
An d n o w f o l l o ws appar e n tl y th e f i r st use o f th e e xpr e ssi o n
i mmo r tal s o u l i n a C h r i s ti an wo r k. I t i s, h o we ve r , u se d i n a
conditional sense; o th e r wi se i t wo u l d be i n co n f l i ct wi th o th e r
cl e ar state me n ts i n th e same tr e ati se . Acco r d i n g to two sch o l ar l y
i n ve sti gato r s, Dr . Emman u e l Pe tave l , o f th e Un i ve r s i ty o f
Lau s an n e , a n d Pr o f . C h ar l e s F. Hu d s o n , o f C ambr i d ge , Massa
ch u se tts, th i s i s, i n d e e d , th e f i r st u se i n an y e ar l y C h r i s ti an wo r k
o f th e ph r ase i mmo r tal s o u l . 67He r e i s th e state me n t, co n ti n u
i n g th e f i gu r e o f so u l an d bo d y:
T h e i mmo r tal so u l dwel l s i n a mo r tal tabe r n acl e ; an d C h r i sti an s
d we l l as so jo u r n e r s i n co r r u pti bl e [bo di es], l o o ki n g f o r an i n co r r u pti bl e
d we l l i n g (n o te 10: l i te r al l y, i n co r r u pti o n ), i n th e h e ave n s. 68
4. C h r i s t S e n t a s G o d a n d S a v i o u r ; C o me s L a t e r a s
J u d ge .I n ch a pte r se ven (T h e Man i f e stati o n o f C h r i s t)
Math e te s te l l s h o w Go d s e n t n o t an an ge l o r o th e r e mi ssar y
to th i s e ar th , bu t se n t as Hi s Me sse n ge r th e ve r y C r e ato r an d
Fas h i o n e r o f al l th i n gs . He came n o t to i n spi r e t e r r o r bu t
to pr o cl ai m cl e me n cy. T h e Fa th e r s e n t C h r i s t as a ki n g
se n d s h i s s o n , as a Savi o u r , se e ki n g to pe r su ad e , n o t to co m
pe l . He came n o t as a ju d ge . Bu t Math e te s ad d s, He wi l l
yet se n d Hi m to ju d ge us, a n d wh o sh al l e n d u r e Hi s appe ar
i n g? 09T h u s th e so l e mn i ty o f th e Se co n d Ad ve n t i s i n tr o d u ce d .
5. E v e r y B l e s s i n g C o n f e r r e d T h r o u g h C h r i s t . I n
ch a pte r e i gh t (T h e Mi se r abl e State o f Me n Be f o r e th e C o m
i n g o f th e Wo r d ), af te r to u ch i n g o n th e vai n an d si l l y
<* ibid.
58I b id ., n o te 11.
57Pe t a ve l , T he Problem of Immortality, p. 236, n o te 5; s e e al so C . F. Hu d s o n ,
Debt and Grace as Related to the Doctrine of a Future Life , p. 298.
58T he Epistle to Diognetus, ch a p. 6, i n AMF, vo l . 1, p. 27. (Br acke ts i n o r i gi n a l .)
5BIbid ., ch a p. 7, p. 27.
d o ctr i n e s o f th e ph i l o s o ph e r s , Math e te s te l l s h o w th e tr u e
an d l i vi n g Go d , th e f r i e n d o f ma n ki n d , se n t al l bl e ssi n gs i n
C h r i st:
He r e ve al e d an d l ai d o pe n , th r o u gh Hi s be l o ve d Son, th e th i n gs
wh i ch h ad be e n pr e pa r e d f r o m th e be gi n n i n g. He co n f e r r e d eve r y bl e ss
i n g (n o te 5: l i te r al l y, al l th i n gs ), al l at o n ce u po n us, so th a t we
sh o u l d bo th sh ar e i n Hi s bene f i ts, an d see an d be acti ve [i n Hi s se r vi ce]. 80
6. C h r i s t , I n c o r r u p t i b l e a n d I mmo r t a l ; M a n , C o r r u p t
i bl e a n d M o r t a l . Di scu ssi n g, i n ch apte r n i n e , Wh y th e So n
Was Se n t So L ate , Math e te s says th a t Go d so u gh t to co n vi n ce
man ki n d o f o u r [man s] u n wo r th i n e s s o f a tt a i n i n g life th r o u gh
o u r o wn wo r ks. Li f e mu st co me th r o u gh th e ki n d n e ss o f
Go d . C h r i s t came to make man i f e s t th at i n o u r se l ve s we
we r e u n a bl e to e n te r i n to th e ki n gd o m o f Go d , bu t t h a t we
mi gh t th r o u gh th e po we r o f Go d be mad e abl e . 61 Wh e n
wi cke d n e ss h ad r e ach e d i ts h e i gh t, i ts r e wa r d be came cl e ar l y
r e ve al e d as pu n i s h me n t a n d d e a th . T h e n , i n th i s co n n e cti o n
we ar e d e cl ar e d corruptible an d mortal, an d l o st wi th o u t C h r i st.
He r e i s h i s co mpr e h e n si ve d e s cr i pti o n o f pr ai se , co n tr as ti n g
th e i mmo r tal C h r i st:
He Hi mse l f to o k o n Hi m th e bu r d e n o f o u r i n i qu i ti e s, He gave
Hi s o wn So n as a r an so m f o r us, th e h o l y On e f o r tr an sgr e sso r s, th e
bl ame l e ss On e f o r th e wi cked, th e r i gh te o u s On e f o r th e u n r i gh te o u s,
the incorruptible One for the corruptible, the immortal One for them
that are mortal. Fo r wh at o th e r th i n g was capabl e o f co ve r i n g o u r si ns
th an Hi s r i gh te o u sn e ss? By wh at o th e r o n e was i t po ssi bl e th a t we, th e
wi cke d an d u n go d l y, co u l d be ju sti f i e d , th an by th e o n l y So n o f God?
O sweet e xch an ge ! O u n se ar ch abl e o pe r ati o n ! O be n e f i ts su r passi n g al l
e xpe ctati o n ! th a t th e wi cke dness o f man y sh o u l d be h i d i n a si n gl e
r i gh te o u s On e , an d th a t th e r i gh te o u sn e ss o f On e sh o u l d ju sti f y man y
tr an sgr e sso r s! 82
T h u s man be came co n vi n ce d . . . th at o u r n a tu r e was
unable to attain to life, an d th e Savi o u r was r e ve al e d as th e o n l y
On e wh o i s abl e to save . An d so Go d l ead s us to e ste e m Hi m
[C h r i st] o u r No u r i s h e r , Fath e r , T e ach e r , C o u n se l l o r , He al e r ,
00I bid., ch a p. 8, p. 28. (Br acke ts i n o r i gi n a l .)
61Ib id ., ch a p. 9, p. 28. (I t a l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
02Ibid.
o u r Wi sd o m, Li gh t, Ho n o u r , Gl o r y, Po we r , an d L i f e 63 He
i s th e so u r ce o f o u r l i f e an d i mmo r tal i ty.
7. E t e r n a l F i r e ; B o t h a P r o ce s s a n d a T e r m i n a t i o n .
C o n t i n u i n g th e th e me i n ch apte r te n (T h e Bl essi ngs T h a t
Wi l l Fl o w Fr o m Fa i th ), Math e te s d e cl ar e s th a t Go d mad e
th e wo r l d f o r man , wh o m He l o ve d , a n d gave h i m r e aso n
a n d u n d e r s ta n d i n g, i mpa r ti n g th e pr i vi l e ge o f l o o ki n g u p
war d to Go d , a n d pr o mi s i n g h i m a ki n gd o m i n h e ave n ,
wh i ch He wi l l gi ve to th o se wh o h ave l o ve d Hi m. Math e te s
th e n says th at wh e n we see th e d e ce i t an d e r r o r o f th e wo r l d
an d su f f e r pu n i s h me n t, we wh i l e sti l l o n e ar th sh al l kn o w
wh at i t i s to l i ve tr u l y i n h e ave n . An d n o w co me s h i s ke y
s tate me n t o n th e d e s tr u cti o n o f th e wi cke d by e te r n al f i r e:
T h o u sh al t d e spi se th a t wh i ch i s h e r e e ste e me d to be d e ath , wh e n
th o u sh al t f e ar wh at i s truly d e ath , wh i ch i s r e se r ve d f o r th o se wh o sh al l
be co n d e mn e d to th e e te r n al f i re, wh i ch sh al l af f l i ct th o se even to the
end th a t ar e co mmi tte d to i t. T h e n sh al t th o u ad mi r e th o se wh o f o r
r i gh te o u sn e ss sake e n d u r e th e f i re th a t i s bu t f o r a mo me n t, an d sh al t
co u n t th e m h appy wh e n th o u sh al t kn o w [th e n atu r e of ] that f i r e .
Hu d s o n o bse r ve s, T h i s can n o t d e n o te th e co mmo n vi e w
o f pu n i s h me n t wi th o u t e n d . Rath e r , i t me an s th e f i r e th at wi l l
e xte r mi n a te . 05Math e te s e vi d e n tl y be l i e ve d i n th e co n si ste n cy
o f two i d eas t h a t ar e o f te n h e l d to be i n co mpati bl e th e
t h o u gh t o f e te r n al f i r e as a punishment, an d th e t h o u gh t
o f th a t pu n i s h me n t s u l ti mate l y h avi n g an e n d T h e d i f f e r
e n ce l i es be twe e n th e e xpr e ssi o n e ve n to th e e n d , o r until
th e e n d , a n d th at wh i ch wo u l d be without, an enda co n d i ti o n
t h a t Math e te s n e i t h e r state s n o r i mpl i e s. He r e a wo r k o f
i n e xo r abl e d e s tr u cti o n i s po r tr aye d , a n d i ts f i n al r e s u l t. T o
Math e te s, d e s tr o y o bvi o u sl y i n d i cate s bo th a process a n d a
termination. Math e te s ad d s th a t th o se wh o ar e mar tyr e d h e r e
e n d u r e th e f i r e th a t i s bu t f o r a mo me n t, i n co n tr as t wi th
03ibi d.
81I b id . , ch a p. 10, i n ANF, vo l . 1, p. 29. (Br acke ts i n o r i gi n a l ; i tal i cs s u ppl i e d .)
Hu d s o n s tr a n s l a t i o n r e a d s : Wh e n th o u ca n s t d e s pi s e t h a t wh i ch appearetb to be
d e a t h h e r e ; wh e n th o u d r e a d e s t t h a t wh i ch really i s d e a t h , a d e a t h wh i ch i s ke pt i n s to r e
f o r th o s e wh o wi l l be co n d e mn e d to t h a t e t e r n a l f i r e wh i ch wi l l pu n i s h unto the end [mechri
telous] th o s e wh o m i t r e ce i ve t h (Debt and Grace, p. 299. I ta l i cs s u ppl i e d ).
65Hu d s o n , op. cit., p. 299, n o te 1.
th e f i r e t h a t i s f o r th e wi cke d ,66 an d wh i ch e n d s i n t h e i r
T h a t i s al l , a n d th a t i s h i s cl i max. T h e wi tn e ss i s f r ag
me n tar y, bu t i t i s cl e ar l y i n d i cati ve o f Math e te s co n ti n u an ce
o f th e Apo sto l i c Fath e r s po si ti o n s.
V. Summar i zi ng C o ncl usi o n C o nce r ni ng th e Apo sto l i c Fath e r s
I t h as o f te n be e n asse r te d th at th e d o gma o f th e I n n a te
I mmo r ta l i ty o f th e so u l an d th e Ete r n al T o r me n t o f th e
wi cke d , as l ate r tau gh t by T e r t u l l i a n an d f i n al l y e stabl i sh e d
by Au gu s ti n e , was always th e po s i ti o n o f th e Ear l y C h r i s ti an
C h u r ch . Bu t th e sch o l ar l y i n ve sti gati o n s o f He n r y C o n stabl e ,
An gl i can Pr e be n d ar y o f C o r k, I r e l an d , l e d h i m to r e pl y wi th
po si ti ve n e ss, We wh o l l y d e n y i t . An d af te r h i s e xh au sti ve
stu d y o f th e Apo sto l i c Fath e r s, C o n s tabl e d e cl ar e d t h a t th e y
we r e ju s t as mu ch o ppo se d to th e e ve r l as ti n g-to r me n t th e o r i e s
o f Au gu s ti n e as to th e th e o r i e s o f Or i ge n an d h i s u n i ve r sal -
r e s to r ati o n co n ce pt. He r e i s th e key s tate me n t o f C o n s tabl e s
swe e pi n g co n cl u si o n :
Fr o m be gi n n i n g to e n d o f th e m [th e Apo sto l i c Fath e r s] th e r e i s n o t
o n e wo r d sai d o f th a t i mmo r tal i ty o f th e so ul wh i ch i s so pr o mi n e n t i n
th e wr i ti n gs o f th e l a te r f ath e r s. Immo r tal i ty i s by th e m asse r te d to be
pe cu l i ar to th e r e d e e me d . T h e pu n i s h me n t o f th e wi cke d i s by th e m
e mph ati cal l y d e cl ar e d to be e ve r l asti n g. No t o n e str ay e xpr e ssi o n o f th e i r s
can be i n te r pr e te d as gi vi n g an y co u n te n an ce to th e th e o r y o f r e s to r ati o n
af te r pu r gato r i al su f f e r i n g. T h e f i re o f h e l l i s wi th th e m, as wi th us,
an u n qu e n ch abl e o n e ; bu t i ts i ssue i s, wi th th e m as wi th Scr i ptu r e ,
d e s tr u cti o n , d e a d i , l oss o f l i f e . 07
C o n stabl e e ve n we n t so f ar as to i ssue th i s ch al l e n ge to
h i s co n te mpo r ar i e s , wh i ch appe ar s i n e ach o f th e si x e d i ti o n s
o f h i s majo r tr e ati s e , We ch al l e n ge o u r o ppo n e n ts to co n tr o
ve r t o u r vi ew o f th e m i n a si n gl e pa r ti cu l a r . 68An d i t sh o u l d
be ad d e d th at n o o n e d u r i n g h i s l i f e ti me , wh e n d i scu ssi o n
o ve r th e qu e s ti o n was r i f e , e ve r u n d e r to o k to d i spr o ve h i s
co n te n ti o n .
06The Epistle to Diognetus, ch a p. 10, i n ANF, vo l . 1, p. 29.
67C o n s tabl e , Th e Duration and Nature of Future Punishment, p. 167.
Ibid.
26
802 C ONDI T I ONAL1ST FAI T H
On th e po i n t o f th e to tal d e s tr u cti o n o f th e wi cke d ,
C o n s tabl e s ge n e r al co n cl u si o n , base d o n th o r o u gh r e se ar ch ,
a n d co ve r i n g th e Apo sto l i c Fath e r s as a wh o l e , i s:
Eve r y o n e o f th e me n wh o wer e co n te mpo r ar i e s o f th e apo stl e s,
an d h ave l e f t to o u r ti me an y o f th e i r wr i ti n gs, agr e e wi th o u r vi ew o f
f u tu r e pu n i s h me n t as co n si sti n g i n th e d e s tr u cti o n o f th e u n go d l y, th e i r
be co mi n g as a th i n g o f n o u gh t. 68
I n si mi l ar ve i n i s th e te sti mo n y o f th e sch o l ar l y Dr . Pe tave l :
T h e apo sto l i c Fath e r s n e ve r spe ak o f a n ati ve i mmo r tal i ty: an
i mmo r tal l i f e i s i n th e i r vi ew th e e xcl usi ve pr i vi l e ge o f th e r e d e e me d .
T h e pu n i s h me n t o f th e r e je cte d co nsi sts i n a gr ad u al d e s tr u cti o n o f th e i r
be i n g, wh i ch f i nal l y beco me s to tal . T h i s pu n i s h me n t i s cal l e d e te r n al ,
as be i n g d e f i n i ti ve a n d i r r e me d i abl e ; we h ave al r e ad y sh o wn i n th e
Scr i ptu r e th i s use o f an ad je cti ve , qu al i f yi n g n o t th e mo me n tar y acti o n
bu t th e pe r ma n e n t r e su l ts o f th e acti o n . Ne i th e r d o th e apo sto l i c Fath e r s
spe ak o f a u n i ve r sal sal vati o n ; th e y te ach th a t th e u n qu e n ch abl e f i re wi l l
co n su me i ts vi cti ms; i n a wo r d , th e y al l wi th o n e acco r d appe ar to be
C o n d i ti o n al i s ts . 70
Wi t h th e f i n d i n gs o f th e se two spe ci al i sts th e f i n d i n gs o f
o u r o wn i n d e pe n d e n t r e se ar ch e s ar e i n co mpl e te acco r d .
*>Ibid . , p. 170.
70Pe ta ve l , op. ci t., pp. 229, 230.
C H A P T E R F O R T Y - S E V E N
J usti n Martyr Augments
Subapostol i c C ondi ti onal i sm
I. Ante-Ni cene Pe r i o d In f i l tr ate d by Pl ato n i c Immo r tal -So ul i sm
As al r e ad y n o te d , th e e ar l i e st l i t e r a tu r e o f th e Apo sto l i c
Fath e r s wi l l be se ar ch e d i n vai n f o r th e te l l tal e ph r ase s o f
th e Ne o pl ato n i c d o gmai mmo r tal s o u l , e te r n al s pi r i t,
e te r n al su f f e r i n g, an d su ch th a t n o w be gi n to a ppe ar wi th
i n cr e asi n g f r e qu e n cy i n th i s n e w an te -Ni ce n e pe r i o d . T h e
Apo sto l i c Fath e r s we r e al l C o n d i ti o n al i s ts , as al so we r e J u s ti n
Mar tyr o f Samar i a, T a t i a n o f Assyr i a, T h e o ph i l u s o f An ti o ch ,
I r e n ae u s o f Lyo n s, No vati an o f Ro me , Ar n o bi u s o f Si cca, an d
e vi d e n tl y o th e r s o f th e cr u ci al e r a we ar e n o w e n te r i n g.
T h e s e l i ke wi se ma i n ta i n e d th e po s tu l ate th a t man i s mo r tal ,
wi th I mmo r ta l i ty as a gi f t f r o m Go d f o r th e r i gh te o u s o n l y.
1. F r o n t a l a n d F l a n k i n g A t t a c k s D e v e l o p . T h e an te -
Ni ce n e pe r i o d e xte n d s f r o m J u s ti n Mar tyr , abo u t a . d . 150 o n
to a . d . 325, th e d ate o f th e Ni ce n e Ge n e r al C o u n ci l . T h i s was
th e pe r i o d o f th e ph e n o me n al spr e ad o f C h r i s ti an i ty t h r o u gh
o u t Eu r o pe , Af r i ca, an d Asi a Mi n o r , a n d i ts i n e vi tabl e s tr u ggl e
wi th J u d ai s m a n d h e ath e n i s man d al l th i s ami d pe r se cu ti o n s
by th e Ro man state . I t was a cr i si s h o u r f o r th e ch u r ch , a
ti me o f tr a n s i ti o n i n wh i ch gr ave pe r ve r si o n s be gan to appe ar .
Vi ci o u s frontal attacks u po n C h r i s ti an i ty an d th e Scr i p
tu r e s we r e mad e by C e l su s a n d o th e r s. T h e s e cal l e d f o r th
th e vi go r o u s d e f e n si ve l i t e r a tu r e o f ch u r ch l e ad e r sapo l o gi e s
f r e qu e n tl y ad d r e sse d to th e e mpe r o r s. Du r i n g th i s pe r i o d a h o st
o f mar tyr s we r e pu t to d e a th i n o n e o f th e mo st mo vi n g
803
spe ctacl e s o f C h r i s ti an h e r o i sm o f th e ce n tu r i e s . Ho we ve r , e r e
l o n g ve n e r ati o n f o r t h e i r n o bl e sacr i f i ce d e ge n e r ate d i n to wo r
sh i p o f sai n ts a n d r e l i an ce o n r e l i cs pu r po r t i n g to h ave
me r i to r i o u s val u e . An d i n ti me th e e xal tati o n o f th e cl e r gy
was f o l l o we d by th e d e ve l o pme n t o f a d o mi n a ti n g e pi sco pate .
Bu t f ar mo r e se r i o u s to C h r i s ti an be l i e f s we r e th e i n r o ad s
mad e by th e flanking attacks o f mysti cal ph i l o so ph y. As h e r e si e s
be gan to appe ar , co n tr o ve r si e s i n e vi tabl y d e ve l o pe d wi th th o se
tr a i n e d i n th e sch o o l s o f Ath e n s o r Al e xan d r i a. C u r i o u sl y
e n o u gh , th e ar gu me n ts o f ph i l o so ph y we r e f i r st br o u gh t f o r
war d o ste n si bl y t h a t me n mi gh t n o t be bl i n d e d by th e s u d d e n
l i gh t o f Scr i ptu r e .1 Var i o u s wr i te r s be gan to str ess var i an t
vi e wpo i n ts, d i f f e r i n g f r o m al l o th e r s. Do ctr i n al be l i e f s h ad n o t
ye t be e n cr ystal l i ze d , an d th e r e was d i ve r si ty o f vi ew, wi th
l i be r ty o f co n vi cti o n acco r d e d th o se wh o d i f f e r e d .
2. G n o s t i ci s m U n d e r mi n e s T e a c h i n g o f R e s u r r e c t i o n .
Du r i n g th i s ti me Gn o sti ci sm, a f ar -f l u n g r e l i gi o -ph i l o so ph i cal
mo ve me n t, came i n to pr o mi n e n ce , f o l l o we d by th e Man i ch ae an
ph i l o so ph y. T h e apo stl e Pau l h ad war n e d agai n st gnosis (kn o wl
e dge ), f al se l y so -cal l e d (1 T i m. 6:20). T h e Gn o sti cs d r e w
th e i r s pe cu l ati o n s f r o m a mi n gl i n g o f Or i e n ta l pagan i sm,
Al e xan d r i an ph i l o so ph y, an d C h r i s ti an so u r ce s. T h e y s o u gh t
to co n s tr u ct a th e o r y o f th e u n i ve r se , wi th u l ti ma te h ar mo n y
r e s to r e d by d e s tr u cti o n o f al l matte r . T h e y cl ai me d a se cr e t
kn o wl e d ge i n acce ssi bl e to th e u n i n i t i a t e d . I t was a mysti c
r e l i gi o n , se e ki n g assu r an ce o f a f o r tu n a te d e sti n y f o r th e so u l
af te r d e ath . T h e y se gr e gate d me n i n to th r e e cl assesth e t h i r d
gr o u p be i n g wh o l l y mate r i al , an d th u s be yo n d sal vati o n , be
cau se th e y h ad n o spar k o f th e d i vi n e wi th i n th e m.
I t was base d l ar ge l y o n an Or i e n ta l Du al i sm, wi th th e
two an tago n i s ti c wo r l d s o f go o d a n d e vi l , l i gh t a n d d ar kn e ss,
d i vi n e a n d mate r i a l th e mate r i al be i n g th e se at o f e vi l . I t
tau gh t a se r i e s o f e man ati o n s f r o m th e Su pr e me Be i n g, wh i ch
1B. F. We s t co tt , A General Survey of the History o f the Canon of the New Testa
ment, pp. 63-65.
we r e h al f an ge l i c a n d h al f d e mo n i c. An d i t was str o n gl y
i n f l u e n ce d by Gr e e k Pl ato n i sm.
T h u s C h r i s ti a n Gn o sti ci sm so u gh t to co mbi n e th e
te ach i n gs o f th e h i sto r i cal J e su s wi th e n l i gh te n me n t d e r i ve d
f r o m h e a th e n po e ts an d ph i l o so ph e r s. Bu t th e e ssence o f th e
Gn o sti c n o ti o n o f r e d e mpti o n was l i be r ati o n o f th e s pi r i t f r o m
i ts co n n e cti o n wi th matte r , th u s af f e cti n g th e wh o l e co n ce pt
o f th e r e s u r r e cti o n . T h e Gn o sti cs d i d n o t a tte mpt to f o r m a
s e par ate e ccl e si asti cal o r gan i zati o n , bu t pe n e tr ate d i n to e xi s t
i n g ch u r ch ci r cl e s. An d th e pe ak o f Gn o sti ci sm was r e ach e d
i n th e l a t te r pa r t o f th e se co n d ce n tu r y.
3. N e o p l a t o n i c M ys t i ci s m S u p p l a n t s L i t e r a l i s m .
Wh i l e th e e ar l y successo rs o f th e apo stl e s gave cl e ar e xpr e ssi o n
to th e apo sto l i c h o pe an d e xpe ctati o n th e l i te r al se co n d
co mi n g o f C h r i st, acco mpan i e d by th e l i te r al r e s u r r e cti o n o f
th e d e ad Gr e e k co n ce pts r e gar d i n g h u man su r vi val an d
i n h e r e n t i mmo r tal i ty n o w be gan to i n tr u d e i n to ce r tai n
patr i s ti c wr i ti n gs. I n d e e d , th e s u btl e so ph i str i e s t h a t mad e th e
I n n a t e I mmo r tal i ty o f th e so u l th e ce n tr al f e atu r e o f Gr e e k
th o u gh t, mad e ste ad y e n cr o ach me n t u po n th e ch u r ch u n t i l
u n d e r Or i ge n , th e Ne o pl ato n i c ph i l o s o ph e r o f Al e xan d r i a, i t
t r i u mph e d i n o pe n su bve r si o n o f th e l i te r al se co n d co mi n g
o f C h r i s t a n d o f th e l i te r al r e s u r r e cti o n o f th e d e ad ch e r i s h e d
by th e apo stl e s. T h i s i s cl e ar l y s tate d by Dr . J o h n Lai d l aw,
i n h i s C u n n i n gh am Le ctu r e , at th e Fr e e C h u r ch C o l l e ge o f
Ed i n bu r gh , i n 1877:
Gr ad u al l y, i n C h r i sti an sch ool s, th e Gr e e k i n f l u e n ce pr e vai l e d , an d
e ve n i n th e C h r i s ti an C h u r ch th e i d e a o f th e so u l s i mmo r tal i ty f o r l o n g
[ce n tu r i e s] to o k th e pl ace o f th e Scr i ptu r e d o ctr i n e o f a f u tu r e l i f e . 2
4. R e l e a s e o f t h e S o u l F r o m t h e B o d y. T h u s th e
ph i l o s o ph i cal co n ce pt o f an i mmo r tal e sse n ce i n man was
s u bs ti tu te d f o r th a t o f co mpl e te r e d e mpti o n f o r wh i ch Ho l y
Wr i t i n s tr u cte d th e be l i e ve r to wai t an d to ye ar n . T h e C h r i s ti an
h o pe came gr ad u al l y to be s u pe r s e d e d by th e h o pe o f r e l e ase
J UST I N MART Y R AUGMENT S C ONDIT I ONALI SM 805
2 J o h n L a i d l a w, T h e Bible Doctrine of Man, p. 233.
f r o m th e bo d y at d e ath , i n ste ad o f th e bo d ys r e d e mpti o n a n d a
pe r f e cte d sal vati o n f o r th e wh o l e n a tu r e o f th e ma n . 3I t was
a tan ge n t path t h a t l e d f ar th e r a n d f ar th e r away f r o m th e
r o ad tr o d d e n by th e Apo sto l i c Fath e r s an d a smal l e r gr o u p
o f th e An te -Ni ce n e Fath e r s as we l l . I t was a d i s ti n ct d e pa r tu r e .
5. I m mo r t a l - S o u l i s m W e l l - n i g h E x t i n gu i s h e s B l e s s e d
H o pe . As a r e s u l t, an a d mi xtu r e o f th e two co n ce pts be gan
to appe ar i n a majo r i ty o f th e wr i ti n gs o f th e Fath e r s o f th i s
pe r i o d . An d co n tr ar i wi s e , th e l i gh t o f th e bl e sse d h o pe d i mme d
ste ad i l y, u n t i l i t was vi r tu al l y e xti n gu i s h e d i n th e Dar k Ages,
wh e n th e te ach i n g o f I n n a te I mmo r tal i ty, wi th i ts f an ci f u l
accesso r i es, came to h o l d we l l -n i gh co mpl e te sway.
C o n f l i cti n g cl ai ms h ave be e n pu t f o r th co n ce r n i n g th e
te s ti mo n y o f th e se an te -Ni ce n e wi tnesse s. T o cl ai m t h a t th e
e n ti r e bo d y o f Ear l y C h u r ch wr i ti n gs co n s ti tu te s a case f o r
C o n d i ti o n al i s m wo u l d be to co n tr ave n e th e si mpl e f acts o f
h i sto r i cal r e co r d . An d si mi l ar l y, f o r pr o po n e n ts o f I n n a te
I mmo r ta l i ty l o o se l y to make s i mi l ar cl ai ms o f u n i f o r mi ty f o r
I mmo r tal -So u l i s m i s e qu al l y co n tr ar y to f act. Two schools of
thought definitely existed side by side. T e s ti mo n y f o r bo th
po si ti o n s i s cl e ar l y o n r e co r d ,4f o r bo th vi ews we r e str u ggl i n g
f o r s u pr e macyth e apo sto l i c vi ew, wh i ch i n si ste d o n th e
Se co n d Ad ve n t a n d th e r e s u r r e cti o n , a n d th e Gr e e k co n ce pt,
base d o n th e po s tu l ate o f th e s o u l s i n h e r e n t i mmo r tal i ty. T h e s e
co n f l i cti n g po si ti o n s we mu st n o w tr ace .
6. W r i t e r s S e g r e g a t e T h e m s e l v e s i n t o T h r e e - w a y
S p l i t . T h e an te - a n d po st-Ni ce n e wr i te r s th u s d i vi d e th e m
sel ves i n to two o ppo si te sch o o l s o f th o u gh t an d te ach i n g. A
mi n o r i ty co n ti n u e d to h o l d to th e e a r l i e r C o n d i ti o n al -I mmo r -
tal i ty po si ti o n , wh i l e th e majo r i ty be came co mmi tte d to th e
n e w u n i ve r s al I n n ate -I mmo r ta l i ty co n ce pt. Bu t th i s l ar ge r
3Ibid.
4An o t h e r co n f u s i n g f a ct o r t h a t mu s t be f r a n kl y r e co gn i ze d i s t h e ch a n gi n g vi e ws
o f i n d i vi d u al s o ve r a pe r i o d o f ye ar s . Ea r l y co n ce pts we r e s o me ti me s i n co n f l i ct wi t h l a t e r
co n vi cti o n s . T h e r e i s n o way o f h ar mo n i zi n g th e two e xce pt by r e co gn i zi n g t h e s i mpl e f a ct
t h a t t h e y ch a n ge d t h e i r mi n d s s o me ti me s o n e way, s o me ti me s t h e o t h e r . Oth e r wi s e t h e r e
i s i r r e co n ci l a bl e i n co n s i s te n cy, co n f l i ct, a n d n u l l i f i cati o n o f te s t i mo n y.
gr o u p, h o l d i n g th e d o gma o f i n h e r e n t a n d i n d e f e asi bl e
i mmo r tal i ty f o r go o d a n d e vi l al i ke , so o n s pl i t i n to two o ppo s
i n g gr o u ps:
(1) A majo r i ty, wh o ch ampi o n e d th e r e l ate d d o gma o f
th e Ete r n a l T o r me n t o f th e i mmo r tal wi cke d ; an d (2) th o se
wh o ad o pte d th e po s tu l ate o f th e u l ti ma te u n i ve r sal r e s to r ati o n
o f al l th e i n d e f e asi bl y i mmo r tal wi cke d .
T h e s e var i an t gr o u ps, wi th th e i r co n f l i cti n g co n ce pts o f
l i f e an d d e ath , ar e l i ste d f o r co n ve n i e n t o ve r al l vi ew i n ch r o n o
l o gi cal a n d cate go r i cal o r d e r an d gr o u pi n g i n th e T a bu l a r
C h a r t o n page 758. Pe r so n al co n cl u si o n s may be d r awn by th e
r e ad e r . T h e d o cu me n te d e vi d e n ce appe ar s t h r o u gh o u t th e se
ch apte r s. Su mmar i zi n g ch ar ts appe ar pe r i o d i cal l y to ai d i n o b
tai n i n g an accu r ate o ve r -al l vi ew.
I I . J u s ti n Mar tyr C h ampi o ns an d Ampl i f i es
Apo sto l i c C o n d i ti o n al i sm
Fo l l o wi n g cl o se u po n th e l ast o f th e Apo sto l i c Fath e r s,
J u s ti n Mar tyr i n tr o d u ce s a n e w gr o u p o f abl e ch u r ch l e ad e r s
an d wr i te r s, be gi n n i n g i n th e mi d d l e o f th e se co n d ce n tu r y.
T h e s e ar e th e An te -Ni ce n e Fath e r s th a t i s, d ate d be f o r e th e
C o u n ci l o f Ni ce a i n a . d . 325. Du r i n g th i s se co n d pe r i o d , o r
e po ch , d e s pi te th e pe n e tr ati o n s o f pagan Pl ato n i c ph i l o so ph y,
a n o tabl e l i n e o f wi tn e sse sJ u s ti n , T a t i a n , T h e o ph i l u s ,
Po l ycr ate s, I r e n ae u s, No vati an , a n d Ar n o bi u s co n ti n u e s to
h o l d to th e apo sto l i c po s i ti o n o n th e n a tu r e a n d d e sti n y o f man .
Fi r s t i n th e se r i e s was J u s t i n M a r t y r , o r J u s ti n th e Ph i l o s
o ph e r (c. a . d . 106-c. 165), f o r e mo st apo l o gi st o f th e se co n d
ce n tu r y wh o was f i n al l y be h e ad e d f o r h i s te sti mo n y. He was
pr o babl y a Ro man ci ti ze n , al th o u gh bo r n i n Samar i a. He
r e ce i ve d a l i be r al He l l e n i c e d u cati o n . T h e n , tr ave l i n g e xte n
si vel y, h e mad e th e r o u n d s o f th e l e ad i n g systems o f ph i l o so ph y
Sto i c, Ar i s to te l i an (Pe r i pate ti c), Pyth ago r e an , a n d Pl ato n i c
e ve r s e ar ch i n g f o r t r u t h , pa r ti cu l ar l y th a t h e mi gh t f i n d
J u s ti n Mar tyr Deni es Se pa
r ate Immo r tal i ty o f Soul ;
T e ach e s Fi n al An n i h i l ati o n
f o r Wi cke d.
th e tr u e r e l a ti o n be twe e n Go d an d man , an d th e t r u e n a tu r e
a n d d e sti n y o f man .
Pl ato n i s m, wi th i ts i mpr e ssi ve co n ce pts o f t r u t h , be au ty,
a n d go o d n e ss, f asci n ate d h i m f o r a ti me . Bu t th e i n e scapabl e
t r u t h o f th e Ol d T e s ta me n tth e Ne w was n o t ye t co mpi l e d
a n d i n ge n e r al ci r cu l a ti o n to ge th e r wi th th e f e ar l e ssne ss o f
th e C h r i sti an s i n th e pr e se n ce o f d e ath , l e d h i m to f i n d i n
C h r i s t wh at h e h ad f ai l e d to f i n d i n Pl ato . T h e n ce f o r th , f r o m
h i s co n ve r si o n (c. a .d . 130), h e d e vo te d h i s l i f e to th e d e f e n se
o f C h r i s ti an i ty wh e n i t was be i n g f i er cel y assai l e d . He se al e d
h i s te sti mo n y wi th h i s bl o o d wh e n th e pu bl i c pr o f e ssi o n o f
C h r i s ti an i ty was a cr i me , as i t was sti l l l e gal l y pr o s cr i be d .6
1. D a wn o f a N e w E r a i n C h r i s t i a n H i s t o r y . J u s t i n s
co n ve r si o n mar ke d th e d awn o f a d i sti n ctl y n e w e r a i n C h r i s ti an
h i sto r y, as h e be came th e f i r st o f th e C h r i s ti an apo l o gi sts wh o se
5Acco r d i n g to Eu s e bi u s , d u r i n g t h e r e i gn o f An to n i n u s Pi u s t h e ph i l o s o ph e r s , pa r t i c
u l a r l y th e C yn i cs, pl o t t e d a ga i n s t J u s t i n s l i f e , a n d br o u gh t a bo u t h i s ma r t yr d o m i n th e r e i gn
o f Ma r cu s Au r e l i u s , t h e Chronicon Paschale gi vi n g t h e d a t e o f a . d . 165. (Se e Eu s e bi u s , Church
History, bo o k 4, ch a p. 16, n o te 4, i n NPNF, 2d s cr i e s , vo l . 1, pp. 193-195.)
808
wo r ks h ave co me d o wn to us, i n i t i a t i n g a l i t e r a tu r e t h a t f o r ce d
th e tr u th s o f C h r i s ti an i ty u po n th e a tt e n ti o n o f a pagan wo r l d
d e s pi te i ts h o sti l i ti e s, i ts bl azi n g f ago ts, an d th e casti n g o f
C h r i s ti an be l i e ve r s to th e l i o n s. J u s ti n ad d r e sse d h i s First
Apology to An to n i n u s Pi u s ( a . d . 138-161) a bo u t 147 o r 155,
an d h i s Second Apology was r e l e ase d u po n th e accessi o n o f
Mar cu s Au r e l i u s , i n a . d . 161. I t was ad d r e sse d to th e Ro man
Se n ate .
I n th e se J u s ti n e f f e cti ve l y e xpo se d th e f o o l i sh n e ss o f h u man
wi sd o m, th e we akne ss o f th e So cr ato -Pl ato n i c ph i l o so ph y, a n d
th e i mpo te n cy o f pagan i sm. He d i sco mf i te d ph i l o so ph y wi th
i ts o wn we apo n s, e xpo si n g th e sh am an d abs u r d i ty o f i ts s u pe r
sti ti o n s, wh i l e bo l d l y d e f e n d i n g h i s ad o pte d f ai th . Hi s po l e mi
cal pe n was bu sy co mbati n g Mar ci o n th e Gn o sti c, T r yph o th e
J e w, a n d o th e r s. Re gr e ttabl y, a n u mbe r o f h i s wr i ti n gs h ave
be e n l o st.
Le avi n g Pal e sti n e , J u s ti n be came an i ti n e r a n t mi ssi o n ar y-
e van ge l i st, h e r a l d i n g C h r i s ti an i ty as th e o n l y way o f assu r e d
sal vati o n . He th e n l i ve d f o r a ti me i n Eph e su s, l ate r r e t u r n i n g
to Ro me , wh e r e h e e vi d e n tl y s e ttl e d as a C h r i s ti an te ach e r .
He was n o t a bi sh o p, bu t th r o u gh h i s wr i ti n gs man y we r e l e d
to e mbr ace C h r i s ti an i ty. An d as a r e s u l t man y d i e d h e r o i cal l y
a n d s u bl i me l y f o r th e i r Lo r d an d f ai th .
2. C h a mpi o n s t h e O n l y T r u e P h i l o s o p h y . Pr i o r to
J u s ti n , pagan ph i l o s o ph y h ad be e n asce n d an t. Eve n th e
An to n i n e s r e i gn e d as ph i l o s o ph e r s . Bu t n o w J u s ti n co n f r o n ts
th e m wi th a n e w ph i l o s o ph yth e o n l y ph i l o so ph y, h e cl ai ms,
t h a t wi l l e n d u r e th e co n f l i ct an d te st o f th e ages, th e o n l y o n e
d e s ti n e d to l i ve a n d t r i u mph . J u s ti n l o ve d th e l an gu age o f
ph i l o so ph y bu t r e je cte d mo st o f i ts co n cl u si o n s. I n h i s n e w
r o l e h e co n ti n u e d af te r h i s co n ve r si o n to we ar h i s ph i l o s o ph e r s
pal l i u m, o r go wn ,0as a to ke n th a t h e h ad f o u n d th e o n l y t r u e
ph i l o so ph y. He al so th o u gh t t h a t i t wo u l d gi ve h i m mo r e
8Bi sh o p A. C l e ve l a n d C o xe , i n h i s ' I n t r o d u ct o r y No te to t h e Fi r s t Apo l o gy o f J u s t i n
( A N F , vo l . 1, p. 160, n o te 2), i n t e r e s t i n gl y o bs e r ve s : I t [th e go wn ] s u r vi ve s i n t h e pu l pi ts
o f C h r i s te n d o mGr e e k, L a t i n , An gl i ca n , L u t h e r a n , e t c.to th i s d a y, i n s l i gh tl y d i f f e r e n t
f o r m.
r e ad y access to me n o f al l cl assesi n cl u d i n g th e i n te l l i ge n ts i a.
l i e s o u gh t co n f e r e n ce s wi th me n o f e d u cati o n i n o r d e r to
co mmu n i cate th e t r u t h o f C h r i sti an i ty. I n i t al l h e so u gh t to
be tr u e to C h r i st. He bo l d l y i d e n ti f i e d h i mse l f wi th th e d e spi se d
C h r i s ti an se ct wh e n i mpe r i al d i sf avo r me an t d e ath . He n o t
o n l y so u gh t to r e co n ci l e f ai th an d r e aso n bu t was th e f i r st
to br i n g cl assi cal sch o l ar sh i p an d th e Pl ato n i c ph i l o so ph y f ace
to f ace wi th C h r i s ti an th e o l o gy. Ne ve r th e l e ss, h e u n wi tti n gl y
d i d gr ave i n ju r y to th e C h r i s ti an f ai th by s ta r ti n g i n to mo ti o n
ce r tai n tr e n d s th a t o th e r s car r i e d to th e i r l o gi cal a n d tr agi c
l e n gth s, as wi l l l ate r be se en.
J u s ti n gi ves us an i n co mpar abl e i n si gh t i n to th e i ssues o f
h i s ti me . Hi s e a r l i e r Dialogue With Trypho, mo st d i s ti n gu i s h e d
J e w o f th e d ay (pr o babl y wr i tte n a bo u t a . d . 148), i s th e f i r st
e l abo r ate d e xpo s i ti o n o f th e r e aso n s f o r r e gar d i n g C h r i s t as
th e pr o mi s e d Me ssi ah o f th e Ol d T e s ta me n t, an d th e f i r st
syste mati c a tte mpt to r e f u te th e f al se ch ar ge s o f th e J e ws i n
r e gar d to C h r i s ti an i ty. T r yph o was pr o babl y a Ph ar i se e , a n d
th e r e f o r e a be l i e ve r i n I n h e r e n t I mmo r tal i ty. He n ce , e mph asi s
o n th e i mmo r tal i ty aspe ct o f J u s t i n s d i scu ssi o n . (Fo r J u s t i n s
ch r o n o l o gi cal a n d cate go r i cal pl ace me n t, see T a bu l a r C h ar t F,
page 758.)
3. P r o p h e t i c O u t l i n e , S e c o n d A d v e n t , a n d R e s u r r e c
t i o n . J u s t i n was a s tal war t be l i e ve r i n th e Ol d T e s ta me n t
pr o ph e ci e s as th e i n s pi r e d o u tl i n e o f th i n gs to co me , h i s wr i ti n gs
co n s ti tu ti n g a r e f l e cti o n o f th e pr o ph e ti c i n te r pr e ta t i o n o f h i s
ti me . J u s ti n h e l d th a t Go d al o n e can r e ve al th e f u tu r e , ci ti n g
as pr o o f par ti cu l ar s i n th e l i f e o f th e Me ssi ah su ch as Hi s
be i n g bo r n o f a vi r gi n i n Be th l e h e m, Hi s tr i u mph a l e n tr y
i n to J e r u s al e m, e t ce te r a, as we l l as th e pr e d i cte d d e s tr u cti o n
o f J e r u s al e m.
T o J u s t i n th e Se co n d , o r pr e mi l l e n n i al , Ad ve n t i s th e
gr an d cl i max o f al l pr o ph e cy, wi th i ts a tt e n d a n t l i te r al r e s u r
r e cti o n o f th e r i gh te o u s d e ad an d i ts i n tr o d u cti o n o f th e mi l l e n
n i u m. T h e s e we r e al l ti e d i n wi th th e cl o se o f th e o u tl i n e
pr o ph e ci e s, as i n Dan i e l 7/ T h e Ad ve n t, J u s ti n h e l d , wi l l take
pl ace af te r th e appe ar an ce o f An ti ch r i s t. T o h i m two l i te r al
r e s u r r e cti o n s bo u n d th e mi l l e n n i u mt h a t o f th e r i gh te o u s
d e ad at i ts be gi n n i n g a n d th e ge n e r a l r e s u r r e cti o n at i ts
cl o se. Su ch was h i s e sch ato l o gi cal o u tl i n e , i n vo l vi n g th e d i s
po s i ti o n a n d d e sti n y o f man .
I I I . J u s ti n s Pr i mar y Def i ni ti o ns an d Usage o f Basi c T e r ms
I n o r d e r to gr asp J u s t i n s vi ews o n th e n a tu r e a n d d e sti n y
o f man , a n d h i s po si ti o n o n th e n a tu r e an d d u r a t i o n o f th e
f u t u r e pu n i s h me n t o f th e wi cke d , ce r tai n basi c d e f i n i ti o n s o f
te r ms as u se d by h i m mu s t be n o te d . T h e s e wi l l h e l p to cl ar i f y
co mmo n mi sco n ce pti o n s as to h i s te ach i n g. T h i s i s e sse n ti al ,
f o r J u s ti n h as be e n cl ai me d an d qu o t e d o n bo th si des o f th e
i mmo r ta l i ty i ssue. He h as, by man y, be e n co n s i d e r e d as i n co n
s i s te n t a n d co n tr ad i cto r y. Ho we ve r , i t mi gh t be r e mar ke d h e r e
t h a t i t i s n o t u n co mmo n f o r me n to ch an ge th e i r vi ews i n th e
co u r se o f ti me wh e n th e y f i n d t h a t wh at th e y o n ce wr o te
co n tr ave n e s th e i r l ate r co n vi cti o n s. T h i s d o u btl e ss h as a be a r
i n g i n th e case o f J u s ti n . An d be cau se o f h i s i mpo r tan ce an d
ti mi n g, h i s po s i ti o n wi l l be se t f o r th r a t h e r f u l l y.
1. I m m o r t a l E x i s t e n ce a n d C e a s i n g t o E x i s t .T a ke
th e te r m existence, o r to exist (eimi). Wh e n i t i s appl i e d to
l i vi n g cr e atu r e s i t me an s o n l y th at th e y h ave l i f e o r an i mati o n .
I n se ve r al pl ace s J u s ti n state s h i s be l i e f t h a t n o wi cke d pe r so n
wi l l co n ti n u e to h ave an e te r n al e xi ste n ce . I n o n e pr e se r ve d
Fragment f r o m h i s l o st wr i ti n gs, J u s ti n r e f e r s to th e o r i gi n al
tr an sgr e ssi o n o f Ad am as h avi n g e xpo se d h i m to t h a t ve r y pe r i l .
Wh e n Go d f o r me d man at th e be gi n n i n g, He su spe n d e d th e th i n gs
o f n a tu r e o n h i s wi l l , an d mad e an e xpe r i me n t by me an s o f o n e co m
man d me n t. Fo r He o r d ai n e d th at, if h e [man] ke pt th i s, h e sh o u l d
partake of immortal existence; bu t i f h e tr an sgr e sse d i t, the contrary
[to i mmo r tal e xi ste n ce ] sh o u l d be h i s l o t. Man h avi n g th u s be e n mad e ,
7 J u s t i n M a r t yr , First Apology, ch a ps . 31, 47, 49, 33-35, 51-53; J u s t i n , Dialogue With
Trypho, ch a ps . 31, 52, 110; J u s t i n , Fragments o f Lost Work of Justin on the Resurrection, ch a ps .
2, 4, 9, 10, i n A NF , vo l . 1, pp. 159-270; 294-299. Fo r J u s t i n s i n t e r pr e t a t i o n o f pr o ph e cy se e
L . E. Fr o o m, Prophetic Faith, vo l . 1, pp. 231-234.
812
an d i mme d i ate l y l o o ki n g to war d s tr an sgr e ssi o n , n atu r al l y be came su bje ct
to corruption." 8
I mmo r ta l e xi ste n ce was th u s co n ti n ge n t o n o be d i e n ce ;
a n d co n tr ar i wi s e , d i so be d i e n ce wo u l d a n d d i d f o r f e i t e te r n al
e xi ste n ce . T h e co n d i ti o n al i f s i n th i s e xce r pt d e te r mi n e
th e i n d i vi d u al o u tco me . I n se ve r al pl ace s J u s ti n spe aks o f th e
u l ti ma te nonexistence o f th e so u l s o f th e wi cke d . T h u s wi cke d
me n al o n g wi th f al l e n an ge l s ar e d o o me d to f i n al d e s tr u cti o n .
Fo r e xampl e : Go d de l ays cau si n g th e co n f u si o n an d d e s tr u c
ti o n o f th e wh o l e wo r l d , by wh i ch th e wi cke d an ge l s a n d
d e mo n s and men sh al l cease to e xi st [meketi osi]. 9
T h e ti me wi l l co me , th e n , th o u gh d e l aye d , wh e n th e
wi cke d wi l l n o l o n ge r e xi st.
2. D e s t r u c t i o n Is C e s s a t i o n o f E x i s t e n c e . As to
J u s t i n s use o f d e s tr o y (apollumi), th e r e can be n o d o u bt
t h a t by th i s te r m h e me an t to br i n g to an e n d , to cau se to
cease to e xi st, be cau se n o t e te r n al . T h e i d e a o f En d l e ss T o r me n t
d i d n o t e n te r th e pi ctu r e , n o r e te r n al su f f e r i n g o f pai n . T h a t
was a l ate r co n ce pt. An d J u s ti n e xpr e ssl y d i sti n gu i sh e s t o r
me n t f r o m d e s tr u cti o n . T h u s i n h i s Hortatory Address to
the Greekspo ssi bl y by J u s t i n i n spe aki n g o f Pl a to s o pi n i o n
o f th e go ds o f th e h e a th e n i n wh i ch Pl ato h e l d th a t th e y ar e
n o t tr u l y e te r n al , bu t at so me ti me came i n to e xi ste n ce a n d at
a n o th e r ti me wo u l d cease to e xi stJ u s ti n th e n o bse r ve s:
T h e s e e xpr e ssi o n s d e cl ar e to th o se wh o can r i gh tl y u n d e r
s tan d th e m th e death and destruction of the gods that have
been brought into being. 10
T h e r e can be n o d o u bt as to J u s t i n s me an i n g o f d e s tr u c
t i o n . T h e co n ce pt o f e n d l e ss mi se r y i s n o t i n vo l ve d i n i t, bu t
i n ste ad a ce ssati o n o f e xi ste n ce , o r te r mi n a ti o n o f be i n g.
Ad vo cate s o f th e Ete r n al T o r me n t sch o o l o f t h o u gh t h o l d th at
d e s tr u cti o n me an s to be e n d l e ssl y to r me n te d i n pa i n . Bu t
8J u s t i n , Other Fragments From Lost Writings of fu s t i n , No . 11, i n ANF, vo l . 1,
p. 301. (I ta l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
9J u s t i n , Second Apology, ch a p. 7, i n ANF, vo l . 1, p. 190. (I ta l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
10J u s t i n Ma r t yr , Hortatory Address to the G r e e h , ch a p. 22, i n ANF, vo l . 1, p. 282.
(I t a l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
J u s ti n e xpr e ssl y d i sti n gu i sh e s be twe e n t o r me n t a n d d e s tr u c
t i o n , as i l l u s tr ate d i n C h r i s ts pu n i s h me n t o f th e d e vi l s. T h u s
J u s ti n says: T h i s i s, was, an d sh al l be th e s tr e n gth o f Hi m
al o n e , wh o se n ame e ve r y [evi l ] po we r d r e ad s, being ve r y mu ch
tormented be cau se th e y shall be destroyed by Hi m. 11
T h e t o r me n t was a pr e s e n t actu al i ty, th e n be i n g e xpe r i
e n ce d ; wh e r e as th e destruction was ye t f u tu r e , i n d r e ad
pr o spe ct. J u s t i n s me an i n g i s co n s e qu e n tl y th e u su al i n t e n t o f
Gr e e k wr i te r s ge n e r al l y, e mpl o yi n g th e n a tu r a l sense. He r e i s
o n e o f man y si mi l ar passages i n J u s ti n s var i o u s wr i ti n gs:
By wh o m [th r o u gh C h r i st] Go d destroys bo th th e se r pe n t an d th o se
an ge l s an d men wh o ar e l i ke h i m; bu t wo r ks d e l i ve r an ce f r o m d e ath to
th o se wh o r e pe n t o f th e i r wi cke dness an d be l i e ve u po n Hi m. 12
De s tr u cti o n an d d e a th ar e th u s e qu ate d as i d e n ti cal .
3. I m m o r t a l i t y M e a n s N o t S u b j e c t t o D e a t h .
J u s t i n s use o f th e wo r d s i mmo r ta l a n d i mmo r ta l i ty (atha-
nasia), i n d i cate s d e ath l e ssn e ss, t h a t i s, not subject to death or
loss of existence. J u s ti n f r e qu e n tl y asse r ts th a t I mmo r tal i ty wi l l
be th e pe cu l i ar , e xcl u si ve po ssessi o n o f th e r e d e e me d , an d th at
th e wi cke d wi l l n o t o btai n i t. He l i ke wi se r e pe ate d l y l ays d o wn
th e pr i n ci pl e th a t I mmo r ta l i ty i s a gift of God, n o t be sto we d
o n an y as ye t, bu t to be r e ce i ve d at th e r e s u r r e cti o n . T h u s :
He shall raise all men from the dead, an d a ppo i n t some to
be incorruptible, immortal, an d f r e e f r o m so r r o w i n th e e ve r
l as ti n g a n d i mpe r i s h abl e ki n gd o m. 13
So mu ch f o r d e f i n i ti o n s. No w to usages.
IV. J u s ti n s Def i ni ti ve Po si ti o ns o n Natu r e an d
Desti ny of Man
1. C o n t e n d e d f o r L i t e r a l R e s u r r e c t i o n o f D e a d .
J u s ti n to o k an u n yi e l d i n g po si ti o n o n th e literal r e s u r r e cti o n
o f th e d e ad , al r e ad y u n d e r attack, h o l d i n g th a t th o se wh o d e n y
11J u s t i n , Dialogue With Trypho, ch a p. I l l , i n ANF , vo l . 1, p. 254. (I t a l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
12I b id . , ch a p. 100, p. 249. (I ta l i cs s u ppl i e d .) Se e al s o ch a p. 39, p. 214; J u s t i n , Second
Apology, ch a p. 7, i n A NF , vo l . l , p . 190.
13J u s t i n , Dialogue With Trypho, ch a p. 117, i n AN F , vo l . 1, p. 257. (I t a l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
Se e al so ch a ps . 5, p. 197; 46, p. 218; 69, p. 233; First Apology, ch a p. 43, p. 177.
i t ar e wr o n g. T h u s , T h e y wh o mai n ta i n th e wr o n g o pi n i o n
say th at th e r e i s n o r e s u r r e cti o n o f th e f l esh . 14
2. S o u l s N o t T a k e n t o H e a v e n a t D e a t h . J u s ti n f e l t
str o n gl y abo u t th e r e s u r r e cti o n , an d d e n i e d th e actu al C h r i s ti
an i ty o f th o se wh o tau gh t th at th e so u l go es to He ave n at d e ath :
I f yo u h ave f al l e n i n wi th so me wh o ar e cal l e d C h r i sti an s, bu t wh o
d o n o t ad mi t th i s [tr u th ], [n o te 4: i .e., "r e s u r r e cti o n ], a n d ve n tu r e to
bl asph e me th e Go d o f Abr ah am, an d th e Go d o f Isaac, an d th e Go d o f
J aco b; wh o say th e r e i s n o r e su r r e cti o n o f th e d e ad an d th a t th e i r so ul s,
wh e n th e y d i e , ar e take n to h e ave n ; d o n o t i magi n e th a t th e y ar e
C h r i sti an s. 15
3. M a n C o mpo s e d o f B o t h B o d y a n d S o u l . J u s ti n
al so r e f u te s as h e r e sy th e th e o r y ju st t h e n be i n g i n tr o d u ce d ,
t h a t th e so u l al o n e i s th e r e al man , a n d can act wi th o u t th e
bo d y:
Wh a t i s man bu t th e r e aso n abl e an i mal co mpo se d o f bo d y an d soul ?
Is th e so u l by i tse l f man ? No ; bu t th e so u l o f man . Wo u l d th e bo d y be
cal l e d man ? No , bu t i t i s cal l e d th e bo d y o f man . If , th e n , n e i th e r o f
th e se i s by i tse l f man , bu t th at wh i ch i s mad e u p o f d i e two to ge th e r i s
cal l e d man , an d Go d h as cal l e d man to l i f e an d r e su r r e cti o n , He h as
cal l e d n o t a par t, bu t th e wh o l e , wh i ch i s th e so ul an d th e bo d y. 16
Be cau se o f th e vi tal ch ar acte r o f th e i ssue h e pr esses th e
po i n t, ad d i n g, Ho w th e n d i d h e r ai se th e d e ad ? T h e i r so u l s
o r t h e i r bo di es? Man i f e stl y bo t h . 17An d h e i l l u s tr ate s i t i n th i s
way:
Fo r as i n th e case o f a yo ke o f o xe n , i f o n e o r o th e r i s l o o se d f r o m
th e yo ke, n e i th e r o f th e m can pl o u gh al o n e ; so n e i th e r can so u l o r bo d y
al o n e ef f ect an yth i n g, i f th e y be u n yo ke d f r o m th e i r co mmu n i o n . 18
4. D e n i e s S e p a r a t e I m m o r t a l i t y o f t h e S o u l . J u s ti n
d e n i e d th a t th e so u l can l i ve o n i n d e pe n d e n t o f , o r se par ate
f r o m, th e bo d y. An d i t ceases to l i ve wh e n Go d so wi l l s:
No w th e so u l par take s o f l i f e, si nce Go d wi l l s i t to l i ve. T h u s , th e n ,
i t wi l l n o t e ve n par ta ke [o f l i f e] wh e n Go d do es n o t wi l l i t to l i ve. Fo r
to l i ve i s n o t i ts a t tr i bu te , as i t i s Go d s; bu t as a man do e s n o t l i ve
11J u s t i n , On the Resurrection, ch a p. 2, i n ANF, vo l . 1, p. 294.
15J u s t i n , Dialogue IVith I r y p h o , ch a p. 80. i n ANF, vo l . 1, p. 239. (Br acke ts i n o r i gi n a l .)
18J u s t i n , On the Resurrection, ch a p. 8, i n ANF , vo l . 1, pp. 297 , 298.
17Ib id . , ch a p. 9, p. 298.
18Ib id . , ch a p. 8, p. 297.
al ways, an d th e so u l i s n o t f o r e ve r co n jo i n e d wi th th e bo d y, si nce, wh e n
e ve r th i s h ar mo n y mu st be br o ke n u p, th e so ul l eaves th e bo d y, an d th e
man e xi sts n o l o n ge r ; e ve n so, wh e n e ve r th e so ul mu st cease to e xi st, th e
s pi r i t o f l i f e i s r e mo ve d f r o m i t, an d th e r e i s n o mo r e so ul , bu t i t goes
back to th e pl ace f r o m wh e n ce i t i s take n . 19
5. T e a c h e s U t t e r E x t i n c t i o n o f t h e W i ck e d . J u s ti n
r e pe ate d l y t au gh t th e u t t e r e xti n cti o n o f th e wi cke d . As al r e ad y
n o te d , h e d i d n o t be l i e ve i n th e e te r n al mi se r y o f th e l o st:
Go d del ays cau si n g th e co n f u si o n an d d e s tr u cti o n o f th e wh o l e wo r l d ,
by wh i ch th e wi cke d an ge l s an d d e mo n s an d me n sh al l cease to exist. 20
T h u s so me wh i ch h ave appe ar e d wo r th y o f Go d n e ve r d i e ; bu t
o th e r s ar e pu n i s h e d so long as God wills them to exist and to be pun
ished. 21
J u s ti n f r e qu e n tl y uses th e Bi bl i cal te r ms e ve r l asti n g
pu n i s h me n t a n d e te r n al f i r e , as wi l l be n o te d . Ye t h e
po si ti ve l y d e cl ar e s t h a t th e s i n n e r wi l l u l ti mate l y cease to e xi st.
T h e r e f o r e th e te r m can n o t, to h i m, me an e ve r l asti n g
punishing.
18J u s t i n , Dialogue W i t h Trypho, ch a p. 6, i n ANF, vo l . 1, p. 198. (Br a cke ts i n o r i gi n a l .)
20J u s t i n , Second Apology, ch a p. 7, i n ANF, vo l . 1, p. 190. (I ta l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
21 J u s t i n , Dialogue With Trypho, ch a p. 5, i n ANF, vo l . 1, p. 197. (I t a l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
C H A P T E R F O R T Y - E I G H T
J u sti n o n Fi nal An n i h i l ati o n of
th e Wi cke d
I. Apol o gi es Ampl i f y I n te n t o f Eve r l asti n g Pu n i sh me n t
I t i s we l l to state at th i s po i n t th a t si n ce th e gr o u n d
co ve r e d by th e se key An te -Ni ce n e Fath e r s h as be e n s u bje ct
to man y cl ai ms an d co u n te r cl ai ms a n d mu ch d i spu te , a r a t h e r
f u l l su r ve y o f su ch a pi vo tal wr i te r as J u s ti n i s r e qu i r e d . Par ts
o f th e po r tr ayal ar e th e r e f o r e mo r e f o r r e f e r e n ce a n d r e co r d
t h a n f o r cu r so r y r e ad i n g. T h e i n ve s ti gato r n e e d s th e f u l l co ve r
age f o r e xa mi n ati o n h e n ce tr e a tme n t i n so me d e pth .
J u s t i n s two Apo l o gi e s ar e o f u n u s u al i mpo r t be cau se o f
th e d i s ti n gu i s h e d ch ar acte r o f th e i r r e ci pi e n ts an d th e i r appe al
to th e Ro man pu bl i c. As n o te d , th e First Apology h ad as i ts
i n te n d e d r e ad e r th e Ro man e mpe r o r . T h e Second Apology was
s e n t to th e Ro man Se n ate . T h e s e Apo l o gi e s ar e o f spe ci al
co n ce r n i n o u r qu e s t be cau se o f t h e i r su s tai n e d e mph asi s o n
th e n a tu r e a n d d e sti n y o f th e so u l an d th e f ate o f th e wi cke d .
J u s ti n i s h e r e s tr i ki n g n o t o n l y agai n st th e po si ti o n s o f Pl ato
n i sm bu t agai n st th e e r r o r s a n d abs u r d i ti e s o f Gn o sti ci sm, th e n
co mi n g to pr o mi n e n ce , wi th i ts d e gr ad ati o n o f C h r i s t an d i ts
i mmo r tal i ty o f th e so u l . T h i s e mph asi s co n ti n u e s as a pe r si sti n g
th e me , l i ke th e pr o ve r bi al scar l e t th r e ad th a t r u n s t h r o u gh o u t
th e co r d age o f th e Br i ti sh Navy. T h e agi tati o n o f th e ti me ,
bo th f r o m wi th i n a n d f r o m wi th o u t, n o w f o r ce d th e i ssues
u po n th e ch u r ch .
Al th o u gh a f ew se e mi n g co n tr ad i cti o n s appe ar , i n wh i ch
J u s t i n i s a ppar e n tl y i n co n f l i ct wi th h i mse l f , n e ve r th e l e ss th e
816
J UST I N ON FINAL ANNI HI L AT I ON OF WIC KED 817
same pr i n ci pl e s o f C o n d i ti o n al i s m t h a t pe r me ate d h i s pr e vi o u s
Dialogue With Trypho ar e i te r ate d a n d r e i te r a te d , a n d cl e ar l y
co n s ti tu te h i s pr e po n d e r a n t po si ti o n . I t i s, mo r e o ve r , pa r ti c
u l ar l y si gn i f i can t th a t J u s t i n s r e pe a te d d e cl ar ati o n s o n th e
C o n d i ti o n al i s t n a tu r e o f th e so u l we r e n e i th e r o ppo se d ,
r e pr o ve d , n o r r e pu d i a te d by h i s co n te mpo r ar i e s . He was l i vi n g
an d wr i ti n g i n th e f o r mati ve pe r i o d o f th e ch u r ch , wh e n i ts
vi ews h ad n o t ye t be co me cr ystal l i ze d i n to cr e e d al f o r m. Hi s
we r e , i n f act, bu t a co n ti n u a ti o n o f th e e a r l i e r vi ews. An d h e
was th e l e ad i n g C h r i s ti an spo ke sman o f h i s day.
T h e acce ptan ce o f C h r i s ti an i ty h ad ch an ge d J u s t i n s vi ew
o n th e l ast th i n gs. I n ste ad o f co n s i d e r i n g d e ath th e be cko n i n g
gate way o f th e f u tu r e l i f e , as h e h ad be l i e ve d wh e n a pagan ,
h e n o w ch ampi o n e d th e t r u t h o f th e r e s u r r e cti o n , a n d th u s
d e n i e d th e Pl ato n i c th e si s o f th e i n h e r e n t i mmo r tal i ty o f th e
so u l th a t was n o w se e ki n g a pl ace i n th e ch u r ch . T h e i mmo r
tal i ty o f th e righteous alone h ad be co me J u s t i n s s e ttl e d f ai th .
I n n u me r o u s passages h e asse r ts th a t i mmo r tal i ty i s th e pe cu l i ar
an d e xcl u si ve po ssessi o n o f th e r e d e e me d th e gi f t o f Go d ,
n o t be sto we d as ye t, bu t to be r e ce i ve d a t th e r e s u r r e cti o n .
An d h e l i ke wi se str e sse d th e C h r i s ti an d o ctr i n e o f co mi n g
r e t r i bu t i o n at th e h an d o f a ju s t a n d r i gh te o u s Go d .
Ho we ve r , by n a tu r a l be n t o f mi n d an d by tr a i n i n g J u s ti n
was a ph i l o s o ph e r . He was ste e pe d i n i ts ph r asi n gs, an d f ami l i ar
wi th th e Pl ato n i c po s tu l ate o f th e n a tu r a l a n d i n al i e n abl e i m
mo r ta l i ty o f th e so u l . At ti me s h e e mpl o ye d so me o f th e th o u gh t
pa tte r n s f ami l i ar to h i s d i s ti n gu i s h e d r e ad e r s, i n an a tt e mpt
to a ttr act a tt e n ti o n to th e C h r i s ti an f ai th an d to wi n f r i e n d s
a n d ad h e r e n ts th e r e to . He assu r e d h i s r o yal r e a d e r t h a t th e
e mpi r e h ad n o th i n g to f e ar f r o m th e C h r i sti an s, as C h r i s t s
ki n gd o m i s n o t o f th i s wo r l d . I n f act, h e sai d, th e C h r i sti an s
we r e h i s be st su bje cts.
At ti me s J u s ti n d r af te d u po n th e l an gu age o f th e sch o o l s,
wh i ch wo u l d be r e ad i l y u n d e r s to o d , as h e so u gh t to cu sh i o n
u n wa r r a n te d an tago n i sms be twe e n go spe l t r u t h a n d Gr e e k
ph i l o so ph y. So me f ee l th a t h e was n o t al ways u n i f o r ml y co n
s i s te n t o r wi se. Fe w me n ar e . Bu t wh e n h e d i scar d e d ph i l o
so ph i cal mysti ci sm J u s ti n t h o u gh t th a t at th e same ti me h e h ad
r e je cte d i ts e r r o r s. He assu r e d l y ch ampi o n e d th e cau se o f
C h r i s ti an i ty a n d mad e a mas te r f u l pi o n e e r d e f e n se o f i ts d o c
tr i n e s. Bu t al r e ad y th e r i s i n g cl o u d o f d e pa r tu r e was be gi n n i n g
to d ar ke n th e C h r i s ti an sky, th o u gh as ye t bu t smal l an d i l l -
d e f i n e d .
1. C h r i s t s J u d gm e n t P r e c e d e s P u n i s h m e n t o f W i ck e d .
Af te r var i o u s pr e l i mi n ar i e s , a n d d e cl ar i n g th a t C h r i sti an s,
th o u gh th r e a te n e d wi th d e ath , wo u l d sco r n to l i ve by te l l i n g
a l i e , J u s ti n co me s to th e cr u ci al qu e s ti o n o f th e f ate o f th e
wi cke d . Se e i n g a co mmo n s tar ti n g po i n t, h e cal l s a tte n ti o n
to th e f act th a t Pl ato n i sm al so l o o ks f o r a ju d gme n t, wi th
pu n i s h me n t f o r th e wi cke d . C h r i sti an s, h e says, d o th e same ,
bu t wi th th i s d i sti n cti ve d i f f e r e n ce i t i s at th e h a n d o f
C h r i s t. No te i t:
An d Pl ato , i n l i ke man n e r , u se d to say th a t Rh a d aman th u s an d
Mi n o s wo u l d pu n i sh th e wi cke d wh o came be f o r e th e m; an d we say
th a t th e same th i n g wi l l be d o n e , but at the hand of Christ, an d u po n
th e wi cked i n th e same bo d i e s u n i te d agai n to th e i r spi r i ts wh i ch ar e
n o w to u n d e r go e ve r l asti n g [aionios] pu n i s h me n t. 1
J u s ti n h e r e spe aks o f e ve r l as ti n g pu n i s h me n i , bu t n o t
o f u n e n d i n g co n sci o u s su f f e r i n g, o r pu n i s h i n g. I t i s o n l y by
assu mi n g th a t aionios me an s e n d l e ss, i n ste ad o f f o r th e age ,
t h a t th e th o u gh t o f e te r n al pu n i s h ing can f i n d s u s tai n i n g s u p
po r t. An d i n as mu ch as th i s po i n t appe ar s at th e ve r y o pe n i n g
o f h i s Apology, i t wi l l be wi se to co mpass th i s aspe ct o f J u s t i n s
po si ti o n at th e ve r y o u tse t. We th e r e f o r e di gr e ss l o n g e n o u gh
to tr ace th i s e mph asi s o n th e pu n i s h me n t o f th e wi cke d co n
t i n u i n g o n t h r o u gh o u t th e two Apo l o gi e s.
2. E t e r n a l P u n i s h m e n t N o t E t e r n a l C o n s ci o u s
S u f f e r i n g . J u s t i n s key r e f e r e n ce s to th e d e sti n y o f th e u n
go d l y ar e th e se :
1J usti n, First Apology, ch ap. 8, i n ANF, vol . 1, p. 165. (Ital i cs suppl i ed.)
T o u n d e r go e ve r l asti n g pu n i s h me n t (First Apology, ch ap. 8, p. 165).
T o th e e ve r l asti n g pu n i s h me n t o f f i r e (ibid., ch ap. 12, p. 166).
Suf f er pu n i s h me n t i n e te r n al f i r e (ibid., ch ap. 17, p. 168).
Ete r n a l pu n i s h me n t i s l ai d u p (ibid., ch ap. 18, p. 169).
T h e r e wi l l be bu r n i n g u p o f al l (ibid., ch ap. 20, p. 170).
Ar e pu n i s h e d i n e ve r l asti n g f i r e (ibid., ch ap. 21, p. 170).
Br i n gs e te r n al pu n i s h me n t by f i r e (ibid., ch ap. 45, p. 178).
Pu n i sh e d i n e te r n al f i r e (Second Apology, ch ap. 1, p. 188).
"I n e te r n al f i re, sh al l suf f er th e i r ju s t pu n i s h me n t an d pe n a l ty (ibid.,
ch ap. 8, p. 191).
T h e wi cke d ar e pu n i sh e d i n e te r n al f i r e (ibid., ch ap. 9, p. 191).
T h e s e te n ci tati o n s ar e i mpr e ssi ve . Bu t i t i s i n th i s
i mme d i ate co n n e cti o n th at J u s ti n e xpl i ci tl y d e cl ar e s th at, wh e n
th e f i res h ave d o n e th e i r wo r k, th e wi cke d th e n shall cease to
exist. 2 T h a t i s to o e xpl i ci t f o r mi s u n d e r s tan d i n g. An d i n
e qu al l y s tr o n g a n d d e f i n i te l an gu age J u s ti n str esses th e i n
se par abl e f act t h a t th e y wi l l be pu n i s h e d o n l y so l o n g as
Go d wi l l s th e m to e xi st an d to be pu n i s h e d . 3T h e i n e scapabl e
co n cl u si o n i s th at i t th e n ceases. T h e i r s i s th e r e f o r e a termi
nable e xi ste n ce . At th e e n d o f th e pe r i o d d e te r mi n e d by th e
wi l l an d ju sti ce o f Go d , th e pu n i s h me n t o f wi cke d so u l s wi l l
cease by th e ve r y ce ssati o n o f th e i r e xi ste n ce .
Such i s th e o bvi o u s me an i n g, f o r J u s ti n r e pe ate d l y d e n i e s
th e i n h e r e n t, i n d e pe n d e n t, a n d i n d e f e asi bl e i mmo r tal i ty o f th e
so u l . Go d o n l y, h e mai n tai n s , h as abso l u te , i n d e pe n d e n t, o r i gi
n al , an d u n d e r i ve d i mmo r tal i ty. J u s ti n o bvi o u sl y d i d n o t i n te n d
to te ach an u n e n d i n g e te r n i ty o f co n sci o u s mi se r y i n t o r me n t.
Sch o l ar l y De an F. W. Far r ar , o f We stmi n s te r , si mi l ar l y o bse r ve d
t h a t J u s t i n s wo r d s
i mpl y an o pi n i o n o n th e pa r t o f St. J u s ti n th a t at th e e n d o f a ce r tai n
ti me , d e f i n e d by th e wi l l o f Go d , th e pu n i s h me n t o f so ul s sh al l cease
e i th e r by th e ce ssati o n o f th e i r e xi ste n ce o r th e r e mo val o f th e i r
pu n i s h me n t. 1
3. R i g h t e o u s D e e me d W o r t h y o f I n c o r r u p t i o n . I n
ch apte r te n o f J u s t i n s First Apology th e qu e s ti o n o f i n co r -
2J u s t i n , Second Apology, ch a p. 7, i n A NF , vo l . 1, p. 190. (I t a l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
3J u s t i n , Dialogue With Trypho, ch a p. 5, i n ANF, vo l . 1, p. 197.
* F. W. Fa r r a r , Mercy and Judgment, p. 236.
r u pt i o n , o r i n co r r u pti bi l i t y, i s br o u gh t o u t, a n d Go d s
pu r po s e i n th e cr e ati o n o f man a n d al l th i n gs :
He [Go d] i n th e be gi n n i n g d i d o f Hi s go o dness, f o r ma n s sake,
cr e ate al l th i n gs o u t o f u n f o r me d matte r ; an d i f me n by th e i r wo r ks
sh o w th e mse l ve s wo r th y o f th i s Hi s d esi gn, th e y ar e d e e me d wo r th y, an d
so we h ave r e ce i ve d o f r e i gn i n g i n co mpan y wi th Hi m, be i n g delivered
from corruption and suffering. Fo r as i n th e be gi n n i n g He cr e ate d us
wh e n we we r e n o t, so d o we co n si d e r th at, i n l i ke man n e r , th o se wh o
ch o o se wh at i s pl e asi n g to Hi m ar e , o n acco u n t o f th e i r ch o i ce, deemed
worthy of incorruption an d o f f e l l o wsh i p wi th Hi m. 6
An d as De n n i s to n co mme n ts, I t i s n o t po ssi bl e to d o u bt
th a t h e [J u sti n ] uses th e wo r d co r r u pt i bl e th r o u gh o u t as
e qu i va l e n t to pe r i s h abl e , o r l i abl e to co me to an e n d . 8
An d th e r e ve r se wo u l d be tr u e .
4. E a c h G o e s t o P u n i s h m e n t o r S a l v a t i o n . C h a pte r
twe l ve d e al s wi th th e i mpo ssi bi l i ty o f th e wi cke d e scapi n g th e
n o ti ce o f Go d , a n d th e r e war d s o r pu n i s h me n ts t h a t ar e
to f o l l o w. T h e n h e d e cl ar e s:
Each man goes to e ve r l asti n g pu n i s h me n t o r sal vati o n acco r d i n g to
th e val u e o f h i s acti o n s.7 Fo r i f al l me n kn e w th i s, n o o n e wo u l d ch o o se
wi cke dne ss e ve n f o r a l i ttl e , kn o wi n g th a t h e goes to th e e ve r l asti n g
pu n i s h me n t 8o f f i r e; bu t wo u l d by al l me an s r e s tr ai n h i mse l f , an d ad o r n
h i mse l f wi th vi r tu e , th a t h e mi gh t o bta i n th e go o d gi f ts o f Go d , a n d
escape th e pu n i s h me n ts . 9
5. P r a y s f o r E x i s t i n g A ga i n i n I n c o r r u p t i o n . C h a pte r
th i r te e n to u ch e s o n th e C h r i s ti a n s wo r sh i p o f th e Make r o f
th i s u n i ve r s e , th e u n ch an ge abl e an d e te r n al Go d , th e C r e ato r
o f a l l . T h a n ki n g Go d th r o u gh pr aye r a n d pr ai se f o r o u r
e xi ste n ce an d bl essi ngs, we pr e s e n t be f o r e Hi m pe ti ti o n s f o r
o u r existing again in incorruption th r o u gh f ai th i n Hi m.
T h a t i s si gn i f i can t. An d h e ad d s, Ou r te ach e r o f th e se th i n gs
i s J e su s C h r i st, wh o al so was bo r n f o r th i s pu r po s e . 10Al ways
h e i s co u n te r i n g th e e r r o r s o f Gn o sti ci sm a n d o f Pl ato n i s m.
5J u s t i n , First Apology, ch a p. 10, i n ANF , vo l . 1, p. 165. (I ta l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
8De n n i s to n , The Perishing Soul, p. 311, n o te 7.
7 Hu d s o n says, me r i t o f Hi s d e e d s (Debt and Grace, p. 313).
8Pu s e y t r a n s l a te s i t , e t e r n a l co n d e mn a t i o n (What Is of Faith as to Everlasting
Punishment? p. 179).
0J u s t i n , First Apology, ch a p. 12, i n ANF, vo l . 1, p. 166.
10 Ibid . , ch a p. 13, p. 166. (I ta l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
6. P u n i s h me n t I s P r o p o r t i o n a t e t o Si n . I n ch apte r
se ve n te e n , o n th e C h r i s t i a n s r e l a ti o n to ci vi l o be d i e n ce , i n cl u d
i n g taxe s, J u s ti n d e cl ar e s:
We be l i e ve (o r r ath e r , i n d e e d , ar e pe r su ad e d ) th a t e ve r y man wi l l
suf f er pu n i s h me n t i n e te r n al f i re acco r d i n g to th e me r i t o f h i s d e e d ,
an d wi l l r e n d e r acco u n t acco r d i n g to th e po we r h e h as r e ce i ve d f r o m
Go d , as C h r i st i n ti mate d wh e n He sai d, T o wh o m Go d h as gi ve n mo r e ,
o f h i m sh al l mo r e be r e qu i r e d . u
T h e n , co n ti n u i n g h i s th e me i n ch apte r e i gh te e n , J u s ti n
r e mar ks o n h o w al l me n d i e th e d e ath co mmo n to a l l (th e
f i r st d e ath ), wh i ch
i f i t i ssued i n i n se n si bi l i ty, wo u l d be a go d se n d (n o te 1, p. 169: a pi e ce
o f u n l o o ke d -f o r -l u ck) to al l th e wi cke d. Bu t si nce se n sati o n r e mai n s to
al l wh o h ave e ve r l i ve d , an d e te r n al pu n i s h me n t i s l ai d u p (i .e., f o r th e
wi cke d), see th a t ye n e gl e ct n o t to be co n vi n ce d , an d to h o l d as yo u r be l i e f ,
th a t th e se th i n gs ar e t r u e . 12
T h e wi cke d wi l l l i ve agai n af te r th e r e s u r r e cti o n an d be
d u l y pu n i s h e d by Go d . Bu t to h o l d t h a t th e wi cke d ar e a u to
mati cal l y a n n i h i l a te d at d e ath wo u l d be to r e mo ve th e d e te r r e n t
o f al l f u tu r e pu n i s h me n t. J u s ti n th e n r e f e r s to th e pagan
pr acti ce s o f n e cr o man cy d i vi n ati o n , f ami l i ar s, o r f ami l i ar
spi r i ts a n d to u ch e s o n th e o pi n i o n s o f Empe d o cl e s, Pyth ag
o r as, Pl ato , an d So cr ate s, a n d th e co n s i d e r ati o n gi ve n to su ch
by th e e mpe r o r . J u s t i n th e n says th at, as f o r C h r i s ti an s wh o
be l i e ve i n Go d , we e xpe ct to r e ce i ve agai n o u r o wn bo d i e s,
th o u gh th e y be d e ad a n d cast i n to th e e ar th , f o r we mai n
tai n th a t wi th Go d n o th i n g i s i mpo ssi bl e . 13
J u s ti n str esses th e r e s u r r e cti o n i n ch a pte r n i n e te e n (T h e
Re s u r r e cti o n Po ssi bl e ), d e cl ar i n g t h a t th e r i gh te o u s sh al l i n
Go d s appo i n te d ti me r i se agai n a n d pu t o n i n co r r u pti o n .
An d h e ad d s th a t h e l l i s a pl ace wh e r e th o se ar e to be pu n i s h e d
wh o h ave l i ve d wi cke d l y. 11
7. Q u e s t i o n o f S e n s a t i o n A f t e r D e a t h . J u s t i n i s
car e f u l to d i f f e r e n ti ate be twe e n th e te ach i n gs o f th e pagan
J UST I N ON FI NAL ANNI HI L AT I ON OF WIC KED 821
11Ibid . , ch a p. 17, p. 168.
12Ibid., ch a p. 18, pp. 168, 169.
12Ibid.
14Ibid., ch ap. 19, p. 169.
wr i te r s o n th e co mi n g co n f l agr ati o n o f al l th i n gs. T h e Sto i cs
e ve n te ach th a t Go d Hi mse l f wi l l be r e so l ve d i n to f i r e , an d
th e wo r l d f o r me d an e w by th i s r e vo l u ti o n . T h e C h r i sti an s,
o n th e co n tr ar y, u n d e r s ta n d th at Go d , th e C r e ato r o f al l
th i n gs, i s s u pe r i o r to th e th i n gs t h a t ar e to be ch an ge d . 15
C h r i s ti an te ach i n gs ar e f u l l e r a n d mo r e d i vi n e , o f f e r i n g
pr o o f f o r wh at th e y af f i rm. T h e n f o l l o ws o n e o f J u s t i n s d i f f i cu l t
state me n ts :
Wh i l e we say th a t th e r e wi l l be a bu r n i n g u p o f al l , we sh al l seem
to u t t e r th e d o ctr i n e o f th e Stoi cs: an d wh i l e we af f i rm th a t th e so ul s o f th e
wi cke d, being endowed with sensation even after death, ar e pu n i sh e d , an d
th a t th o se o f th e go o d be i n g d e l i ve r e d f r o m pu n i s h me n t spe n d a bl e ssed
e xi ste n ce , we sh al l seem to say th e same th i n gs as th e po e ts an d ph i l o so
ph e r s . 16
Bu t f r o m o th e r passages i t i s o bvi o u s th a t th e s e n s ati o n
a f te r th e f i r st o r co mmo n -to -al l d e ath co me s at th e r e s u r r e c
ti o n o f th e wi cke d at th e cl o se o f th e th o u s an d years. An d th e
pa i n o f pu n i s h me n t wi l l co n ti n u e o n l y as l o n g as Go d d e e ms
ju s t, th e wi cke d th e n passi n g i n to n o n e xi ste n ce .
T h e l e ar n e d Pr e be n d ar y C o n s tabl e h as an i n tr i gu i n g
co mme n t o n th i s e xpr e ssi o n . Fi r st h e asks, Do es J u s ti n co n tr a
d i ct h i mse l f ? So me say h e d o e s. Or was h e ambi gu o u s? Bu t
C o n s tabl e f o l l o ws th e se wi th a n o th e r pe r t i n e n t qu e s ti o n : Or ,
h as J u s ti n so me ph i l o s o ph i cal th e o r y wh i ch may appe ar to us,
a n d r e al l y be , a ve r y abs u r d o n e , bu t wh i ch r e l i e ve s h i m o f
th e ch ar ge o f ambi gu i ty an d co n tr ad i cti o n ? C o n stabl e i mme d i
ate l y state s, T h e l a t te r i s o u r be l i e f . 17T h i s sch o l ar l y wr i te r
th e n r e co u n ts th e str an ge ph i l o s o ph i cal th e o r y cu r r e n t i n
Pl ato n i s m, n ame l y, o f a se cr e t, o r d i vi n e , f i r e, i n co n tr as t wi th
co mmo n f i r e. T h e f o r me r i s u se d i n Di vi n e ju d gme n ts a
f i r e th at does not consume what it scorches, but while it burns
it repairs. An d h e ad d s th a t th i s co n ce pt J u s ti n pr o babl y
bo r r o we d f r o m Pl a to . 18
i n I b id . , ch a p. 20, p. 169.
16Ibid., p. 170. (I ta l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
17C o n s tabl e , Duration and Nature of Future Punishment, p. 174.
18I b id . , p. 176. C o n s ta bl e ci te s Pl a t o , Phaedo, 79, 80. T h i s i s d i s cu s s e d f u r t h e r u n d e r
T e r t u l l i a n , wh i ch se e .
C o n s tabl e ad d s th a t J u s ti n e vi d e n tl y su ppo se s th e f i r e o f
h e l l to bu r n o n th r o u gh e te r n i ty, an d to be e ve r co n s u mi n g
a n d r e pr o d u ci n g th e se i mmo r tal me mbe r s . An d , acco r d i n g to
th e th e o r y, th e y mu st possess t h a t se n si ti ve n e ss to th e acti o n
o f f i r e wh i ch al l co n su mabl e ma t te r th o u gh d e vo i d o f an i mal
l i f e i s po ssessed o f , a n d wi th o u t wh i ch i t co u l d n o t be co n su me d
at a l l . An d h e n o te s th a t th e wo r d aisthesis, wh i ch h e pu ts
f o r th e se n sati o n o f th e me mbe r s, i s th e ve r y wo r d u se d by
Pl ato i n th i s way. C o n stabl e e xpl ai n s th a t th i s kind of se n sa
t i o n i s n o t th e se n si ti ve n e ss o f pai n wh i ch th e l i vi n g an i mal
f eel s wh e n e xpo se d to th e h e at o f f i r e . He pr esses th i s po i n t
th a t i t i s u n acco mpan i e d wi th pai n . Pai n d e pa r te d wh e n th e
so u l ce ase d to e xi st i n h e l l . 10 At th e r i sk o f r e d u n d an cy,
C o n s tabl e su mmar i ze s th e s tr an ge ph i l o s o ph i cal o pi n i o n o f th e
ti me i n th e se wo r d s:
T h e me mbe r s [l i mbs] o f th e d amn e d , d e vo i d o f an i mal l i f e an d
th e r e f o r e i n capabl e o f pai n , wo u l d f o r e ve r co n ti n u e to gr o w an d r e n e w
th e mse l ves. T h i s h e [J u sti n ] th o u gh t, an d tr u l y, a ki n d o f l i f e , such as
ve ge tabl e s h ave , an d so h e cal l s th e m i mmo r tal . An d th u s we h ave J u s ti n
co n si ste n t wi th h i mse l f . T h u s we ar e f r e e to gi ve th e i r n a tu r a l f o r ce to h i s
d e scr i pti o n s o f th e u tte r d e s tr u cti o n o f e xi ste n ce i n h e l l , i.e. o f th e e xi ste n ce
o f an i mal l i f e . 30
C o n s tabl e i s pr o babl y r i gh t i n h i s e val u ati o n .
I I . I n te n t o f Aidnion Fi r e f o r Si nners
1. G o d l y I m m o r t a l i z e d ; S i n n e r s P u n i s h e d i n A i o n i o n
F i r e . I n ch apte r twe n ty-o n e appe ar s a n o th e r passage so me
ti me s mi s u n d e r s to o d :
An d we h ave l e ar n e d [be e n ta u gh t] th a t th o se o n l y ar e d e i f i e d
[apathanatizesthaimad e i mmo r tal ], wh o h ave l i ve d n e ar to Go d i n
h o l i n e ss an d vi r tu e ; an d we be l i e ve th a t th o se wh o l i ve wi cke dl y an d d o
n o t r e pe n t ar e pu n i s h e d i n e ve r l asti n g [aidnion] f i r e. 21
T h e aidnion f i r e i s th e f i re o f th e wo r l d to co me , as l o n g
as Go d d e te r mi n e s i t to co n ti n u e . J u s ti n h e r e state s t h a t th o se
I b id ., p. 177.
20Ib id . , pp. 177, 178.
21J usti n, First Apology, ch ap. 21, p. 170.
o n l y wh o l i ve n e a r to Go d ar e "made immortal n o t t h a t th e
h o l y ar e d e i f i e d . No tr ace o f su ch a d o ctr i n e i s f o u n d amo n g
th e e ar l y C h r i s ti an s .22An d th e pu n i s h e d i n e ve r l asti n g f i r e
s tate me n t i n vo l ve s u l ti ma te an d e n ti r e ce ssati o n o f be i n g. As
we h ave se e n , J u s ti n d i d n o t be l i e ve t h a t e ve r l asti n g f i r e
i n vo l ve d e n d l e ss su f f e r i n g. Ho l d e r s o f th e En d l e s s -T o r me n t
th e si s h ave n o r i gh t to pu t a co n s tr u cti o n u po n J u s t i n s state
me n ts t h a t i n vo l ve s h i m i n d i r e ct co n tr ad i cti o n , wh e n h i s state
me n ts can be mad e to agr e e .
2. E x t e n t N o t K n o w n t o M a n ; D e t e r m i n e d by G o d .
Sti l l a n o th e r pe r pl e xi n g s tate me n t i s i n ch a pte r twe n ty-e i gh t,
wh e r e J u s t i n state s:
Fo r amo n g us th e pr i n ce o f th e wi cke d spi r i ts i s cal l e d th e s e r pe n t, an d
Satan , an d th e d e vi l , as yo u can l e ar n by l o o ki n g i n to o u r [C h r i sti an ]
wr i ti n gs. An d th a t h e [th e d e vi l ] wo u l d be se n t i n to th e f i re wi th h i s h o st,
an d th e me n wh o f o l l o w h i m, an d wo u l d be pu n i s h e d f o r an e n d l e ss
[aperanton, u n bo u n d e d age ] d u r a ti o n ,23C h r i st f o r e to l d . Fo r th e r e aso n
wh y Go d h as d e l aye d to d o th i s, i s Hi s r e gar d f o r th e h u ma n r ace . 21
T h i s pu n i s h me n t i s be yo n d an y bo u n d ar y t h a t can be se t
by man . I t i s f o r an i n d e f i n i te pe r i o d so f ar as man i s co n ce r n e d ,
a n d d e te r mi n e d by Go d al o n e . De n n i s to n tr an sl ate s i t pu n
i sh e d f o r th e u n l i mi t e d age (ton aperanton aidna), a n d
co mme n ts:
T h i s l ast e xpr e ssi o n i s f ar f r o m d e n o ti n g a r e al i n f i n i ty o r e te r n i ty;
be i n g r e gu l ar l y appl i e d to o bje cts o f wh i ch th e l i mi ts ar e si mpl y not
apparentas th e bo u n d l e ss o ce an , pl a i n , etc. I t th u s def i ne s th e age o f
pu n i s h me n t as o n e to wh i ch we can n o t set th e te r m. Bu t as th e o ce an an d
pl ai n , h o we ve r bo u n d l e ss, h ave th e i r l i mi t, so may th e bo u n d l e ss age be
assu me d as h avi n g i ts e n d al so . 25
I n ch a pte r th i r ty-n i n e J u s ti n says, I f Ro man so l d i e r s pr e f e r
22Dr . Pe t a ve l s co mme n t (op. cit., p. 236, n o te 1) i s pe r t i n e n t : Apathanatizesthai.
Acco r d i n g to i ts e tymo l o gy, t h e pr i ma r y me a n i n g o f th i s wo r d i s to immortalize. I ts u se i n
th e se n se o f apo th e o s i s sh o ws t h a t a mo n g t h e Gr e e ks d e i f i cati o n a n d i mmo r ta l i za ti o n we r e
s yn o n ymo u s te r ms , i mmo r ta l i t y be i n g t h e pr e r o ga t i ve o f t h e go d s. T h e e vi d e n t i n f e r e n ce i s
t h a t ma n , n o t be i n g a go d , wi t h o u t th i s pr o ce s s h as n o t i mmo r t a l i t y. Se e al so Be e ch e r ,
op. cit., p. 212.
22Be e ch e r (op. cit., p. 214) cal l s a t t e n t i o n to t h e f a ct t h a t J u s t i n h e r e u se s th e s ame
wo r d (aperanton) t h a t Pi n d a r d o e s wh e n h e says (N. vi i i . 64), So me me n s e e k go l d , a n d
o th e r s (bedion aperanton) a vas t o r u n bo u n d e d e xt e n t o f l a n d ; a n d (i n P. i x. 61) wh e r e
h e s pe aks o f u n bo u n d e d o r i mme a s u r a bl e s t r e n gt h (alkas apeirantou).
21J u s t i n , First Apology, ch a p. 28, i n ANF, vo l . 1, p. 172.
28De n n i s to n , op. cit., p. 307.
al l e gi an ce to co u n tr y, ki n d r e d , a n d to th e i r o wn co r r u pti bl e
l i ve s, e ve n th o u gh th e y can be o f f e r e d n o th i n g i n co r r u pti bl e ,
s h o u l d n o t C h r i sti an s , wh o e ar n e stl y l o n g f o r incorruption
[aphtharsias erdntas], e n d u r e al l th i n gs, i n o r d e r to o btai n
wh at we d e si r e f r o m Hi m wh o i s abl e to gr an t i t? 38
3. I m m o r t a l i t y I s P r o mi s e d ; N o t Y e t P o s s e s s e d . An d
i n ch a pte r f o r ty-two , af te r s tati n g t h a t C h r i s t came acco r d i n g
to i n s pi r e d pr e d i cti o n a n d was cr u ci f i e d , d i e d , ar o se , asce n d e d ,
a n d n o w r e i gn s, J u s ti n ad d s, T h e r e i s jo y af f o r d e d to th o se
wh o expect th e immortality promised by Hi m. 27
4. A i o n i o n P u n i s h m e n t I s b y F i r e . I n ch apte r f o rty-f i ve
J u s ti n co mme n ts o n h o w pagan pe r s e cu ti o n , e ve n to d e ath ,
i n d e e d d o e s n o h ar m to us, bu t to yo u an d al l wh o u n ju s tl y
h ate us, an d d o n o t r e pe n t, br i n gs e te r n al [aionion] pu n i s h
me n t by [o r i n ] f i r e . 28
I f by aionion J u s ti n me an t abso l u te l y e te r n al , th e n h e
was n o t i n acco r d wi th th e ge n e r al co n te mpo r ar y u sage o f th e
te r m, a n d wo u l d be i n d i r e ct co n f l i ct wi th h i s o wn r e pe ate d
asse r ti o n s as to th e u l ti ma te bl o tti n g o u t o f th e wi cke d . Su ch a
d e ma n d i s i n co n s i s te n t an d u n n e ce ssar y.
5. F i n a l D i s po s i t i o n a t S e co n d A d v e n t . Fi n al l y, i n
ch a pte r f i f ty-two , i n d e al i n g wi th th e ce r tai n ty o f pr o ph e cy,
J u s ti n r e f e r s to th e two ad ve n ts o f C h r i st, o n e past a n d th e
o t h e r ye t to co me , wh e n
He sh al l co me f r o m h e ave n wi th gl o r y, acco mpan i e d by Hi s an ge l i c h o st,
wh e n al so He sh al l r ai se th e bo d i e s o f al l me n wh o h ave l i ve d , an d sh al l
cl o th e [i n ve st] th o se o f th e wo r th y wi th immortality, an d sh al l se n d th o se
o f th e wi cke d, e n d u e d wi th e te r n al se n si bi l i ty,29i n to e ve r l asti n g f i re wi th
th e wi cke d d e vi l s. 30
Actu al l y, i t i s th e f i re o f age s.
An d i n wh at ki n d o f se n sati o n an d pu n i s h me n t th e wi cke d ar e to be ,
h e a r f r o m wh at was sai d i n l i ke ma n n e r wi th r e f e r e n ce to th i s; i t i s as
20J u s t i n , First Apology, ch a p. 39, i n A NF , vo l . 1, p. 176. (I ta l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
27I b id . , ch a p. 42, p. 177. (I t a l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
28Ib id . , ch a p. 45, p. 178. (I t a l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
29 Et e r n a l s e n s i bi l i ty h as a l r e a d y be e n n o te d i n se c. 7, o n pp. 821, 822.
30Ib id. , ch a p. 52, p. 180. (I t a l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
f o l l o ws: T h e i r wo r m sh al l n o t r e st, an d th e i r f i re sh al l n o t be qu e n ch e d .
As al r e ad y n o te d , i t i s o n l y by assu mi n g, wi th o u t ju s ti f i
cati o n , th a t i n th i s passage ainios me an s e n d l e ssl y e te r n a l
i n s te ad o f f o r age s th a t th e co n ce pt o f e te r n al pu n i s h i n g
can be mai n tai n e d . T h e h o l y al o n e ar e i mmo r tal i ze d , J u s ti n
co n s tan tl y af f i r me d . T h a t was J u s t i n s po si ti o n .
I I I . Sch ol ars Reco gni ze J u s ti n s Po si ti o n o n De str u cti o n
o f Wi cke d
T h a t we n e i t h e r mi sstate n o r mi s u n d e r s tan d J u s t i n s po si
ti o n o n th e f i n al to tal d e s tr u cti o n o f th e wi cke d i s s u s tai n e d by
th e o bs e r vati o n o f man y sch o l ar s o f var i o u s f ai th s, as i s a ppa r e n t
f r o m a f ew o f t h e i r te r se state me n ts:
K i t t o : J u s ti n h e l d th at pu n i s h me n ts , at l e ast sensible
o n e s, wo u l d s o me ti me ce ase . 32
R o t h e : J u s t i n Mar tyr . . . th o u gh t th a t Go d wo u l d a n n i
h i l a te th e l o st. 33
H a ge n ba ch : J u s ti n af f i r med th e so u l to be mo r tal , pe r i s h
i n g wi th th e bo d y, wi th i mmo r tal i ty as a r e war d to be
a cqu i r e d .34
B a l l o u : J u s ti n r e pr e s e n te d th a t th e wi cke d wi l l be ,
e ve n tu al l y, a n n i h i l a t e d . 35
B e e ch e r : J u s ti n h e l d a n d tau gh t th e f i n al a n n i h i l a t i o n
o f th e wi cke d , as mo st e mi n e n t sch o l ar s co n ce d e . 33
G i e s e l e r : J u s t i n h e l d th a t th e so u l s o f th e u n go d l y wi l l
be at so me ti me wh o l l y a n n i h i l a t e d . 37
A l ge r : J u s ti n d i d n o t be l i e ve i n e n d l e ss to r me n t, bu t
i n th e f i n al a n n i h i l a t i o n o f th e wi cke d . 38
31ibid.
32K i t t o , Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature, a r t ., So u l .
33Ri ch a r d Ro th e , Dogmatik, vo l . 3, p. 158.
31 K . R. Ha ge n ba ch , Compendium o f the History o f Doctrines, vo l . 1, pp. 162-164, a r t .
I mmo r t a l i t y.
115Ho s e a Bal l o u , 2d , Ancient History of Universalism, p. 58.
38Be e ch e r , op. cit., pp. 211, 212. C . F. Hu d s o n (Debt and Grace, p. 315) l i sts
Gr o ti u s , Hu e t , Rs s l e r , Du Pi n , Do e d e r l e i n , Mn s ch e r , M u n t e r , Da n i e l , Ha s e , St a r ck, K e r n ,
Ot t o , Ri t t e r , J . Pye Smi t h , Bl o o mf i e l d , a n d Gi e s e l e r as co n f i r mi n g t h e s ame .
37 J o h n C . L . Gi e s e l e r , A Textbook of Church History, s e c. 45.
38Al ge r , T h e Destiny o f the Soul, p. 195.
C o n s t a b l e : J u s ti n h e l d to th e u t te r d e s tr u cti o n o f e xi st
e n ce i n h e l l . 38
IV. DialogueRi gh te o u s to Be Immo r tal i ze d ;
Wi cke d Destro yed
Be cause o f th e ke y po si ti o n o ccu pi e d by J u s ti n as f i r st
o f th e an te -Ni ce n e wi tn e sse s, h i s e n ti r e te sti mo n y n e e d s to
be su r ve ye d th a t co mpr e h e n s i ve d e d u cti o n s o f h i s po si ti o n s
may be mad e . Fi r s t i n po i n t o f pr o d u cti o n co me s h i s Dialogue
With Trypho. T h i s gr e w o u t o f a ch al l e n ge by th i s n o te d
Ph ar i se e wh i l e J u s ti n was i n Eph e su s at th e Xystu s, o r pl ace
o f d i s pu tati o n s .40 T h e i r d i scu ssi o n i s cast i n th e f o r m o f a
So cr ati c d i al o gu e , a n d i s a qu asi -bi o gr aph i cal ske tch o f J u s ti n
h i mse l f , pr e s e n te d th r o u gh th e l i ps o f th e age d C h r i s ti an o f
ve n e r abl e man n e r s ,41wh o se vi ews we r e actu al l y J u s t i n s o wn .
He r e J u s ti n r e pe ate d l y d e n i e s th e i n h e r e n t i mmo r tal i ty
o f th e so u l , co n te n d i n g t h a t th e wo r th y wi l l be gi ve n e te r n al
l i f e , wh e r e as th e wi cke d wi l l be pu n i s h e d as l o n g as Go d
d e te r mi n e s i s ju st, th e n wi l l pass i n to n o n e xi ste n ce . T o pr e par e
th e way f o r th e d o ctr i n e o f th e a n n i h i l a t i o n o f th e wi cke d ,
J u s ti n f i r st r e f u te d th e Pl ato n i c po s tu l ate o f pe r pe tu al se l f
e xi ste n ce an d th e n a tu r a l a n d i n d e f e as i bl e i mmo r tal i ty, o r
e n d l e ss pe r man e n ce , o f th e so u l . Hi s ar gu me n ts ar e th e mo r e
r e mar kabl e be cau se h e h ad o n ce be e n an a r d e n t Pl ato n i s t.
1. C a t e g o r i c a l l y D e n i e s I n n a t e I m m o r t a l i t y a n d
T r a n s m i g r a t i o n . An swe r i n g (i n ch apte r f o u r ) th e qu e s ti o n
Is th e so u l al so d i vi n e a n d i mmo r tal ? a n d a pa r t o f De i ty?
J u s ti n cate go r i cal l y d e n i e s th a t i t i s a pa r t o f De i ty. An d h e
abso l u te l y r e je cts th e Pl ato n i c co n ce pt o f th e pr e -e xi ste n ce
a n d e te r n i t y o f so u l s, an d i ts co n te n ti o n th a t th e y tr an s
mi gr ate i n to o t h e r bo d i e s , an d ar e i mpr i s o n e d i n th e bo d i e s
J UST I N ON FI NAL ANNI HI L AT I ON OF WIC KED 827
38C o n s tabl e , op. ci t., p. 178.
40J u s t i n , Dialogue With Trypho, ch a p. 1, i n A NF , vo l . 1, p. 194, n o te 1.
41I bid., ch a p. 3, p. 195.
o f ce r tai n wi l d an i mal s as a f o r m o f pu n i s h me n t /2T h e n co me s
J u s t i n s d e cl ar ati o n , No r o u gh t i t [th e so u l ] to be cal l e d i m
mo r tal ; f o r i f i t i s i mmo r tal , i t i s pl ai n l y u n be go tt e n
(u n cr e ate d ), i n co n tr as t wi th th e Pl ato n i c co n te n ti o n t h a t i t
[th e so ul ] i s bo th u n be go tte n a n d i mmo r ta l . 13An d th i s i s bu t
tr e sse d by th e d e cl ar ati o n I f th e wo r l d i s be go tte n [cr e a te d ],
so u l s ar e n e ce ssar i l y be go tte n , a n d pe r h aps at o n e ti me th e y
we r e n o t i n e xi ste n ce . 44T h a t was h i s appr o ach .
2. So me N e v e r D i e ; O t h e r s S u f f e r D e t e r m i n a t e
P u n i s h m e n t . T o th e d i r e ct qu e s ti o n T h e y ar e n o t, th e n ,
i mmo r tal ? co me s J u s t i n s e mph ati c No . 45 T h e n h e ad d s,
Bu t I d o n o t say, i n d e e d , t h a t all souls d i e ; f o r t h a t we r e tr u l y
a pi e ce o f go o d f o r tu n e to th e e vi l . T h e d i spo s i ti o n o f al l
so u l s awai ts th e ti me o f ju d gme n t. T h e n f o l l o ws th e d e cl ar a
ti o n o f th e f u tu r e : T h u s so me wh i ch h ave appe ar e d wo r th y
o f Go d n e ve r d i e ; bu t o th e r s ar e pu n i s h e d so long as God
wills them to exist and to be punished. 49
T h u s J u s ti n asser ts, by an ti th e si s, t h a t th e wi cke d finally
cease to exist, af te r pu n i s h me n t as l o n g as Go d sh al l d e te r mi n e .
Wh i l e th e Gr e e k e xpr e ssi o n f o r al l so u l s may be ambi gu o u s,
s tr o n g bi as h as be e n r e ve al e d by so me tr an s l ato r s by s u bs ti tu t
i n g any so u l s, o r e ve n no so u l s, 47an d by u n ju sti f i abl y i n je ct
i n g th e th o u gh t o f a pl ace o f mi se r y an d t o r me n t d u r i n g th e
i n te r i m.
3. C r e a t e d B e i n gs M a y B e B l o t t e d O u t a n d C e a s e
t o E x i s t . C o n te n d i n g t h a t cr e ate d be i n gs may be bl o tte d
o u t an d cease to e xi s t, J u s ti n mai n tai n s th a t Go d al o n e i s
42Ibid., ch a p. 4, pp. 1%, 197.
43Ibid . , ch a p. 5, p. 197.
44Ibid.
15Ibid. Dr . E. B. Pu se y (op. cit., p. 182) f r a n kl y a d mi ts t h a t t h e age d ma n , to
wh o m S. J u s t i n o we d t h e be gi n n i n g o f h i s co n ve r s i o n , a r gu i n g a ga i n s t Pl a t o n i s m, d e n i e d th e
i mmo r ta l i t y o f t h e s o u l i n d e pe n d e n t o f i ts A u t h o r .
4tt J u s t i n , Dialogue With Trypho, ch a p. 5, i n ANF, vo l . 1, p. 197. (I ta l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
47C o n gr e ga ti o n a l i s t Ed wa r d Be e ch e r (op. cit., p. 332) as s e r ts t h a t vi o l e n t a n d u n pr i n
ci pl e d i n t e r pr e t a t i o n h as be e n r e s o r te d t o i n o r d e r to d e n y J u s t i n s po s i ti o n o n a n n i h i l a
ti o n . Be e ch e r ci te s Ma r a n u s as tr yi n g to ge t a d e n i a l o f a n n i h i l a t i o n o u t o f t h e s e n te n ce
r e a d i n g, I d o n o t say t h a t all souls d i e . Bu t Be e ch e r ch a r ge s t h a t h e by a wr o n g po s i ti o n
o f t h e n e ga ti ve , a n d a wr o n g t r a n s l a ti o n o f i t , br i n gs o u t t h e a s s e r ti o n , I say t h a t no souls d i e .
Ot t o we l l says t h a t s u ch a po s i ti o n o f th e n e ga ti ve ca n n o t be d e f e n d e d , a n d t h a t Ma r a n u s
mu s t h ave kn o wn i t . Be si d e s, i t pr o d u ce s a n i mme d i a te co n t r a d i ct i o n ; f o r J u s t i n so o n go e s
o n to s ay t h a t s o me mi n d s a r e pu n i s h e d a n d d i e .
u n be go tte n a n d i n co r r u pti bl e . T h e r e f o r e cr e ate d so u l s bo th
d i e a n d ar e pu n i s h e d .
Fo r th o se th i n gs wh i ch e xi st af te r (n o te 1: be si d e ) Go d , o r sh al l
at an y ti me exi st, th e se h ave th e n atu r e o f decay, an d ar e such as may be
bl o tte d o u t an d cease to e xi st; f o r Go d al o n e i s u n be go tte n an d i n co r r u pt
i bl e , an d th e r e f o r e He i s Go d , bu t al l o th e r th i n gs af te r Hi m ar e cr e ate d
an d co r r u pti bl e . Fo r th i s r e aso n so ul s bo th d i e an d ar e pu n i s h e d . 18
4. S e p a r a t e d F r o m B o d y, S o u l C e a s e s t o E x i s t . T h a t
th e so u l i s o r h as l i f e i s i n co n te s tabl e , bu t, Is th a t l i f e
i n h e r e n t, o r i s i t r e ce i ve d as a pa r ta ke r ? T h i s i s th e qu e s ti o n
aske d i n ch apte r si x. J u s t i n s an swe r i s u n e qu i vo cal , an d can n o t
be mi s u n d e r s to o d . He d e n i e s th a t th e so u l co u l d l i ve se par ate d ,
o r apar t, f r o m th e bo d y. Li f e co me s by th e wi l l a n d pr o vi si o n
o f Go d ; o th e r wi se th e so u l mu st cease to e xi s t.
No w th e so ul par take s o f l i f e , si nce Go d wi l l s i t to l i ve. T h u s , th e n ,
i t wi l l n o t e ve n par take [o f l i f e] wh e n Go d do es n o t wi l l i t to l i ve. Fo r to
l i ve i s n o t i ts attr i bu te , as i t i s Go d s; bu t as a man do e s n o t l i ve al ways,
an d th e so ul i s n o t f o r e ve r co n jo i n e d wi th th e bo dy, si nce, wh e n e ve r th i s
h ar mo n y mu st be br o ke n u p, th e so ul l eaves th e bo dy, an d th e man exi sts
n o l o n ge r ; e ve n so, wh e n e ve r th e so ul mu st cease to e xi st, th e s pi r i t o f l i f e
i s r e mo ve d f r o m i t, an d th e r e i s n o mo r e so ul , bu t i t goes back to th e pl ace
f r o m wh e n ce i t was take n . 48
T h e r e i s a vast d i f f e r e n ce be twe e n th e two i d e as o f wo u l d
n o t l i ve if Go d d i d n o t ch o o se , a n d wi l l n o t l i ve when Go d
do e s n o t ch o o se .
5. C h r i s t C o mi n g A ga i n t o D e s t r o y t h e W i ck e d . J u s ti n
r e mi n d s T r yph o , i n th e i n te r ve n i n g ch apte r s, t h a t r i gh te o u sn e ss
co me s n o t by th e l aw, n o r by J e wi sh r i te s (ch apte r s twe l ve to
f o u r te e n ); t h a t th e r e i s n o sal vati o n e xce pt t h r o u gh C h r i s t
(ch apte r twe n ty-si x); a n d th a t tr u e r i gh te o u sn e ss i s o btai n e d
o n l y i n C h r i st (ch apte r th i r ty)wh o se po we r i s n o w gr e at,
bu t wi l l be mu ch gr e ate r at th e Se co n d Ad ve n t (ch apte r th i r ty-
o n e ). He th e n d i s ti n gu i s h e s be twe e n th e two ad ve n ts th e
f i r st i n h u mi l i ty f o r sal vati o n , a n d th e se co n d i n gl o r y f o r
48J u s t i n , Dialogue With Trypho, ch a p. 5, i n ANF, vo l . 1. p. 197.
i e Ibid., ch a p. 6, p. 198. (Br a cke ts i n o r i gi n a l .) Ol s n au s e n (Opuscula, p. 180) says
t h a t s u ch i s e qu i va l e n t to n o n -e xi s t e n ce . An d Mo e h l e r (Patrologa, p. 242) co mme n t s ,
s i n k a ga i n i n t o i ts o wn n o t h i n g.
ju d gme n t a n d r e war d s (ch apte r s th i r ty-two , th i r ty-th r e e ).
J u s ti n th e n war n s a bo u t f al se C h r i sti an s wh o aban d o n th e pu r e
d o ctr i n e o f J e su s C h r i s t, i n co n tr as t wi th th o se wh o ar e f ai th
f u l an d ste ad f ast i n th e h o pe a n n o u n ce d by Hi m (ch apte r
th i r ty-f i ve ). Bu t th e Lo r d , wh o was cr u ci f i e d , ar o se , an d
asce n d e d to He ave n , mar ks th o se wh o pe r se cu te th e sai n ts,
u n t i l He co me agai n , an d d e str o y th e m al l , an d r e n d e r to e ach
h i s d e se r ts (ch apte r th i r ty-n i n e ).
V. Di spo si ti o n o f Ri gh te o u s an d Wi cked
1. S o me P u n i s h e d W i t h F i r e ; O t h e r s R e ce i v e I m
m o r t a l i t y . I n ch a pte r th i r ty-n i n e J u s ti n syn ch r o n i ze s th e
ti me o f th e d e s tr u cti o n o f th e d e mo n s an d wi cke d me n wi th
th e se co n d ad ve n t o f C h r i stwh e n He wi l l co me agai n , an d
d e str o y th e m a l l . 50T h a t l e ad s h i m back, i n ch apte r f o rty-f i ve,
to th e i n ca r n ati o n o f C h r i st, i n o r d e r to co mpass th e d e s tr u cti o n
o f Satan a n d h i s an ge l s a n d to d e str o y d e ath th r o u gh th e
Se co n d Ad ve n t, wh e n so me sh al l be i mmo r tal i ze d a n d so me
pu n i s h e d i n th e co n d e mn ati o n o f f i r e , a n d be n o mo r e .
T h u s :
I n o r d e r th at, by th i s d i spe n sati o n , th e s e r pe n t th a t si n n e d f r o m
th e be gi n n i n g, an d th e an ge l s l i ke h i m, may be d e str o ye d [kataluthsi],
an d th a t d e ath may be co n te mn e d ,61an d f o r e ve r qu i t, at th e se co n d co mi n g
o f th e C h r i st Hi mse l f , th o se wh o be l i e ve i n Hi m an d l i ve acce ptabl y,
an d be no more: wh e n so me ar e se n t to be pu n i s h e d u n ce asi n gl y i n to ju d g
me n t an d co n d e mn ati o n o f f i re; bu t o th e r s sh al l e xi st i n f r e e d o m f r o m
suf f e r i ng, f r o m co r r u pti o n , an d f r o m gr i e f , an d i n i mmo r tal i ty. 52
2. S a i n t s R a i s e d I n c o r r u p t i b l e a n d I m m o r t a l . I mmo r
tal i ty i s se t f o r th as r e se r ve d f o r th e r e s u r r e cte d r i gh te o u s. An d
J u s ti n str esses h i s be l i e f th a t t r u e C h r i sti an s, th e n u n d e r go i n g
pe r s e cu ti o n e ve n u n to d e ath , wi l l be i mmo r tal i ze d at the first
resurrection. He d e cl ar e s: Go d wi l l r ai se u p by Hi s C h r i st,
61Pu se y s ays , s e t a t n o u gh t (op. ci t., p. 181).
K Ib id . , ch a p. 45j p. 217. Be e ch e r (op. ci t., p. 214) s ta t e s t h a t wh e n J u s t i n says
t h a t th e wi cke d a r e pu n i s h e d (apoustos) i n ce s s a n tl y o r wi t h o u t ce s s ati o n , h e me an s t h a t th i s
i s t r u e d u r i n g t h e t i me o f t h e i r pu n i s h me n t , however long it may be.
a n d wi l l make us incorruptible, a n d u n d i s tu r be d , an d i mmo r tal
[aphthartous kai apatheis kai athanatous]. 53
T h e same th o u gh t i s co n ti n u e d i n ch apte r si xty-n i n e ,
wh e r e C h r i st, wh o e ve n r ai se d th e d e ad at Hi s f i r st ad ve n t,
wi l l co me f o r Hi s o wn at Hi s se co n d ad ve n t, an d He sh al l
r ai se h i m [th e mai me d ] u p at Hi s se co n d ad ve n t pe r f e ctl y
s o u n d , after He h as mad e h i m immortal, and incorruptible,
an d f r e e f r o m gr i e f . M
3. S o u l N o t T a k e n t o H e a v e n a t D e a t h . I n ch apte r
e i gh ty, J u s ti n di scusses f ai th f u l n e s s i n f o l l o wi n g th e Scr i ptu r e s.
He assu r e s T r yph o th a t h e wi l l n o t say o n e th i n g a n d th i n k
a n o th e r . T h e n r e f e r r i n g to d i f f e r e n ce s o f vi e w amo n g pr o f e sse d
C h r i sti an s , J u s ti n state s can d i d l y t h a t so me wh o ar e cal l e d
C h r i s ti an s ar e go dl ess, i mpi o u s h e r e ti cs , an d te ach d o c
tr i n e s th a t ar e i n e ve r y way bl asph e mo u s, ath e i sti cal , an d
f o o l i sh . De cl ar i n g th a t h e h i ms e l f ch o o ses to f o l l o w n o t me n
o r me n s d o ctr i n e s, bu t Go d a n d th e d o ctr i n e s [d e l i ve r e d ] by
Hi m, h e state s:
I f yo u h ave f al l e n i n wi th so me wh o ar e cal l e d C h r i sti an s, bu t wh o d o
n o t ad mi t th i s [tr u th ], an d ve n tu r e to bl asph e me th e Go d o f Abr ah am,
an d th e Go d o f Isaac, an d th e Go d o f J aco b; wh o say th e r e i s n o r e s u r
r e cti o n o f th e d e ad , an d th a t th e i r so ul s, wh e n th e y d i e , ar e take n to
h e ave n ; d o n o t i magi n e th a t th e y ar e C h r i sti an s. 55
An d n e ar th e cl o se o f th e same ch apte r h e says t h a t h e
a n d o th e r s wh o sh ar e h i s vi ews ar e r i gh t-mi n d e d C h r i sti an s
o n al l po i n ts , a n d ar e assu r e d t h a t th e r e wi l l be a r e s u r r e cti o n
o f th e d e a d an d a co mi n g mi l l e n n i u m.
4. W i ck e d P u n i s h e d a s G o d D e e ms P r o p e r . I n ch apte r
e i gh ty-e i gh t, af te r spe aki n g o f th e h u man r ace , wh i ch f r o m
Ad am h ad f al l e n u n d e r th e po we r o f d e ath a n d th e gu i l e o f
th e s e r pe n t, a n d e ach o n e o f wh i ch h ad co mmi tte d pe r so n al
tr an s gr e s s i o n , J u s ti n to u ch e s o n th e r e s u l t o f ma n s f r e e wi l l
i n r e l a ti o n to th e qu e s ti o n o f l i f e a n d d e ath :
53J u s t i n , Dialogue With Trypho, ch a p. 46, i n A N F , vo l . 1, p. 218. (I ta l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
61I b id ., ch a p. 69, p. 233. (I ta l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
55Ib id . , ch a p. 80, p. 239. (Br acke ts i n o r i gi n a l .)
Fo r Go d , wi sh i n g bo th an ge l s an d me n , wh o we r e e n d o we d wi th f r e e
wi l l , an d at th e i r o wn d i spo sal , to d o wh ate ve r He h ad str e n gth e n e d each
to d o , mad e th e m so, th a t i f th e y ch o se th e th i n gs acce ptabl e to Hi mse l f ,
He wo u l d ke e p th e m f r e e f r o m d e ath an d f r o m pu n i s h me n t; bu t th a t i f
th e y d i d evi l , He wo u l d pu n i sh e ach as He sees f i t.
5. D e s t r u c t i o n I s E q u a t e d W i t h D e a t h . I n ch apte r
o n e h u n d r e d , i n spe aki n g o f C h r i s t as bo th th e So n o f Go d a n d
So n o f man , th r o u gh assu mi n g f l esh an d be i n g bo r n o f Mar y,
J u s ti n h ar ks back to Eve, wh o , h avi n g co n ce i ve d th e wo r d
o f th e s e r pe n t, br o u gh t f o r th d i so be d i e n ce a n d d e a th . An d
n o w th e vi r gi n Mar y br o u gh t f o r th th e So n o f Go d
by wh o m Go d d e str o ys bo th th e se r pe n t an d th o se an ge l s an d me n wh o
ar e l i ke h i m; bu t wo r ks d e l i ve r an ce f r o m d e ath to th o se wh o r e pe n t o f
th e i r wi cke dne ss an d be l i e ve u po n Hi m. 67
I t wi l l be o bse r ve d th a t agai n d e s tr o y i s e qu a te d wi th
d e a th .
6. T o r m e n t N o t I d e n t i c a l W i t h D e s t r u c t i o n .
Se ve r al ch apte r s ar e th e n d e vo te d to th e Ol d T e s ta me n t pr o ph
eci es co n ce r n i n g C h r i s t a n d th e pr e d i cti o n s o f Hi s r e s u r r e cti o n
(ch apte r 106), th e co n ve r si o n o f th e Ge n ti l e s pr e d i cte d by Mi cah
(ch apte r 109), an d th e r e st o f Mi cah s pr o ph e cy n o t f u l f i l l e d
a t th e f i r st ad ve n t, wh i ch sh al l be co mpl e te d at Hi s se co n d
co mi n g, wh e n He sh al l co me f r o m h e ave n wi th gl o r y, wh e n ,
to ge th e r wi th th e mo st r i gh te o u s, an d o n l y spo tl e ss a n d si nl ess
C h r i st, we ar e take n away o u t o f th e e a r t h . 68T h e n i n ch apte r
111, o n th e two ad ve n ts, J u s ti n r e mar ks: Fo r th i s i s, was,
a n d sh al l be th e s tr e n gth o f Hi m al o n e , wh o se n ame e ve r y
po we r d r e ad s, be i n g ve r y mu ch to r me n te d be cau se th e y sh al l
be d e str o ye d by Hi m. se
T h a t i s, th e y ar e mu ch t o r me n te d n o w, be cau se th e y
wi l l l ate r be d e s tr o ye d at th e Se co n d Ad ve n t.
7. T h e R e s u r r e c t e d F a c e C o n t r a s t i n g D e s t i n i e s .I n
56Ib id ., ch a p. 88, p. 243. Hu d s o n says, sh o u l d t h i n k pr o pe r (op. cit., p. 317).
58I b id ., ch a p. 110, pp. 253, 254.
58Ib id ., ch a p. I l l , p. 254.
ch apte r 117 th e cl i max i s r e ach e d , a n d th e s e par ati o n i s
po r tr aye d :
He [C h r i st] sh al l r ai se al l me n f r o m th e d e ad , an d a ppo i n t some to
be i n co r r u pti bl e , i mmo r tal , an d f r e e f r o m so r r o w i n th e e ve r l asti n g an d
i mpe r i sh abl e ki n gd o m; bu t sh al l se n d others away to th e e ve r l asti n g pu n
i sh me n t o f f i r e . 80
I n th e l i gh t o f th i s h e e xh o r ts me n to r e pe n t be f o r e th e
gr e at d ay o f ju d gme n t co me . 81
Re ve r ti n g to th e f al l , co n d e mn ati o n , a n d d e ath o f man ,
J u s ti n says h i s d i sco u r se was i n te n d e d
to pr o ve to yo u th a t th e Ho l y Gh o st r e pr o ach e s me n be cau se th e y we r e
mad e l i ke Go d , f r e e f r o m su f f e r i n g an d d e ath , pr o vi d e d th at th e y ke pt Hi s
co mman d me n ts, an d we r e d e e me d d e se r vi n g o f th e n ame o f Hi s so ns, an d
ye t th ey, be co mi n g l i ke Ad am an d Eve, wo r k o u t d e ath f o r th e mse l ve s. 82
An d h e war n s th a t e ach sh al l be by h i mse l f ju d ge d a n d
co n d e mn e d l i ke Ad am a n d Eve .
C o mi n g f i n al l y, i n ch apte r 130, to T h e C o n ve r s i o n o f
th e Ge n ti l e s , J u s ti n state s:
We kn o w f r o m Isai ah th a t th e me mbe r s [kola, l i mbs] o f th o se wh o
h ave tr an sgr e sse d sh al l be co n su me d by th e wo r m an d u n qu e n ch abl e f i re, r e
mai n i n g i mmo r tal [athanata, d e ath l e ss]; so th a t th e y be co me a spe ctacl e
to al l f l esh . 63
As to th e e xpr e ssi o n r e mai n i n g i mmo r tal [d e ath l e s s ],
sch o l ar l y Dr . Be e ch e r make s th i s si gn i f i can t o bse r vati o n :
No str ess can be l ai d o n th e wo r d d e ath l e ss (athanata), f o r i t si mpl y
d e n o te s th e f act th at, d u r i n g th e ti me o f e xpo su r e to th e f i re, th e bo d i e s
can n o t d i e , bu t n o t th a t th e y can n o t be an n i h i l a te d by Go d , at su ch ti me
as h e sh al l see f i t. 84
Su ch i s th e te sti mo n y o f J u s t i n s Dialogue.
60Ib id ., ch a p. 117, p. 257.
Ib id . , ch a p. 118, p. 258.
62Ib id ., ch a p. 124, p. 262.
83Ibid . , ch a p. 130, pp. 264, 265.
04Be e ch e r , op. cit., p. 215.
27
C H A P T E R F O R T Y - N I N E
T ati an , T h eoph i l us, and Mel i to
C o nti nue C ondi ti onal i st Wi tness
I. T a ti a n T h e Soul Is No t Immo r tal bu t Mo r tal
T a t i a n ( c. a . d . 110-172), l i ke wi se a C h r i s ti an apo l o gi st,
was bo r n i n Assyr i a. He mas te r e d th e cl assi cal Gr ae co -Ro man
cu l t u r e o f th e day. I n h i s wr i ti n gs h e qu o te d f r o m n i n e ty-th r e e
cl assi c au th o r s , maki n g use o f th e kn o wl e d ge gai n e d f r o m h i s
e xte n si ve tr ave l s a n d wi d e r e ad i n g. As a s tr o l l i n g ph i l o s o ph e r
(Ar i s to te l i an ) h e came to Ro me , th e ce n te r o f th e i n te l l i ge n ts i a
o f th e ti me . At f i r st h e was an e age r s tu d e n t o f h e a th e n
l i t e r a tu r e a n d d e vo te d h i mse l f to th e stu d y o f ph i l o so ph y. Bu t
h e f o u n d n o sati sf acti o n i n th e be wi l d e r i n g maze o f Gr e e k
s pe cu l ati o n . So h e be came a pu pi l o f J u s ti n Mar tyr , a n d was
wo n to C h r i s ti an i ty, so o n be co mi n g a te ach e r a n d an apo l o gi st
f o r th e C h r i s ti an f ai th . An d J u s ti n , as we h ave se e n , was a
C o n d i ti o n al i s t.
T h e f acts o f T a t i a n s pe r s o n al l i f e ar e scan t, bu t a f te r
th e d e ath o f J u s t i n (c. a . d . 165) h e r e t u r n e d to Syr i a. An d f o r
so me two h u n d r e d ye ar s h i s wr i ti n gs we r e h i gh l y r e gar d e d i n
th e Syr i an C h u r ch . As an apo l o gi st h e e xh i bi te d a mar ke d
abh o r r e n ce o f pagan a bo mi n ati o n s , r e co gn i zi n g n o t r u t h i n
h e a th e n ph i l o so ph y. He was a pr o l i f i c wr i te r , h i s Diatessaron
be i n g th e e ar l i e s t h ar mo n y o f th e Go spe l s to be pr o d u ce d . I t
was u se d i n th e Syr i an C h u r ch u n t i l th e f i f th ce n tu r y.
I t was, h o we ve r , T a t i a n s Oratio ad Graecos (Ad d r e ss to
th e Gr e e ks)an u n s par i n g e xpo su r e o f th e e n o r mi ti e s o f pagan
i sm, pr o babl y wr i tte n af te r T a t i a n s asso ci ati o n wi th J u s ti n
834
C ONT I NUED C ONDI T I ONAL I ST WIT NESS 8B5
Mar tyr , a n d l ar ge l y s h ar i n g h i s te ach e r s vi ewst h a t br o u gh t
h i m f ame . I n th i s tr e ati se T a t i a n u r ge n tl y i n vi te s h i s co n te mpo
r ar i e s to e xami n e a n d acce pt th e l i gh t o f C h r i s ti an i ty i n co n tr as t
wi th th e d ar kn e ss o f h e ath e n i s m.1 He stresses be l i e f i n o n e
Go d , th e C r e ato r a n d Fi r s t C au se , wi th th e Lo go s as th e
C r e ato r o f th e wo r l d . Man was mad e th at h e mi gh t h ave a
pa r t wi th Go d an d a tt a i n to i mmo r tal i ty.
Go d l i ves i n man n o w t h r o u gh th e o pe r ati o n o f th e Ho l y
Spi r i t, f o r th e f al l o f man n e ce ssi tate d r e n e wal by th e Di vi n e
Spi r i t. Lo n gi n gs f o r Go d r e ma i n i n th e so u l , a n d man may
t u r n back to Go d th r o u gh th e e xe r ci se o f th e Go d -gi ve n f r e e
d o m o f th e wi l l . Bu t by th e same wi l l h e can al so t u r n away
f r o m Go d . T a t i a n was s tr o n gl y agai n st th e mate r i al i s ti c
pan th e i s m o f th e Stoi cs.
Re gr e ttabl y, i n h i s o l d age h e ad o pte d pe cu l i ar vi ews a n d
f e l l i n to ce r tai n sad e xtr avagan ce s. T h e l u ste r cr e ate d by h i s
Apo l o gy was tar n i s h e d as h e be came e n tan gl e d i n th e to i l s
o f Gn o sti ci sm. At th e same ti me Mo n tan i s m was e l se wh e r e
r i s i n g l i ke a f o g i n th e mar s h e s, as so me o n e h as aptl y
ph r as e d i t. Bu t T a t i a n i n ve n te d so me o f th e te r mi n o l o gy th a t
T e r t u l l i a n d e ve l o pe d . He a d o pte d a ste r n asce ti ci sm an d a d e
pr e ci ati o n o f mar r i age , wh i ch be came e stabl i sh e d i n th e L ati n
C h u r ch . He f o u n d e d th e asce ti c se ct kn o wn as th e T a ti an i s ts ,
o r En cr ati te s (T h e Se l f -C o n tr o l l e d ), pr acti ci n g man y au s te r i ti e s
a n d h o l d i n g to a r i gi d mo r al i ty.
I I . T a t i a n s C o nf essi o n o f Fai th o n Soul , He r e , an d He r e af te r
Bu t be f o r e h i s d i gr e ssi o n , af te r d e al i n g wi th th e cl ai ms an d
th e e r r o r s o f th e Gr e e k ph i l o s o ph e r s an d Gr e e k po l yth e i sm,
T a t i a n te l l s h o w C h r i sti an s wo r s h i p th e o n e t r u e Go d , wi th o u t
be gi n n i n g an d wi th o u t e n d ; h o w th e y h o l d to th e d o ctr i n e
o f th e cr e ati o n o f th e wo r l d , a n d o f man ; h o w th e y be l i e ve
i n th e f al l o f man , a n d i n th e C h r i s ti an vi ew o f th e r e s u r r e cti o n ;
1See J arosl av Pcl i kan, The Shape of Death (1962), ch apte r on T ati an.
a n d h o w th e si n o f man i s n o t d u e to f ate , bu t to ma n s
f r e e wi l l . T a t i a n th e n l au n ch e s i n to th e qu e s ti o n o f th e cl ai me d
i mmo r ta l i ty o f th e so u l (ch apte r th i r te e n ), an d th e d e ce pti o n ,
d e pr avi ty, a n d se ve r e pu n i s h me n t o f th e d e mo n s.
1. N o n e x i s t e n t i n D e a t h , E x i s t e n t A ga i n T h r o u g h
R e s u r r e c t i o n . T a ki n g h i mse l f as an e xampl e , T a t i a n h e l d
th a t man came i n to be i n g f r o m a s tate o f n o t e xi s ti n g, pr i o r
to bi r t h a state of n o t h i n g n e s s He came i n to be i n g, o r
e xi ste n ce , t h r o u gh bi r t h . I n d e ath , e xi s ti n g n o l o n ge r , h e i s
se e n n o l o n ge r . But through the resurrection (th e s u bje ct
o f ch a pte r si x), f r o m th i s pe r i o d o f n o n e xi ste n ce , T a t i a n d e
cl ar e s, I shall exist again.
An d , as be f o r e bi r th , h e was n o t , so i n d e ath wh e th e r
mar tyr e d th r o u gh f i r e, wi th ash es d i spe r se d th r o u gh r i ve r s
a n d seas, o r to r n i n pi e ce s by wi l d be astsh e i s l ai d u p,
as i t we r e , i n th e sto r e h o u se s o f h i s Lo r d , wh o wi l l r e s to r e
h i m to l i f e t h r o u gh r e s u r r e cti o n . He r e i s T a t i a n s f u l l
s tate me n t:
Fo r ju s t as, n o t e xi sti n g be f o r e I was bo r n , I kn e w n o t wh o I was,
a n d o n l y e xi ste d i n th e po te n ti al i ty (hupostasis) o f f l esh l y matte r , bu t
be i n g bo r n , af te r a f o r me r state o f n o th i n gn e ss, I h ave o bta i n e d th r o u gh
my bi r th a ce r tai n ty o f my e xi ste n ce ; i n th e same way, h avi n g be e n bo r n ,
an d th r o u gh d e ath e xi sti n g n o l o n ge r , an d seen n o l o n ge r , I sh al l e xi st
agai n , ju s t as be f o r e I was n o t, bu t was af te r war d s bo r n . 2
T h e n h e ad d s th at, th o u gh af te r d e ath o th e r s may n o t
kn o w wh e r e th e y ar e sto r e d u p, ye t Go d th e So ve r e i gn , wh e n
He pl ease s [at th e r e s u r r e cti o n ], wi l l r e s to r e th e su bstan ce [th e
bo d y] th a t i s vi si bl e to Hi m al o n e to i ts pr i s ti n e co n d i ti o n . 3
T h e l an gu age i s u n mi s takabl e i n d e ath th e r e i s n o mo r e
kn o wl e d ge th an th e r e was be f o r e a man was bo r n . I n o th e r
wo r d s, h e te ach e s th e u n co n sci o u s state o f man i n d e a th a
pe r i o d o f n o n e xi s te n ce , to be br o ke n by th e r e s u r r e cti o n . T h e n
h e e xi sts agai n .
2. Si n a n d D e a t h C o me T h r o u g h F r e e C h o i ce . I n ch a p-
2T ati an , Address to the Greeks, ch ap. 6, i n ANF, vol . 2, p. 67.
2Ibid.
C ONT I NUED C ONDI T I ONAL I ST WIT NESS 837
te r se ve n , T h e Fal l o f Man , T a t i a n says th a t Go d cr e ate d
man an i mage o f i mmo r tal i ty, wi th o u t si n o r co r r u pti o n , th a t
h e mi gh t h ave th e i mmo r tal i ty pr i n ci pl e al so . T h e Lo go s
was al so th e Fr ame r o f an ge l s, wh o we r e f r e e to act as th e y
ch o se . Man , wi th th e same f r e e d o m, i s to be br o u gh t to pe r f e c
t i o n t h r o u gh h i s f r e e d o m o f ch o i ce . T h u s th e bad wi l l
be ju s tl y pu n i s h e d , wh i l e th e ju s t wi l l r e ce i ve t h e i r r e war d .
T h u s , su ch i s th e co n s ti tu ti o n o f th i n gs i n r e f e r e n ce to an ge l s
a n d me n . I t i s th e r e f o r e n o t f ate , bu t th e ch o i ce o f f r e e
age n ts , t h a t d e te r mi n e s th e f u tu r e . T h u s i t was th a t th r o u gh
si n man be came mo r t a l / T h i s l a t te r po i n t co n ce r n i n g f ate
i s ampl i f i e d i n ch apte r e l e ve n , T h e Si n o f Me n Du e No t to
Fate , bu t to Fr e e -Wi l l . He r e , h e says, be cau se o f th e Fal l
th e r e i s o n e d e ath f o r al l . T h e n co me s T a t i a n s appe al :
Di e to th e wo r l d , r e pu d i a ti n g th e mad n e ss th a t i s i n i t. Li ve to Go d ,
a n d by a ppr e h e n d i n g Hi m l ay asi d e yo u r o l d n atu r e . We we r e n o t cr e ate d
to d i e , bu t we d i e by o u r o wn f au l t. Ou r f r e e-wi l l h as d e str o ye d us; we
wh o we r e f r e e h ave be co me sl aves; we h ave be e n so l d th r o u gh si n. No th i n g
e vi l h as be e n cr e ate d by Go d ; we o u r se l ve s h ave man i f e ste d wi cke dness;
bu t we, wh o h ave man i f e ste d i t, ar e abl e agai n to r e je ct i t. B
3. S o u l N o t I t s e l f I m m o r t a l , b u t M o r t a l .
T a t i a n s u n e qu i vo cal d e cl ar ati o n th a t th e so u l i s n o t i n n ate l y,
i n h e r e n tl y i mmo r tal appe ar s i n ch apte r th i r te e n . Y e t i t i s
po ssi bl e n o t to d i e f o r e ve r mo r e . T wi ce th e d e te r mi n ati ve
i f i s i n tr o d u ce d . I f i t si ns i t d i e s, a n d i s d i sso l ve d wi th
th e bo d y, ye t i t r i se s agai n at l ast at th e e n d o f th e wo r l d .
Bu t if i t acqu i r e s a savi n g kn o wl e d ge o f Go d , i t d i e s n o t
i n th e e te r n al se co n d d e ath th o u gh f o r a ti me i t be d i s
s o l ve d . T h e so u l i s n o t o f i tse l f l i gh t, bu t d ar kn e s s . T h e
l i gh t co me s f r o m Go d . He r e agai n i s T a t i a n s f u l l s tate me n t:
"T h e so u l i s not in itself immortal, O Greeks, but mortal. Yet i t i s
po ssi bl e f o r i t n o t to d i e . If, i n d e e d , i t kn o ws n o t th e tr u th , i t di es, an d i s
d i sso l ve d wi th th e bo d y, bu t r i ses agai n at l ast at th e e n d o f th e wo r l d
wi th th e bo d y, r e ce i vi n g d e a th by pu n i s h me n t i n i mmo r tal i ty. Bu t, agai n ,
if i t acqu i r e s th e kn o wl e d ge o f Go d, i t d i e s n o t, al th o u gh f o r a ti me i t be
d i sso l ve d . I n i tse l f i t i s d ar kn e ss, an d th e r e i s n o th i n g l u mi n o u s i n i t. An d
th i s i s th e me an i n g o f th e sayi ng, T h e d ar kn e ss co mpr e h e n d e th n o t th e
l i gh t. Fo r th e so u l d o e s n o t pr e se r ve th e spi r i t, bu t i s pr e se r ve d by i t, an d
d i e l i gh t co mpr e h e n d s th e d ar kn e ss. *
Eve r yth i n g d e pe n d s o n th e r e l a ti o n o f th e so u l to th e
Di vi n e Spi r i t. Ho we ve r , T h e Spi r i t o f Go d i s n o t wi th al l ,
bu t take s u p Hi s abo d e o n l y wi th th o se wh o l i ve ju s tl y. 7
I t i s to be n o te d th at th e ph r ase s pu n i s h me n t i n i mmo r
tal i ty, an d l ate r pai n f u l wi th i mmo r tal i ty, d e vi ate f r o m
th e ph r ase o l o gy o f th e Ne w T e s ta me n t. T h e r e o n l y th e si mpl e
te r m i mmo r ta l i ty a n d i ts e qu i val e n ts i n co r r u pti bi l i t y a n d
e te r n al l i f e ar e u se d to d e scr i be th e e te r n al state o f th e
bl e sse d . So we see T a t i a n i s be gi n n i n g to e mpl o y, a n d appr o ach ,
th e l an gu age o f Pl ato , wi th wh i ch h e was f ami l i ar .
4. P u n i s h m e n t o f D e mo n s V e r s u s P u n i s h m e n t o f M e n .
I n ch a pte r f o u r te e n (T h e De mo n s Sh al l Be Pu n i s h e d Mo r e
Se ve r e l y T h a n Me n ) T a t i a n d e cl ar e s th a t th e d e mo n s d o
n o t d i e l i ke me n , bu t wi l l su f f e r gr e ate r pu n i s h me n t. T h e y
wi l l n o t par take o f e ve r l as ti n g l i f e a n d bl e sse d i mmo r ta l i ty.
T h e y wi l l h ave gr e a te r pu n i s h me n t, o wi n g to t h e i r bo u n d l e ss
e xi s te n ce . He uses th e n e w e xpr e ssi o n pa i n f u l wi th
i mmo r ta l i ty. 8
An d i n ch a pte r si xte e n T a t i a n o bse r ve s:
Bu t f r o m us th e th i n gs wh i ch ar e i n th e wo r l d ar e n o t h i d d e n , an d
th e d i vi n e i s easi l y a ppr e h e n d e d by us i f th e po we r th a t makes so ul s
i mmo r tal vi si ts u s. 6
5. P a ga n C o n f u s i o n V e r s u s C h r i s t i a n C o n s i s t e n cy a n d
T r u t h . Di scu ssi n g, i n ch apte r twe nty-f i ve , th e qu ar r e l s o f th e
ph i l o s o ph e r s th o se th at f o l l o w th e d o ctr i n e s o f Pl ato , Epi
cu r u s , Ar i sto tl e , Pyth ago r as, an d Ph e r e cyd e sT a t i a n state s th a t
Ar i s to tl e i mpu gn s th e i mmo r tal i ty o f th e s o u l . Bu t th e d o c
tr i n e s o f th e se ph i l o s o ph e r s cl ash wi th o n e a n o th e r i n f atal
d i sh ar mo n y. On e says, T h e wo r l d i s i n d e s tr u cti bl e , bu t
9 Ibid., ch a p. 13, p. 70. (I ta l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
7I bid., p. 71.
8 I b id ., ch a p. 14, p. 71.
8I b id ., ch a p. 16, p. 72.
T a t i a n war n s, I t i s to be d e s tr o ye d . On e says th e r e wi l l be
man y co n f l agr ati o n s , wh i l e T a t i a n mai n tai n s th a t i t wi l l co me
o n ce f o r a l l . T h e ph i l o so ph e r s say th at th e so u l al o n e i s
e n d o we d wi th i mmo r ta l i ty, wh i l e T a t i a n h o l d s th at, th r o u gh
th e r e s u r r e cti o n , th e f l esh al so wi l l be e n d o we d wi th i t .
He r e i s h i s f u l l s tate me n t:
On e o f yo u asser ts th a t Go d i s bo d y, bu t I asser t th a t He i s wi th o u t
bo d y; th a t d i e wo r l d i s i n d e str u cti bl e , bu t I say th a t i t i s to be d e str o ye d ;
t h a t a co n f l agr ati o n wi l l take pl ace at var i o u s ti mes, bu t I say th a t i t wi l l
co me to pass o n ce f o r al l ; th a t Mi n o s an d Rh ad aman th u s ar e ju d ge s, bu t
I say th a t Go d Hi mse l f i s J u d ge ; th a t th e so ul al o n e i s e n d o we d wi th
i mmo r tal i ty, bu t I say th a t ti re f l esh al so i s e n d o we d wi th i t. 10
T h a t was T a t i a n s co n ci se te sti mo n y as to th e n a tu r e o f
man , wr i tte n wh e n asso ci ate d wi th J u s ti n an d s h ar i n g h i s vi ews.
T h e pa tt e r n o f h i s e sch ato l o gy i s th u s e vi d e n tat th e cata
s tr o ph i c e n d o f th e wo r l d co me th e r e s u r r e cti o n o f th e r i gh te o u s
a n d th e be sto wal o f i mmo r tal i ty.
6. P l a c e T r u s t i n S c r i p t u r e ; F o l l o w F a t h e r o f I m m o r
t a l i t y . He cl o ses, i n ch apte r twe n ty-n i n e , wi th an acco u n t o f
h i s co n ve r si o n . Af te r tr yi n g o u t th e f o i bl e s o f pagan ph i l o so ph y,
h e so u gh t h o w h e mi gh t be abl e to d i sco ve r th e t r u t h . T h e n
h e f o u n d th e Ol d T e s ta me n t Scr i ptu r e s a n d was
l e d to pu t f ai th i n th e se by th e u n pr e te n d i n g cast o f th e l an gu age , th e
i n ar ti f i ci al ch ar acte r o f th e wr i te r s, th e f o r e kn o wl e d ge d i spl aye d o f f u tu r e
e ve n ts, th e e xce l l e n t qu al i ty o f th e pr e ce pts, an d th e d e cl ar ati o n o f th e
go ve r n me n t o f th e u n i ve r se as ce n tr e d i n o n e Be i n g. u
T h u s h e was tau gh t o f Go d , a n d r e scu e d f r o m e r r o r .
So, h e says, h e pu t away h i s f o r me r e r r o r s co n ce r n i n g th e h e r e
af te r , be l i e vi n g t h a t wi cke d n e ss wi l l f i n al l y be d e str o ye d . T h i s
was th e h i d d e n tr e a s u r e th a t T a t i a n f o u n d .13An d th i s t r u e
ph i l o so ph y, r e ve al e d by Moses, i s o l d e r th an th a t o f Ho me r
a n d th e Gr e e ks (ch apte r th i r ty-o n e ). So h e co n cl u d e s by to u ch
i n g agai n u po n Go d as th e Fa th e r o f i mmo r tal i ty.
Fo r h avi n g r e n o u n ce d th e po pu l a r an d e ar th l y, an d o be yi n g th e com-
10Ibid., ch a p. 25, p. 76.
11Ibid., ch a p. 29, p. 77.
12Ibid., ch a p. 30, p. 77.
T a ti a n So ul No t Immo r tal bu t Mor- T h e o ph i l u s Man C r e ate d a C an d i d ate
tal ; No n e xi ste n t i n De ath ; Agai n Ex- f o r Immo r tal i ty; to Seek f o r Im-
i s te n t T h r o u gh Re su r r e cti o n . mo r tal i ty.
man d s o f Go d , an d f o l l o wi n g th e l aw o f th e Fath e r o f i mmo r tal i ty, we
r e je ct e ve r yth i n g wh i ch r e sts u po n h u man o pi n i o n . 13
T h a t i s th e wi tn e ss o f T a t i a n s te sti mo n y.
I I I . T h e o ph i l u s o f Anti o ch Man C r e ate d a C an d i d ate
f o r Immo r tal i ty
I t wi l l be r e me mbe r e d th a t i t was at An ti o ch , i n th e ch u r ch
r ai se d u p by th e apo stl e s, th a t th e e ar l y f o l l o we r s o f C h r i st
we r e f i r st cal l e d C h r i sti an s .14An d T h e o ph i l u s (d i e d c. a .d . 180)
i s l i s te d as be co mi n g th e si xth bi sh o p o f An ti o ch , a bo u t a .d .
168, i n su cce ssi o n to Eu o d i u s. Acco r d i n g to th e r e co r d s, by th e
cl o se o f th e t h i r d ce n tu r y An ti o ch was o n e o f th e l ar ge st
C h r i s ti an ch u r ch e s i n th e Ro man Empi r e . T h e s tate me n ts o f
su ch a l e ad e r th e r e f o r e car r y co n s i d e r abl e we i gh t i n o u r qu e st.
13Ibid., ch ap. 32, p. 78.
M Acts 11:22-26.
840
T h e o ph i l u s was e d u cate d as a pagan , bu t te l l s us h e was
co n ve r te d to C h r i s ti an i ty by th e r e ad i n g o f th e Scr i ptu r e s.
Hi s n u me r o u s wr i ti n gs, e xta n t at th e ti me o f Eu se bi u s an d
J e r o me , i n cl u d e d a co mme n tar y o n th e Go spe l s a n d a tr e ati se
agai n st h e r e si e s, bo th o f wh i ch h ave be e n l o st. T h e o ph i l u s
mai n wo r k, h i s apo l o gy f o r C h r i s ti an i ty, i s i n th e f o r m o f a
l e n gth y l e t te r ad d r e sse d to a pagan f r i e n d n ame d Au to l ycu s,
an i d o l a te r a n d s co me r o f C h r i s ti an s . 16 T h e o ph i l u s state s
th a t h e wr i te s as an avo we d C h r i s ti an . T h i s tr e ati se i s a d e tai l e d
e xami n ati o n o f th e e vi d e n ce s o f C h r i s ti an i ty d e r i ve d f r o m
Scr i ptu r e a n d h i sto r y, a n d a car e f u l e xpo s i ti o n o f C h r i s ti an
d o ctr i n e s. I t was d e si gn e d to co n vi n ce Au to l ycu s o f th e abs u r d
i ti e s o f pagan i sm an d th e t r u t h o f C h r i s ti an i ty. I t was a l e ar n e d
wo r k, sh o wi n g th e f ami l i ar i ty o f th e a u th o r wi th th e Gr e e k
cl assi cs. Mo r e i mpo r ta n t, acco r d i n g to Bi sh o p C o xe , i t r e ve al e d
a pr o f o u n d acqu ai n tan ce wi th th e i n s pi r e d wr i ti n gs .
T h e o ph i l u s was a d i sci pl e o f Po l ycar p o f Smyr n a, wh o
was al so a C o n d i ti o n al i s t. He was l i ke wi se a co n te mpo r ar y o f
Ath e n ago r as, u n d e r wh o m si gn i f i can t d e par tu r e s we r e appe ar
i n g. (Fo r T h e o ph i l u s ch r o n o l o gi cal an d cate go r i cal pl ace me n t,
see T a bu l a r C h a r t F, o n page 758.) T h e e vi d e n ce i s o ve r wh e l m
i n g th a t T h e o ph i l u s d i d n o t be l i e ve i n th e i n n ate o r i n h e r e n t
i mmo r tal i ty o f man , h o l d i n g i n ste ad th a t we ar e i mmo r tal i ze d
o n l y by a n d i n C h r i st. He l i ke wi se e n u n ci a te d a n o th e r f u n d a
me n tal pr i n ci pl e o f C o n d i ti o n al i s mth a t Go d cr e ate d Ad am
n e i t h e r mo r ta l (th at i s, ce r tai n to d i e ) n o r ye t i mmo r tal (th a t
i s, ce r tai n n o t to d i e ), bu t cr e ate d h i m capabl e o f e i t h e r d e sti n y,
a n d mas te r o f h i s o wn f ate . An d h e f u r t h e r tau gh t t h a t th e
pe n al ty f o r si n i s te r mi n a bl e th a t th e tr u e pe n al ty o f si n i s
e n d l e ss be cau se i t i s f i n al d e s tr u cti o n , f r o m wh i ch th e r e i s n o
r e t u r n .
T h e o ph i l u s , i t s h o u l d be state d , wr o te h i s apo l o gy be f o r e
th e Ne o pl ato n i c ph i l o so ph y, al r e ad y be gi n n i n g to f i n d i ts way
i n to th e ch u r ch , h ad be e n wi d e l y acce pte d . I t i s to be n o te d th a t
16Theophilus to Autolycus, book 1, ch ap. 1, i n ANF, vol . 2, p. 89.
n o o n e ce n s u r e d T h e o ph i l u s f o r h i s avo we d po si ti o n o n th e
n a tu r e a n d d e sti n y o f man , f o r wh at h e t au gh t f r o m so h i gh
a po st was s ti l l th e r e ce i ve d an d o r th o d o x d o ctr i n e o f man yi f
n o t, i n d e e d , s ti l l th e majo r i ty vi e w at th a t ti me . Bu t th e
r i s i n g ti d e o f a r ad i cal l y d i f f e r e n t co n ce pt h ad al r e ad y se t i n ,
d e s ti n e d e r e l o n g to o ve r wh e l m th e e ar l i e r po si ti o n o f th e
Apo sto l i c Fath e r s. T h e t u r n i n g po i n t i n th i s ar e a o f th e f ai th
o f th e ch u r ch was i mme d i ate l y ah e ad .
IV. Immo r tal i ty C o n f e r r e d o n Ri gh teo us; De str u cti o n
Is Fate o f Wi cke d
Assu r i n g Au to l ycu s th a t th e eyes o f th e so u l mu s t be pu r ge d
i n o r d e r to see Go d a n d u n d e r s ta n d l i gh t, T h e o ph i l u s pr e se n ts
th e i n co mpar abl e n a tu r e a n d a tt r i bu t e s o f Go d th e f ath e r
o f th e r i gh te o u s a n d ju d ge a n d pu n i s h e r o f th e i mpi o u s . 1"
Go d , wh o e s tabl i s h e d th e e ar th , su stai n s th e u n i ve r se , a n d gi ves
l i gh t to th o se wh o ar e i n d ar kn e ss, i s wi th o u t be gi n n i n g,
an d i s u n ch a n ge abl e an d immortal. He i s th e Fas h i o n e r
a n d Make r o f al l th i n gs, be cau se He i s th e cr e ato r an d make r
o f th e u n i ve r s e . 17C h apte r si x i s h e ad e d Go d Is Kn o wn by
Hi s Wo r ks , i n th e h e ave n s a n d o n th e e ar th . T h a t i s th e
pr e ambl e .
1. M o r t a l i t y P u t O f f ; I m m o r t a l i t y P u t O n .
C o mi n g d i r e ctl y to th e i mmo r tal i ty i ssue, ch apte r se ve n i s
ti tl e d , We Sh al l See Go d Wh e n We Pu t On I mmo r ta l i ty.
Af te r po r tr ayi n g Go d s cr e ati ve po we r , wh o se br e ath yo u
br e a t h e , T h e o ph i l u s appe al s to Au to l ycu s to e n tr u s t yo u r se l f
to th e Ph ys i ci an , wh o h e al s a n d make s al i ve . He t h e n po r
tr ays th e co mi n g ch an ge o f th o se wh o l i ve h o l i l y, a n d r i gh t
e o u sl y, f r o m mo r ta l i ty to i mmo r ta l i ty, to take pl ace wh e n
we sh al l see th e I mmo r ta l On e f ace to f ace. He r e i s T h e o ph i l u s
cl e ar d e cl ar ati o n :
C ONT I NUED C ONDI T I ONALI ST WIT NESS 843
Wh e n th o u sh al t h ave pu t of f th e mo r tal , an d pu t o n i n co r r u pti o n ,
th e n s h al t th o u see Go d wo r th i l y. Fo r Go d wi l l r ai se th y f l esh i mmo r tal
wi th th y so u l ; an d th e n , having become immortal, th o u sh al t see th e
I mmo r tal , if yo u n o w be l i e ve o n h i m. 18
T h i s i s, o f co u r se , at th e r e s u r r e cti o n an d Se co n d Ad ve n t.
2. S e e k I m m o r t a l i t y ; E s ca pe E t e r n a l P u n i s h m e n t s .
Di scu ssi n g th e r e s u r r e cti o n , T h e o ph i l u s state s po i n te d l y, to
Au to l ycu s, Bu t yo u d o n o t be l i e ve th a t th e d e ad ar e r ai s e d .
An d h e ad d s, Wh e n th e r e s u r r e cti o n sh al l take pl ace , th e n
yo u wi l l be l i e ve , wh e th e r yo u wi l l o r n o . An d h e r e mi n d s
Au to l ycu s, He cr e ate d yo u o u t o f n o th i n g, a n d br o u gh t yo u
i n to e xi s te n ce . 19Be cause Go d i s abl e to ef f ect th e ge n e r al
r e s u r r e cti o n o f al l me n , 20He i s e qu al l y abl e to f o r e te l l th i n gs
f u t u r e i n th e o r d e r i n wh i ch th e y sh al l be acco mpl i sh e d .
T h e o ph i l u s th e n so l e mn l y d e cl ar e s to h i s pagan f r i e n d ,
i f yo u co n ti n u e u n be l i e vi n g, yo u wi l l be co n vi n ce d , th o u gh
to o l ate , wh e n to r me n te d wi th e te r n al pu n i s h me n ts , wh i ch
ar e l i ke wi se f o r e to l d by th e pr o ph e ts . T h e n h e appe al s to
Au to l ycu s to e scape th e pu n i s h me n ts th a t ar e to l i gh t u po n
th e pr o f an e a n d u n be l i e vi n g. 21He e n tr e ats :
Bu t d o yo u al so, i f yo u pl e ase , gi ve r e ve r e n ti al a t te n t i o n to th e
pr o ph e ti c Scr i ptu r e s, an d th e y wi l l make yo u r way pl ai n e r f o r e scapi n g th e
e t e r n al pu n i sh me n ts, an d o bta i n i n g th e e te r n al pr i ze s o f Go d . 22
Hi s r e f e r e n ce i s, o f co u r se , to i mmo r tal i ty i n C h r i st.
T h e o ph i l u s th e n pl ai n l y d e cl ar e s t h a t to th o se wh o by
pa ti e n t co n ti n u an ce i n we l l -d o i n g seek i mmo r tal i ty, He wi l l
gi ve l i f e e ve r l asti n g, jo y, pe ace , r e s t. Bu t to th e u n be l i e vi n g
a n d d e spi se r s, h e ad d s, th e r e sh al l be . . . t r i bu l a t i o n an d
an gu i s h , a n d a t th e l ast e ve r l asti n g f i r e sh al l possess [sei ze]
su ch me n . 23 Bu t h e do e s n o t say e n d l e ss pu n i s h i n g. Rath e r ,
th e f i r e wo u l d make an e n d o f th e wi cke d , wh e n o n ce th e i r
r e t r i bu t i o n f o r si n was co mpl e te . T h e o ph i l u s , i t i s to be bo r n e
i n mi n d , pl ace s e ve r l asti n g pu n i s h me n t al o n g wi th th e doc-
M I b id. , ch a p. 7, p. 91.
19I b i d . , ch a p. 8, p. 91.
20I b id . , ch a p. 13, p. 93.
21I bid., ch a p. 14, p. 93.
22Ibid.
22Ibid.
t r i n e o f n o n i mmo r ta l i ty o f th e so u l , as d i d J u s ti n . T h e t r u e
pe n al ty f o r si n i s f i n al d e ath , f r o m wh i ch th e r e i s n o r e t u r n .
Sch o l ar l y Fr e d e r i ck A. Fr e e r make s a s o u n d d i s ti n cti o n be twe e n
th e e n d l e ss l oss o f l i f e , an d th e to tal l y d i f f e r e n t e n d l e ss l i f e
o f l o ss. 2i An d th i s was n o t a pl ay o n wo r d s bu t th e s tate me n t
o f a pr o f o u n d t r u t h .
3. P r e s e n t s F o u n d a t i o n a l B a s e s f o r F a i t h . I n bo o k two ,
ch a pte r f o u r , T h e o ph i l u s ci te s Pl ato as te ach i n g t h a t bo th
Go d a n d ma t te r ar e u n cr e a te d a n d u n a l te r a bl e . T h e r e f o r e ,
i f ma t te r be u n cr e a te d an d u n a l te r a bl e , i t i s e qu al to Go d ,
f o r t h a t wh i ch i s cr e ate d i s mu ta bl e a n d a l te r a bl e . Bu t
T h e o ph i l u s co n te n d s th at o u t o f th i n gs th a t ar e n o t He
cr e ate s an d h as cr e ate d th i n gs th a t a r e . 25
I n ch apte r n i n e (T h e Pr o ph e ts I n s pi r e d by th e Ho l y
Gh o s t) T h e o ph i l u s di scusses th e r o l e o f th e pr o ph e t, d e cl ar i n g
th a t th e pr o ph e ts we r e Go d -tau gh t, a n d as i n s tr u me n ts o f
Go d th e y n o t o n l y d e cl ar e d th e t r u t h r e gar d i n g th e cr e ati o n
o f th e wo r l d a n d al l o th e r th i n gs bu t pr e d i cte d th i n gs to co me .
An d be cau se th e y d e cl ar e d wh at h a ppe n e d be f o r e th e i r day,
a n d wh at th i n gs ar e n o w be i n g f u l f i l l e d i n o u r o wn day:
wh e r e f o r e we ar e pe r s u ad e d al so co n ce r n i n g th e f u tu r e th i n gs
t h a t th e y wi l l f al l o u t, as al so th e f i r st h ave be e n
acco mpl i s h e d . 20
4. N a t u r e a n d P e r i l o f U n f a l l e n M a n i n E d e n . T h e
same i n s pi r e d pr o ph e ts d e cl ar e t h a t Go d mad e al l th i n gs o u t
o f n o th i n g; f o r n o t h i n g i s co e val wi th Go d . 27C r e ati o n we e k,
a n d th e wo r k o f e ach day, i n cl u d i n g th e cr e ati o n o f man ,
ar e t h e n pr e s e n te d i n ch apte r s e l e ve n to se ve n te e n , base d o n
Ge n e si s 1 a n d 2. I n ch apte r e i gh te e n T h e C r e ati o n o f Man
i s se t f o r th , a n d t h e n ma n s pl ace me n t i n Par ad i se (ch apte r
n i n e te e n ), i n wh i ch state man be came a l i vi n g so u l . Be cause
o f th i s e xpr e ssi o n , T h e o ph i l u s says, By mo st pe r so n s th e
24Fr e d e r i ck A. Fr e e r , T o Live or Not to Live, p. 87.
25Theophilus to Autolycus, bo o k 2, ch a p. 4, i n ANF , vo l . 2, p. 95.
28Ibid. , ch a p. 9, p. 97.
27I b id. , ch a p. 10, p. 98.
so u l i s cal l e d i mmo r ta l . 28 Bu t th i s h e di scusses so o n. T h e
co n d i ti o n s o f th e save d i n Par ad i se ar e pr e s e n te d i n ch apte r
twe n ty.
Ne xt f o l l o ws th e Ge n e si s acco u n t Of th e Fal l o f Man
(ch apte r twe n ty-o n e )th e Gar d e n an d i ts tr e e s, a n d th e tr e e
o f l i f e , f r o m wh i ch man was to e at. Pr o vi si o n was th u s mad e
f o r th e pr e s e r vati o n o f l i f e . On l y o f th e tr e e o f th e kn o wl e d ge
o f go o d a n d e vi l was Ad am co mman d e d n o t to tas te . He r e
i n th e Gar d e n man was to pe r f e ct ch ar acte r , an d to ad van ce
a n d co me i n to po ssessi o n o f i mmo r tal i ty, f o r , T h e o ph i l u s
ad d s, man h ad be e n mad e a mi d d l e n a tu r e , n e i t h e r wh o l l y
mo r tal , n o r al to ge th e r i mmo r tal , bu t capable of either. 29
5. E xpe l l e d F r o m Ed e n L e s t H e R e ma i n i n Si n F o r e ve r .
Par ad i se was th e r e f o r e i n te r me d i a te be twe e n e a r th a n d
h e ave n . On l y th e o bse r van ce o f Go d s co mman d was r e qu i r e d ,
l est, d i so be yi n g, h e s h o u l d d e str o y h i mse l f , as i n d e e d h e d i d
d e str o y h i mse l f , by s i n . 30 T h e n f o l l o ws ch apte r twe n ty-f i ve
wi th i ts d e cl ar ati o n th a t f o r th e f i r st man , d i so be d i e n ce pr o
cu r e d h i s e xpu l s i o n f r o m Par ad i s e , an d , f r o m h i s d i so be d i e n ce
d i d man d r aw, as f r o m a f o u n ta i n , l abo u r , pai n , gr i e f , an d
a t l ast f al l a pr e y to d e a th . 31 He was n o t to l i ve f o r e ve r
i n si n .
6. R et u r n s t o Pa r a d i se A f t er R es u r r ec t i o n a n d I mmo r
t a l i z a t i o n .I n ch apte r twe n ty-si x T h e o ph i l u s pl ai n l y says,
co n ce r n i n g ma n s e xpu l s i o n f r o m Par ad i se , Go d sh o we d a
gr e at ki n d n e ss to man i n th i s, th a t He d i d n o t su f f e r h i m to
r e ma i n i n si n f o r e ve r , bu t by ban i s h me n t, cast h i m o u t
o f Par ad i s e , af te r war d to be r e s to r e d . Bu t Par ad i se i s twi ce
po r tr aye d , th e f i r st wh e r e i n man was i n i ti a l l y pl ace d , an d th e
se co n d , to wh i ch h e wi l l be r e s to r e d after th e r e s u r r e cti o n
a n d ju d gme n t. 32 T h u s , l i ke a po t t e r s vessel , man th r o u gh
a f l aw be came br o ke n , a n d h ad to be mad e o ve r . An d h e
28Ibid., ch ap. 19, p. 102.
-Ibid., ch ap. 24, p. 104.
80Ibid.
31Ibid., ch ap. 25, p. 104.
32 Ibid., ch ap. 26, pp. 104, 105.
i mme d i ate l y ad d s th a t i n th e same way man may r i se i n th e
r e s u r r e cti o n wh o l e ; I me an spo tl e ss, a n d r i gh te o u s, a n d
i mmo r ta l . 33
So i n Go d s cal l to Ad am i n Ed e n , He gave h i m an
o ppo r tu n i ty o f r e pe n tan ce a n d co n f e ssi o n . 84T h u s Go d pr o
vi d e d th e way to i mmo r tal i ty.
7. I mmo r t a l i t y a R e wa r d , N o t a n O r i gi n a l Po s s e s s i o n .
T h e s h o r t ch a pte r twe n ty-se ve n , o n T h e Na t u r e o f Man ,
i s so vi tal to o u r qu e s t t h a t we qu o te i t i n e n ti r e tysi mpl y
br e aki n g i t i n to two se cti o n s. Fi r st, T h e o ph i l u s d e al s wi th
ma n s n a tu r e at C r e ati o n , i n wh i ch h e r e pe ats an d e mph asi ze s
th e t h o u gh t o f th e se n te n ce qu o te d f r o m ch apte r twe n ty-f o u r
Fo r man h ad be e n mad e . . . n e i t h e r wh o l l y mo r tal , n o r
a l to ge th e r i mmo r tal , bu t capabl e o f e i t h e r , th u s wi th a l t e r n a
ti ve d e sti n i e s o pe n be f o r e h i m.
I n th i s vi ew h e i s f o l l o we d by Ir e n ae u s, Ar n o bi u s, Lac-
tan ti u s , a n d Ne me si s, i n th e se co n d , f o u r th , a n d si xth ce n tu r i e s .
I t i s a r e cu r r i n g t h o u gh t t h a t Go d d i d n o t a r bi tr a r i l y cr e ate
man mo r tal o r i mmo r tal , bu t capabl e o f e i th e r , a n d th u s a
can d i d ate f o r e i th e r , acco r d i n g to h i s ch o i ce a n d acti o n . T h e
o ph i l u s h e r e e xpan d s th i s th o u gh t:
But some o ne wi l l say to us, Was man made by n atu r e mo rtal ? C er
tai nl y no t. Was h e, th e n , i mmortal ? Ne i d i e r do we af f i rm th i s. But o ne wi l l
say, Was h e, th e n , n o th i ng? No t even th i s h i ts th e mark. He was by nature
neither mortal nor immortal. Fo r i f He h ad made h i m i mmo r tal f ro m th e
be gi nni ng, He wo ul d h ave made h i m God [l i ke]. Agai n, i f He h ad made
h i m mo r tal , Go d wo ul d seem to be th e cause o f h i s d e ath . Ne i th e r , th en,
i mmo r tal n o r yet mo r tal d i d He make h i m, but, as we h ave sai d above,
capable of both; so th at i f h e sh o ul d i ncl i ne to th e th i ngs of i mmo r tal i ty,
ke e pi n g th e co mman dme n t of God, h e sh o ul d recei ve as reward f rom Hi m
i mmo r tal i ty, an d sh o ul d become Go d [l i ke];85bu t i f , o n ti re o th e r h an d ,
h e sh o ul d tu r n to th e th i ngs o f d e ath , di so beyi ng God, h e sh o ul d h i msel f
be th e cause o f d e ath to h i msel f . 38
So acco r d i n g to T h e o ph i l u s man was n o t cr e ate d i mmo r tal ,
bu t immortable, o r immortizable, as so me ph r ase i t. An d i m
mo r ta l i ty i s a r e war d , n o t a n a tu r a l r i gh t.
33Ibid., p. 105.
3* Ibid.
36 Genetai theos, l i teral l y, become a eo d.
Ibid., ch ap. 27, p. 105.
8. M a n C h o o s e s E i t h e r E ve r l a s t i n g L i f e , o r D e a t h .
T h e se co n d h al f o f th i s l i ttl e ch apte r d e al s wi th ma n s f r e e
d o m o f th e wi l l , a n d h i s r e s po n s i bi l i ty f o r h i s o wn f ate
be cau se o f o be d i e n ce an d r e s u l ta n t l i f e e ve r l asti n g a n d i n co r
r u pti o n , th r o u gh th e r e s u r r e cti o n , o r o f d i so be d i e n ce a n d d e ath .
Be cau se o f d i so be d i e n ce man f o r f e i te d i mmo r tal i ty. Bu t i n
me r cy Go d gave o ppo r tu n i ty to acqu i r e l i f e e ve r l as ti n g
th r o u gh o be d i e n ce to th e go spe l a n d th e l aw o f Go d . T h e -
o ph i l u s co n ti n u e s :
Fo r Go d made man f ree, an d wi th po wer over h i msel f . T h at, th e n ,
wh i ch man br o u gh t u po n h i msel f th r o u gh carel essness and di so bedi ence,
th i s God now vouch saf es to h i m as a gift th r o u gh Hi s own ph i l an th r o py
an d pi ty, wh en men obey Hi m. Fo r as man, di sobeyi ng, drew d e ath u po n
h i msel f ; so, o beyi ng th e wi l l o f God, h e wh o desi res i s abl e to procure
f or h i msel f l i f e everl asti ng. Fo r Go d h as gi ven us a l aw an d h o l y com
man d me n ts; an d every o ne wh o keeps th ese can be saved, and, o btai n i n g
th e r esur r ecti o n, can i n h e r i t i n co r r u pti o n [i mmo r tal i ty]. 37
Go d th e r e f o r e co n f e r r e d u po n man th e su pr e me pr i vi l e ge
o f l i be r ty, bu t l i be r ty can n o t e xi st wi th o u t th e n e ce ssi ty o f
ch o i ce ch o i ce o f l i f e o r d e ath . An e n f o r ce d i mmo r tal i ty wo u l d
n u l l i f y th at d i vi n e l y i mpl an te d f r e e d o m.
9. R i gh t e o u s t o E s ca pe E t e r n a l P u n i s h me n t s .C h a pte r
twe n ty-e i gh t to u ch e s o n Eve s te mpte r , Satan th e s e r pe n t, th e
a u th o r o f si n. He be came d e mo n a n d d r ago n , o n acco u n t
o f h i s . . . r e vo l ti n g f r o m Go d , f o r at f i r st Satan was an
an ge l . 38T h e o ph i l u s th e n te l l s o f th e af te r math o f ma n s e x
pu l s i o n f r o m Ed e n , r e ve al e d t h r o u gh th e h o l y pr o ph e ts . 38He
d e cl ar e s th a t Go d d i d n o t a ba n d o n man ki n d , bu t gave a l aw,
a n d s e n t h o l y pr o ph e ts to d r aw me n back to Go d . An d h e ad d s
t h a t h e wh o acts r i gh te o u sl y sh al l e scape th e e te r n al pu n i s h
me n ts, a n d be th o u gh t worthy of the eternal life from God.
10. W i cke d C o n s u me d i n F i n a l C o n f l a gr a t i o n .He
al l u d e s, i n ch apte r th i r ty-se ve n , to th e pr i n ci pl e t h a t e vi l -d o e r s
mu s t n e ce ssar i l y be pu n i s h e d in proportion to t h e i r d e e d s,
37Ibid. (Ital i cs suppl i ed.)
38 Ibid., ch ap. 28, p. 105.
Ibid., ch ap. 33, p. 107.
a n d th e n me n ti o n s th e co mi n g co n f l agr ati o n o f th e wo r l d ,
i n acco r d an ce wi th th e te sti mo n y o f th e pr o ph e ts . 41I n ch apte r
th i r ty-e i gh t h e ad d s: C o n ce r n i n g th e bu r n i n g u p o f th e wo r l d ,
Mal ach i th e pr o ph e t f o r e to l d : T h e d ay o f th e Lo r d co me th
as a bu r n i n g o ve n , an d sh al l consume al l th e wi cke d . 49
11. Go d s C a r e f o r t h e De a d . T h e o ph i l u s state s th a t
th e pr o ph e ts , po e ts, an d ph i l o s o ph e r s h ave cl e ar l y tau gh t bo th
co n ce r n i n g r i gh te o u sn e ss, an d ju d gme n t, a n d pu n i s h me n t, an d
al so co n ce r n i n g pr o vi d e n ce , th a t Go d car e s f o r us, n o t o n l y
f o r th e l i vi n g bu t al so f o r th o se t h a t ar e d e ad . He ci te s
So l o mo n s al l u s i o n to Go d s car e take n o f th y bo n e s , a n d
Ho s e as d e cl ar ati o n , T h e ways o f th e Lo r d ar e r i gh t . 43
T h a t i s th e te sti mo n y o f T h e o ph i l u s . Bo o k th r e e ad d s l i ttl e .
C h a pte r se ven al l u d e s to Pl a to s r e pe ate d asse r ti o n s o n th e
u n i ty o f Go d a n d o f th e so u l o f man , asse r ti n g t h a t th e so u l
i s i mmo r ta l , an d to th e gr e at pagan ph i l o s o ph e r s i n co n si ste n cy
i n h o l d i n g to th e tr an s mi gr ati o n o f so ul s, i n wh i ch so me so u l s
pass i n to o th e r me n , a n d th at o th e r s take th e i r d e pa r tu r e i n to
i r r a ti o n a l an i mal s (a wo l f , o r a d o g, o r an ass), cal l i n g
su ch a te ach i n g d r e ad f u l an d mo n s tr o u s . 44 Bu t Bi sh o p
T h e o ph i l u s i s cl e ar , co n si ste n t, a n d s cr i ptu r al .
V. Me l i to o f Sardi sDe ath a Lo n g Sl eep; Immo r tal i ty
Re gai n e d T h r o u gh C h r i st
M e l i t o (d. c. a .d . 190), l i ttl e kn o wn an d l ess qu o te d
bi sh o p o f Sar d i s, was an e ar l y apo l o gi st.45 Acco r d i n g to
Eu se bi u s,48h e was a pr o l i f i c wr i te r , a u th o r i n g so me s i xte e n o r
e i gh te e n tr e ati se s. Bu t th e majo r i ty o f th e se h ave l o n g si n ce
van i sh e d e xce pt f o r scan ty f r agme n ts. De al i n g wi th th e d o ctr i n al
Ibid., ch ap. 37, p. 109.
42Ibid., ch ap. 38, p. 110.
43Ibid.
44Ibid., book 3, ch ap. 7, p. 113.
46 A. C l evel and C oxe. Pref ace to Mel i to th e Ph i l oso ph er, i n ANF, vol . 8, pp. 750,
751; Ro bert R. Wi l l i ams, A Guide to the Teachings of the Early Church Fathers (I960),
pp. 36, 42-44; ODCC, ar t., Me l i to , p. 884; J . B. Li gh tf oot, The Apostolic Fathers, vol . 1,
par t 2, p. 510.
48Eusebi us, Church History, book 4, ch ap. 26, i n NPNF, 2d seri es, vol . 1, pp. 203-205.
qu e s ti o n s o f th e d ay, Me l i to i s be st kn o wn f o r h i s Apology,
wr i tte n to Empe r o r Mar cu s Au r e l i u s a bo u t a .d . 176.4T Me l i to
vi si te d th e East, a n d seems to h ave me t C l e me n t.48
1. Et er n a l Ch r i s t W as Cr ea t o r o f M a n . M e l i t o wa s
d e e pl y i mbu e d wi th a sense o f th e d e i ty o f C h r i st, r e pe ate d l y
cal l i n g Hi m bo th Go d , an d man i n th e h i gh e st sense, th e
C r e ato r o f th e u n i ve r s e a n d o f man , an d i n si s ti n g th a t i n Hi m
al l th i n gs su bsi st. He r e ar e pe r t i n e n t sampl e s:
By Hi s po wer d o th ever yth i ng subsi st. T h i s Bei ng i s i n no sense
made, n o r di d He ever come i n to bei ng; bu t He exi sted f r om al l e te r n i ty,
an d wi l l continue to exi st f o r ever an d ever . 49
C h r i st, wh o i s ver i tabl y Go d th e Wo r d existing bef ore al l ti me . 60
T h i s i s He wh o made th e h eaven an d th e e ar th , and i n th e be gi n n i n g,
to ge th e r wi th th e Fath e r , f ash i o ned man . n
T h e deeds do ne by C h r i st af te r Hi s bapti sm . . . gave i n d i cati o n an d
assurance to th e wo rl d o f th e Dei ty h i d d e n i n Hi s f l esh. For, be i n g at once
bo th Go d an d per f ect man l i kewi se, He gave us sure i ndi cati o ns o f Hi s
two n atu r e sHi s Dei ty an d Hi s h u man i ty. 62
He was th e tr u e God exi sti ng bef ore al l ages. 63
Me l i to s so u n d n e ss o n th e Go d h e ad i s th u s atte ste d .
2. C o mi n g F l o o d o f F i r e t o D e s t r o y E a r t h .T e s ti f yi n g
to th e e mpe r o r as to th e myste r y o f wh y th i s wo r l d was mad e ,
an d wh y i t passes away, an d wh y th e bo d y exi sts, a n d wh y
i t f al l s to d e cay, a n d wh y i t co n ti n u e s , Me l i to says, t h o u
can st n o t kn o w u n t i l th o u h ast r ai se d th y h e ad f r o m th i s sl e e p
i n wh i ch th o u a r t su n k, a n d h ast o pe n e d th i n e eye s. 54
Me l i to war n s o f th e co mi n g f l o o d o f f i r e t h a t wi l l co me
u po n al l th e wo r l d . T h e n h e ad d s:
"So al so i t wi l l be at th e l ast ti me: th er e sh al l be a f l ood o f f i re, and
th e e ar th sh al l be bu r n t up, to ge th e r wi th i ts mo u n tai n s; and mankind shall
be burnt up . . . ; bu t th e ju st sh al l be preserved f rom wr ath .
3. C h r i s t Di e d T h a t W e M i gh t Be R a i s e d .I n h i s d i s
co u r se On th e So u l an d Bo d y Me l i to e l o qu e n tl y says t h a t
C h r i s t was bo r n ma n t h a t He mi gh t save man , a n d gath e r
47Ph i l i p C arr i ngto n, The Early Christian Church, vol . 2, p. 226.
48 C oxe, op. cit., p. 750.
49Remai ns of th e Second and T h i r d C e ntur i es, i n ANF, vol . 8, p. 751.
60 Ibid., p. 759. S3bid,
si Ibid., p. 758. si bid, p. 754.
52 Ibid., p. 760. ss bid., pp. 755, 756. (Ital i cs suppl i ed.)
to ge th e r th o se me mbe r s o f Hi s wh i ch d e ath h ad s catte r e d . M
T o th i s e n d th e I mmo r tal d i e th , a n d an swe r e th n o t a wo r d ;
th e C e l e sti al i s l ai d i n th e gr ave . Wh e n o u r Lo r d ar o se
f r o m th e pl ace o f th e d e ad , a n d tr ampl e d d e ath u n d e r f o o t,
a n d bo u n d th e str o n g o n e , an d se t man f r e e , th e n d i d th e
wh o l e cr e ati o n see cl e ar l y th a t f o r ma n s sake th e J u d ge was
co n d e mn e d . He d i e d i n o r d e r th at He mi gh t gi ve l i f e , was
l ai d i n th e gr ave t h a t He mi gh t r ai se from the dead. 57 He
t h a t h u n g u p th e e ar th in space was Himself h an ge d u p; He
t h a t f i xe d th e h e ave n s was f i xe d with nails; He th a t bo r e u p
th e e a r th was bo r n e u p o n a tr e e . 88Bu t He i s r i s e n f r o m
th e pl ace o f th e d e ad , an d asce n d e d to th e h e i gh t o f h e ave n ,
a n d s i tte th o n th e r i gh t h an d o f th e Fa th e r .
4. S l e e p o f D e a t h a L o n g S i l e n c e .I n th e papyr u s
co n ta i n i n g Me l i to s Ho mi l y o n th e Passi o n , o r mo r e co r r e ctl y
On th e Passo ve r (Peri Pascha), d i sco ve r e d l ar ge l y i n i ts
e n ti r e ty i n 1940 (Papyr u s Bo d me r X I I I , 1960), i n ch apte r
twe n ty-f i ve Me l i to says: T h e an ge l o f d e ath te l l s th e f i r st
bo r n i n Egypt th a t to Hi m be l o n gs th e l o n g si l e n ce . . . th e
si l e n ce o f d e a th . 60
An d i n ch a pte r th i r ty-n i n e h e ad d s th at, th o u gh Ad am
a n d Eve l i ve d a l o n g ti me af te r t h e i r e xpu l s i o n f r o m Ed e n ,
th e h e r i tage th e y l e f t th e i r ch i l d r e n was n o t i mmo r tal i ty bu t
co r r u pt i o n . 61
Be cause o f i ts pe r ti n e n ce l e t us n o te i t i n gr e ate r d e tai l .
T h i s r ar e l y ci te d papyr u s co d e x, tr an s l ate d by Dr . C ampbe l l
Bo n n e r , o f th e Un i ve r s i ty o f Mi ch i gan , i s o f spe ci al i n te r e s t
be cau se i t i s n o t th e cu sto mar y co n te mpo r ar y d e f e n se o f C h r i s
t i an i ty agai n st pagan i sm, J u d ai s m, o r h e r e sy. I n ste ad , i t i s a
f ai r l y co mpl e te e ar l y s e r mo n by a r e spe cte d l e ad e r f o r th e
e d i f i cati o n o f th e C h u r ch .
Ibid., p. 756. 89 Ibid., p. 757.
w Ibid. 59 Ibid., p. 758.
80 See C . Bo nner, Studies and Documents (cd. by K. and Si l va Lake ), XIX, 1940.
C f . ODCC, p. 884.
91See E. J . Wal l esz, Mel i to s Ho mi l y on th e Passi on, i n J.T.S. xl i v (1943), pp. 41-52.
5. D e a t h a n d D i s s o l u t i o n F r o m Di s o be d i e n ce . Me l i to
h e r e d e al s wi th th e d u al n a tu r e o f th e Passi o n (1) th e an ci e n t
i n s t i tu t i o n o f th e ch o se n pe o pl e ; (2) i l l u mi n a te d a n d i n te r
pr e te d i n th e sacr i f i ce o f C h r i s t a n d th e d i vi n e pl an f o r th e
sal vati o n o f man ki n d . T h e type o f o l d i s pr e s e n te d as a pr e pa r a
ti o n f o r th e n e w a n d e te r n al r e al i ty. Me l i to agai n str esses th e
pe r so n o f C h r i s t a n d th e n e w d i spe n s ati o n . Bo r n as a so n,
sacr i f i ce d as a l amb, su f f e r i n g an d d yi n g as a man , He h as
r i se n as Go d , be i n g by n a tu r e bo th Go d a n d man .-62An d we
ar e r e ci pi e n ts bo th o f Hi s gr ace an d l i f e. Or i gi n al l y, man ,
cr e ate d i n a state o f i n n o ce n ce , h ad o n l y to o be y i n o r d e r to
e n jo y i t al ways. 83
T h e f o r bi d d e n f r u i t an d th e tr an sgr e ssi o n , th e te mpta ti o n
an d th e Fal l a n d th e d i r e co n se qu e n ce s, ar e th e n d we l t u po n ,
al o n g wi th th e i n e vi tabl e pe n al tyd e ath a n d d i s s o l u ti o n . 04
T o r e d e e m man th e mysti c Passo ve r i s co n s u mmate d i n th e
sacr i f i ce o f C h r i st. Me l i to d e al s wi th th e pr e -e xi ste n ce o f C h r i st,
Hi s e ar th l y l i f e an d d e ath , an d wh y a n d h o w He was pu t
to d e ath , as C r e a to r a n d De l i ve r e r .80
6. C o r r u pt i o n a n d D e s t r u ct i o n F r o m Di s o be d i e n ce .
I n ch a pte r twe n ty-f i ve o f th e te xt, d i l a ti n g o n th e d e ath o f
th e f i r s tbo r n , as me n ti o n e d , Me l i to twi ce spe aks o f th e
l o n g si l e n ce o f d e a th . . . th e si l e n ce o f d e a th . 88An d h e co m
me n ts (i n ch apte r th i r ty-o n e ) o n h o w th e d e ath o f th e sh e e p
[th at was sl ai n ] be came th e l i f e o f th e pe o pl e , typi f yi n g th e
Lo r d (ch apte r th i r ty-two ). T u r n i n g i n ch apte r s f o r ty-e i gh t an d
f o r ty-n i n e , to C r e ati o n , th e pr i mal pa i r i n th e Gar d e n we r e
d e cl ar e d capabl e o f go o d o r e vi l , an d co mi n g to th e pr o h i bi
ti o n as r e gar d s th e tr e e o f th e kn o wl e d ge o f go o d a n d e vi l ,
Me l i to take s u p th e war n i n g agai n st d e ath f o r d i so be d i e n ce ,
a n d te l l s h o w Ad am r e t u r n e d to e a r t h , a n d be qu e ath e d
d e ath to man ki n d as an i n h e r i ta n ce . He r e i s h i s e xpr e ssi ve
s tate me n t. Ad am l e f t th e m
62 T h e Homi l y on th e Passi on by Mel i to Bi shop of Sar di s, i n Studies and Documents,
XI I, by Ki r so pp and Si l va Lake (1940), edi ted by C ampbel l Bonner, pp. 3-5, 16.
03Ibid., p. 17. 6 Ibid., pp. 18, 168.
M Ibid., pp. 17, 18. >Ibid., p. 170 (ch ap. 25).
" not incorruptibility but corruption, n o t h o n o r bu t di sh o no r , n o t f reedo m
bu t sl avery, n o t soverei gnty bu t o ppressi o n, not life but death, not salvation
but destruction. And str ange an d te r r i bl e was th e d e str u cti o n o f men u po n
th e e ar th . 97
7. R a n s o m s a n d R e s t o r e s F r o m G r a v e .As a r e s u l t Si n
be came th e co -wo r ke r o f d e a th . An d , Me l i to ad d s (i n ch apte r s
f i f ty-f o u r a n d f i f ty-f i ve), Upo n e ve r y so u l Si n sets i ts mar k i n
all al i ke d e vo te d sh e to Death. No te h i s gr aph i c d e s cr i pti o n :
So al l f l esh f el l i n to th e po wer o f Si n, an d every body i n to th e po wer
o f Death , an d every so ul was d r i ve n f o r th f r o m i ts h ouse o f f l esh. T h a t
wh i ch was take n f rom th e e ar th was resol ved i n to e ar th , an d th at wh i ch
was gi ven o f Go d was sh u t u p i n Hades [gravedom] . . . f or man was sepa
r ate d i n to h i s par ts by De ath . 98
He was capti ve u n d e r th e sh ad o ws o f d e a th .
T h e n i n ch apte r si xty-se ve n co me s th e myste r y o f
r e d e mpti o n th r o u gh C h r i st, as He r an s o me d us f r o m r u i n
a n d f r e e d us f r o m sl ave r y to th e d e vi l . 68T h u s man i s r ai se d
f r o m th e gr ave be l o w to th e h e i gh ts o f th e h e ave n s. 70T h u s
o u r C r e ato r an d Re d e e me r , wh o f i xe d th e star s i n h e ave n ,
r e sto r e s u s.71 T h u s He make s th e d e ad to l i ve a gai n a n d
r ai se s u p h i m wh o was bu r i e d . 72He i s th e C h r i s t wh o pu t
d o wn d e a th . T h u s He br o u gh t man h o me , saf e l y to th e
h e i gh ts o f h e ave n . 73
Su ch i s a co n te mpo r ar y C o n d i ti o n al i s t pr e s e n tati o n o f th e
ti me sbr i e f bu t e xpr e ssi ve .
87Ibid., p. 173 (ch ap. 49). (Ital i cs suppl i ed.)
88 Ibid., p. 174 (ch ap. 55).
09Ibid., p. 175 (ch ap. 67).
70 Ibid., p. 176 (ch ap. 70).
7>Ibid., p. 177.
Ibid., p. 180 (ch ap. 101).
73 Ibid., ch ap. 102.
I
C H A P T E R F I F T Y
Gno sti c-Mani ch aean Perversi ons
C ompel Restatement of T r u th
On e o f th e e ar l i e s t a n d gr ave st o f d o ctr i n al pe r ve r si o n s
to i mpe r i l th e Ear l y C h u r ch an d i ts pr i s ti n e f ai th was th e
me n ace o f Gn o sti ci sm. T h i s d e ve l o pme n t was mo st pr o mi n e n t
i n Egypt a n d Syr i a. Bu t i n Ro me , Asi a Mi n o r , Me so po tami a,
Ar me n i a, a n d e aste r n Pe r si a f r u i tf u l so i l was l i ke wi se f o u n d
f o r i ts pr o pagati o n . An d i t n o t o n l y f l o u r i sh e d wi d e l y bu t
pr o ve d to be e xce e d i n gl y pe r si ste n t. I n f act, i t was o ve r co me
o n l y a f te r so me th r e e ce n tu r i e s o f s tu bbo r n co n tr o ve r sy. I t
co n f r o n te d th e wo r l d wi th a wh o l e batte r y o f n e w te r ms th a t
co n n o te d al i e n co n ce pts. I t was a n e o pagan r e vi val wi th t r e
me n d o u s vi r i l i ty a n d pe r si ste n ce . Its si gn i f i can ce th e r e f o r e n e e d s
to be se n se d .
I n ti me th e ch u r ch d e f e ate d Gn o sti ci sm, bu t th e mar ks
o f th e ad ve r sar y we r e l e f t i n d e l i bl y u po n h e r . Pl agu e d by
th i s, a n d o t h e r d e pa r tu r e s t h a t f o l l o we d e spe ci al l y Ne o pl ato
n i smth e ch u r ch n e ve r we n t back to h e r pr i mi ti ve f o r m o f
te ach i n g. T o cl ar i f y h e r po si ti o n be f o r e th e wo r l d sh e f e l t
co mpe l l e d to cr ystal l i ze a n d to cr e e d al i ze h e r f ai th . Bu t as a
r e s u l t, amo n g o t h e r d e par tu r e s , al i e n te ach i n gs r e gar d i n g th e
n a tu r e a n d d e s ti n y o f th e so u l came to be ad o pte d by th e
majo r i ty, a n d we r e r e ta i n e d i n l ar ge se cti o n s o f th e ch u r ch
f r o m th e t h i r d ce n tu r y o n war d . T h i s co n s ti tu te s a co mpe l l i n g
r e aso n f o r th i s l i t tl e su r ve y o f Gn o sti ci sm.
T h e Gn o sti c mo ve me n t pr o f e sse d to h ave th e an swe r to
th e baf f l i n g pr o bl e m o f th e o r i gi n a n d d e sti n y o f th e universe,
e spe ci al l y th e i n ce pti o n a n d d i spo s i ti o n o f evil. As to i ts di s-
853
ti n cti ve te ach i n gs, th r e e majo r co n ce pts we r e e l e me n tal i n th i s
s tr an ge d e ve l o pme n t. T h e s e we r e : (1) a Su pr e me Be i n g, th e
Abs o l u te Ete r n al Go d , u n co n n e cte d wi th matte r a n d i n capabl e
o f be i n g af f e cte d by i t; (2) matte r , al so e te r n al , pr o d u ce d by
e man ati o n s i n ste ad o f cr e ati o n , matter being the source of all
evil a n d o ppo se d to Go d ; a n d (3) a se r i e s o f i n te r me d i a te
be i n gs be twe e n th e two . Fr o m th e se e l e me n ti s s pr an g a h o st
o f e r r o r s an d e vi l s pr o f o u n d l y af f e cti n g th e su bje ct o f o u r qu e st.
I. Scope o f Gno sti ci sms Si ni ster Heresi es
On l y as o n e r e al i ze s th e n a tu r e o f th e s u btl e s o ph i str i e s
a n d basi c e r r o r s o f th e se mo ve me n ts th a t ar o se to i mpe r i l th e
Ear l y C h u r ch i s i t po ssi bl e to u n d e r s ta n d wh at th e e ar l y apo l o
gi sts we r e actu al l y f i gh ti n g agai n st, an d wh y, an d th e si gn i f i can ce
o f t h e i r ar gu me n ts , th e l o gi c o f th e i r r e aso n i n gs, a n d th e e xpr e s
si o n s so me ti me s e mpl o ye d . T h i s al o n e e xpl ai n s wh y th e y wr o te
so mu ch o n th e o r i gi n , n a tu r e , an d d e sti n y o f man, as we l l
as o n th e d e i ty, th e r e d e e mi n g po we r , a n d th e l i f e -gi vi n g
pr e r o gati ve s o f Christ, an d Hi s po si ti o n as ju d ge .
T h e y f e l t i mpe l l e d to e xpo se f u n d ame n tal f al l aci e s, as we l l
as to d e cl ar e pr i mar y tr u th s . I t i s th e r e f o r e ne ce ssar y, at th i s
po i n t, to pau se l o n g e n o u gh to su r ve y th e r ami f i cati o n s o f
Gn o sti ci smth e f i r st gr e at h e r e ti cal mo ve me n t o f ma jo r d i me n
si o n s, wh o se po stu l ate s we r e a d i r e ct attack o n th e pr i mar y
po s i ti o n s o f th e su bapo sto l i c ch u r ch , as r e f l e cte d by th e Apo s
to l i c Fath e r s. I f n o t ch e cke d Gn o sti ci sm wo u l d u l ti mate l y
o ve r th r o w, o r at l e ast gr ave l y co n f u se , th e pr i mi ti ve be l i e f s
o f th e ch u r ch o n th e Go d h e ad , C h r i st, C r e ati o n , th e f al l a n d
r e d e mpti o n o f man , h i s u l ti mate r e s u r r e cti o n an d i mmo r ta l i
zati o n , as we l l as th e f i n al d i spo s i ti o n o f si n a n d si n n e r s. T o
th e r ami f i cati o n s o f th i s e ar l y cr i si s we th e r e f o r e n o w ad d r e ss
o u r se l ve s, as we t u r n th e s po tl i gh t o n th e mu l ti pl e su bve r si o n s
o f Gn o sti ci sm.
1. B l i g h t i n g C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f G n o s t i c i s m . Gn o s
ti ci sm (f r o m th e Gr e e k gnosis, kn o wl e d ge ) sto o d f o r sal vati o n
PERVERSIONS C OMPEL REST AT EMENT OF T RUT H 855
by kn o wl e d ge . T h e Gn o sti cs cl ai me d to kn o w th e myste r i e s
o f th e u n i ve r se , th i s kn o wl e d ge be i n g esoteric (pr i vate o r se cr e t)
r a t h e r t h an exoteric (pu bl i c a n d o pe n ), a n d tr a n s mi tte d by
t r a d i ti o n o f wh i ch th e y cl ai me d to be th e spe ci al cu sto d i an s.
I n i ts pagan f o r m Gn o sti ci sm a n te d a te d th e C h r i s ti an Er a,
bo r r o wi n g i ts f o r mu l a f r o m var i o u s e th n i c r e l i gi o n s an d h avi n g
a d i sti n ctl y pan th e i s ti c ti n ge . Late r , bo r r o wi n g ce r tai n ad d i
ti o n al te r mi n o l o gy f r o m C h r i s ti an i ty, i t to o k o n a C h r i s ti an
f o r m, a n d by th e se co n d ce n tu r y a .d . h ad be co me h i gh l y
aggr e ssi ve . Pr o f e ssi n g to so l ve th e gr e at qu e sti o n s o f th e u n i
ve r se , i t h ad a ce r tai n s u btl e appe al .
Gn o sti ci sm l e d th e way i n th e amal gamati o n o f pagan
co n ce pts wi th C h r i s ti an th o u gh t a n d te r mi n o l o gy. Its f o n d n e ss
f o r myste r i e s, o r se cr e t r i te s, was d e r i ve d pr i n ci pal l y f r o m
He l l e n i s ti c an d Egypti an myste r i e s. An d i ts e l abo r ate an d
po mpo u s l i tu r gi cal se r vi ce s ti mu l ate d a taste f o r s i mi l ar o r n a te
ness i n th e r e gu l a r ch u r ch e s. I t mad e d e f i n i te i n r o ad s amo n g
C h r i s ti an s e spo u se d by so me bu t bi tte r l y f o u gh t by o th e r s,
e spe ci al l y by I r e n ae u s o f Gau l . Be cau se o f th e se e xpo su r e s,
by th e f i f th ce n tu r y Gn o sti ci sm h ad s pe n t i ts f o r ce .1
2. S t r a n ge M e d l e y o f B o r r o we d E l e me n t s . T h e
Gn o sti c mo ve me n t was a syn cr e ti sm, a co mpo si te o f var i o u s
bo r r o we d e l e me n ts. I t d r e w i ts co n ce pts f r o m pagan ph i l o s o
ph i e s a n d Or i e n t a l myth o l o gi e s, as we l l as J e wi sh cabal i sti c
so ur ce s, an d , as me n ti o n e d , f i n al l y d r af te d u po n ce r tai n C h r i s
ti a n te r ms a n d te ach i n gs. I t co mbi n e d th e e so te r i c ph i l o so ph y
o f Egypt wi th th e d e ad l y Du al i sm co mmo n to Zo r o astr i an i sm,
o l d Babyl o n i an i sm, Pl ato n i s m, a n d e ve n th e J e wi sh cabal a.
An d i t d r af te d u po n th e Br ah mi c co n ce pt o f successi ve e man a
ti o n s f r o m th e Abs o l u te Be i n gth e se e man ati o n s be i n g th e
wo r ki n gs o f th e Ete r n a l On e , su ppo se d l y o ve r f l o wi n g f r o m th e
C e n tr al Be i n g, wi t h o u t d e cr e asi n g th e r e al i ty o r th e f u l l n e ss
o f th a t so u r ce .
1 Leadi ng auth o r i ti es on Gnosti ci sm i ncl ude Sevi ney, Barri e, Lea, Rust, Kr ael i ng,
Ri tte r , Mol l er, Gi esel er, Neander, Hase, Sch af f , Hi l genf el d, Ki ng, Har nack, Mansel ,
Bunsen, Li gh tf o o t, Pressense, Angus, C ase, Moeh i man. More r ecent is R. M. Gr an t, Gnosticism
and Early Christianity.
Gn o sti ci sm al so ad o pte d th e Bu d d h i s t an tago n i s m o f s pi r i t
a n d ma tte r a n d th e u n r e al i ty o f d e r i ve d e xi ste n ce . I t s i mi l ar l y
i n co r po r ate d th e Bu d d h i s t co n ce pt o f a go d i n pr o ce ss o f d e
ve l o pme n t, a n d s pi r i tu a l so u l s l o n gi n g to be f r e e d f r o m th e
bo n d s o f matte r a n d r ai se d abo ve th e th i n gs o f se nse a n d
u l ti mate l y be i n g r e u n i t e d wi th th e d i vi n e So u r ce o f Li f e .
I t l ai d h o l d o n th e Pl ato n i c i d e a o f a go d wi th d r awn
e n ti r e l y wi th i n i tse l f , i n te l l i gi bl e o n l y to th e i n i ti a te d , wi th an
e te r n al an tago n i sm be twe e n go d th e s pi r i t a n d th e l o we r wo r l d
o f matte r . I t si mi l ar l y to o k o ve r th e i d e a o f a f al l o f s pi r i tu a l
be i n gs th r o u gh th i s mate r i al e l e me n t. I t pr e s e n te d a th e o r y
o f th e u n i ve r se base d o n speculation i n ste ad o f r e ve l ati o n
h o w i t was o r i gi n al l y pr o je cte d , a n d h o w i t wi l l f i n al l y be
r e s to r e d to h ar mo n y. Har n ack d e f i n e d Gn o sti ci sm as th e
He l l e n i zati o n o f C h r i s ti an i ty.
Its ph i l o s o ph i cal basi s ce n te r e d o n th e o r i gi n o f e vi l ,
bl e n d i n g Pyth ago r e an a n d Pl ato n i c co n ce pts wi th th o se o f
Ph i l o o f Al e xa n d r i a 2co n ce r n i n g th e Su pr e me Be i n g. Its ch i e f
pr acti cal co n ce r n was th e kn o wl e d ge o f Go d a n d th e o r i gi n
a n d d e sti n y o f man ki n d . C e n tr al i n e mph asi s was th i s gnosis,
by wh i ch th e s pi r i tu a l e l e me n t i n man mi gh t r e ce i ve r e d e mp
ti o n . I t was a sch e me o f sal vati o n . T h e Gn o sti cs cl ai me d a
kn o wl e d ge h i gh e r th an th at o f co mmo n me n , f o u n d e d o n i n t u
i ti o n r a t h e r th an h i sto r i cal e vi d e n ce o r l o gi cal r e aso n i n g.
Dr af t was l i ke wi se mad e u po n th e Pyth ago r e an n o ti o n
o f n u mbe r s , a n d th e Par si co n ce pti o n o f th e d i vi n e essence
as l i gh t, a n d a Du al i sm i n wh i ch Go d i s co n ti n u al l y s u bje cte d
to th e aggr e ssi o n s o f matte r , an d i n wh i ch th e pr i n ci pl e o f
go o d n e ss a n d l i gh t i s i n u n e n d i n g co n f l i ct wi th th e pr i n ci pl e
o f e vi l an d d ar kn e ss. Bu t th e br i gh tn e ss o f th e l i gh t d e cr e ase s
co n ti n u al l y, an d l o ses i tse l f i n th e s u r r o u n d i n g d ar kn e ss. So
th e po we r o f th e Abs o l u te e xpr e sse s i tse l f i n an i n cr e asi n gl y
d i l u t e d f o r m.
2 Ph i l o, i nf l uenced by Neopl atoni sm, Neo-Pyth agoreani sm, and ol d Egypti an th eosoph y,
al so exal ted th e Supre me Bei ng above co ntact wi th th e vi si bl e wor l d. T o h i m th e Ol d T estament
Logos was a deri ved bei ng. Ph i l o empl oyed th e al l egori cal meth o d of exegesi s, h ol di ng th at th e
l i teral meani ng was worth l ess.
T h e s e d e r i vati o n s we r e al l so e vi d e n t as to i n d i cate th e i r
so u r ce s. T h e y co n s ti tu te d a str an ge me d l e y, co n f u si n g to th e
wo r l d a n d pe r i l o u s to th e ch u r ch . Mo e h l man cal l s i t a syncr e-
ti sti c wh i r l po o l . 3No w to ce r tai n d e f i n i ti o n s.
3. D e mi u r ge , E ma n a t i o n s , a n d A e o n s . Gn o s ti
ci sm mad e s h ar p d i sti n cti o n s be twe e n th e r e mo te a n d u n kn o w
abl e Su pr e me Be i n g, o r Gr e at Go d (th e So u r ce o f al l ), an d
th e De mi u r ge , 4be l i e ve d to be o n e o f th e Ae o n s 3r e s u l ti n g
f r o m e man ati o n s . * T h e De mi u r ge , as th e C r e ato r -Go d , was
h e l d to be th e i mme d i ate so u r ce o f th e vi si bl e wo r l d an d
th e o r i gi n a to r o f matte r . Fi n i te e xi ste n ce was acco u n te d f o r
as a pr o gr e ssi ve f al l i n g away f r o m th e o r i gi n al pe r f e cti o n . T h e
De mi u r ge th e r e f o r e o ccu pi e d an i n te r me d i a te pl ace be twe e n
th e Su pr e me Go d a n d th e mate r i al wo r l d . Bu t wh i l e th e Gn o s
ti cs h e l d t h a t h e cr e ate d a n d r u l e d th e wo r l d , th e y cl ai me d t h a t
h e was actu al l y i n r e be l l i o n agai n st th e Su pr e me Go d . T h e
De mi u r ge was n o t o r i gi n al l y e vi l , o n l y l i mi te d a n d i mpe r f e ct.
Bu t e vi l spr an g f r o m th e d e f e cts o f h i s wo r k a n d pl an s.
Ne ve r th e l e ss, h e tr an s f o r me d th e ch ao s o f ma tte r i n to th e
o r gan i ze d u n i ve r se , wh i ch th e y ave r r e d i s u n d e r h i s co n tr o l .
Acco r d i n g to th e se co n ce pts th e De mi u r ge cr e ate d man ,
bu t co u l d o n l y i mpa r t to h i m h i s o wn we ak pr i n ci pl e th e
se n su o u s so u l . On l y th e h i gh e st a n d r e al l y Gr e at Go d co u l d
i mpa r t th e d i vi n e r ati o n al so u l . Bu t th e De mi u r ge , wh i l e cl ai m-
3 C o nr ad H. Moeh l man, Gno sti ci sm, i n Ver gi l i us Fer m, An Encyclopedia of Religion,
p. 300.
*Demiurgeth e Engl i sh f orm o f th e Greek wo rd f o r cr af tsman, used by Pl ato f or
th e Wo r l d-Fr amer i n h i s account of th e f o rmati o n of th e vi si bl e worl d. Hence, i t was Pl atoni c
i n or i gi n. I t was l ate r empl oyed by Greek C h r i sti an wri ters si mpl y of God as C r eato r . T h e
Gnosti cs used th e ter m di sparagi ngl y f or th e i nf eri o r C r eato r -Go d of th e Ol d T estament.
6 Aeonmeani ng sel f -exi sti ng, one of a group of sel f -exi sti ng spi r i tual powers
progressi vel y emanated f ro m, and subsi sti ng coeternal l y wi th , th e Eternal Bei ng. T h ese Aeons
f orm the Pleroma (pl eni tude or f ul l ness), o r i nvi si bl e spi r i tual wor l d, and th e Di vi ne Bei ng
f ro m wh i ch th ey emanated, i n co ntradi sti ncti on to th e Kenoma (ch ao ti c vo i d ), or vi si bl e
mater i al wo rl d. T h e y th us co nsti tute th e i ntermedi ari es, and gi ve f o rm to o th er substance.
T h e l atest and h i gh est Aeons wer e bel i eved to be C h r i st and th e Hol y Spi ri t.
T h e number of Aeons di f f ered i n di f f er ent systemssometi mes twel ve, as i n th e
pl anetar y r el ati o ns; o r th i r ty, as i n th e year s of C h r i st; o r 365. as i n th e days of th e year ;
o r just i ndef i ni te. T h ese Aeons embo di ed tr u th , i ntel l i gence, f ai th , h ope, l ove, wi sdom, et cetera.
8 Emanation_(Lati n , emano, to fl ow o ut), meani ng i ssui ng f ro m i ts source. Used by
th e Gnosti cs to i ndi cate th e process of creati o n, concei ved of as a seri es of ef f l uxes f l owi ng
f o r th f rom th e Absol ute God and f ormi ng a mul ti pl i ci ty of cr eated bei ngs, al l th i ngs
comi ng f rom th e Fi rst Real i ty o r Source. I t was a process of descent f ro m th e per f ect to
th e l ess per f e ct, th e Fi rst C ause r emai ni ng unch anged. And acco rdi ng to Val enti nus th e
emanati o ns were i n pai rs, mal e and f emal e, and i nvol vi ng generati on.
i n g to be th e h i gh e st go d co u l d n o t br i n g h i s cr e atu r e s to th e
t r u e kn o wl e d ge o f Go d , a n d was r e al l y o n l y th e go d o f th e
J e ws, a n d to so me e xte n t th a t o f C h r i sti an i ty. T h u s J e su s,
co mi n g as th e pr o mi s e d Me ssi ah , co u l d o n l y pr e par e th e way
f o r r e d e mpti o n . Su ch we r e so me o f i ts s i n i s te r aspects br o ad cast
to th e pagan wo r l d as th e Gn o sti c co n ce pt o f C h r i s ti an i ty,
a n d s pr e ad amo n g C h r i sti an s to co n f u se .
4. M a n k i n d C a s t I n t o T h r e e B a s i c C a t e g o r i e s .Spe ci f i
cal l y as co n ce r n s man , Gn o sti ci sm h e l d th a t th e r e i s a spar k
o f th e Di vi n e i n th e co n s ti tu ti o n o f so me . An d th r o u gh gnosis
th i s s pi r i tu a l e l e me n t may be r e l e ase d f r o m i ts mate r i al e n vi r o n
me n t, an d assu r e d o f a r e t u r n to i ts h o me i n th e Di vi n e Be i n g.
T h u s th e o r i gi n , n a tu r e , an d d e sti n y o f man we r e ti e d i n e x
tr i cabl y wi th th e vagar i e s o f Gn o sti ci sm. T h a t , we wo u l d
e mph asi ze , i s wh y we mu st e xami n e i t. I t was basi c wi th
Gn o sti ci sm t h a t th e De mi u r ge was h i mse l f su bje ct to i mpe r f e c
ti o n s, a n d th e wo r l d h e cr e ate d was a f al l e n wo r l d .
Man , th e y h e l d , par take s o f th r e e e l e me n ts i n var yi n g
pr o po r ti o n s th e Su pr e me Go d , th e De mi u r ge , an d matte r .
I n co n se qu e n ce , al l me n ar e d i vi d e d i n to th r e e cate go r i e s
th e s pi r i tu a l , psych i cal , an d f l esh l yh i gh e r o r l o we r acco r d i n g
to th e pr e d o mi n an ce o f th e e l e me n ts o f d e i ty wi th i n th e m,
a n d i n pr o po r ti o n to th e i r f r e e d o m f r o m matte r , wh i ch i s
e ve r an d o n l y e vi l . No te th e d i sti n cti o n s : (1) T h e h i gh e st
(o r spiritual) cl ass co mpr i se s th o se wh o sh ar e l ar ge l y i n th e
n a t u r e o f th e tr u e s t Ae o n s, an d ar e th e o n l y o n e s capabl e o f
a tt a i n i n g pe r f e cti o n ; (2) th e i n te r me d i ate (o r psychical) gr o u p
wh o h ave th e n a t u r e o f th e De mi u r ge , a n d to so me e xte n t
h ave po we r to r i se abo ve th e d e base me n t o f matte r ; a n d (3)
th e l o we st (o r fleshly) cate go r y, co n s ti tu ti n g th o se wh o ar e
wh o l l y u n d e r th e co n tr o l o f matte r , a n d wi l l sh ar e i ts tr agi c
f ate . Su ch can n o t be saved, f o r th e i r n a tu r e i s o n l y e vi l , d e vo i d
o f an y spar k o f th e Di vi n e wi th i n th e m.
T h e y h e l d t h a t h i sto r i cal l y th e fleshly was pr e d o mi n an t
i n past pagan i sm, th e psychical f l o u r i sh e d i n th e J e wi sh di s-
pe n s ati o n , a n d th e spiritual was n o w to be f o u n d i n th e
C h r i s ti an d i spe n s ati o n th o u gh wi th so me i n te r mi n gl i n g.
Wh i l e so me Gn o sti cs al l o we d o f n o tr an s i ti o n f r o m o n e cl ass
to a n o th e r , o th e r s h e l d th a t su ch was po ssi bl e , be cau se o f
d i vi n e co mmu n i cati o n o f spe ci al po we r s. So me o f th e se so u gh t
to be save d by f ai th , f ai th be i n g co n s i d e r e d vastl y i n f e r i o r to
knoiuledge. T h e Gn o sti cs co n s i d e r e d th e mse l ve s as co n s ti tu ti n g
th e f i r st, o r s pi r i tu a l , gr o u p, r e gar d i n g th e i r spe ci al kn o wl e d ge
as t h e i r assu r an ce o f i mmo r tal i ty, f o r o n l y th e so u l s o f s pi r i tu al
me n ar e i mmo r tal . T h e y we r e ve r y gr o u p co n sci o u s, an d th e i r
sal vati o n wo u l d r e s u l t f r o m th e i r e so te r i c kn o wl e d ge a n d
asce ti c l i f e.
5. R e d e mpt i o n C o n ce i ve d o f a s L i be r a t i o n F r o m
M a t t e r .T h e Gn o sti c i d e a o f r e d e mpti o n was th e n o ti o n
o f th e l i be r ati o n o f th e s pi r i t f r o m i ts co n n e cti o n wi th matte r ,
bu t i t was r e s tr i cte d to th e u ppe r two cl asses. So me, h o we ve r ,
h e l d th e mo r e l i be r al vi e w th at th e r e we r e ce r tai n f avo r e d
o n e s i n e ach gr o u pspar ks o f l i gh t h avi n g f al l e n i n to th e
br e asts o f th o se s i gh i n g f o r r e d e mpti o n . T h e wo r k o f r e d e mp
ti o n was co n s e qu e n tl y th e l i be r ati o n o f th e s pi r i tu a l n a tu r e
i n man f r o m th e e vi l mate r i al e xi ste n ce by wh i ch i t i s e n sl ave d ,
th u s af f o r d i n g e scape i n to th e Pleroma (d i vi n e f u l l n e ss). T h a t
was o n e o f i ts mo st bl a t a n t pe r ve r si o n s.
6. G n o s t i c D u a l i s m V e r s u s A po s t o l i c M o n i s m. T h e
d i s ti n ctl y d u al i s ti c co n ce pt ch ar acte r i zi n g Gn o sti ci sm was base d
o n pagan i d e as acco u n ti n g f o r th e u n i ve r se as cau se d by two
e te r n al an d e qu al bu t d i s ti n ct a n d pe r pe tu al l y co n f l i cti n g
pr i n ci pl e s go o d a n d e vi l , s pi r i t a n d matte r , i d e al an d mate r i al ,
l i gh t a n d d ar kn e ss. Du al i sm h e l d t h a t th e se ar e th e o u tco me
o r pr o d u ct o f se par ate an d e qu al l y u l ti ma te f i r st cau se s.
Su ch a Du al i sm f l o u r i sh e d amo n g th e Pe r si an s u n d e r th e n ame s
o f Or mu zd an d Ah r i man . An d wh i l e Du al i sm was i n tr o d u ce d
i n to th e ch u r ch t h r o u gh Gn o sti ci sm, i t was pe r pe tu a te d by
Man i ch ae i sm, as wi l l l ate r be o bse r ve d . Its u l ti ma te i s se e n i n
th e co n te n ti o n t h a t make s Satan th e ch i e f o f an i mpe r i s h abl e
ki n gd o m o f i mmo r tal si n n e r s l i ke h i mse l f , i n an e ve r -bu r n i n g
He l l . So i t i s d e f i n i te l y i n vo l ve d i n o u r qu e st.
On th e co n tr ar y, pr i mi ti ve C h r i s ti an i ty was Mo n i s ti c/
asse r ti n g th at al l th a t e xi sts was d e r i ve d f r o m a si n gl e ,
u l ti ma te So u r ce th e abso l u te , i n f i n i te Go d o f th e Ol d T e s ta
me n t a n d th e Ne w, o f wh o m Pau l says, wh o o n l y h ath
i mmo r ta l i ty (1 T i m. 6:16). Mo n i sm i n vo l ve d th e th o u gh t
t h a t th e d ay i s co mi n g wh e n e vi l wi l l be u tte r l y ban i s h e d f r o m
th e u n i ve r se , an d Go d wi l l be al l an d i n a l l .
Bu t th i s l ead s l o gi cal l y to th e co n ce pt o f th e u l ti ma te
a n n i h i l a t i o n o f th e d e vi l an d h i s f o l l o we r s, bo th d e mo n i c an d
h u man , al o n g wi th th e pr i n ci pl e an d pr acti ce o f e vi l . Si n ce Go d
i s th e so l e so u r ce o f l i f e , al l wh o se par ate th e mse l ve s f r o m
Hi m i n r e be l l i o n ar e d o o me d to u l ti ma te d e ath . T h u s th e
a n n i h i l a t i o n o f si n a n d si n n e r s i s th e ne ce ssar y o u tco me an d
i n e vi tabl e co n se qu e n ce o f su ch a co n ce pt o f si n , wh e th e r vi e we d
f r o m th e me taph ysi cal , ju r i d i cal , o r mo r al s tan d po i n ts .
7. D u a l i s m I n vo l ve s E n d l e s s D u r a t i o n o f W i cke d .
T h e po i n t mu st n o t be mi sse d th a t Gn o sti ci sms d o gma o f th e
s o u l s i mmo r tal i ty was base d o n Du al i sm. An d , gr a n ti n g i ts
pr e mi se s, th e u l ti ma te ph i l o so ph i cal co n se qu e n ce o f th e system
seems i n e scapabl e . Gn o sti ci sm star ts wi th th e axi o m o f th e
i n d e s tr u cti bi l i ty o f th e i mmo r tal so u l , a n d th e f i n al r e s u l t
o f th e e xe r ci se o f h u man f r e e d o m, i n pe r s i s te n t r e vo l t, i n vo l ve s
th e e te r n al su f f e r i n g o f a ce r tai n n u mbe r o f su ch cr e atu r e s.
I t i n vo l ve s th e e te r n al d u r a t i o n o f th e e vi l pr i n ci pl e , i n a state
o f r e be l l i o n agai n st Go d . I n f i n i ty o f e vi l stan d s i n e te r n al
o ppo s i ti o n to th e i n f i n i ty o f go o d . T h a t was a n o th e r o f th e
i n e vi tabl e s o f th e syste m th a t s tr u ck at th e pr i mi ti ve f ai th .
8. B l a s ph e mo u s l y De n i e d D e i t y o f C h r i s t . Mo r e th an
th at, th e d e i ty o f C h r i s t was i mpu gn e d . T h e Gn o sti cs h e l d
th at, th o u gh C h r i s t was n o t th e h i gh e st Go d , He came as an
7 T h e ter m Monism was coi ned to express al l th at i s i n terms of a si ngl e source and
r eal i ty, i n deni al of th e Dual i sm o f th e ph ysi cal and psych i cal , o r body and mi nd, by
po stul ati ng a real i ty tr anscendi ng th ose of wh i ch bo th are made.
e mi ssar y o f th e Su pr e me Go d , br i n gi n g gnosis. Bu t th e Gn o sti cs
tau gh t th a t C h r i st, as a Di vi n e Be i n g, d i d n o t assu me an actu al
h u man bo d y, bu t e i th e r te mpo r ar i l y i n h a bi te d a h u man J e s u s
o r me r e l y assu me d a ph an tas mal h u man appe ar an ce . T h a t , o f
co u r se , was Do ce ti sm, n o te d l ate r . T h e y th u s d e n i e d th e actu al
d e i ty o f C h r i st, d e gr ad i n g Hi m to th e cate go r y o f o t h e r Ae o n s
o f th e h i gh e r cate go r y. T h i s was sti l l an o th e r o f th e vi ci o u s
aspects o f th e system th a t I r e n ae u s an d o th e r s f e l t f o r ce d to
battl e .
9. R e j e ct e d O l d T e s t a me n t a n d M a l i gn e d J e h o va h .
Sti l l f u r t h e r , Gn o sti ci sm r e je cte d th e Ol d T e s ta me n t an d th e
Mo sai c acco u n t o f th e cr e ati o n o f th e wo r l d . Ad am was r e gar d e d
as pu r e l y myth i cal . T h e Gn o sti cs h e l d th e pe r n i ci o u s be l i e f
t h a t th e J e h o vah o f th e Ol d T e s ta me n t was th e e n e my o f th e
tr u e Go d . Ne ve r th e l e ss, h e was th e al l e ge d cr e ato r o f th e wo r l d
a n d o f He l l , h o l d i n g h i s capti ve s by e r r o r an d i n d u l ge n ce .
T h e y tau gh t t h a t C h r i st, th o u gh d e f e cti ve , came to r e scu e
th o se s h u t u p i n He l l , a n d to u n mask th e wi l es a n d e vi l
ch ar acte r o f J e h o vah . An d Mar ci o n tau gh t t h a t C h r i s t
d e sce n d e d i n to th e u n d e r wo r l d to r e l e ase th o se so u l s wh o r e
f u se d to o be y th e d e mo n s wo r sh i pe d by th e J e ws.
Su ch ar e so me o f th e l e ad i n g aspects o f th e d e vastati n g
pe r ve r si o n s t a u gh t by th e Gn o sti c sects. Bu t th e y be co me e ve n
mo r e si n i s te r wh e n e xami n e d i n gr e ate r d e tai l . I t th u s be co me s
i n cr e asi n gl y o bvi o u s wh y C h r i s ti an l e ad e r s be l i e ve d th a t th i s
co l o ssal syste m o f an ti -C h r i s ti an e r r o r mu s t be me t i n h e ad -o n
co n f l i ct. I t was an i n e scapabl e pa r t o f th e str u ggl e we ar e
su r ve yi n g.
10. L i ke T e r mi t e s E r o d i n g B a s i c S t r u ct u r e . We s h o u l d
be ar i n mi n d as we pr o gr e ss th a t Gn o sti ci sm was ju s t o n e
bu t a we i gh ty o n e i n a se r i e s o f d i s i n te gr ati n g d e ve l o pme n ts
t h a t so u gh t to i n f i l tr a te th e e ar l y C h r i s ti an C h u r ch a n d s u b
ve r t i ts f u n d ame n ta l te ach i n gs. T h e s e var i o u s r e l a te d h e r e si e s
mi gh t we l l be l i ke n e d to te r mi te s bo r i n g i n to th e basi c s tr u ctu r e
o f th e te mpl e o f C h r i s ti an i ty. T h e s e al l so u gh t to e mascu l ate
th e apo sto l i c co n ce pts o f Go d an d man , par ti cu l ar l y as r e gar d s
ma n s n a tu r e a n d d e sti n y. T h e gr o u n d wo r k was th u s l ai d
f o r f u r t h e r i n r o ad s th r o u gh Pl ato n i sm a n d ki n d r e d r e gr e ssi ve
d e ve l o pme n ts i n th e days to co me . T h a t i s th e ti e -i n , a n d wh y
we mu s t scan i t. I t was o n e e ar l y se gme n t i n a vi ci o u s ci r cl e
o f ci r cu mstan ce s th at bo d e d i l l f o r th e f u tu r e i n te gr i ty o f
th e ch u r ch .
I I . Un d e r l yi n g Un i ty Despi te Wi d e Di versi ty
Gn o s ti ci s ms mo st co n spi cu o u s te ach e r s we r e Val e n ti n u s ,
Satu r n i n u s , Basi l i d e s, an d Mar ci o n . C ar po cr ate s mi gh t al so be
l i ste d . C o n f u s i n g d i ve r si ty mar ke d th e te ach i n gs o f th e se f ac
ti o n al l e ad e r s, ye t th e r e was an u n d e r l yi n g u n i ty. Al l f ac
ti o n s we r e u n i te d , f i r st, i n str e ssi n g pagan Du al i sm, a n d se co n d ,
i n co n s i d e r i n g th e mse l ve s s pi r i tu a l an d th e r e f o r e i mmo r tal by
n a tu r e . T h e i mmo r tal i ty s o u gh t by man ki n d was be l i e ve d
th e i r s by vi r tu e o f th e ve r y co n s ti tu ti o n o f th e i r be i n gan
i n h e r e n t ar i sto cr acy, n o t a gi f t o f d i vi n e go o d n e ss o r o n e o b
tai n e d by i mpa r ta ti o n o f d i vi n e ch ar acte r .
Wh a t th e Apo sto l i c an d e ar l y An te -Ni ce n e Fath e r s h ad
i n si ste d was a co n f e r r e d gi f t, o r gr ace , al l Gn o sti cs r e gar d e d
as i n n ate l y th e i r s. T h i s po i n t i s i mpo r ta n t: T h e y wo u l d a u to
mati cal l y be saved, th e y h e l d , be cau se th e y we r e s pi r i tu a l
irrespective of conduct. T h e s i n i s te r ef f e ct o f su ch a co n ce pt
o f i mmo r tal i ty was i n e vi tabl e . T h e i mmo r tal mi gh t e ve n r i gh tl y
d o th i n gs s i n f u l f o r o th e r s an d n o t co me u n d e r co n d e mn ati o n .
Su ch was th e co n f u si n g an d gr o ssl y mi s l e ad i n g pi ctu r e
pr e s e n te d to th e pagan wo r l d by th e se war r i n g Gn o sti c f acti o n s,
al l cl ai mi n g th e n ame o f C h r i s ti an . T h u s al l C h r i sti an s we r e
d i vi d e d i n to th r e e cate go r i e s. So me so u l s we r e spiritual a n d
s u r e o f sal vati o n be cau se o f th e i r spe ci al kn o wl e d ge . Oth e r s
we r e r e co gn i ze d as psychical, h avi n g so u l wi th o u t s pi r i t, wh o se
sal vati o n , i f po ssi bl e , was ye t to be e f f e cte d. Sti l l o th e r s we r e
co n s i d e r e d material, a n d th e r e f o r e h o pe l e ssl y l o st. Su ch was
i ts f atal i sm. Bu t th i s e e r i e me d l e y be co me s mo r e co n f u si n g
as we n o te th e co n f l i cti n g vi ews o f th e f acti o n s.
1. V a l e n t i n u s I n j e c t s I n t e r me d i a t e W a i t i n g P l a ce .
Val e n ti n u s , f o r e xampl e , l i sts ma n s acce pte d th r e e f o l d
n a tu r e as pr e d o mi n an tl y mate r i al , an i mal , o r s pi r i tu al . T h e f i r st
par take s o f th e bo d y o f f l esh , wh i ch al l be l i e ve d i s o n l y e vi l an d
d o o me d to d e s tr u cti o n . T h e se co n d i s th e i mpe r f e ct, mu n d an e
an i mal so u l . T h e t h i r d , o r s pi r i tu a l so u l , i s i n co r po r e al l i ke
th a t o f th e Ae o n s, a n d d e s ti n e d to e n te r th e Pleroma (abo d e
o f th e Ae o n s) i n th e s u pe r mu n d a n e sph e r e , wh e r e th e pr i mar y
Ogdoad (Ru l e r ) r e si d e s.
Wh e n th e s pi r i tu a l so u l i s d i ve ste d o f al l an i mal si n , i t
i s sai d to be i r r e s i s ti bl y d r awn back u p to th e Pleroma. Bu t
Val e n ti n u s , i n to u ch i n g o n th e su r vi val o f th e so u l af te r d e ath ,
i n je cts an i n te r me d i a t e wai ti n g pl ace f o r th e so u l u n t i l
a d mi tte d to He ave n a s o r t o f e mbr yo n i c Pu r gato r y. T h e
mate r i al po r ti o n passes to d e s tr u cti o n , wh i l e th e an i mal so u l
stays wi th th e De mi u r ge i n th i s i n te r me d i a te pl ace f o r e ve r .8
Fu r th e r mo r e , Val e n ti n u s h e l d ye t a n o th e r pagan f e atu r e ,
d r awn f r o m Hi n d u i s mi mmo r tal i ty o f things, as we l l as o f
pe r so n s. T h e Hi n d u ph i l o s o ph y h e l d th e i mmo r tal i ty o f al l
l i f e , be asts be i n g me n in transitu. T h i s to o was pa r t o f Gn o s
ti ci sm. So me te mpsych o si s, o r tr an s mi gr ati o n o f so ul s, was l i ke
wi se i n vo l ve d i n i ts co mpl e xi ti e s.
2. F a n t a s t i c D e gr a d i n g N o t i o n s o f Sa t u r n i n u s .
Sa tu r n i n u s o f Ro me , l i ke wi se str o n gl y d u al i sti c, h e l d th e f an tas
ti c n o ti o n th a t th e Su pr e me bu t Un kn o wabl e Go d cr e ate d a
se r i e s o f an ge l s an d o t h e r s u pe r n a tu r a l be i n gs, wh i ch i n t u r n
cr e ate d man . Bu t, as o r i gi n al l y f o r me d , man was su ppo se d l y a
po we r l e ss e n ti ty t h a t wr i ggl e d o n th e gr o u n d l i ke a wo r m,
u n t i l a d i vi n e spar k se t h i m o n h i s f e e t. Satu r n i n u s be l i e ve d th e
Go d o f th e J e ws to be o n e o f th e C r e ato r -An ge l s. An d h e
h e l d t h a t th e Su pr e me Fa th e r se n t C h r i s t to d e str o y th i s J e wi sh
8See Irenaeus, Against Heresies, book 1, ch aps. 7, 8, i n ANF, vol . 1, p. 325.
Go d an d to r e d e e m su ch as we r e e n d o we d wi th th e d i vi n e spar k.9
3. B a s i l i d e s T r a n s i t o f S o u l F r o m M i t h r a i s m .
Basi l i d e s, o f Syr i a, str e sse d th a t th e Su pr e me Go d i s s e par ate d
f r o m th e wo r l d by 365 h e ave n sr an ks o f s u pe r mu n d a n e be i n gs
f i l l i n g th e space be twe e n th e Su pr e me Be i n g an d th e wo r l d
o f matte r . T h i s wo r l d , h e h e l d , i s u n d e r th e s u pe r i n te n d e n cy o f
th e Go d o f th e J e ws, wh o i s o f th e l o we r r an k, a n d al ways
se e ki n g to su bje ct man to Hi mse l f . I n o r d e r to f r e e me n , Go d
s e n t Hi s Nous (Mi n d ), a s pi r i tu a l be i n g o f h i gh r an k, i n to th e
wo r l d , wh o d we l t i n J e su s, th o u gh He su f f e r e d i n appe ar an ce
o n l y. Bu t man mu s t f o l l o w Hi m to se cu r e f r e e d o m f r o m matte r ,
a n d so r i se to th e Su pr e me Go d . Basi l i d e s ph i l o s o ph y was
al so pan th e i s ti c, o n e o f h i s d e si gn ati o n s o f Go d be i n g th e
No n -e xi s te n t On e .10
T h e Basi l i d e an d o ctr i n e bl e n d i n g Pe r si an , Hi n d u , an d
Ne o pl ato n i c i d e asi n i ts vi ew o f th e d e sce n t a n d asce n t o f
th e so u l th r o u gh th e h e ave n s, appe ar s to h ave bo r r o we d th i s
f r o m Mi th r ai s m, wh i ch e mbo d i e d su ch a be l i e f .11 Basi l i d e s
s tr an ge vi ew was spe ci f i cal l y th i s: T h e so u l o f man o r i gi n ate d
i n th e Ogdoad (e i gh th h e ave n , r e gi o n o f th e f i xe d star s). Fr o m
th e r e i t d e sce n d e d to th e Hebdomad (se ve n th , o r pl an e tar y
h e ave n ), wh e r e i t acqu i r e d i ts psych i cal n a t u r e , a n d th e n ce
to e ar th , wh e r e i t to o k o n a car n al o r co r po r e al n a tu r e .
On e ar th th e so u l o f th e s pi r i tu al man suf f e r s u n t i l i t
o btai n s r e l e ase f r o m th e bo d y, wh i ch d i si n te gr ate s i n to d u st,
wh i l e th e d e pa r te d so u l asce n d s to th e Hebdomad, wh e r e i ts
psych i cal n a tu r e i s cast of f . T h u s pu r i f i e d , i t asce n d s to th e
Ogdoad, to d we l l wi th th e Gr e at Archon (Ru l e r ) i n r a d i a n t
l i gh t. Mo r e o ve r , o n e ar th th e so u l , h avi n g s i n n e d i n a pr e vi o u s
l i f e (tr an s mi gr ati o n ), e n d u r e s pu n i s h me n t i n th i s l i f e be i n g
pu r ge d by a ppr o pr i a te pu n i s h me n t. T h i s was, o f co u r se , an
e mbr yo n i c f o r m o f th e l ate r Pu r gato r y.12
0 Hi ppol ytus, The Refutation of All Heresies, book 7, ch ap. 16, i n ANF, vol . 5, p. 109.
10 Ibid., ch ap. 14, i n ANF, vol . 5, p. 109.
11C f . Or i gen, Against Celsus, book 6, ch ap. 22, i n ANF, vol . 4, p. 583.
12 Hi ppo l ytus, op. cit., book 7, ch ap. 15; book 10, ch ap. 10, i n ANF, vol . 5, pp. 108, 144;
al so C l ement of Al exandri a, Miscellanies, book 4, ch ap. 12, i n ANF, vol . 2, pp. 425, 426.
4. M a r ci o n R e j e ct s H e a r t o f C h r i s t i a n F a i t h .
Mar ci o n , o f Ro me , d i spo se d o f al l h i sto r i cal f o u n d ati o n s an d
e stabl i sh e d a pu r e l y i magi n ar y system o f C h r i s ti an i ty, h i s
spe ci al n o ti o n be i n g th a t th e go spe l i s wh o l l y a go spe l o f
l o ve , to th e e xcl u si o n o f l aw. T h i s l e d h i m to th e r e je cti o n
o f th e Ol d T e s ta me n t. Bu t th a t came f r o m th e pagan Gn o s ti
ci sm o f an ci e n t Egypt, wh i ch was star kl y an ti n o mi a n . T h e
De mi u r ge , o r C r e ato r -Go d , r e ve al e d as th e Ol d T e s ta me n t
J e h o vah f r o m Ge n e si s 1 o n war d , Mar ci o n h e l d to be wh o l l y
a go d o f l aw, h avi n g n o th i n g to d o wi th th e go spe l o f C h r i st.
Mar ci o n h e l d th a t i t was th e pu r po se o f th e Su pr e me Go d
to o ve r th r o w th e De mi u r ge . An d , as th e tr u e co n tr as t o f l aw
a n d s pi r i t was u n d e r s to o d by Pau l al o n e , i n Ne w T e s ta me n t
ti me s, o n l y h i s te n e pi stl e s we r e acce pte d as can o n i cal Scr i ptu r e .
Mar r i age an d pr o cr e ati o n we r e a t t r i bu t e d to Satan , an d
Mar ci o n al so d e n i e d th e h u man bi r t h o f th e Savi o u r ,13r e ga r d
i n g Hi s bo d y as a me r e appe ar an ce , an d Hi s l i f e a n d d e ath as
si mpl y a ppa r e n tDo ce ti sm.
5. C a r po cr a t e s T a u gh t a L i ce n t i o u s E t h i c. C ar po c-
r ate s o f Al e xan d r i a l i ke wi se tau gh t th e tr an s mi gr ati o n o f i m
mo r tal so ul s, passi n g f r o m bo d y to bo d y, u n t i l at l ast l i be r ate d ,
th e n s o ar i n g to Go d , th e Make r o f th e wo r l d , wh o i s abo ve
th e an ge l s. C ar po cr ate s was al so an ti n o mi a n , pr e ach e d a l i ce n
ti o u s e th i c, an d tau gh t th at J e su s was bo r n by n a tu r a l
ge n e r ati o n .14
6. G n o s t i c H e r e s i e s F o r ce C h u r ch t o D e f i n e F a i t h .
Be cau se o f th i s babe l o f co n f l i cti n g vo i ces, co n f u si o n was co n
f o u n d e d as to wh at C h r i s ti an s r e al l y be l i e ve d , f o r th e Gn o sti c
f acti o n s al l mas qu e r ad e d u n d e r th a t n ame . I n th e ve r y n a tu r e
o f th e case, t r u e C h r i s ti an te ach e r s we r e co mpe l l e d to d e f e n d
th e ge n u i n e C h r i s ti an f ai th agai n st th e mu l ti f o r m attacks o f
th i s vi ci o u s assai l an t. T h u s i t was t h a t th e Gn o sti c co n tr o ve r sy
13 Hi ppo l ytus, op. lit., book 7, ch aps. 17-19, i n A.NF, vol . 5, pp. 110, 112.
14 Irenaeus, Against Heresies, book 1, ch ap. 25, i n ANF, vo l . 1, p. 350; see al so Hi p
pol ytus, op. cit., ch ap. 20, i n ANF, vol . 5, pp. 113, 114.
28
f o r ce d th e C h r i s ti an C h u r ch to d e f i n e h e r d o ctr i n al be l i e f s
a n d basi c po si ti o n s, a n d h as te n e d th e d e ve l o pme n t o f h e r e ar l y
f o r mu l as o f f ai th , o r cr e e d s, as we l l as d e f i n i n g th e acce pte d
can o n o f Ol d an d Ne w T e s ta me n t Scr i ptu r e s. Wh e n th e se
we r e d u l y d e f i n e d a n d r e co gn i ze d , th e Gn o sti cs we r e th e n
s h u t o u t f r o m C h r i s ti an f e l l o wsh i p.
I I I . Re capi tu l ati o n o f Pr i n ci pal Er r o r s o f Gno sti ci sm
He r e i s a su mmar y o f th e mu l ti pl e e r r o r s o f Gn o sti ci sm i n
i ts var i an t f o r ms:
1. DualismT h e coexi sti ng o ppo si ti o n o f two e te r n al l y co n tr ar y pr i n
ci pl es, wi th matte r r e gar d e d as evi l , an d th er ef o r e n o t h avi n g be e n cr eated
di r ectl y by th e Supr eme Bei ng. T h e r e was co nsequent r e pu gn an ce to war d
an yth i n g mater i al .
2. EmanationsPosi ted o n a successi on o f Aeons th r o u gh eman ati o n s
f ro m th e Supr eme Bei ng, th e mo r e r emo te th e more degr aded. In pl ace o f
a di r e ct cr eati o n, e man ati o n u l ti matel y pr o duced th e worl d.
3. DemiurgeT h e most degr aded o f th e e man ati o n f i gures was th e
Wo r l d-Fr amer , i denti f i ed wi th th e God of th e J ews, an d th e Ol d T e stame n t
i n spi r e d by h i m.
4. Hostility to JudaismJ e h o vah r egar ded as mal i gn, an d acti vel y
h o sti l e to th e tr u e god. Re gar ded as di abo l i cal by some, wh i l e o th er s co n
si der ed h i m merel y i gn o r an t an d i mperf ect.
5. DocetismT h e Messi ah s body onl y an appe ar an ce , o r o nl y te mpo
r ar i l y used. T h u s Hi s Savi o ur sh i p was deni ed.
6. Rejection of Old Testament and All but Pauline New Testament
EpistlesPe te r an d J ame s co nsi dered servants of th e Demi urge.
7. Striving After SystemSeeki ng to br i n g al l ecl ecti c tr u th i n to h ar
mony, bu t wi th emph asi s o n po mp and ceremony.
8. Arbitrary AristocracyMen scal ed i n pr o po r ti o n to kno wl edge of
suppo sed "mysteri es: (1) th e masses sarkical, ani mal o r f l esh l y; (2) some
psychical o r capabl e o f r easo ni ng abo u t e ar th l y matter s; an d (3) th e el i te,
o r Gnosti csth e spiritual, appr e h e n d i n g di vi ne mysteri es.
9. FatalisticMan s pr e se n t co n d i ti o n n o t f rom h i s own ch oosi ng, bu t
r esul ts f rom th e me th o d o f h i s cr eati o n. And f ro m th i s h e can do n o th i n g
to f r ee h i msel f .
10. Matter Inherently EvilGr e at co n te mpt o f th e f l esh as i n h e r e n tl y
evi l . Some pr acti ced extr eme asceti ci sm; o th er s bel i eved th at th e i ndul gence
o f th e f l esh was i mmater i al , gi vi ng f ree r e i n to i ndul gence; an d sti l l o th er s
even i nsi sted th at th e f l esh o u gh t to be destro yed by th e pr acti ce o f vi ce.
11. Included Idea of RedemptionA di vi ne i n te r po si ti o n i n wo rl d
af f ai rs was, h o wever, concei ved, to del i ver f rom th e d o mi n i o n of evi l . I n th i s
i t di f f ered f r o m o th e r th eo so ph i cal systems.
12. Degraded ChristT h r o u gh th e se par ati o n o f th e C r e ato r of th e
worl d f rom th e Supr eme God, an d pu tti n g C h r i st i n th e same category as
o th e r bei ngs o f a l o wer n atu r e , Gnosti ci sm de gr aded th e di gni ty an d dei ty
o f C h ri st.
13. TransmigrationT h a t soul s mi gr ate f rom body to body u n ti l co m
pl e te pu r i f i cati o n h as been ach i eved; th us at f u n d ame n tal var i ance wi th
th e C h r i sti an d o ctr i n e of th e r esu r r e cti o n of th e body.
Su ch was th e co mpl e x pe r i l th at co n f r o n te d th e ch u r ch
an d i mpe l l e d I r e n ae u s to d e tai l i ts e r r o r s an d co n f r o n t i ts
cl ai mswi th mu ch e mph asi s o n th e tr u e n a tu r e a n d d e sti n y
o f man . Bu t be f o r e we t u r n to I r e n ae u s we mu s t br i e f l y n o te
th e me n ace o f Man i ch ae i sm.
IV. Me nace o f Mani ch aei sm Impe r i l s Po st-Ni cene C h u r ch
An o th e r gr ave pe r i l th a t ar o se to me n ace th e C h r i s ti an
C h u r ch , l i ke wi se base d o n a f u n d ame n tal l y d i s to r te d co n ce pt
o f bo d y a n d so u l , h e r e an d h e r e af te r , was th e Man i ch ae an
Du al i sti c mo ve me n t, r e ach i n g i ts h e i gh t i n th e f o u r th a n d
f i f th ce n tu r i e s . T h i s f u r t h e r s tate me n t i s th e r e f o r e n e ce ssar y
f o r ad d i ti o n a l backgr o u n d u n d e r s tan d i n g. T h e Man i ch ae an
mo ve me n t f o l l o we d af te r Gn o sti ci sm h ad passe d i ts pe ak. I t
was actu al l y a d e ve l o pme n t o f Gn o sti ci sm, wi th th e C h r i s ti an
e l e me n t r e d u ce d to a mi n i mu m an d d u al i s ti c Zo r o astr i an i sm,
o l d Babyl o n i an n a tu r e wo r sh i p, an d o th e r Or i e n ta l e l e me n ts
r ai se d to th e maxi mu ma n d al l e l e vate d to a gnosis.
1. O r i gi n , C h a r a ct e r i s t i cs , a n d A ma zi n g Spr e a d . T h e
e ar l y ph e n o me n al spr e ad o f tr u e C h r i s ti an i ty awake n e d th e
o ppo s i ti o n o f al l pagan r e l i gi o n s f r o m th e I n d u s to th e
Eu ph r ate s . Bu t wh e n Gn o sti c C h r i s ti an i ty was i n tr o d u ce d i n to
Pe r si a, Zo r o astr i an i sm was o n th e d e cl i n e . M a n e s , o r Man i
(c. a .d . 216-276), was bo r n i n Pe r si a. Pe r ce i vi n g po i n ts o f agr e e
me n t be twe e n Mi th r ai s m, Par si i sm, Bu d d h i s m, a n d Gn o sti c
C h r i s ti an i ty, h e co n ce i ve d th e i d e a o f bl e n d i n g Or i e n ta l pagan
Du al i sm, th e ch i e f te ach i n gs o f Par si i sm, o r Magi sm as r e f o r me d
by Zo r o aste r , wi th th e se n e w Gn o sti c-C h r i sti an e l e me n ts.
C h r i s ti an i ty mu s t f i r st be f r e e d f r o m al l e ge d J e wi sh co r r u pti o n s ,
f o r h e be l i e ve d th e J e ws we r e wo r s h i pi n g d ar kn e ss i n ste ad
o f l i gh t. T h e n th i s syn cr e ti sm wo u l d be cl o th e d i n Bi bl i cal
ph r ase o l o gy, th u s to pr o d u ce th e pe r f e ct u n i ve r s al r e l i gi o n .15
I t was a gr an d i o s e sch e me .
Man e s be gan th e pu bl i c te ach i n g o f h i s vi ews i n th e Pe r si an
co u r t a bo u t a .d . 240, bu t Zo r o astr i an i sm so o n f o r ce d h i m i n to
e xi l e . Re ach i n g We ste r n C h i n a, h e we n t f r o m th e r e d o wn
i n to I n d i a , wh e r e h e be came be tte r a cqu ai n te d wi th Bu d d h i s m
a n d d e ci d e d to i n co r po r ate i ts be st po i n ts i n h i s e xpa n d i n g
syn cr e ti sm. T h e C h r i s ti a n e l e me n t was by n o w r e d u ce d
to a h o l l o w sh e l l , s tr i ppe d o f al l r e al i ty an d d i ve ste d o f al l
t r u e i n te n t, si mpl y r e t a i n i n g ce r tai n C h r i s ti an te r ms. I t was
a cr u d e , u n h o l y al l i an ce , bu t Man e s pr o pagate d i t f ar a n d
wi d e . An d Man e s, i t s h o u l d be state d , was f i n al l y pu t to d e a th
by be i n g f l ayed al i ve .
Man i ch ae i sm was pe r se cu te d by th e Ro man e mpe r o r s, f i r st
as a Pe r si an sect a n d th e n as a Gn o sti c cu l t. Laws we r e i ssu e d
agai n st i t, as by Di o cl e ti an i n a .d . 296. Bu t s ti l l i t f l o u r i sh e d .
I t was ve h e me n tl y o ppo se d by so me i n th e ch u r ch , su ch as
Ambr o se a n d Ath an asi u s a n d Gr e go r y I. Ye t i t d e f i n i te l y i n
f l u e n ce d ce r tai n l e ad e r s i n th e ch u r ch .10 Man i ch ae i sm f i r st
gai n e d a f o o th o l d i n Pe r si a a n d Me so po tami a, pe n e tr ate d th e
Ro man Empi r e a bo u t a .d . 280, a n d e stabl i sh e d i tse l f i n Egypt by
th e cl o se o f th e t h i r d ce n tu r y.
I n th e f o u r th ce n tu r y i t be gan to s pr e ad r api d l y, a n d
ach i e ve d po pu l ar i ty i n Ital y. Ho we ve r , th e bu l k o f i ts a d
h e r e n ts we r e i n No r t h e r n Af r i ca. I t s u r vi ve d i n C h i n e se
T u r ke s t a n f o r ce n tu r i e s , a n d by a .d . 1000 was s ti l l i n So u th e r n
15 On Mani ch aei sm see Eph rai m o f Syri a, T i tus of Bostra, Irenaeus, Augusti ne, Al bi r uni
i
or Bi r uni ), and col l ecti ons of Mani ch aean manuscri pts. Al so such standar d h i stor i ans as Sch af f ,
l ase. Gi esel er, Neander, Waddi ngton, Baur, Har nack, and Newman, to geth er wi th C udwo r th
and Bunsen, and especi al l y F. C . Bur ki tt, A. V. W. J ackson, and Hans j . Pol otsky.
10 Augusti ne was a Mani ch ee f or ni ne year s bef ore h e recogni zed i ts er ro rs. Fol l owi ng
th at h e spared no pai ns i n tryi ng to co unter act Mani ch aei sm. Neverth el ess, some o f th e
Mani ch aean modes of th o ugh t af f ected h i m, and h e r etai ned th e evi l pr i nci pl e of Dual i sm.
Hi s dogmati cs reveal th e marks l ef t upo n h i m. (See Hudson, Debt and Grace, pp. 144, 330;
Newman, A Manual of Church History, vol . 1, pp. 197 , 365.)
Fr an ce a n d Spai n , an d e ve n i n Ge r man y, af f e cti n g so me o f
th e mo n ks a n d cl e r gy. I n f act, tr ace s o f i t co n ti n u e d i n var i o u s
l an d s u n t i l th e th i r te e n th ce n tu r y. So me e ve n ma i n ta i n th at
i t co n ti n u e d to make pr o se l yte s u p u n t i l th e Re f o r mati o n .
An d var i o u s me d i e val sects we r e be l i e ve d to be Ne o -
Man i ch ae an s at h e ar t. Fo r a ti me i t appe ar e d to be a r e al r i val
o f C h r i s ti an i ty.
2. E s s e n ce o f t h e M a n i ch a e a n M o ve me n t . Man i ch ae
i sm h ad a h i e r ar ch i cal o r gan i zati o n . At th e h e ad sto o d Man e s,
r e gar d e d as an apo stl e o f C h r i st an d co n s i d e r i n g h i mse l f th e
Par acl e te , co mpl e ti n g th e wo r k l e f t u n f i n i s h e d by C h r i st, wi th
successo r s l i ke Pe te r an d th e po pe s. T h e se at o f th e Man i ch ae an
po pe s was f o r ce n tu r i e s at Babyl o n , th e n at Samar kan d . Man e s
s u r r o u n d e d h i mse l f wi th twe l ve apo stl e s a n d se ve n ty bi sh o ps.
T h e r e we r e f i ve gr ad ati o n s i n th e cu l t: (1) T e ach e r s Man e s
an d h i s successo rs, (2) bi sh o ps, o r o ve r se e r s, (3) e l d e r s o r pr e s
byte r s, (4) electi, o r pe r f e ct, a pr i e stl y sace r d o tal cl ass, pr acti ci n g
Bu d d h i s t asce ti ci sm, an d (5) auditores, o r h e ar e r sse cu l ar l ay
me n wi th mo r e f r e e d o m. I t h ad a r i go r o u s system o f f asts wi th
Su n d ay as th e ch i e f day, co n se cr ate d to th e su n , th e vi si bl e
r e pr e s e n ta ti o n o f l i gh t wo r sh i p.
T h e pr i me o bje ct o f i t al l was to f r e e th e l i gh t f r o m
th e i n te r mi n gl e d d ar kn e ss. C h r i s t was se n t to acco mpl i sh
th i s. Bu t acco r d i n g to th e Man i ch ae an s, Hi s apo stl e s mi s r e pr e
s e n te d Hi s d o ctr i n e , so Man e s was s e n t to su cce e d wh e r e C h r i s t
h ad f ai l e d , a n d to r e s to r e wh at was l o st. T h e so u l par take s o f th e
ki n gd o m o f l i gh t; th e bo d y o f th e ki n gd o m o f d ar kn e ss. An d
Man i ch ae i s ms gr e at mo r al ai m was to te ach me n h o w to
d e l i ve r th e go o d so u l f r o m th e co r r u pt bo d y, an d to o ve r co me
th e po we r o f e vi l matte r , f o r e vi l was co n si d e r e d a r e al essence.
Man i ch ae i sm cal l e d f o r ph ysi cal r e f i n e me n t r a t h e r th an
mo r al r e ge n e r ati o n . An d r e d e mpti o n was to be f o u n d i n an d
t h r o u gh l i gh t, as wo r s h i pe d i n th e East as a symbo l o f d e i ty.
Bu t th e Wo r l d -So u l was s ti l l ch ai n e d to matte r . An d i n ste ad
o f f r e e i n g th e so u l f r o m d ar kn e ss, l i gh t h ad t u r n e d i n to
d ar kn e ss. Su ch we r e so me o f th e gr ave i ssues r ai se d by
Man i ch ae i sm.
3. C h r i s t i a n A s pe ct E ma s cu l a t e d a n d N u l l i f i e d . T h e
C h r i s t i a n aspe ct o f Man i ch ae i sm was r e d u ce d to a f ar ce . I t
h e l d th a t C h r i s t d i d n o t r e al l y d i e , th a t He d i d n o t h ave a r e al
bo d y, a n d n o d u a l (d i vi n e -h u man ) n a tu r e o n l y a f an tasti c
se mbl an ce o f co r po r e al i ty i n wh i ch Hi s essence as th e So n o f
Eve r l as ti n g L i gh t was pr e s e n te d to th e eyes o f me n . T h a t , o f
co u r se , was si mpl y Do ce ti sm." Acco r d i n gl y, th e y h e l d th a t C h r i st
h ad n o h u man bi r t h , a n d t h a t Hi s su f f e r i n g a n d d e ath we r e
r e al l y f i cti ti o u s. T h u s th e l i f e o f C h r i s t was, to th e Man i ch ae an s,
o n l y a se r i e s o f i l l u s o r y appe ar an ce s. Al l h i sto r i cal r e al i ty was
r e mo ve d , l e avi n g o n l y a f ew C h r i s ti an te r ms a n d me taph o r e s.
An d so me i d e n ti f i e d C h r i st wi th Mi th r as. T h u s th e system
was s tr i ppe d o f a savi n g C h r i st. T h a t was i ts mo st s i n i s te r
aspe ct.
4. F a n t a s t i c C o n ce pt s o f Bo d y, So u l , R e d e mpt i o n ,
R e s u r r e ct i o n .T h e i n tr i n s i c e vi l o f matte r an d th e h u man
bo d y was take n as axi o mati c. Man , th e y tau gh t, co nsi sts o f two
o ppo s i n g pr i n ci pl e s , wi th a so u l l i ke th e ki n gd o m o f l i gh t, a n d
a bo d y l i ke th e ki n gd o m o f d ar kn e ss. Str u ggl i n g so u l s o n e a r th
ar e to be d e l i ve r e d f r o m th e i r s i n f u l bo d i e s, an d af te r be i n g
pu r i f i e d by th e s u n ar e to asce n d to th e r e gi o n o f l i gh t. Bu t
th o se so u l s th a t n e gl e ct th e str u ggl e agai n st th e i r co r r u pt
n a t u r e ar e , af te r d e ath , to pass, th r o u gh tr an s mi gr ati o n , i n to th e
bo d i e s o f an i mal s o r o th e r be i n gs u n t i l th e y h ave e xpi ate d
th e i r gu i l t.
An d th i s be l i e f i n th e i n tr i n s i c e vi l o f matte r l e d th e m,
pe r f o r ce , to the denial of the resurrection. Matte r was so me h o w
al ways e vi l , th e f l esh be i n g e ve r a n d n e ce ssar i l y a t war wi th
th e s pi r i t. Sal vati o n th e r e f o r e l ay i n th e e xte r mi n a ti n g o f bo d i l y
17Doceti smd e n yi n g th e h umanjty and suf f eri ngs of C h r i st as appar e n t r ath e r th an
real deni ed th e uni que uni o n o f th e di vi ne and th e h uman i n C h r i sts perso n, and r ejected
th e r eal i ty of th e i ncar nati o n. Many h el d th at Jesus was a mere man, and th at th e Aeon
C h r i st descended upon th e man J esus at Hi s bapti sm, bu t l ef t Hi m i mmedi atel y bef ore Hi s
cruci f i xi onso th at C h r i st was not actual l y subject to pai n and death . Doceti sm is i n co ntr ast
wi th Ebi oni sm.
d e si r e s. T h u s a r i gi d an d gl o o my abs ti n e n ce was f o ste r e d .
5. B a s e d o n a n A bs o l u t e D u a l i s m. Man i ch ae i sm i s base d
o n an abs o l u te , pagan Du al i sm 18two e te r n al pr i n ci pl e s f r o m
wh i ch al l th i n gs pr o ce e d ; two e ve r l asti n g ki n gd o ms bo r d e r i n g
o n e ach o th e r th e ki n gd o m o f l i gh t u n d e r th e d o mi n i o n o f
Go d , an d th e ki n gd o m o f d ar kn e ss u n d e r th e co n tr o l o f
Dae mo n , e te r n al l y o ppo se d to e ach o th e r . I n th e vi si bl e wo r l d
th e y ar e co mmi n gl e d a n d i n co n f l i ct. Bu t th e qu e s ti o n o f the
eternity of evil xuas really the main issuei ts essence a n d i ts
o u tco me .
Bu t wi th i n i ts f r ame wo r k o f th e abs o l u te Du al i sm, e x
pl ai n e d i n mysti c te r ms, was a s o r t o f pan th e i s m, e ach e l e me n t
o f th e Du al i sm e vo l vi n g i n to mu l ti f o r mi ty. Fr o m th e ki n gd o m
o f l i gh t e man ate d th e mo th e r o f l i f e , wh i ch i n t u r n ge n e r
ate d th e pr i mi ti ve man , wh o was o ve r co me by th e ki n gd o m
o f d ar kn e ss. T h u s cr e ate d , man co nsi sts o f two o ppo si te
pr i n ci pl e s , wi th a so u l th a t mu s t be f r e e d f r o m th e bo d y o f
d ar kn e ss, th e h i gh e r n a tu r e be i n g te mpte d by th e l o we r .
6. C h u r ch R i t e s , P o l i t y , a n d C e r e mo n i e s .I n Man i ch ae -
i sms r e l i gi o u s r i te s, bapti s m a n d co mmu n i o n we r e ce l e br ate d
wi th gr e at po mp an d ce r e mo n y, as by C ath o l i cs a l i ttl e l ate r .
T h e elect we r e a sace r d o tal gr o u p, th e co n n e cti n g l i n k be twe e n
th e auditors a n d th e ki n gd o m o f l i gh t. T h e y pr acti ce d Bu d
d h i s t asce ti ci sm, po ssessed n o pr o pe r ty, we r e ce l i bate , abs tai n e d
f r o m wi n e , to o k n o an i mal l i f e , an d s u bje cte d h u man l i f e
to s tr i n ge n t r e gu l ati o n s .
An o th e r si n i s te r aspe ct was th at th e y r e je cte d th e Ol d
T e s ta me n t as th e wo r k o f th e go d o f d ar kn e ss, a n d th e y acce pte d
th e Ne w T e s ta me n t o n l y co n d i ti o n al l y, wh e r e n o t i n co n f l i ct
wi th th e i r te ach i n gs. Ne ve r th e l e ss, abs u r d an d u n -C h r i s ti an
as i t was, i t cl ai me d to be th e o n l y t r u e C h r i s ti an i ty.
I t e xal te d asce ti ci sm, i n tr o d u ce d po mpo u s ce r e mo n i al i sm,
_18 Pol yth ei sti c Persi a personal i zed i ts Dual i sm under Or muzd and Ah r i man, wi th o ut
begi nni ng or endi ng. T h e i r gross an d bal d Dual i sm asserted two per so nal , sel f -subsi sti ng gods,
warri ng eter nal l y agai nst each o th e r . Evi l was an eter nal necessi ty, and i nvol ved eter nal si n
and mi sery, an d i s unco nquer abl e o r i r reduci bl e. T h at was th e basi s and th e ani mus of Mani
ch aei sm.
h e l d th a t i ts mi n i s te r s ar e th e i n te r me d i ar i e s be twe e n Go d
a n d man , po ssessi ng e xtr ao r d i n ar y po we r s wi th Go d , an d i n t r o
d u ce d a s o r t o f Pu r gato r y. Pr aye r s we r e ad d r e sse d to th e Go d
o f Li gh t, th e ki n gd o m o f l i gh t, th e an ge l s, an d to Man e sth e
se l f -styl e d Par acl e te o r C o mf o r te r , wh o was to d e cl ar e th e way
o f sal vati o n .
T h i s was a n o th e r o f th e vi ci o u s systems co n f r o n ti n g th e
ch u r ch , agai n st wh i ch l o yal ch u r ch me n we r e i mpe l l e d to f i gh t
i n po st-Ni ce n e ti me s. T h a t i s wh y th e C o n d i ti o n al i s ts d we l t
so co n s tan tl y u po n th e tr u e o r i gi n , n a tu r e , an d d e sti n y o f man ,
a n d th e t r u e pr o vi si o n s o f sal vati o n an d i mmo r tal i ty i n C h r i st,
to ge th e r wi th th e r e ve al e d f ate o f th e wi cke d .
T h a t i s wh y we h ave be e n co mpe l l e d to t u r n asi d e l o n g
e n o u gh f o r a can d i d e xami n ati o n i n o r d e r to u n d e r s tan d th e
s i n i s te r ch ar acte r o f th e se mo ve me n ts a n d th e s pr e ad o f th e i r
acti vi ti e s th a t i n d u ce d su ch wi d e spr e ad d i scu ssi o n o f th e n a tu r e
a n d d e sti n y o f man . Ne ve r th e l e ss, th e se we r e so me o f th e
mu l t i pl e f acto r s i n th e gr o wi n g acce ptan ce o f th e I n n ate -I mmo r -
tal i ty th e si s, a n d th e d u al i s ti c n o ti o n o f th e e te r n i ty o f evi l ,
wh i ch i s ti e d i n wi th th e co n ce pt o f th e Ete r n al T o r me n t o f
th e wi cke d .
C H A P T E R F I F T Y - O N E
Ir e n ae u s of Gaul C o n d i ti o n al i st
C h ampi o n o n We ste r n Ou tpo st
Fi r st o f T h r e e Sch ool s o f T h e o l o gi cal T r i l e mma Str e n gth e n e d
Ir e n ae u s He l ps Establ i sh C l e ar Po si ti o ns of C o n d i ti o n al i sm
I. Un i qu e Po si ti o n as C o n te n d e r f o r Or th o do xy
We n o w t u r n to I r e n ae u s, o f Gau l , mo st co n spi cu o u s
an d l e ar n e d C o n d i ti o n al i s t o f th e t h i r d ce n tu r y, wh o bo r e a
r e mar kabl e te sti mo n y i n th i s tr a n s i ti o n h o u r . T h e cl o se o f th e
se co n d ce n tu r y r e ve al s a mar ke d ch an ge i n th e ch ar acte r an d
po s i ti o n o f th e e xpan d i n g C h r i s ti an C h u r ch . I t h ad appe al e d
to th e ju d gme n t o f var i o u s ph i l o so ph e r s, bu t h ad n o t ye t wo n
th e d e f e r e n ce o f th e state sme n . Ne ve r th e l e ss, th e ch u r ch was
i n d e f i n i te pr o ce ss o f e s tabl i s h me n t th r o u gh o u t th e e mpi r e .
Me an wh i l e , wi th i n th e ch u r ch acr i mo n i o u s co n tr o ve r sy
h ad d e ve l o pe d o ve r th e i ssue o f C h i l i asm, o r th e r e i gn o f th e
gl o r i f i e d sai n ts o n e ar th d u r i n g th e th o u s an d ye ar s f o l l o wi n g
th e Se co n d Ad ve n t. T h i s was o ccasi o n e d by e xtr e mi sts wh o
h ad br o u gh t th e wh o l e pr e mi l l e n n i a l i s t po si ti o n i n to d i scr e d i t.
An d n o w h e r e si e s we r e swe e pi n g o ve r th e ch u r ch l i ke d e s tr u c
ti ve swar ms o f l o custs, to d e vo u r th e h ar ve s t o f th e go spe l .
Gn o sti ci sm was th e mo st d e vastati n g o f al l , an d so be came
th e o bje ct o f I r e n a e u s massi ve attack.
1. P u pi l o f C o n d i t i o n a l i s t P o l yca r p, o f Smyr n a .
Wi t h th i s as a s e tti n g we n o w t u r n to th e We ste r n o u tpo s t
o f th e ch u r ch i n C e l ti c Gau l , wh i ch i n a .d . 177 was vi si te d by
te r r i bl e pe r s e cu ti o n u n d e r Au r e l i u s , wi th man y mar tyr d o ms
at Lyo n s. Al th o u gh n o th i n g i s kn o wn po si ti ve l y as to th e o r i gi n
873
I r e n a e u s o f Ga u l C o n d i
ti o n a l C h a mpi o n o f We s te r n
Ou t po s t ; Mo r ta l Man Mu s t
Be I mmo r ta l i ze d .
o f th e ch u r ch i n Gau l , i ts pi o n e e r s ar e be l i e ve d to h ave co me
f r o m Asi a Mi n o r . Bu t abo u t a .d . 178 I r e n a e u s (c. 130-202),
wh o h ad be e n bo r n i n Asi a Mi n o r , was mad e bi sh o p o f
Gau l . He h ad r e ce i ve d a He l l e n i s ti c e d u cati o n , bu t d e f i n i te l y
be l o n ge d to th e We st, an d be came o n e o f th e mo st l e ar n e d
a n d r e n o wn e d o f th e e ar l y An te -Ni ce n e Fath e r s.
He h ad be e n a pu pi l o f Po l ycar p o f Smyr n a, wh o , i t wi l l
be r e me mbe r e d , was an avo we d C o n d i ti o n al i s t. T h i s asso ci ati o n
d o u btl e s s i n f l u e n ce d I r e n a e u s o wn vi ews o n th i s co n tr o ve r te d
qu e s ti o n . An d n o w f r o m Lyo n s, o n th e ban ks o f th e Rh o n e ,
h e co n d u cte d a vast mi ssi o n ar y an d l i te r ar y acti vi ty. By th i s
ti me Gn o sti ci sm was r ampan t, a n d I r e n ae u s so u gh t bo th to
ch e ck i ts swe e p a n d to r eaf f i r m an d e stabl i sh th e f u n d ame n tal s
o f th e C h r i s ti an f ai th . I n th i s h e be came th e mo st r e n o wn e d
ch ampi o n o f o r th o d o xy i n h i s ge n e r ati o n . He was al so th e
co n n e cti n g l i n k be twe e n East a n d We st. Be cause o f h i s u n i qu e
te sti mo n y as a spo ke sman f o r C o n d i ti o n al i s m we sh al l an al yze
h i s wi tn e ss qu i te f u l l y.
874
C ONDI T I ONAL I ST C HAMPION ON WEST ERN OUT POST 875
2. L i f e l o n g F o e o f C o n t e mpo r a r y H e r e s i e s . I r e n ae u s
was a l i f e l o n g f o e o f th e se co n te mpo r ar y h e r e si e s, e spe ci al l y
Gn o sti ci sm, th e n s pr e ad i n g l i ke a pe sti l e n ce o ve r po r ti o n s o f
th e ch u r ch i n var i o u s l an d s. He s tu d i e d th e m as a ski l l e d
ph ysi ci an stu d i e s di seases, says C o xe , cl assi f yi n g, d e scr i bi n g, an d
co u n te r i n g th e m. He was an i n d e pe n d e n t th i n ke r , a n d f ear l e ss
i n th e e xpr e ssi o n o f h i s co n vi cti o n s. T h u s h e se t an e xampl e
o f r e si stan ce to Ro me wh e n sh e was to be bl ame d , t h a t pe r si ste d
th r o u gh th e ce n tu r i e s .1
As to Gn o sti ci sm, wi th i ts pr o f e sse d kn o wl e d ge (gnosis)
bu t actu al l y s i n i s te r assu mpti o n s an d abs u r d i ti e s I r e n ae u s
f e l t h i s task to be cl e ar . He mu s t make i t i mpo ssi bl e f o r an yo n e
to co n f o u n d t r u e C h r i s ti an i ty wi th Gn o sti ci sm. Mo r e o ve r , h e
mu s t make i t i mpo ssi bl e f o r su ch a mo n str o u s system to su r vi ve ,
o r e ve r to r i se agai n . I n th i s h i gh r e so l ve h e d e l i ve r e d bo d y
bl o ws, d e mo n s tr a ti n g i ts e sse n ti al i d e n ti ty wi th o l d pagan
myth o l o gy a n d h e ath e n systems o f ph i l o so ph y, a n d r e f u t i n g
i ts so ph i str i e s. So, d e spi te mi l i t a n t pagan i sm an d h e r e sy h e se t
u p th e l an d mar ks o f th e f ai th i n Gau l , as h e casti gate d th e
e r r o r s o f h i s day.
3. G e n e r a l Su r ve y o f I r e n a e u s D e f i n i t i ve T r e a t i s e .
Bi sh o p I r e n a e u s f amo u s tr e ati se Against Heresies i s a d e tai l e d
e xpo s u r e a n d co n f u ta ti o n o f th e mu l ti f o r m Gn o sti c h e r e si e s
o f th e ti me , l e ad i n g i n to a d e f i n i ti ve e xpo s i ti o n a n d d e f e n se
o f th e C h r i s ti an f ai th . Its f u l l ti tl e , as gi ve n by Eu se bi u s, i s
A Refutation and Subversion of Knoivledge falsely so called.
Wr i t t e n d u r i n g th e e pi sco pate o f Pl o ti n u s , h i s pr e d e ce sso r at
Lyo n s, i t i s d i vi d e d i n to f i ve bo o ks. T h e f i r st two ar e a d e tai l e d
d e s cr i pti o n o f th e si n i s te r te ach i n gs o f th e h e r e ti cal sects, wi th
an e xpo s u r e an d o ve r th r o w o f th e i r abs u r d i ti e s . T h e r e mai n i n g
th r e e bo o ks se t f o r th th e t r u e C h r i s ti an d o ctr i n e as th e r u l e
o f f ai th a n d pr acti ce , bu t s ti l l i n basi c co n tr as t wi th , a n d o ppo si
ti o n to , Gn o sti ci sm.
T h e Gn o sti cs h ad r ai se d two qu e sti o n s: Ho w co u l d th e
1C oxe, In tr o d u cto r y Note to Irenaeus Agai nst Her esi es, i n ANF, vol . 1, pp. 309, 310.
f i n i te be r e co n ci l e d wi th th e In f i n i te ? an d , Ho w co u l d th e
e xi ste n ce o f e vi l be acco u n te d f o r? He r e was I r e n a e u s abl e
an swe r . Re gr e ttabl y, o n l y th e f i r st bo o k h as be e n pr e se r ve d
i n th e Gr e e k o r i gi n al . T h e r e st ar e i n L ati n tr an s l ati o n o n l y
mad e wh e n th e ch u r ch h ad al l bu t u n i ve r sal l y ad o pte d th e
Au gu s ti n i an th e o r y, an d by a tr an s l ato r o f th a t pe r su asi o n .
T o o mu ch d e pe n d e n ce can n o t, th e r e f o r e , be pl ace d o n th e
pr e ci se r e n d e r i n g o f ce r tai n co n tr o ve r te d passages. Ne ve r th e l e ss,
th e tr e ati s e be ar s r e mar kabl e te sti mo n y to th e C o n d i ti o n al i s t
d o ctr i n e o f th e n a t u r e an d d e sti n y o f man , a n d i ts i n se par abl e
co r o l l ar y, th e u l ti ma te d e s tr u cti o n o f th e wi cke d .
4. St a n d s a s B u l w a r k A ga i n s t U n i ve r s a l I n n a t e I mmo r
t a l i t y . I t s h o u l d be r e me mbe r e d th a t I r e n ae u s was r e co g
n i ze d as o n e o f th e abl e st a n d so u n d e st o f th e An te -Ni ce n e
Fath e r s. He stan d s i n i mpo si n g co n tr as t wi th , a n d o ppo s i ti o n to ,
th e two co n f l i cti n g sch o o l s ju s t ar i si n g. T h e s e i n ti me came to
be kn o wn as Au gu s ti n i an i s m (wi th i ts u n i ve r sal I n n ate -I mmo r -
tal i ty th esi s, co mbi n e d wi th th e Ete r n al -T o r me n t-o f -th e -wi cke d
po s tu l ate d e ve l o pe d by T e r tu l l i a n ), an d Or i ge n i s m (l i ke wi se
wi th i ts u n i ve r s al I n n a te I mmo r tal i ty, bu t h avi n g as i ts co r o l l ar y
th e u l ti ma te u n i ve r s al r e s to r ati o n o f th e wi cke d ). I r e n ae u s sto o d
as a bu l war k agai n st bo th o f th e se co n f l i cti n g i mmo r tal -so u l
co n ce pts ju st maki n g th e i r appe ar an ce . Hi s ch r o n o l o gi cal ti mi n g
a n d r e l a ti o n s h i p to th e o th e r C h u r ch Fath e r s wi l l be se en by
th e T a bu l a r C h a r t F, o n page 758.
Le t us f i r st take a pan o r ami c vi e w o f h i s o ve r -al l po si ti o n s.
On th e basi s o f Ho l y Wr i t, I r e n ae u s e n vi si o n e d th e co mi n g o f
a cl e an u n i ve r s e f r e e f r o m si n an d su f f e r i n g, br o u gh t a bo u t
th r o u gh th e u l ti ma te d e s tr u cti o n o f si n , si n n e r s, a n d d e mo n s
a n d th e f i n al r e s to r ati o n o f r i gh te o u sn e ss. I n r e f u ti n g th e pagan
po s tu l ate o f th e I n n a te I mmo r tal i ty o f th e so u l , I r e n ae u s
str e sse d t h a t i t i s f r o m C o d s o wn gr ace , maje sty, a n d po we r ,
a n d n o t f r o m o u r o wn n a tu r e , th a t we r e ce i ve th e gi f t o f i mmo r
tal i ty, o r l i vi n g f o r e ve r .
5. W i cke d D e s t i n e d t o C e s s a t i o n o f Be i n g. I r e n ae u s
se e me d to e xh au st th e e xpr e ssi ve vo cabu l ar y at h i s co mman d
i n d e n yi n g th e i mmo r tal i ty o f th e u n save d . T h e i n co r r i gi bl y
wi cke d ar e co n si gn e d to e te r n al pu n i s h me n t wh i ch , h e e xpl ai n s,
e n d s i n co mpl e te ce ssati o n o f be i n g o r e xi ste n ce ; an d th i s r e su l ts
i n th e e n d o f al l e vi l . T h e ch asti se me n t o f th e wi cke d wi l l
be e te r n al i n i ts effects, be cau se Go d s be n e f i ts ar e e te r n al . Hi s
a r gu me n t, i n a se n te n ce , was th i s: To be deprived of the benefits
of existence is the greatest punishment, and to be deprived of
them forever is to suffer eternal p u n i s h m e n t T h i s sh o u l d
be bo r n e i n mi n d .
I r e n ae u s r e je cte d th e pr i n ci pl e , co mmo n al i ke to Gn o s ti
ci sm a n d to Pl ato n i s m, th a t gl o r i f i e s th e so u l an d d e pr e ci ate s
th e bo d y. He h e l d to th e o n e n e ss o f man an d i n si ste d o n th e
r e s u r r e cti o n o f th e bo d y an d th e r e d e mpti o n o f th e e n ti r e man .
He ar gu e d agai n st th e tr an s mi gr ati o n o f so ul s, a be l i e f h e l d i n
th e East a n d i n Gr e e ce a n d e ve n cr e e pi n g i n to th e ch u r ch i n
Al e xan d r i a. T o I r e n ae u s i n co r r u pti bi l i t y do e s n o t me an a
me r e mysti c pu r i ty o f l i f e bu t th e i mpe r i s h abi l i ty o f th e r e s u r
r e cte d bo d y a n d th e wh o l e man .
C h u r ch h i s to r i an Ph i l i p Sch af f d e cl ar e d I r e n ae u s to be
th e l e ad i n g r e pr e s e n tati ve o f th e J o h a n n i n e Sch o o l i n th e se co n d
h al f o f th e se co n d ce n tu r y, th e ch ampi o n o f o r th o d o xy agai n st
th e Gn o sti c h e r e sy, a n d me d i a to r be twe e n th e Eas te r n a n d th e
We s te r n ch u r ch , an d , o n th e wh o l e , th e mo st o r th o d o x o f
th e an te -Ni ce n e f ath e r s . 2I n th e l i gh t o f I r e n ae u s pr o n o u n ce d
C o n d i ti o n al i s m, t h a t i s a h i gh l y si gn i f i can t e val u ati o n .
6. E s c h a t o l o g i c a l O u t l i n e P o r t r a y s L a s t E v e n t s .
Be f o r e we take u p I r e n a e u s d i scu ssi o n o f ma n s n a tu r e an d
d e sti n y, i t i s d e s i r abl e to gr asp h i s e xpo s i ti o n o f th e gr e at
pr o ph e ti c o u tl i n e s o f Scr i ptu r e , as th e se h ave a d i r e ct be ar i n g
o n h i s e sch ato l o gi cal vi ews. I r e n ae u s was an abl e e xpo s i to r o f
th e majo r pr o ph e ci e s o f Dan i e l an d th e Apo cal ypse . T h e i m
pr e ssi ve par al l e l i s m o f Dan i e l 2 a n d 7 i s br o u gh t o u t wi th
r e mar kabl e cl ar i tyth e f o u r wo r l d po we r s o f Babyl o n i a, Me d o -
Pe r si a, Gr e e ce , a n d Ro me , a n d th e i r af te r math .
2 Ph i l i p Sch af f , History of the Christian Church, vol . 2, p. 751.
He i d e n ti f i e s h i s o wn ti me s wi th th at o f th e Ro man
f o u r t h , which now rules, bu t wh i ch , h e h e l d , was so o n to be
pa r ti ti o n e d , acco r d i n g to pr o ph e cy, i n to te n l esser ki n gd o ms
th e co mi n g n ati o n s o f We ste r n Eu r o pe . An d th i s br e a ku p o f
Ro me , po r tr aye d by th e br o ke n f e e t-an d -to e s po r ti o n o f th e
i mage o f Dan i e l 2, sets f o r th th e same f o u r th ki n gd o m, pa r
t i t i o n e d i n to th e same te n smal l e r ki n gd o ms, bu t h e r e f o l l o we d
by th e He ave n -d e sce n d i n g sto n e ki n gd o m o f C h r i st, d e s ti n e d
to smi te th e n ati o n s i n e a r t h s l a tte r days.
T h e n , I r e n ae u s n o te s i n Dan i e l 7 an ad d e d f e atu r e , pe r
ta i n i n g to co mi n g d e ve l o pme n ts i n th e Ro man Empi r e . A
l i ttl e h o r n ki n gd o m was to s u ppl a n t th r e e o f Ro me s te n
d i vi si o n s, wh i ch h e i d e n ti f i e d u n d e r th e mu l ti pl e n ame s o f
An ti ch r i s t, Man o f Si n , Myste r y o f I n i qu i ty, So n o f Pe r d i ti o n ,
Be ast, a n d L i ttl e Ho r n , wh o se r e i gn wo u l d te r mi n a te i n d e
s tr u cti o n at th e Se co n d Ad ve n t.4An d C h r i s ts se co n d co mi n g
i s, h e state s, acco mpan i e d by th e f i r st r e s u r r e cti o n , an d f o l l o we d
by th e r e i gn o f th e r e s u r r e cte d sai n ts d u r i n g th e mi l l e n n i u m.5
Bu t th e ge n e r al r e s u r r e cti o n an d ju d gme n t u po n th e
wi cke d , I r e n ae u s d e cl ar e s, follows th e d e sce n t o f th e Ne w
J e r u s al e m at th e end o f th e mi l l e n n i al pe r i o d . Su ch i s h i s bo l d
a n d cl e ar d e pi cti o n o f th e i n s pi r e d o r pr o ph e s i e d o u tl i n e
o f th e ce n tu r i e s , an d th e o r d e r o f e sch ato l o gi cal e ve n tsi n cl u d
i n g th e f i nal d e sti n y an d d i spo si ti o n o f al l man ki n d .
By h avi n g be f o r e us I r e n ae u s co n ce pt o f th e f i n al d i s
po s i ti o n o f al l th i n gs i n o t h e r wo r d s, h i s e sch ato l o gyth e
way i s o pe n f o r u n d e r s ta n d i n g h i s vi ew o f th e a n n i h i l a t i o n
o f th e wi cke d i n co n n e cti o n wi th th e l ast ju d gme n t, an d th e
co n f e r r i n g o f i mmo r tal i ty o n th e r i gh te o u s o n l y, a n d n o t o n
th e wi cke d . T h u s i n s pi r e d pr o ph e cy an d Bi bl i cal d o ctr i n e ar e ,
acco r d i n g to I r e n ae u s, se e n to be i n co mpl e te agr e e me n t. Bu t
th e r e i s o n e key pr i n ci pl e th a t u n l o cks h i s e n ti r e e xpo si ti o n .
7. C h r i s t C a m e t o U n d o R u i n W r o u g h t b y A d a m .
3 Irenaeus, op. cit., book 5, ch aps. 25, 26, i n ANF, vol . 1, pp. 553-555.
4 Ibid., ch aps. 25-35, pp. 553-566.
5 Ibid., ch ap. 25, sec. 2, p. 566. Fo r detai l s of hi s exposi ti on consul t Fr o o m, Prophetic
Faith, vol . i , pp. 244-252.
I r e n a e u s po s i ti o n may be su mme d u p i n th e wo r d r e ca pi tu l a
t i o n , me an i n g s u mmi n g u p o r s ta r ti n g af r e s h . J e su s i s
th e Se co n d Ad am. As Ad am f e l l th r o u gh disobedience an d
be came mo r tal , so J e su s came as th e Se co n d Ad am to be
vi cto r i o u s th r o u gh obedience, an d to co n f e r i mmo r tal i ty. Fr o m
th i s po si ti o n I r e n ae u s attacks th e Gn o sti cs. T h e y say t h a t th e
f l esh i s th e wo r k o f th e De mi u r ge , a n d so i s o f n o acco u n t,
a n d th a t man , i n h i s so u l , i s n a tu r a l l y i mmo r tal . I r e n ae u s
says t h a t th e f l esh i s th e h an d i wo r k o f th e tr u e Go d a n d a
vi tal pa r t o f man an d so mu s t be r e d e e me d . Fo r th e se r e aso n s
C h r i s t came i n tr u e f l esh to u n d o wh at Ad am h ad d o n e i n
th e f l esh . T h i s i s th e key to I r e n a e u s e n ti r e tr e ati se .
I I . Ir e n ae u s Basi c Do ctr i n al Po si ti o ns an d Def i ni ti o ns
Be f o r e taki n g u p th e co mpr e h e n s i ve wi tn e ss pr o vi d e d
th r o u gh a co n se cu ti ve bo o k-by-bo o k co ve r age o f Against Her
esies, l e t us pr e vi e w I r e n a e u s basi c po si ti o n s an d h i s f u n d a
me n tal d e f i n i ti o n s an d usages o f te r ms f o r gu i d an ce th r o u gh
h i s vo l u mi n o u s tr e ati se . Fi r s t to be n o te d ar e ce r tai n co n tr asts.
Ei gh ty ye ar s ago An gl i can Pr e be n d ar y He n r y C o n stabl e so abl y
t a bu l a te d I r e n a e u s l e ad i n g po si ti o n s t h a t h i s ge n e r al o u tl i n e
wi l l , i n par t, be f o l l o we d h e r e .
1. M o r t a l M a n M u s t Be I mmo r t a l i ze d a t R e s u r r e c
t i o n .I r e n a e u s vi ews we r e d i ame tr i cal l y o ppo se d to th o se o f
th e T e r tu l l i a n -Au gu s ti n i a n Sch o o l wi th t h e i r I n n ate -I mmo r -
tal i ty a n d Ete mal -T o r me n t-o f -th e -wi cke d po s tu l ate ju s t th e n
a ppe ar i n g i n Ro me an d Af r i ca. T e r t u l l i a n a n d Au gu s ti n e
mai n ta i n e d th a t f r o m th e ve r y be gi n n i n g man was po ssessed
o f an i n h e r e n t a n d i n al i e n abl e i mmo r tal i ty o f th e so u l .
I r e n ae u s , o n th e co n tr ar y, h e l d th at ma n s e n ti r e n a tu r e was
cr e ate d for i mmo r tal i ty, bu t was mo r tal ,6a n d n o t ye t po ssessed
o f i mmo r tal i ty.
6 Irenaeus, op. cit., book 4, ch ap. 39, i n ANF, vol . 1, pp. 522, 523.
He ma i n ta i n e d th at unfallen man , i n h i s f i r st e state i n
Ed e n , h ad to o btai n so me th i n g th at h e d i d n o t at f i r st possess,
a n d f ai l e d to o btai n . An d i n h i s fallen state , i f h e r e f u s e d to
acce pt C h r i s t as h i s co mpl e te Savi o u r f r o m si n , man cu t h i mse l f
of f f r o m th e pr o f e r r e d gi f t o f i mmo r tal i ty. T h u s I r e n a e u s
po s i ti o n was abso l u te l y i r r e co n ci l abl e wi th th e Au gu s ti n i an
d o gma th a t th e wi cke d h ave an i n n ate l y i mmo r tal e xi ste n ce .
He , o n th e co n tr ar y, h e l d th a t i mmo r tal i ty wi l l be bestowed
at th e r e s u r r e cti o n , wi th th e r e u n i o n o f th e be l i e ve r s bo d y an d
so u l .7
2. T o L i ve I s t o E xi s t ; t o Di e , t o C e a s e t o E xi s t .
I r e n a e u s co n ce pt o f l i f e i s th a t o f th e l i te r al sense o f
existence, wh e r e as Au gu s ti n i an i s m f o r ce d u po n th e wo r d th e
t h o u gh t o f we l l -be i n g, h appi n e s s , f e l i ci ty. Bu t to
Ir e n ae u s th e r e may be life wh e r e th e r e i s n o l i gh t o r jo y,
bu t o n l y f e ar , d ar kn e ss, an d so r r o w, f o r th e f l esh par take s o f
l i f e . An d I r e n ae u s d e f i n e s life eternal as n e ve r gr o wi n g o l d ,
n e ve r d yi n g th e se co n d d e ath , n e ve r ce asi n g to e xi st. I t i s
C h r i st, th e Pr i n ce o f Li f e , wh o e xi ste d be f o r e al l , wh o i s th e
so u r ce o f al l l i f e . T o l i ve, th e n , i s to e xi st.8
3. E t e r n a l L i f e I s B e s t o we d E t e r n a l E xi s t e n ce .
Ete r n al l i f e , h e h e l d , i s th at l i f e th a t i s bestowed by C h r i s t
u po n Hi s r e d e e me d . An d i t i n vo l ve s pe r pe tu al d u r a t i o n ,
co n ti n u an ce f o r e ve r an d e ve r , l e n gth o f days f o r e ve r an d
e ve r , o r u n e n d i n g e xi ste n ce , an d i s se t f o r th as i d e n ti cal
wi th i mmo r ta l i ty an d i n co r r u pti bi l i t y. Be l i e ve r s ar e th e
ch i l d r e n o f th e r e s u r r e cti o n , th r o u gh wh i ch th e y wi l l o btai n
th e l i f e n o w pl e d ge d to th e m. I mmo r tal i ty i s n o w i n pr o mi se ,
bu t n o t as ye t i n actu al po ssessi o n. T h u s th e e l e ct ar e e n r o l l e d
f o r l i f e e te r n a l . T h a t , sai d I r e n ae u s, i s th e C h r i s ti a n s gl o r i o u s
pr o spe ct.
4. I m m o r t a l i t y R e s t r i c t e d t o t h e R i g h t e o u s . No n e
7 Ibid., book 5, ch aps. 10-13, pp. 536-541.
8 G e n e r a l N o t e : A s stated, th e mul ti pl e ref erences to Ir enaeus many state ments ci ted
i n th i s ch apter , and scattered th r o ugh o ut hi s f i ve books, are no t dupl i cated h er e because of
space, but appear i n th e ch apter -by-ch apter co ver age i n ch apte r 52.
bu t th e r e d e e me d wi l l o btai n th i s l i f e th a t wi l l n e ve r e n d ,
th i s pe r pe tu al d u r a t i o n . I t i s a gift f r o m Go d th r o u gh C h r i st,
a n d i s co n f i n e d to th e r e d e e me d . T h e u n be l i e vi n g a n d wi cke d
sh al l n o t i n h e r i t th e wo r l d o f l i f e wh i ch i s to co me . T h e y
th e r e by d e f r a u d th e mse l ve s o f th i s l i f e , h avi n g f o r f e i te d
i t th r o u gh t h e i r pe r ve r se n e ss. An d th e i r e ve r l asti n g pe r d i t i o n
co n si sts i n cu tt i n g th e m of f f r o m th i s [pr o f f e r e d ] l i f e . I n
th i s speci f i c way I r e n a e u s s tan d i s i n co mpl e te co n tr as t wi th
t h a t o f th e l ate r Au gu s ti n i an Sch o o l , wh i ch tau gh t t h a t u n e n d
i n g e xi ste n ce i s f o r al l me n , e vi l as we l l as go o d .
5. Di s o be d i e n ce C a u s e d L o s s o f M a n s I mmo r t a l i t y .
C o mi n g spe ci f i cal l y to i mmo r ta l i ty (athanasia), I r e n ae u s
gi ves i ts pr i mar y me an i n g as e xe mpti o n f r o m d e ath an d a n n i h i
l ati o n ; i n o th e r wo r d s, u n e n d i n g e xi ste n ce . Wh e n appl i e d to
Go d i t i s th e abso l u te , e te r n al e xi ste n ce o f wh i ch He can n o t
be d e pr i ve d . Bu t I r e n ae u s r e pe ate d l y asser ts th at i mmo r tal i ty
was f o r f e i te d by man th r o u gh h i s tr an sgr e ssi o n , an d can n o t
po ssi bl y be th e i n h e r e n t po ssessi o n o f th e d i so be d i e n t. Be cause
o f d i s o be d i e n ce man was cast of f f r o m i mmo r ta l i ty. An d h e
asks th e u n an s we r abl e qu e s ti o n Ho w can man be i mmo r tal
wh o i n h i s mo r tal n a tu r e d i d n o t o be y h i s Make r ?
Mo r e o ve r , th e i mmo r tal i ty th u s l o st by si n can be r e gai n e d
o n l y by ch o i ce an d str u ggl e . I r e n ae u s ci te s Pa u l s l o gi cal a n d
co n s i s te n t e xh o r ta ti o n to str u ggl e th a t we may be cr o wn e d
wi th i mmo r tal i ty, an d r e f e r s to t h a t wh i ch i s a cqu i r e d by o u r
s tr u ggl e , bu t wh i ch do e s n o t e n ci r cl e us o f i ts o wn acco r d .
6. U n i o n W i t h C h r i s t R e s u l t s i n I mmo r t a l i t y .I n
var i o u s ways a n d by mu l ti pl e f o r ms o f e xpr e ssi o n , I r e n ae u s i n
si sts t h a t i mmo r tal i ty i s a gi f t co n ve ye d to th e be l i e ve r th r o u gh
th e go spe l , wh i ch pr o vi si o n h e i n te r e s ti n gl y d e scr i be s as
br e a t h i n g o u t i mmo r ta l i ty a n d vi vi f yi n g man af r e s h . Un
i o n wi th C h r i s t i s th e so l e me an s by wh i ch i t i s gai n e d . So h e says,
By n o o th e r me an s co u l d we h ave a tt a i n e d to i n co r r u pti bi l i t y
a n d i mmo r tal i ty u n l e ss we h ad be e n u n i te d to i n co r r u pti bi l i t y
an d i mmo r ta l i ty. T h i s i n vo l ve s a savi n g kn o wl e d ge o f th e
C ONDI T I ON ALIST C HAMPION ON WEST ERN OUT POST 881
So n o f Go d , a n d f r i e n d s h i p wi th Go d , wh i ch i mpar ts i mmo r
tal i ty to th o se wh o e mbr ace i t . T h i s h o n o r i s bo th acco r d e d
a n d r e s tr i cte d to th o se wh o h ave o be ye d a n d be l i e ve d o n Go d .
7. F u t u r e D e s t i n i e s D e t e r mi n e d by C o n t r a s t i n g R e s u r
r e ct i o n s .I r e n a e u s vi ew o n th e r e s u r r e cti o n , o r r a th e r ,
th e r e s u r r e cti o n s o f th e ju s t an d th e u n ju s t co n f i r ms h i s
po i n t. Au gu s ti n i an i s m h e l d th a t th e bo d i e s o f th e wi cke d
wi l l be r ai se d i mmo r tal , f o r e te r n al su f f e r i n g. I r e n ae u s, o n th e
co n tr ar y, r e str i cts i mmo r tal i ty to th e r e d e e me d , to be be sto we d
a t th e first r e s u r r e cti o n , an d o n l y to th e bo d i e s o f th e ju s t
wh e n Go d wi l l r e n d e r th e m i n co r r u pti bl e a n d i mmo r ta l .
C o n tr ar i wi se , th e bo d i e s o f th e wi cke d wi l l be mo r tal i n th e i r
r e s u r r e cti o n , an d s u bje ct to d i s i n te gr ati o n a n d f i n al d e s tr u cti o n .
8. I n co r r u pt i o n M e a n s I n ca pa bl e o f D e ca y.By
i n co r r u pt i o n I r e n ae u s s tate d th a t h e me an s e xe mpti o n f r o m
d e cay o r d i ss o l u ti o n , o r e xe mpti o n f r o m ce asi n g to e xi st. I t
mu s t be r e me mbe r e d th at I r e n ae u s was o ppo si n g Gn o sti c h e r e
ti cs wh o d e n i e d a bo d i l y r e s u r r e cti o n , a n d wh o h e l d t h a t th e
f l esh o f th e s pi r i tu a l i s n o t capabl e o f co r r u pt i o n , t h a t
th e y mu s t co n ti n u e o n f o r e ve r . Bu t I r e n ae u s asse r te d i ts a ppl i
cabi l i ty to matte r . T h u s th e f l esh n o t o n l y decays bu t i s capabl e
o f be i n g qu i cke n e d . Wh e n i n f u s e d wi th l i f e f r o m Go d i t e n jo ys
e te r n i ty o f tr an s f o r me d e xi ste n ce , an d i s th e n pr e cl u d e d f r o m
be co mi n g o l d . Bu t th i s be l o n gs to th e r e d e e me d al o n e , an d
i s a tta i n e d o n l y by u n i o n wi th C h r i st, a n d se cu r e d i n a n d
t h r o u gh C h r i st. I t i s d e n i e d to th e wi cke d .
9. I n co r r u pt i o n N o w i n Pr o mi s e , N o t Y e t i n Po s s e s
s i o n . I r e n ae u s h e l d th a t th i s i n co r r u pti o n o f th e r i gh te o u s
i s n o t po ssessed i n th i s pr e s e n t l i f e , wh e r e i t i s h ad o n l y in
promise, bu t a t th e r e s u r r e cti o n , wh e n th e sai n ts sh al l h ave i t
in possession. An d th e pr e s e n t i n d we l l i n g o f th e Ho l y Spi r i t
i s th e e ar n e s t, o r pl e d ge , o f i n co r r u pti o n . T h u s th e r e s u r r e cti o n
i s th e co mme n ce me n t o f i n co r r u pti o n , co n tr ar y to th e f i gu r a
ti ve e xpl an ati o n s o f wh at came to be cal l e d Au gu s ti n i an i s m.
10. R e s u r r e c t i o n B o d i e s A r e T o t a l l y D i s t i n c t .
Ir e n ae u s pu ts a mar ke d d i s ti n cti o n be twe e n th e bo d i e s o f th e
ju s t a n d th e u n ju s t at th e r e s u r r e cti o n . I n co n tr as t wi th Au gu s-
t i n i an i s ms e te r n al d u r a t i o n o f th e wi cke d as e sse n ti al to i ts
Ete r n al -T o n n e n t-o f -th e -wi cke d th esi s, I r e n a e u s e te r n al d u r a
ti o n i s e xpr e ssl y co n f i n e d to th e i n co r r u pti bl e an d i mmo r
t a l r e d e e me d . T h u s th e h o pe o f th e r e s u r r e cti o n , wh i ch i s
to e te r n i ty, i s f o r th e r i gh te o u s, wh i l e th e wi cke d r e mai n
i n mo r tal f l esh , s u bje ct to th e se co n d d e ath .
11. T o P e r i s h M e a n s U l t i m a t e N o n e x i s t e n c e . T o
pe r i s h i s a n o th e r o f I r e n a e u s s tr o n g a n d f r e qu e n tl y u se d
wo r d s. I t i s syn o n ymo u s wi th ultimate nonexistence. T h i s
i s i n co n tr as t wi th th e Gn o sti c po s i ti o n , wh i ch d e n i e d th a t
th e wi cke d pe r i sh , bu t r a t h e r ar e abs o r be d i n th e u n i ve r sal
su bs tan ce . Bu t to I r e n ae u s to pe r i s h i s th e u l ti ma te f ate
o f al l u n r i gh te o u s so u l s. I t l ead s to ce ssati o n o f e xi ste n ce . On
th e o th e r h an d , T e r t u l l i a n , Hi ppo l ytu s , a n d Au gu s ti n e co n
te n d e d th a t th e wi cke d d o n o t d i e i n He l l , th a t ce ssati o n o f
be i n g n e ve r co me s, a n d n e ve r can co me to th e m, th a t th e y
ar e bo th i n so u l a n d i n bo d y i n co r r u pti bl e , e te r n al , i mmo r tal .
I r e n ae u s h e l d to d i ame tr i cal l y o ppo si te te r ms a n d co n ce pts.
12. P u n i s h m e n t I s P u n i t i v e , N o t P u r g a t i v e . T o th e
l ate r Or i ge n i sts, Re s to r ati o n i s ms f u tu r e pu n i s h me n t i s
purgative. An d af te r a pr o tr acte d pe r i o d th e so u l se n te n ce d
to He l l wi l l al l e ge d l y co me f o r th pu r i f i e d , a n d jo i n th e r an ks
o f th e r e d e e me d . Bu t to I r e n ae u s, to wh o m th e ve r d i ct o f
th e ju d gme n t i s e te r n al , th e pu n i s h me n t i s punitive an d i s
e te r n al i n i ts ef f ects. T h e h i d e o u s cr u e l ty o f Au gu s ti n i an i s ms
Ete r n al T o r me n t f i nds n o s an cti o n i n I r e n ae u s. T o h i m th e
d u r a t i o n o f th e pu n i s h me n t i s e te r n al , bu t i ts n a tu r e i s d e ath ,
d e s tr u cti o n , pe r d i ti o n , ce ssati o n o f be i n g, a n n i h i l a t i o n n o t
ceasel ess pu n i s h i n g. Au gu s ti n i an i s m te ach e s th a t th e wi cke d
wi l l r e mai n f o r e ve r al i ve a n d u n co n s u me d , bu t I r e n ae u s co n
te n d s th a t th e y sh al l be bu r n e d u p as we r e Nad ab a n d Abi h u ,
by f i r e f r o m th e Lo r d . T h e y wi l l pe r i s h , be pu n i s h e d wi th
e ve r l as ti n g d e a th , wi l l pass away, wi l l n o t e n d u r e f o r e ve r .
An d e ve r l as ti n g pe r d i t i o n h e d e f i n e s as cu tt i n g of f th e
wi cke d f r o m l i f e , a n d be i n g d e pr i ve d o f co n ti n u an ce f o r e ve r
a n d e ve r . I t si gni f i e s n o n -e xi ste n ce , a n d th e l oss o f al l
be n e f i ts.
13. E t e r n a l P u n i s h me n t I s E t e r n a l L o s s o f L i f e .
Fu t u r e pu n i s h me n t i s, to I r e n ae u s, e te r n a l be cau se th e l oss
o f bl e ssi n g i s e te r n al , n o t be cau se o f e te r n al l y i n f l i cti n g n e w
mi se r y, bu t be cau se o f e te r n al loss o f wh at th e sai n ts e te r n al l y
e n jo y. Se par ati o n f r o m Go d i n vo l ve s th e d e ath pe n al ty, th e
f o r f e i ti n g o f l i f e , th e l oss o f l i f e . Ete r n a l l oss i s e te r n al pu n i s h
me n t. Eternal death cu ts th e m of f f r o m e te r n al l i f e .
14. L i f e D e pe n d e n t o n G r a t u i t y o f Go d .I n an swe r i n g
th e Gn o sti c co n te n ti o n th a t th e r e co u l d be n o i mmo r tal i ty
o r e n d l e ss e xi ste n ce f o r an y cr e ate d so u l s th a t h ad a be gi n n i n g,
I r e n ae u s r e spo n d s t h a t th e y wi l l e n d u r e as l o n g as Go d wi l l s
th e e xi ste n ce a n d co n ti n u an ce o f th e saved. I t i s th e Fa th e r
wh o i mpar ts co n ti n u an ce f o r e ve r a n d e ve r o n th o se wh o
ar e save d . He says, Li f e d o e s n o t ar i se f r o m us, n o r f r o m
o u r o wn n a t u r e . Su ch as acce pt th e gi f t o f th i s pr o vi si o n
sh al l r e ce i ve l e n gth o f days f o r e ve r an d e ve r . An d co n tr a r i
wi se, h e wh o r e je cts th e o f f e r o f th i s gi f t d e pr i ve s h i mse l f o f
co n ti n u an ce f o r e ve r a n d e ve r .
We cl o se th i s pr e vi e w o f I r e n a e u s C o n d i ti o n al i s t po si ti o n s
by qu o t i n g th e i mpr e ssi ve co n cl u si o n to th e l e ar n e d Pr e be n d ar y
C o n s tabl e s d e n i al o f th e cl ai ms o f th o se Immo r tal -So u l i sts
wh o ci te I r e n ae u s as su s tai n i n g th e co n te n ti o n th a t th e wi cke d
wi l l e xi st i n mi se r y f o r e ve r a n d e ve r , an d t h a t th e i r pu n i s h me n t
wi l l be d e pr i va ti o n o f h appi n e s s , n o t u l ti ma te a n n i h i l a ti o n :
T o say th at sweet means bi tte r , o r th at l i gh t means dar kness, i s
ju st as al l o wabl e a use of words as to say th at th e e n d u r i n g an d co n ti n u
i n g o f o ne o f Go d s works, such as th e sun i n th e sky o r th e h u man soul ,
means th e h appi n e ss o f th ese works. We di smi ss such i n te r pr e tati o n as an
i n su l t to o u r co mmo n u n d e r stan d i n g. Ir enaeus, n o twi th stan d i n g h i s Bene
d i cti n e e d i to r an d h i s Pr e sbyte r i an tr an sl ato r , tel l s us th at th e wi cked wi l l
n o t co n ti n u e to exi st f o r ever, because Go d does n o t wi l l th em to exi st. Go d
C ONDI T I ONAL I ST C HAMPI ON ON WEST ERN OUT POST 885
d i d wi l l h i s [man s] h appi n e ss an d h i s wel l -bei ng, bu t h e mar r e d th em.
God does n o t wi l l h i s co n ti n u e d exi stence, an d th er ef o r e h e wi l l cease to
exi st. Such i s th e testi mo ny o f th e l ear n e d , h ol y, an d mar tyr e d Bi sh o p of
Lyons, i n th e second ce n tu r y o f C h r i st. 8
9 C o nstabl e, Duration and Nature of Future Punishment, p. 191.
C H A P T E R F I F T Y - T W O
Ir e n ae u s Voi ces Pr e po n d e r an t
Bel i ef o f C h u r ch
I. Fo r emo st Seco nd-C entur y C o n te n d e r f o r C o ndi ti o n al i sm
As h as al r e ad y be e n o bse r ve d , I r e n ae u s was o n e o f th e
n o bl e mi n d s o f h i s ge n e r ati o n , as we l l as o n e o f th e mo st
l e ar n e d an d r e spe cte d th e o l o gi cal au th o r i ti e s o f h i s ti me .
En s l i n says o f h i m, I r e n ae u s i s pr o pe r l y r e gar d e d o n e o f th e
mo st i n f l u e n ti al f i gu r e s o f th e an te -Ni ce n e C h u r ch . 1Amo n g
co n te mpo r ar y bi sh o ps h e was su r passe d by n o n e i n i n f l u e n ce
a n d i mpo r tan ce t h r o u gh o u t h i s l o n g e pi sco pate . He was th e
f o r e mo st se co n d -ce n tu r y co n te n d e r f o r C o n d i ti o n al i s m. Because
o f i ts e xpl i ci tn e ss an d can d o r , h i s te sti mo n y i s th e r e f o r e o f
e xce pti o n al val u e i n o u r qu e st. As to ti mi n g, h i s pr i n ci pal
tr e ati s e was wr i tte n , i t i s be l i e ve d , be twe e n a .d . 182 a n d 188.2
A syste mati c su r ve y o f h i s to tal te sti mo n y i s th e r e f o r e h i gh l y
d e s i r abl e , i n a d d i ti o n to th e pan o r ami c vi ew gi ve n i n th e
pr e vi o u s ch a pte r o n h i s C o n d i ti o n al i s t stan d . T wo pe r pl e xi n g
passages wi l l al so be f r an kl y e xami n e d . T h e s e wi l l appe ar i n
Appe n d i x B.
As n o te d , I r e n a e u s mo st co n spi cu o u s wo r k f o r th e ch u r ch
was h i s mas te r f u l r e f u ta ti o n o f th e s pr e ad i n g Gn o sti c pe r
ve r si o n s, wh i ch i n cl u d e d gr o ss mi sco n ce pti o n s a n d f al se te ach
i n gs r e gar d i n g th e n a tu r e a n d d e sti n y o f man . Bu t h e was
s i mi l ar l y succe ssf u l i n r e f u t i n g th e Pl ato n i c po s tu l ate o f th e
1 Mor gan S. Ensl i n, Ir enaeus, i n Fer m. An Encyclopedia of Religion, p. 379.
2 C oxe, Intr o ducto r y Note to Irenaeus Agai nst Heresi es, i n ANF, vol . 1, p. 312.
886
IRENAEUS VOIC ES PREPONDERANT BELIEF OF C HURC H 887
n a tu r a l i mmo r ta l i ty o f th e so u l , n o w ju s t be gi n n i n g to make
e n tr an ce i n to th e C h r i s ti an C h u r ch .
I n h i s e xpo s u r e o f th e su bve r si o n s o f Gn o sti ci sm, I r e n ae u s
was co mpe l l e d to d e al d e ci si ve l y wi th th e i r we ar i so me spe ci o u s
co n te n ti o n s o ve r e man ati o n s , Ae o n s, th e Pleroma, th e
Archon, e t ce te r a, wh i ch h ave al r e ad y be e n d e f i n e d o n page
862. Bu t I r e n ae u s i s n o t co n te n t wi th me r e l y r e f u ti n g e r r o r .
He af f i rms t r u t h , go i n g i n to th e h e a r t o f th e i ssues i n vo l ve d ,
an d d e al i n g wi th th e f u n d ame n tal s a t stake . An d h e do e s so
as a co n spi cu o u s pr o po n e n t o f man y o f th e pr i n ci pl e s o f C o n
d i ti o n al i s m. T h a t i s th e key to h i s ar gu me n ts . On l y by th e
to tal te sti mo n y o f th i s f ear l ess a n d f ai th f u l ke y wi tn e ss, an d
a s u mmati o n o f h i s mu l ti pl e state me n ts, can th e f u l l i mpact
a n d si gn i f i can ce o f h i s po si ti o n be se en.
1. G r a p p l e s W i t h B a s i c I s s u e s o f C o n t r o v e r s y . I n h i s
po si ti ve appr o ach I r e n ae u s n o t o n l y e xpo se s Gn o sti ci sms o r i gi n
an d d e gr ad i n g ch ar acte r bu t al so i n si sts o n th e tr u e a n d r i gh tf u l
pl ace o f C h r i st i n th e Go d h e ad , as C r e ato r an d Re d e e me r o f
man . I n co n tr ad i s ti n cti o n to Gn o sti ci sm, I r e n ae u s str e sse d th e
go o d n e ss o f Go d s o r i gi n al mate r i a l cr e ati o n , th e tr u e n a tu r e o f
man as cr e ate d , th e d i sastr o u s ch ar acte r a n d e n tr y o f si n , an d th e
catas tr o ph i c r e su l ts o f th e Ed e n i c f al l .
He pr e sse d o n th e r e al i ty o f th e e ar th l y l i f e o f J e su s
C h r i ste mph asi zi n g Hi s e te r n al pr e -e xi ste n ce , Hi s i n ca r n ati o n
th r o u gh a vi r gi n bi r t h (th u s He be came th e o n e a n d o n l y
Go d -man i n o r d e r to save me n ), Hi s si nl e ss l i f e o n e ar th , Hi s
actu al su f f e r i n gs a n d cr u ci f i xi o n , Hi s vi car i o u s ato n i n g d e ath ,
Hi s l i te r a l r e s u r r e cti o n an d asce n si o n , a n d h e ave n l y mi n i s tr y.
I r e n ae u s i n si ste d o n sal vati o n a n d i mmo r tal i zati o n so l e l y i n
a n d th r o u gh C h r i st, wi th i mmo r ta l i ty as a gi f t co n f e r r e d
o n th e r i gh te o u s at th e f i r st r e s u r r e cti o n .
2. R e m a r k a b l e Sco pe o f A n a l y s i s o f E r r o r . Ir e n ae u s
l i ke wi se d e n i e d th e Gn o sti c n o t i o n o f th e e te r n al e xi ste n ce o f
si n , i n vo l vi n g s i n f u l , po l l u te d be i n gs i n th e u n i ve r se o f Go d ,
co n ti n u i n g o n d e f i an tl y t h r o u gh o u t al l e te r n i ty. I r e n ae u s i n-
si ste d th at, o n th e co n tr ar y, C h r i s t came to ban i s h si n a n d
to r e s to r e u n i ve r sal h ar mo n y a n d r i gh te o u sn e ss by br i n gi n g
al l si n a n d po l l u ti o n to an u t t e r an d pe r ma n e n t e n d . T h i s
po i n t h e str e sse d e f f e cti vel y.
On l y Go d , I r e n ae u s f i r ml y h e l d , i s by Hi s o wn n a tu r e
i n h e r e n tl y a n d abs o l u te l y i mmo r tal . Bu t, by th e wi l l o f Go d ,
me n wi l l co n ti n u e to e xi st o n l y as l o n g as He sh al l pl e ase
a n d d e te r mi n e . T h e o bje ct o f th e I n ca r n a ti o n was e xpr e ssl y
state d to be th e pu r gi n g away o f al l si n an d th e u l ti ma te
an n i h i l a t i o n o f al l e vi l . At th e same ti me I r e n ae u s d e f tl y
u n d e r mi n e d th e n o ti o n o f su ch an acco mpl i sh me n t by u n i ve r sal
r e s to r ati o n o f al l si n n e r s, as so me we r e th e n be gi n n i n g to
ar gu e . Hi s u n e qu i vo cal u tte r an ce s ar e o n o pe n r e co r d . So to
th e se we n o w t u r n .
I I . De vastati n g Expo su r e o f Gno sti c Er r o r s an d
C o u n te r i n g T r u th
Bo o k o n e o f Against Heresies co n tai n s an an al yti cal
d e s cr i pti o n o f th e te n e ts o f th e var i o u s Gn o sti c sects, e xpo si n g
t h e i r crass abs u r d i ti e s an d a n ti s cr i ptu r a l ch ar acte r , an d at th e
same ti me r e af f i r mi n g th e tr u th s wi th wh i ch th e y we r e i n
d i r e ct co n f l i ct. Bo o k two co n s ti tu te s a co mpl e te d e mo l i ti o n
o f th e i r vi ci o u s te ach i n gs, pr i n ci pal l y o n th e gr o u n d s o f r e aso n .
He r e th e f o e, mas qu e r ad i n g as C h r i s ti an , i s e f f e cti ve l y u n
maske d . T h e n , bo o ks th r e e an d f i ve pr e s e n t th e tr u e d o ctr i n e s
o f r e ve l ati o n as th e co mpl e te an ti th e s i s o f th e s pe cu l ati o n s
o f Gn o sti ci sm. No te th e speci f i cs:
C h a pte r o n e (o f bo o k o n e ) d e al s wi th Val e n ti n u s a n d
h i s f an ci e d a n d e ve r -e xi sti n g Ae o n s co n te n ti o n t h a t o f
al l e ge d e man ati o n s , o r f r u cti f i cati o n s , f r o m th e d i vi n e s u b
stan ce , su bs i s ti n g co o r d i n ate l y wi th th e De i ty, bu t d we l l i n g
o u tsi d e th e Pleroma (d i vi n e f u l l n e ss). T h e Val e n ti n i an s
cl ai me d t h a t th e se var i o u s Ae o n s, wh i ch ar e l i ste d ,3 possess
3Irenaeus, op. cit., book 1, ch ap. 1, secs. 1, 2, i n ANF, vol . 1, pp. 316, 317.
pe r pe t u a l e xi s te n ce an d ar e co e te r n al wi th th e d i vi n e n a t u r e /
A d e s cr i pti o n o f Gn o sti ci sms gr o te s qu e o r i gi n o f th e vi si bl e
wo r l d f i l l s ch apte r s f o u r an d f i ve, an d t h e i r co n ce pt o f th e
De mi u r ge , h i mse l f cr e ate d , bu t th e Fr a me r o f al l o th e r
th i n gs ye t o u tsi d e th e Plroma/
T h i s cau ti o n may we l l be gi ve n . I n th i s syste mati c a n d
se ar ch i n g an al ysi s o f I r e n ae u s, o n e mu st be war e o f taki n g ce r
tai n o f h i s d e s cr i pti o n s o f th e f al l aci e s o f Gn o sti c n o ti o n s to
be th e e xpr e ssi o n o f h i s o wn po si ti o n s, as so me h ave u n ju s ti f i
abl y d o n e . I n ch apte r s si x an d se ve n th e th r e e cate go r i e s o f
me n s pi r i tu a l , mate r i al , an d an i mal , th a t ar e f e i gn e d by
th e se h e r e ti cs ar e r e h e ar se d . T h a t th e i r al l e ge d an i mal
me n a n d an i mal so u l s ar e n o te d , to ge th e r wi th th e sacr i
l e gi o u s Gn o sti c r e f e r e n ce s to th e an i mal C h r i s tth o u gh n o t
i n th e ma t e r i a l cate go r y, as i s d i f f e r e n ti ate d i n n o te 2/
C h a pte r se ve n co n ce r n s th e i r bl asph e mo u s o pi n i o n s
agai n st th e t r u e i n car n ati o n o f C h r i s t by th e Vi r gi n Mar y. 7
T h e mate r i al a n d an i mal so u l s ar e , th e y say, d e s ti n e d to
co r r u pt i o n i f th e y d o n o t make th e r i gh t ch o i ce a n d pass
to d e s tr u cti o n . An d ch apte r e i gh t n o te s th e i r twi sti n g pe r
ve r si o n s o f Scr i ptu r e , to s u ppo r t th e i r o wn i mpi o u s o pi n i o n s , 8
wi th r e f u tati o n s f o l l o wi n g.
I I I . Ir e n ae u s Pe r so n al C r eed T h e n Pr e po n d e r an t Bel i ef
o f C h u r ch
1. I r e n a e u s C r e e d , a n d C o n f e r r e d I mmo r t a l i t y .
I n ch a pte r te n I r e n ae u s sets f o r th h i s pe r so n al s ta te me n t o f
f ai th , co u ch e d i n su bl i me si mpl i ci ty, 9wh i ch be l i e f h e d e cl ar e s
to be th e Fai th o f th e C h u r ch T h r o u gh o u t th e Wh o l e Wo r l d .
Be cau se o f i ts r e pr e s e n tati ve ch ar acte r , as th e ge n e r al l y acce pte d
f ai th o f C h r i s ti an s at t h a t ti me (be twe e n a .d . 182 a n d 188),
i t i s h e r e gi ve n i n e n ti r e ty, as e sse n ti al r e ad i n g:
[She bel i eves] i n o ne God, th e Fath e r Al mi gh ty, Maker of h eaven,
an d e ar th , an d th e sea, an d al l th i ngs th at ar e i n th em; an d i n o ne C h r i st
J esus, th e Son o f God, wh o became i n car n ate f o r o u r sal vati o n; an d i n th e
Ho l y Spi r i t, wh o pr o cl ai med th r o u gh th e pr o ph e ts th e di spensati o ns of
Go d, an d th e advents, an d th e bi r th f ro m a vi rgi n, an d th e passi o n, an d
th e r e su r r e cti o n f rom th e dead, an d th e ascensi on i n to h eaven i n th e f l esh
of th e bel o ved C h r i st J esus, o u r Lord, an d Hi s [f utur e] man i f e stati o n f ro m
h e aven i n th e gl o ry o f th e Fath e r to gath e r al l th i ngs i n o n e , an d to raise
up anew all flesh of the whole human race, i n o r d e r th at to C h r i st J esus,
o u r Lo r d, an d God, an d Savi our, an d Ki ng, acco r di ng to th e wi l l o f th e
i nvi si bl e Fath e r , every knee sh o ul d bow, o f th i ngs i n h eaven, an d th i ngs
i n e ar th , an d th i ngs u n d e r th e ear th , an d th at every to ngue sh o ul d conf ess
to Hi m, an d th at He sh o ul d execute ju st ju d gme n t to wards al l ; th at He
may send spi r i tu al wi ckedness, an d th e angel s wh o transgressed an d be
came apo states, to ge th e r wi th th e ungodl y, an d unr i gh teo us, an d wi cked,
an d pr o f an e amo ng men, i nto ever l asti ng f i re; bu t may, i n th e exerci se o f
Hi s grace, confer immortality on the righteous, and holy, an d th ose wh o
h ave ke pt Hi s co mmandments, an d h ave persevered i n Hi s l ove, some f rom
th e be gi n n i n g [of th e i r C h r i sti an course], an d o th e r s f rom [th e d ate of ]
th e i r r e pe n tan ce , an d may su r r o u n d th em wi th ever l asti ng gl o ry. 10
T h i s r e f r e s h i n g an d i l l u mi n a ti n g s tate me n t o f th e car d i n al
t r u t h s o f C h r i s ti an i ty was th e d i r e ct an ti th e s i s a n d an ti d o te
to th e Gn o sti c d i sto r ti o n s . He r e th e T r i n i t y i s se t f o r th , wi th
C h r i s t as tr u l y Go d , be co mi n g i n car n ate f o r o u r s al vati o n .
T h e Ho l y Spi r i t i s pr e s e n te d as th e i n s pi r e r o f th e pr o ph e ts .
T h e n f o l l o ws th e t r u t h o f th e two ad ve n ts, th e vi r gi n bi r t h ,
th e cr u ci f i xi o n , th e r e s u r r e cti o n , an d th e asce n si o n , i n f l esh , o f
o u r Lo r d .
An d f i n al l y C h r i s t s se co n d ad ve n t f r o m He ave n i n gl o r y
i s d e pi cte d , to r ai se u p an e w al l f l esh o f th e wh o l e h u man
r ace , th r o u gh th e r e s u r r e cti o n , as th e o mn i po te n t C h r i s t r e
t u r n s to e xe cu te ju s t ju d gme n t o n al l me n . T h e Ad ve n t
i s cl i maxe d wi th th e se n d i n g o f th e u n go d l y i n to e ve r l ast
i n g f i r e , al o n g wi th th e f al l e n an ge l s, wh i l e at th e same
ti me C h r i s t co n f e r s i mmo r tal i ty o n th e r i gh te o u s, a n d h o l y
wh o r e pe n te d . T h e n ce f o r th th e y ar e s u r r o u n d e d wi th e ve r
l as ti n g gl o r y. 11T h i s i s th e ma n n e r i n wh i ch I r e n ae u s be l i e ve d
al l e vi l a n d po l l u ti o n wo u l d be r e mo ve d f r o m th e u n i ve r se ,
10 Ibid., sec. 1, pp. 330, 331. (Brackets i n o r i gi nal ; i tal i cs suppl i ed.)
u Ibid., p. 331.
an d h ar mo n y an d r i gh te o u sn e ss r e sto r e d . I t i s i n s tr i ki n g h a r
mo n y wi th th e apo sto l i c te ach i n g. I t i s d e f i n i te l y C o n d i ti o n al i s t.
2. I r e n a e u s S t a t e me n t N e ve r A ga i n T r u e . T h e si g
n i f i can ce o f th i s co mpr e h e n s i ve cr e e d al s tate me n t mu st n o t be
mi sse d . Wh i l e th i s i s I r e n a e u s pe r so n al co n f e ssi o n o f f ai th ,
i t i s, h e ave r s, mo r e th an th at. I t i s th e pr e po n d e r a n t be l i e f
o f th e ch u r ch at l ar ge at th a t ti me uttered, be it noted, just
before the church had come to the fork in the stream, when
the eddying currents of Immortal-Soulism, under Athenagoras
and Tertullian (an d so o n th e r e af te r Or i ge n ), began swirling
away from the main channel of the original stream, in new and
divergent courses.
Its ti me o f u tte r an ce i s th e r e f o r e o f gr e at si gn i f i can ce .
Ne ve r agai n co u l d i t be sai d th a t th i s was th e ge n e r al l y acce pte d
vi ew. T h e n ce f o r th th e r e was a tan ge n t vi ew, wi th th e I mmo r tal -
So u l co n ce pt ste ad i l y gai n i n g i n acce ptan ce . I t was co n s e qu e n tl y
th e l ast ti me th a t su ch a ge n e r al d e cl ar ati o n o f C o n d i ti o n al i s t
be l i e f co u l d be mad e i n th e Ear l y C h u r ch . I r e n ae u s f i r ml y h e l d
th a t i mmo r tal i ty i s conferred, n o t i n h e r e n t, a n d i s pr o f f e r e d
to al l me n , bu t be sto we d o n th e r i gh te o u s o n l y. I t i s d e f i n i te l y
n o t f o r th e wi cke d , a n d n o t me r e l y f o r an e l i te Gn o sti c cl i qu e .
3. Gn o s t i ci s m I s B u t C a mo u f l a ge d Pa ga n i s m. I r e n ae u s
th e n tu r n s to th e pl agu i n g h e r e si e s. C h a pte r af te r ch apte r
f o l l o ws, wi th te l l i n g str o ke s agai n st th e d e vi ati o n s o f Satu r -
n i n u s a n d Basi l i d e s (ch apte r twe n ty-f o u r ), an d C ar po cr ate s
(ch apte r twe nty-f i ve ), wi th al l th e i r d e ce i tf u l ar ts a n d n e f a r i
o u s pr acti ce s, a n d abs u r d i ti e s ad nauseum. Spe ci al n o te
i s take n o f th e Mar co si an s (ch apte r twe n ty) an d th e i r to tal
mi s co n ce pti o n o f r e d e mpti o n (ch apte r twe n ty-o n e ). Si mi l ar
pe r ve r si o n s, f o u n d i n C e r i n th u s , th e Ebi o n i te s, an d th e Ni co l ai -
tan e s (ch apte r twe n ty-si x) ar e n o te d , as we l l as th o se o f C e r d o ,
Mar ci o n , T a t i a n , th e En cr ati te s (ch apte r s twe n ty-se ve n an d
twe n ty-e i gh t), a n d o th e r s (ch apte r s twe n ty-n i n e to th i r ty-o n e ).
Such was th e sad s tate o f af f ai r s amo n g th e se f r i n ge gr o u ps
wh e n I r e n ae u s ba ttl e d f o r t r u t h an d gr appl e d wi th e r r o r .
C o n ti n u i n g h i s se ar ch i n g ch ar ge s i n th e f i r st t h i r te e n
ch apte r s o f bo o k two , h e co me s (i n ch a pte r f o u r te e n ) to th e
f u n d ame n ta l po i n t th at Gn o sti ci sm i s d e r i ve d f r o m pagan i sm,
si mpl y wi th ch an ge d te r mi n o l o gysu ch as th a t th e C r e ato r
f o r me d th e wo r l d o u t o f pr e vi o u sl y e xi s ti n g ma te r i a l , a n d
t h a t Go d can n o t i mpa r t i mmo r tal i ty to wh at i s mo r tal , o r
be sto w i n co r r u pti o n o n wh at i s co r r u pt i bl e . 12T h e i r systems,
h e asse r ts, ar e bu r d e n e d wi th so gr e at co n tr ad i cti o n s . 13
I r e n ae u s e xpo se s th e f o l l y o f th e ar gu me n ts d e r i ve d . . .
f r o m n u mbe r s , l e tte r s, a n d syl l abl e s. 14
4. M a d e I n co r r u pt i bl e a n d I mmo r t a l a t R e s u r r e ct i o n .
I r e n ae u s r e f u te s th e f al se Gn o sti c vi e w o n th e n a tu r e an d
d e s ti n y o f man , agai n d e cl ar i n g th a t i mmo r tal i ty an d i n co r
r u pt i bi l i t y co me at th e r e s u r r e cti o n . He i n si ste d o n th e o n e n e ss
o f man an d th e r e d e mpti o n o f th e wh o l e man :
And th e n th e d o ctr i n e co ncer ni ng th e r e su r r e cti o n of bo di es wh i ch
we bel i eve, wi l l emerge tr ue an d cer tai n [f rom th e i r system]; si nce, [as we
h o l d,] God, when He resuscitates our mortal bodies wh i ch pr eser ved r i gh t
eousness, wi l l r e n d e r th em i n co r r u pti bl e an d i mmo r tal . 15
T h e time o f t h a t i mmo r tal i zati o n i s cl e ar . I t i s at th e
Se co n d Ad ve n t an d r e s u r r e cti o n .
5. E t e r n a l C o n t i n u a n ce I s B e s t o we d a n d I mpa r t e d .
I n ch apte r th i r ty-th r e e I r e n ae u s e xpo ses th e f i cti o n a n d
Abs u r d i ty o f th e Do ctr i n e o f th e T r a n s mi gr a ti o n o f So u l s.
He says th e y n e ve r e xi ste d i n o th e r bo d i e s. 16I r e n ae u s te l l s
o f th e r e s u r r e cti o n o f th e e n ti r e man h o w al l th o se wh o
h ave be e n enrolled f o r l i f e [e te r n al ] sh al l r i se agai n , h avi n g
t h e i r o wn bo d i e s, a n d h avi n g al so th e i r o wn so u l s, a n d th e i r
o wn spi r i ts, i n wh i ch th e y h ad pl e ase d Go d . 17I r e n a e u s cl i max
co me s i n ch a pte r th i r ty-f o u r , wh e r e h e e xpl i ci tl y d e cl ar e s th at
Go d al o n e , wh o i s Lo r d o f al l , i s wi th o u t be gi n n i n g a n d wi th
12 Ibid., book 2, ch ap. 14, sec. 4, p. 377.
13 Ibid., ch ap. 17, sec. 1, p. 380.
14 Ibid., ch ap. 24, h eadi ng, p. 393.
15 Ibid., ch ap. 29, sec. 2, p. 403. (Brackets i n o ri gi nal ; i tal i cs suppl i ed.)
13Ibid., ch ap. 33, sec. 5, p. 410.
17 Ibid., p. 411. (Ital i cs suppl i ed.)
o u t e n d , a n d th e r e f o r e u n ch an ge abl e . Fr o m Hi m al l th i n gs
pr o ce e d .
Mo r e o ve r , cr e ate d th i n gs wi l l , h e mai n tai n s , e n d u r e
as l o n g as Go d wi l l s t h a t th e y s h o u l d h ave an e xi ste n ce a n d
co n ti n u a n ce , a n d gi ves l e n gth o f days f o r e ve r a n d e ve r . He
d e cl ar e s o f su ch , I t i s th e Fa th e r o f al l wh o imparts [gi ves]
co n ti n u an ce f o r e ve r a n d e ve r o n th o se wh o ar e save d . 10
As to th e be sto we d l i f e h e ad d s:
Fo r l i f e does n o t ari se f rom us, n o r f rom o u r own n atu r e ; bu t i t is
bestowed acco r di ng to th e gr ace o f God. And th er ef o r e h e wh o sh al l pr e
serve th e l i f e bestowed u po n h i m, an d gi ve th anks to Hi m wh o imparted
i t, sh al l recei ve al so l e n gth o f days f o r ever an d ever. . . . But h e wh o sh al l
r e je ct i t, an d pro ve h i msel f u n gr ate f u l to h i s Maker, i nasmuch as h e h as
be e n cr eated, an d h as n o t reco gni sed Hi m wh o bestowed [th e gi f t u po n
h i m], depr i ves h i msel f of th e [pri vi l ege of ] co n ti n u an ce f o r ever an d
ever . 20
6. P e r pe t u a l D u r a t i o n I s U n e n d i n g E xi s t e n ce .
Hi s a r gu me n t i s ampl i f i e d a n d e n f o r ce d i n se cti o n f o u r , wh e r e
I r e n ae u s asse r ts th a t th e so u l h e r se l f i s n o t l i f e , bu t par take s
i n th a t l i f e bestowed u po n h e r by Go d . An d h e ad d s:
Wh e n Go d th er ef o r e bestows l i f e an d pe r pe tu al d u r ati o n , i t comes
to pass th at even soul s wh i ch di d n o t previ o usl y exi st sh o ul d h e n ce f o r th
e n d u r e [f or ever], si nce God h as bo th wi l l ed th at th ey sh o ul d exi st, an d
sh o ul d co n ti n u e i n exi stence. 21
T h a t i s th e d e cl ar e d basi s o f th e co n ti n u e d d u r a t i o n o f th e
s o u l . 22
IV. Mu l ti pl e Ar guments f o r C o n d i ti o n al Immo r tal i ty
1. U n i o n W i t h Go d P r e r e qu i s i t e t o I mmo r t a l i t y .
Bo o k th r e e tu r n s e ve n mo r e f u l l y to d e cl ar i n g th e t r u t h .
C h a pte r f o u r r e f e r s to th e Se co n d Ad ve n t, wh e n C h r i s t sh al l
co me i n gl o r y, th e Savi o u r o f th o se wh o ar e saved, a n d th e
J u d ge o f th o se wh o ar e ju d ge d , a n d wi th e te r n al f i r e pr e -
18 Ibid., ch ap. 34, sees. 2, 3, p. 411.
19 Ibid., sec. 3, p. 411.
20 Ibid., pp. 411, 412. (Brackets i n o ri gi nal ; i tal i cs suppl i ed.)
21Ibid., sec. 4, p. 412. (Br ackets i n o r i gi nal ; i tal i cs suppl i ed.)
22 Ibid.
par e d f o r th o se wh o pe r ve r t t r u t h , a n d d e spi se Hi s f ath e r
a n d Hi s Ad ve n t. 23Bu t to th e r e d e e me d He co me s to r e s to r e
l i be r ty to me n a n d to be sto w o n th e m th e i n h e r i ta n ce
o f i n co r r u pti o n . An d i n ch apte r e l e ve n I r e n ae u s spe aks o f
th e f o u r go spe l s as th e f o u r pi l l ar s o f th e ch u r ch , br e a th i n g
o u t i mmo r tal i ty o n e ve r y si d e , an d vi vi f yi n g me n af r e s h . 25
An d i n ch a pte r e i gh te e n h e state s, Un l e ss man h ad be e n
jo i n e d to Go d , h e co u l d n e ve r h ave be co me a pa r ta ke r o f
i n co r r u pti bi l i t y. 28
I r e n ae u s al l u d e s to th e d i so be d i e n ce o f th e o n e man
[Ad am] wh o was o r i gi n al l y mo u l d e d f r o m vi r gi n s o i l , an d
th u s man y we r e mad e si n n e r s, a n d f o r f e i te d l i f e . 27T h e n i n
ch a pte r n i n e te e n h e r e f e r s to th o se wh o h ave n o t kn o wn
Emma n u e l a n d ar e th u s d e pr i ve d o f Hi s gift, wh i ch i s
e te r n al l i f e . T h e y ar e d e bto r s to d e a th , n o t h avi n g o btai n e d
th e an ti d o te o f l i f e . 28T h e n h e state s:
Fo r by no o th e r means co ul d we h ave attai n e d to i n co r r u pti bi l i ty an d
i mmo r tal i ty, unl ess we h ad been u n i te d to i n co r r u pti bi l i ty an d i mmo r tal
i ty. But h ow co ul d we be jo i n e d to i n co r r u pti bi l i ty an d i mmo r tal i ty, unl ess,
f i rst, i n co r r u pti bi l i ty an d i mmo r tal i ty h ad become th at wh i ch we al so are,
so th at th e co r r u pti bl e mi gh t be swal l owed u p by i n co r r u pti bi l i ty, an d th e
mo r tal by i mmo r tal i ty, th at we mi gh t recei ve th e ad o pti o n of sons? 29
I r e n ae u s r e co gn i ze s th e f u l l d e i ty o f C h r i s t as Li f e -gi ve r ,
wh o i s Hi mse l f i n Hi s o wn r i gh t, be yo n d al l me n wh o e ve r
l i ve d , Go d , a n d Lo r d , a n d Ki n g Et e r n a l . 30T h e r e i s r e ma r k
abl e cl ar i ty al l th e way th r o u gh .
2. M u s t Se n s e D e pe n d e n ce U po n t h e L i f e - gi ve r . I n
a l l u d i n g to J o n a h , ch apte r twe n ty, wh o was n o t l e f t to pe r i s h
i n th e wh al e , I r e n ae u s d e cl ar e s t h a t Go d al l o we d man to be
swal l o we d by th e gr e at wh al e , wh o was th e a u th o r o f tr an s
gr e ssi o n . T h i s , says I r e n ae u s, was d o n e th a t man , r e ce i vi n g
23Ibid., book 3, ch ap. 4, sec. 2, p. 417.
24 Ibid., ch ap. 5, sec. 3, p. 418.
25Ibid., ch ap. 11, sec. 8, p. 428.
26Ibid., ch ap. 18, sec. 7, p. 448.
27Ibid.
28 Ibid., ch ap. 19, sec. 1, p. 448. (Ital i cs suppl i ed.)
an u n h o pe d -f o r sal vati o n f r o m Go d , mi gh t r i se f r o m th e d e ad ,
an d gl o r i f y Go d . Ou r sal vati o n , h e agai n i n si sts, i s d e r i ve d
f r o m Go d . An d wh y?th a t n o f l esh s h o u l d gl o r y i n th e
L o r d s pr e s e n ce , an d su ppo se th a t th e i n co r r u pti bi l i ty wh i ch
be l o n gs to h i m i s h i s o wn n a tu r a l l y, an d th u s ju d ge h i mse l f
e qu al to Go d .31
T h e pu r po se o f Go d was th at man , a tta i n i n g to th e
r e s u r r e cti o n f r o m th e d e ad , an d se n si n g th e so u r ce o f h i s
d e l i ve r an ce , sh al l gl o r i f y Go d , an d th o u gh mo r tal a n d we ak
sh al l o btai n f r o m Hi m th e gift o f i n co r r u pti bi l i t y, f o r He
[Go d] i s i mmo r tal an d po we r f u l to su ch a d e gr e e as to co n f e r
i mmo r tal i ty u po n wh at i s mo r tal , an d e te r n i ty u po n wh at i s
te mpo r al . 32 T h u s mo r tal man , wh o h ad be e n d i s o be d i e n t
to Go d , a n d be i n g cast of f f r o m i mmo r tal i ty, th e n o btai n e d
me r cy. 33
3. A d a m Se pa r a t e d F r o m T r e e L e s t H e Be I mmo r t a l
Si n n e r .I n ch a pte r twe n ty-th r e e I r e n ae u s de al s wi th th e
f al l o f man , wh o h ad be e n cr e ate d by Go d th at h e mi gh t
l i ve . Bu t, l o si n g l i f e af te r th e Fal l , Go d d i d n o t l eave
h i m aba n d o n e d to d e a th . Pr o vi si o n was mad e f o r th e se co n d
ma n (C h r i st) to bi n d th e s tr o n g ma n (Satan ), a n d h avi n g
s po i l e d h i s go o d s, C h r i s t th u s pr o vi d e s a way o f sal vati o n .
T h e f i r st Ad am was d e ce i ve d u n d e r th e co l o u r o f i mmo r
tal i ty. 34Or d i f f e r e n tl y state d , i n th e case o f Ad am, h e was
be gu i l e d by a n o th e r u n d e r th e pretext o f i mmo r tal i ty. 35
T h u s Go d d r o ve h i m o u t o f Par ad i se , a n d r e mo ve d h i m
f ar f r o m th e tr e e o f l i f e . An d , Wh y? Be cause He pi ti e d
h i m, [an d d i d n o t d e si r e ] th a t h e s h o u l d co n ti n u e a s i n n e r
f o r e ve r , n o r th at th e si n wh i ch s u r r o u n d e d h i m s h o u l d be
i mmo r tal , an d e vi l i n te r mi n abl e an d i r r e me d i a bl e . 38 T h u s
i t was t h a t Ad am came to r e ce i ve n e w l i f e . An d th u s th e
l ast e n e my i s to be d e str o ye d . So sal vati o n i s d e a t h s
31 Ibid., ch ap. 20, sec. 1, pp. 449, 450.
32 Ibid., sec. 2, p. 450.
33 Ibid.
34Ibid., ch ap. 23, sec. 1, pp. 455, 456.
35 Ibid., sec. 5, p. 457. (Ital i cs suppl i ed.)
38 Ibid., sec. 6, p. 457.
d e s tr u cti o n . Wh e n th e r e f o r e th e Lo r d vi vi f i es man , th a t i s,
Ad am, d e ath i s d e str o ye d .37
4. B e l i e vi n g a n d O be d i e n t H o n o u r e d W i t h I mmo r t a l ^
i t y . I n bo o k f o u r , ch apte r e i gh t, ad d r e ssi n g h i mse l f to
Ma r ci o n s f al l aci e s, I r e n ae u s d e cl ar e s th a t th o se wh o d i sal l o w
h i s [Abr ah ams] sal vati o n , a n d f r ame th e i d e a o f an o th e r Go d
be si d e s Hi m wh o mad e th e pr o mi se to Abr ah am, ar e o u tsi d e
th e ki n gd o m o f Go d , an d ar e d i s i n h e r i te d f r o m [th e gi f t of ]
i n co r r u pti o n . 38 Fo r , h e co n ti n u e s , C h r i s t Hi mse l f su f f e r i n g
d e ath , th at e xi l e d man mi gh t go f o r th f r o m co n d e mn ati o n ,
an d mi gh t r e t u r n wi th o u t f e ar to h i s o wn i n h e r i ta n ce . 38
Li f e i n C h r i s t i s th e co n ti n u i n g str ai n . T h u s i n ch apte r
e l e ve n I r e n ae u s says th at to th e wi cke d He assi gn e d e ve r l asti n g
pe r d i ti o n by cu tt i n g th e m of f f r o m l i f e . 40 Bu t h e assur e s
th e o be d i e n t t h a t He gr an ts to th o se wh o f o l l o w a n d se r ve
Hi m l i f e a n d i n co r r u pti o n a n d e te r n al gl o r y. 41An d h e ad d s,
at th e cl o se o f ch apte r f i f te e n , th a t th o se wh o h ave o be ye d
an d be l i e ve d o n Hi m sh o u l d be h o n o u r e d wi th i mmo r ta l i ty, 42
wh i l e i n ch apte r e i gh te e n h e r e f e r s to th o se wh o h ave th e
h o pe o f th e r e s u r r e cti o n to e te r n i ty. 43
5. G i f t o f I mmo r t a l i t y R e s t r i ct e d t o B e l i e ve r s .I n
ch a pte r twe n ty I r e n ae u s te l l s h o w man mi gh t attain to i mmo r
tal i ty, h avi n g be e n i n ve ste d wi th th e pa te r n al l i gh t, a n d
state s t h a t Go d confers [u po n h i m] i n co r r u pti o n f o r e te r n al
l i f e . An d h e ad d s th at th e me an s o f l i f e i s f o u n d i n f e l l o w
s h i p wi th Go d . T h e n h e d e cl ar e s, Me n th e r e f o r e sh al l see
Go d , th a t th e y may l i ve, being made immortal by t h a t s i gh t. 44
On th e co n tr ar y, T h e pu n i s h me n t o f th o se wh o d o n o t be l i e ve
th e Wo r d o f Go d , a n d d e spi se Hi s ad ve n t, a n d ar e t u r n e d
away backwar d s, i s i n cr e ase d ; be i n g n o t me r e l y te mpo r al , bu t
r e n d e r e d al so e te r n a l . 45
37 Ibid., sec. 7, p. 457.
38 Ibid., book 4, ch ap. 8, sec. 1, p. 471. (Brackets i n o r i gi nal .)
39 Ibid., sec. 2, p. 471.
40 Ibid., ch ap. 11, sec. 4, p. 475. 42 Ibid., ch ap. 15, sec. 2, p. 480.
41Ibid., ch ap. 14, sec. 1, p. 478. 43 Ibid., ch ap. 18, sec. 5, p. 486.
44Ibid., ch ap. 20, secs. 2, 5, 6, pp. 488, 489. (Ital i cs suppl i ed.)
45Ibid., ch ap. 28, sec. 2, p. 501.
T h e n th i s t h o u gh t i s ad d e d o n th e i mmo r tal i ty o f th e
r i gh te o u s: Fo r th e y al l r e ce i ve d a pe n n y e ach man , h avi n g
[stampe d u po n i t] th e r o yal i mage an d s u pe r s cr i pti o n , th e
kn o wl e d ge o f th e So n o f Go d , wh i ch i s i mmo r tal i ty. 48 On
th e co n tr ar y, th o se wh o d o n o t co me to Go d can n o t r e ce i ve
Hi s i mmo r ta l i ty. 47C h r i s t, th e pe r f e ct br e a d , I r e n ae u s ad d s
i n te r e s ti n gl y, pr o vi d e s f o r us th e Br e ad o f i mmo r tal i ty. 48
I r e n ae u s pr esses o n th e po i n t th a t ma n s d i so be d i e n ce i s h i s
d e a th . 49An d h e asks th e se ar ch i n g qu e s ti o n , Ho w, agai n ,
can h e [cr e ate d , mo r tal man ] be i mmo r tal , wh o i n h i s mo r tal
n a tu r e d i d n o t o be y h i s Make r ? 00
6. E t e r n a l F i r e f o r S a t a n a n d H i s F o l l o w e r s . C h apte r
f o r ty o pe n s by d e cl ar i n g th a t Go d h as pr e par e d th e e te r n al
f i r e f o r th e r i n gl e ad e r o f th e apo stasy, th e d e vi l , an d th o se
wh o r e vo l te d wi th h i m. Bu t i mpe n i t e n t man wi l l al so sh ar e
th i s e te r n al f i r e a n d o u t e r d ar kn e ss. 51I n th e same ch apte r
i t i s al so twi ce cal l e d a f u r n ace o f f i r e , pr e par e d f o r th e d e vi l
a n d h i s an ge l s, bu t i n cl u d i n g th o se pe r so n s wh o d e se r ve i t . 52
T h e n I r e n ae u s appe al s to me n to be co n ve r te d , a n d co me to
r e pe n tan ce , a n d cease f r o m e vi l , th a t th e y mi gh t h ave po we r
to be co me th e so n s o f Go d , an d to r e ce i ve th e i n h e r i tan ce o f
7. I m m o r t a l i t y R e ce i v e d O n l y T h r o u g h C h r i s t . An d
n o w i n th e f i n al bo o k f i ve, ch apte r o n e (o n C h r i s t Al o n e Is
Abl e to T e a ch Di vi n e T h i n gs , a n d to Re d e e m Us), I r e n ae u s
f u r t h e r co u n te r s Gn o sti ci sm an d pr ai se s C h r i s t th e C r e ato r
as th e o n l y be st a n d go o d Be i n g, wh o h as the gift of immor
t a l i t y He h as r e d e e me d us by Hi s o wn bl o o d , by gi vi n g
Hi s so u l f o r o u r so ul s, a n d Hi s f l esh f o r o u r f l e sh , th u s
attach i n g man to Go d by Hi s o wn i n car n ati o n , a n d bestowing
48Ibid., ch ap. 36, sec. 7, p. 518. (Brackets i n ori gi nal .)
47Ibid., ch ap. 37, sec. 6, p. 520.
48 Ibid., ch ap. 38, sec. 1, p. 521.
49Ibid., ch ap. 39, sec. 1, p. 522.
50 Ibid., sec. 2, pp. 522, 523.
81Ibid., ch ap. 40, sec. 1, p. 523.
Ibid., sec. 2, p. 524.
63Ibid., ch ap. 41, sec. 3, p. 525.
29
PAINTING BY JES SCHLAIKJER, N.A. 1 9 5 7 BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD
J o h n , th e Seer o f Pati n o s, Vi ewed i n Vi si o n th e New Ear th
Wi th I ts Immo r tal i ze d I n h a bi ta n t s Dwe l l i n g T h e r e Fo r
ever.
u po n us at Hi s co mi n g i mmo r tal i ty d u r abl y a n d t r u l y. T h e n
I r e n ae u s d e cl ar e s i mpr e ssi ve l y, Al l th e d o ctr i n e s o f th e h e r e ti cs
f al l to r u i n . 64
Str i ki n g agai n , i n ch apte r two , a t th e Gn o sti c d e pr e ci ati o n
o f th e f l esh , h e ch i d e s th e h e r e ti cs wh o d e spi se th e pr o vi si o n
o f Go d a n d d i sal l o w th e sal vati o n o f th e f l esh , a n d t r e a t wi th
co n te mpt i ts r e ge n e r ati o n . T h e n h e asks, Ho w can th e y af f i rm
th a t th e f l esh i s i n capabl e o f r e ce i vi n g th e gift o f Go d , wh i ch
i s l i f e e te r n al ? 56 Hi s o wn vi e w i s cr ystal cl e ar . I mmo r ta l i ty
as a co n f e r r e d gi f t i s a co n ti n u i n g s tr ai n r u n n i n g al l th r o u gh
th e tr e ati se .
8. G o d W h o G i ve s E a r t h l y L i f e , C a n B e s t o w I mmo r
t a l i t y . I n ch apte r th r e e (o n T h e Po we r a n d Gl o r y o f Go d
to Re n d e r Ou r Bo dy a Pa r ti ci pa to r o f th e Re s u r r e cti o n , an d
o f I mmo r ta l i ty, a n d to Besto w Upo n I t th e En jo yme n t o f
I mmo r t a l i ty) I r e n ae u s o n ce mo r e af f i rms C h r i s ts abi l i ty as
C r e ato r to r e i n s tate agai n [th r o u gh r e s u r r e cti o n ] th o se wh o h ad
a f o r me r e xi ste n ce , i n th i s pr e s e n t l i f e, an d ch i d e s th o se wh o
ma i n ta i n th e i n capaci ty o f f l esh to r e ce i ve th e l i f e gr an te d by
Go d . Man , I r e n ae u s i nsi sts, i s an i n f i r m be i n g, a n d mo r tal by
n a t u r e , wh i l e Go d by co n tr as t i s i mmo r tal a n d po we r f u l .
I r e n ae u s asse r ts t h a t i f He do e s n o t vi vi f y wh at i s mo r tal ,
a n d do e s n o t br i n g back th e co r r u pti bl e to i n co r r u pti o n , He
i s n o t a Go d o f po we r . He cl i maxe s h i s ar gu me n t by sayi n g:
Fo r th at th e f l esh can r eal l y par take o f l i f e, i s sh own f r o m th e f act
o f i ts be i n g al i ve; f o r i t l i ves o n, as l o ng as i t i s Go d s pur po se th at i t sh o ul d
do so. It i s mani f est, too, th at Go d h as th e po wer to co nf er l i f e u po n i t,
i nasmuch as He gr ants l i f e to us wh o ar e i n exi stence. And, th e r e f o r e , si nce
th e Lo r d h as po wer to i nf use l i f e i n to wh at He h as f ash i o ned, an d si nce th e
f l esh i s capabl e of bei ng qui ckened, wh at r emai ns to pr e ve n t i ts par ti ci pat
i ng i n i n co r r u pti o n , w'hi ch i s a bl i ssf ul an d never -endi ng l i f e gr an te d by
Go d? 67
T h u s h e bo r e wi tn e ss agai n st th e th e o r y o f a me r e l y
s pi r i tu a l r e s u r r e cti o n , al r e ad y be i n g agi tate d i n Al e xan d r i a.
V. Fate o f Wi cke d Is Fi n al An n i h i l ati o n
1. D i s t i n gu i s h e s B e t w e e n B o d y a n d S o u l . We n o w
co me to o n e o f two i n stan ce s wh e r e i t i s cl ai me d th at I r e n ae u s
te ach e s th e l ate r vi e w o f th e i mmo r tal i ty o f th e so u l . C h apte r
se ve n d e al s wi th th e r e s u r r e cti o n o f th e f l esh . Af te r te l l i n g
h o w C h r i s t r o se i n th e su bstan ce o f th e f l e sh , as atte s te d
by th e mar ks o f th e n ai l s a n d th e o pe n i n g i n Hi s si d e ,
I r e n ae u s af f i rms th a t He sh al l al so r ai se us u p by Hi s o wn
po we r , a n d ad d s th a t He wi l l al so qu i cke n yo u r mo r tal
bo d i e s . T h e n h e d e cl ar e s i mme d i ate l y:
Wh at, th e n , ar e mo r tal bodi es? C an th ey be soul s? Nay, f or soul s are
i n co r po r e al wh en pu t i n co mpar i so n wi th mo r tal bodi es; f or Go d br e ath e d
i n to th e f ace of man th e br e ath o f l i f e, an d man became a l i vi ng so ul . Now
th e br e ath o f l i f e i s an i n co r po r eal th i ng. And cer tai nl y th ey can n o t mai n
tai n th at th e very br e ath of l i f e i s mo r tal . T h e r e f o r e Davi d says, My soul
al so sh al l l i ve to Hi m, just as if i ts substance were i mmo r tal . 58
I r e n ae u s pr o ce e d s to co n tr as t th e s pi r i t wi th th e mo r tal
bo d y, wh i ch l ate r i n d e ath i s d e co mpo se d . Fo r to d i e i s
. . . to be co me h e n ce f o r th br e ath l e ss, i n an i mate , a n d d e vo i d
o f mo ti o n , a n d to me l t away i n to th o se [co mpo n e n t par ts]
f r o m wh i ch al so i t d e r i ve d th e co mme n ce me n t o f [i ts] s u b
stan ce . Bu t th i s i s n o t tr u e o f so u l , f o r i t i s th e br e a th o f
l i f e ; n o r to th e s pi r i t f o r i t i s th e l i f e o f th o se wh o r e ce i ve
i t . Wh e r e f o r e i t i s th e mo r t a l bo d y wh i ch i s d e co mpo se d
gr ad u al l y i n to th e e ar th f r o m wh i ch i t i s take n , 68a n d wh i ch
i s qu i cke n e d , o r r e s u r r e cte d , i n i n co r r u pti o n . J u s t as a gr ai n
o f wh e at, i s so wn i n th e e a r th an d d e cays, so o u r bo d i e s,
th r o u gh th e Spi r i t s i n s tr u me n ta l i ty, r i se an d co me f o r th to
pe r pe tu al l i f e . 60 T h e n o u r f ace sh al l see th e f ace o f th e
L o r d (n o te 9: Gr abe , Massu e t, a n d Sti e r e n pr e f e r to r e ad , th e
f ace o f th e l i vi n g Go d ), a n d sh al l r e jo i ce wi th jo y
u n s pe akabl e . 01
I r e n ae u s i s so l u ci d t h a t h e can n o t be mi s u n d e r s to o d .
58 Ibid., ch ap. 7, sec. 1, pp. 532, 533. (Ital i cs suppl i ed.)
Ibid., p. 533.
60 Ibid., sec. 2, p. 533.
Ibid.
2. I r e n a e u s D e f i n i t i o n o f D e a t h . Se ve r al ch apte r s
ampl i f y bu t d o n o t ad d to wh at I r e n ae u s h as sai d. I n ch apte r
twe n ty-se ve n h e d e al s wi th T h e Fu t u r e J u d gme n t by C h r i s t,
a n d T h e Ete r n al Pu n i s h me n t o f Un be l i e ve r s . Ad ve r ti n g to
th e par abl e o f th e tar e s, i n wh i ch th e wi cke d ar e bu r n e d
u p wi th u n qu e n ch abl e f i r e , an d to th e par abl e o f th e sh e e p
a n d th e go ats, i n wh i ch th e go ats ar e se n t i n to e ve r l asti n g
[aionion] f i r e, wh i ch h as be e n pr e par e d by Hi s Fa th e r f o r
th e d e vi l a n d h i s an ge l s, 82I r e n ae u s th e n gi ves th i s d e f i n i ti o n
o f d e a th :
Se par ati o n f rom God i s de ath , an d se par ati o n f rom l i gh t i s darkness;
an d se par ati o n f r o m Go d consi sts i n th e l oss of al l th e benef i ts wh i ch He
h as i n store. T h o se, th er ef o r e, wh o cast away by apostasy th ese f o r emen
ti o n e d th i ngs, bei ng i n f act d e sti tu te o f al l good, do exper i ence every ki n d
o f pu n i sh me n t. God, h owever, does n o t pu n i sh th em i mmedi atel y o f Hi m
sel f , bu t th at pu n i sh me n t f al l s u po n th em because th ey are de sti tu te o f al l
th at is good. Now, good th i ngs ar e e te r n al an d wi th o u t e n d wi th God,
an d th er ef o r e th e l oss of th ese i s al so e te r n al an d ne ver -endi ng. 83
3. Se co n d D e a t h H e l l , L a ke o f F i r e , E t e r n a l F i r e .
T h i s e te r n al (aionion) f i r e , f r e qu e n tl y al l u d e d to , i s i n
ch a pte r twe n ty-e i gh t e xpl ai n e d as th e f i n al l ake o f f i r e . 81
An d i n ch apte r twe n ty-f i ve I r e n ae u s e qu ate s h e l l , th e l ake
o f f i r e , a n d e te r n al f i r e , wh i ch h e pr e vi o u sl y state d h as
be e n pr e pa r e d f o r e ve r y ki n d o f apo stasy. T h u s : An d
d e a th a n d h e l l we r e se n t i n to th e l ake o f f i re, th e se co n d
d e a th . No w th i s i s wh at i s cal l e d Ge h e n n a, wh i ch th e Lo r d
s tyl e d e te r n al f i r e . 85
4. F i n a l A n n i h i l a t i o n o f t h e W i ck e d . So me h ave
cl ai me d t h a t wh e n I r e n ae u s h e r e , a n d e l se wh e r e , r e f e r s to
aionion f i r e a n d aionion pu n i s h me n t, h e me an s Eternal Tor
ment, an d n o t d e s tr u cti o n . Bu t su ch o ve r l o o k th e d e f i n i ti ve
d e cl ar ati o n s o f I r e n a e u s syste mati c co ve r age , wh i ch sh o w co n
cl u si ve l y t h a t by aionion pu n i s h me n t h e d i d n o t me an e te r n al
pu n i s h i n g, bu t r a t h e r pu n i s h me n t i n th e wo r l d to co me th at
62 Ibid., ch ap. 27, sec. 1, p. 556.
63Ibid., sec. 2, p. 556.
84 Ibid., ch ap. 28, sec. 2, p. 557.
65 Ibid., ch ap. 25, sec. 2, p. 566.
e n d s i n ce ssati o n o f be i n g. T h e first d e ath cu ts man of f
f r o m a l i f e o f bu t f ew ye ar s d u r a t i o n a l i f e th at i s d u e to
d i e . Bu t th e second d e ath cu ts th e s i n n e r of f f r o m e te r n al
l i f e , a n d i s co n s e qu e n tl y an e te r n al d e ath . T h i s i s atte s te d by
Dr . Ph i l i p Sch af f , wh o state s I r e n ae u s po s i ti o n i mpr e ssi ve l y:
I t i s th er ef o r e th e mo r e r e mar kabl e th at th e d o ctr i ne o f f u tu r e e te r n al
pu n i sh me n t was n o t tau gh t . . . so f ar as we know, n o r th e d o ctr i n e o f u n i
versal r e sto r ati o n ; bu t o n th e o th e r h an d , th e d o ctr i n e o f th e f i nal an n i h i l a
ti o n o f th e wi cked was cl earl y tau gh t by so e mi n e n t a man as Ir e n ae u s. 68
An d Ed war d Be e ch e r , af te r r e co r d i n g a si mi l ar co n cl u si o n ,
r e mar ks o n th e ve r y gr e at r e l u ctan ce i n th e r an ks o f th e o r th o
d o x, i n mo d e r n ti me s, to co n ce d e th a t h e was a d e f e n d e r o f
th e d o ctr i n e o f th e a n n i h i l a t i o n o f th e wi cke d . 67
De an Fr e d e r i c W. Fa r r a r l i ke wi se ad d s th at I r e n ae u s
uses th e ph r ase e te r n al pu n i sh me n t, o r e te r n al f i re, as al l use th ose
ph r ases wh o accept th e Bi bl e; an d i n o ne passage h e says th at th e go od
th i ngs o f God, be i n g e te r n al an d endl ess, th e privation of them al so i s
e te r n al an d endl ess. C e r tai n l y th i s passage sh ows h i s o pi n i o n th at th e pai n
of l oss (as we al l bel i eve) may be e te r n al an d endl ess. 88
5. F r u i t i o n o f A l l H o pe s a n d Pr o vi s i o n s .T h e n , i n th e
n e w h e ave n a n d n e w e a r th o f Re ve l ati o n 20, to f o l l o w, th e r e
wi l l be n o mo r e d e ath , o r so r r o w, o r pai n , f o r al l th o se th i n gs
wi l l h ave passe d away f o r e ve r . He ci te s Isai ah 65 as r e f e r r i n g
to th e same n e w h e ave n a n d n e w e ar th , i n wh i ch th e r e wi l l
h e n ce f o r th be n o r e me mbr an ce o f th e f o r me r , n e i t h e r sh al l
th e h e a r t th i n k a bo u t th e m. I n th i s pr e s e n t e ar th th e r i gh t
e o u s ar e d i sci pl i n e d be f o r e h an d f o r i n co r r u pti o n a n d pr e pa r e d
f o r s al vati o n . At t h a t gl ad d ay th e r e d e e me d tr u l y r i se f r o m
th e d e ad , a n d n o t al l e go r i cal l y. Di s ci pl i n e d be f o r e h an d f o r
i n co r r u pti o n th e y actu al l y r i se i n gl o r i o u s i n co r r u pti o n an d
i mmo r tal i ty at t h a t ti me .09Su ch was I r e n a e u s co n ce pt o f l i f e ,
d e ath , a n d d e sti n ymo st e xpl i ci t o f th e Ear l y C h u r ch Fath e r s.
60 Sch af f , op. cit., pp. 194, 195.
67Beech er, The Scribtural Doctrine of Retribution, p. 198.
88Far r ar , Mercy ana Judgment, pp. 239, 240. (Ital i cs suppl i ed.)
89 Irenaeus, Against Heresies, book 5, ch ap. 35, sec. 2, i n ANF, vol . 1, p. 566.
C H A P T E R F I F T Y - T H R E E
No va t i a n of Ro meC o n di ti o n al i st
Oppo n e n t o f C o r nel i us
I. No vati an Immo r tal i ty o f Go d an d Mo r tal i ty o f Man
Du r i n g th e De ci an pe r s e cu ti o n (c. a .d . 250) man y pr o
f essed C h r i s ti an s d e n i e d th e f ai th a n d d e s e r te d th e ch u r ch .
T h e n wh e n th e sto r m h ad passe d, man y su ch so u gh t r e ad mi ssi o n
to th e ch u r ch . T h e l axe r par ty, pr e d o mi n an t at Ro me , f avo r e d
r e ad mi ssi o n wi th o u t d e l ay o r d i sci pl i n e . T h i s cr e ate d a cri si s.
By th i s ti me th e ch u r ch an d h e r o r d i n an ce s h ad co me
i n cr e asi n gl y to be r e gar d e d as th e me d i u m o f sal vati o n . He r
bapti s m a n d h e r co mmu n i o n we r e th e keys by wh i ch He ave n
was o pe n e d o r cl o se d. Mo r e o ve r , th e ch u r ch h ad be co me
cr o wd e d wi th th o se se e ki n g to e scape th e e n d l e ss wo e f o r
th e wi cke d n o w be i n g str e sse d by so me al be i t th e y we r e
mo r e wi l l i n g to avo i d i t by pe n an ce an d ce r e mo n y th an by
o be d i e n ce a n d l o ve. Su ch co u l d n o t e n d u r e tr i bu l a t i o n , an d
th e r e vi vi n g o f pagan pe r s e cu ti o n l e d to wi d e spr e ad d e n i al
o f th e f ai th . Sh o u l d th e y be r e je cte d as apo state s? I n an y e ve n t,
h o w co u l d th e y be saved f r o m th e u n co n s u mi n g f l ame s o f
He l l ?
N o v a t i a n P r o t e s t s A po s t a s y ; C a l l s f o r R e f o r m .
N o v a t i a n (a .d . 210-280), pr o mi n e n t pr e s byte r o f Ro me ,
vi go r o u sl y o ppo s e d th i s l axi ty o n th e pa r t o f th e i n d u l ge n t
C o r n e l i u s , n e wl y e l e cte d bi sh o p o f Ro me , a n d i n si s te d o n a
vi go r o u s e xcl u si o n o f th e lapsith e we ak wh o h ad f al l e n f r o m
th e f ai th u n d e r ci vi l pr e ssu r e . Ho we ve r , h e wi th d r e w h i s
902
No va ti a n o f Ro me Str e sse s th e Im- Ar n o bi u s o f Af r i caBo o n o f I mmo r -
mo r ta l i t y o f Go d a n d t h e Mo r tal i ty o f ta l i ty Is Go d 's Gi f t; I n co r r i gi bl y
Man ; Mu s t Atta i n I mmo r ta l i ty. Wi cke d to Be Exti n gu i s h e d .
pr o te s t wh e n h e was o ve r wh e l me d . He d i savo we d th e a u th o r
i ty o f C o r n e l i u s an d th e val i d i ty o f C ath o l i c bapti sm. Eve n tu al l y
No vati an was co n se cr ate d bi sh o p o f th e r i val par ty, i n cl u d i n g
n u me r o u s pr i e sts at C ar th age . As su ch , h e was r e al l y th e f i r st
an ti po pe .
T h e bu l k o f th e ch u r ch e s i n Ital y, Af r i ca, an d th e East
a d h e r e d to C o r n e l i u s , bu t th e No vati an par ty f o r me d a s tr o n g
o r gan i zati o n i n No r t h e r n Af r i ca a n d Asi a Mi n o r , co n s ti tu ti n g
th e mse l ve s th e tr u e ch u r ch , wi th co n gr e gati o n s a t C ar th age ,
Al e xan d r i a, C o n s tan ti n o pl e , Ni co me d i a, Ph r ygi a, Gau l , a n d
Spai n . T h i s No vati an mo ve me n t pe r si ste d f o r mo r e th an two
h u n d r e d ye ar s, o r i n to th e si xth ce n tu r y.
T h e No vati an s be l i e ve d l ar ge l y as o th e r s. T h e i ssue was
o ve r l axi ty o f d i sci pl i n e , n o t d o ctr i n e . Bu t th e y came i n cr e as
i n gl y to be l i e ve th a t th e n o mi n al ch u r ch e s h ad be co me apo state ,
a n d i n si ste d o n r e bapti s ma n d th e ti d e o f bapti s mal r e ge n e r a
t i o n was r u n n i n g str o n gl y at th i s ti me . No vati an was r e al l y
a th i r d -ce n tu r y Pu r i ta n , th e f o u n d e r o f th e C ath ar i (pu r e ).
Hi s bi r th pl a ce i s u n kn o wn , po ssi bl y Ph r ygi a. He i s sai d to h ave
903
be e n a Sto i c pr i o r to h i s co n ve r si o n to C h r i s ti an i ty, bu t th e
e vi d e n ce ad d u ce d i s qu e s ti o n abl e . He i s su ppo se d to h ave d i e d
a mar tyr , as ch u r ch h i s to r i an So cr ate s state s.1
I n an y e ve n t No vati an be came o n e o f th e co n spi cu o u s
ch ar acte r s o f th e t h i r d ce n tu r y. Eve n h i s e n e mi e s r e co gn i ze d
h i s i n te gr i ty an d a d mi tte d to h i s be i n g d o ctr i n al l y so u n d . He
was an apo stl e o f u n r e l e n ti n g d i sci pl i n e , a n d was h e r e ti ca l i n
t h a t h e d i s tu r be d th e cal m o f th e ch u r ch e s by cal l i n g f o r r e f o r m.
T h a t i s wh y o ppr o br i o u s e pi th e ts we r e h u r l e d at h i m.
I I . Ar gu me n ts Base d o n Na tu r e s o f C r e ato r a n d C r e atu r e
No va ti a n s we l l -kn o wn Treatise Concerning the Trinity,
wr i tte n a bo u t a .d . 257, co mpr i se s th i r ty-o n e ch apte r s. T h e f i r st
po r ti o n d e al s wi th th e Ru l e o f T r u t h o r Fa i th r e al l y h i s
cr e e d , i n wh i ch Go d i s se t f o r th as th e abso l u te l y pe r f e ct
C r e a to r o f al l th i n gs . No vati an ascr i be s to Hi m th e a ttr i bu te s
o f eternity, u n i ty, go o d n e ss, i mmu tabi l i ty, immortality, a n d
s pi r i tu al i ty. T h e se co n d a n d majo r se cti o n co n ce r n s J e su s
C h r i st, pr o mi s e d i n th e Ol d T e s ta me n t a n d man i f e s te d i n th e
Ne w, a n d pr o vi n g th at He i s tr u l y Go d a n d tr u l y man . T h e
cl o si n g se cti o n tr e ats o n th e Ho l y Spi r i t an d Hi s o pe r ati o n s .
Man i s th e n d i scu sse d i n h i s r e l a ti o n to th e De i ty.
1. M a n s D i s o b ed i en c e B r o u g h t M o r t a l i t y . C h a pte r
o n e d e scr i be s Go d as th e abs o l u te l y pe r f e ct Fo u n d e r o f al l
th i n gs , sh o wi n g th e i n te l l i ge n ce o f th e Ar ti f i ce r . An d at th e
cl o se o f th e man i f o l d wo r ks o f C r e ati o n , man was br o u gh t f o r th ,
mad e i n th e i mage o f Go d , wi th mi n d , a n d r e aso n , a n d
f o r e s i gh t, a n d an e a r th l y bo d y. Go d wi l l e d an d pr o vi d e d
t h a t h e al o n e s h o u l d be f r e e . Bu t, l e st h e th r o u gh u n
bo u n d e d f r e e d o m s h o u l d f al l i n to pe r i l , Go d l ai d d o wn a
co mma n d co n ce r n i n g th e f r u i t o f o n e tr e e . An d man was
f o r e war n e d t h a t e vi l wo u l d ar i se i f pe r ch an ce h e s h o u l d e xe r
ci se h i s f r e e wi l l , i n th e co n te mpt o f th e l aw th a t was gi ve n .
1So cr ate s, T h e Ecclesiastical History, bo o k 4, ch ap. 28, i n NPNF, 2d ser i es, vol . 2, p. 249.
C ONDI T I ONAL I ST OPPONENT OF C ORNELI US 905
So th e l aw was ad d e d , th a t an u n br i d l e d l i be r ty mi gh t
n o t br e ak f o r th e ve n to a co n te mpt o f th e Gi ve r . T h u s man
was gi ve n co mpl e te po we r o f ch o i ce , wi th r e s u l ta n t wo r th y
r e war d s a n d a d e se r ve d pu n i s h me n t f o r h i s co n d u ct. Bu t
be cau se o f h i s wr o n g ch o i ce mortality came u po n h i m, f o r
h e h ad s o u gh t to be as Go d , u n d e r th e i n f l u e n ce o f pe r ve r se
co u n s e l . 2
2. E x pe l l e d F r o m E d en t o F o r e s t a l l I mmo r t a l i t y o f
G u i l t .Ne xt, ma n s h o pe o f f u tu r e r e co ve r y an d sal vati o n
i n C h r i s t ar e pr e s e n te d .3 Man was e xpe l l e d f r o m Ed e n to
pr e ve n t an y f u r t h e r access to th e tr e e o f l i f e , so as to f o r e stal l
i mmo r tal i ty o f gu i l t , o r i mmo r tal si n . I n No va ti a n s wo r d s:
Le st, l i vi n g f o r e ve r wi th o u t C h r i s ts pr e vi o u s par d o n
o f h i s si ns, h e s h o u l d al ways be ar a bo u t wi th h i m f o r h i s
pu n i s h me n t an immortality of guilt. *
No vati an th e n di scusses th e h i gh e r r e gi o n s , d e cl ar e d
to be th e abo d e o f th e an ge l s, wh i l e be n e ath th e e a r t h , h e
ad d s^th e r e i s a pl ace wh i th e r th e so u l s o f th e ju s t a n d th e
u n ju s t ar e take n , co n sci o u s o f th e a n ti ci pa te d d o o m o f f u tu r e
ju d gme n t. 5
3. G o d , W i t h o u t B e gi n n i n g o r E n d , I s C o n s e qu e n t l y
I m m o r t a l . C h a pte r two d e al s wi th Go d as pe r vad i n g al l
th i n gs, a n d mo vi n g al l th i n gs, an d qu i cke n i n g al l th i n gs , a n d
tr an s ce n d i n g th e mi n d o f man . Go d i s wi th o u t an y be gi n
n i n g, so co n s e qu e n tl y He i s wi th o u t an e n d i n g. He i s
al ways e te r n a l , a n d u n bo u n d e d . Be i n g wi th o u t be gi n
n i n g, He h as n o ti me . T h u s No vati an co n cl u d e s, He i s
o n t h a t acco u n t i mmo r ta l , a n d do es n o t co me to an e n d . 8
Af te r an apo s tr o ph e o f pr ai se th a t i s o r n ate l y e l o qu e n t,7No va-
2No va t i a n , A Treatise Concerning the Tri nity , ch a p. 1, i n ANF, vo l . 5, pp. 611, 612.
2I b id ., p. 612.
4 I bid. (I t a l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
5Ibid.
0Ib id ., ch a p. 2. p. 612.
7I t r e a d s : Wh a t ca n yo u say o f Hi m, wh o i s l o f t i e r t h a n al l s u bl i mi ty, a n d h i gh e r t h a n
al l h e i gh t , a n d d e e pe r t h a n al l d e pt h , a n d cl e a r e r t h a n al l l i gh t, a n d br i gh t e r t h a n al l br i gh t n e s s ,
mo r e br i l l i a n t t h a n al l s pl e n d o u r , s t r o n ge r t h a n al l s t r e n gt h , mo r e po we r f u l t h a n a l l po we r , a n d
mo r e mi gh t y t h a n al l mi gh t , a n d gr e a t e r t h a n al l ma je s ty, a n d mo r e po t e n t t h a n a l l po te n cy,
ti a n cl o ses by r e pe a ti n g th a t Go d , wi th o u t an y be gi n n i n g o r
e n d o f ti me , co n tr o l s, by th e h i gh e st an d mo st pe r f e ct r e aso n ,
th e n a tu r a l l y l i n ke d causes o f th i n gs, so as to r e s u l t i n be n e f i t
to al l . 8
4. G o d I n c o r r u pt i b l e a n d T h e r e f o r e I mmo r t a l .
C h apte r s th r e e an d f o u r ar e d e vo te d to pr o vi n g f r o m Scr i ptu r e
th e C r e ato r s h i p a n d o th e r a ttr i bu te s o f Go d . I n th i s co n n e cti o n
No vati an ci te s 1 T i mo th y 1:17No w u n to th e Ki n g e te r n al ,
immortal, i n vi si bl e , th e o n l y wi se Go d . Agai n h e str esses th e
f act th at be cau se He i s incorruptible, He i s th e r e f o r e im
m o r t a l He r e , i n No vati an s i n vo l ve d d e s cr i pti o n , h e e l abo
r ate s o n th e incorruptibility a n d immortality o f Go d :
Be cause He i s i n co r r u pti bl e , He i s th e r e f o r e i mmo r tal ; an d be cau se
He i s i mmo r tal , He i s ce r tai n l y al so i n co r r u pti bl e ,each be i n g i n vo l ve d
by tu r n s i n th e o th e r , wi th i tse l f an d i n i tsel f , by a mu tu al co n n e cti o n , an d
pr o l o n ge d by a vi car i o u s co n cate n ati o n to th e co n d i ti o n o f e te r n i ty; i m
mo r tal i ty ar i si n g f r o m i n co r r u pti o n , as wel l as i n co r r u pti o n co mi n g f r o m
C h apte r f i ve to u ch e s o n Go d s wr ath agai n st th e si n o f
f al l e n a n d co r r u pt e d man . Wh e n He th r e a te n s i t i s t h a t
by th e se th r e ats me n ar e r e cal l e d to r e cti tu d e . So No vati an
i n si sts th at th o se th i n gs wh i ch i n me n ar e f au l ty a n d co r r u pt
i n g, can n o t e xe r t th e f o r ce o f co r r u pt i bi l i ty u po n Go d .11
5. M a n M a d e W i t h M a t e r i a l s o f M o r t a l i t y .T u r n
i n g n o w, i n ch apte r te n , to J e su s C h r i s t o u r Lo r d , th e C r e ato r
o f al l th i n gs, No vati an h o l d s th a t He i s bo th So n o f Go d a n d
tr u l y man . 18An d r e f e r r i n g to th e l aw o f r e s u r r e cti o n f o r
man , No vati an sh o ws th at C h r i s t ar o se wi th th e ve r y bo d y
wi th wh i ch He we n t i n to th e to mb. T h u s a l aw o f r e s u r r e cti o n
i s e s tabl i s h e d . I n th i s way th e mo r tal i ty o f gu i l t i s pu t away
f o r u s.13Bu t C h r i st, i n co n tr as t, h as l i f e i n Hi ms e l f , wh i ch
a n d r i ch e r th a n al l r i ch e s , mo r e wi se th a n al l wi s d o m, a n d mo r e be n i gn a n t t h a n al l ki n d n e s s ,
be t t e r th a n al l go o d n e s s , ju s t e r t h a n al l ju s ti ce , mo r e me r ci f u l t h a n al l cl e me n cy? (ibid., p. 613).
8Ibid.
9 Ibid., ch a p. 4, p. 615. (I ta l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
10Ibid.
11Ib id . , ch a p. 5, p. 615.
18I bid., ch a p. 10, p. 619.
13Ibid., p. 620.
man can n o t h ave i n h i m af te r th e e xampl e o f Go d th e Fath e r ,
be cau se h e [man ] i s n o t gl o r i o u s i n e te r n i ty, bu t mad e wi th
th e materials of mortality M
6. W o r d o f C h r i s t A f f o r d s I mmo r t a l i t y f o r M a n .
An o th e r ar gu me n t, i n ch a pte r f i f te e n , f o r th e i mmo r tal d e i ty
o f C h r i s t a n d th e mo r tal i ty o f f i n i te man , i s pr e s e n te d i n th e
f o l l o wi n g si gn i f i can t s tate me n t:
I f C h r i st i s o n l y man , h o w do e s He say, I f an y man sh al l ke e p my
wo r d , h e sh al l n o t see d e ath f o r e ve r ? No t to see d e ath f o r ever! wh at i s
th i s bu t i mmo r tal i ty? Bu t i mmo r tal i ty i s th e asso ci ate o f d i vi n i ty, because
bo th th e d i vi n i ty i s i mmo r tal , an d i mmo r tal i ty i s th e f r u i t o f d i vi n i ty. Fo r
eve r y man i s mo r tal ; an d i mmo r tal i ty can n o t be f r o m th at wh i ch i s mo r tal .
T h e r e f o r e f r o m C h r i st, as a mo r tal man , i mmo r tal i ty can n o t ar i se . Bu t,
says He , wh o so e ve r ke e pe th my wo r d , sh al l n o t see d e ath f o r e ve r ; th e r e
f o r e th e wo r d o f C h r i st af f o r ds i mmo r tal i ty, an d by i mmo r tal i ty af f o r ds
d i vi n i ty. Bu t al th o u gh i t i s n o t po ssi bl e to mai n tai n th a t o n e wh o i s h i mse l f
mo r tal can make an o th e r i mmo r tal , ye t th i s wo r d o f C h r i st n o t o n l y sets
f o r th , bu t af f o r ds i mmo r tal i ty: ce r tai n l y He i s n o t man o n l y wh o gi ves
i mmo r tal i ty, wh i ch i f He we r e o n l y man He co u l d n o t gi ve . 16
No va ti a n s d e f i n i ti o n o f i mmo r ta l i ty i s to be n o te d :
i t i s, n o t to see d e ath f o r e ve r , a n d th i s co n d i ti o n i s co n f e r r e d
o n mo r tal man by C h r i st. T h a t , o f co u r se , i s th e essence o f
C o n d i ti o n al i s m.
7. M a n D e s t i n e d f o r A t t a i n me n t o f E v er l a s t i n g
L i f e .I n me e ti n g a co mmo n h e r e sy o f h i s ti me t h a t C h r i s t
was o n l y ma n No vati an asks, I f C h r i st was o n l y man , h o w
i s i t t h a t He Hi mse l f says, An d e ve r y o n e th a t be l i e ve th i n
me sh al l n o t d i e f o r e ve r mo r e ? T h i s h e f o l l o ws u p wi th th e
s tate me n t:
Wh e n ce , i f o n th e o n e h an d He i s man o n l y, as th e h e r e ti cs wi l l h ave
i t, h o w sh al l n o t an ybo d y wh o be l i e ve s i n Hi m die eternally, si nce h e wh o
tr u sts i n man i s h e l d to be accur se d? Or o n th e o d i e r , i f h e i s n o t accu r se d ,
bu t r ath e r , as i t i s r e ad , destined for the attainment of everlasting life,
C h r i st i s n o t man o n l y, bu t Go d al so , i n wh o m h e wh o be l i e ve s bo th l ays
asi d e al l r i sk o f cur se , an d attains to th e f r u i t o f r i gh te o u sn e ss. 10
11Ibid., ch ap. 14, p. 623. (I tal i cs su ppl i e d .)
Ibid., ch ap. 15, p. 624.
16Ib id . , ch ap. 16, p. 625.
So i n th i s co n n e cti o n , to d i e e te r n al l y i s se t f o r th as
th e f ate o f th e u n r e pe n t a n t wi cke d .
8. H u ma n i t y D i e d , N o t D e i t y , o n t h e C r o s s .No va ti a n s
cl o se l y r e as o n e d ye t e l abo r ate ar gu me n t f o r th e e te r n al pr e
e xi ste n ce a n d co mpl e te d e i ty o f C h r i s t e xte n d s o ve r man y
ch apte r s , a n d co mpasse s th e wh o l e r an ge o f Scr i ptu r e . Bu t i n
ch a pte r twe nty-f i ve No vati an i n tr o d u ce s a n o th e r ar gu me n t
t h a t wh i l e C h r i s t d i e d f o r us, th e De i ty i n C h r i s t d i d n o t d i e ,
be cau se Go d can n o t be a d mi tte d to h ave d i e d . 17T h e n h e
d r aws th e co n cl u si o n :
Bu t wh e n Scr i ptu r e d e te r mi n e s, as we h ave f r e qu e n tl y sh o wn, th a t
He i s n o t o n l y Go d , bu t man al so , i t f o l l o ws th a t wh at i s i mmo r tal may be
h e l d to h ave r e mai n e d u n co r r u pte d . 18
T h i s co n te n ti o n No vati an r e state s i n a sl i gh tl y d i f f e r e n t
ph r as i n g: I t was n o t t h a t i n C h r i s t t h a t d i e d wh i ch i s Go d ,
bu t th at i n Hi m d i e d wh i ch i s ma n . Ne xt h e r e f e r s to man ,
a n d th e f act t h a t a f e l l o w man can n o t ki l l th e so u l (Matt.
10:28). T h e n No vati an ad d s th a t i t wo u l d be i mpo ssi bl e to
sl ay th e Wo r d o f Go d . So i t was th e h u man n a tu r e i n C h r i st
th a t was pu t to d e a th , bu t th e Wo r d i n Hi m was n o t d r awn
d o wn i n to mo r ta l i ty. So th e d i vi n e a n d i mmo r tal pa r t o f C h r i st,
as Go d , was not e xti n gu i s h e d wh i l e Hi s bo d y d i e d . T h e n h e
co n cl u d e s, Fo r th e po we r o f d e ath i s br o ke n wh e n th e au th o r i ty
o f i mmo r tal i ty i n te r ve n e s . 10
Su ch was a n o th e r o f No va ti a n s i n te r e s ti n g ar gu me n ts f o r
th e d e i ty o f C h r i st. T h e n h e ad d s, i n ch apte r twe n ty-n i n e ,
t h a t th e e te r n al Ho l y Spi r i t can pr o d u ce o u r bo d i e s a t th e
r e s u r r e cti o n o f i mmo r ta l i ty. Fo r by Hi m (th e Ho l y Spi r i t)
o u r bo d i e s ad van ce to i mmo r tal i ty. 20T h u s th e co n f e r r i n g o f
i mmo r tal i ty i s th e co mbi n e d wo r k o f e ach Pe r so n o f th e
Go d h e ad .
So me may qu e s ti o n th e pr o pr i e ty o f i n cl u d i n g No vati an
17I bid., ch a p. 25, p. 636.
18Ibid.
Ibid.
I bid., ch a p. 29, p. 641.
h e r e , i n asmu ch as h e i s co mmo n l y r e gar d e d as a h e r e ti c.
Bu t h i s h e r e sy, i t i s to be r e me mbe r e d , co n si ste d o f h i s
d e te r mi n e d o ppo s i ti o n to C o r n e l i u s , bi sh o p o f Ro me , o ve r th e
r e ad mi s s i o n o f u n r e pe n t a n t d e se r te r s (lapsi) i n to th e ch u r ch
n o t o ve r No va ti a n s d o ctr i n al be l i e f s. Fu r th e r mo r e , th e
ch ar ge s o f h e r e sy came f r o m C o r n e l i u s , a n d No va ti a n s e n e mi e s.
Man y, l i ke Ne an d e r , h ave d o u bte d t h e i r val i d i ty.
I t i s al so to be r e me mbe r e d th a t No vati an was ch o se n
by th e e n ti r e cl e r gy o f Ro me to wr i te i n th e i r n ame th e
L e t t e r ad d r e sse d to C ypr i an a bo u t a .d . 250.21T h i s C ypr i an
h i mse l f state s.22I t was wr i tte n d u r i n g th e vacan cy i n th e Ro man
bi sh o pr i c, af te r th e d e ath o f Fabi an an d be f o r e th e e l e cti o n
o f C o r n e l i u s .23T h i s sh o ws th e co n f i d e n ce o f th e cl e r gy i n h i m
at t h a t ti me . No va ti a n s h e r e sy was th e r e f o r e n o t o ve r d o c
tr i n e , bu t o ve r d i sci pl i n e i n r e l a ti o n to th e bi sh o p o f Ro me .
An d No vati an was a C o n d i ti o n al i s t.
I I I . Ar a bi an Be l i e ve r s i n So u l s De ath a n d Re s u r r e cti o n
As sh o wn e l se wh e r e by th e l a t te r h al f o f th e t h i r d ce n tu r y
th e d o ctr i n e o f th e I n n a te I mmo r ta l i ty o f th e so u l h ad n o w
be co me wi d e l y r e ce i ve d by man y pr o f e ssi n g C h r i sti an s. An d ,
pr o po r ti o n ate l y, th e pr i mi ti ve d o ctr i n e o f th e basi c mo r tal i ty
o f man a n d th e sl e e p o f th e d e ad was be i n g i n cr e asi n gl y
aban d o n e d . Ne ve r th e l e ss, th e r e we r e th o se wh o pe r si ste d i n
h o l d i n g to th e e a r l i e r f ai th , th o u gh , acco r d i n g to Eu se bi u s, th e y
we r e n o w co u n te d as h e r e ti cal . On e su ch gr o u p was d o wn i n
Ar abi a, a n d i l l u s tr ate s th e o th e r si d e o f th e pi ctu r e . T h i s i s
th e cl e ar r e co r d o f E u s eb i u s (c . a .d . 260-340),2i bi sh o p o f
C ae sar e a, a n d f ath e r o f ch u r ch h i s to r y. He h i mse l f was an
21Se e Epistle X X X , The Roman Clergy to Cyprian, i n ANF , vo l . 5, pp. 308-311.
22Se e The Epistles of Cyprian L I , s e c. 5, i n ANF , vo l . 5, p. 328.
23C o xe , i n n i s I n t r o d u ct o r y No t e ( AN F , vo l . 5, p. 807). says t h a t i n t h e i n t e r i m
be t we e n Fa bi a n a n d C o r n e l i u s , No va ti a n s e r ve d as vicar-general, pr e s i d i n g o ve r t h e Ro ma n
pr e s byte r y, as t h e i r s e cr e t a r y f o r f o r e i gn a f f a i r s .
24E u s e b i u s P a m p h i l i ( c . 260-340), o f va s t l e a r n i n g, was a te a ch e r i n t h e th e o l o gi cal
sch o o l i n C a e s a r e a . He u s e d t h e gr e a t l i br a r y o f h i s t e a ch e r , Pa mph i l i u s , f o r t h e s o u r ce s f o r
h i s f amo u s ch u r ch h i s to r y. As bi s h o p o f C a e s a r e a h e o ccu pi e d a pr o mi n e n t pl a ce i n t h e C o u n
ci l o f Ni ce a ( a . d . 325). He was s e a t e d a t t h e r i gh t o f Empe r o r C o n s t a n t i n e , a n d ma d e t h e
o pe n i n g ad d r e s s . He was t h e l e a d e r o f t h e mo d e r a t e pa r t y m t h e co n t r o ve r s y o ve r Ar i an i s m.
Ho we ve r , h e be l i e ve d i n I n n a t e I mmo r t a l i t y, a n d i n u l t i ma t e r e s to r a t i o n i s m f o r al l t h e wi cke d .
I mmo r tal -So u l i s t a n d Re s to r ati o n i s tf o l l o wi n g Or i ge n
h e n ce h i s casti gati o n o f o th e r s as h o l d e r s o f f al se o pi n i o n s .
Abo u t th e same ti me [l atte r pa r t o f th i r d ce n tu r y] o th e r s ar o se i n
Ar abi a pu tti n g f o r war d a d o ctr i n e f o r e i gn to th e tr u th . T h e y sai d th a t
d u r i n g th e pr e se n t ti me th e h u ma n so u l d i e s an d pe r i sh e s wi th th e bo d y,
bu t th at at th e ti me o f th e r e su r r e cti o n th e y wi l l be r e n e we d to ge th e r . An d
a t th a t ti me al so a syn o d o f co n si d e r abl e si ze assembl ed, an d Or i ge n , be i n g
agai n i n vi te d th i th e r , spo ke pu bl i cl y o n th e qu e s ti o n wi th such ef f ect
t h a t th e o pi n i o n s o f th o se wh o h ad f o r me r l y f al l e n we r e ch an ge d . 28
Fo u r po i n ts ar e to be n o te d : (1) T h e gr o u p i n Ar abi a
d e n i e d th e l i f e a n d co n sci o u sn e ss o f th e d e ad be twe e n d e ath
a n d th e r e s u r r e cti o n . (2) Bo th so u l a n d bo d y l i ve agai n at th e
r e s u r r e cti o n . (3) Be l i e ve r s i n th i s u n co n sci o u sn e ss-i n -d e ath
d o ctr i n e we r e sti l l su f f i ci e n tl y n u me r o u s to r e qu i r e a co n s i d e r
abl e co u n ci l to r e pr e ss th e m. (4) Or i ge n was agai n r e qu e s te d
to di scuss th e so u l qu e s ti o n i n th i s co u n ci l i n d i cati n g t h a t
at l e ast o n ce pr e vi o u sl y h e h ad be e n cal l e d u po n to d e f e n d
th i s n e w d o ctr i n e o f th e i mmo r tal i ty o f th e so u l , f o r i t was
ch i e f l y th r o u gh Or i ge n a n d T e r t u l l i a n t h a t th i s te ach i n g came
to be e stabl i sh e d i n th e ch u r ch .
1. C o n d i t i o n a l I mmo r t a l i t y N o N e w D o c t r i n e .Dr .
J o h a n n Ne an d e r , o f He i d e l be r g a n d Be r l i n , l i ke wi se r e f e r s
to th i s Ar abi an gr o u p. He state s t h a t th i s o l d e r te ach i n ga n d
th e f act th a t i mmo r tal i ty i s n o t base d u po n th e n a tu r e o f
th e so u l , bu t i s a gi f t f r o m Go d was th e He br e w te ach i n g
o f th e Ol d T e s ta me n t, tr an s f e r r e d f r o m J u d ai s m to C h r i s ti
a n i t y a n d pr e d o mi n a n t f r o m an ci e n t ti me s. He says:
We may h e r e me n ti o n an o th e r i n stan ce o f th i s ki n d , th a t a co n tr o ve r sy
h ad be e n e xci te d by a par ty amo n g th e Ar abi an C h r i sti an s, wh o asse r te d ,
th a t th e h u ma n so u l d i e d wi th th e bo d y an d th a t i t was to be r e vi ve d o n l y
wi th th e bo d y at th e r e su r r e cti o n ,an an ci e n t J e wi sh n o ti o n . Pe r h aps, to o ,
i n th e se d i str i cts, wh o se s i tu ati o n br o u gh t th e m i n to f r e qu e n t co n tact wi th
th e J e ws, i t was n o new d o ctr i n e , bu t o n e wh i ch h ad pr e vai l e d th e r e f r o m
an ci e n t ti me s. 28
2. O r i g en E s t a b l i s h ed I mmo r t a l -So u l i s m i n A l e x
25Eu s e bi u s , Ecclesiastical History, bo o k 6, ch a p. 37, i n NPNF , 2d s e r i e s, vo l . 1, p.
279. C f . Mo s h e i m, Historical Commentaries on the State of Christianity (V i d a l t r .), vo l . 2,
pp. 242, 243.
29J o h a n n A. W. Ne a n d e r , Church History, vo l . 1, p. 710.
a n d r i a . Ne a n d e r 27 f r an kl y state s th e h i sto r i cal f act th a t i t
was Or i ge n wh o f i r st f aste n e d th i s d o ctr i n e o f th e n a tu r a l
i mmo r tal i ty o f th e s o u l u po n th e ch u r ch a t Al e xan d r i a, wh i ch
l ate r o bt a i n e d u n i ve r sal acce ptan ce . Me an wh i l e th e Ar abi an
C h r i sti an s , wh o h ad mai n ta i n e d th e o l d o pi n i o n , n o w
appe ar e d h e r e ti ca l , th o u gh th e o l d , f o r me r l y pr e d o mi n an t
o pi n i o n , h ad pr e vi o u s l y pr o n o u n ce d i tse l f agai n s t th e n e w
o pi n i o n . T h a t was wh y a gr e at s yn o d was n e cessar y, a n d
Or i ge n s pr e se n ce r e qu e s te d to qu i e t th e co n tr o ve r sy.
Pe r h aps i t was f i rst br o u gh t abo u t th r o u gh th e i n f l u e n ce o f Or i ge n ,
i n wh o se system th e d o ctr i n e o f th e n atu r a l i mmo r tal i ty o f th e so ul , wh i ch
i s r e l ate d to Go d , h e l d an i mpo r ta n t pl ace ,th a t th i s l a tte r d o ctr i n e no w
be came h e r e th e mo r e ge n e r al o n e , an d th e smal l par ty wh o sti l l ad h e r e d
to th e o l d o pi n i o n , appe ar e d to be h e r e ti cal ; i f th e case r e al l y was, th a t
th e pr e vai l i n g vo i ce h ad e xpr e sse d i tse l f th u s e ar l y agai n st th e m. He n ce i t
i s e xpl ai n e d , h o w th e co n ve n ti o n o f a great synod came to be th o u gh t
necessar y f o r th e pu r po se o f se ttl i n g d i spu te s. As th e y co u l d n o t co me to
an agr e e me n t, Or i ge n was se n t f o r ; an d i t was br o u gh t abo u t by h i s i n f l u
ence , t h a t th e o ppo n e n ts o f th e so u l s n atu r a l i mmo r tal i ty co nf e ssed an d
r e n o u n ce d th e i r e r r o r . 28
So i t was th a t th i s l ay C h r i s ti an gr o u p i n Ar abi a h e l d f ast
to th e a n ci e n t d o ctr i n e o f th e sl e e p o f th e d e ad , a n d d e n i e d
th e n e w i n h e r e n t-i mmo r tal i ty-o f -th e -so u l po s tu l ate . No t u n t i l
th i s i n te n s i ve e f f o r t by Or i ge n , i n th e mi d d l e o f th e t h i r d
ce n tu r y, we r e th e y we an e d away f r o m i t. T h u s th e co n tr o ve r sy
co n ti n u e d i n d i f f e r e n t par ts o f th e e mpi r e .
IV. Clementine HomiliesFi cti o n a l Vi ews by C l e me n ts
Fabr i ca te d C h ar acte r s
The Clementine Homilies, f al se l y a t t r i bu t e d to C l e me n t
o f Ro me , u su al l y d ate d i n th e t h i r d ce n tu r y, ar e e ar l y
e ccl e si asti cal f i cti o n al wr i ti n gs. I n o th e r wo r d s, th e ch ar acte r s
ar e n o t r e al , bu t f abr i cate d . An d th e i d e n ti ty o f th e a u th o r i s
27T h e n o te d Ge r ma n ch u r ch h i s to r i a n Dr . J o h a n n A. W. Ne a n d e r (1777-1850) was a
co n ve r t e d J e w a n d h e n ce we l l qu a l i f i e d t o s t a t e t h e o r i gi n a l J e wi s h d o ct r i n e o n i mmo r ta l i t y.
He was pr o f e s s o r o f th e o l o gy a t He i d e l be r g, a n d o f ch u r ch h i s to r y a t Be r l i n . As to h i s co mpe
te n cy, h i s General History of the Christian Religion and Church e a r n e d f o r h i m t h e ti t l e Pr i n ce
o f C h u r ch Hi s to r i a n s .
28Ne a n d e r , op. cit., p. 444.
n o t kn o wn . Man y o f th e Homilies ar e i n d i al o gu e f o r m, o n e
ch ar acte r a r gu i n g agai n st th e vi e wpo i n t o f an o th e r . T h e y ar e
cl e ar l y f i cti o n al , so th e i r wo r d s can n o t be take n as an a u t h o r i
tati ve s tate me n t o f th e th e o l o gi cal be l i e f s o f th e day.
T h e y d o , h o we ve r , d e mo n s tr ate th a t th e qu e s ti o n o f I n n a t e
I mmo r tal i ty was al r e ad y u n d e r d i scu ssi o n , a n d co n s ti tu te a
r e f l e cti o n o f va r i a n t vi ews o f th e ti me . I n h e r e n t i mmo r tal i ty
was d e n i e d by o n e o f C l e me n ts ch ar acte r s, Si mo n Magu s,
me an i n g th e magi ci an , an d af f i r me d by a n o th e r Pe t e r ,
as h e was n ame d . T h e i r h i sto r i cal pr o to type s, wh o se n ame s ar e
th u s i n vo ke d , ar e n o t, o f co u r se , to be h e l d acco u n tabl e .29T h e
Homilies cl e ar l y co n tai n mu ch l e ge n d ar y ma t te r . 80
1. C l a s h i n g V i ew s a n d U n c e r t a i n D a t i n g .T h e r e h as
be e n mu ch d i scu ssi o n as to wh e th e r th e C l e me n ti n e Recog
nitions (i n te n bo o ks) pr e ce d e d h i s Homilies (i n twe n ty d i s
co u r se s), o r th e r e ve r se .31I t i s ge n e r al l y be l i e ve d th a t th e r e i s
a d e f i n i te co n n e cti o n be twe e n th e two .32T h e Recognitions ar e
l i ke wi se u su al l y d ate d i n th e th i r d ce n tu r y. Man y f e e l th at th e r e
i s pr o babl y a co mmo n backgr o u n d a si n gl e basi c u n i t f o r th e
C l e me n ti n a i n a l o st d o cu me n t.33
T r a n s l a to r T h o mas Smi th d u bs C l e me n ts wr i ti n gs
str an ge a n d cu r i o u s d o cu me n ts , n o t i n te n d e d to be , o r
pr e s e n te d as, h i sto r i cal f acts. He says:
C h o o si n g th e d i sci pl e s o f C h r i st an d th e i r f o l l o we r s as h i s pr i n ci pal
ch ar acte r s, h e [C l e me n t] h as pu t i n to th e i r mo u th s th e mo st i mpo r ta n t
o f h i s bel i ef s, an d wo ve n th e wh o l e to ge th e r by a th r e ad o f f i cti ti o u s n a r
r ati ve . 44
Smi th al so ci te s Hi l ge n f e l d as be l i e vi n g t h a t th e r e ar e
28T he Clementine Homilies, i n ANF, vo l . 8, pp. 223-346; Ed ga r J . Go o d s pe e d , History
of Early Christian Literature, pp. 127; 128. Be s t o f al l i s J o h a n n e s Qu a s t e n , Patrology, vol. 1,
pp. 59-63. C f . H. J . Sch o e ps , Urgemetnde, Judentum, Gnosis (1956); al so B. Re h m, Geichische
Christliche Schriftsteller, vo l . 42.
30ODCC, a r t ., C l e me n t i n e L i t e r a t u r e , p. 301.
31B. M. Ri d d l e , I n t r o d u ct o r y No te to t h e Ps e u d o -C l e me n ti n e L i t e r a t u r e , i n ANF ,
vo l . 8, pp. 69, 70; ODCC, loc. cit. Hi l ge n f e l d , C ave , Wh i s to n , Ro s e n ml l e r , a n d Sta d f i n h e l d
t h a t t h e Recognitions ca me f i r s t, bu t Ul h o r n , Sch mi d t , a n d C u l l ma n n pl a ce t h e Homilies f i r s t.
Se e al so Mh l e r , L cke , a n d Sch l i e ma n n .
32ODCC, loc. cit.
33Ibid. C f . A. C . He a d l a m, The Clementine Literature, i n J . T . S . , i i i , a n d F. J . A. Ho r t ,
Notes Introductory to the Story o f the Clementine Literature. Se e al so I n t r o d u ct o r y No t i ce to
t h e Re co gn i ti o n s o f C l e me n t , i n ANF, vo l . 8, p. 73.
34 I n t r o d u ct o r y No t i ce , i n ANF, vo l . 8, p. 73.
man y i n te r po l a te d passages o f a mu ch l ate r d ate . 36T h e te s ti
mo n y o f th e Homilies i s n o t th e r e f o r e d e te r mi n ati ve . But it is a
record of the talk of the times. Wi th su ch an u n d e r s tan d i n g, l e t
us n o w n o te th e te s ti mo n y o f th e se d o cu me n ts.
2. R a n g es O v er C r e a t i o n , L i f e , D e a t h , P u n i s h me n t .
Ho mi l y I r ai se s th e qu e s ti o n o f l i f e an d d e ath ce asi n g to
e xi s ta n d pu n i s h me n t. An d i t qu e r i e s wh e th e r th e so u l i s
i mmo r tal o r mo r t a l . 33I n Ho mi l y I I C l e me n t r ai se s th e i ssue
o f Fu t u r e Re war d s a n d Pu n i s h me n ts , an d sti l l pr esses o n
th e qu e s ti o n o f wh e th e r th e so u l i s i mmo r ta l , a n d o f pr e s e n t
pu n i s h me n t i n He l l . 37 T h i s appe ar s f u r t h e r i n ch apte r
twe n ty-n i n e , wh e r e Si mo n Magu s i s n o t co n vi n ce d th a t th e
so u l o f man i s i mmo r ta l . 38T h e n i n Ho mi l y I I I C l e me n t
tu r n s to th e pr o bl e m o f th e pu n i s h me n t o f th e wi cke d , an d
h as Si mo n o bse r ve :
He [Go d] br i n gs th e so ul to Hi mse l f by r e aso n o f Hi s l o ve to war d s i t.
An d al th o u gh i t be si n f u l , i t i s Hi s n atu r e to save i t, af te r i t h as be e n s u i t
abl y pu n i s h e d f o r th e d e e d s i t h a th d o n e . Bu t i f an y o n e sh al l d e n y Hi m,
o r i n an y o th e r way be gu i l ty o f i mpi e ty agai n st Hi m, an d th e n sh al l r e pe n t,
h e sh al l be pu n i s h e d i n d e e d f o r th e si ns h e h a th co mmi tte d agai n st Hi m,
bu t h e sh al l be saved, be cau se h e tu r n e d an d l i ve d . 38
3. W i c k ed C o n s u me d a n d D es t r o y ed by F i r e . C l e me n t
make s Si mo n qu i te po si ti ve i n h i s d e cl ar ati o n co n ce r n i n g
th e co mpl e te d e s tr u cti o n o f th e wi cke d :
Bu t th o se wh o d o n o t r e pe n t sh al l be d e str o ye d by th e pu n i s h me n t
o f f i re, e ve n th o u gh i n al l o th e r th i n gs th e y ar e mo st h o l y. Bu t, as I sai d,
at an appo i n te d ti me a f i f th [Pe r h aps, r ath e r , th e gr e a te r ; n o te 2] par t,
be i n g pu n i sh e d wi th e t e r n al f i re, sh al l be consumed. Fo r th e y can n o t e n d u r e
f o r e ve r wh o h ave be e n i mpi o u s agai n st th e o n e Go d . 40
I t i s o bse r ve d , by tr an s l ato r Ri d d l e , t h a t th e f i r st twe n ty-
e i gh t ch apte r s o f th i s h o mi l y h ave n o e xact par al l e l i n th e
Recognitions, mu ch o f th e ma t te r i s pe cu l i ar to th i s wo r k
th e Homilies
33ibid.
38T h e Clementine Homilies, ch a p. 4, i n A NF , vo l . 8, pp. 223, 224.
37I bid., ch a p. 13, p. 231.
38Ibid., ch a p. 29, p. 234. 40I bid. (I ta l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
39Ibid . , ch a p. 6, p. 240. 41I b id. , p. 239, f o o tn o t e 1.
4. C l e me n t Set s F o r t h P e t e r a s I mmo r t a l -So u l i s t .
T h e r e ar e pe r i o d i c al l u si o n s to Go d as th e C r e ato r o f man
(Ho mi l y I I I , ch apte r si x), cr e ati o n by d i vi n e f i at (ch apte r
th i r ty-th r e e ), al so to th e Wi l e s o f th e De vi l (ch apte r e i gh t),
th e Eati n g o f th e Fo r bi d d e n Fr u i t (ch apte r twe n ty-o n e ),
Ad a ms r e s po n s i bi l i ty (ch apte r e i gh te e n ), a n d h o w man may
be co me i mmo r ta l , h ave co n ti n u a n ce , a n d be co me i n co r
r u pt i bl e (ch apte r th i r ty-se ve n ).
Ho mi l y I X (ch apte r f o u r te e n ) cal l s o n C h r i sti an s to r e pe n t
i n vi e w o f th e ju d gme n t, f o r at th e ti me o f th e ju d gme n t th e
wi cke d wi l l be pu n i s h e d wi th u n qu e n ch abl e f i r e an d th e r i gh t
e o u s r e ce i ve th e i r r e co mpe n se i n th e f l esh . T h e n i n Ho mi l y XI
(ch apte r e l e ve n ) C l e me n t pr o je cts Pe t e r as co n te n d i n g th a t
al l so u l s ar e i mmo r tal th e so u l e ve n o f th e wi cke d i s i mmo r
t a l wi th e n d l e ss t o r t u r e as u n avo i d abl e pu n i s h me n t. He r e ar e
Pe t e r s al l e ge d wo r d s, as f abr i cate d by C l e me n t:
An d th o u gh by th e d i sso l u ti o n o f th e bo d y yo u sh o u l d escape pu n i s h
me n t, h o w sh al l yo u be abl e by co r r u pti o n to f l ee f r o m yo u r so ul , wh i ch i s
i n co r r u pti bl e ? Fo r th e so u l e ve n o f th e wi cke d i s i mmo r tal , f o r wh o m i t
we r e be tte r n o t to h ave i t i n co r r u pti bl e . Fo r , be i n g pu n i s h e d wi th e n d l e ss
to r tu r e u n d e r u n qu e n ch abl e f i re, an d n e ve r d yi n g, i t can r e ce i ve n o e n d
o f i ts mi se r y. 42
T h i s th o u gh t i s co n ti n u e d i n ch a pte r si xte e n , wh e r e
C l e me n t r e f e r s to u n i ve r s al ju d gme n t a n d e te r n al pu n i s h
me n ts . 43Bu t i n Ho mi l y XV (ch apte r e i gh t) h e co n tr asts ma n s
ch o i ce as o f th e pr e s e n t evil o r th e f u tu r e go o d s.
5. F r e e W i l l E x pl a i n s P r e s en c e o f Si n a n d D e a t h .
Ne xt, i n Ho mi l y XI X, ch apte r f i f te e n (Si n th e C au se o f Evi l ),
C l e me n t co n te n d s t h a t h ad n o t man s i n n e d d e ath wo u l d n o t
h ave co me to th e r ace . He ad d s th a t man l o st h i s i mmo r ta l
i ty o n acco u n t o f h i s s i n , wi th su f f e r i n g a n d d e ath co mi n g as
a co n se qu e n ce . T h e n h e asks a n d an swe r s th i s qu e s ti o n :
Wh y, th e n , was th e n a tu r e o f man mad e at th e be gi n n i n g capabl e o f
d e ath ? I wi l l te l l yo u, be cau se o f f re e-wi l l ; f o r i f we we r e n o t capabl e o f
I bid. , p. 286.
43I bid., p. 288.
44I bid., p. 310.
d e ath , we co u l d n o t, as be i n g i mmo r tal , be pu n i sh e d o n acco u n t o f o u r
vo l u n tar y si n . 45
6. I mmo r t a l i z e d T h r o u g h C h r i s t s R e i g n .Fi n al l y, i n
Ho mi l y XI X, ch apte r twe n ty (Pai n an d De ath th e Re s u l t o f
Si n ), C l e me n t h as Pe t e r sayi n g t h a t death i s th e s e par ati o n
o f th e so u l f r o m th e bo d y, wi th th e bo d y d i sso l ve d , bu t th e
so u l co n ti n u i n g o n i n e xi ste n ce . T h e n h e state s, cu r i o u sl y,
Man be co me s i mmo r tal th r o u gh th e pr e val e n ce o f th e pe ace f u l
r e i gn o f C h r i s t. An d h e ad d s, He wi l l su f f e r n o pai n , so th at
h e wi l l n o t be mo r ta l . 48
T wo co n f l i cti n g vi e wpo i n ts ar e th u s se t f o r th f r ame d i n
th e wo r d s o f f i cti o n al ch ar acte r s. So th e d u a l e vi d e n ce o f th e
Homilies, as pe r tai n s to o u r qu e st, e n d s. I t i s n o t co n cl u si ve ,
bu t i t mi r r o r s th e cl ash i n g vi ews o f th e ti me . An d so me f ee l
t h a t C l e me n t h i mse l f f avo r s th e C o n d i ti o n al i s t vi ew.
7. Su b s e q u e n t R e c o g n i t i o n s Su s t a i n H o mi l i e s P o r
t r a y a l . I n as mu ch as th e C l e me n ti n e Recognitions pr o babl y
s pr an g f r o m th e same au th o r , si n ce th e y h ave th e same f i cti o n al
ch ar acte r s a n d ch ar acte r i sti cs, i t i s we l l to n o te t h a t i n th e
Recognitions th e same Si mo n (Magu s) s ti l l qu e s ti o n s
wh e th e r th e so u l i s i mmo r ta l . 47 T h a t was be i n g str o n gl y
ad vo cate d i n th e t h i r d ce n tu r y. An d i n ch apte r f o r ty-o n e , af te r
ackn o wl e d gi n g th e ju d gme n t to co me , Si mo n , u se d as a sym
bo l o f th e wi cke d n e ss o f th e Ear l y C h u r ch , co n ti n u e s to ch al
l e n ge th e cl ai m th a t th e so u l i s i mmo r ta l , a n d d e cl ar e s, Fo r
as so o n as th e y d i e , th e i r so u l sh al l at th e same ti me be extin
guished 48T h e n i n bo o k f o u r (ch apte r twe l ve ) Pe t e r says
t h a t En o ch was tr an s l ate d to i mmo r ta l i ty. 49Bu t i n bo o k f i ve
(ch apte r twe n ty-e i gh t), Ete r n i ty o f Pu n i s h me n ts , th e f a br i
cate d I mmo r tal -So u l i s t Pe t e r i s mad e to say:
Bu t i f an y pe r si st i n i mpi e ty ti l l th e e n d o f l i f e , th e n as so o n as th e
I b id. , p. 335.
Ib id. , p; 337.
47 Recognitions o f Clement (T h o ma s Smi t h , t r .), bo o k 3, ch a p. 39. i n ANF, vo l . 8,
p. 124. I n t h e Recognitions, Gn o s t i c e l e me n t s a r e t o be n o t e d . (C f . ODCC, p. 301: al so
AN F , vo l . 8, pp. 69-74.)
48 Ibid ., p. 125. (I t a l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
Ib id. , p. 137.
so ul , wh i ch i s i mmo r tal , d e par ts, i t sh al l pay th e pe n al ty o f i ts pe r si ste n ce
i n i mpi e ty. Fo r e ve n th e so ul s o f th e i mpi o u s ar e i mmo r tal , th o u gh pe r
h aps th e y th e mse l ve s wo u l d wi sh th e m to e n d wi th th e i r bo d i e s. Bu t i t i s
n o t so; f o r th e y e n d u r e wi th o u t e n d th e to r me n ts o f e te r n al f i re, an d to
th e i r d e s tr u cti o n th e y h ave n o t th e qu al i ty o f mo r tal i ty. 50
He r e , th e n , i s th e same co n f l i ct o f vi ews by th e same o ppo s
i n g ch ar acte r s.
T h u s i t i s se en th a t th e Ete r n a l -T o r me n t co n ce pt i s al r e ad y
co u pl e d as an i n se par abl e co r o l l ar y to th e basi c Immo r tal -So u l -
i sm i n th e co n te n ti o n o f th i s d e ve l o pi n g se co n d sch o o l o f
th o u gh t. T h e n to th i s Pe t e r ad d s, i n bo o k n i n e , ch apte r t h i r
te e n (Re t r i bu t i o n He r e o r He r e a f t e r ), t h a t th e i r pu n i s h
me n t He [Go d ] d e f e r s to th e f u tu r e . He cl o ses by r e f e r r i n g to
th e pu n i s h me n t o f e te r n al f i r e i n h e l l ; an d th e r e th e i r so u l s
sh al l se ek r e pe n tan ce , wh e r e th e y sh al l n o t be abl e to f i n d i t .
So th e r e i s co n ti n u an ce i n th e cl ash i n g te s ti mo n y o f C l e me n ts
two tr e ati se s. T h e y si mpl y co n s ti tu te a r e f l e cti o n o f th e e d d yi n g
cu r r e n ts o f th e ti me s, a n d o f th e pa r al l e l i n g bu t co n f l i cti n g
sch o o l s o n th e n a tu r e a n d d e sti n y o f man , al r e ad y i n vo gu e .
I n n a t e Immo r tal -So u l i sm i s d e f i n i te l y o n th e gai n .
>I bid., p. 150.
Ib id ., p. 186.
C H A P T E R F I F T Y - F O U R
Ar n o bi u s of Af ri caLast Ante-
Ni cene C ondi ti onal i st Spokesman
I . Fi n a l Exti n cti o n o f I n co r r i gi bl y Wi cke d
Appr o xi mate l y a ce n tu r y af te r th e mar tyr d o m o f I r e n ae u s,
A r n o b i u s (f l . c. a .d . 297-310), o f Af r i ca, cal l e d th e El d e r , o n e
o f th e br i gh t an te -Ni ce n e l i gh ts o f th e f i r st d e cad e o f th e f o u r th
ce n tu r y, br o u gh t f o r th a n o tabl e co n f e ssi o n o f h i s n e wl y
e spo u se d C h r i s ti an f ai th . Ar n o bi u s, l ast gr e at apo l o gi st o f th e
an te -Ni ce n e pe r i o d o f th e Ear l y C h u r ch , h ad be e n a pr o mi n e n t
pagan pr o f e sso r o f r h e to r i c at Si cca, i n No r t h e r n Af r i ca, n e ar
C ar th age . T h e r e h i s ph i l o s o ph i c l e ar n i n g an d e l o qu e n ce h ad
br o u gh t h i m f ame d u r i n g th e r e i gn o f Di o cl e ti an .
Si cca at t h a t ti me was n o to r i o u s f o r i ts be sti al f o u l n e ss an d
po l yth e i sm, i n vi vi d co n tr as t wi th th e s tr i ct pu r i ty e n jo i n e d
by th e C h r i sti an s . Wh i l e a pagan , Ar n o bi u s was n o te d f o r h i s
i n te n s e h a tr e d o f C h r i s ti an i ty. Li ke Sau l o f T ar s u s , h e f o u gh t
i t r e l e n tl e ssl y. Ne ve r th e l e ss, h e ad mi r e d th e h e r o i c co u r age o f
th e mar tyr s u n d e r th e te r r i bl e Di o cl e ti an pe r s e cu ti o n , wh i ch
s o u gh t to o ve r wh e l m C h r i s ti an i ty i n a d e l u ge o f f l ame a n d
bl o o d i n wh at was pagan i s ms d yi n g str u ggl e . An d , l i ke a n e w
Sau l o f T ar s u s , Ar n o bi u s at l ast e mbr ace d C h r i s ti an i ty, e vi
d e n tl y be twe e n a .d . 303 an d 310. An d agai n , l i ke th e co n ve r te d
Pau l be f o r e h i m, h e was at f i r st d i s tr u s te d by th o se wh o m h e
h ad l o n g o ppo se d , a n d was r e f u s e d bapti sm a n d ad mi ssi o n i n to
th e ch u r ch .
I n o r d e r to d i spe l th e i r f e ar s Ar n o bi u s pu bl i s h e d an o pe n
attack o n pagan i sm cal l e d Adversus Gentes (Agai n st th e
917
Pagan s ), i n wh i ch h e bo l d l y avo we d h i s n e w co n vi cti o n s, as
pr o o f o f h i s si n ce r i ty. T h i s co u r age o u s act, as we l l as i ts apo l o
ge ti c po we r a n d l o gi cal appe al , r e mo ve d al l d o u bt, a n d th e
d o o r s o f th e ch u r ch we r e th r o wn o pe n to h i m. T h a t i s wh at
we ar e n o w to su r ve y, f o r an i mpo r ta n t se cti o n be ar s o n th e
pr o bl e m o f i mmo r tal i ty. Ar n o bi u s was an e n th u s i asti c co n ve r t,
a n d h i s f e ar l e ss vo i ce car r i e d we i gh t. He be came th e te ach e r
o f th e br i l l i a n t Lactan ti u s , to be n o te d l ate r i n o u r su r ve y,
wh o m h e pr o f o u n d l y i n f l u e n ce d . I n ci d e n tal l y, Ar n o bi u s h ad
i n t u r n be e n i n f l u e n ce d by Lu cr e ti u s .
1. M eet s P a g a n i s m o n I t s O w n G r o u n d .Ar n o bi u s
bo o k, th o u gh wr i tte n be f o r e h i s actu al bapti sm, i s a s tate me n t
o f ma tu r e co n vi cti o n s. He r e o n h e ath e n i s ms o wn gr o u n d h e
me e ts th e ar gu me n ts , th e tau n ts a n d r e pr o ach e s, br o u gh t agai n s t
C h r i s ti an i ty by th e stal war ts o f pagan i sm. An d h e n o t o n l y
r e pe l s th e i r ch ar ge s bu t u n d e r take s to pe r s u ad e th e m th a t C h r i s
ti a n i ty i s f u l l y d e mo n s tr abl e by e vi d e n ce . He do e s n o t qu o te
h e avi l y f r o m Scr i ptu r e , wh i ch was l ar ge l y u n kn o wn to h i s
r e ad e r s a n d wo u l d n o t be a d mi tte d as e vi d e n ce by th e m an y
wayso h e pr e se n ts th e facts o f Scr i ptu r e r a t h e r t h an actu al
qu o tati o n s f r o m th e te xt. He seeks to i mpr e ss th e m wi th th e
f atal we akn e ss a n d f al l acy o f th e i r o wn r e aso n i n g, a n d th e f o l l y
o f po l yth e i sm. He co n te n d s th a t C h r i sti an s, wh o wo r sh i p th e
se l f -e xi ste n t Go d , ar e n o t l ess r e l i gi o u s th an th o se wh o wo r s h i p
s u bo r d i n a te d e i ti e s.
He ath e n i s m, h e e ar n e stl y co n te n d s, i s o u two r n an d mu s t
i n e vi tabl y d i sappe ar . Hi s i s th e mo st su s tai n e d co u n te r attack
u po n th e co n te mpo r ar y pagan cu l ts, a n d e spe ci al l y th e cu l t o f
th e e mpe r o r , wr i tte n by an y o f th e C h u r ch Fath e r s. Dr . Ge o r ge
E. McC r acke n , o f Dr ake Un i ve r si ty, i n h i s r e ce n t Arnobius of
Sicca the Case Against the Pagans (1949), cal l s i t i n man y
ways th e mo st r e mar kabl e patr i s ti c d o cu me n t n o w e xta n t , 1
a l th o u gh i t was l o n g n e gl e cte d an d man y atte mpts we r e mad e
to d i s cr e d i t i t.
1Ge o r ge E. McC r a cke n , Arnobius of Sicca, I n t r o d u ct i o n , p. 3, i n t h e n e w C a t h o l i c
A n ci e n t C h r i s t i a n Wr i t e r s s e r i e s.
LAST ANT E-NIC ENE C ONDI T I ONAL I ST SPOKESMAN 919
2. I mmo r t a l i t y f o r R i g h t e o u s ; E x t i n c t i o n f o r W i c k e d .
I t i s n o t to be wo n d e r e d th a t man y n e gati ve cr i ti ci sms h ave
be e n l e ve l e d agai n st th i s tr e ati se , f o r Ar n o bi u s was a mi l i t a n t
C o n d i ti o n al i s t. Pu t ti n g asi d e al l th e r e se r ve s a n d ci r cu m
l o cu ti o n s o f th e Gr e e k Fath e r s, h e was th e f i r st L a ti n wr i te r
o f n o te to d e cl ar e cl e ar l y th e d o ctr i n e o f th e u l ti mate e xti n cti o n
o f th e wi cke d . He t a u gh t e xpl i ci tl y th a t th e i n co r r i gi bl y i m
pe n i t e n t s i n n e r i s d e s ti n e d , af te r a d u e a n d d e te r mi n e d pe r i o d
o f pu n i s h me n t, to pass o u t o f e xi ste n ce .
T o Ar n o bi u s th e h u man so u l , wi th i ts i n h e r e n t si n an d
i mpe r f e cti o n , co u l d n o t o f i tse l f be i n h e r e n tl y i mmo r tal , be co m
i n g su ch o n l y by th e gr ace an d gi f t o f Go d . Fo r th e u n r e pe n t a n t
u n r i gh te o u s th e r e mu s t be a se co n d d e ath , a Ge h e n n a o f u n
qu e n ch abl e f i r e, wh i ch gr ad u al l y co n su me s an d at l ast e xti n
gu i sh e s th e wi cke d , wi th o u t l e avi n g an y r e s i d u u m.
3. M a n C r e a t ed C a pa b l e o f E i t h e r D e s t i n y . Ar n o bi u s
to o k th e po s i ti o n o f th e i n te r me d i a te n a tu r e o f man th a t
h e was o r i gi n al l y cr e ate d n e i th e r mo r tal n o r i mmo r tal , bu t
capabl e o f e i th e r d e s ti n y.2Su ch a te ach i n g was, o f co u r se , d e tr i
me n tal to h i s r e pu t a ti o n i n th o se qu a r te r s wh e r e u n i ve r sal
I n n ate -I mmo r ta l i ty o f th e so u l was n o w be i n g mi l i ta n tl y tau gh t,
wi th th e co n s e qu e n t Ete r n al -T o r me n t-o f -th e -wi cke d a n d r e sto -
r ati o n i s t co r o l l ar i e s. Bu t Ar n o bi u s was i n l i n e wi th J u s ti n
Mar tyr , T a t i a n , I r e n ae u s, T h e o ph i l u s o f An ti o ch , a n d th e
e n ti r e gr o u p o f th e Apo sto l i c Fath e r s be f o r e th e m. T h u s th e
two co n ce pts o f th e n a tu r e an d d e sti n y o f man we r e n o w mi l i
tan tl y e xi s te n t si d e by si de , u n t i l th e gr ad u al an d f i n al s u b
me r ge n ce o f C o n d i ti o n al i s m came abo u t.
T h e r e a f te r , f o r ce n tu r i e s , th e r e we r e o n l y o ccasi o n al C o n
d i ti o n al i s t vo i ces. (See T a bu l a r C h ar t F, o n page 758, f o r Ar n o
bi u s al l o cati o n .) Bu t we may al so we l l n o te h e r e Pr o f . C h ar l e s
Hu d s o n s si gn i f i can t o bs e r vati o n th a t Ar n o bi u s vi ews we r e n o t
ce n su r e d u n t i l l o n g af te r h i s day, a n d t h a t th e o ppo si te (In n ate -
I mmo r tal i ty) vi e w was n o t mad e a d e cl ar e d u n i ve r sal C ath o l i c
2Li kewi se wi th I r e n ae u s, T e r tu l l i an , an d Ne mesi us, wh i ch see.
ar ti cl e o f f ai th f o r twe l ve h u n d r e d ye ar s th e r e af te r ,3 t h a t i s,
n o t u n t i l th e Bu l l o f Le o X, i n 1513, i n co n n e cti o n wi th th e
Fi f th La te r a n C o u n ci l . T h e l ate n e ss o f th e ti mi n g i s mo st
si gn i f i can t.
T h a t Ar n o bi u s vi ews we r e as h e r e state d i s r e co gn i ze d ,
f o r e xampl e , by An gl i can De an F. W. Far r ar , o f C an te r bu r y,
wh o asks: C an th e r e be an y r e as o n abl e d o u bt as to th e o pi n i o n
o f Ar n o bi u s? . . . I t appe ar s, th e n , th a t th i s C h r i s ti an
apo l o gi st d i d n o t h o l d e n d l e ss to r me n ts to be a ma t te r o f
f a i t h . 4An d C ath o l i c Dr . McC r acke n state s, Fo r Ar n o bi u s
th e So u l can o n l y be mo r tal a n d h e appe ar s o f th e o pi n i o n
t h a t th i s vi ew i s o r th o d o x C h r i s ti an i ty. 6 Oth e r s , l i ke Dr .
S. D. F. Sal mo n d , co u l d be si mi l ar l y ci te d .9
T h e be gi n n i n g o f Ar n o bi u s car e e r as a C h r i s ti an we kn o w,
bu t n o t th e e n d . T h e te r r i bl e pe r s e cu ti o n th e n swe e pi n g o ve r
th e Ro man wo r l d a n d e n gu l f i n g u n n u mbe r e d C h r i sti an s
pr o babl y i n cl u d e d Ar n o bi u s amo n g th e m, f o r we h e ar n o mo r e
o f h i m. An d h e co u l d scar ce l y h ave f ai l e d to h ave be e n h e ar d
f r o m f u r t h e r h ad h e l i ve d .
I I . C o mpr e h e n si ve Sur vey o f Ar n o bi u s Ar gu me n ts
a n d Evi d e n ce s
1. A r n o b i u s P r es en t s t h e C a s e f o r C h r i s t .Po i n t by
po i n t an d ste p by ste p i n bo o k o n e , i n l o gi cal se qu e n ce s an d
cl o se r e aso n i n g, Ar n o bi u s an swe r s th e ch ar ge s a n d i n s i n u ati o n s
o f pagan i sm by co u n te r attacki n g an d e xpo si n g th e f o i bl e s a n d
f al l aci e s o f th e h e a th e n go ds o f wo o d a n d sto n e h e h ad f o r me r l y
wo r sh i pe d , a n d bo l d l y avo ws h i s f ai th i n C h r i s t as bo th Go d
a n d man . Le d i n to th e path s o f t r u t h , h e n o w d e cl ar e s o f
C h r i st, He i s Go d i n r e al i ty a n d wi th o u t an y sh ad o w o f a
d o u bt . T T h e n He a ppe ar e d amo n g me n i n h u man s h ape ,
3Hu d s o n , Debt and Grace, p. 303.
* Fa r r a r , Mercy and Judgment, p. 248.
6 McC r a cke n , op. ci t., p. 20.
S. D. F. Sal mo n d , The Christian Doctrine of Immortality, pp. 594, 595.
7Ar n o bi u s , Against the Heathen, bo o k I , ch a ps . 39, 42, i n A NF , vo l . 6, pp. 423, 424.
taki n g th e f o r m o f man , a n d was cu t of f by d e a th , d yi n g
i n o u r ste ad o n th e cro ss,8t h a t we mi gh t h ave life.
2. C h r i s t O pe n e d t h e G a t e o f I mmo r t a l i t y .I n bo o k
two , co mi n g d i r e ctl y to th e i ssue o f i mmo r tal i ty, Ar n o bi u s
d e cl ar e s t h a t i t i s C h r i s t wh o h as pr e par e d f o r yo u a path
(n o te 4: o r o pe n e d path s . . . a n d th e gate s o f i mmo r ta l i ty)
to h e ave n , a n d th e i mmo r tal i ty f o r wh i ch yo u l o n g. He car e
f u l l y e xpl ai n s th a t He n e i t h e r e xte n d e d th e l i gh t o f l i f e to
al l , n o r d e l i ve r e d all f r o m th e d an ge r wh i ch th r e ate n s th e m
th r o u gh i gn o r an ce (n o te 1: d an ge r o f d e s tr u cti o n ). 9So me
r e f u se . An d as th e pagan s be l i e ve Pl ato , so, Ar n o bi u s state s,
we [C h r i sti an s] be l i e ve a n d co n f i d e i n C h r i s t. An d i f we
ch o o se to co mpar e cau se wi th cau se , we ar e be tt e r abl e to
po i n t o u t wh at we h ave f o l l o we d i n C h r i st, th an you to
point out wh at yo u have followed i n th e ph i l o s o ph e r s . 10
An d h e d e cr i e s th e i r s pe cu l ati ve qu i bbl i n gs . 11
Bo o k two was cl e ar l y th e pe ak o f h i s pr e s e n tati o n . He r e
Ar n o bi u s ar gu e s at l e n gth o n th e e r r o r o f th e Pl ato n i c cl ai m
o f th e s o u l s i n h e r e n t i mmo r tal i ty. On ce l o st i n th e bl i n d n e s s
an d e r r o r o f pagan i sm h i mse l f , a n d d e vo te d to th e wo r s h i p o f
i mage s br o u gh t f o r th f r o m th e f u r n ace an d mad e wi th h u man
h an d s, Ar n o bi u s n o w r e jo i ce s i n th e t r u t h o f Li f e On l y i n C h r i st,
wh o i s o u r Su pr e me C r e ato r .12He h ad al r e ad y cl e ar l y d e cl ar e d
t h a t th e pagan go ds ar e n o t i mmo r ta l . An d th a t d e ath e n d s
al l th i n gs, a n d take s away l i f e f r o m e ve r y s e n ti e n t be i n g. 13An d
Ar n o bi u s was a f i tti n g ch ampi o n o f th e cau se h e h ad e spo u se d .
3. Sea r c h i n g Q u e s t i o n s o n L i f e , D e a t h , a n d H e r e a f t e r .
I n ch apte r s t h i r te e n a n d f o u r te e n Ar n o bi u s pr o po u n d s a
cu mu l ati ve se r i e s o f se ar ch i n g qu e s ti o n s l e ad i n g u p to th e
qu e s ti o n o f th e d e s tr u cti o n o f th e wi cke d . Ad d r e ssi n g th e pagan
ph i l o so ph e r s, par ti cu l ar l y th e f o l l o we r s o f Pl ato an d Pyth ago r as,
h e po i n ts o u t th e i n co n si ste n cy o f t h e i r qu i bbl e s , a n d tu r n s
th e ar gu me n t u po n th e m. He a r h i m:
Ibid ., ch a ps . 60, 62, pp. 430. 431.
9I bid., bo o t 2, ch a p. 1, pp. 433, 434.
10I b i d . , ch a p. 11, p. 437.
u Ib id ., ch ap. 12, p. 438.
C f . bo ok 1, ch ap. 39, p. 423.
13Ibid. , ch ap. 18, p. 418.
"Do yo u d ar e to l au gh at u s be cau se we r e ve r e an d wo r sh i p th e C r e ato r
an d Lo r d o f th e u n i ve r se , an d be cau se we co mmi t an d e n tr u s t o u r h o pe s
to Hi m? . . . Do es h e [Pl ato ] n o t e xh o r t th e so ul to f l ee f r o m e ar th ? . . .
"Do yo u d ar e to l au gh at us, be cau se we say th a t th e r e wi l l be a r e s u r
r e cti o n o f th e d e ad ? . . . Does n o t h e [Pl ato ] say th at, wh e n th e wo r l d h as
be gu n to r i se o u t o f th e west an d te n d to war d s th e east, me n wi l l agai n
bu r s t f o r th f r o m th e bo so m o f th e e ar th ? . . .
Do yo u d ar e to l au gh at us be cau se we see to th e sal vati o n o f o u r
soul s? . . . You, i n d e e d , d o n o t take ever y pai n f o r th e i r saf e ty. 14
"Do yo u d ar e to l au gh at us wh e n we spe ak o f h e l l , an d f i res, wh i ch
can n o t be qu e n ch e d ? . . . Do es n o t yo u r Pl ato al so, i n th e bo o k wh i ch h e
wr o te o n th e i mmo r tal i ty o f th e so ul , n ame th e r i ve r s Ach e r o n , Styx,
C o cytus, an d Pyr i ph l e ge th o n , an d asse r t th a t i n th e m so ul s ar e r o l l e d
al o n g, e n gu l ph e d , an d bu r n e d u p? 15
4. A D e s t r u c t i o n T h a t L ea v es N o t h i n g B e h i n d .Af te r
r e f e r r i n g to pagan i s ms pr o bl e m o f a so u l th a t i s i mmo r tal ,
e ve r l asti n g, a n d wi th o u t bo d i l y s u bs tan ce , ye t be i n g pu n
i s h e d a n d mad e to su f f e r pa i n , Ar n o bi u s asks, Bu t wh at
man d o e s n o t see th a t th a t wh i ch i s i mmo r tal , wh i ch is si mpl e
(n o te 17: i .e., n o t co mpo u n d e d o f so u l a n d bo d y), can n o t
be su bje ct to an y pai n ; th a t th at, o n th e co n tr ar y, can n o t be
i mmo r tal wh i ch d o e s su f f e r pai n ? He th e n spe aks o f th o se wh o ,
be i n g cast i n to th e f l ames, ar e a n n i h i l a t e d , a n d pass away
i n e ve r l as ti n g d e s tr u cti o n . 16
5. U l t i ma t e A n n i h i l a t i o n I s M a n s R e a l D e a t h .
Ar n o bi u s n e xt d e cl ar e s th a t acco r d i n g to C h r i s t th e i r s [th e
so u l s] i s an intermediate stateth e r e ar e th o se th a t may o n
th e o n e h a n d pe r i s h i f th e y h ave n o t kn o wn Go d , an d o n th e
o t h e r be d e l i ve r e d f r o m d e ath i f th e y h ave gi ve n h e e d to Hi s
th r e ats a n d pr o f f e r e d f avo u r s. 17 T h e n f o l l o ws Ar n o bi u s cl e ar
d e f i n i ti o n o f ma n s real d e a th :
"T h i s i s ma n s r e al d e ath , this which leaves nothing behind.18 Fo r th a t
wh i ch i s se en by th e eyes i s only a s e par ati o n o f so ul f r o m bo d y, n o t th e
l ast e n d a n n i h i l a ti o n : th i s, I say, i s ma n s r e al d e ath , wh e n so ul s wh i ch
kn o w n o t Go d sh al l be co n su me d i n l o n g-pr o tr acte d to r me n t wi th r agi n g
f i r e . 18
14I b id ., bo o k 2, ch a p. 13, p. 439. 17 Ibid., pp. 439, 440.
18Ibid ., ch ap. 14, p. 439. 18 Haec nihil residuum faciens.
16Ibid. 18I bid., p. 440.
Ar n o bi u s cl e ar l y d i sti n gu i sh e s be twe e n th e f i r st d e ath an d
th e f i n al d e ath , a n d d e cl ar e s th a t i n th e tr u e , o r f i n al , d e ath
o f th e wi cke d th e r e i s n o th i n g l e f t be h i n d abs o l u te d e s tr u c
t i o n a f te r th e f i n al d e ath ago n i e s. He war n s agai n st th e pr e
s u mpti o n o f I n n a t e I mmo r tal i ty. C o n ti n u an ce o f l i f e , h e h o l d s,
i s conditional.
6. M a n N o t I mmo r t a l L i k e G o d ; O n l y C r e a t u r e s .
Ne xt Ar n o bi u s spe aks o f th o se wh o ar e o bse sse d wi th an
e xtr avagan t o pi n i o n o f th e mse l ve s, t h a t so u l s ar e i mmo r tal , n e xt
i n po i n t o f r an k to th e Go d a n d r u l e r o f th e wo r l d . 20T h e n
Ar n o bi u s appe al s e ar n e stl y to th e Pl ato n i s ts to l ay asi d e th e i r
pr i d e f u l cl ai m to be i n g i mmo r ta l , wh i ch i s o n l y a pr e te n se ,
a n d to r e me mbe r th a t we ar e bu t cr e atu r e s . He appe al s:
Wi l l yo u l ay asi d e yo u r h a bi tu a l ar r o gan ce [n o te 12: t h a t pr i d e o f
yo u r s], O me n , wh o cl ai m Go d as yo u r Fath e r , an d ma i n ta i n th a t yo u ar e
i mmo r tal , ju s t as He i s? Wi l l yo u i n qu i r e , e xami n e , se ar ch wh at yo u ar e
yo u r se l ve s, wh o se yo u ar e , o f wh at par e n tage yo u ar e su ppo se d to be, wh at
yo u d o i n th e wo r l d , i n wh at way yo u ar e bo r n , h o w yo u l e ap to l i f e? Wi l l
yo u , l ayi n g asi d e all par ti al i ty, co n si d e r i n th e si l ence o f yo u r th o u gh ts
t h a t we are creatures e i th e r qu i te l i ke th e r e st, o r se par ate d by n o gr e at
d i f f e r e n ce ? 21
7. Sw e e pi n g Su r v ey o f P a g a n i s ms I n a d e q u a c y .Wi t h
ke e n sati r e Ar n o bi u s th e n l au n ch e s i n to a vi vi d d e s cr i pti o n o f
h u ma n n a tu r e as i t i s, to r e f u te th e ar gu me n t th e n cu r r e n t f o r
th e e xtr avagan t o pi n i o n o f th e s o u l s i mmo r tal i ty.22I n swe e p
i n g str o ke s h e pai n ts th e o ve r -al l pi ctu r e co ve r i n g wh o l e
ch apte r s . Fo l l o w i t:
Is man d i vi n e ? Wh y i s h e h al f an i mal ? 23Is th e so u l a th i n g
o f r e aso n ? L e t man sh o w h i mse l f r a ti o n a l .21T h e n th e ar gu me n ts
f r o m h u ma n ski l l s, th e sci e nces a n d th e f i n e ar ts, a n d ma n s
h o pe s a n d f e ar s, ar e d u l y co n s i d e r e d . Al so th e ar gu me n t f r o m
th e n a t u r e o f th e so u l as a si mpl e su bstan ce as d i vi n e , an d
th e r e f o r e i mmo r t a l ; a n d f r o m i ts su ppo se d r e mi n i sce n ce s o f
a pr e -e xi s te n t state .28T h e n th e r e ar e th e pr acti cal te n d e n ci e s
20I b id ., ch a p. 15, p. 440. 24I b id ., ch a p. 17, p. 441.
24 Ibid., ch a p. 16, p. 440. * bid., ch aps . 18-26, pp. 441-444.
22Ib id . , ch a p. 15, p. 440. 28I bid., ch a ps . 27, 28, p. 444.
23I b id . , ch a p. 16, p. 440.
o f th i s an d th a t be l i e f . Mu st n o t wh ate ve r i s i mmo r tal , be e ve r
f r e e ? Wh a t r e aso n f o r al ar m, th e n , i f su ch a so u l s h o u l d r e ve l
i n vi ce? 27
An d wh at i s th e gr o u n d o f h o pe i f , as Epi cu r u s h e l d , th e
so u l mu s t di e? 28T h e go l d e n me a n i s a mi n gl e d h o pe a n d
f e ar , base d o n th e d o ctr i n e o f a so u l th at mu st e i th e r l i ve o r
d i e .29Ar e so u l s i n d e e d a d i vi n e a n d r o yal o f f spr i n g? Ho w u n -
r o yal l y d o th e y be h a ve !30An d th e n o ti o n o f a pr e -e xi s te n t
state i s me t wi th a l o n g l i st o f qu e sti o n s as to wh y man i s
r e d u ce d to h i s pr e s e n t state .31 I f Go d cr e ate d so u l s n o t o n l y
where th e y ar e , bu t as th e y ar e , i s He n o t th e a u th o r o f evi l ? 32
Bu t ar e th e r e to o f ew go o d me n to al l o w th e be l i e f th a t th e y
al o n e wi l l l i ve? T h e n by wh at r u l e o f i n d u cti o n d o th e y
i mmo r tal i ze th e r ace ? 33I t i s a co mpe l l i n g o u tl i n e .
8. C l a i ms a n d A s s u mpt i o n s o f I m m o r t a l -So u l i s t s .
T o u ch i n g i n ch a pte r si xte e n o n th e po pu l ar co n ce pt o f tr an s
mi gr ati o n o f i mmo r tal so u l s f r o m man to be ast,34 a n d th e
po s i ti o n i n ch apte r twe n ty-two th a t th e so u l s o f me n ar e d i vi n e
a n d th e r e f o r e i mmo r tal ,33Ar n o bi u s th e n di scusses, i n ch apte r s
twe n ty-si x a n d twe n ty-se ve n , th e n a tu r e o f th e so u l a n d th e
co n ce pt th a t th e so u l i s d e pr i ve d o f r e me mbr an ce o f f o r me r
e xi ste n ce s by be i n g f e tte r e d wi th th e h u man bo d y.39 Ne xt,
h e d e al s wi th th e cl ai m th a t se n te n ce can n o t be pr o n o u n ce d
o n i mmo r ta l so u l s wh o , o n su ch a pr e mi se , ar e e qu al wi th
i mmo r tal Go d , se e i n g th e r e i s th e same i mmo r tal i ty i n bo t h . 37
9. E n r i c h e d W i t h E t e r n a l L i f e T h r o u g h C h r i s t .
An d n o w, i n ch a pte r th i r ty-two , h e o bse r ve s th a t so u l s ar e se t
[bo r n ] n o t f ar f r o m th e gapi n g jaws o f d e a th , bu t t h a t th e y
can , n e ve r th e l e ss, h ave th e i r l i ves pr o l o n ge d by th e f avo u r a n d
ki n d n e ss o f th e Su pr e me Ru l e r i f o n l y th e y tr y a n d s tu d y to
kn o w Hi m. An d h e u r ge s th e m to be r e ad y f o r th a t wh i ch
27I b id ., ch a p. 29, p. 445. 33 I bid., ch a ps . 49, 50, pp. 452, 453.
28I b id ., ch a p. 30. p. 445. 31 I bid., ch a p. 16, p. 440.
29Ibid., ch a ps . 31-34, pp. 446, 447. 38I bid., ch a p. 22, p. 442.
30I bid., ch a ps . 37, 38, p. 448. 30 Ibid. , ch a ps . 2d, 27, p. 444.
31I b id. , ch a ps . 39-42, pp. 449, 450. 37I bid., ch a p. 29, p. 445.
32I b id ., ch a ps . 43-48, pp. 450-452.
sh al l be gi ve n . 38I n ch a pte r th i r ty-f o u r h e r e mi n d s h i s r e ad e r s
t h a t n e i t h e r Pl ato n o r an y o th e r ph i l o s o ph e r h ad pr o mi s e d a
way to e scape d e a th , bu t th at C h r i st h as n o t o n l y pr o mi s e d
i t bu t can br i n g Hi s pr o mi se s to r e al i ty, th u s to e scape a
d e ath o f s u f f e r i n g a n d be e n r i ch e d wi th e te r n al l i f e . 38
I I I . Bo o n o f I mmo r tal i ty Is Go d s Gi f t
1. A s s u r e d I m m o r t a l i t y V e r s u s B l o t t i n g O u t o f E x i s t
e n c e . I n ch a pte r th i r ty-si x Ar n o bi u s al l u d e s to th e cl ai m th a t
go ds ar e sai d to be i mmo r ta l , bu t to th e C h r i s ti an , th e
bo o n [n o te 16: be sto we d , assu r e d i mmo r ta l i ty] o f i mmo r
tal i ty i s Go d s gi f t u po n th o se wh o r e ce i ve i t. I n th e same way
wi l l He d e i gn to co n f e r e te r n al l i f e u po n so u l s al so , al th o u gh
f e l l d e ath seems abl e to cu t th e m of f a n d bl o t th e m o u t o f e xi st
e n ce i n u t t e r a n n i h i l a t i o n [n o te 18: r e d u ce d to n o th i n g wi th
a n n i h i l a ti o n , n o t to be r e t u r n e d f r o m]. 40
2. G i f t o f I m m o r t a l i t y I s t h e G r a n t o f G o d .
De n yi n g i n ch a pte r f o r ty-e i gh t th a t so u l s ar e th e o f f spr i n g o f
Go d , Ar n o bi u s r e pe ats h i s co n te n ti o n , i n ch apte r f i f ty-th r e e ,
t h a t so u l s ar e o f a n e u tr a l ch ar acte r th a t i s, capabl e o f
e n te r i n g i n to e i t h e r l i f e o r d e ath an d ar e mad e s u bje ct to
th e l aw o f d e a th a n d pe r i s h abl e . Bu t, h e ad d s, th e y ar e
gi f te d wi th i mmo r tal i ty, i f th e y r e s t t h e i r h o pe o f so gr e at a
gi f t o n Go d Su pr e me , wh o al o n e h as po we r to gr a n t su ch
b l e s s i n g s 41 He r e agai n th e C o n d i ti o n al i s t aspe ct i s po i n te d
u p by th e f r e qu e n tl y u se d i f .
3. E i t h e r Sa l v a t i o n o r D e s t r u c t i o n A w a i t s A l l .
Br i n gi n g h i s l e n gth y ar gu me n t to war d i ts cl o se, af te r d e cl ar i n g
th a t n o t h i n g i s mad e by Hi m e xce pt t h a t wh i ch i s f o r th e
we l l -be i n g o f al l , 43a n d d e n yi n g th e co n te n ti o n th a t th e wo r l d
38I b id . , ch a p. 32, p. 446.
38I b id . , ch a p. 34, p. 447.
* I b i d . , ch a p. 36, p. 447.
41I b id . , ch a p. 53, p. 454.
12I b i d . , ch a p. 55, p. 455.
was n o t cr e ate d , a n d wi l l n e ve r pe r i s h , 43Ar n o bi u s e ar n e stl y
appe al s to h i s pagan r e ad e r s wi th th e pl e a:
Yo u r i n te r e sts ar e i n je o par d y,th e sal vati o n , I me an , o f yo u r so ul s;
a n d u n l e ss yo u gi ve yo ur sel ve s to seek to kn o w th e Su pr e me Go d , a cr u e l
d e ath awai ts yo u wh e n f r e e d f r o m th e bo n d s o f bo d y, n o t br i n gi n g s u d d e n
an n i h i l a ti o n , bu t d e str o yi n g by th e bi tte r n e ss o f i ts gr i e vo u s an d l o ng-
pr o tr a cte d pu n i s h me n t. M
Bu t th e l o n g-pr o tr acte d pu n i s h me n t e n d s i n u l ti ma te
ce ssati o n o f be i n g, h e r e pe ate d l y atte sts.
4. G o d A l o n e I s I m m o r t a l a n d E v e r l a s t i n g .Wa r n i n g
agai n s t th e e mpty d e l u s i o n s o f pagan pr o mi se st h a t so u l s
be co me d i vi n e , a n d ar e f r e e d f r o m th e l aw o f d e a th by ce r tai n
pe r f o r man ce s Ar n o bi u s so l e mn l y d e cl ar e s:
No n e bu t th e Al mi gh ty Go d can pr e se r ve so ul s; n o r i s an y o n e besi des
wh o can gi ve th e m l e n gth o f days, an d gr a n t to th e m al so a s pi r i t wh i ch
sh al l n e ve r d i e , e xce pt He wh o al o n e i s i mmo r tal an d e ve r l asti n g an d
r e str i cte d by n o l i mi t o f ti me ." 46
5. T h e G r e a t A l t e r n a t i v e s A r e P l a c e d B e f o r e A l l .
De cl ar i n g i n ch a pte r si xty-th r e e th a t C h r i s t was se n t by Go d
f o r th i s e n d , t h a t He mi gh t d e l i ve r u n h appy so u l s f r o m r u i n
a n d d e s tr u cti o n so u l s i n a mo r tal state be f o r e He came *
Ar n o bi u s says t h a t th i s d e l i ve r an ce i s f r e e to al l wh o wi l l
acce pt. T o al l , He says, th e f o u n ta i n o f l i f e i s o pe n , a n d n o
o n e i s h i n d e r e d o r ke pt back f r o m d r i n ki n g. 47Bu t h e war n s:
Go d co mpe l s n o o n e , te r r i f i e s n o o n e wi th o ve r po we r i n g f e ar . Fo r
o u r sal vati o n i s n o t necessar y to Hi m, so th a t He wo u l d gai n an yth i n g o r
suf f e r an y l oss, i f He e i th e r mad e us d i vi n e , o r al l o we d us to be a n n i h i l a te d
a n d d e str o ye d by co r r u pti o n . 48
6. P r i z e o f I m m o r t a l i t y I s B e f o r e U s.T h e n h e ad d s
th i s wo r d : T h e Al mi gh ty Maste r o f th e Wo r l d h as d e te r mi n e d
t h a t th i s s h o u l d be th e way o f sal vati o n ,th i s th e d o o r , so to
say, o f l i f e ; by Hi m al o n e i s th e r e access. 49Su ch i s th e pr i ze
o f i mmo r ta l i ty se t be f o r e u s.50
48Ibid, ch a p. 56, p. 455. 47 Ibid. , ch a p. 64, p. 458.
44I bid., ch a p. 61, p. 457. 48Ibid.
45I bid . , ch a p. 62, pp. 457, 458. 49I bid., ch a p. 65, p. 459.
46Ibid., ch a p. 63, p. 458. 50 Ibid. , ch a p. 66, p. 459.
Ar n o bi u s e n d s h i s r e mar kabl e appe al by d e cl ar i n g:
T h e ti mes, f u l l o f d an ge r s, u r ge us, an d f atal pe n al ti e s th r e a te n us;
l e t us f l ee f o r saf e ty to Go d o u r Savi o u r , wi th o u t d e man d i n g th e r e aso n o f
the offered gift. Wh e n th a t a t stake i s o u r so u l s sal vati o n an d o u r o wn
i n te r e sts, so me th i n g mu st be d o n e e ve n wi th o u t r e aso n . . . . Le t us co mmi t
o u r se l ve s to Go d , . . . l e s t . . . th e l ast d ay ste al u po n us, an d we be f o u n d i n
th e jaws o f o u r ene my, d e a th .51
An d al l th i s, be i t e ve r r e me mbe r e d , was n o t o n l y se t f o r th
as Ar n o bi u s f ai th , bu t was acce pte d as su f f i ci e n t e vi d e n ce o f
h i s C h r i s ti an i ty to o pe n f o r h i m th e gate s o f C h r i s ti an ch u r ch
me mbe r s h i p. No r i s i t to be f o r go tte n th a t th e se two vi ews o f
man we r e bo th h e l d at th e ti me , a n d th a t th e vi e w o f Ar n o bi u s ,
a n d t h a t o f th e man y h o l d i n g wi th h i m, was acce pte d as e qu al l y
th e C h r i s ti an vi ew. C o n d i ti o n al i s m, th e r e f o r e , sti l l was o n e o f
th e acce pte d a n d r e co r d e d be l i e f s o f th e ch u r ch i n th e e ar l y
f o u r th ce n tu r y.
51Ib id ., ch a p. 78, p. 463.
C H A P T E R F I F T Y - F I V E
Ath e n ago r asFi rst Eccl esi asti c to
Assert Innate Immortal i ty
Seco nd o f T h r e e Sch o o l s o f T h e o l o gi cal T r i l e mma Eme r ge s
C r ystal l i ze s Do gma o f Et e r n a l T o r me n t o f th e Wi cke d
Be gi n n i n g wi th th i s ch a pte r we wi l l n e xt tr ace th e r e vo l u
ti o n ar y n e w Universal Innate-lmmortality po s tu l ate th a t
h e n ce f o r th par al l e l s an d e r e l o n g o ve r sh ad o ws th e o r i gi n al C o n -
d i ti o n al i s t po s i ti o n (su bapo sto l i c an d an te -Ni ce n e ), wh i ch we
h ave be e n f o l l o wi n g u p to th i s po i n t. T h i s i n n o vati o n e ve n tu ate s
i n th e second sch o o l i n th e th e o l o gi cal tr i l e mma, n o w i n pr o ce ss
o f d e ve l o pme n t. An d a f ew ch apte r s f u r t h e r o n th e third sch o o l
i n th i s i n tr i gu i n g th e o l o gi cal tr i l e mma wi l l e me r ge . Fr o m
th e n ce f o r th th e se th r e e sch o o l s co n ti n u e co n cu r r e n tl y i n ce ase
l ess co n f l i ct. An d th e y pe r si st to th i s day.
T h e d e ve l o pme n ts may be vi su al i ze d o n C h ar t F (page
758), as th e y ar e al l o cate d an d gr o u pe d i n th e i r r e spe cti ve cate
go r i e s. T o th i s th e r e ad e r i s i n vi te d to t u r n f o r th e ch r o n o l o gi
cal pl ace me n t (i n th e ve r ti cal co l u mn s), as we l l as th e cate
go r i cal ar r a n ge me n t i n th e par al l e l i n g (o r h o r i zo n tal ) r e ad i n gs.
I d e n ti f i cati o n a n d cl assi f i cati o n f o r e ach i n d i vi d u al a n d gr o u p
i n th e r e spe cti ve cate go r i e s, o r sch o o l s o f th o u gh t, u n d e r su r ve y
may th u s be h ad . By r e f e r r i n g to th i s co mpr e h e n si ve ch ar t th e
o ve r -al l r e l ati o n s h i ps a n d th e cu mu l ati ve an d masse d e vi d e n ce
n e e d e d f o r bal an ce d co n cl u si o n s may e asi l y be vi su al i ze d .
We n o w t u r n to th e co n tr as ti n g si d e o f th e pi ctu r e a
ve r y i mpo r ta n t si d e . T h e co n ce pt o f th e I n n a t e I mmo r ta l i ty
o f th e so u l as a "Christian d o ctr i n e d i d n o t appe ar i n patr i sti c
928
Ath e n ago r as Fi r st Eccl e
si asti c to Assert Un i ve r sal
I n n ate - Immo r tal i ty Po stu
l ate , Based o n Pl ato n i sm.
T e r tu l l i a n o f C ar th age
Pr o je cto r o f Ete r n al -T o r -
me n t C o r o l l ar y f o r Immo r
tal Wi cke d, Wi th Mysti c
Fi r e.
l i t e r a tu r e u n t i l to war d th e cl o se o f th e se co n d ce n tu r y. T h a t
l o n g l apse o f ti me i s h i gh l y si gn i f i can t. An d th e n i t was i n t r o
d u ce d by a Gr e e k ph i l o s o ph e r wh o , wh i l e n o mi n al l y acce pti n g
C h r i s ti an i ty, i n so f ar as i t d i d n o t i n val i d ate h i s f o r me r vi ews,
r e t a i n e d th e f u n d ame n tal ph i l o s o ph i c co n ce pt o f Ne o pl ato n i s m
o n th e n a tu r e a n d d e sti n y o f man d e s pi te i ts d e f i n i te co n f l i ct
wi th pr e val e n t C h r i s ti an te ach i n gs. T h e pa th f i n d e r o n th i s
r e vo l u ti o n ar y r o ad was Ath e n ago r as appa r e n tl y th e f i r st
e ccl e si asti c to e mbr ace th e Immo r tal -So u l po s tu l ate pu bl i cl y,
an d to ad vo cate i t o n a pu r e l y Pl ato n i c basi s. As state d i n th e
Encyclopaedia Britannica, h i s th e o l o gy i s str o n gl y ti n ge d wi th
Pl ato n i s m. 1
Ho we ve r , i t was T e r t u l l i a n o f C ar th age (d. c. a .d . 240)
wh o gave th e gr e at i mpe tu s to th i s e mph asi s, tyi n g i n wi th i t
th e d o gma o f th e e n d l e ss to r me n t o f th e l o st. T h e n f i n al l y
1 Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th e d ., vo l . 2, p. 831, a r t . A t h e n a go r a s .
30 929
came Au gu s ti n e o f Hi ppo (d. a .d . 430), wh o se gr e at i n f l u e n ce
br o u gh t abo u t th e ge n e r al acce ptan ce by th e ch u r ch at l ar ge
o f th e be l i e f i n th e d e ath l e ssn e ss o f al l so ul s, a n d al so i ts f i er y
co r o l l ar y o f th e e n d l e ss e xi ste n ce a n d Ete r n al T o r me n t o f th e
r e pr o bate . (Fo r Ath e n ago r as ch r o n o l o gi cal a n d cate go r i cal
pl ace me n t, see T a bu l a r C h a r t F, o n page 758.)
I . Ath e n ago r asPath f i n d e r o n Re vo l u ti o n ar y Ro ad
T h o u gh f acts ar e me age r co n ce r n i n g th e l i f e o f
A t h en a g o r a s (c . a .d . 127-190), h e was bo r n i n Ath e n s a n d was
we l l tr a i n e d i n pagan Gr e e k l e ar n i n g, e spe ci al l y i n th e ph i l o s
o ph y o f Pl ato . Acce pti n g th e C h r i s ti an f ai th , h e be came a
cate ch i st i n Al e xan d r i a. He wr o te a co n ci l i ato r y Apology
(c. a .d . 177) to th e Ro man e mpe r o r Mar cu s Au r e l i u s , an d h i s
so n C o mmo d u s. Wh i l e Ath e n ago r as r e f u te d th e f al se ch ar ge s
agai n st C h r i sti an s, h i s mai n bu r d e n se e me d to be to sh o w th a t
C h r i s ti an i ty an d Pl ato n i s m ar e r e al l y i n f u n d ame n tal acco r d ,
a n d th a t th e gr e at e sse n ti al s o f Pl ato n i c ph i l o so ph y ar e actu al l y
e mbr ace d i n C h r i s ti an i ty. Hi s was a ph i l o so ph i cal d e f e n se o f
h i s n e w f ai th , an d h i s wr i ti n gs we r e o f an al to ge th e r n e w o r d e r ,
i n cr e asi n gl y s atu r ate d wi th th e te ach i n g an d ph r ase o l o gy o f
Pl ato , u n qu e s ti o n abl y th e so u r ce o f h i s vi ews.
He s o u gh t to u n i te th e se two str e ams th a t th e y mi gh t f l ow
o n to ge th e r . An d wh i l e h i s ar gu me n ts d i d n o t car r y mu ch
we i gh t i n h i s o wn day, an d h i s n ame was n o t we l l kn o wn to h i s
o wn ge n e r ati o n , h i s co n te n ti o n s gr ad u al l y gai n e d cr e d e n ce , as
o th e r s be gan to pr ess th i s r e vo l u ti o n ar y an d r e al l y al i e n d o ctr i n e
o f I n n a t e I mmo r ta l i ty th at i n vo l ve d th e e te r n al e xi ste n ce o f th e
r e pr o bate . Al th o u gh th e f o u n d ati o n s ar e bar e l y d i sce r n i bl e i n
th e Apology pr e s e n te d to th e e mpe r o r , Immo r tal -So u l i sm came
o u t i n to th e o pe n i n u n abas h e d ph r as i n g an d ar gu me n t i n
Ath e n ago r as l ate r tr e ati se o n The Resurrection. I t was o bvi
o u sl y a d e ve l o pme n t t h a t h e h i mse l f d i d n o t at f i r st e n vi si o n .
He was u n qu e s ti o n a bl y th e s pe ar h e ad i n th e i n tr u s i o n o f u n i
ve r sal I n n a t e I mmo r ta l i ty i n to th e C h r i s ti an C h u r ch .
FI RST EC C LESIAST IC T O ASSERT I NNAT E I MMORT AL I T Y 931
1. B a s e s C o n t e n t i o n o n P h i l o s o ph y , N o t Sc r i pt u r e .
I t i s si gn i f i can t th a t Ath e n ago r as base d h i s co n te n ti o n as to th e
i mmo r ta l i ty o f th e so u l , n o t o n Scr i ptu r e , bu t o n ph i l o s o ph i cal
ar gu me n t. Pr e ci si o n i n th e o l o gi cal l an gu age h ad n o t ye t f o u n d
an e s tabl i s h e d f o r mat. Ath e n ago r as was cl e ar l y gr o pi n g. Bu t
h i s mai n pr e mi se was t h a t Go d s pu r po se i n cr e ati n g man was
th a t h e s h o u l d livet h a t th e d i vi n e pu r po se o f ma n s e xi ste n ce
i s e xi ste n ce i tse l f . An d Go d s pu r po se , h e co n te n d e d , can n o t be
d e f e ate d . I t mu s t be acco mpl i sh e d . I t i s th e r e f o r e i mpo ssi bl e
f o r man to cease to e xi st. Su ch i s h i s ar gu me n t.
Ath e n ago r as do e s n o t make pe r pe tu al e xi ste n ce a co n se
qu e n ce o f r i gh te o u sn e ss o r th e t r i u mph o f mo r al i ty. Ra th e r , al l
me n mu s t l i ve o n f o r e ve r go o d a n d e vi l , h appy a n d mi se r abl e .
Hi s was a compulsory i mmo r tal i ty, so t h a t i n wi cke d n e ss th e r e
i s i n te r mi n a bl e su f f e r i n g n e ve r to an y ad van tage . On th e co n
tr ar y, th e go spe l th a t h ad pr e vi o u sl y be e n pr e ach e d co n d i ti o n s
u n e n d i n g e xi ste n ce o n h o l i n e ss. Bu t th i s i s o btai n e d o n l y by th e
e xe r ci se o f h u man f r e e d o m an d th e d e ve l o pme n t o f ch ar acte r .
I mmo r ta l i ty d e pe n d s u po n th e tr i u mph o f r i gh te o u sn e ss. Me n
o f pu r po s e l ay h o l d u po n i t; i t i s n o t f o r ce d u po n th e m. I t i s
a gi f t o f Go d .
Ath e n ago r as i mpl i e s th at, as th e wi cke d mu st l i ve f o r e ve r ,
th e y th e r e f o r e l i ve a l i f e o f e te r n al mi se r y. Bu t h e do e s n o t state
so d o gmati cal l y. T h a t was l e f t f o r o th e r s. Ne ve r th e l e ss, su ch
r e as o n i n g i s th e so u r ce a n d o r i gi n o f th e d o gma o f e te r n al
mi se r y, as base d o n su ch pr e mi se s. We r e i te r a te th e ar gu me n t
i n al l i ts bal d n e ss: The wicked must he miserable forever,
because they must live forever; and they must live forever
because God made them for the primary purpose of living!
T h a t i s th e l o gi cal f r u i tage o f th e acce ptan ce o f th e Pl ato n i c
pagan ph i l o s o ph y o f Immo r tal -So u l i sm.
No w n o te th e bo l d n e ss o f Ath e n ago r as co mmi tme n t i n
co n tr as t wi th th e C o n d i ti o n al i s t po s i ti o n o f th e Apo sto l i c
Fath e r s , a n d t h e n t h a t o f J u s ti n Mar tyr a n d I r e n ae u s a t th e
o u ts e t o f th e an te -Ni ce n e pe r i o d . I t i s as th e co n tr as t o f d a r k
ness a n d l i gh t. Le t us tr ace i t i n d e tai l .
2. R e pe a t e d l y U ses P l a t o s I mmo r t a l So u l P h r a s i n g .
I n h i s e a r l i e r Plea, o r Apology, Ath e n ago r as d i d n o t pe r s o n
al l y u se e i th e r th e t h o u gh t o r th e ph r ase i mmo r tal s o u l . Bu t
a d e cad e l ate r i t i s r e pe ate d l y i n vo ke d i n h i s Treatise . . . on
the Resurrection. A pr o f o u n d ch an ge o f vi ew h ad o bvi o u sl y
take n pl ace i n th e i n te r i m. An d h e r e i t i s e mpl o ye d , n o t o n ce ,
bu t n i n e ti me s i n o n e s h o r t tr e ati se . Mo r e o ve r , Ath e n ago r as
d r af ts i n a d d i ti o n u po n a wh o l e batte r y o f s u ppo r ti n g e xpr e s
si o n svar i ati o n s o f th e o n e basi c co n ce pti n o r d e r to su s tai n
th i s Pl ato n i c co n ce pt th at h e h ad n o w e spo u se d . Fi r s t o bse r ve
th i s i n i ti a l i mmo r tal s o u l ph r asi n g, i n abo u t n i n e va r i a n t
f o r ms, th a t co n s ti tu te d bo th th e t h o u gh t an d th e te r mi n o l o gy
o f Pl ato , wh e n ce i t was cl e ar l y d e r i ve d :
C o n ti n u an ce o f be i n g i n i mmo r tal i ty (ch ap. 13, i n ANF, vo l . 2,
p. 156).
He [Go d] mad e man o f an i mmo r tal so ul an d a bo d y (ibid.).
C o mpo se d o f an i mmo r tal so u l an d a bo d y (ch ap. 15, p. 157).
"Wh o l l y i n co r r u pti bl e an d i mmo r tal (ch ap. 16, p. 157).
Fr o m th e f i r st cr e ate d i mmo r tal (ibid.).
C o n ti n u an ce wi th i mmo r tal i ty (ibid.).
T h e so u l to r e mai n by i tse l f i mmo r tal (ch ap. 20, p. 160).
An i mmo r tal n a t u r e (ch ap. 23, p. 161).
Possessed o f an i mmo r tal so u l an d r ati o n al ju d gme n t (ch ap. 24,
p. 162).
3. B a t t e r y o f Su ppo r t i n g E q u i v a l e n t s E mpl o y e d .An d
h e r e ar e a bo u t se ve n te e n s u ppo r ti n g e qu i val e n ts , r u n n i n g
t h r o u gh th i s r e vo l u ti o n ar y Resurrection tr e ati se , u se d to bu t
tr e ss th i s ce n tr al co n ce pt: No t l i abl e to co r r u pt i o n (ch ap.
10, p. 154); co n ti n u an ce o f be i n g (ch ap. 12, p. 155);
pe r pe tu al d u r a t i o n (ibid.); pe r pe tu al e xi s te n ce (ibid.);
pr e s e r ve d f o r e ve r (ibid.); r e mai n s i n e xi s te n ce (ibid.);
co n ti n u an ce o f be i n g (ch ap. 13, p. 156); co n ti n u an ce f o r
e ve r (ibid.); mu s t co n ti n u e f o r e ve r (ch ap. 15, p. 157);
i n te r mi n a bl e d u r a t i o n o f th e s o u l (ibid.); pe r pe tu al co n
ti n u a n ce (ibid.); co n ti n u an ce o f be i n g (ch ap. 16, p. 157);
co n ti n u an ce acco r d i n g to i ts pe cu l i ar n a t u r e (ibid.); co n
ti n u a n ce i n var i abl e a n d u n ch a n ge abl e (ibid.); co n ti n u e to
e xi s t wi th o u t e n d (ibid.); u n ch an ge abl e co n ti n u a n ce
FI RST EC C LESIAST IC T O ASSERT I NNAT E I MMORT ALI T Y 933
(ibid.); a n d i n capabl e o f d i s s o l u ti o n (ch ap. 20, p. 160)a n d
al l f o u n d wi th i n th e co mpass o f o n l y si x pages!
Su r e l y a mo r e co mpl e te co mmi ttal to th i s th e si s co u l d
scar ce l y be i magi n e d th an th e se se ve n te e n s u ppl e me n tal e xpr e s
si o n s af f o r d , ad d e d to th e n i n e o r twe n ty-si x i n al l . Lan gu age
co u l d h ar d l y be mo r e abso l u te , co n cl u si ve , o r i n cr i mi n ato r y.
Ath e n ago r as assu r e d l y a n d o pe n l y n o w tau gh t th e i n n ate , i n
al i e n abl e , i n d e f e as i bl e i mmo r tal i ty o f th e so u l . An d h e was,
so f ar as can be d e te r mi n e d , th e f i r st C h r i s ti an e ccl e si asti c so
to do . An d th i s was a bo u t th e ye ar a .d . 187.
I I . Ea r l i e r PleaDe vo i d o f I n n a t e I mmo r ta l i ty C o n ce pt
T h e th i r ty-two ch apte r s o f Ath e n ago r as e ar l i e r Apo l o gy,
o r Embassy, co n s ti tu te a r e al l y mas te r f u l Pl e a, as i t was
co mmo n l y cal l e d , pr e s e n te d to th e e mpe r o r . Ath e n ago r as i s
car e f u l to d e si gn ate h i mse l f , i n th e ti tl e , as Ph i l o s o ph e r a n d
C h r i s ti a n . Hi s was a pr acti ce d pe n a n d h e was a po l i s h e d
wr i te r . He pr o te sts th e u n ju s t d i s cr i mi n ati o n sh o wn to war d
C h r i sti an s , a n d asks t h a t th e y be acco r d e d th e same tr e a tme n t
as o th e r s wh e n accu se d . De al i n g wi th th e th r e e sto ck ch ar ge s
o f ath e i s m, can n i bal i s m (th e bo d y a n d bl o o d state me n ts
r e gar d i n g th e Eu ch ar i s t), a n d i mmo r al i tyAth e n ago r as sh o ws
t h a t C h r i s ti an s ar e n o t ath e i sts, e ve n th e pagan po e ts an d ph i l o s
o ph e r s te s ti f yi n g to th e u n i ty o f a Su pr e me Be i n g. Hi s f avo r i te ,
Pl ato , i s ci te d i n pa r ti cu l ar . T h e abs u r d i ti e s o f po l yth e i sm ar e
e xpo se d , a n d h e pr e se n ts th e u n i ty o f th e Go d h e ad as man i f e s t
i n th r e e Pe r so n s.
Ath e n ago r as sh o ws t h a t pagan go ds ar e bu t cr e a te d f i g
me n ts, as po e ts a n d ph i l o s o ph e r s ad mi t, al o n g wi th th e i r
ackn o wl e d gme n ts t h a t a th i n g i s e i th e r u n cr e ate d a n d e te r n al ,
o r cr e ate d a n d pe r i s h abl e . 2He r e h e ar se s th e abs u r d r e pr e s e n
tati o n s a n d i mpu r e l o ves ascr i be d to th e pagan go ds. He th e n
state s, co n ce r n i n g th e On e Go d , th e s u pr e me a n d u n cr e ate d
2Ath e n ago r as, A Plea for the Christians, ch ap. 19, i n ANF , vol . 2, p. 137.
a n d e te r n al On e , th a t th e De i ty i s i mmo r tal , a n d i mmo ve abl e ,
a n d u n a l t e r a bl e . 3Agai n i n ch apte r ttve n ty-th r e e h e pr esses
si gn i f i can tl y o n th e s u pe r i o r i ty o f Pl ato o ve r o th e r wr i te r s.
T h i s spe ci al f o n d n e ss o bvi o u sl y l e ad s to h i s l ate r ch ampi o n s h i p
o f Pl a to s Immo r tal -So u l i sm.
1. A n g e l s A r e C r e a t e d B e i n g s ; So m e F e l l .Di scu ssi n g
th e an ge l s, Ath e n ago r as says i n ch apte r twe n ty-f o u r t h a t th e y
we r e cr e ate d by Hi m [Go d ], a n d t h a t th i s i s th e of f i ce o f
th e an ge l s,to e xe r ci se pr o vi d e n ce [watch car e ] f o r Go d o ve r
th e th i n gs cr e ate d a n d o r d e r e d by Hi m. T h e y we r e cr e ate d
by Go d as f r e e age n ts. So me co n ti n u e d i n th o se th i n gs f o r
wh i ch Go d h ad mad e an d o ve r Avhi ch He h ad o r d ai n e d th e m;
o th e r s o u tr a ge d bo th th e co n s ti tu ti o n o f t h e i r n a tu r e a n d th e
go ve r n me n t e n tr u s te d to th e m, an d th u s f e l l .4T h e n i n ch a pte r
twe n ty-se ve n Ath e n ago r as to u ch e s o n th e Ar ti f i ce s o f th e
De mo n s, h o w th e y pl agu e th e so u l s o f me n , a n d h o w th e y l e ad
me n i n to e r r o r . 5
2. D u b i o u s Se t t i n g o f T e r m I m m o r t a l So u l .I n
th e same ch a pte r h e di scusses th e d i ve r si ty o f pagan vi ews
co n ce r n i n g th e o r i gi n an d n a tu r e o f th e s o u l n o te d si x ti me s
i n a si n gl e pa r agr aph a n d uses su ch te r ms as i r r a ti o n a l ,
f an tas ti c, d e l u s i ve , an d e mpty vi si o n s, i n d e s cr i bi n g su ch
vi ews. I t i s i n su ch a s e tti n g a n d co n n e cti o n t h a t th e mu ch -
pu bl i ci ze d e xpr e ssi o n , be i n g i mmo r ta l , o ccu r s i n th i s
se n te n ce :
An d , taki n g po ssessi o n o f th e i r th o u gh ts , cause to f l ow i n to th e
mi n d e mpty vi si o n s as i f co mi n g f r o m th e i d o l s an d th e statu e s; a n d
wh e n , to o , a so u l o f i tsel f , as being immortal, mo ves co n f o r mabl y to r e as o n ,
e i th e r pr e d i cti n g th e f u tu r e o r h e al i n g th e pr e se n t, th e d e mo n s cl ai m th e
gl o r y f o r th e mse l ve s. 0
Obvi o u sl y th a t i s a pagan , d e mo n i c cl ai m, h e r e ci te d by
Ath e n ago r as, not an asse r ti o n , o r f act o f t r u t h , s e tti n g f o r th h i s
o wn po si ti o n .
8Ib id ., ch ap. 22, p. 140.
4Ibid., ch ap. 24, p. 142.
5I bid., ch ap. 27, p. 143.
1 Ibid. (I tal i cs su ppl i e d .)
3. H e a t h e n G o d s Si m pl y D e i f i e d M e n .T h e h e ad i n g
o f ch a pte r twe n ty-e i gh t i s He a th e n Go d s We r e Si mpl y Me n ,
wi th ch apte r twe n ty-n i n e as Pr o o f o f th e Same Fr o m th e
Po e ts. C h a pte r th i r ty o f f er s Re aso n s Wh y Di vi n i ty Has Be e n
Ascr i be d to Me n . T h u s h e d i spo se s o f th e go d s.
4. F a t e o f Si n n e r s W o r s e T h a n A n n i h i l a t i o n .I n
ch apte r th i r ty-o n e Ath e n ago r as i n i ti a l s tate me n t appe ar s o n th e
h e r e af te r o f th o se wh o se l i f e i s d i r e cte d to war d s Go d , wh o
seek to be bl ame l e ss a n d i r r e pr o a ch abl e . Af te r s tati n g th a t
al l th i n gs ar e kn o wn to Go d , h e says:
We ar e pe r su ad e d th a t wh e n we ar e r e mo ve d [r e l e ase d ] f r o m th e
pr e se n t l i f e we sh al l l i ve another life, better th an th e pr e se n t o n e , an d h e av
e n l y, n o t e ar th l y (si nce we sh al l abi d e n e ar Go d , an d wi th Go d , f r e e f r o m
al l ch an ge o r su f f e r i n g i n th e so u l . . . ). 7
T h e n , spe aki n g o f th e pu n i s h me n t o f th e s i n n e r , f al l i n g
wi th th e r e s t, Ath e n ago r as d e cl ar e s h i s f ate to be a worse one
and in fire. An d h e ad d s: Fo r Go d h as n o t mad e us as sh e e p
o r be asts o f bu r d e n , a me r e by-wo r k, an d th a t we s h o u l d pe r i sh
an d be a n n i h i l a t e d . 8
So th e so u l s o f me n l i ve o n i n d e f e asi bl y.
5. O u r B o d i e s t o B e R e c o n s t r u c t e d a t R e s u r r e c t i o n .
Fi n al l y, i n ch a pte r th i r ty-si x (Be ar i n g o n th e Do ctr i n e o f th e
Re s u r r e cti o n ), Ath e n ago r as spe aks o f th o se wh o be l i e ve th a t
o u r bo d i e s wi l l r i se agai n , a n d th a t th e e a r th wi l l gi ve back
th e bo d i e s h e l d by i t . 9 He co n tr asts su ch wi th th o se wh o
mi stake n l y be l i e ve th e r e i s n o r e s u r r e cti o n , bu t cal cu l ate o n
th e so u l pe r i s h i n g wi th th e bo d y, a n d be i n g as i t we r e qu e n ch e d
i n i t . T h e n h e d e cl ar e s th a t th e bo d y wi l l be pu n i s h e d al o n g
wi th th e so u l . An d h e ad d s, I t i s n o t o u r [th e C h r i s t i a n s]
be l i e f al o n e th a t bo d i e s wi l l r i se agai n , bu t . . . man y ph i l o s o
ph e r s al so h o l d th e same vi e w. Agai n h e ci te s Pl ato as agr e e i n g
th a t wh e n th e d i ss o l u ti o n o f bo d i e s take s pl ace , th e y s h o u l d ,
f r o m th e ve r y same e l e me n ts o f wh i ch th e y we r e co n s tr u cte d at
7 I bid., ch a p. 31, p. 146.
8Ibid.
9I bid., ch a p. 36, i n AN F , vo l . 2, p. 147.
f i r st, be co n s tr u cte d agai n . 10T h i s i s as f ar as Ath e n ago r as go es
i n th i s e a r l i e r Plea.
I I I . The ResurrectionWh o l l y C o mmi tte d to
I n n a te -I mmo r tal i ty T h e si s
I n Ath e n ago r as f i n al wo r k, The Resurrection of the Dead,
a str o n g u n d e vi a ti n g cu r r e n t o f i n n ate Immo r tal -So u l i sm, n o t
f o u n d i n th e pr e vi o u s Plea, f l ows th r o u gh o u t th e tr e ati se . We
th e r e f o r e pau se a t th e o u tse t to co n si d e r th e f ami l i ar ch ar ge
o f i n co n si ste n cy, vaci l l ati o n , an d co n f l i cti n g s tate me n ts
l e ve l e d agai n st Ath e n ago r as po si ti o n o n i mmo r tal i ty. T h i s
pr o bl e m can be r ati o n al l y e xpl ai n e d a n d f ai r l y an swe r e d by r e c
o gn i zi n g th e si mpl e f act t h a t a d i s ti n ct ch an ge o f vi e w to o k pl ace
be twe e n Ath e n ago r as e ar l i e r Plea (c. a .d . 177) an d th i s tr e ati se
a d e cad e l ate r (c. a .d . 187). T h e r e we r e i n kl i n gs be f o r e , bu t
n e ve r f u l l co mmi tme n t as h e r e .
We s h o u l d pr ess th e po i n t th at if th e o ppo si n g e xpr e ssi o n s
we r e s catte r e d o ve r bo th tr e ati se s, th e ch ar ge wo u l d h ave so me
val i d basi s. Bu t Ath e n ago r as Immo r tal -So u l i sm i s co n ce n tr ate d
i n th i s l ate r Resurrection d i scu ssi o n . I n th e i n te r i m h e h ad
cl e ar l y swu n g o ve r to o u t r i gh t ch ampi o n s h i p o f I n n ate I mmo r
tal i ty, a n d by th e same to ke n h i s f o r me r mo d e r ate vi ews we r e
aban d o n e d . Ath e n ago r as h ad mad e a co mpl e te abo u t-f ace a
r e ve r sal o f po si ti o n . An d th e pu r po se o f th i s n e w tr e ati se i s
o bvi o u sl y to pr o ve th e r e s u r r e cti o n o f man , wi th so u l a n d bo d y,
e ach co n s ti tu ti n g an i n te gr al pa r t o f th e wh o l e man , a n d th e r e
f o r e bo th s h ar i n g i n th e f i n al , o r co mmo n , d e sti n y. T h e r e vo l u
ti o n ar y ch ar acte r o f Ath e n ago r as u tte r an ce s h e r e ju sti f i e s a
d o cu me n te d pr e s e n tati o n .
1. M a n C r e a t ed f o r P e r pe t u a l E x i s t e n c e .Ath e n ag
o r as r e sts h i s e n ti r e case o n th e pr e mi se o f th e natural i mmo r
tal i ty o f man . Bu t h e bases th i s pu r e l y o n th e ar gu me n t o f
*>I b i d . , p. 148.
r e aso n , wi th n o appe al to th e a u th o r i ty o f Scr i ptu r e , n o t e ve n
i n vo ki n g C h r i s ts r e s u r r e cti o n as an assu r an ce o f o u r s. He h e r e
h o l d s th a t Go d s o bje ct i n maki n g man was t h a t h e mi gh t live.
An d Go d s so ve r e i gn pu r po se , Ath e n ago r as co n te n d s, can n o t
be d e f e ate d . I t i s, h e i n si sts, impossible not to exist. T h e r e f o r e
al l me n must l i ve f o r e ve r go o d a n d e vi l , h appy an d mi se r abl e .
He th r i ce state s th i s i n ch apte r twe l ve :
Fo r n o th i n g th a t i s e n d o we d wi th r e aso n an d ju d gme n t h as be e n
cr e ate d , o r i s cr e ate d , f o r th e use o f an o th e r , wh e th e r gr e ate r o r l ess th an
i tsel f , bu t f o r th e sake o f th e life and continuance of the being i tse l f so
cr e ate d . . . . Acco r d i n g to th e vi ew wh i ch mo r e n e ar l y to u ch e s th e be i n gs
cr e ate d , He mad e h i m [man] f o r th e sake o f th e l i f e o f th o se cr e ate d , wh i ch
i s n o t ki n d l e d f o r a l i ttl e wh i l e an d th e n e xti n gu i s h e d . 11
An d agai n
Si nce th i s cause [of ma n s cr e ati o n ] i s se en to l i e i n perpetual exist
ence, th e be i n g so cr e ate d mu st be pr e se r ve d f o r e ve r d o i n g an d e x
pe r i e n ci n g wh at i s su i tabl e to i ts n a t u r e . 12
2. D u a l P r e m i s e f o r E t e r n a l E x i s t e n c e .I n pr e s e n ti n g
h i s po si ti o n o n th e u n l i mi t e d pe r pe tu i ty o f h u man e xi ste n ce ,
wh i ch h e do e s as a ma tte r o f me r e ph i l o s o ph i cal e th i cal pr i n
ci pl e , Ath e n ago r as bu i l d s h i s wh o l e ar gu me n t o n two pr e mi se s:
(1) Go d s o bje cti ve i n be sto wi n g su ch e xi ste n ce , a n d (2) th e
r i gh t e mpl o yme n t o f th e r a t i o n a l n a tu r e by th o se wh o h ave
r e ce i ve d i t. Ete r n i ty o f bl i ss i s f o r th o se wh o h ave e mpl o ye d
t h e i r n a tu r e i n acco r d an ce wi th th e d i vi n e pu r po se i n be sto wi n g
l i f e u po n th e m.
Ath e n ago r as do e s n o t, at th i s stage , d i l ate o n th e te r m
o f f u tu r e e xi ste n ce i n sto r e f o r th e wi cke d . He says n o t h i n g
h e r e a bo u t th e i r d e s tr u cti o n , n o r do e s h e di scuss e i t h e r e te r n i ty
o f su f f e r i n g o r u l ti ma te r e s to r ati o n . T h e ge r m o f su ch a th e o r y
appe ar e d i n h i s Plea bu t was n o t d e ve l o pe d .
3. G i s t o f t h e R e s u r r e c t i o n A r g u m e n t .I n h i s tr e ati s e
o n The Resurrection of the Dead (ch apte r te n ) Ath e n ago r as
asse r ts th a t th e r e s u r r e cti o n i n ge n e r al i s h i gh l y ad van tage o u s
11Ath e n a go r a s , Th e Resurrection of the Dead, ch a p. 12, i n ANF, vo l . 2, p. 155. (I ta l i cs
s u ppl i e d .)
12Ibid. (I ta l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
to man . I n ch a pte r twe l ve th e r e s u r r e cti o n ch an ge i n o u r be i n g
i s f o r th e be tte r n o th i n g can o ccu r to man th a t wo u l d be
su f f i ci e n t r e aso n f o r h i s ce asi n g to be ; h i s l i f e i s a pr o pe r e n d ,
th e r e f o r e i t sh o u l d n o t be co n s u me d a n d cease to be . C h a pte r
t h i r te e n h o l d s t h a t th e r e s u r r e cti o n ef f ects a co n ti n u i ty o f e xi s t
e n ce , a n d i s ju s t as mu ch i n acco r d wi th r e aso n as th e f act th a t
man s h o u l d e xi st a t al l .
I n ch apte r n i n e te e n i t i s cl ai me d th a t th e wi cke d mu s t be
pu n i s h e d i n a n o th e r l i f e , f o r th i s l i f e i s to o s h o r t a n d l i mi te d
f o r a ju s t r e co mpe n se . An d i n ch apte r twe nty-f i ve e ach i n d i vi d
u al mu s t be ju d ge d f o r h i mse l f , a n d r e war d e d o r pu n i s h e d
acco r d i n g to th e go o d o r e vi l d o n e i n th i s l i f e . T h u s th e h o pe
o f th e f u tu r e i s al l ve ste d i n th e r e s u r r e cti o n . T h a t Ath e n ago r as
pl ace s al l h o pe o f a f u tu r e l i f e o n th e r e s u r r e cti o n i s e vi d e n t
f r o m th e se two e xce r pts:
T h e cause o f h i s [man s] cr e ati o n [th e C r e a to r s pu r po s e an d th e
n a t u r e th a t man r e ce i ve d ] i s a pl e d ge o f h i s co n ti n u an ce f o r ever , an d
th i s co n ti n u an ce i s a pl e d ge o f th e r e su r r e cti o n , wi th o u t wh i ch man co u l d
n o t co n ti n u e . 18
Bu t i t i s i mpo ssi bl e f o r h i m to co n ti n u e u n l e ss h e r i se agai n . Fo r i f n o
r e su r r e cti o n wer e to take pl ace , th e n atu r e o f me n as me n wo u l d n o t
co n ti n u e . 14
4. R es u r r ec t e d Bo d i es W i l l B e I n c o r r u pt i b l e . I n h i s
ar gu me n t Ath e n ago r as co n te n d s th a t a r e s u r r e cti o n i s n o t i m
po ssi bl e f o r Go d . An d i n ch apte r th r e e (He Wh o C o u l d
C r e ate , C an Al so Rai se Up th e De ad ) h e state s:
T h a t same po we r can r e u n i te wh at i s di sso l ved, an d r ai se u p wh at
i s pr o str ate , a n d r e sto r e th e d e ad to l i f e agai n , an d pu t th e co r r u pti bl e i n to
a s tate o f i n co r r u pti bl e . 15
T h r o u gh o u t se ve r al ch apte r s h e h o l d s t h a t th e r e s u r r e cti o n
bo d y d i f f e r s f r o m th e pr e s e n t i n t h a t i t wi l l be i n co r r u pti bl e ,
a n d h e mai n tai n s t h a t Go d can a n d wi l l r ai se u p a n d br i n g
to ge th e r agai n a bo d y wh i ch h as be e n d i sso l ve d , an d make i t
n o t l i abl e to co r r u pt i o n . 16
5. D e s t i n e d f o r P e r pe t u a l D u r a t i o n , N o t F i n a l E x
t i n c t i o n .I n ch apte r twe l ve Ath e n ago r as pr esses th e a r gu me n t
f o r th e r e s u r r e cti o n , n ame l y, T h e Pu r po s e C o n te mpl ate d i n
Man s C r e a ti o n . He was n o t cr e ate d at r an d o m, bu t f o r
th e sake o f l i f e a n d co n ti n u an ce o f th e be i n g i tse l f so cr e ate d . 17
Go d mad e man i n pu r s u an ce o f th e go o d n e ss a n d wi sd o m
wh i ch ar e co n spi cu o u s th r o u gh o u t th e cr e a ti o n . An d Ath e n ag
o r as ad d s t h a t Go d d i d n o t make man to be ki n d l e d f o r a
l i ttl e wh i l e a n d th e n e xti n gu i s h e d . 18Me n we r e br o u gh t i n to
be i n g f o r pe r pe tu a l d u r a t i o n . T h u s :
T o th o se wh o be ar u po n th e m th e i mage o f th e C r e ato r Hi mse l f , an d
ar e e n d o we d wi th u n d e r s tan d i n g, an d bl essed wi th a r ati o n al ju d gme n t,
th e C r e ato r h as assi gn e d perpetual duration, i n o r d e r th at, r e co gn i si n g th e i r
o wn Make r , an d Hi s po we r an d ski l l , an d o be yi n g l aw an d ju sti ce , th e y
may pass th e i r wh o l e e xi ste n ce f r e e f r o m suf f e r i ng, i n th e po ssessi o n o f
th o se qu al i ti e s wi th wh i ch th e y h ave br ave l y bo r n e th e i r pr e ce d i n g l i f e,
al th o u gh th e y l i ve d i n co r r u pti bl e an d e ar th l y bo d i e s. 19
6. U n c ea s i n g E x i s t e n c e F o r es t a l l s U l t i ma t e A n n i h i l a
t i o n . T h i s be i n g th e pu r po se o f ma n s pe r pe tu a l e xi ste n ce ,
u l ti ma te a n n i h i l a t i o n i s co n s e qu e n tl y u n th i n ka bl e :
T h a t wh i ch was cr e ate d f o r th e ver y pu r po se o f e xi sti n g an d l i vi n g a
l i f e n atu r a l l y su i te d to i t, si nce th e cause i tse l f [o f i ts e xi ste n ce ] i s bo u n d
u p wi th i ts n atu r e , an d i s r e co gn i se d o n l y i n co n n e cti o n wi th e xi ste n ce
i tsel f , can n e ve r ad mi t o f an y cause wh i ch sh al l u tte r l y an n i h i l a te i ts e xi st
ence . Bu t si n ce th i s cause i s se en to l i e i n perpetual existence, th e be i n g so
cr e ate d mu st be preserved for ever, d o i n g an d e xpe r i e n ci n g wh at i s su i tabl e
to i ts n a t u r e . 20
T h e n h e ad d s: Fo r th e r e s u r r e cti o n i s a spe ci e s o f ch an ge ,
an d th e l ast o f al l , a n d a ch an ge f o r th e be tt e r o f wh at sti l l
r e mai n s i n e xi ste n ce at th at ti me . 21
7. P l ed g ed C o n t i n u a n c e o f B e i n g i n I mmo r t a l i t y .
So i n o u r pr e s e n t state o f e xi ste n ce we ste ad f astl y h o pe f o r
a continuance of being in immortality, f o r Ath e n ago r as co n
te n d s t h a t He wh o f ash i o n e d u s , mad e man o f an i mmo r tal
17I b id ., ch a p. 12, p. 155.
I bid.
18I bid. (I t a l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
20Ibid. (I t a l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
21Ibid.
s o u l a n d a bo d y, a n d f u r n i s h e d h i m wi th u n d e r s ta n d i n g a n d
a n i n n a te l aw 22s u i te d to i n te l l i ge n t e xi ste n ce , t h a t h e mi gh t
co n ti n u e al ways i n su ch co n te mpl ati o n . T h e n h e ad d s:
T h e cause o f h i s [man s] cr e ati o n i s a pl e d ge o f h i s co n ti n u an ce f o r
e ve r , an d th i s co n ti n u an ce i s a pl e d ge o f th e r e su r r e cti o n , wi th o u t wh i ch
man co u l d n o t co n ti n u e . So th at, f r o m wh at h as be e n sai d, i t i s qu i te cl e ar
t h a t th e r e su r r e cti o n i s pl ai n l y pr o ve d by th e cause o f ma n s cr e ati o n , an d
th e pu r po se o f Hi m wh o mad e h i m. 23
8. M a n : A n I mmo r t a l So u l i n a P e r i s h a b l e Bo d y .
Havi n g d e al t wi th th e pu r po se o f Go d i n f o r mi n g me n ,
Ath e n ago r as n o w co mes, i n ch apte r f i f te e n , to th e n a tu r e o f
th e me n cr e ate d . On th i s h e e xpl i ci tl y d e cl ar e s:
T h e wh o l e n a t u r e o f me n i n ge n e r al i s co mpo se d o f an immortal
soul an d a bo d y wh i ch was f i tte d to i t i n th e cr e ati o n , an d i f n e i th e r to th e
n a t u r e o f th e so u l by i tsel f , n o r to th e n a t u r e o f th e bo d y se par ate l y, h as
Go d assi gn e d su ch a cr e ati o n o r such a l i f e an d e n ti r e co ur se o f e xi ste n ce
as th i s, bu t to me n co mpo u n d e d o f th e two, i n o r d e r th a t th e y may, wh e n
th e y h ave passe d th r o u gh th e i r pr e s e n t e xi ste n ce , ar r i ve at o n e co mmo n
e n d , wi th th e same e l e me n ts o f wh i ch th e y ar e co mpo se d a t th e i r bi r th an d
d u r i n g l i f e , i t u n avo i d abl y f o l l o ws, si nce o n e l i vi n g-be i n g i s f o r me d f r o m
th e two . 24
So th e te r m i mmo r tal s o u l i s n o w e stabl i sh e d . An d
Ath e n ago r as i s th e f i r st C h r i s ti an to use i t. I t was an e po ch al
d e ve l o pme n t.
9. R e s u r r e c t i o n I mpe r a t i v e So B o d y -So u l M a y C o n
t i n u e F o r e v e r . T h u s Ath e n ago r as bu i l d s u p an e n ti r e i n t e
gr ate d se r i e sma n s cr e ati o n , n a tu r e , l i f e , d o i n gs, su f f e r i n gs,
e xi ste n ce a n d th e e n d s u i te d to h i s n a tu r e , wh i ch make s i t
th e same as i ts co n s ti tu ti o n . T h u s : T h e par ts d i sso l ve d [i n
d e ath ] ar e agai n u n i te d f o r th e co n s ti tu ti o n o f th e be i n g. 25
T h e n h e r e i te r ate s :
Man , th e r e f o r e , wh o co nsi sts o f th e two par ts, mu st co n ti n u e f o r e ve r .
Bu t i t i s i mpo ssi bl e f o r h i m to co n ti n u e u n l e ss h e r i se agai n . Fo r i f n o
22I b id ., pp. 155, 156. (I ta l i cs s u ppl i e d .) Pr e vi o u s l y s t a t e d i n Plea, ch a p. 27, i n A N F ,
vo l . 2, p. 143.
23Ath e n a go r a s , Resurrection, ch a p. 13, i n ANF , vo l . 2, p. 156.
2<Ibid . , ch a p- 15, P- 157.
28Ibid.
r e su r r e cti o n we r e to take pl ace , th e n atu r e o f me n as me n wo u l d n o t
co n ti n u e . 29
10. C o n t i n u i t y o f B ei n g I n t e r r u pt e d by D e a t h . I n
ch a pte r s i xte e n Ath e n ago r as i n tr o d u ce s d e ath as a s l e e p.
Li f e , h e says a t th e o u tse t, i s a co n ti n u an ce o f be i n g wh i ch
i s i n t e r r u pt e d by d e ath a n d co r r u pt i o n . So me s u pe r i o r
be i n gs , l i ke th e an ge l s, ar e wh o l l y i n co r r u pti bl e a n d i m
mo r t a l , a n d h ave n o i n te r r u pt i o n . Su ch ar e f r o m th e f i r st
cr e ate d i mmo r tal , a n d co n ti n u e to e xi st wi th o u t e n d . Bu t
me n h ave f r o m t h e i r f i r st o r i gi n an u n ch an ge abl e co n ti n u an ce ,
bu t i n r e spe ct o f th e body o btai n i mmo r tal i ty by me an s o f
ch an ge . T h i s i s wh at i s me an t by th e d o ctr i n e o f th e r e s u r
r e ct i o n . 27T h a t i s wh y we bo th awai t th e d i ss o l u ti o n o f th e
bo d y, as th e s e qu e l to a l i f e o f wan t an d co r r u pti o n , a n d af te r
th i s we h o pe f o r a co n ti n u a n ce wi th i mmo r tal i ty. 28
11. Sl e e p o f D e a t h I n v o l v es B l a c k o u t o f C o n s c i o u s
n es s .Ath e n ago r as i n tr o d u ce s th i s i n te r e s ti n g an al o gy o f d e ath
an d sl e e p, cal l i n g sl e e p th e br o th e r o f d e a th :
Al th o u gh th e r e l a xati o n o f th e senses an d o f th e ph ysi cal po wer s,
wh i ch n atu r a l l y take s pl ace i n sl e e p, seems to i n t e r r u pt th e se n sati o n al l i f e
wh e n me n sl e e p a t e qu al i n te r val s o f ti me , an d , as i t wer e, co me back to
l i f e agai n , ye t we d o n o t r e f u se to cal l i t l i f e ; an d f o r th i s r e aso n , I su ppo se ,
so me cal l sleep the brother of death. 28
T h e n f o l l o ws th i s s tate me n t o f u n co n sci o u sn e ss co mmo n
to bo th d e ath a n d sl e e p:
T h o s e wh o ar e d e ad an d th o se wh o sl e ep ar e su bje ct to si mi l ar state s,
as r e gar d s a t l e ast th e sti l l n e ss a n d th e abse n ce o f al l sense o f th e pr e s e n t
o r th e past, o r r a t h e r o f e xi ste n ce i tse l f an d th e i r o wn l i f e . 30
So th e co n ti n u i t y o f l i f e , f o l l o we d by th e d i ss o l u ti o n o f
d e ath , i n vo l ve s th e r e s u r r e cti o n , a l th o u gh su f f e r i n g i s i n t e r
r u pt e d f o r a ti me .
12. R e u n i o n o f Bo d y a n d So u l N ec es s a r y f o r R e c o m
pe n s e .I n ch a pte r e i gh te e n man i s r e co gn i ze d as cl e ar l y ac-
ibi d.
21 Ib id . , ch ap. 16, p. 157.
Ibid.
29I bid ., p. 158.
a" Ibid.
co u n ta bl e to h i s Go d an d Make r , f o r al l cr e ate d th i n gs r e qu i r e
th e a tt e n ti o n o f th e C r e ato r . Man i s acco u n tabl e f o r al l h i s
acti o n s, a n d r e ce i ve s f o r th e m e i th e r r e war d o r pu n i s h me n t.
Bu t af te r th e pe r i o d o f d i ss o l u ti o n , wh e n th e so u l i s s e par ate d
f r o m th e bo d y, wh i ch n o l o n ge r r e tai n s th e r e me mbr an ce o f
i ts acti o n s , so u l a n d bo d y wi l l be agai n u n i t e d , to r e ce i ve
wh at . . . h as be e n d o n e by th e bo d y, wh e th e r go o d o r e vi l . 31
Passi n g o ve r th o se wh o e xpe ct to e at a n d d r i n k, f o r to -mo r r o w
we d i e , wi th l i f e to te r mi n a te i n u t t e r i n s e n s i bi l i ty, Ath e n ag-
o r as o bse r ve s th a t o u r pr e s e n t mo r al n a tu r e co u l d n o t i n th i s
l i f e be ar a pu n i s h me n t co mme n s u r ate wi th si n , f o r d e ath
pr e ve n ts th e d e se r ve d pu n i s h me n t, th a t i s, a pe n al ty ad e
qu a te to th e se cr i me s . 33
13. M a n s P u n i s h m e n t N o t A s s i g n e d t o S o u l A l o n e .I n
ch a pte r twe n ty Ath e n ago r as mai n tai n s t h a t Man Mu st Be
Po ssessed Bo th o f a Bo dy a n d So u l He r e af te r , T h a t th e J u d g
me n t Passed Upo n Hi m May Be J u s t . 33Re co gn i zi n g th e co r
r u pt i bi l i t y o f th e bo d y wi th o n l y two po ssi bi l i ti e s r e gar d i n g
th e so u l , h e says:
Ei th e r d e ath i s th e e n ti r e e xti n cti o n o f l i f e, th e so u l be i n g d i sso l ve d
an d co r r u pte d al o n g wi th th e bo d y, o r th e so u l r e mai n s by i tsel f , i n capabl e
o f d i sso l u ti o n , o f d i spe r si o n , o f co r r u pti o n , wh i l st th e bo d y i s co r r u pte d an d
di sso l ved, r e ta i n i n g n o l o n ge r an y r e me mbr an ce o f pas t acti o n s, n o r se nse
o f wh at i t e xpe r i e n ce d i n co n n e cti o n wi th th e so u l . 34
Bu t, h e co n ti n u e s , i f l i f e i s u l ti mate l y to be u tte r l y e xti n
gu i s h e d , th e l o gi cal d r i f t o f su ch l i f e wo u l d be i n to ath e i sm.
An d i f th e so u l al o n e we r e to be i mmo r tal , n o ju d gme n t wo u l d
be e qu i ta bl e .35Pu n i s h me n t mu s t be f o r th e si ns d o n e i n th e
bo d y. T h e same pr i n ci pl e wo u l d be tr u e o f th e bo d y al o n e .
Bu t, acco r d i n g to ch apte r twe n ty-o n e , th e l i f e o f man i s o n e ,
th o u gh co mpo se d o f th e two . 36 T h e n h e ad d s, i n ch a pte r
twe n ty-two , th at i t i s abs u r d th a t r e war d o r pu n i s h me n t . . .
s h o u l d be assi gn e d to th e so u l al o n e . 37An d h e r e f e r s agai n ,
I b id ., ch a p. 18, p. 159. 38 Ibid.
33I bid., ch a p. 19, pp. 159, 160. 33I bid., ch a p. 21, p. 160.
33I b id ., ch a p. 20, p. 160. 37I bid., ch a p. 22, p. 161.
Ibid.
at th e cl o se o f ch apte r twe n ty-f o u r , to me n po ssessed o f an
i mmo r tal so u l a n d r ati o n al ju d gme n t. 33
14. R e c o n s t i t u t i o n o f B o d y a n d S o u l I n t o S a m e B e i n g .
I n th e co n cl u d i n g ch a pte r (twenty-f i ve), Ath e n ago r as o n ce
mo r e r e i te r ate s th a t man i s a d u al be i n g, co mpo se d o f two par ts
i n th i s pr e s e n t l i f e . Bu t th e man ca n n o t be sai d to e xi st wh e n
th e bo d y i s d i sso l ve d . 38 T h e n co me s h i s su mmar i zi n g
d e cl ar ati o n :
I t i s abso l u te l y necessar y th a t th e e n d o f a ma n s be i n g sh o u l d appe ar
i n so me r e co n s ti tu ti o n o f th e two to ge th e r , an d o f th e same l i vi n g be i n g.
An d as th i s f o l l o ws o f necessi ty, th e r e mu st by al l me an s be a r e su r r e cti o n
o f th e bo d i e s wh i ch ar e d e ad , o r e ve n e n ti r e l y di sso l ved, an d th e same me n
mu st be f o r me d ane w, si nce th e l aw o f n atu r e o r d ai n s d i e e n d n o t abso l u te l y,
n o r as th e e n d o f an y me n wh atso e ve r , bu t o f th e same me n wh o passed
th r o u gh th e pr e vi o u s l i f e ; bu t i t i s i mpo ssi bl e f o r th e same me n to be
r e co n s ti tu te d u n l e ss th e same bo d i e s ar e r e sto r e d to th e same so ul s." 10
15. T h o s e F a i l i n g G o d s O b j e c t i v e A r e P u n i s h e d P r o
p o r t i o n a t e l y . T h u s , i n th e e n d , th e i n te l l i ge n t l i f e an d
r ati o n al ju d gme n t o f th e r e co n s ti tu te d man wi l l d e l i gh t u n
ce asi n gl y i n th e co n te mpl ati o n o f Him who isth e e te r n al
Go d . Bu t th a t l ar ge n u mbe r o f th o se wh o f ai l o f th e e n d
th a t be l o n gs to th e m do e s n o t make vo i d th e co mmo n l o t,
si n ce th e e xami n ati o n r e l ate s to th e i n d i vi d u al an d th e r e war d
o r pu n i s h me n t o f l i ve s i l l o r we l l s pe n t, i s pr o po r ti o n a te to
th e me r i t o f e ach . 41
16. D e n i e s U l t i m a t e A n n i h i l a t i o n f o r t h e W i c k e d .
Ath e n ago r as do e s n o t d i r e ctl y di scuss th e u l ti ma te f ate o f th e
l o st, n o r do e s h e i n d i cate wh e th e r al l wi l l u l ti mate l y be
saved. T h a t i s l e f t f o r T e r t u l l i a n a n d h i s sch o o l to d e cl ar e ,
a n d f o r Au gu s ti n e to cl i max. No r do e s h e co n s i d e r Re sto r a-
ti o n i sm. T h a t i s l e f t f o r Or i ge n a n d th o se wh o f o l l o w h i m.
Bu t Ath e n ago r as d e n i e s th e u l ti ma te a n n i h i l a t i o n o f th e
wi cke d . An d th e bo d y wi l l sh ar e i n ma n s e te r n al d e sti n y.
I n this he veers away from Plato, who claims immortality only
Ibid., ch ap. 24, p. 162.
Ibid . , ch ap. 25, p. 162.
Ibid.
Ibid.
for the soul. Pl ato tau gh t a n a tu r a l a n d u n co n d i ti o n al i mmo r
tal i ty o f th e so u l , an d d e al t wi th ph ysi cal an d me taph ysi cal
f acto r s. Ath e n ago r as d e al s wi th mo r al , pr acti cal , a n d ci r cu m
s tan ti al e l e me n ts. Bu t th e tr e n d was n o w cl e ar l y set.
17. D i s r e g a r d s a n d R e p u d i a t e s t h e B i b l i c a l P e r i s h .
Atte n ti o n mu s t be cal l e d to Ath e n ago r as use o f th e Gr e e k
wo r d f o r pe r i s h . He e xce l l e d i n Gr e e k, a n d kn e w we l l i ts
me an i n g. T h u s i n o n e pl ace h e d e scr i be s th e Epi cu r e an d o c
t r i n e o f a n n i h i l a t i o n o f bo d y a n d so u l by sayi n g th a t th e y
ma i n ta i n e d th e y ar e to pe r i s h . I n a n o th e r pl ace h e says i t
h as th e same me an i n g as a n n i h i l a t e . I n a th i r d h e co n tr asts
t h a t wh i ch i s pe r i s h abl e wi th th a t wh i ch i s e te r n al . An d i n
sti l l an o th e r h e d e scr i be s th e Sto i c d o ctr i n e (th at al l th i n gs
wi l l o n e d ay co me to an e n d ) by sayi n g th e y te ach th a t th e y
wi l l pe r i s h .42
Ho w th e n d i d Ath e n ago r as use th e te r m perish wh e n h e
spe aks o f bo th ju s t a n d u n ju st? He si mpl y d e n i e s th at th e te r m
can be appl i e d to e i th e r cl ass. He says t h a t i f th e u n ju s t we r e
to pe r i sh , i t wo u l d be e qu i val e n t to sayi n g th e y wo u l d be
a n n i h i l a t e d a L a ti n wo r d (annihilatus) me an i n g d e s tr o ye d ,
o r br o u gh t to n o t h i n g. Acco r d i n gl y, h e bo l d l y says o f th e
u n ju s t as we l l as th e ju st, Go d h as n o t mad e us . . . t h a t we
s h o u l d pe r i sh a n d be a n n i h i l a t e d . 43Ye t th e Wo r d r e pe ate d l y
says th e wi cke d wi l l pe r i s h a n d Ath e n ago r as kn e w th e
me an i n g o f h i s o wn Gr e e k. He th e r e f o r e f l atl y co n tr ad i cte d
a n d a ba n d o n e d th e pl atf o r m o f Scr i ptu r e i n i n tr o d u ci n g h i s
n o ve l d o ctr i n e o f eternal life in hell, e ve n i f n o t e xpr e ssl y state d .
IV. Lo gi cal De man d s o f Ath e n ago r as ' Re as o n i n g
Hi s was pr e -e mi n e n tl y a r ati o n al i s ti c d e d u cti o n . T h u s : T h e
wi cke d mu s t be mi s e r abl e f o r e ve r , be cau se th e y mu st l i ve
f o r e ve r . An d th e y mu s t l i ve f o r e ve r be cau se Go d mad e th e m
42At h e n a go r a s , Plea for the Christians, ch a ps . 36, 31, 4, 22, i n ANF, vo l . 2, pp. 147,
148, 146, 131, 140.
Ib id . , ch a p. 31, p. 146.
FI RST EC C LESIAST IC T O ASSERT I NNAT E I MMORT AL I T Y 945
f o r th e pu r po s e o f l i vi n g. Ath e n ago r as do es n o t ad van ce o n e
te xt i n s u ppo r to n l y Pl a to s so n o r o u s ph r asi n gs. Wi t h h i s
mas te r h e take s h i s po s i ti o n i mmo vabl y o n th e pl atf o r m th at
th e so u l i s i n tr i n s i cal l y i mmo r tal . I t must co n ti n u e to l i ve . I t
was mad e i mmo r tal at cr e ati o n , an d can n o t be s u bje cte d to
d e ath , f o r i t was, an d i s, a n d al ways wi l l be i n co r r u pti bl e . T h a t
was h i s tan ge n t ar gu me n t. An d th i s was wr i tte n abo u t a .d . 178.
Bu t Ath e n ago r as ad d e d to h i s mas te r s th e o r y. Pl ato , as
a pagan , d r o ppe d th e bo d y al to ge th e r at d e ath as a cl o g,
pr i s o n , a n d cu r se to th e so u l . Bu t Ath e n ago r as as a C h r i s ti an
was co mpe l l e d to ad van ce a n e w o r ad d e d l i n e o f r e aso n i n g.
T o h i m th e bo d y i s, i n d e e d , an e sse n ti al pa r t o f man . T h e
bo d y, o r i gi n al l y cr e ate d to be i mmo r tal , be came mo r tal th r o u gh
Ad ams si n . Bu t Ath e n ago r as h e l d th a t at th e r e s u r r e cti o n th e
bo d i e s o f al l wicked as ivell as righteouswi l l r e assu me th e i r
o r i gi n al i mmo r tal i ty. Pa u l s d e s cr i pti o n o f th e r e s u r r e cti o n o f
th e just, th e gl o r i o u s, i mmo r tal i ze d ch an ge o f t h e i r n a tu r a l
bo d i e s to f i t th e m f o r e te r n al l i f e, i s by Ath e n ago r as n o w appl i e d
to d e scr i be as wel l th e r e s u r r e cti o n o f th e unjust. T h e mo r tal
bo d y mu s t pu t o n i mmo r tal i ty an d i n co r r u pti o n i f i t i s to
e n d u r e an e te r n i ty o f pa i n .
If Ath e n ago r as r e as o n i n g o n th e i n e vi tabi l i ty o f Go d s pu r
po se h ad be e n f o l l o we d to i ts u l ti mate , i t wo u l d h ave l e d h i m
to Or i ge n s th e o r y o f Re s to r ati o n i sm, n o t to Au gu s ti n e s d o gma
o f Ete r n al T o r me n t . Bu t, as n o te d , i n Ath e n ago r as d ay th e
n o t i o n o f a r e s to r ati o n f r o m He l l h ad n o t ye t be e n d e ve l o pe d .
T h e ti me h ad n o t ye t co me n o t u n t i l th e h u man mi n d was
co mpe l l e d to seek r e f u ge i n i t f r o m th e h o r r o r s o f Ete r n al
T o r me n t . On l y th u s co u l d Go d s o bje ct i n cr e ati n g man f ai l
to be d e f e ate d . Mo r e o ve r , Go d mad e man f o r Hi mse l f . So
Ath e n ago r as sai d:
T h e f i n al cause o f an i n te l l i ge n t l i f e an d r ati o n al ju d gme n t, i s to be
o ccu pi e d u n i n te r r u pte d l y wi th th o se o bje cts to wh i ch th e n a tu r a l r e aso n
i s ch i ef l y a n d pr i mar i l y ad apte d , an d to d e l i gh t u n ce asi n gl y i n th e co n te m
pl a ti o n -o f Him who is, an d o f Hi s d e cr e e s. 44
44Ath e n ago r as, Resurrection, ch ap. 25, i n ANF, vol . 2, p. 162.
Fo l l o wi n g th i s th o u gh t th r o u gh , al l me n , h o we ve r f al l e n ,
mu s t i n ti me be r e s to r e d , i n o r d e r l o gi cal l y to an swe r th e e n d
f o r wh i ch th e y we r e cr e ate d . Su ch a co n se qu e n ce was d e man d e d
by Ath e n ago r as pr i n ci pl e s as ve r i l y as th e r e s to r ati o n o f th e i r
bo d i e s to i mmo r tal i ty, o r th e e te r n al e xi ste n ce o f th e e n ti r e
man . Bu t th e cl e ar co n ce pt o f u n i ve r sal Re s to r ati o n i sm d i d
n o t matu r e f o r a n o th e r h al f ce n tu r yu n d e r th e ce l e br ate d
Or i ge n , l i ke wi se o f Al e xan d r i a. Bu t Ath e n ago r as mad e th e
f i r st e po ch al br e ak.
C H A P T E R F I F T Y - S I X
T e r tu l l i an Projector of
Eter nal 'T o r ment C orol l ary
L a ti n C h r i s ti an i ty h ad i ts bi r th pl ace i n Af r i ca. An d i t was
th e r e th a t th e th r e e l e ad i n g l i gh ts o f No r t h e r n Af r i caT e r -
tu l l i a n o f C ar th age , Or i ge n o f Al e xan d r i a, a n d Au gu s ti n e o f
Hi ppo br o u gh t Pl ato n i c Immo r tal -So u l i sm to tr i u mph , bu t
al o n g sh ar pl y d i ve r ge n t path s. Omi tt i n g Gr e e k-u si n g Or i ge n
f o r th e ti me , l e t us n o te th e Lati n sch o o l o f No r th Af r i ca
T e r t u l l i a n , Mi n u ci u s Fe l i x, C ypr i an , a n d Au gu s ti n e ch ar ac
te r i ze d by th e use o f L a ti n i n ste ad o f th e Gr e e k i n wh i ch
C h r i s ti an i ty was f i r st pr o mu l gate d .
T h e s e me n al l s h i f te d f r o m e mph asi s o n Gr e e k me taph ysi cs
to th e o ve r sh ad o wi n g atmo s ph e r e o f Ro man l aw. An d th e
L ati n Fath e r s , i n co n tr as t wi th th e Gr e e k, u su al l y spo ke l ess
o f th e e sse n ti al f r e e d o m o f th e wi l l , a n d attach e d gr e ate r i m
po r tan ce to th e n e ce ssi ti e s o f go ve r n me n t, bo th h u man an d
d i vi n e , th e f o r e o r d i n a ti o n pr i n ci pl e i n e mbr yo . T o th e i n t e n
si ve a n d a u th o r i ta r i a n te ach i n g o f th i s gr o u p, th e d o mi n an ce
o f th e d o gma o f th e Ete r n al T o r me n t o f th e wi cke d i s l ar ge l y
d u e .
C ar th age , h o me o f T e r t u l l i a n , was o n e o f th e gr e at ci ti e s
o f th e ti me , a t h r i vi n g C h r i s ti an ce n te r , a n o te d co mme r ci al
ce n te r a n d r i val o f Ro me a n d n o to r i o u s l y co r r u pt. Fr o m
C ar th age , C h r i s ti an i ty s pr e ad o u t o ve r al l pr o co n s u l ar
No r t h e r n Af r i ca. Se ve r al co u n ci l s we r e h e l d at C ar th age , e ach
a tte n d e d by n o t l ess th an se ve n ty bi sh o ps. Bu t C ar th age , i t
s h o u l d be r e pe ate d , h ad l i ttl e o f th e spe cu l ati ve s pi r i t o f
Al e xan d r i a, h o me o f Or i ge n . An d T e r t u l l i a n was th e d i r e ct
947
o ppo s i te o f Or i ge n , str e ssi n g l i te r al i s m i n ste ad o f al l e go r i sm.
T h e East, f asci n ate d wi th s u btl e qu e s ti o n s co n ce r n i n g th e
T r i n i t y a n d th e pe r so n o f C h r i st, n e ve r co n ce r n e d i tse l f o ve r
mu ch wi th th e pr o bl e ms o f l aw, pe n al ty, ato n e me n t, par d o n ,
a n d r e t r i bu t i o n . Bu t th e We ste r n sch o o l , f r o m T e r t u l l i a n o n
war d , to o k i ts s tan d o n e te r n al pu n i s h me n t as pa r t o f th e syste m
o f l aw. T h u s th e f o u n d ati o n s o f L a ti n th e o l o gy we r e l ai d ,
t h r o u gh wh i ch Au gu s ti n i an i s m, as i t came to be cal l e d , gai n e d
asce n d an cy i n Eu r o pe , l ate r gi vi n g r i se to C al vi n i sm a n d th e
systems s pr i n gi n g th e r e f r o m. So i t was i n Af r i ca, n o t Ital y;
at C ar th age , n o t Ro me ; a n d f r o m l awye r s a n d r h e to r i ci an s ,
r a t h e r th an spe cu l ati ve ph i l o so ph e r s, th at th e L a ti n C h u r ch
spr an g.
I . Fo r mu l a ti o n o f th e Do gma o f En d l e ss T o r me n t
T e r t u l l i a n 1 (c . a .d . 160-240), br i l l i a n t a n d ve r sati l e o f
mi n d , an d mas te r o f th e L a ti n to n gu e , was bo r n i n a h e a th e n
h o me at C ar th age . He r e ce i ve d a l i be r al Gr e co -Ro man e d u ca
ti o n at Ro me , i n cl u d i n g th o r o u gh l e gal t r a i n i n g i n Ro man
ju r i s pr u d e n ce a n d f o r e n si c e l o qu e n ce , a n d a tta i n e d e mi n e n ce
as a l egal co n s u l tan t. Re t u r n i n g to C ar th age , at a bo u t th e age
o f f o r ty, h e was attr acte d by th e mar tyr co u r age an d l i f e o f
h o l i n e ss o f th e C h r i sti an s, a n d e mbr ace d th e C h r i s ti an f ai th
wi th al l th e f i e r y a r d o r o f h i s te mpe s tu o u s te mpe r ame n t. He
co n s i d e r e d th a t h e h ad passe d f r o m d ar kn e ss to l i gh t, an d h ad
n o pati e n ce wi th th o se wh o f e l l s h o r t o f h i s i d e al s, s pu r n i n g
an y r e co gn i ze d co mpr o mi se .
T e r t u l l i a n was f i r st a cate ch i st, th e n a pr i e s t (c. a .d . 192),
an d f i n al l y bi sh o p o f C ar th age . Do u btl e ss h e was th e mo st
co n spi cu o u s wr i te r o f h i s ti me , a n d th e f i r st th e o l o gi an
to wr i te i n Lati n . He was th e gr e at f o u n d e r 2a n d f ath e r o f
L a ti n th e o l o gy. Havi n g a l e gal l y tr a i n e d mi n d , h e was abl e
to make th e L ati n to n gu e , wi th i ts ch ar acte r i s ti c pr e ci si o n ,
1Qu i n t u s Se pti mi u s Fl o r e n s T e r t u l l i a n u s , i n f u l l .
2A. C l e ve l a n d C o xe , I n t r o d u ct o r y No t e , i n ANF, vo l . 3, p. 5.
PROJ EC T OR OF ET ERNAL -T ORMENT C OROLLARY 949
th e l an gu age o f th e ch u r ch . He pu t C h r i s ti an t h o u gh t i n to
Lati n , th u s l ayi n g th e f o u n d ati o n u po n wh i ch C ypr i an a n d
Au gu s ti n e bu i l t . He pr e pa r e d th e l an gu age f o r th e l abo r s o f
J e r o me , wh o br o u gh t f o r th th e L a ti n Vu l gate , wh i ch pl ace d th e
We s te r n ch u r ch e s o n a par i ty wi th th e East. T h u s th e C a r th a
gi n i an Sch o o l pr o f o u n d l y i n f l u e n ce d C h r i s ti an i ty f o r ce n tu r i e s .
A vo l u mi n o u s wr i te r , T e r t u l l i a n was a u th o r o f n u me r o u s
apo l o ge ti c, th e o l o gi cal , po l e mi cal , a n d asce ti c wo r ks i n Lati n
a n d so me al so i n Gr e e k. He was a po we r f u l r e as o n e r a n d a bo r n
f i gh te r , be i n g co n s tan tl y e n gage d i n co n tr o ve r sy. He was pr e
e mi n e n tl y th e po l e mi ci s t o f h i s ge n e r ati o n . An d acco r d i n g to
J e r o me h e h ad a s h ar p a n d ve h e me n t te mpe r , a n d was th e
f e ar l e ss ch ampi o n o f C h r i s ti an i ty agai n st pagan s, J e ws, an d
h e r e ti cs. He h ad man y ad ve r sar i e sth e Mo n ar ch i an s, wh o d e
n o u n ce d h i s pr o ph e ti s m wh i l e h e assai l e d th e i r vi ews o n th e
Go d h e ad ; th e pagan s, wh o se pr acti ce s h e e xpo se d a n d co n
d e mn e d ; th e J e ws, wh o m h e an swe r e d ; a n d th e Gn o sti cs,
so me o f wh o se vi ews h e s h ar e d , th o u gh r e pu d i a ti n g o th e r s.
1. T e r t u l l i a n s E s p o u s a l o f M o n t a n i s m . A f ew ye ar s
af te r T e r t u l l i a n be came a pr i e st, h i s vi ews u n d e r we n t an
i mpo r ta n t ch an ge . As a r e acti o n agai n st th e scan d al o u s l axi ty
i n th e d i sci pl i n e o f th e Ro man C h u r ch u n d e r Ze ph yr i n u s,
T e r t u l l i a n s r i go r o u s a n d o f te n e cce n tr i c vi ews l e d h i m f i r st
to sympath i ze wi th a n d t h e n to e spo u se th e mo r al au s te r i ti e s
a n d e n th u si asms o f th e Mo n tan i s ts .3He jo i n e d th e m a bo u t th e
ye ar 199. I t i s s u ppo se d t h a t h e was d r i ve n to th e m by th e e nvy
a n d abu se o f th e Ro man cl e r gy.4
Fo l l o wi n g th i s l apse , h i s wr i ti n gs a bo u t s i xte e n pr e -
Mo n tan i s t a n d twe n ty-two Mo n tan i s t, acco r d i n g to Ne a n d e r s
cl assi f i cati o n be came mo r e i n te n se , so me o f th e m s atu r ate d
wi th Mo n tan i s t ph r ase o l o gy. I n f act, h e was th e gr e at th e o l o gi an
o f th e mo ve me n t, wh i ch h e cal l e d th e Ne w Pr o ph e cy, wh i l e
3Mo n ta n i s m, n a me d a f t e r Mo n t a n u s , ar o s e i n Ph r ygi a a bo u t 157, a n d was a r e a c
ti o n a r y mo ve me n t a ga i n s t Gn o s t i c i n f l u e n ce s . T h e Mo n ta n i s t s i n cl i n e d to wa r d e xt r avagan ce s ,
we r e s tr o n gl y as ce ti c, cl a i me d t o be r e ci pi e n t s o f s pe ci al r e ve l ati o n s , a n d we r e i n t r i gu e d by
s pe cu l ati o n o ve r th e l a s t th i n gs . T h e y co n t i n u e d u n t i l t h e f i f t h ce n t u r y.
4C o xe , loc. cit.
ad vo cati n g an d syste mati zi n g th e pr i n ci pl e s th a t l e d to th e
d o ctr i n e s o f ce l i bacy, asce ti ci sm, a n d pe n an ce .
T h e Mo n tan i sts, i t s h o u l d be ad d e d , cl ai me d to be restor
ing pr i mi ti ve C h r i s ti an i ty, wh e r e as th e Man i ch ae an s we r e
a tt e mpt i n g to reconstruct C h r i s ti an i ty. T h e f o r me r co n d e mn e d
d r u n ke n n e s s , gl u tto n y, a n d l u st. Dr i ve n to d e s pai r by th e l axi ty
a n d d r i f t o f th e ch u r ch , th e y be came f an ati cal i n zeal f o r pu r i ty
a n d se par ati o n , e xal ti n g vi r gi n i ty a n d ce l i bacy as a r e f o r mato r y
r e acti o n .
T h e y l i ve d u n d e r th e vi vi d i mpr e ssi o n o f th e f i n al catas
tr o ph e o f th e e n d o f th e wo r l d , a n d o f th e o u t po u r i n g o f th e
Ho l y Spi r i t, as man i f e s te d i n t h e i r o wn pr o ph e ts a n d pr o ph
etesses. T h e y f o r bad e f l i gh t i n pe r s e cu ti o n an d pr o te s te d agai n st
th e gr o wi n g i n s ti tu ti o n al i s m a n d se cu l ar i sm o f th e ch u r ch .
(T h e y we r e f o r mal l y co n d e mn e d by Ze ph yr i n u s, bi sh o p o f
Ro me .)
2. F i r s t t o F o r mu l a t e D o g ma o f E n d l es s T o r me n t .
Un d e r T e r t u l l i a n th e s mo l d e r i n g f i r es o f Immo r tal -So u l i sm
bl aze d o u t, a n d i ts Ete r n a l -T o r me n t co r o l l ar y was pr o je cte d .
He we l l kn e w t h a t th o u gh th e l e ad i n g Pl ato n i c ph i l o so ph e r s
h e l d th e so u l to be i mmo r ta l th e cr o wd d e r i d e d th e n o ti o n ,
s u ppo s i n g th a t n o th i n g wi l l su r vi ve af te r d e ath . An d , T e r t u l l i a n
o bse r ve s, so me ti me s th e wi se, to o , jo i n wi th th e vu l gar cr o wd
i n th e i r o pi n i o n . T h e n h e ad d s, T h e r e i s n o th i n g af te r
d e ath , acco r d i n g to th e sch o o l o f Epi cu r u s . Af te r d e ath al l th i n gs
co me to an e n d , e ve n d e ath i tse l f , says Se ne ca to l i ke e f f e ct. 0
So I mmo r tal -So u l i s m was by n o me an s u n i ve r s al amo n g th e
pagan s. An d i t e n co u n te r e d o ppo si ti o n .
T e r t u l l i a n was a ppar e n tl y th e f i r st to f o r mu l ate th e d o c
t r i n e o f tr a d u ci a n i s mth e tr an smi ssi o n o f th e so u l by pr o pa
gati o n f r o m pa r e n t to ch i l d . T o h i m th e so u l i s d i s ti n ct f r o m
th e bo d y a n d i s i n tr i n s i cal l y i mmo r ta l . Bu t mo r e th an
th at, i t r e ce i ve s d e ath by pu n i s h me n t i n i mmo r ta l i ty. An d
i t was T e r t u l l i a n wh o f i r st af f i r me d th a t the torments of the
8T e r tu l l i an , On the Resurrection of the Flesh, ch ap. 1, i n ANF , vol . 3, p. 545.
lost will be coequal and coexistent with the happiness of the
saved.9 An d h e o pe n l y d e cl ar e d a r e l i sh f o r th e i r to r tu r e . I n
d e al i n g wi th f u tu r e pu n i s h me n t h e i n tr o d u ce d a l an gu age
e n ti r e l y f o r e i gn to Scr i ptu r e , i ts so u r ce be i n g i n th i s n e w
d o ctr i n e .
An d to s u s tai n i t h e co n f e sse d l y a l te r e d th e sense o f Scr i p
tu r e a n d th e me an i n g o f wo r d s, so as to i n te r pr e t d e a th as
eternal misery, a n d d e s tr u cti o n an d co n s u me as pain a n d
anguish. He l l be came perpetually dying, bu t n e ve r d e ad .
I n o t h e r wo r d s, d e ath was si mpl y a n o th e r ph ase o f e n d l e ss
i mmo r tal l i f e . I t was i mmo r tal su f f e r i n g, wi th o u t r e l i e f by u l t i
mate ce ssati o n ; pe r i s h i n g, wi th o u t e ve r be i n g d e str o ye d ;
s l au gh te r e d , bu t n e ve r s u ccu mbi n g to o bl i vi o n . I t was pe r ma
n e n ce o f l i f e u n d e r th e d e ath pe n al ty. T e r t u l l i a n was th e f i r st
to f o r mu l ate th e co n ce pt o f u n i ve r s al I n n a t e I mmo r tal i ty an d
En d l e ss T o r me n t i n to a co o r d i n ate d system.
3. P er s e c u t i o n F o r ms Ba c k g r o u n d o f R e t r i b u t i v e T o r
me n t . A te mpe st o f vi o l e n t pe r s e cu ti o n br o ke u po n th e
ch u r ch i n th e mi d -se co n d ce n tu r y. T h e f i r es o f r e l i gi o u s f an a ti
ci sm bu r s t i n to f l ame, wi th i mpr i s o n me n t, to r tu r e , a n d d e ath .
I n th i s bapti s m o f bl o o d th e Af r i can C h u r ch r e ce i ve d h e r f u l l
sh ar e . C h r i sti an s we r e th r o wn to th e wi l d be asts, a n d bu r n e d
as h u man to r ch e s. C h u r ch asse mbl i e s we r e d e pr i ve d o f th e i r
pl ace s o f wo r sh i p.
T h i s pe r s e cu ti o n , r agi n g i n th e r e i gn o f Se pti mi u s Se ve r u s,
was mo st acti ve a t th e h e i gh t o f T e r t u l l i a n s car e e r . T e r t u l l i a n s
Apology to th e Ro man r u l e r s d e man d e d a ce ssati o n o f th e
pe r s e cu ti o n s o f th i s mar tyr age, wi th e qu al r i gh ts a n d f r e e d o m
o f r e l i gi o n f o r C h r i sti an s th e f i r st pl e a f o r r e l i gi o u s l i be r ty
as an i n al i e n a bl e r i gh t. He r e agai n T e r t u l l i a n s l e gal t r a i n i n g
was o bse r vabl e i n i ts ju d i ci a l styl e.
T h e pr i n ci pl e s o f th e go spe l , o f co u r se , f o r bad e ve n ge an ce
h e r e o n e ar th o n th e pa r t o f C h r i sti an s. Bu t th e ve h e me n t
6Dr . C h a r l e s F. Hu d s o n s ma s t e r f u l s u r ve y (Debt and Grace, p. 326) co n cu r s : He
was t h e f i r s t, so f a r as we kn o w, wh o e xpr e s s l y a f f i r me d , a n d a r gu e d , t h a t t h e to r me n ts o f
th e l o s t wo u l d be co -e t e r n a l wi t h t h e h a ppi n e s s o f t h e s a ve d .
s pi r i t o f T e r t u l l i a n i mpe l l e d h i m to r e gar d th e r e t r i bu t i o n o f
He l l f o r su ch , as e n d l e ss an d u n mi ti ga te d i n th e wo r l d to co me .
He l l wo u l d be a h i d e o u s f i e l d o f car n age , a pe r pe tu al
s l a u gh te r (aeterna occisio). So T e r t u l l i a n s f i er ce, vi n d i cti ve
s pi r i t f o u n d so l ace i n th e co n te mpl ate d e te r n al ago n i e s o f th e
l o st. An d wi th i n two ce n tu r i e s , u n d e r th e po we r f u l i n f l u e n ce
o f Au gu s ti n e , T e r t u l l i a n s f an tasti c asse r ti o n s came to be ge n e r
al l y acce pte d .
4. I n f l u e n c e d by St o i c P h i l o s o ph y W h i l e R e j e c t i n g
I t s T h e o s o ph y .T e r t u l l i a n was i n f l u e n ce d by th e pr i n ci pl e s
o f Sto i c philosophy i n i ts l ate r f o r m, as i s se en i n h i s th e o l o gi cal
s l an t, th o u gh h e h ad n o pati e n ce wi th Gn o sti c theosophy.
An d h e was th e f i r st C h r i s ti an wr i te r i n wh o m bo th Gn o sti c
pr i n ci pl e s a n d Ro man l aw a ppe ar to ge th e r as d e te r mi n i n g e l e
me n ts. He h e l d a dualistic co n ce pt o f o ppo si n g pr i n ci pl e s l i gh t
a n d d ar kn e ss, l i f e a n d d e ath , an i mate a n d i n an i mate , th r o u gh
al l e te r n i tyh o l d i n g evi l to be an e te r n al f act an d a ph i l o s o ph i c
ne ce ssi ty, mu ch l i ke th e Du al i sm o f Man e s o f Pe r si a.
5. C h a r a c t er i s t i c s o f H i s D i v e r s i f i e d W r i t i n g s .As to
T e r t u l l i a n s d i ve r si f i e d wr i ti n gs, ge n i u s i s stampe d u po n h i s
wo r ks. I n h i s Apologeticus (De f e n se o f C h r i s ti an i ty), abo u t a .d .
197, ad d r e sse d to th e Ro man of f i ci al s, h e mai n tai n s th a t C h r i s
ti an s ar e go o d ci ti ze n s, r e f u s i n g d i vi n e h o n o r s to th e e mpe r o r
be cau se th e y ar e mo n o th e i sts. Hi s po l e mi cal tr e ati se , De
Praescriptione Haereticum (Pr e s cr i pti o n Agai n st He r e ti cs),
sets f o r th th e C ath o l i c pr i n ci pl e s o f tr a d i ti o n a n d au th o r i ty.
He r e h e d e n i e s to al l h e r e ti cs th e r i gh t to i n te r pr e t Scr i ptu r e .
T h e Bi bl e , h e h o l d s, i s th e po ssessi o n o f th e ch u r ch , to wh o m
al o n e t r u t h i s h a n d e d d o wn i n su cce ssi o n f r o m C h r i st a n d th e
apo stl e s.7
Hi s De Anima (A T r e ati s e o n th e So u l ) pr e se n ts T e r
t u l l i a n s spe cu l ati o n s o n th e o r i gi n , n a tu r e , a n d d e sti n y o f th e
7Bi s h o p Bu l l o bs e r ve s t h a t T e r t u l l i a n s wo r ks, a f t e r h e be ca me a Mo n t a n i s t , we r e n o t
i n d e f e n s e o f Mo n ta n i s m as a ga i n s t t h e ch u r ch , bu t r a t h e r i n d e f e n s e o f t h e co mmo n d o ct r i n e s
o f t h e ch u r ch and o f Mo n ta n i s m, i n o ppo s i ti o n to al l o t h e r h e r e t i cs . (C i t e d by C o xe , I n t r o
d u ct o r y No te , i n ANF, vo l . 3, p. 240.)
h u ma n so u l . He mai n tai n s a ce r tai n co r po r e i ty o f th e so u l
wi th o u t appe al to , an d i n co n f l i ct wi th , Ho l y Scr i ptu r e , an d
so me ti me s cl ash i n g wi th Pl ato . An d h i s wo r k, De Resurrectione
Came (On th e Re s u r r e cti o n o f th e Fl e sh , c. a .d . 208), i n te n d e d
as a co n f u ta ti o n o f th e h e r e sy th a t d e n i e d th e r e s u r r e cti o n o f
th e bo d y, mai n tai n s h i s th e o r y o f Immo r tal -So u l i sm an d En d l e ss
T o r me n t i n al l i ts bal d n e ss. T h e s e two wo r ks ar e vi tal to o u r
qu e st.
T h u s T e r t u l l i a n s capi tal i zati o n u po n th e Pl ato n i c d o gma
o f u n i ve r sal I n n a te I mmo r tal i ty gave tr e me n d o u s i mpe tu s to
th e h o r r i f i c d o ctr i n e o f pu n i s h me n t as e te r n al l i f e i n h e l l .
T e r t u l l i a n , wi th h i s vi vi d i magi n ati o n , be came i ts gr e at i n i ti al ,
th i r d -ce n tu r y ad vo cate . An d d e spi te h i s Mo n tan i s t d e f e cti o n ,
a n d d e s pi te h i s s tr an ge h al l u ci n ati o n s , h e l e f t a l asti n g i mmo r
tal i ty i mpr e ss u po n th e ch u r ch o f al l su cce e d i n g ce n tu r i e s .
He pu s h e d Immo r tal -So u l i sm f o r war d wi th a po we r f ar s u r
passi n g Ath e n ago r as, wh o spe ar h e ad e d i t.
6. S t i l l H e l d t o M a j o r P r o p h e t i c O u t l i n e . Str an ge l y
e n o u gh , T e r t u l l i a n r e mai n e d a r a t h e r r e mar kabl e e xpo s i to r o f
Bi bl e pr o ph e cy, h o l d i n g th a t C h r i s t i s th e s to n e th a t i s to
smi te th e symbo l i c i mage (o f Dan i e l 2) o f th e n ati o n s .8T h e
appe ar an ce o f th e An ti ch r i s t, o r Beast, an d Man o f Si n, was,
h e h e l d , d r awi n g n e ar . Ro me s co n ti n u an ce d e l aye d An ti ch r i s ts
a ppe ar an ce ,9 a n d Babyl o n symbo l i ze d Ro me .10 Ro me s
br e a ku p wo u l d be th e si gn al f o r th e te r r o r s o f th e e n d ,11wi th
th e mi l l e n n i u m f o l l o wi n g th e r e s u r r e cti o n o f th e d e ad .12 (Fo r
a co mpr e h e n s i ve acco u n t o f T e r t u l l i a n s i n te r pr e ta t i o n o f
th e o u tl i n e pr o ph e ci e s, see L. E. Fr o o m, Prophetic Faith, vo l
u me 1, page s 256-260.)
An d T e r t u l l i a n sti l l h e l d to th e two ad ve n ts,13wi th th e
r e s u r r e cti o n at th e Se co n d Ad ve n t, n o t at d e ath .11
8T e r t u l l i a n , Against Marcion, bo o k 3, ch a p.. 7, i n A NF , vo l . 3, p. 326.
9T e r t u l l i a n , On the Resurrection of the Flesh, ch a p. 24. i n ANF, vo l . 3, p. 563.
10T e r t u l l i a n , An Answer to the Jews, ch a p. 9, i n ANF , vo l . 3, p. 162.
u T e r t u l l i a n , Apology, ch a p. 32. i n ANF, vo l . 3, pp. 42, 43.
12T e r t u l l i a n , Against Marcion, bo o k 3, ch a p. 35, i n ANF, vo l . 3, pp. 342, 343.
13T e r t u l l i a n , Apology, ch a p. 21, i n ANF , vo l . 3, p. 35.
14T e r t u l l i a n , On the Resurrection o f the Flesh, ch a p. 22, i n ANF, vo l . 3, pp. 560, 561.
I I . T h r e e f o l d Basi s o f Et e r n a l Li f e i n He l l Po s tu l ate
T h e th e o r y o f e te r n al l i f e i n h e l l r e ce i ve d maxi mu m
po we r a n d f o r ce u n d e r th e we i gh t a n d i n f l u e n ce o f T e r t u l l i a n ,
u n pr e ce d e n te d ad vo cate o f th e u n d e r l yi n g d o gma o f u n i ve r s al
I n n a t e I mmo r tal i ty. He n o w sto o d i n th e f o r e f r o n t as th e o u t
spo ke n ch ampi o n o f th e se twi n d o gmas. Le t us n o w n o te th e
basi s o f h i s co n te n ti o n s .
1. T h r e e A x i o ms U n d er l y i n g E t e r n a l - T o r me n t P o s t u
l a t e . T h r e e gr e at axi o ms o r pr i n ci pl e s, u n d e r gi r d e d T e r tu l -
l i a n s e n ti r e te ach i n g o n f u tu r e pu n i s h me n t. T h e f i r st two we r e
philosophical dogmas, wi th o u t an y pr e te n s e o f s u ppo r t f r o m
Scr i ptu r e . T h e t h i r d was allegedly, but fallaciously, drawn
from Scripture. Spe ci f i cal l y, th e se we r e : (1) T h e i n d e f e asi bl e
i mmo r tal i ty o f al l so ul s; (2) th e pr e s u mpti ve d i s ti n cti o n be
twe e n d i vi n e a n d co mmo n f i r e i n th e pu n i s h me n t o f th e
wi cke d ; an d (3) th e d e vi o u s t u r n gi ve n to su ch Bi bl e te r ms
as d e s tr o y, co n s u me , u n qu e n ch abl e . Le t us n o w e xami n e
th e grounds u po n wh i ch th e y we r e base d , th e arguments u se d
to s u ppo r t th e m, a n d th e conclusions to wh i ch T e r t u l l i a n was
l e d . T h e y ar e vi tal to h i s th esi s.
2. I n v o k es P l a t o i n A f f i r mi n g I mmo r t a l -So u l i s m.As
to th e f i r st pr e mi se , T e r t u l l i a n h e l d as str o n gl y as Pl ato to th e
i n al i e n abl e i mmo r tal i ty o f th e so u l .
I t i s to be pa r ti cu l ar l y n o te d th a t al l C h r i s ti an Fath e r s
wh o use th i s i mmo r tal s o u l ph r ase o r t h o u gh t we r e n o t o n l y
f ami l i ar wi th bu t l i ke wi se i n acco r d wi th th i s po s i ti o n i n th e
wr i ti n gs o f Pl ato . An d i t i s al so to be o bse r ve d th a t n o n e o f
su ch e ar l y C h r i s ti an wr i te r s e ve r so u gh t f o r s u ppo r t f o r th i s
d o ctr i n e by pr i mar y appe al to Scr i ptu r e , bu t h ad r e co u r se
i n ste ad to ar gu me n ts s i mi l ar to th o se u se d by Pl ato . T h u s
T e r t u l l i a n i n vo ke s Pl ato by n ame , bo th f o r te r m a n d te ach i n g.
I n two s e par ate tr e ati se s T e r t u l l i a n l i n ks h i s po s i ti o n i n se par a
bl y to t h a t o f Pl ato , r e s ti n g o n h i m f o r s u ppo r t. T h u s :
Some th i n gs ar e kn o wn e ve n by n atu r e : th e immortality of the soul,
f o r i n stan ce , i s h e l d by man y; th e kn o wl e d ge o f o u r Go d i s possessed by al l .
I may use, th e r e f o r e , th e o pi n i o n o f a Pl ato , wh e n h e d e cl ar e s, Every soul
is immortal. 1B
3. R e j e c t s P l a t o s P r e-e x i s t e n c e C o n t e n t i o n . Ho w
e ve r , T e r t u l l i a n as a C h r i s ti an r e je cts Pl a to s pr e -e xi ste n ce
co n te n ti o n th a t so u l s ar e u n bo r n an d u n cr e ate d , a n d th u s
h ave e xi s te d f r o m al l e te r n i ty. I n ste ad , T e r t u l l i a n h o l d s th at
th e y we r e cr e ate d su bstan ce s, h avi n g a be gi n n i n g i n ti me ,
th u s agai n sh o wi n g h i s f ami l i ar i ty wi th Pl a to s te ach i n gs, to
wh i ch h e al l u d e s:
Fo r wh e n we ackn o wl e d ge th a t th e so u l o r i gi n ate s i n th e br e ath o f
Go d , i t f o l l o ws th a t we a ttr i bu te a be gi n n i n g to i t. T h i s Pl ato , i n d e e d ,
r e f u se s to assi gn to i t, f o r h e wi l l h ave th e so u l to be u n bo r n an d
u n ma d e . 16
Bu t T e r t u l l i a n r e mai n s i n f i r m agr e e me n t wi th Pl ato by
n ame , o n th e mai n po i n t, wh e n h e asse r ts f u r th e r : I t i s e sse n ti al
to a f i r m f ai th to d e cl ar e wi th Pl ato th a t th e so u l i s si mpl e ;
i n o th e r wo r d s u n i f o r m a n d u n co mpo u n d e d . 17
Bu t h avi n g o n ce be e n bo r n o r cr e ate d , th e so u l th e n ce f o r th ,
h e co n te n d s , possesses a l i f e o f wh i ch i t can n o t be d e pr i ve d .
Its co n ti n u e d e xi ste n ce i s l i ke th at o f Go d . So Pl a to s d o gma,
Every soul is immortal/ 18be came T e r t u l l i a n s basi c pr e mi se
f r o m wh i ch h e n e ve r d e vi ate d . T h e s o u l co u l d n o t d i e o r
cease to e xi st. Fal l e n o r u n f al l e n , r i gh te o u s o r wi cke d , r e d e e me d
o r r e pr o ba te , i t po ssessed an i mmo r tal l i f e .
4. D e f i n i t i v e D ec l a r a t i o n o f So u l s O r i g i n .T h i s Im-
mo r tal -So u l po s tu l ate T e r t u l l i a n so u gh t to su stai n , wi th o u t
kn o wl e d ge o f th e He br e w, f r o m th e Bi bl i cal acco u n t o f th e cr e a
ti o n o f man i n Ge n e si s 2:7, h o l d i n g th a t i mmo r tal i ty i s e xpr e sse d
by ma n s be co mi n g a l i vi n g s o u l . (He f ai l e d to n o te , h o we ve r ,
t h a t th e e xpr e ssi o n was l i ke wi se appl i e d to th e l o we r cr e atu r e s
i n Ge n e si s 1:20, 21, wh i ch n e u tr al i ze d h i s ar gu me n t.) Bu t h e
r e l i e d o n th e e xpr e ssi o n Go d . . . breathed i n to h i s n o str i l s
15I b i d . , ch a p. 3, p. 547. (I ta l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
16T e r t u l l i a n , A Treatise on the Soul, ch a p. 4, i n A NF , vo l . 3, p. 184.
17I b id . , ch a p. 10, p. 189.
18T e r t u l l i a n , On the Resurrection, ch a p. 3, qu o t e d i n A NF , vo l . 3, p. 547. (I t a l i cs
s u ppl i e d .)
th e br e a th o f l i f e , d r awi n g i n co n s i s te n t d e d u cti o n s th e r e f r o m.
5. T e r t u l l i a n s De f i n i t i o n o f t h e So u l .An d n o w we
co me to T e r t u l l i a n s amazi n gl y d e f i n i ti ve d e s cr i pti o n o f th e
so u l :
T h e so ul , th e n , we d e f i n e to be sprung from the breath of God, i m
mo r tal , po sse ssi ng bo d y, h avi n g f o r m, si mpl e i n i ts su bstan ce , i n te l l i ge n t
i n i ts o wn n atu r e , d e ve l o pi n g i ts po we r i n var i o u s ways, f r e e i n i ts d e te r mi
n ati o n s, su bje ct to th e ch an ge s o f acci d e n t, i n i ts f acu l ti e s mu tabl e [su bje ct
to ch an ge ], r ati o n al , su pr e me , e n d u e d wi th an i n sti n ct o f pr e s e n ti me n t,
e vo l ve d o u t o f o n e (ar ch e typal ) so u l . 19
T h i s br e a th o f Go d co n ce pt appe ar s i n five pl ace s, i n as
man y ch apte r s (3, 4, 7, 9, 11). I t was n o t, th e r e f o r e , an
i n ad ve r te n t use.
T e r t u l l i a n th u s assu me d th e so u l to h ave be e n mad e , o r
cr e ate d , o u t o f so me pa r t o f Go d Hi s br e a th a n d h e n ce
i mmo r tal . Ye t h e i mme d i ate l y d e cl ar e s i t su bje ct to ch an ge s
o f acci d e n t a n d i n i ts f acu l ti e s mu ta bl e . An d i n o r d e r to
d i sagr e e wi th h i m, T e r t u l l i a n ci te s Pl a to s amazi n gl y e l abo r ate d
ph i l o s o ph i c o pi n i o n th at th e so u l i s i mmo r tal , i n co r r u pti bl e ,
i n co r po r e al , . . . i n vi si bl e , i n capabl e o f d e l i n e ati o n , u n i f o r m,
s u pr e me , r ati o n al , an d i n te l l e ctu a l . L i ttl e wo n d e r th a t T e r
tu l l i a n i mme d i ate l y ad d s, Wh at mo r e co u l d h e [Pl ato ]
a t t r i bu t e to th e so u l , i f h e wan te d to cal l i t Go d ? 20
6. C o n g l o me r a t i o n L ea d s I n t o H o pel es s Pe r pl e x i t y .
T e r t u l l i a n h aste n s to make th i s d i f f e r e n ti ati o n be twe e n th e
so u l a n d Go d :
We . . . wh o al l o w n o appe n d age to Go d (i n th e sense o f e qu al i ty),
by th i s ver y f act r e cko n th e so ul as ver y f ar bel o w Go d ; f o r we su ppo se i t
to be bo r n , an d h e r e by to possess so me th i n g o f a d i l u te d Di vi n i ty, an d an
a t te n u a te d f el i ci ty, as th e br e ath (of Go d), th o u gh n o t Hi s spi r i t; an d
al th o u gh i mmo r tal , as th i s i s an a ttr i bu te o f d i vi n i ty, yet f o r al l th a t pas
si bl e , si n ce th i s i s an i n ci d e n t o f a bo r n co n d i ti o n , an d co n se qu e n tl y f r o m
th e f i r st capabl e o f d e vi ati o n f r o m pe r f e cti o n an d r i gh t. 21
I n th i s Treatise on the Soul T e r t u l l i a n n o t o n l y co n te n d s
18T e r t u l l i a n , A Treatise on the Soul, ch a p. 22, i n A NF , vo l . 3, p. 202. (I ta l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
Ibid. , ch a p. 24, i n A NF , vo l . 3, p. 203.
21Ibid.
t h a t th e so u l i s th e br e ath , o r afflatus o f Go d (ch aps. 3, 4, 11),
bu t asse r ts i ts immortality (ch aps. 2-4, 6, 9, 14; al so 24, 38,
45, 51, 53, 54); i l l u s tr ate s i ts corporeity (ch aps. 5-8); i ts
e n d o wme n t wi th form or figure (ch ap. 9); i ts simplicity in
substance (ch aps. 10, 11); an d i ts i n h e r e n t intelligence
(ch ap. 12). Its rationality supremacy an d i n sti n cti ve
divination ar e tr e a te d i n h i s De Anima. Su ch i s T e r t u l l i a n s
d e tai l e d co n ce pt o f th e so u l .22
T h i s e f f o r t to co mbi n e h u man ph i l o so ph y an d d i vi n e t r u t h
l e d T e r t u l l i a n i n to h o pe l e ss pe r pl e xi ty. Hi s ph i l o s o ph i c th e o l
o gy was bu t e mas cu l ate d Pl ato n i s m, as C o n stabl e aptl y cal l s
i t.23T h e so u l i s Go d l i ke , bu t i n i ts mu ta bi l i ty i t i s l i ke an y
o th e r cr e atu r e o f ti me . No twi th s tan d i n g, man , T e r t u l l i a n mai n
tai n s, i s po ssessed o f an i mmo r tal i ty aki n to th a t o f Go d , an d
i n i tse l f i s pa r t o f th e d i vi n e su bstan ce .24
7. D r e w Su ppl e me n t a l Su ppo r t F r o m M o n t a n i s t
V i s i o n s .Bu t i n a d d i ti o n to th e two ph i l o s o ph i cal a n d th e
o n e Bi bl i cal ar gu me n t f o r th e s o u l s I n n a t e I mmo r tal i ty,
T e r t u l l i a n cl ai me d to h ave s u pe r n a tu r a l s u ppo r t i n th e f o r m
o f pe r so n al r e ve l ati o n s th r o u gh th e pr o ph e ti c gi f tWe to o
h ave me r i te d th e a tta i n me n t o f th e pr o ph e ti c gi f t. An d h e al so
pr o d u ce d th e s u bs ta n ti a ti n g te sti mo n y o f a se co n d wi tn e ss,
a Mo n tan i s t si ste r , wh o se l o t i t h as be e n to be f avo u r e d wi th
s u n d r y gi f ts o f r e ve l ati o n , a n d wh o h ad se e n vi si o n s o f an
i mmo r tal so u l .25
On th e s tr e n gth o f th e se co mbi n e d r e aso n s a n d r e ve l a
ti o n s , T e r t u l l i a n e xpo u n d e d th e myste r y o f th e ch ar acte r
i sti cs a n d qu a l i ti e s o f th e so u l , as a co r po r e al su bs tan ce . 28
An d h e a t t r i bu t e d to i t f o r m an d l i mi t a ti o n , to ge th e r
wi th th a t tr i a d o f d i me n s i o n s (l e n gth , an d br e a d th , a n d
h e i gh t ), as we l l as co l o u r , su bs tan ce , eyes, e ar s, a
f i n ge r , bo so m, a n d a to n gu e , an d o th e r me mbe r s! Bu t
22I bid., p. 202, n o te 9.
23C o n s tabl e , op. ci t., p. 206.
24T e r t u l l i a n , Against Marcion, bo o k 2, ch a p. 5, i n ANF, vo l . 3, p. 801.
23Ibid.
h e s ti l l i n si ste d th a t th e po ssessi o n o f th e se do e s n o t mi l i ta te
agai n st th e s o u l s i mmo r tal i ty. As to th e s i s te r s r e ve l ati o n
T e r t u l l i a n sai d:
"Af te r th e pe o pl e ar e di smi sse d at th e co n cl u si o n o f th e sacr e d servi ces,
sh e i s i n th e r e gu l ar h a bi t o f r e po r ti n g to us wh ate ve r th i n gs sh e may h ave
se e n i n vi si o n . . . . Amo n gst o th e r th i n gs, says sh e, th e r e h as be e n sh o wn
to me a so u l i n bo d i l y sh ape , an d a s pi r i t h as be e n i n th e h a bi t o f a ppe a r
i n g to me ; n o t, h o we ve r , a vo i d an d e mpty i l l u si o n , bu t such as wo u l d
o f f e r i tse l f to be e ve n gr aspe d by th e h an d , so f t an d tr an s pa r e n t an d o f an
e th e r i al co l o u r , an d i n f o r m r e se mbl i n g th a t o f a h u ma n be i n g i n eve r y
r e spe ct. T h i s was h e r vi si o n , an d f o r h e r wi tn e ss th e r e was Go d . 27
Amazi n g i n d e e d 1
Su ch was T e r t u l l i a n s ar gu me n t a n d be l i e f o n th e i mmo r
tal i ty o f th e s o u l , an d th e gr o u n d s th e r e o f .
21Ibid.
C H A P T E R F I F T Y - S E V E N
T e r tu l l i an Hol ds Wi cked Ever
Burn but Never C onsume
I . Mysti c Eve r l as ti n g Fi r e T h a t Ne ve r C o n su me s Vi cti ms
We h ave n o te d t h a t th e r e we r e two ph i l o so ph i cal a r gu
me n ts t h a t car r i e d T e r t u l l i a n o n i n to th i s th e o r y o f En d l e ss
T o r me n t f o r th e wi cke d . T h e f i r st we h ave al r e ad y su r ve ye d
th a t th e wi cke d ar e i n He l l bu t ca n n o t d i e th e r e be cau se th e
soul i s i mmo r tal . T h e se co n d ar gu me n t co n ce r n s th e body,
wh i ch th e e te r n al f i r e o f He l l can n o t co n su me , f o r i n th e ve r y
act o f bu r n i n g i t r e pai r s a n d e n d l e ssl y su stai n s wh at i t co n su me s.
Su ch i s T e r t u l l i a n s f i r e o f h e l l , i n wh i ch th e bo d y wi l l
sco r ch i n pai n a n d ago n y t h r o u gh al l e te r n i ty. Obse r ve th e
co u r se o f ar gu me n t.
1. N o n c o n s u mi n g F i r e C a u s es E n d l es s T o r t u r e .I n
o r d e r to e xpl ai n h o w th e f l ames o f He l l wi l l se ar th e wi cke d
pe r pe tu al l y, wi th o u t e ve r d e vo u r i n g th e m, T e r t u l l i a n h as r e
co u r se to th e second ph i l o s o ph i cal n o ti o n , l i ke wi se bo r r o we d
f r o m pagan i smth a t o f a spe ci al f o r m o f f i r e , a s e cr e t, o r
d i vi n e , f i r e, th a t th o u gh i t bu r n s do e s n o t co n su me , bu t
r e pai r s , r e pr o d u ce s, an d r e sto r e s wh i l e i t co n su me s. T h u s h i s
d o ctr i n e o f e te r n al pu n i s h me n t i s i n se par abl y ti e d i n wi th th e
pagan i d e a o f ignis sapiens. Obse r ve th e s e tti n g o f h i s s tate me n t.
He f i r st r e f e r s to th e i mme as u r abl e ages o f e te r n i ty. An d
wh i l e th e sai n ts ar e , o f co u r se , saved f o r e ve r th r o u gh o u t th i s
e te r n i ty, th e wi cke d ar e
"co n si gn e d to th e pu n i s h me n t o f e ve r l asti n g f i reth a t f i re wh i ch , f r o m i ts
959
ver y n a t u r e i n d e e d , directly ministers to their incorruptibility.1 T h e
philosophers ar e f ami l i ar as wel l as we wi th th e d i s ti n cti o n be twe e n a co m
mo n an d a se cr e t f i re. T h u s th a t wh i ch i s i n co mmo n use i s f ar d i f f e r e n t
f r o m th a t wh i ch we see i n d i vi n e ju d gme n ts . . . f o r i t do e s n o t co n su me
wh at i t sco rch es, bu t wh i l e i t bu r n s i t r e pai r s . 2
T h u s th e ph i l o s o ph e r s ar e agai n i n vo ke d i n th i s se co n d
ph i l o s o ph i cal ar gu me n t, a n d th i s se cr e t f i r e , s h ar e d wi th
th e m, i s d e f i n e d as be i n g
th e f i re e t e r n a l ! a n o tabl e e xampl e o f th e e n d l e ss ju d gme n t wh i ch sti l l
su ppl i e s pu n i s h me n t wi th f uel ! . . . Ho w wi l l i t be wi th th e wi cke d an d
th e e n e mi e s o f Go d ? s
So th i s al l ste mme d f r o m e te r n al f i re a n d e te r n al d e s tr u c
ti o n co mbi n e d wi th th e e r r o r th a t th e so u l i s e te r n al an d
i n d e s tr u cti bl e .
2. E x u l t s O v er E t e r n a l T o r me n t o f P e r s ec u t o r s .T h e
h o r r o r s o f th i s Ete r n al T o r me n t ar e vi vi d l y po r tr aye d , an d
T e r t u l l i a n s o wn sati sf acti o n o ve r t h e i r r e co mpe n se i s u n abas h
e d l y se t f o r th . I n De Spectaculis (T h e Sh o ws) T e r t u l l i a n d e
scr i be s th e spe ctacl e th e f ast-appr o ach i n g ad ve n t . . . th e
gl o r y o f th e r i s i n g sai n ts! . . . th e ki n gd o m o f th e ju s t . . . th a t
l ast d ay ju d gme n t wi th i ts e ve r l as ti n g i ssues . . . th e wo r l d
. . . co n s u me d i n o n e gr e at f l ame . * An d n o w:
Ho w vast a spe ctacl e th e n bu r sts u po n th e eye! Wh at th e r e e xci te s my
ad mi r ati o n ? wh at my d e r i si o n ? Wh i ch si gh t gi ves me joy? wh i ch ar o u se s me
to e xu l tati o n ?as I see so man y i l l u str i o u s mo n ar ch s, wh o se r e ce pti o n i n to
th e h e ave n s was pu bl i cl y an n o u n ce d , gr o an i n g n o w i n th e l o west d ar kn e ss
wi th gr e at J o ve [J u pi te r o r Ze u s ]5h i mse l f , an d th o se , to o , wh o bo r e wi tne ss
o f th e i r e xu l tati o n ; go ve r n o r s o f pr o vi n ce s, to o , wh o pe r se cu te d th e C h r i s
ti an n ame , i n f i res mo r e f i erce th an th o se wi th wh i ch i n th e days o f th e i r
pr i d e th e y r age d agai n st th e f o l l o we r s o f C h r i st. Wh a t wo r l d s wi se me n
be si d e s th e ver y ph i l o so ph e r s, i n f act, wh o tau gh t th e i r f o l l o we r s th a t Go d
h ad n o co n ce r n i n o u gh t th at i s s u bl u n ar y, an d wer e wo n t to assur e th e m
th a t e i th e r th e y h ad n o so ul s, o r th a t th e y wo u l d n e ve r r e t u r n to th e bo d i e s
wh i ch a t d e ath th e y h ad l e f t, n o w co ve r e d wi th sh ame be f o r e th e po o r
d e l u d e d o nes, as o n e f i re co n su me s th e m! 8
1T h e qu e s ti o n o f t h e i n co r r u pt i bi l i t y o f t h e wi cke d wi l l be n o t e d s e pa r a t e l y. Se e
page s 962, 963.
2T e r t u l l i a n , Apology, ch a p. 48, i n ANF , vo l . 3, p. 54.
3Ibid.
4 T e r t u l l i a n , The Shows, ch a p. 30, i n A NF , vo l . 3, p. 91.
5Su pr e me d e i ty o f Gr e e k a n a Ro ma n myth o l o gy, l o r d o f t h e h e a ve n .
9Ibid.
An d to th e se h e ad d s po e ts, tr age d i an s , acto r s, th e
ch a r i o te e r , th e wr e stl e r s, to ssi n g i n th e f i er y bi l l o ws,
th o se wh o se f u r y ve n te d i tse l f agai n st th e L o r d .
C h ar i ty d e man d s t h a t we r e me mbe r T e r t u l l i a n l i ve d i n
an age o f cr u e l ty wi th o u t pi ty, o f h e a th e n game s, wi th bl o o d
gu s h i n g f r o m th e gl a d i a to r s wo u n d s, an d abo ve al l , an age o f
pi ti l e ss pagan pe r s e cu ti o n wi th C h r i s ti an s cast to th e wi l d
be asts a n d bu r n e d as h u man to r ch e s. Al l th i s was r e f l e cte d i n
T e r t u l l i a n s s te r n co n ce pt o f e te r n al l i f e i n He l l f o r su ch
to r me n to r s , as h e e xu l ts o ve r pagan pe r se cu to r s n o w gr o an i n g
i n th e h o tte s t f i res o f He l l ! Such was h i s cr u e l cr e e d . He n r y
C o n s tabl e mad e th i s se ar ch i n g co mme n t back i n 188G:
T h e d e vo u r i n g f l ame su ppl i e s i ts i n e xh au sti bl e f uel ! Ro ar i n g, cr ack
l i n g, r agi n g, sco r ch i n g, pai n i n g, i n th e l u r i d vau l ts o f h e l l , i t su ppl i e s th e
bo n e s, an d mar r o w, an d bl o o d , an d f l esh , r o u n d wh i ch i t r o ar s, an d cr ackl e s,
an d r ages, wi th a n o i se as l o u d as th e sh r i e ks an d wai l i n gs o f th e d amn e d .
Such was th e ph i l o s o ph i cal th e o r y wh i ch f o r ce d T e r t u l l i a n to h i s vi ew o f
f u tu r e pu n i s h me n t. Me n no w l au gh at th e ph i l o s o ph i cal d o gma. [But] th e y
acce pt th e d i abo l i cal co n cl u si o n wh i ch was base d u po n i t! 7
On e can n o t r e ad T e r t u l l i a n s tr e ati se s a n d co mpar e th e m
wi th th e e a r l i e r C h r i s ti an wr i ti n gs wi th o u t se n si n g th e f act t h a t
i t was T e r t u l l i a n wh o gath e r e d u p th e s catte r e d i d e as a n d gave
f o r ce a n d pr e val e n ce to th e se n e w a n d r e vo l u ti o n ar y vi ewsth e
I n n a t e I mmo r ta l i ty o f al l so ul s, n o w co u pl e d wi th th e En d l e ss
T o r me n t o f th e wi cke d .
3. E t e r n i t y o f Si n I n v o l v ed i n M o n s t r o u s C o n c e pt .
T e r t u l l i a n s d e s cr i pti o n o f th e e te r n al an gu i s h o f th e d amn e d
su r passe d an y an d al l pr e d e ce sso r s. He d r e w n o ve i l o f me r cy
o ve r t h e i r ago n y. T h e pai n o f e n d l e ss d yi n g was br o u gh t o u t
wi th t e r r i bl e vi vi d n e ss. T h e cr u e l ty o f th e age was cl e ar l y
r e f l e cte d i n T e t u l l i a n s h o r r i f i c po s tu l ate . An d Go d was mad e
th e a u t h o r o f i t al l ! Omn i po te n ce was mad e to pu t f o r th Hi s
po we r to stay an y mi ti gati o n s a n d pr e ve n t an y e scape. Fo r e ve r
a n d e ve r ! Mi l l i o n s a n d bi l l i o n s o f ye ar s, a n d ye t n o n e a r e r to i ts
cl o se. En d l e ss cr i e s, ceasel ess gr o an s, i n te r mi n a bl e d e spai r .
WIC KED EVER BURN BUT NEVER C ONSUME 961
7C o n stabl e , op. ci t. , p. 209.
31
T h a t i s bu t Man i ch ae an Du al i s mth e e te r n al pr i n ci pl e
o f e vi l co e xi s te n t wi th th e e te r n al pr i n ci pl e o f go o d . Su ch a
mo n str o u s co n ce pt tu r n s th e Go d o f l o ve i n to a f i e n d i sh
t o r t u r e r wh o wo u l d be e te r n al l y cu r se d by Hi s i n n u me r a bl e
vi cti ms. I f th a t we r e tr u e , th e n pi ty, h o r r o r , an gu i sh , a n d
r e vu l s i o n wo u l d f i l l e ve r y ce l e sti al br e ast, si n ce si n wo u l d be
pe r pe tu a te d f o r e ve r mo r e .
I I . Al te r s Basi c Scr i ptu r e I n t e n t to Su stai n T o r me n t T h e o r y
We h ave se e n h o w th e two philosophical argumentsth e
co n ce pt o f th e I n n a te I mmo r tal i ty o f al l so u l s an d th e f i gme n t
o f a d i vi n e , o r se cr e t, f i r e we r e pu t f o r war d by T e r t u l l i a n
to e stabl i sh th e po s tu l ate o f th e e te r n al pu n i s h i n g o f th e wi cke d .
An d th i s i n vo l ve d a te r mi n o l o gy to tal l y a t var i an ce wi th Scr i p
tu r e . Bu t e ve n mo r e se r i o u s, i n h i s Biblical argument th e pl ai n
intent o f th e e xpl i ci t d e cl ar ati o n s o f Scr i ptu r e pe r ta i n i n g to th e
d o o m o f th e l o st was systematically altered, a n d so me ti me s
r e ve r se d i n me an i n g. An d a t u r n was gi ve n t h a t was n o t o n l y
f o r e i gn , bu t u tte r l y o ppo se d , to th e i n te n t o f Ho l y Scr i ptu r e .
T h i s o pe n e d th e way f o r sch o l ar s acro ss th e ce n tu r i e s
to l evel agai n st T e r t u l l i a n th e gr ave ch ar ge o f ma n i pu l a ti n g
Scr i ptu r e to su stai n h i s th e o r y o f th e u n i ve r s al i mmo r tal i ty o f
al l so u l s an d th e En d l e ss T o r me n t o f th e e te r n al l y d amn e d .
As a co n se qu e n ce , h e h as o f te n be e n accu se d o f d e l i be r ate l y
pe r ve r ti n g th e pl ai n i n te n t o f Scr i ptu r e i d e o l o gy co n ce r n i n g
l i f e , d e ath , a n d d e sti n y, i n o r d e r to ju sti f y h i s ph i l o so ph i cal
n o ti o n s.
1. I n c o r r u pt i o n M i s a ppl i e d t o W i c k e d i n H e l l .Fo r
e xampl e , T e r t u l l i a n spe aks o f th e i n co r r u pti bi l i t y o f th e
wi cke d ,8 bo d y a n d so u l , i n He l l , wh e r e as Scr i ptu r e co n f i n e s
bo th th e te r m a n d th e state o f i n co r r u pti o n to th e i mmo r ta l
i ze d sai n ts. I n co r r u pt i bi l i t y i s pr i mar i l y a Pa u l i n e te r m
8T e r tu l l i an , Apology, ch ap. 48, i n ANF , vol . 3, p. 54.
a ppe ar i n g f i ve ti me s, as co n ce r n s man , i n Fi r s t C o r i n th i an s :
(1) We strive f o r an i n co r r u pti bl e cr o wn (1 C o r . 9:25).
(2) T h e co r r u pti bl e bo d i e s o f th e sai n ts ar e to be raised i n
i n co r r u pt i o n (1 C o r . 15:42).
(3) C o r r u pti o n does not inherit i n co r r u pti o n (v. 50).
(4) T h i s co r r u pti bl e must put on i n co r r u pti o n , wh e n we
ar e i mmo r tal i ze d (v. 53).
(5) Wh e n i n co r r u pti o n shall have been put on, d e ath i s
swal l o we d u p (v. 54).
T h e te r m i s al so appl i e d by Pau l to th e uncorruptible
God (Ro m. 1:23), who only h ath i mmo r ta l i ty (1 T i m. 6:16).
Pe te r al so wr i te s o f an i n h e r i tan ce i n co r r u pti bl e th a t
i s reserved f o r us (1 Pe te r 1:4). I t i s co n n e cte d wi th th e r e s u r
r e ct i o n (v. 3).
I t i s to be r e ve al e d i n th e l ast t i me (v. 5).
An d i t i s o n l y f o r th o se born again o f i n co r r u pti bl e
se e d (v. 23).
2. I mmo r t a l i t y W r o n g l y A ppl i e d t o W i c k e d . Fu r
th e r , i n h i s wo r ks o n th e Soul a n d th e Resurrection, T e r t u l l i a n
r e pe ate d l y spe aks o f th e n a tu r a l i mmo r tal i ty o f th e i n co r r i gi bl y
wi cke d as ve r i l y as o f th e r e s u r r e cti o n o f th e r i gh te o u s, wh e r e as
Scr i ptu r e says t h a t God only h ath i mmo r ta l i ty (1 T i m. 6:16),
a n d t h a t th e sai n ts mu st put on i mmo r tal i ty at th e r e s u r r e c
ti o n a n d th e Se co n d Ad ve n t (1 C o r . 15:53). An d T e r t u l l i a n
f an tas ti cal l y asse r ts th a t man was mad e o f th e br e a th o f
th e i mmo r ta l Go d , an d r e f e r s to th e so u l as h avi n g a d i vi n e
n a tu r e a n d an e te r n al s u bs ta n ce 8a co n ce pt a n d a ph r as
i n g l i ke wi se to tal l y at var i an ce wi th th e r e pe ate d d e cl ar ati o n s
o f Ho l y Wr i t . Go d , o n th e co n tr ar y, d we l l s i n th e l i gh t wh i ch
n o man can appr o ach u n t o (1 T i m. 6:16). He al o n e i s th e
Ki n g e te r n al , i mmo r t a l (1 T i m. 1:17).
Su ch we r e two o f th e f r e qu e n t twi sts a n d tu r n s e mpl o ye d .
8See page 956.
3. Des t r u c t i o n s P l a i n I n t en t Set A s i d e.Agai n , th e
mo st co mmo n scriptural d e s cr i pti o n o f th e pu n i s h me n t o f th e
wi cke d i s th a t th e y wi l l be d e str o ye d , o r su f f e r d e s tr u cti o n
i n He l l , o r Ge h e n n a. T e r t u l l i a n , th o r o u gh l y u n d e r s ta n d i n g
Gr e e k, we l l kn e w t h a t d e s tr u cti o n me an t th e a n n i h i l a ti o n ,
e n d , o r ce ssati o n o f th e o r gan i ze d be i n g. T h i s i s cl e ar f r o m
var i o u s al l u si o n s. On e was to Epi cu r u s d u al use o f th e te r m
to co n ve y th e co n ce pt o f u t te r ce ssati o n o f e xi ste n ce at d e ath .10
I n a n o th e r pl ace T e r t u l l i a n state s th a t d e s tr u cti o n d i f f e r s
al to ge th e r f r o m change, f o r to be ch an ge d i s me r e l y to e xi st
i n a n o th e r co n d i t i o n .
T o pe r i s h , h e sai d , i s altogether to cease to be what a
thing once was, 11to cease to h ave e xi ste n ce , to be i d e n ti cal
wi th th e a n n i h i l a t i o n o f an y su bstan ce . El se wh e r e , h e te l l s us
th a t th e co n d i ti o n o f th e bo d y i n th e gr ave , wh e n i t h as se e n
co r r u pti o n , i s t h a t o f d e s tr u cti o n ; a n d th a t i f Go d we r e to l e ave
th e bo d y f o r e ve r i n th i s co n d i ti o n i t wo u l d be Hi s abandon
ing it to everlasting destruction. So h e cl e ar l y u n d e r s to o d
th e te r ms i n t h e i r o r d i n ar y usage. Hi s t u r n o n d e s tr u cti o n
wi l l be n o te d n e xt.
4. I mmo r t a l So u l s Ca n n o t Per i s h i n H e l l .I n ch ap
t e r th i r ty-f o u r , o n th e r e s u r r e cti o n , co mme n ti n g o n C h r i s t s
co mi n g "to seek and to save t h a t wh i ch i s l o st, T e r t u l l i a n asks,
Wh a t d o yo u su ppo se th a t to be wh i ch i s l o st? T h e an swe r i s,
T h e wh o l e man , o f co u r se , i n bo th h i s n a tu r e s bo d y a n d
so u l . Bu t t h e n h e says n ai ve l y: We , h o we ve r , so u n d e r s ta n d th e
soul's immortality as to be l i e ve i t l o st, n o t i n th e se nse o f
d e s tr u cti o n , bu t o f pu n i s h me n t, th a t i s, i n h e l l . An d h e co n
ti n u e s , I f th i s i s th e case, th e n i t i s n o t th e so u l wh i ch sal vati o n
wi l l af f ect, si n ce i t i s saf e al r e ad y in its own nature by reason
of its immortality, bu t r a t h e r th e f l e sh , wh i ch i s s u bje ct to
T h e n h e ad d s: "If th e so u l i s al so pe r i s h abl e , a n d n o t
11T e r t u l l i a n , On the Resurrection, ch a p. 55, i n A NF , vo l . 3, p. 588.
i mmo r tal , th e Lo r d wo u l d pur po se to save i t.12An d h e agai n
r ef er s to th e two substances, of bo dy an d so ul , an d asserts
th at th e Lo r d pur po ses to save th at par t of h i m wh i ch per i sh e s
[th e body], wh i l st h e wi l l n o t of co urse l ose th at po r ti o n [th e
so ul ] wh i ch can n o t be l o st. 13Bu t th ese h azy state me n ts beco me
cl e ar e r as we co n ti n u e .
5. B o d y D e s t i n e d f o r E t e r n a l K i l l i n g i n H e l l .
T h e n i n ch apte r th i rty-f i ve T e r tu l l i an tu r n s to C h r i sts war n
i ng i n Matth e w 10:28Fe ar n o t th e m wh i ch ki l l th e bo dy,
bu t ar e n o t abl e to ki l l th e so ul : bu t r ath e r f ear h i m wh i ch
i s abl e to destr o y bo th soul an d bo dy i n h e l l . T e r tu l l i an
very pr o pe r l y e qu ate s th e ki l l i n th e f i rst cl ause wi th d e str o y
i n th e seco nd.
He al so r eco gni zes th at Go d i s abl e to do wh at He decl ar es
He wi l l do wi th th e wi cked i n He l l . Bu t h e i mme d i ate l y adds,
He r e , th e n , we h ave a r e co gn i ti o n of th e natural immortality
of the soul, wh i ch can n o t be ki l l e d by men; an d of th e mo r tal i ty
of th e bo dy, wh i ch may be ki l l e d . He observes th at th e
r e su r r e cti o n o f th e d e ad i s a r e su r r e cti o n of th e flesh; f o r
unl ess i t wer e r ai se d agai n, i t wo u l d be i mpo ssi bl e f o r th e flesh
to be ki l l e d i n h e l l . u
T e r t u l l i a n agai n speaks of bo th substance s (bo dy an d
soul ), as h e co nce i ved th e m, an d th e d i sti n cti o n to be made
be twe e n th e m, f o r i t i s th e flesh wh i ch wi l l be d e str o ye d i n
h e l l . T h e n h e adds, So al so wi l l i t [th e body] be r e sto r e d to
l i f e e te r n al 15bu t me an i n g eternal life in torment, as wi l l
beco me cl ear . An d no w f ol l ows th i s r e mar kabl e passage d e n yi ng
th e l i te r al d e str u cti o n of bo dy o r so ul i n He l l :
If , th e r e f o r e , an y o n e sh al l vi o l e n tl y su ppo se t h a t th e d e s tr u cti o n o f
th e so u l a n d th e f l esh i n h e l l amo u n ts to a f i nal a n n i h i l a ti o n o f th e two
su bstan ce s, a n d n o t to th e i r pe n al tr e a tme n t (as i f th e y we r e to be co n
su me d , n o t pu n i sh e d ), l e t h i m r e co l l e ct th a t th e fire of hell is eternal
e xpr e ssl y an n o u n ce d as an everlasting penalty; an d l e t h i m th e n ad mi t
th a t i t i s f r o m th i s ci r cu mstan ce th a t th i s never-ending killing i s mo r e f o r-
13I b i d . , ch a p. 34, i n ANF, vo l . 3, p. 569. (I ta l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
33Ib id . , p. 570.
14Ibid., ch ap. 35, i n ANF, vol . 3, p. 570. (Ital i cs su ppl i e d .)
15Ibid.
mi d abl e th an a me r e l y h u ma n mu r d e r , wh i ch i s o n l y te mpo r al . He wi l l
th e n co me to th e co n cl u si o n th a t su bstan ce s [o f bo th bo d y an d so ul ] mu st
be e te r n al , wh e n their penal killing is an eternal one." 18
T h e r e i s n o cessati o n o f bei ng, h e decl ares, n o e n d , n o
an n i h i l ati o n o f th e bo dy an d so ul of th e wi cked.
6. R e s u r r e c t i o n o f F l e s h I s f o r E t e r n a l K i l l i n g .
T e r tu l l i a n th e n co n ti n u e s h i s ar gu me n t:
Si nce, th e n , th e bo d y af te r th e r e su r r e cti o n h as to be ki l l e d by Go d
i n h e l l al o n g wi th th e so ul , we su r e l y h ave suf f i ci ent i n f o r mati o n i n th i s
f act r e spe cti n g bo th th e i ssues which await it, n ame l y th e r e s u r r e cti o n o f
th e f l esh , an d i ts e te r n al ki l l i n g. El se i t wo u l d be mo st abs u r d i f th e f l esh
sh o u l d be r ai se d u p an d d e s ti n e d to th e ki l l i n g i n h e l l , i n o r d e r to be pu t
an e n d to , wh e n i t mi gh t suf f er such an an n i h i l a ti o n (mo r e d i r e ctl y) i f n o t
r ai se d agai n at al l . 17
7. P e r v e r t s M e a n i n g o f D e a t h a n d Dyi n g.T e r t u l
l i an kne w an d ackno wl e dged th at ce r tai n wo r ds used i n Scr i p
tu r e to expr ess f u tu r e pu n i sh me n t pr o pe r l y h ave a ce r tai n co n
si ste n t me an i n g. Bu t th i s th e o r y o f Ete r n al T o r me n t o f th e
wi cked d i d n o t pe r mi t th ese words to be used i n th e i r tr u e ,
n o r mal , an d pr o pe r sense. C o n se qu e n tl y, th ey h ad to be gi ve n an
i mpr o pe r an d u n n atu r al tu r n i n o r d e r to su stai n h i s vi ew.
Bu t sur el y any th e o r y th at r e qu i r e s such vi o l ence to be d o n e
to th e l anguage of Scr i ptu r e i s manifestly unscriptural.
Never th e l ess, such was T e r t u l l i a n s ph i l o so ph y, an d such
was h i s co n se qu e n t pr acti ce. Fo r exampl e , T e r tu l l i an war ps
th e me an i n g of d e ath an d d yi n g i n to be i n g a ch an ge
o f life, f o r th e worse of co ur se. No te h i s d e f i n i ti o n of d e ad :
T h e wo r d dead expr e sses si mpl y wh at h as l o st th e vi tal pr i n ci pl e
[animani], by me an s o f wh i ch i t u se d to l i ve. No w th e bo d y i s th a t wh i ch
l o ses l i f e, an d as th e r e s u l t o f l o si n g i t beco me s d e ad . T o th e body, th e r e
f o r e , th e te r m d e ad i s o n l y su i tabl e . Mo r e o ve r , as r e su r r e cti o n accr u e s to
wh at i s d e ad , an d d e ad i s a te r m appl i cabl e o n l y to a bo d y, th e r e f o r e th e
bo d y al o n e h as a r e su r r e cti o n i n ci d e n tal to i t. 18
T h u s T e r tu l l i a n h e l d th at th e te r ms to d i e , to be
16I b id. , pp. 570, 571. (I ta l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
Ibid. , p. 571.
18T e r tu l l i an , Against Marcion, boo k 5, ch ap. 9, i n ANF, vol . 3, p. 447.
d e str o ye d , an d d e ath al l syno nymo us to h i mwere n o t
su i tabl e to appl y to th e soul, an d co u l d pr o pe r l y be af f i r med
o nl y o f th e bo dy after death and until resurrection.
8. F o r c e d t o G i v e I m p r o p e r T u r n t o T e r m i n o l o g y .
T e r t u l l i a n was th u s i n a str ai t be twi xt h i s co r r e ct kno wl edge
o f th e tr u e me an i n g o f th e words of Scr i ptu r e an d h i s r e vo l u
ti o n ar y th e o r y o f f u tu r e pu n i sh me n t. T h e se words, wh i ch h e
co u l d n o t (acco r di ng to h i s th e o ry) appl y to th e so ul at any
time, bu t co u l d appl y to th e r i se n bo di es of th e wi cked only
after the resurrection, wer e ne ver th el ess appl i e d to bo th bo dy
an d so ul of th e wi cked.
Wh at th e r e f o r e to do? He co u l d n o t r emo ve th e m f r o m
Scr i ptu r e . An d h e co u l d n o t de ny th e f act th at Go d could
destr o y bo th bo dy an d soul i n He l l . Fu r th e r mo r e , h e co u l d
n o t de ny th at th e o nl y s u i tabl e sense of th o se words de man d s
th at bo dy an d so ul wo u l d be an n i h i l ate d , an d u l ti mate l y cease
to be o r exi st. So, r ath e r th an yi e l d h i s th e o ry, h e pu t a f orced,
i mpr o pe r , an d unsuitable sense u po n th e wor ds o f Scr i ptur e !
T h i s h e di d, f o r e xampl e , wi th Matth e w 10:28 (destr o y
bo th so ul an d bo dy i n h e l l ) i n d e n yi n g th at th e wi cked wo u l d
e ver cease to exi st i n He l l . De n yi n g th e co n te n ti o n o f th e f i nal
an n i h i l ati o n of th e two su bstance s (bo dy an d so ul ) as i f
th e y wer e to be co n su me d , i n co n tr ast wi th be i n g pu n i sh e d ,
T e r tu l l i a n stresses th at th e f i re of h e l l i s e te r n al , an d i s
an e ve r l asti n g pe n al ty, an d i s th e r e f o r e a n e ve r -e n d i n g
ki l l i n g. 1B
Hi s r e aso n i n g was si mpl y th i s: T h e l oss of exi stence by
o ne wh o mi gh t h ave h ad e xi stence f o r ever i s n o pu n i sh me n t!
T e r tu l l i an d i f f e r e n ti ate d d e str u cti o n f r o m pu n i s h me n t,
h o l d i n g th at d e str u cti o n i s not pu n i s h me n t. He mai n tai n s
th at be i n g ki l l e d , be i n g d e str o ye d , an d be i n g co n su me d ,
i s n o pu n i sh me n t. He ph rases i t, As i f th e y wer e to be co n
sumed, n o t pu n i s h e d . So, to T e r tu l l i an , co nsumi ng, o r be i n g
18T e r tu l l i an , On the Resurrection, ch ap. 35, i n ANF, vol . 3, p. 570.
d e pr i ve d of an e te r n al exi stence, was n o t pu n i sh me n t. T h u s h e
was i mpe l l e d to d i sto r t th e i n te n t o f Scr i ptur e .
9. E m p l o y s D e v i o u s A r t i f i c e o f D i s t o r t i o n . In ch apte r
n i n e te e n , On the Resurrection, T e r tu l l i an sever el y casti gates
th e ar ti f i ce o f h e r e ti cs i n pe r ve r ti n g th e tr u e me an i n g of
th e i mpo r tan t wo r d s o f Scr i ptu r e by r e co ur se to f i gur ati ve
an d al l e go r i cal l an gu age . T h u s th ey d i sto r t th e mo st cl ear l y
d e scr i be d d o ctr i n e o f th e r e s u r r e cti o n i n to some i magi n ar y
sense. He speci f i es th e i r gi vi ng to d e ath a pu r e l y spiritual
sense. T h e y say th at th at wh i ch i s co mmo nl y suppo se d to be
d e ath i s n o t r e al l y so . . . : i t i s r ath e r th e i gn o r an ce of Go d .
T h a t i s h e l d to be th e r e s u r r e cti o n wh e n a man i s r e an i mate d
by access to th e tr u th , an d h avi n g di spe r se d th e d e ath of
i gno r ance , . . . h as bu r st f o r th f r o m th e se pu l ch r e of th e
o l d man . 20T h e pr o pr i e ty an d scope o f h i s censur es i s crystal
cl ear .
I t th e r e f o r e seems amazi ngl y str ange th at T e r t u l l i a n s
astu te mi n d sh o u l d pe r mi t h i m to ce nsur e th e ar ti f i ce of
h e r e ti cs, an d yet tu r n abo u t an d h i mse l f e mpl o y th e same
de vi o us devi ce o f r e n d e r i n g d e ath as endl ess misery, an d
d e s tr u cti o n an d co n su mi n g as e te r n al pain and anguish.
T h u s T e r t u l l i a n s co n to r te d tr e atme n t of th e l anguage of
Scr i ptu r e l ed h i m i n to an i n te r mi n abl e maze of co n f u si o n an d
co n tr ad i cti o n , as we h ave seen.
Bu t th i s mu ch i s very cl ear : T h e so urce o f T e r t u l l i a n s
n e w te r mi n o l o gy i s to be f o u n d i n h i s r e vo l u ti o n ar y th e o r y
o f h u man desti ny. An d h i s devi o us tr e atme n t o f th e te r mi n o l o gy
o f Scr i ptu r e i s th e o bvi o us co n d e mn ati o n of th e system. T h a t
i s th e i ne scapabl e i n d i ctme n t o f T e r tu l l i an i sm.
20I b id. , ch a p. 19, i n ANF , vo l . 3, pp. 558, 559.
C H A P T E R F I F T Y - E I G H T
Un i ve r sal Restorati on Substi tuted
f or Eternal T o r ment
T h i r d Sch ool No w C o mpl etes T h e o l o gi cal T r i l e mma
Or i ge n Repl aces Endl ess T o r me n t Wi th Uni versal i sm
Al e xan d r i a was n o t o nl y th e seat o f a f amo us C ate ch e ti cal
Sch ool bu t a gath e r i n g pl ace f o r n u me r o u s gr o ups o f ph i l o so
ph er s, Gnosti cs, C h r i sti ans, an d h e r e ti cs of al l sorts. Especi al l y
was i t th e r al l yi n g po i n t f o r Pl ato n i c ph i l o so ph y, o r mo r e ac
cu r ate l y of Ne o pl ato n i sm. Fr o m h e r e an d f r o m o th e r No r th
Af r i can ce nte r s such as C ar th age an d Hi ppo th e bl i gh t of
Pl ato n i sm co n ti n u e d to o bscur e th e l i gh t of th e gospel mo r e
an d mo r e , u n ti l at l ast, af te r a f ew ce n tu r i e s, th e ch u r ch was
enco mpassed by th e mi d n i gh t of th e Dar k Ages. T h e evi dence
i s o ve r wh e l mi n g th at f r o m th e th i r d ce n tu r y o n war d C h r i s
ti an i ty was i ncre asi ngl y pe r ve r te d by th e pe n e tr ati o n s o f Neo-
pl ato n i c ph i l o so ph y.
1. S i g n i f i c a n c e o f t h e A l e x a n d r i a n S c h o o l . Pr i o r to
Ori gC n, C h r i sti an wr i te r s h ad f ul l y an d f reel y di scussed an d
d e f e n d e d i n d i vi d u al d o ctr i ne s. Bu t th i s was usual l y because of
attacks made u po n th e m by h er eti cs. No n e h ad pr e vi o usl y at
te mpte d a systemati c e xpo si ti o n o f th e C h r i sti an f ai th as a
wh o l e. No w, h owever , such a bo l d sch eme go t u n d e r way at
Al e xan d r i a ar o u n d th e cl ose of th e seco nd ce n tu r y. An d as
Al e xan d r i a was th e pr i mal seat o f spe cul ati ve ph i l o so ph y, i t
was bu t n atu r al th at Al e xan d r i an C h r i sti an i ty sh o u l d assume
a spe cul ati ve f o rm.
969
Or i ge n o f Al e xa n d r i a Pr o
je cto r o f Ne w Un i ve r s al -
Re s to r a ti o n T h e o r y, C o u n
t e r i n g T e r t u l l i a n s Ete r n a l -
T o r me n t C o n ce pt.
C l e me n t o f Al e xan d r i a
Fi r s t a C o n d i ti o n a l i s t; T h e n
Swi tch e s to Bal d I mmo r ta l -
So u l i sm.
T h e Al e xan d r i an C h r i sti an s wer e Pl ato ni sts, an d so u gh t
to e xpl ai n C h r i sti an i ty acco r d i n g to Pl ato n i c catego ri es, ju s t
as two ce n tu r i e s pr i o r , i n th at same ci ty, Ph i l o h ad si mi l ar l y
atte mpte d to e xpl ai n J u d ai sm i n th e Pl ato n i c f r ame wo r k. I n
f act, th ese C h r i sti an Pl ato n i sts wer e def i ni te l y i n d e bte d to
Ph i l o , as wel l as to Pl ato . Bu t th at was n o t al l . Wh i l e mo st of
th e o th e r C h r i sti an wr i te r s o f th e ti me sti l l h e l d to th e d i vi n e
au th o r i ty of th e Ol d an d New T e stame n ts i n th e i r mo st o bvi
o u s me an i n g an d f o r m, th e Al e xan d r i an s came to pay l i ttl e h e e d
to th e h i sto r i co -l i te r al sense i n i n te r pr e tati o n . T h e al l ego r i cal
me th o d o f exegesi s was r e d u ce d to a system.
An d si gni f i cantl y e n o u gh , th e ch i e f spe cul ati o ns of th i s
gr o u p tu r n e d to th e Go d h e ad , th e pr o bl e m of evi l , an d th e
o r i gi n , n atu r e , wi l l , an d de sti ny o f man, an d th e r e l ate d co n
su mmati o n o f al l th i ngsth e su bje ct of o u r survey. T h u s i t
was th at Al e xan d r i a became th e spawni ng gr o u n d o f many a
f ar -r e ach i ng an d subver si ve de ve l o pme n t.
970
REST ORAT I ON SUBST I T UT ED FOR ET ERNAL T ORMENT 971
2. C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f N e w A l e x a n d r i a n S c h o o l . T h e
ne w Al e xan d r i an Sch ool emph asi s was ecl ecti c i n pr i n ci pl e .
C e r tai n ph i l o so ph e r s h ad devi sed th e pl an of gl e an i n g th e
go o d f r o m th e var i o us systems of ph i l o so ph yEgypti an,
Or i e n tal , Pyth ago r e an , Pl ato n i c, an d no w th e dynami c C h r i s
ti an f ai th . Bu t Pl ato ni sm f o r me d th e i n te gr ati n g bo n d , an d
th e po stu l ate o f th e I n n ate Immo r tal i ty of th e so ul assumed
a ce n tr al pl ace. Ammo n i u s Saccas gave new l i f e to th i s co al i
ti o n o f o pi n i o n s, an d th e vi r i l i ty of th e new C h r i sti an i ty gave
i t new i mpe tu s. So i t was th at Ne o pl ato n i sm gr ad u al l y
cr o wde d al l o th e r co n te n d e r s i n to th e backgr o u n d , an d l i ke
th e r i si n g sun began to ecl i pse every l esser l i gh t.
Mo r eo ver , i t h ad wi de appe al , bo th to C h r i sti an an d to
pagan, f o r th e tr an si ti o n i n emph asi s was easy. Bu t i t became
th e n u r se r y sch ool o f e r r o r , f o r Pl ato s d o ctr i n e of In n ate Im
mo r tal i ty was no w i n co r po r ate d as o ne of th e mai n pl anks i n
i ts pl atf o r m. In f act, Immo r tal -So ul i sm became th e co r n e r
sto ne o f th e new system, an d me n were u r ge d to f r ee th e i m
mo r tal s pi r i t f r o m al l e n cu mbe r i n g i nf l uences. Even th e pe r
pl e xi n g r e sto r ati o n , o r r e su r r e cti o n of th e dead, was so
i n te r pr e te d as to acco mmo date i t to th e te ne ts of th e Gr e e k sages.
3. H o u r o f P e r i l f o r E x p a n d i n g C h u r c h . An d no w
we t u r n to th e seco nd gr e at h o u r of pe r i l f o r th e r api d l y e x
pan d i n g ch u r ch . It h ad r e ach e d an o th e r d e te r mi n ati ve f o r k i n
th e r o ad, as h ad pr evi o usl y co n f r o n te d i t wh e n T e r tu l l i an i s m
arose. An d f r o m th i s new tu r n i n g po i n t o n war d a majo r seg
me n t of th e ch u r ch be gan to veer f ar th e r an d f ar th e r away
f r o m h e r o r i gi n al pr i mi ti ve po si ti o n an d co urse. T h e f i nger
bo ar d s at th i s new f o r k h ad be e n tu r n e d at a d i ve r ge n t angl e
by th e Pl ato n i c ph i l o so ph e r s, an d no w po i n te d do wn th e tan
ge n t r o ad of d e par tu r e . As a co nse que nce th e r e wer e pr o gr e s
si ve di gr essi o ns d u r i n g th e th i r d , f o u r th , an d f i f th ce n tu r i e s,
ste mmi n g f r o m th e aggressi ve teach i ngs an d i l l u str i o u s names
o f T e r tu l l i a n , Or i ge n , an d f i nal l y Au gu sti n e .
I n th e d e par tu r e f r o m, an d actu al aban d o n me n t of , th e
972 C ONDI T I ONAL !ST FAI T H
apo sto l i c pr i n ci pl e s o f h i sto r i cal an d l i te r al Bi bl i cal i n te r pr e
tati o n , Or i ge n no w l ed th e way wi th a new bo l dne ssbr e aki n g
away f r o m th e o l d e r acce pte d l an d mar k pr i n ci pl e s o f Bi bl i cal
exegesi s. He was, i n f act, th e f i rst to r e d u ce th e al l e go r i cal
me th o d o f i n te r pr e tati o n to a de f i ni te system, l i ke th at o f
Ph i l o f o r th e J ews.
Hi s ai m was to h ar mo n i ze th e Scr i ptur e s wi th th e Pl a
to n i c mo des o f th o u gh t, wh i ch h ad beco me th e essence o f h i s
o wn th i n ki n g. In th i s h e e xe r te d a pr o f o u n d i nf l uence, f o r
f r o m h i s day u n ti l th e ti me o f C h ryso sto m (d. 407) th e r e was
scarcel y a co mme n tato r wh o d i d n o t bo r r o w h eavi l y f r o m h i s
wo rds,1an d patte r n h i s me th o d of exegesi s mo r e o r l ess af te r
Or i ge n s r e vo l u ti o n ar y Al l e go r i cal Sch ool of In te r pr e tati o n .
4. G r a v e I n v o l v e m e n t s o f O r i g e n i s m . I t may th e r e
f o r e be f ai r l y sai d th at, pe r h aps mo r e th an any o th e r si ngl e
i n d i vi d u al o f th at era, Or i ge n sch o l ar , ph i l o so ph e r , Immo r -
tal -So ul i st, an d allegorizerset i n mo ti o n th o se d i ve r ti n g
f orces th at u l ti mate l y cr o wde d th e Ad ve n t h o pe an d e xpe ct
ancy i n to th e backgr o u n d . Pr i o r to Or i ge n , ch u r ch l e ader s
h ad l o o ke d f o r th e tr i u mph of r i gh te o usne ss to be br o u gh t
abo u t th r o u gh th e s u pe r n atu r al i n te r po si ti o n o f C h r i st at Hi s
seco nd ad ve n t, an d th e co n cu r r e n t l i te r al r e su r r e cti o n o f th e
r i gh te o u s dead. An d th ese wer e ti e d i n wi th th e catacl ysmi c
e n d of th e wo r l d, wh i ch was e xpe cte d by many wi th i n a
f ai r l y sh o r t ti me at mo st by a . d . 500.
Bu t Or i ge n no w i n tr o d u ce d h i s th e o r y of th e u l ti mate
e stabl i sh me n t o f C h r i sti an i ty i n th i s pr e se n t wo r l d by gr ad u al
gr o wth , an d th r o u gh o u t th e u n i ve r se by th e u l ti mate u n i ve r sal
r e sto r ati o n o f al l th e wi cked. Ho we ver , i n o r d e r to establ i sh
h i s po stu l ate Bi bl i cal l y, h e was co mpe l l e d to spiritualize th e
r e su r r e cti o n , to mysticize an d neutralize th e Second Adve nt,
as wel l as to allegorize th e pr o ph e ci e s co n ce r n i n g th e l ast
th i ngs.
1Fa r r a r , Mercy and Judgment, p. 321.
He th u s str u ck at th e very h e ar t of th e pr i mi ti ve C h r i sti an
h o pe , su bsti tu ti n g th e r e f o r e a r ad i cal l y new type of C h r i s ti an
i ty, an d i mpl an ti n g a new co n ce pt of th e r e l ati o n sh i p be
twe e n Go d, man , an d si n, an d of th e de sti ny of th e race. I t
was a f ate f u l day f o r th e ch u r ch , f r au gh t wi th f ar -r e ach i ng
co nsequences.
5. R o s e a t e E xpe ct a t i o n s , B u t Gr o s s P e r ve r s i o n s .
Or i ge n s spe cu l ati ve sch eme f o r r eso l vi ng th e mo r al pr o bl e ms
o f l i f e, d e ath , an d desti ny, co n si ste n t as h e th o u gh t wi th d i
vi n e l o ve an d ju sti ce , was h i s r e vo l u ti o n ar y th e o r y of un i ve r sal
r e sto r ati o n . I t was a new an d e n ti ci n g co nce pt. Sal mo nd cal l s
i t th e d r e aml an d , th e e n ch an te d l an d of th e o l o gy. 2An o th e r
r e f er s to i t as th e cl o u d l an d l o o mi n g wi th r o se -ti n te d peaks
i n th e f ar aionian f u tu r e . 3I t was al l th at, an d mo r e . I t i n
vo l ved a r ad i cal l y new esch atol o gy.
Bu t i t was al l cu r i o u sl y sh o t th r o u gh wi th th e n o ti o n of
th e pr e-exi stence an d tr an smi gr ati o n of soul s, th e bapti sm of
pu r i f yi n g f i re i n th e o th e r wo r l d, th e mi n i str y of spi r i ts i n th e
af te r l i f e , an d th e per si stence o f so me th i n g i n every l i f e su
pe r i o r to evi l , l e ad i n g at l ast to th e tr i u mph of r i gh te o usne ss
f o r al l . I t was a r o seate pi ctu r e , appe al i n g to th e n atu r al h e ar t
o f man. Bu t even acco r d i n g to Or i ge n th i s was n o t an abso l u te
r e sto r ati o n , bu t o n e th at mi gh t, al as, be f o l l o wed by new f al l s
an d new r e sto r ati o n s. So, qu i te apar t f r o m i ts an ti s cr i ptu r al
basi s, i t was n o t wi th o u t i ts dr awbacks, r eser vati o ns, an d u n
ce r tai n ti e s.
An d n o t al l , by any means, f o l l o wed Or i ge n s ph i l o so ph i
cal an d th e o l o gi cal spe cul ati o ns. I n f act, th e i r pr o je cti o n
caused gr ave co n ce r n to a l arge an d po we r f u l gr o u p, an d r e
su l te d i n o pe n o ppo si ti o n . As a co nse que nce , th e C h r i sti an
C h u r ch , as co n ce r ns th e n atu r e an d e te r n al desti ny o f man ,
became d i vi d e d i n to th r e e majo r gr o ups, each battl i n g th e
o th e r vi go r o usl y. Ir e n ae u s h ad tau gh t th e final annihilation
2S. D. F. Sa l mo n d , T he Christian Doctrine o f I mmortality, p. 630.
3Qu o t e d i n Sa l mo n d , loc. cit.
o f th e wi cked, T e r tu l l i an th e i r eternal torment, an d no w
Or i ge n th e i r ultimate restoration.
T h e te n si o n o f th e co n te n d i n g f orces mo u n te d . Gr ad u al l y,
h o wever , th e T e r tu l l i an -Au gu sti n i an po si ti o n of Eternal Tor
ment gai n e d th e ascendancy, an d th e o th e r two vi ews (e te r n al
d e ath an d u l ti mate r e sto r ati o n f o r th e wi cked) wer e r e l e
gate d to th e backgr o u n d . No te th e pro gressi ve steps o f acco m
pl i sh me n t i n br o ad o u tl i n e .
6. T h e P r o g r e s s i v e P a t h o f D e p a r t u r e . Or i ge n f o l
l o wed th e tan ge n t path o f d e par tu r e th r o u gh to i ts u l ti mate .
Hi s third-century spi r i tu al i zati o n o f th e r e su r r e cti o n an d th e
Seco nd Ad ve n tbl e n d e d wi th h i s al l e go r i zati o n of th e r e st of
Scr i ptu r e co u pl e d wi th th e po stu l ate of th e i n d e f e asi bl e i m
mo r tal i ty o f th e so ul , to ge th e r co n sti tu te d th e f i rst f atal step
i n th e gr e at d e par tu r e f r o m th e e ar l i e r C h r i sti an f ai th .
T h e seco nd step f o l l o wed i n th e fourth century u n d e r
Euse bi us, l i kewi se an Immo r tal -So ul i st, wh o co nce i ved th e
newl y e l evate d C h r i sti an C h u r ch , no w u n d e r i mpe r i al pr e f e r
me n t, pr o te cti o n , an d patr o n age , to be th e pr o ph e si e d ki n g
d o m o f Go d . 4T h u s h e car nal i ze d, o r mate r i al i ze d , th e ki n g
d o m aspect o f Ear l y C h u r ch e xpe ctati o n .
T h e th i r d step, co n sti tu ti n g th e cl i max of th e pro gressi ve
d e par tu r e , came u n d e r Au gu sti n e s fifth-century co n te n ti o n
(al o ng wi th r e te n ti o n o f th e pr e vi o us two) th at th e pr e d i cte d
th o u san d -ye ar bi n d i n g o f Satan h ad al r e ad y be gu n wi th th e
Fi r st Adve nt. Au gu sti n e mai n tai n e d th at th e y were, i n f act, al
r e ady l i vi n g i n th e mi l l e n n i al pe r i o d .5An d al l th r e e me n
Or i ge n , Eusebi us, an d Au gu sti n e h e l d, of co ur se, to th e basi c
Ne o pl ato n i c po stu l ate of u n i ve r sal In n ate Immo r tal i ty.
An d now, u n d e r Au gu sti n e s po we r f u l i nf l uence th i s e l ab
o r ate d th esi s became vi r tu al l y uni ve r sal . By th i s ti me th e
e ar l y si mpl e C h r i sti an f ai th was so man gl e d an d o ve r wh e l me d
th at i t was scarcel y r eco gni zabl e , an d r e mai n e d u n d e r a vi r tu al
4C o n s t a n t i n e s pu bl i c e spo u sal o f C h r i s t i a n i t y i n t r o d u ce d wi th i n a s i n gl e ge n e r a t i o n
t h e mo s t r e ma r ka bl e r e vo l u ti o n i n t h e th o u gh t s , l aws , a n d cu s to ms o f a n e mpi r e r e co r d e d i n
h i s to r y, a n d th u s a f f o r d e d a pl a u s i bl e basi s f o r t h e r e vo l u ti o n a r y ki n gd o m co n ce pt, wh e n
n o t ch e cke d wi th Scr i pt u r e .
5 Fo r a f u l l po r t r a ya l s e e L . E. Fr o o m, Prophetic Faith, vo l . 1, ch a ps . 14-20.
bl acko u t f o r mo r e th an a th o u san d years. No t u n ti l Re f o r ma
ti o n ti mes an d i nf l uences d i d i t emer ge f r o m th e l o n g ecl i pse,
as th e l i gh t o f th e gospel d i spe l l e d th e dar kness of d e par tu r e .
7. P l a t o n i c I n f l u e n ce Su pe r s e d e s T h a t o f A po s t l e s .
T h e i nf l ue nce of Pl ato was no w d e f i ni te l y i mpr essed u po n
th e th o u gh t an d l anguage of al l wh o f o l l o wed e i th e r T e r t u l
l i an o r Or i ge n , especi al l y o n th o se of ph i l o so ph i c backgr o u n d .
Upo n some i t h ad pr o f o u n d ef f ect. Bu t bo th gr o ups f o l l o wed
Pl ato i mpl i ci tl y i n asse r ti ng th at every soul is immortal.
In d e e d , th i s pr o po si ti o n became th e co mmo n bo n d o f u n i ty
be twe e n th ese two co nf l i cti ng sch ool s of th e o l o gi cal th o u gh t
as to th e destiny of th e so ul .6
On th i s po i n t of I n n ate Immo r tal i ty Pl ato was no w def i
n i te l y pl ace d abo ve th e pr o ph e ts an d apostl es, an d acco r de d a
d e f e r e nce an d an au th o r i ty gr e ate r an d wi d e r th an h e h ad
ever co n te mpl ate d . I n f act, Pl ato was actual l y d o mi n ati n g th e
ch u r ch u n d e r th e gui se o f th e au th o r i ty o f C h r i st, an d o f te n
i n o ppo si ti o n to, an d subver si ve o f , th e e xpl i ci t d o ctr i n e s of
th e apostl es.
Par ti cu l ar l y i n Al e xan d r i a, th r o u gh Or i ge n , wer e th ese
new, u n n atu r al , an d f ar -f etch ed me ani ngs r e ad i n to th e l an
guage o f bo th th e Ol d an d New T e stame n ts th r o u gh mysti ci z-
i ng, al l ego r i zi ng, an d spi r i tu al i zi n g away th e i r n atu r al sense.
T h e n atu r e an d desti ny o f man was no w d e f i n i te l y Pl ato n i ze d .
T h u s i t was th at th e te ach i ngs of Pl ato came to be pal me d of f
o n th e ch u r ch u n d e r th e san cti o n of Scr i ptu r e . Bu t even mo r e
tragi c, th e actu al l y u n ce r tai n an d me r e l y te n tati ve suggesti o ns
o f Pl ato o n th e so ul wer e no w bo l d l y tau gh t by th e sch ool s of
T e r t u l l i a n an d Or i ge n as e stabl i sh e d tr u th i n th e r e al m of th e
soul .
8. B a l e f u l E f f e ct s o f A cce pt i n g P l a t o n i s m. T h e
bal e f u l ef f ects of acce pti n g th e Pl ato n i c th esi s of th e i mmo r
tal i ty of th e so ul so o n be gan to appe ar . T h e bo dy came to be
6 Tertullian a n d Origen, wh o s e vi e ws d i f f e r e d o n o t h e r s u bje cts , a gr e e d i n th i s o n e
po i n t , t h a t th e y, i n a cco r d a n ce wi t h t h e i r pe cu l i a r n o ti o n s co n ce r n i n g t h e n a t u r e o f t h e so u l ,
l o o ke d u po n i ts i mmo r ta l i t y as e s s e n ti al to i t .Ha ge n ba ch , Compendium o f the History of
Doctrines, vo l . I , p. 163.
despi sed an d h e l d i n co n te mpt. I t was co n se qu e n tl y di sci
pl i n e d an d weakened, i n o r d e r th at th e "spar k of d i vi n i ty i n
th e i mmo r tal spi r i t mi gh t be e xal te d an d f reed. An d as th e
"i mmo r tal so u l was co nsi de r e d i mpr i so n e d an d de based by
th e body, i ts co r po r e al h abi tati o n , so i t was h e l d th at i n pr o
po r ti o n to d i se ngage me nt f r o m th i s e n cu mbr an ce wo u l d th e
so ul be pr e par e d f o r i ts r e sto r ati o n to pu r i ty. T h u s asceti ci sm
an d de vo ti o n to a l i f e o f secl usi o n an d so l i tu d e f o l l o wed, ac
co mpan i e d by th e u pspr i n gi n g of mo naster i es, abbeys, h e r mi ts,
an d anch o r i te s.
C el i bacy l i kewi se d e ve l o pe d o u t o f th e same r o o tage . An d
th i s, i n tu r n , was f o l l o wed by th e wo r sh i p of sai nts an d r el i cs,
an d th e co n ce pt o f patr o n sai nts an d th e i nte r ce ssi o n of sai nts,
i nasmuch as af te r d e ath th e sai nts were be l i e ve d to be mo r e
acti ve an d po we r f u l th an bef o r e , no w h avi ng f ree access to
He ave n an d to Go d. Pu r gato r y was i n tr o d u ce d to mi ti gate th e
te r r o r s of th e Ete r n al T o r me n t of T e r tu l l i an i s m. T h e so ul
was h e l d to be par t of th e d i vi n e n atu r e bu t co nf i ne d to th e
bo dy. An d th e si ns th at cl u n g to i t mu st be pu r ge d away, an d
th e so ul pu r i f i e d f r o m si n.
Such were th e bl i gh ti n g ef f ects r e su l ti n g f r o m th e i n tr o
d u cti o n of Pl ato n i sm i n to th e pr e ci ncts o f th e ch u r ch . So we
say th at be yo n d co ntro ve r sy Or i ge n s i n n o vati o n s were l argel y
i n str u me n tal i n acce l e r ati n g th e ear l y gr e at apostasy of th e
ch u r ch . T o th ese we no w tu r n . Hi s d o ctr i n e of th e pro gr essi ve
f i nal tr i u mph o f th e ch u r ch o n e ar th , wh i ch u n d e r mi n e d th e
Bi bl i cal d o ctr i n e o f th e ki n gd o m o f Go d, an d h i s r i d i cu l e o f
C h i l i asm, al l pave d th e way f o r th e l ate r Au gu sti n i an co ncepts
o f th e mi l l e n n i u m as e mbr aci n g th e C h r i sti an Er a, an d th e
e ar th l y ch u r ch as co n sti tu ti n g Go d s pr o mi se d ki n gd o m, an d
th e so ul as i n n ate l y i mmo r tal . T h e se , i n tu r n , gave r i se to th e
f ul l -bl o wn C ath o l i c system o f th e Mi d d l e Ages.
9. O r i g e n i s m B a n n e d U n d e r J u s t i n i a n . Al th o u gh Ori -
geni sm n e ve r became ge ne r al , i t h ad n u me r o u s ad h e r e n ts,
especi al l y i n th e East, i n cl u d i n g Gr ego r y T h au matu r gu s,
Pamph i l u s, T i tu s o f Bosti a, Basi l , Di o do r us, Di dymus, an d
Gr e go r y of Nyssa. Bu t th e r e were o ppo n e n tsC ypr i an, Am
bro se, C h r yso sto m, an d J e r o me . Bu t i n th e age of J u sti n i an
f r ee i n qu i r y was pr o scr i be d, an d al l such qu e sti o n s came to be
se ttl e d by au th o r i ty. T h e keys of He ave n an d He l l wer e by
no w i n th e h ands of th e h i e r ar ch y, th r o u gh th e excl usi ve pr i vi
l ege o f th e pr i e sth o o d to ad mi n i ste r th e sacr aments, an d th u s
ad mi t o r e xcl u d e soul s f r o m th e ch u r ch an d Heaven.
I n 544, at an i mpe r i al syno d o f bi sh o ps, h e l d at C o n stan
ti n o pl e , Or i ge n s name appe ar s i n th e l i st o f th ose co n d e mn e d
an d an ath e mati ze d as h e r e ti cal . T h u s Or i ge ni sm, i n th e si xth
ce n tu r yi n th e sense of Un i ve r sal Re sto r ati o n i smcame to
be tr e ate d as a h eresy, as Au gu sti n i an i sm ro se to d o mi n an ce .
I t was suppr esse d by th e ch u r ch f o r a th o u san d years. I t d i d
n o t, i n f act, r e appe ar u n ti l po st-Re f o r mati o n ti mes, an d th e n
i n mo di f i e d f o r m.7 Bu t th e al l e go r i cal pr i n ci pl e of exegesi s
per si sted, an d was wi del y empl o ye d an d sti l l i s by man y to
th i s day.
7Un d e r Pe te r s e n . Be n ge l , Oe t i n ge r , a n d Mi ch a e l Ha h n i n Ge r ma n y, Ne wto n i n
En gl a n d , a n d L a va t e r o f Zu r i ch , e t ce t e r a .
C H A P T E R F I F T Y - N I N E
Ri s e and Spread of Neopl atoni c
Restorati oni sm
I. C l e me nt o f Al e xan d r i aReverses Po si ti o n i n T r an si ti o n Ho u r
Le t us no w search i n to th e be gi n n i n gs o f Re sto r ati o n i sm.
By th e cl ose o f th e second ce n tu r y th e ch u r ch h ad spr e ad f r o m
Br i tai n to th e Ganges. It was f l o u r i sh i ng i n Gau l an d i n o th e r
r egi o ns o f th e West, an d h ad e stabl i sh e d i tsel f f i rml y i n th e
De l ta o f th e Ni l e . At Al e xan d r i a th e C ate ch e ti cal Sch ool h ad
gath e r e d a gr o u p o f i n te l l e ctu al s, bo th teach er s an d stu d e n ts,
so mewh at o n th e o r d e r o f a C h r i sti an uni ve r si ty.
We ar e no w i n th at tr an si ti o n h o u r i n th e e xpan d i n g
ch u r ch , wh e n some be gi n to ch ange o ver f r o m th e i r f o r me r
C o n d i d o n al i st vi ews to th e d e ve l o pi n g In n ate -Immo r tal i ty
co n ce pt th at was cr e e pi n g i n as a r e su l t of atte mpti n g to syn-
cr eti ze th e C h r i sti an f ai th wi th Pl ato n i c ph i l o so ph y. An d th i s
d e ve l o pme n t h ad , as n o te d , i ts f ocal po i n t ch i ef l y i n Al e xan
d r i a an d i ts f amo us sch ool .
On e of th e f i rst to sh i f t h i s vi ews i n th i s way was C l e m e n t
o f A l e x a n d r i a (c. 150-c. 220), br i l l i an t co n te mpo r ar y of Ire-
nae u s o f Gau l , th e n o te d C o n d i ti o n al i st. He was bo r n o f no n-
C h r i sti an par e n ts, pr o babl y i n Ath e ns o r Al e xan d r i a. On be
co mi n g a C h r i sti an , C l e me n t tr ave l e d wi del y i n Gr eece, Ital y,
Pal e sti ne , Egypt, an d th e East, seeki ng tr u th at th e f eet of
master s of th o u gh t r e pr e se n ti n g su n d r y r e l i gi o u s an d ph i l o
so ph i cal vi ews. (Fo r ch r o n o l o gi cal pl ace me n t see C h ar t F, page
758.)
Re tu r n i n g to Egypt, C l e me n t f e l t th at u n d e r Pan tae n u s,
978
/
RISE OF NEOPLAT ONI C REST ORAT I ONI SM 979
d e vo u t Gn o sti c h e ad o f th e C ate ch e ti cal Sch ool i n Al e xan d r i a,
h e f o u n d wh at h e h ad be e n se ar ch i ng f or. C l e me n t was al
r e ad y d e e pl y versed i n pagan Gr e e k ph i l o so ph y an d l i te r atu r e
wh e n h e came i n to u ch wi th ph i l o so ph i cal C h r i sti an i ty u n d e r
Pan tae n u s. Acce pti n g th i s f o r m o f C h r i sti an i ty, h e was o r
d ai n e d a pr e sbyte r . T h e n h e succeeded Pan tae n u s as h e ad of
th e sch o o l abo u t a . d . 190. He co n ti n u e d as such u n ti l a . d . 202,
wh e n h e was d r i ve n f r o m h i s po st by pe r se cu ti o n u n d e r Sep-
ti mi u s Severus, an d f l ed to Pal e sti n e an d Asi a Mi n o r . An d h e
was i n tu r n succeeded by h i s br i l l i an t pu pi l Or i ge n .
C l e me n t agr e e d wi th th e Gno sti cs i n maki n g gnosis (r e l i
gi o us kno wl e dge o r i l l u mi n ati o n ) th e ch i e f e l e me n t i n C h r i s
ti an pe r f e cti o n . At th e same ti me h e so ugh t to su ppl e me n t
C h r i sti an i ty wi th Gr e e k ph i l o so ph y, wh i ch h e r e gar d e d as
l i kewi se a d i vi n e gi f t to man ki n d . Bu t h e sti l l h e l d th at tr u e
gndsis pr esuppo ses th e apo sto l i c f ai th an d d i vi n e r e ve l ati o n as
i ts co r e. T o h i m, C h r i st became man i n o r d e r to gi ve a su
pr e me r e ve l ati o n , an d i n o r d e r 'th at th r o u gh Hi m me n mi gh t
par take o f i mmo r tal i ty. 1
C l e me n t mad e n o f o r mal state me n t l i ke J u s ti n Mar tyr ,
n o e l abo r ate e xpo si ti o n of pr i n ci pl e l i ke Ir e n ae u s, n o str i ct
ar gu me n t l i ke Ath e nago r as. Bu t al l th e way th r o u gh h i s e ar
l i e r wr i ti n gs h e tau gh t i mmo r tal i ty i n th e sense o f endl ess
e xi ste nce f o r th e saved. In th ese i n i ti al tr eati ses h e h e l d th at
i mmo r tal i ty i s n o t th e co mmo n pr o pe r ty of h u man i ty. I t i s
th e speci al ad d i ti o n of so me th i n g d i sti n ct f r o m o n e s sel f , o r
n atu r e . T h e r e i s n o th i n g e te r n al , h e mai n tai n e d , e xce pt wh at
Go d gi ves. An d co n tr ar i wi se , th e r e i s n o ge tti n g o f wh at i s
e te r n al , an d n o co n ti n u an ce of any, bu t o nl y d e ath to th e di so
be d i e n t.
1. D e v e l o p s I n t r o d u c t i o n t o P h i l o s o p h i c C h r i s t i a n
i t y . C l e me n t was co n si d e r e d o n e o f th e mo st acco mpl i sh e d
C h r i sti an sch ol ar s pr i o r to Or i ge n . He h ad maste r e d Gr eek,
as wel l as Gn o sti c an d C h r i sti an l i te r atu r e , an d was an el e-
1ODCC, a r t ., C l e me n t o f Al e xan d r i a, p. 300.
gan t wr i te r i n Gr e e k. He wr o te th e tr eati ses u po n wh i ch h i s
f ame rests wh i l e te ach i n g i n Al e xan d r i a. Pr o f o u n d l y spe cu l a
ti ve, h e so u gh t th e tr u e , th e be au ti f u l , an d th e go o d wh e r
e ve r th e y wer e to be f o u n d , seeki ng to bl e n d th e m i n to a
h ar mo n i o u s C h r i s ti an system. So th e n o bl e i s so meti mes i n te r
mi n gl e d wi th th e f antasti c an d th e pu e r i l e .
As n o te d , i t was i n Al e xan d r i a th at th e i nf l ue nce o f Gr e e k
ph i l o so ph y u po n C h r i sti an i ty r e ach e d i ts h e i gh t, ti n ge d wi th
a f atal bl e n d o f Gno sti c el ements. Acco r di ng to Har n ack,
C l e me n ts i mpress was epo ch maki ng. He i ncr e asi ngl y i n tr o
d u ce d Stoi c, Pl ato n i c, an d Ph i l o n i c i n gr e d i e n ts n o t i n h ar mo n y
wi th C h r i sti an i ty bu t wh i ch i n ti me gai n e d th e ascendancy.
Hi s ch o sen o bje cti ve was to devel o p a su i tabl e i n tr o d u cti o n to
ph i l o so ph i c C h r i sti an i ty to appe al to th e i n te l l i ge n tsi a. He
even came to r e gar d i gn o r an ce an d e r r o r as mo r e evi l th an
si n, an d d e ve l o pe d an o pti mi sti c vi ew o f th e u l ti mate de sti ny
o f even th e mo st e r r i n g. 2I n o th e r words, i n h i s l ast gr e at
wo r k h e pl an te d th e seed th o u gh t o f u l ti mate Re sto r ati o n i sm
th at bo r e such bal e f u l f r u i t u n d e r Or i ge n .
2. M e e t i n g P o i n t o f T wo C o n v e r g i n g L i n e s . C l e m
e n t s th r e e gr e ate st works, f o r mi n g a tr i l o gy, ar e Exhortation
to the Heathen (th e Protrepticus), The Instructor (o r Paeda-
gogus), an d th e Miscellanies (o r Stromata). T h i s l atte r wo r k
was f i l l ed wi th a vast n u mbe r of qu o tati o n s f r o m au th o r s of
al l ki n d s an d f r o m al l co u n tr i e s, an d co u l d o nl y h ave be e n co m
po sed n e ar an exte nsi ve l i br ar y such as th at of Al e xan d r i a.
T h e r e al so h i s Outlines of Scripture Interpretation (o r
Hypotyposes) was br o u gh t f o r th . T h i s co n sti tu te d th e bo l d e st
l i te r ar y u n d e r taki n g i n th e h i sto r y o f th e Ear l y C h u r ch . I t
so u gh t to pu t C h r i sti an i ty i n to th e f o r m of pr o f an e wo r l d
l i te r atu r e . I n C l e me n ts vi ew th e gospel i s n o t so mu ch a new
d e par tu r e as th e me e ti n g po i n t o f two co n ve r gi ng l i nes o f
pro gr essHe l l e n i sm an d J u d ai sm. T o C l e me n t, h i sto r y i s o ne
because tr u th i s o n e .
2ibid.
Hi s Exhortation to the Heathen (c. 194) was a def ense
o f C h r i sti an tr u t h de si gne d to pr o ve th e su pe r i o r i ty of C h r i s
ti an i ty an d to wi n th e pagan to th e ph i l o so ph i c gospel . I t co n
tai ns a wi th e r i n g e xpo su r e of pagan abo mi n ati o n s. T h e I n
structor, as i ts n ame i ndi cate s, was to gu i d e new co nve r ts i n
d ai l y l i vi ng. T h e l ate r Miscellanies d e al t wi th th e var i o us
po i n ts o f C h r i sti an th eol ogy. Its f ul l ti tl e i s si gni f i cantT i tu s
Fl avi us C l e me n ts Mi scel l aneo us C o l l ecti o ns of Specul ati ve
(Gno sti c) No te s Be ar i n g o n th e T r u e Ph i l o so ph y. T h e Out
lines ar e co mme n ts o n th e Ol d an d New T e stame n ts. An d
amo ng h i s n u me r o u s l ost works, of wh i ch we h ave n o tr ace ,
o th e r th an r e f e r e n ce by C l e me n t h i msel f , were two, On the
Soul an d On the Resurrection.9 It i s r e gr e ttabl e th at th ese ar e
n o t avai l abl e .
3. S w i n g s t o I m m o r t a l - S o u l i s m i n L a t e s t T r e a t i s e .
T o C l e me n t, Go d th e Fath e r i s th e Re mo te r C ause , wh ereas
th e Son e mbo d i e s th e ti mel ess an d u n o r i gi n ate d Pr i n ci pl e of
Exi stence, an d was th e age n t i n cr e ati n g an d go ve r n i n g th e
uni ve r se . C l e me n t str essed man s f r ee wi l l . Bu t to h i m th e
te mptati o n an d Fal l wer e bu t al l ego ry, yet wi th C h r i st co mi n g
to d e l i ve r man f r o m si n an d d e ath . T e r tu l l i an , o f C ar th age ,
wi th h i s asceti ci sm an d r e pr e ssi o n o f h u man n atu r e , was th e
ver y o ppo si te of C l e me n t of Al e xan d r i a, wi th h i s h u man i -
tar i an i sm f o r attai n i n g e xal tati o n o f ch ar acte r .
I t i s to be par ti cu l ar l y n o te d th at i n h i s e ar l i e r wr i ti n gs
C l e me n t d i d n o t speak of th e so ul as i mmo r tal . T h a t was sti l l a
Gno sti c an d Pl ato n i c expr essi o n n o t yet h e l d o r empl o ye d by
C h r i sti an s. Bu t by th e ti me of h i s l ate r an d majo r tr e ati se h e
h ad d e f i n i te l y swi tch ed o ver to Immo r tal -So ul i sm, as wi l l be
seen i n se cti o n V, page 991.
Al th o u gh h e h e l d th at tr u e C h r i sti an kno wl edge i s d e
r i ve d pr i n ci pal l y f r o m Scr i ptu r e , h e be l i e ve d i t was al so r e
cei ved f r o m Pl ato an d f r o m He l l e n i c ph i l o so ph y. Ph i l o so ph y,
h e mai n tai n e d , was th e d i vi n e l y o r d ai n e d pr e par ati o n of th e
3I n tr o d u ct o r y No te to C l e me n t of Al e xan d r i a, i n ANF, vo l . 2, p. 169.
Gr eeks f o r f ai th i n C h r i st, ju st as th e l aw h ad be e n f o r th e
He br e ws. He n ce C l e me n t co n te n d e d f o r th e val u e o f Gr e e k
l i te r atu r e an d ph i l o so ph i c cu l tu r e agai nst th o se wh o r e gar d e d
such l e ar n i n g as usel ess an d dange r o us. He pr o cl ai me d h i mse l f
an ecl ecti c,4be l i e vi n g i n th e exi stence of f r agme nts of tr u th i n
al l systems, bu t wh i ch mu st be se par ate d f r o m e r r o r . Ho w
ever, C l e me n t sti l l h e l d th e o r e ti cal l y th at tr u th i n i ts gr e ate st
pu r i ty an d co mpl ete ness i s f o u n d su pr e me l y i n C h r i st. Such i s
th e h i gh l y co mpl e x se tti n g of C l e me n ts wi tness.
I I . Ear l i e r De cl ar ati o n s C o uch ed i n C o n d i ti o n al i st T e r ms
1. I mmo r t a l i t y a R e wa r d t o Be R e ce i ve d .C l e me n ts
cl e ar e st an d mo st d i r e ct e ar l i e r state me n ts o n th e n atu r e an d
d e sti n y o f man appe ar i n th e u n i qu e Who Is the Rich Man
That Shall Be Saved?a pr acti cal tr e ati se , sh o wi ng th at th e
d i spo si ti o n of th e so ul i s th e gr e at esse nti al . I t was o ne of h i s
e ar l i e r works, an d co mpri ses f o rty-two secti ons. Its pr eci se
d ate i s n o t kno wn, bu t at th e ver y o u tse t C l e me n t speaks of
gai n i n g th e prize o f e ve r l asti ng l i f e , Bas C h r i st sets be f o r e
th e r i ch yo u n g r u l e r th e way to th e l i f e to co me .
C o mpar i n g th e co urse o f l i f e to th e case wi th ath l e te s,
to use co mmo n th i n gs to i l l u str ate th e gr e at an d i mmo r tal , h e
sh ows h o w th e o n e d e pr i ve d o f attai n i n g h as f ai l e d to su bmi t
to th e d i sci pl i n e an d tr ai n i n g r e qu i r e d , an d th u s h as r e
mai n e d u n cr o wn e d . So C h r i st co unsel s th e weal th y, No r l e t
h i m, o n th e o th e r h an d , expe ct to grasp th e crowns of immor
tality wi th o u t str u ggl e an d e f f o r t. Rath e r , l e t h i m pu t h i m
sel f u n d e r th e Wo r d as h i s tr ai n e r . T h e n , wh e n th e l ast
tr u mpe t sh al l so und, h e may pr e se n t h i mse l f vi cto r i o us be
f o r e th e J u d ge wh o co nf er s th e r e war d s, ami d th e accl ama
ti o ns o f ange l s. 9
2. T r u e a n d Su r e I mmo r t a l i t y I s Gi f t o f Et er -
4C l e me n t , T h e Stromata, or Miscellanies, bo o k 1, ch a p. 7, i n ANF, vo l . 2, p. 308.
5C l e me n t , fYho Is the Rich Man That Shall Be Saved? se cs. 1 a n d 2, i n ANF, vo l .
2, p. 591; cf . p. 169, I n t r o d u ct o r y No te .
6Ib id ., se c. 3, pp. 592, 593. (I t a l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
n a l L i f e .In secti o n si x, th e r u l e r s qu e sti o n pr o po u n d e d to
C h r i st i s r e h e ar se d , pe r tai n i n g to th e T r u t h r e spe cti n g th e
tr u e i mmo r tal i ty, th e Pe r f e ct r e spe cti n g th e perfect r e st,
an d th e Immo r tal r e spe cti n g th e sure i mmo r tal i ty, i n o b
vi o us co n tr ast wi th f al se an d ph an to m i mmo r tal i ty. T h e pr o
vi d i n g o f th e tr u e ne ce ssi tate d C h r i sts i n car n ati o n amo ng
me n th e essence of th e go spe l wh i ch i s n o n e o th e r th an
th e gift of e te r n al l i f e . T h e se ar e C l e me n ts exact wo r ds r e
gar d i n g th i s su pr e me qu e sti o n :
T h e Li f e r e specti ng l i f e, th e Savi o ur r especti ng sal vati o n, th e T e ach e r
re spe cti n g th e ch i ef do ctr i nes tau gh t, th e T r u th respecti ng th e true immor
tality, th e Wo r d r especti ng th e wo rd o f th e Fath e r , th e Per f ect r e specti ng
th e per f ect rest, th e Immo r tal r e spe cti n g th e sure immortality. He was asked
r e spe cti n g th ose th i ngs o n acco u n t o f wh i ch He descended, wh i ch He i n
cul cates, wh i ch He teach es, wh i ch He of f ers, i n o r d e r to sh ow th e essence
o f di e Gospel , th at i t i s the gift of eternal life. 7
T o pr o f f er l i f e an d i mmo r tal i ty, th e n , was th e su pr e me
pu r po se of C h r i s ts co mi ng. An d C l e me n t adds th at Go d i s th e
f i rst an d o nl y di spe n se r o f e te r n al l i f e , wh i ch i s gi ve n to us
th r o u gh th e Son.8
3. Go d Is Gi v e r o f Ev e r y t h i n g Et e r n a l ; Ot h e r w i s e
D e a t h .C l e me n ts d e cl ar ati o n i s u n e qu i vo cal : Go d i s th e
gi ve r o f wh at i s e te r n al , f o r bo th be i n g an d n o n -be i n g B
ar e d e r i ve d f rom Hi m. Wi th o u t Hi m th e r e i s o nl y d e ath ,
wh i l e i n an d wi th Hi m i s th e o nl y l i f e . He r e i s h i s f u r th e r
state me n t:
"T o know th e e te r n al Go d, the giver of what is eternal, an d by kno wl
edge an d co mpr eh ensi o n to possess God, wh o i s f i rst, an d h i gh est, an d o ne,
an d good. Fo r th i s i s th e i mmu tabl e an d i mmoveabl e source an d su ppo r t
o f l i f e, th e kno wl edge o f God, wh o real l y i s, an d wh o bestows th e th i ngs
wh i ch real l y are, th at i s th ose wh i ch are e te r n al , f rom wh om bo th be i n g
an d th e co n ti n u an ce [or n o n -be i n g] o f i t are der i ved to o th e r bei ngs.
Fo r i gno r ance of Hi m i s d e ath ; bu t th e kno wl edge an d appr o pr i ati o n of
Hi m, an d l ove an d l i keness to Hi m, ar e th e o nl y l i f e. 10
4. I m m o r t a l i t y Ca m e N o t T h r o u g h La w , b u t
T h r o u g h Ch r i s t . Stressi ng th at th e l aw came th r o u gh
7I b i d . , se c. 6, p. 593. (I t a l i cs s u ppl i e d .) 9 I bid., se c. 7, p. 593. n o te 1.
8Ibid. 10 I bid. (I ta l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
Moses, wh i l e grace an d tr u th came th r o u gh C h r i st, C l e me n t
d e cl ar e d th at th e l aw d i d n o t co n f e r i mmo r tal i ty, o th e r wi se
o n e wo u l d n o t n e e d to seek f r o m C h r i st f o r wh at wo u l d be
an o th e r i mmo r tal i ty. T h u s:
T h e gi f ts gr an te d th r o ugh a f ai th f u l ser vant [Moses] ar e no t e qu al
to th ose bestowed by th e tr u e Son. If th e n th e l aw of Moses h ad been
suf f i ci ent to co nf er e te r n al l i f e, i t were to no pu r po se f o r th e Savi o ur Hi m
sel f to come an d suf f er f o r us, acco mpl i sh i ng th e course of h u man l i f e f rom
Hi s bi r th to Hi s cross; an d to no pur po se f or h i m wh o h ad do ne al l th e
co mmandments o f th e l aw f rom h i s yo uth to f al l o n h i s knees an d beg f rom
an o th e r i mmo r tal i ty. 11
I mmo r tal i ty i s th e r e f o r e n o t man s i n n ate possessi on.
5. T u r n e d A w a y Fr o m So l e So u r c e o f Li f e . Sel f -de
te r mi n ati o n i s th e pr i vi l e ge o f th e soul , states C l e me n t,
an d ch o i ce d e pe n d s o n a man s be i n g f r e e . Bu t th e gi f t r e
mai ns i n th e h an d of God. We mu st ask, th e n we wi l l acqu i r e .12
I n th e case of th e r i ch yo ung r u l e r C h r i st sets bef o r e Hi s i n
qu i r e r th e o n e th i n g wh i ch was especi al l y r e qu i r e d by th e
Savi o ur , so as to r ecei ve th e e te r n al l i f e wh i ch h e d e si r e d .
Bu t th e yourtg r u l e r tu r n e d away f r o m th e of f er. He d i d n o t
tr u l y wi sh l i f e an d th e grace of Hi m wh o o f f er ed e ve r l asti ng
l i f e . 13On l y th o se wh o kno w Go d an d Go d s r i gh te o u sn e ss
wi l l be th e possessors of e ve r l asti n g l i f e . 11
6. D e s t r u c t i o n Is Pe n a l t y f o r D i s o b e d i e n c e . C l e me n t
th e n adds a war n i n g co n ce r n i n g d e str u cti o n : Bu t h e wh o
uses th e bo dy gi ve n to h i m ch astel y an d acco r d i n g to Go d,
sh al l l i ve; an d h e th at destr o ys th e te mpl e of Go d sh al l be d e
str o ye d . 15
He th e n tu r n s f r o m an yth i n g de e me d i n h e r e n t i n yo u r
s o u l to th o se th i n gs wh i ch mi n i ste r e ve r l asti n g l i f e , an d
gi ves th i s assur ance to th o se wh o r e spo n d to th e pr o vi si o ns of
Go d: T h e r e sh al l accrue to you endl ess r e war d an d h o n o u r ,
an d sal vati o n, an d everlasting immortality. 18
u Ibid ., se c. 8. p. 593.
12Ibid ., s e c. 10, p. 593.
13Ibid ., p. 594.
11Ibid., sec. 11, p. 594.
15Ibid., sec. 18, p. 596.
18Ibid., sec. 19, p. 596. (Ital i cs su ppl i e d .)
T h u s h e d i sti ngui sh e s be twe e n i mmo r tal i ty an d th e vi r
tue s o f wh i ch i t i s th e cr o wn an d r e war d.
7. I m m o r t a l i t y Se t Ov e r Ag a i n s t D e s t r u c t i o n .Set
ti n g f o r th th e ade quacy o f C h r i st as sati sf yi ng br e ad , an d
th at He i s abl e to suppl y th e d r i n k of i mmo r tal i ty, C l e m
e n t br i n gs i n th e co n tr ast wi th i n e xo r abl e de ath :
I am He wh o f eeds th ee, gi vi ng Mysel f as br ead, of wh i ch h e wh o h as
tasted exper i ences d e ath no more, an d suppl yi n g day by day the drink
of immortality. I am teach er of super cel esti al l essons. Fo r th ee I co n te n d e d
wi th Death , an d pai d th y de ath , wh i ch th o u owedst f o r th y f o r mer si ns
an d th y u n be l i e f towards Go d.' 17
T h e n h e admo ni sh es:
Be tte r i s th e ki ngdo m of God to a man wi th o ne eye, th an th e f i re
to o ne wh o i s u n mu ti l ate d . Wh e th e r h an d , o r f oot, o r soul , h ate i t. Fo r
i f i t i s destro yed h er e f o r C h r i sts sake, i t wi l l be restored to life yonder. 18
An d h e adds th at we al th may beco me th e au th o r an d
patr o n of d e ath . 19
8. Ev e r l a s t i n g H a b i t a t i o n s ; Im m o r t a l i t y ; Et e r n a l
Ma n s i o n s .T h e n , i n secti o n th i r ty-two , C l e me n t exal ts th e
su pe r i o r i ty of th e exch angee ve r l asti n g h abi tati o n s, i m
mo r tal i ty, an d an e te r n al man si o n i n th e h e ave ns. An d
f i nal l y h e bu r sts i n to an apo str o ph e o f pr ai se to Hi m wh o h as
d e l i gh t i n gi vi ng:
T h e n to appo i n t such a r ewar d f o r l i ber al i ty,an ever l asti ng h abi
tati o n! O e xcel l ent tr adi ng! O di vi n e merch andi se! On e purch ases i mmo r
tal i ty f o r money; an d , by gi vi ng th e pe r i sh i n g th i ngs o f th e worl d, recei ves
i n exch ange f or th ese an e te r n al mansi o n i n th e h eavens! Sai l to th i s mar t,
i f you ar e wi se, O r i ch man! If n e e d be, sai l r o u n d th e wh ol e wo rl d. Spare
n o t per i l s an d toi l s, th at you may pur ch ase h er e th e h eavenl y ki n gdo m. 20
Bu t h e war ns: I t i s po ssi bl e f o r yo u to n e gl e ct some th at
ar e l o ved by Go d; th e pe n al ty f o r wh i ch i s th e pu n i sh me n t of
e te r n al [aidnion] f i r e.21
17I b i d . , se c. 23, p. 598. (I ta l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
18I b i d . , se c. 24, p. 598. (I ta l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
19I bid., se c. 26, p. 598.
20Ib id . , se c. 32, p. 600.
21I b id . , se c. 33, p. 600. (I ta l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
He cl oses by assur i ng us th at we may h ave th e Ki ng of
e te r n i ty d we l l i n g i n us,22an d be e n ci r cl e d as wi th a d i a
d e m. 23
9. A n g e l s Co n d u c t R e d e e m e d t o Et e r n a l L i f e .C l e m
e n t cl oses by te l l i n g a tr ad i ti o n al sto r y of th e tr i u mph an t
co ur se th e apo stl e J o h n f o l l o wed i n r e sto r i n g a wan d e r e r ,
wh o became
a gr e at exampl e o f tr u e r e pe n tan ce an d a gr e at to ken o f r e ge n e r ati o n , a
tr o ph y of th e r e su r r e cti o n f o r wh i ch we h o pe; wh en at th e e n d o f th e
worl d, th e angel s, r ad i an t wi th joy, h ymn i n g an d o pe n i n g th e h eavens,
sh al l recei ve i n to th e cel esti al abo des th ose wh o tr ul y r e pe n t; an d bef o re
al l , th e Savi o ur Hi msel f goes to meet th em, wel comi ng th em; h o l d i n g f o r th
th e sh adowl ess, ceasel ess l i gh t; co n du cti n g th em to th e Fath e r s bosom, to
e te r n al l i f e, to th e ki ngdo m o f h e ave n . 24
10. T h e So u l Is N o t N a t u r a l l y I m m o r t a l .No th
i n g co u l d be mo r e e xpl i ci t an d u n e qu i vo cal th an C l e me n ts
e ar l i e r co n cl u si o n o n th e mo r tal i ty o f me n, wh i ch appe ar s i n
o n e of h i s Fragments (No . I, o n Fi r st Epi stl e of Pe te r ).
De n yi n g any tr an smi gr ati o n of th e so ul T h e soul n e ve r r e
tu r n s a seco nd ti me to th e bo dy i n th i s l i f e an d r e f e r r i n g to
th e necessi ty o f th e sal vati o n of yo u r so ul s, C l e me n t e x
pressl y states: He n ce i t appe ar s th at th e so ul i s not naturally
immortal; bu t i s made immortal by th e grace o f Go d, th r o u gh
f ai th an d r i gh te o usne ss, an d by kn o wl e d ge . 28
Such i s C l e me n ts r e mar kabl e ear l y te sti mo ny.
I I I . Exhortation to the Heathen Sti l l Stresses Li f e Onl y i n C h r i st
1. Ch r i s t O f f e r s I m m o r t a l i t y ; Si n Br i n g s D e s t r u c
t i o n .I n ti mi n g, C l e me n ts Exhortation to the Heathen was
f o l l o wed by The Instructor, an d f i nal l y by The Stromata,
pr o d u ce d be twe e n c. a .d . 194 an d c. 202. Bu t th e Exhortation,
d e si gn e d to wi n pagans to th e C h r i sti an f ai th , i s f i rst of al l a
22I b id . , se c. 35, p. 601. 23I b id. , se c. 36, p. 601.
21I b id . , s e c. 42, p. 604.
25C l e me n t , Fragments, No . I , Fr o m t h e L a t i n T r a n s l a t i o n o f Au r e l i u s C as s i o d o r u s ,
i n ANF, vo l . 2, p. 571. (I t a l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
d e vastati n g e xpo su r e of th e abo mi n ati o n s, i mpo stur e s, an d
so r di dness o f pagani sm. I t co ntrasts th e m wi th th e tr u th s of
i n spi r e d Scr i ptu r e , th e tr u e Go d, an d C h r i st th e Savi o ur of
me n . Bu t i t al r e ady br e ath e s th e s pi r i t of ph i l o so ph y th r o u gh
o u t, an d abo u n d s i n qu o tati o n s f r o m Gr eek ph i l o so ph e r s an d
po etswh i ch wer e d e sti n e d to i ncrease i n h i s wr i ti n gs. In
ch apte r n i n e C l e me n t pr esents th e cal l of Go d an d warns
agai n st be i n g ash ame d o f th e Lo r d:
He of f ers f reedom, you f l ee i n to bo ndage; He bestows sal vati o n, you
si nk do wn i n to de str u cti o n ; He confers everlasting life, you wai t f o r pu n
i sh ment, an d pr e f e r th e f i re wh i ch th e Lo r d h as pr e par e d f or th e devi l and
h i s angel s. 38
2. Ch r i s t B r i n g s L i g h t o f Et e r n a l L i f e .C l e me n t r e
f ers to C h r i st as th e o n e wh o gi ves l i gh tth e Sun of th e Res
u r r e cti o n , wh o wi th Hi s beams besto ws l i gh t. He warns
agai n st th e th r e ate n i n g an d th e pu n i s h me n t f o r e to l d of
th o se wh o f l o ut th e gr ace th at becomes th e wr ath o f th e
Go d, wh o r u l e s th e ne ve r -e n d i n g d ay th at e xte n d s o ver
e te r n i ty. An d h e warns agai nst th o se wh o make l i gh t of i m
mo r tal i ty. 27In ch apte r te n C l e me n t exh o r ts:
Bel i eve, an d recei ve sal vati o n as yo ur r ewar d. Seek Go d, an d yo ur
soul sh al l l i ve. He wh o seeks Go d i s busyi ng h i msel f abo u t h i s o wn sal va
ti o n. Hast th o u f o u n d God?th e n th o u h ast l i f e. Let us th en seek, i n o r d e r
th at we may l i ve. T h e r e war d o f seeki ng l i f e i s wi th Go d. 28
T h e n h e co mments, A n o bl e h ymn of Go d i s an i mmo r
tal man , e stabl i sh e d i n r i gh teo usness, i n wh o m th e oracl es of
tr u t h ar e e n gr ave d . 29
In ch apte r e l even h e r e h earses th e Benef i ts C o n f e r r e d
o n Man T h r o u gh th e Ad ve n t of C h r i st. Man was made f ree
i n Par adi se , bu t became f e tte r e d to si ns. Bu t to man , wh o
h as wan d e r e d i n e r r o r an d was bu r i e d i n dar kness, sh u t
u p i n th e sh ado w of d e ath , l i gh t h as sh o ne f o r th f r o m h eaven.
. . . T h a t l i gh t i s l i f e e te r n al . T h u s th e Sun of Ri gh te o u s
ness
28C l e me n t , Exhortation to the Heathen, ch a p. 9, i n ANF, vo l . 2, p. 195. (I ta l i cs
s u ppl i e d .)
I b id . , p. 196. 28I b id . , ch a p. 10, p. 201. 28Ibid.
h ath ch anged sunset i n to sunri se, an d th r o u gh th e cross br o u gh t d e ath
to l i f e; an d h avi n g wr ench ed man f ro m d e str ucti o n, He h ath r ai sed h i m
to th e ski es, tr an spl an ti n g mo r tal i ty i n to i mmo r tal i ty, an d tr an sl ati n g
e ar th to h e ave n . 30
Sal vati o n o r d e str u cti o n th ose ar e th e al te r nati ve s.
3. Et e r n a l L i f e Ve r s u s Et e r n a l D e a t h . T h e n C l e m
e n t adds, Si n i s e te r n al d e ath , an d admo ni sh es th at th e
Wo r d br o u gh t sal vati o n, so th at r e pe n tan t me n mi gh t be
saved; o r , r e f u si n g to obey, th ey mi gh t be ju d ge d . 31T h e n
h e exh o r ts:
I ur ge you to be saved. T h i s C h r i st desi res. In o ne word, He f reel y
bestows l i f e o n you. An d wh o i s He? Bri ef l y l e ar n . T h e Wo r d of tr u th , th e
Wo r d o f i n co r r u pti o n , th at r egener ates man by br i n gi n g h i m back to th e
tr u th th e go ad th at urges to sal vati o nHe wh o expel s de str u cti o n an d
pur sues d e ath He wh o bui l ds u p th e templ e of God i n men, th at He may
cause Go d to take up Hi s abo de i n me n . 32
4. Pe r f e c t Bo o n o f I m m o r t a l i t y B e s t o w e d . C l e m
e n t th e n pr e se nts J esus, wh o i s e te r n al , an d i s th e o n e
gr e at Hi gh Pr i e st o f th e o ne Go d , as e xh o r ti n g me n , sayi ng:
Fo r to yo u o f al l mo r tal s I grant th e e n jo yme n t of i m
mo r tal i ty. . . . I wan t to impart to yo u th i s grace, bestowing o n
you th e perfect boon of immortality 33
An d C h r i st adds, I desi r e to r e sto r e yo u acco r d i n g to th e
o r i gi n al mo de l , th at ye may beco me al so l i ke me .84
5. C h r i s t O f f e r s t o C o n d u c t Us t o I m m o r t a l i t y .
C l e me n ts cl o si ng e xh o r tati o n s ar e:
Let us h aste, l e t us r u n , l e t us take Hi s yoke, l et us recei ve, to co n
d u ct us to i mmo r tal i ty, th e good ch ar i o te e r o f men . . . an d h avi ng yoked
th e team o f h u man i ty to God, directs His chariot to immortality, h aste n i n g
cl earl y to f ul f i l l , by d r i vi n g now i n to h eaven, wh at He sh ado wed f o r th
bef o r e by r i d i n g i n to J er usal em. A spectacl e most be au ti f u l to th e Fath e r
i s th e e te r n al Son cr o wned wi th vi cto ry. 35
T h u s we wi l l o btai n th e gr e ate st o f al l th i ngs wh i ch ar e
i n capabl e o f be i n g h ar me d Go d an d l i f e . An d o u r h e l pe r
30Ibid., ch ap. 11, p. 203.
a Ibid., p. 204.
32Ibid.
33I bid., ch a p. 12, p. 205. (I ta l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
34Ibid.
35I b id . , p. 206. (I ta l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
i s th e Wo r d . C l e me n ts f i nal appe al i s to ch oosech oose
sal vati o n . We i gh wh i ch wi l l pr o f i t you mo stju d gme n t o r
gr ace , an d h e pr e se nts th e co ntr ast, d e str u cti o n . 38
IV. The Instructor In te r twi n e s Ou r Immo r tal i ty Wi th C h r i st
1. Ch r i s t s Co m m a n d s A r e Pa t h s t o Im m o r t a l i t y .In
The Instructor, o r Tutor, wr i tte n n e xt an d sti l l h o l d i n g to
C o n d i ti o n al i sm, C l e me n t states at th e ver y o u tse t, i n ch apte r
o ne, th at wh e n th e Wo r d was i n vi ti n g me n to sal vati o n, th e
appe l l ati o n o f hortatory [e xh o r tati o n ] was pr o pe r l y appl i e d
to Hi m. C l e me n t says, Le t us th e n de si gnate th i s Wo r d ap
pr o pr i ate l y by th e o n e name Tutor (o r Pcedagogue, o r Instruc
tor). 37An d i n ch apte r th r e e , af te r r e f e r r i n g to th e cr e ati o n of
man f o r th e h i gh e st ends, h e urges:
Wh e r e f o r e l et us r egar d th e Wo r d [C h ri st] as l aw, and Hi s co mmands
an d counsel s as th e sh o r t an d str ai gh t paths to immortality; f o r Hi s pr e
cepts ar e f ul l o f per suasi o n, n o t o f f ear . 38
2. A r e t o P u t O n Im m o r t a l i t y o f Ch r i s t . I n ch apte r
si x C l e me n t tel l s us th at, af te r be i n g i l l u mi n ate d , wh i ch i s
to kno w Go d , we ar e to go o n to pe r f e cti o n , f o l l o wi ng i n th e
steps o f C h r i st, wi th immortality as th e cl i max:
T h e same al so takes pl ace i n o u r case, wh ose exe mpl ar C h r i st became.
Bei ng bapti zed, we ar e i l l u mi n ate d ; i l l u mi n ate d , we become sons; bei ng
made sons, we ar e made per f ect; bei ng made perf ect, we ar e made
immortal." 38
Havi n g passed f r o m d e ath to l i f e, C l e me n t says, we ar e to
pu t o n i mmo r tal i ty:
T r u l y, th e n , are we th e ch i l dr e n of God, wh o h ave pu t asi de th e o l d
man, an d str i ppe d of f th e gar me n t of wi ckedness, an d put on the immor
tality of Christ; th at we may become a new, h ol y peo pl e by r e ge n e r ati o n ,
an d may keep th e man u n d e f i l e d. 40
3. P r e s e n t Ch a s t i s e m e n t D e t e r s Fr o m Ev e r l a s t i n g
33ib i d .
37C l e me n t , The Instructor, bo o k 1, ch a p. 1, i n A NF , vo l . 2, p. 209.
38I b i d . , ch a p. 3, p. 211. (I ta l i cs s u ppl i e d .f
39I b id . , ch a p. 6, p. 215. (I t a l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
40Ibid ., p. 217. (I ta l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
D e a t h . I n ch apte r ei gh t, o n Go d s care f o r man , C l e me n t al
l ude s to r o u si n g th e sl e e pe r f r o m d e e p sl eep, wh i ch o f al l
th i ngs el se i s l i kest d e ath . C l e me n t states th at Go d does n o t
i nf l i ct pu n i s h me n t f r o m wr ath , bu t f o r th e ends o f ju sti ce .
T h i s same Wo r d wh o i nf l i cts pu n i sh me n t i s J u d ge . T h e n h e
states, Each o n e o f us, wh o si ns, wi th h i s o wn f ree-wi l l ch ooses
pu n i sh me n t, an d th e bl ame l i es wi th h i m wh o ch ooses. Go d i s
wi th o u t bl ame . T h e n h e adds th at th e pu n i sh me n t of th e
d i so be d i e n t i s f o r th e go o d an d advantage of h i m wh o i s pu n
i sh e d , th e ai m o f r e pr o o f be i n g th e sal vati o n of th o se wh o
ar e r e pr o ve d . 42An d C l e me n t speaks of th e ti me to wo u n d
th e apath e ti c so ul n o t mo r tal l y, bu t sal u tar i l y, se cu r i n g ex
e mpti o n f r o m e ve r l asti n g d e ath by a l i ttl e pai n . 43
4. T o P u t O n R o be o f I m m o r t a l i t y . T h u s pr e se n t ch as
ti se me n t, no w i n th i s pr e se n t l i f e, saves f r o m e ve r l asti ng d e ath .
C l e me n t r e f e r s to th e Savi o ur as th e f o u n tai n of l i f e ,
an d says of us th at we ar e de ad, we n e e d l i f e . 44An d spe aki n g
o f o u r In str u cto r , C l e me n t says, He wi sh es to save my f l esh
by e n ve l o pi n g i t i n th e robe of immortality T h e n h e adds
th at th o se wh o pass o ver to i mmo r tal i ty sh al l n o t f al l i n to co r
r u pti o n . T h u s C h r i st gi ves us th e gr e ate st of al l gi f ts, Hi s
o wn l i f e , because He d i e d f o r us.
Hi s pu r po se i n i n f l i cti ng pu n i sh me n t o n th e si nne r s i s, i f
po ssi bl e, to d r ag th e m back f r o m th e i r i mpe tu o u s r u sh to war ds
d e ath . 46I n ch apte r te n, o n h o w Go d Re str ai n s Fr o m Si n by
T h r e ate n i n g, an d Saves Hu man i ty by Exh o r ti n g, C l e me n t
says co n ce r n i n g th e l i f e o f th e r i gh te o u s:
T h e se words [Eze. 18:4-9] co n tai n a de scr i pti o n o f th e co nduct o f
C h r i sti ans, a n o tabl e e xh o r tati o n to th e bl essed l i f e, wh i ch i s th e r e war d
o f a l i f e of goodnesseverlasting life. 48
He th u s d i sti ngui sh e s be twe e n i mmo r tal i ty an d th e vi r tu e s
o f wh i ch i t i s th e cr o wn an d r e war d .
41Ib id . , ch a p. 8, p. 226.
42Ib id . , p. 227.
Ibid., p. 228.
44I bid., ch a p. 9, p. 230.
40I bid., p. 231. (I t a l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
4a I bid., ch a p. 10, p. 233. (I ta l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
V. Swi tch es i n Stromata to Bal d Immo r tal -So ul i sm
We no w co me to C l e me n ts Stromata, o r Miscellanies, h i s
l ate st an d cr o wn i n g wo r k, wr i tte n af te r a r adi cal ch ange of vi ew
h ad take n pl ace i n h i s co n ce pt of l i f e an d i mmo r tal i ty. C l e m
e n ts avo wed acceptance o f Pl ato n i c ph i l o so ph y al te r e d th e e n
ti r e cu r r e n t o f h i s th i n ki n g an d br o u gh t abo u t d i r e co nse
quence s. He began to af f i rm wh at h e h ad f o r mer l y d e n i e d , an d
prof ess wh at h e h ad be f o r e co n d e mn e d . T h u s h e e xe cu te d a
co mpl e te tu r n-abo ut-f ace . He even so u gh t to make C h r i st,
Pau l , Pe te r , an d J o h n appe ar i n th e l i gh t o f Pl ato ni sts.
Bu t Pl ato h ad tau gh t bo th th e pr e-exi stence an d th e i mpe r
i sh abi l i ty, o r i mmo r tal i ty, of th e soul . An d C l e me n t so o n f o l
l o wed h i s te ach i ngs to th e i r u l ti mate .47He began to use th e
ver y ar gu me n ts, i n e mbr yo n i c f o r m, th at h i s br i l l i an t pu pi l
an d successor, Or i ge n , car r i e d to th e i r u l ti mate . C l e me n t can
r i gh tl y be d e si gnate d th e f ath e r of th e Al e xan d r i an C h r i sti an
ph i l o so ph y, as h e no w h e l d i n i n ci pi e n t f o r m th e d e par tu r e s
th at Or i ge n d e ve l o pe d i n to h i s r e vo l u ti o n ar y system, as wi l l
soon be seen.
1. E x e mpt s P l a t o n i s m F r o m P a u l s S t r i c t u r e s . C l e me n t
l ays th e gr o u n d wo r k f o r i t al l by asser ti ng th at ph i l o so ph y i s
i n a sense a wo r k o f Di vi n e Pr o vi d e n ce . 48An d i n ch apte r f i ve,
h e ad e d Ph i l o so ph y th e Han d mai d of T h e o l o gy, h e decl ar es
th at be f o r e th e ad ve n t of th e Lo r d , ph i l o so ph y was necessary
to th e Gr eeks f o r r i gh te o u sn e ss. 49T h e n i n ch apte r el even
(Wh at Is th e Ph i l o so ph y Wh i ch th e Apo stl e Bi ds Us Sh u n ?)
C l e me n t asserts, si gni f i cantl y, th at th e apo stl e Pau l i s br an d
i n g n o t al l ph i l o so ph y, bu t th e Epi cu r e an , an d th e Stoi cs
al so . 60He thus exempts Plato and Platonism. T h e ph i l o so
ph er s, h e mai n tai n s, h ave l ai d do wn some tr u e o pi n i o n s. 61
An d so o n h e i s ci ti n g an d su bsti tu ti n g th e su bti l ti e s of Pl ato
f o r th e ve r i ti e s o f th e Wo r d .
47Ph o ti u s says t h a t C l e me n t , i n h i s Outlines (Hypo typo s e s ), e ve n t a u gh t t h e d o ct r i n e
o f me te mps ych o s i s , o r t r a n s mi gr a t i o n o f so u l s.
48C l e me n t , The Stromata, o r Miscellanies, bo o k 1, ch a p. 1, i n ANF , vo l . 2, p. 303.
*9 Ibid ., ch a p. 5, p. 305. 50I b id ., ch a p. 11, p. 311. 61Ibid., ch a p. 19, p. 321.
2. O l d T e s t a m e n t L a w L e a d s t o I m m o r t a l i t y . Re f e r
r i n g to th e Ol d T e s tame n t l aw, C l e me n t says, T h e l aw . . .
co n d u cts to i mmo r tal i ty. 62An d i n bo o k 2, ch apte r 2, h e speaks
o f th e d i sci pl i n e of wi sdom, . . . causi ng pai n i n o r d e r to
pr o d u ce u n d e r stan d i n g, an d restoring to peace and immortal
ity. 53
He does, h o wever , make several i n te r e sti n g o bser vati o ns
co n ce r n i n g th ose wh o h ad f al l e n asl ee p. T h u s , th e Sh e ph e r d
says, T h e apo stl es an d teach ers, wh o h ad pr e ach e d th e n ame
o f th e Son o f Go d, an d h ad fallen asleep, i n po we r an d by f ai th ,
pr e ach e d to th o se th at h ad fallen asleep be f o r e . 34 T h i s i s
i mme d i ate l y f o l l o wed by th e state me n t:
But th ose, wh o h ad f al l en asl eep bef ore, descended dead, bu t as
cended al i ve. By th ese, th er ef o r e, th ey were made al i ve, an d knew th e
name o f th e Son o f Go d .
An d th e Sh e ph e r d adds, T h e y f el l asl eep i n r i gh teo usness
an d i n gr e at pu r i ty, bu t wan te d o n l y th i s se al . 58
C l e me n t makes no f u r th e r e xpl an ati o n of th ese e xpr e s
si o ns. Hi s tr an si ti o n to e r r o n e o u s d o ctr i n e was n o t yet co m
pl e te.
3. K n o w l e d g e o f G o d C o m m u n i c a t e s I m m o r t a l i t y . In
bo o k 4, ch apte r si x (o n th e Beati tude s), C l e me n t observes th at
h e th at l o ve th h i s l i f e sh al l l ose i t, an d h e th at l o seth h i s l i f e
sh al l f i nd i t, i f we o nl y jo i n th at wh i ch i s mo r tal o f us wi th th e
i mmo r tal i ty o f Go d . We sh al l f i nd th at th e kno wl edge of
Go d i s th e co mmu n i cati o n o f i mmo r tal i ty. 57Bu t h e does
n o t h e r e e xpl ai n h ow.
4. I m m o r t a l i t y o f S o u l O p e n l y A v o w e d . An d no w th e
ch ar acte r i sti c mysti ci sm o f th e Al e xan d r i an Sch ool appe ar s
o penl y. C h apte r f o ur , bo o k f i ve, i s h eade d, Di vi n e T h i n gs
Wr appe d Li p i n Fi gur es Bo th i n th e Sacred an d i n He ath e n
62Ib id . , ch a p. 27, pp. 339, 340. Ibid.
53Ib id . , bo o k 2. ch a p. 2, p. 348. (I t a l i cs s u ppl i e d .) 66Ibid.
w I bid., ch a p. 9, p. 357.
57I b id . , bo o k 4, ch a p. 6, pp. 413, 414.
Wr i te r s . C h apte r si x i s o n T h e Mysti c Me an i n g of th e [Mo
sai c] T abe r n acl e an d Its Fu r n i tu r e . T h i s i s f o l l o wed i n tu r n ,
i n ch apte r seven, by T h e Egypti an Symbol s, th e n T h e Use
o f th e Symbol i c Styl e by Po ets an d Ph i l o so ph e r s, ch apte r
e i gh t, an d th e Reaso ns f o r Ve i l i n g th e T r u t h i n Symbol s,
ch apte r n i n e .
C l e me n t f r ankl y di scusses Gr e e k Pl agi ar i sm Fr o m th e He
br e ws, ch apte r f o u r te e n . In th i s co n n e cti o n h e says th at pu n
i sh me nts af te r d e ath , an d pe n al r e tr i bu ti o n by f i r e, wer e
pi l f e r e d f r o m th e Bar bar i an ph i l o so ph y bo th by al l th e po e ti c
Muses an d by th e He l l e n i c ph i l o so ph y. 58 He qu o te s f r o m
Pl ato s Republic a sto r y of th e to r tu r e s of some i n th e n e th e r
wo r l d. T h e f i ery me n i n th e sto r y h e cal l s angel s, an d qu o te s
Psal m 54:4. He th e n makes th e star tl i n gl y r e vo l u ti o n ar y o b
se r vati o n I t follows from this that the soul is immortal. 59
T h e ph i l o so ph e r s, h e says, go t th e sto ry of C r e ati o n f r o m
Moses, al o ng wi th th e co n ce pt th at the rational soul zoas
breathed by God into man's face. T h i s was r e gar d e d as th e
ad d i ti o n o f th e so u l . 90An d f o u n d i n g o n th e f o r mati o n of
man f r o m d ust, th e ph i l o so ph e r s co n stan tl y te r m th e bo dy
e ar th l y. 01
5. A l l P u n i s h m e n t R e g a r d e d R e s t o r a t i v e .C l e me n t
no w begi ns to teach th at al l pu n i sh me n t i s r e me d i al an d r e
sto r ati ve . Go d uses i t, h e says, to r e f o r m an d pu r i f y me n af te r
d e ath , wh e n th e so ul , se par ate d f r o m th e body, i s n o l o n ge r
h i n d e r e d by th e f l eshappe al i n g f o r pr o o f to Pe te r s state me n t
th a t C h r i st we n t an d pr e ach e d l i te r al l y to th e spi r i ts i n pr i so n .82
So th e co n ce pt of He l l was ch an ge d o ver i n to a vast so r t of
Pu r gato r y, wh e r e evi l i s de str o ye d an d th e e vi l d o e r pu r ge d
an d r e sto r e d . Si n i s bl o tte d o u t, bu t th e si n n e r i s pr eser ved.
C l e me n t sei zed u po n th e Bi bl i cal i d e a of th e f i nal e xti n cti o n
68I b id . , bo o k 5, ch a p. 14, p. 465.
69I bid., p. 466. (I ta l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
60Ibid. (I ta l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
61Ib id. , p. 468.
82Ho we ve r , i n a n o bvi o u s l y e a r l i e r Fr a gme n t , wh e n C l e me n t s ti l l h e l d to C o n d i t i o n -
al i s m, h e gave th i s i n t e r pr e t a t i o n : Fo r th i s ca u s e was t h e Go spe l pr e a ch e d al so to t h e d e a d
t o u s, n a me l y, wh o we r e a t o n e t i me u n be l i e ve r s (Fragments, No . I , i n A NF , vo l . 2, p. 572).
32
o f evil bu t n o t o f th e e vi l do er . He l l i s th e r e f o r e te mpo r ar y,
an d al l soul s wi l l i n th e e n d be saved. T h i s i s Restorati oni sm.3
6. P u r ge d by t h e F i r e o f Wi s d o m.T h e pu r gati o n i s
ef f ected by so-cal l ed di scr e e t f i re, l ate r cal l e d by th e Lati n
Fath e r s th e ignis sapiens, a mysti cal f i re of wh i ch C l e me n t says:
We say th a t th e f i re sancti f i es n o t f l esh , bu t si n f u l so ul s; me an i n g n o t
th e al l -d e vo u r i n g vu l gar f i re, bu t th a t o f wi sdo m, wh i ch pe r vad e s th e so u l
passi n g th r o u gh th e f i r e . 81
Bu t i n spe aki n g o f th i s f i re, wh i ch pur i f i es th e co n d e mn e d ,
C l e me n t r e f e r s to th e co nf l agr ati o n spo ken o f by th e Stoi cs,
an d agai n to s u ppo r ti n g passages f r o m Pl ato , an d an Eph e si an
ph i l o so ph e r , possi bl y He r acl i tu s. T h a t i s th e su ppo r t h e ci tes
pagan ph i l o so ph y, n o t th e Wo r d of God.
7. C h r i s t P r e a ch i n g t h e G o s pe l i n H a d e s .In bo o k si x,
ch apte r si x (T h e Go spel Was Pr e ach e d to J ews an d Ge n ti l e s
i n Had e s), C l e me n t o pe n l y takes th e po si ti o n th at C h r i st
pr e ach e d to th e pr i so n e r s wh o wer e i n war d i n Hades, to
br i n g r e pe n tan ce an d co n ve r si o n . Bu t i n i mme d i ate co n
n e cti o n C l e me n t ti es i n th e d e cl ar ati o n of Matth e w 27:52 th at
many bo di es of th o se th at sl e pt ar o se , an d th e n adds, pl ai n l y
as h avi n g be e n tr an sl ate d to a be tte r state . 00T h e n h e asks:
If , th e n , He pr e ach e d th e Go spe l to th o se i n th e f l esh th a t th e y mi gh t
n o t be co n d e mn e d u n ju stl y, h o w i s i t co n ce i vabl e th a t He d i d n o t f o r
th e same cause pr e ach th e Go spe l to th o se wh o h ad d e par te d th i s l i f e be f o r e
Hi s ad ve n t? 86
8. Du bi o u s F r a gme n t s A s s e r t S o u l s I mmo r t a l i t y .We
wi l l o nl y r e f e r to th e d u bi o u s Fr agme n t al l egedl y From the
Book on the Soul, by An to n i u s Mel i ssa, twe l f th -ce n tu r y mo n k,
an d n o t necessari l y au th e n ti c, wh i ch reads:
63T h i s Re s to r a ti o n i s m was ca l l e d apocatastasis, t h e Gr e e k t e r m f o r th e d o ct r i n e t h a t
u l t i ma t e l y al l f r e e mo r a l cr e a t u r e s an ge l s , me n , a n d d e vi l swi l l s h a r e i n t h e gr a ce o f s al va
t i o n . St a r t e d by C l e me n t , i t was f u l l y d e ve l o pe d by Or i ge n (ODCC, a r t ., Apo cat as t as i s ,
p. 67).
64C l e me n t , Stromata, o r Miscellanies, bo o k 7, ch a p. 6, i n A N F , vo l . 2, p. 532.
86I b i d . , bo o k 6, ch a p. 6, pp. 490-492. C f . bo o k 2, ch a p. 9, p. 357, wh e r e t h e e x
pr e s s i o n o ccu r s , T h e apo s tl e s a n d t e a ch e r s , wh o h a d pr e a ch e d t h e n a me o f t h e So n o f Go d .
a n d h a d f al l e n as l e e p, i n po we r a n d by f a i t h , pr e a ch e d to th o s e t h a t h a d f al l e n as l e e p be f o r e .
Aga i n , T h o s e , wh o h a d f a l l e n as l e e p be f o r e , d e s ce n d e d d e a d , bu t a s ce n d e d a l i ve .
I b id . , p. 492.
So ul s th a t br e ath e f r e e o f al l th i n gs, possess l i f e, an d th o u gh se pa
r a te d f r o m th e bo dy, an d f o u n d possessed o f a l o n gi n g f o r i t, ar e bo u r n e
i mmo r tal to th e bo so m o f Go d . 87
An d th e Barocc. Man u scr i pt, o n th e same Fr agme n t,
al l egedl y qu o te s:
Al l so ul s ar e i mmo r tal , e ve n th o se o f th e wi cke d, f o r wh o m i t we r e
be tte r th a t th e y we r e n o t d e ath l e ss. Fo r , pu n i s h e d wi th th e e n d l e ss
ve n ge an ce o f qu e n ch l e ss f i re an d n o t d yi n g, i t i s i mpo ssi bl e f o r th e m to
h ave a pe r i o d pu t to th e i r mi se r y. 88
Bu t i ts ge nu i n e n e ss can be ch al l e nge d, as C l e me n t no w
h e l d to Re sto r ati o n i sm, n o t Ete r n al T o r me n t. Dean Far r ar
wel l states i t:
T h o u gh h e [C l e me n s o f Al e xan d r i a] do e s n o t e xpr e ss h i mse l f wi th
pe r f e ct d i sti n ctn e ss, ye t th e wh o l e d r i f t o f h i s r e mar ks pr o ve s th a t h e co u l d
n o t h ave h e l d an u n mi ti gate d d o ctr i n e o f e n d l e ss pu n i s h me n t, bu t o n l y o f
a pu n i s h me n t wh i ch wo u l d necessar i l y cease wh e n i ts r e me d i al o bje ct
was a tta i n e d . 88
Such i s th e tr agi c an d co nf used e n d i n g of th i s br i l l i an t
sch o l ar , cau gh t i n th e e n tan gl i n g to i l s of Ne o pl ato n i c ph i l o s
o ph y.
87C l e me n t , Fragments, No . 6, Fr o m An to n i u s Me l i ss a, i n ANF , vo l . 2, p. 580.
88Ibid.
89Fa r r a r , Eternal Hope, p. 157.
C H A P T E R S I X T Y
Or i ge n Projector of Uni versal -
Restorati on T h eory
As wi th T e r tu l l i an , we wi l l f i rst take an over-al l vi ew of
Or i ge n s basi c po si ti o ns, wi th o u t pau si n g at th i s po i n t f o r do c
u me n tati o n . T h e speci f i cs wi l l be set f o r th i n d e tai l i n th e n e xt
ch apte r wi th exact qu o tati o n s an d f u l l r ef er e nce s pr o vi d e d .
Li ke T e r t u l l i a n of C ar th age , O r i ge n (c. a .d . 185-254) was
a son of No r th e r n Af ri ca. He was bo r n i n to a C h r i sti an h o me ,
e vi d e n tl y i n Al e xan d r i a. A yo u th f u l pr o di gy wi th a preco ci o us
th i r st f o r kno wl edge, h e seemed d e sti n e d f o r a ste l l ar r o l e .
Re mar kabl e f o r sh e e r ge ni us o f l e ar n i n g, h e came to be ac
kno wl e dge d as th e mo st acco mpl i sh e d sch o l ar of h i s ge n e r a
ti o n . He was al ways restl essl y seeki ng f o r th e i n n e r me an i n g,
an d became th e r e vo l u ti o n ar y e xpo n e n t o f th e Al l e go r i cal
Sch ool of I n te r pr e tati o n th at d i d such i n cal cu l abl e i n ju r y to th e
ch u r ch by i ts i n tr o d u cti o n of Pl ato n i c mysti ci sm.
Or i ge n s kno wl edge e mbr ace d al l br an ch e sespeci al l y
ph i l o so ph y, ph i l o l o gy, an d th e o l o gyan d al l th i s ju st as th e ec
cl esi asti cal l anguage of th e ch u r ch was be i n g f o r mu l ate d , an d
be f o r e th e gr e at co unci l s h ad def i ne d th e l i mi ts of o r th o d o xy.
He was f i rst a stu d e n t i n th e C ate ch e ti cal Sch ool i n Al e xan d r i a
u n d e r th e n o te d C l e me n t, co ve r i ng th e ti me of vi o l e n t pe r se cu
ti o n u n d e r Se pti mi us Severus i n 202. Upo n th e mar tyr d o m of
h i s f ath e r Le o ni des, Or i ge n h ad to be r e str ai n e d f r o m o f f e r i ng
h i mse l f f o r mar tyr d o m.
1. B e ca me H e a d o f C a t e ch e t i ca l Sch o o l a t E i gh t e e n .
Possessed o f a vi vi d i magi n ati o n , Or i ge n car r i e d o n h i s ph i l o -
996
so ph i cal spe cu l ati o n s to th e po i n t wh er e th ey r e su l te d i n au d a
ci o us th e o r i e s an d devi ces. Fo r e xampl e, C r e ati o n was to h i m a
co n ti n u o u s process. Per so nal l y, h e pr acti ce d a r i go r o u s asce ti
ci sm. He possessed bu t o n e co at an d n o sh oes, devo ted h i mse l f
co n ti n u o u sl y to study, an d sl e pt o n th e bar e f l oor. An d wh e n
C l e me n t h ad to f l ee f r o m Al e xan d r i a to save h i s l i f e, l e avi ng
h i s sch ool wi th o u t a h ead, Or i ge n was appo i n te d cate ch i st i n
C l e me n ts pl ace, i n 203, wh e n o nl y e i gh te e n. T h e sch ool r ose to
new h e i gh ts o f f ame u n d e r i ts yo u th f u l di r e cto r .
T o gai n gr e ate r i nf l uence o ver h i s stu d e n ts, Or i ge n r e
sol ved to maste r th e var i o us co n te mpo r ar y systems of r e l i gi o n .
And i n o r d e r successf ul l y to co mbat th e m, h e made an e xh au s
ti ve stu d y o f th e l e ad i n g h eresi es of h i s age. In the process he be
came steeped in Greek philosophy. He attacke d an d r e f u te d
th e e nemi es o f th e C h r i sti an f ai th . Bu t i n so d o i n g h e mi xe d
wi th th at f ai th al l ego r i cal mysti ci sm an d Pl ato n i c ph i l o so ph y
tr agi cal l y br i n gi n g C h r i sti an tr u th do wn to th e l evel o f pagan
ph i l o so ph y. An d h i s ad mi r i n g stu d e n ts sedul o usl y spr e ad h i s
vi ews al l o ver th e e mpi r e . It h as be e n sai d th at th e r e i s scarcel y
a l ate r h eresy th at h as bl i gh te d th e ch u r ch wh ose i n ce pti o n
can n o t be tr ace d to Or i ge n .
T h e Pl ato n i c ph i l o so ph y h ad bu t r e ce n tl y come i n to pr o mi
ne nce u n d e r th e l e ad e r sh i p o f Ammo n i u s Saccas,1an d Or i ge n
stu d i e d th at system u n d e r i ts gr e ate st r e pr e se n tati ve , abso r b
i n g i ts pr i n ci pl e s. An d no w h i s own r e pu tati o n h ad spr e ad af ar
because o f h i s ad van ci n g a new me th o d of e xpl ai n i n g Scr i p
tu r e th at r e mo ve d th e d i sagr e e me n t be twe e n th e Bi bl e an d
ph i l o so ph y. Lar ge n u mbe r s atte n d e d h i s l e ctur es. T h e n af te r
th i r te e n years of o r al te ach i n g Or i ge n be gan h i s wr i tte n e x
po si ti o ns, wh i ch tr eati ses, l arge an d smal l , r e ach e d th e al mo st
u n be l i e vabl e to tal of si x th o u san d i tems.2A gr e at l i br ar y was
pr o vi d e d f o r Or i ge n by th e weal th y Ambr o si us, of Al e xan d r i a,
PROJ EC T OR OF UNI VERSAL-REST ORAT I ON T HEORY 997
1 Ammo n i u s Saccas {c. a .d . 175-243), r e pu t e d f o u n d e r o f Ne o pl a to n i s m, was a n
Al e xa n d r i a n by bi r t h , o f h i gh ph i l o s o ph i cal r e pu t e . He gr e a t l y i n f l u e n ce d Pl o ti n u s o f Ro me
(wh o s ai d , T h i s i s t h e ma n I was l o o ki n g f o r ), as we l l as Or i ge n . He was s ai d to be a l a ps e d
C h r i s t i a n (Eu s e bi u s , Church History, bo o k 6, ch a p. 19, i n ANF , vo l . 4, p. 265, n o te 2).
2 I n t r o d u ct o r y No te to t h e Wo r ks o f Or i ge n , i n ANF , vo l . 4, p. 229.
wh o al so f aci l i tate d th e pu bl i cati o n of h i s co mpl e te d works. I t
was th u s gi ve n wi ngs.
2. F i n a l l y De po s e d a n d D e pr i ve d o f O f f i ce .I n o r d e r
to be tte r u n d e r stan d th e Ol d T e stame n t, Or i ge n al so maste r e d
He br e w. An d h e tr ave l e d to Ro me , wh e r e h e me t Hi ppo l ytu s,
as wel l as to Ar abi a, Pal e sti ne , an d Greece. He was o r d ai n e d
a pr e sbyte r at J e r u sal e m, an d was th us br o u gh t u n d e r th e di sci
pl i n e o f Bi sh o p De me tr i u s of Al e xan d r i a, wh o su mmo n e d pr o
vi n ci al co unci l s i n 230 an d 231 th at pr o n o u n ce d h i s o r d i n ati o n
i n val i d , co n d e mn e d h i m f o r f al se d o ctr i n e an d sel f -muti l ati on,
depo sed h i m f r o m of f i ce, an d d e pr i ve d h i m of h i s C ate ch e ti cal
Sch ool .
Dr i ve n i n to exi l e, Or i ge n to o k r e f u ge i n C aesarea, wh e r e
h e star te d a si mi l ar sch ool , wh i ch al so pr o spe r e d. He spe n t th e
r e mai n d e r o f h i s l i f e i n Pal e sti ne , wh e r e h e d i e d abo u t a .d .
254 as a r e su l t of i mpr i so n me n t an d to r tu r e , i nf l i cted u n d e r
Deci us. Because of h i s de vi ati o ns f r o m th e f ai th an d th e e r r o r
o f h i s Re sto r ati o n i st ph i l o so ph y, h e was agai n co n d e mn e d ,
abo u t 544, at a l ate r synod, an d an ath e mati ze d as a h e r e ti c.4
Or i ge n i sm was th u s suppr esse d th r o u gh o u t th e e mpi r e an d
cr u sh e d as a d i sti n ct mo ve me nt, th o u gh i t was n e ve r wi th o u t
i n d i vi d u al su ppo r te r s.6
I. De pr e ci ate s Li te r al i sm; Exal ts Mysti cal an d Spi r i tu al
1. M a s t e r M i n d o f M ys t i ca l I n t e r pr e t a t i o n . As al
r e ad y state d, Or i ge n was r ate d as o ne o f th e mo st l e ar n e d me n
an d pr o f o u n d th i n ke r s of ante -Ni ce n e ti mes, pr o f o u n d l y i n
f l u e nci ng th e d o ctr i n al po si ti o ns o f th e ch u r ch . He e ngage d
3C o mmi t t e d i n h i s yo u th i n s u ppo s e d o be d i e n ce to C h r i s t s i n ju n ct i o n i n Ma t t h e w 19:12.
Su ch mu t i l a t i o n , a cco r d i n g to t h e n -cu r r e n t e ccl e s i as ti cal l aw, i n ca pa ci t a t e d h i m f o r o r d i n a t i o n .
*C. J . He f e l e , A History of the Councils of the Church, vo l . 4, bo o k 13, se cs. 255-257,
pp. 217-228; a n d bo o k 14, ch a p. 2, se c. 274, pp. 336, 337.
8Or i ge n was ass ai l e d by Me th o d i u s (d . 311), wh o d e n i e d t h e e t e r n i t y o f t h e cr e a ti ve
pr o ce s s e s , t h e f al l o f t h e s o u l i n a pr e -e xi s t e n t s t a t e , i ts pr o ba t i o n a r y i mpr i s o n me n t i n t h e bo d y,
a n d th e s pi r i t u a l i zi n g o f t h e r e s u r r e ct i o n . Bu t h e was d e f e n d e d by Eu s e bi u s a n d Pa mph i l u s .
An d T h e o ph i l u s (d . 412) ca ta l o gu e d h i s h e r e s i e s pa r t i cu l a r l y h i s t e a ch i n g o f t h e u l t i ma t e
r e s to r a t i o n o f e vi l me n , f al l e n an ge l s , a n d t h e d e vi l h i ms e l f . He d e n o u n ce d Or i ge n as th e
h yd r a o f al l h e r e s i e s .
i n co n stan t co ntro ver si es, th ese co n ti n u i n g to h arass th e
ch u r ch u n ti l th e si xth ce n tu r y. Havi n g beco me pr o f o u n d l y
pe r su ad e d o f th e ph i l o so ph i cal t r u t h of th e In n ate Immo r
tal i ty o f th e soul , h e r ecast h i s C h r i sti an vi ews to me e t th e
patte r n of h i s Pl ato n i c ph i l o so ph y. T h i s i nvo l ved vi r tu al l y
ever y vi tal d o ctr i n e .
Al ways i n cl i n e d to be e r r ati c, h e was at f i rst an e xtr e me
l i te r al i st. T h e n , swi ngi ng to th e o th e r e xtr e me , h e became
th e maste r mi n d o f th e Sch ool of Mysti cal In te r pr e tati o n , r e
d u ci n g i t to a system. Ho w co u l d th e Pl ato n i c po stu l ate s be
h ar mo n i ze d wi th th e Bi bl e? T h e ge ni us of Or i ge n devi sed a
wayth e Bi bl e was to be u n d e r sto o d allegorically, n o t l i te r
al l y, o r as metaphors, u n d e r wh i ch i ts l ate n t sense an d r e al
tr u t h were co nceal ed. By th i s i n ge n i o u s me th o d th e Bi bl e
co u l d be made to teach Pl ato n i c po si ti o ns wi th o u t u n avo i d
abl e co n tr ad i cti o n .
2. A l l e go r i za t i o n D e t e r mi n e d E n t i r e Exe ge s i s . Or i
gen, mo st vo l u mi n o u s o f th e ear l y wr i te r s, was th e i n i ti ato r of
te xtu al cr i ti ci sm. Hi s cr o wn i n g wo r k i n Bi bl i cal cr i ti ci sm was
h i s Hexaplasi x versi o ns i n par al l e l co l umns. I t r e qu i r e d
e i gh te e n years to pr o d u ce . Hi s co mme n tar i e s co ver th e Bi bl e.
Hi s gr e at apo l o ge ti c wo r k was h i s abl e Contra Celsus, me e ti n g
th e mo st scu r r i l o u s attack o f th e ti me agai nst C h r i sti an i ty.
Or i ge n s ch i e f do gmati cal wo r k, De Principiis (On th e
Pr i n ci pl e s), th e f i rst systemati c th e o l o gi cal e xpo si ti o n of
C h r i sti an d o ctr i n e , was wr i tte n be f o r e h e l e f t Al e xan d r i a, an d
was th e mo st spe cul ati ve o f al l h i s works. He h e r e co n je ctu r e d
abo u t Go d an d h eave nl y th i ngs, an d man an d th e mate r i al
wo r l d to ge th e r wi th f ree wi l l an d i ts co nsequences, an d im
mortality, eternity, eternal life, e t ce te r aal l th e su bje ct of
o u r que st. Bu t al l of th ese wer e co ver e d wi th a vei l o f al l ego ry.
An d th i s al l e go r i zati o n d e te r mi n e d th e wh o l e patte r n o f h i s
exegesi s.
3. O r i ge n s T h r e e Se n s e s t o S cr i pt u r e .T o Or i ge n
th e r e were th r e e senses to Scr i ptu r e th e l i te r al , mo r al , an d
PROJ EC T OR OF UNIVERSAL-REST ORAT I ON T HEORY 999
spi r i tu al . T h e literal (wh i ch h e cal l e d e ar th l y, sensual , car n al ,
J ewi sh ) h ad l i ttl e val ue, was n o t tr u e . T h e moral, o r d e e pe r
sense (cel esti al , i n te l l i gi bl e , symbo l i cal , mysti cal , secr et), r e
l ates to moral matte r s an d th e r e l i gi o u s l i f e o n e ar th . An d th e
spiritual pe r tai n s to th e h eave nl y l i f e i n th e wo r l d to co me
h i s pr i n ci pal i n te r e st. T h e co mmo n an d h i sto r i cal sense, was
f o r th e mo r e si mpl e , bu t th e advance d were to be edi f i ed
by th e very so ul of Scr i ptu r e . 8
Or i ge n d i d n o t deny th at th e Scr i ptu r e s tau gh t a l i te r al r es
u r r e cti o n , a pe r so n al Second Adve nt, an d a mi l l e n n i u mi f
take n i n a l i te r al sense. Bu t such , h e co n te n d e d , was n o t th e
tr u e an d i n n e r sense. So Or i ge n d e pr i ve d th e Scr i ptur e s of al l
f o r ce by ad o pti n g th e al l ego r i cal me th o d o f exegesi s.
I I . Un i ve r sal Re sto r ati o n i sm Or i ge n s Answer to
T e r tu l l i an s Ete r n al T o r me n t
1. D i s t o r t s a n Obvi o u s B i bl e T r u t h . Or i ge n br o u gh t
f o r war d a ne gl e cte d Bi bl e tr u th mi ssed by T e r tu l l i an , bu t i n
such tr agi cal l y d i sto r te d f o r m as to n u l l i f y th e i n spi r e d pr o vi
si o n. T h a t tr u th was th e ultimate extinction of all moral evil.
Or i ge n u n d e r sto o d th e Bi bl e to decl ar e th at si n wi l l be
br o u gh t to an end. Evi l wi l l n o t be pe r mi tte d to exi st f o rever .
He saw th at Go d s r i gh teo usness, justi ce , mercy, an d po wer
ar e pl e d ge d to th at end. Bu t Or i ge n e r r e d gr i evo usl y as to
th e means an d me th o d of acco mpl i sh me nt. At th at po i n t h e
l e f t th e Scr i ptu r e pl atf o r m co mpl ete l y, to f ol l ow h u man tr ad i
ti o n.
T h e r easo n f o r h i s e r r o r i s n o t h ar d to f i ndth e f al se
Pl ato n i c assu mpti o n of th e u n i ve r sal In n ate Immo r tal i ty of
th e soul . T h a t was th e ignis fatuus (f o o l s f i re, o r wi l l -o -th e-
wi sp) th at l ed h i m astray an d e mbo l d e n e d h i m i n to pr o mi s
i n g l i f e to th o se u po n wh o m Go d h ad th r e ate n e d d e ath . An d
i n pr o cl ai mi n g r e sto r ati o n to th e i n co r r i gi bl y wi cked, i n ste ad
8Or i ge n , De Principiis, bo ok 4, ch ap. 1, sec. I I , i n ANF, vo l . 4, p. 359.
o f th e d e str u cti o n de cr e e d, h e co n tr ad i cte d Go d an d dece i ved
me n . Wh i l e h i s th e o r y was capti vati n g, i t was n o n e th e l e ss
f al se, i n val i d , an d wh o l l y mi sl e adi ng. T h a t was h i s gr avest si n
gl e e r r o r Un i ve r sal Re sto r ati o n i sm i n ste ad of th e u l ti mate
e xti n cti o n of al l u n r e pe n tan t si nner s.
2. P l a t o t h e Spo n s o r o f B o t h V i e ws .Bu t bo th Or i
ge n s an d T e r t u l l i a n s ph i l o so ph i e s of th e desti ny o f th e so ul
h ad , str an ge l y e n o u gh , be e n sketch e d o u t l o n g be f o r e e i th e r
advo cate was bo r n f o r Plato had sponsored both views. In
h i s Tartarus Pl ato h ad gi ve n th e pr o to type of T e r t u l l i a n s
He l l . Bu t Pl ato co nf i ne d h i s endl ess mi ser y f o r th e wi cked to
a few incurables.
T h e vast majo r i ty, h e h e l d, wer e cu r abl e . An d h i s scene
o f th e i r pu n i s h me n t af te r d e ath was th e pl ace of th e i r purga
tionan Ach e r u si an l ake of woe i n to wh i ch th e vast majo r i ty
o f soul s wo u l d go, an d f r o m wh i ch af te r a su i tabl e pe r i o d of
su f f e r i ng th e y wer e rel e ased o r r e sto r e d . Even i n Tartarus,
f o r th e i n cu r abl e s, some o f th e very wi cked came f o r th af te r
co mpl e te pu r gati o n .7 So Pl ato s pagan ph i l o so ph y h ad sug
gested th e sl i gh tl y var i an t i deas bo th to Or i ge n an d to T e r tu l -
l i an.
3. L i f e F a l s e l y Pr o mi s e d I n s t e a d o f D e a t h .Or i ge n
al te r e d th e i n te n t o f th e pl ai n e st l an gu age of Scr i ptu r e to
pl e dge e te r n al l i f e to th o se o n wh o m Go d h ad d e cr e e d e te r n al
d e ath . Pr e ssi ng o n th e Bi bl i cal pr o mi se s of th e u tte r e xti n c
ti o n o f al l evi l , h e so man i pu l ate d th e Scr i ptur e s th e r e o n as
to make th e m u tte r l y u n tr u stwo r th y as a gu i d e an d au th o r i ty.
T e r t u l l i a n h ad mad e evi l , d e sti n e d to pass wi th time, to be
evi l f o r eternity. He th u s vi o l ate d Go d s d e si gn ate d di f f er e nce
be twe e n ti me an d e te r n i ty. T e r tu l l i a n h ad evi l e xi sti n g
th r o u gh o u t al l e te r n i ty i n Go d s r e al m o f r i gh te o usne ss.
Or i ge n , o n th e co n tr ar y, h e l d to th e f i nal e xti n cti o n o nl y
of sin, an d n o t o f si nner s. Wi th h i m evi l was tr an si to r y an d
7 F. J . C h u r ch , Platos Phaedo (107, 108, 114), i n L i br a r y o f L i be r a l Ar ts , n o . 30,
pp. 62 , 63, 69.
1002
wo u l d pass. Bu t h e made death to be th e magi c means of sal
vati o n . T h a t was h i s tr agi c reversal .
I t mu st i n f ai r ness be sai d th at Or i ge n i sm h as as mu ch
tr u t h (d i sto r te d as i t th e r e i n i s) as th e r i val vi ew of T e r tu l -
l i an ; an d i t pr e se nts a mo r e pl e asi ng vi ew of God. Bu t i t was
o nl y a h u man system th at co n tr ad i cte d th e Wo r d of Go d,
wh i ch i n a h u n d r e d pl aces decl ar es th e r e i s n o h o pe f o r th o se
co n d e mn e d i n th e ju d gme n t. Wh e n evi l h as at l ast be e n pu n
i sh ed, th e r e pr o bate wi l l h ave passed o u t o f bei ng.
Or i ge n th e r e f o r e f al l s u n d e r th e co n d e mn ati o n of th o se
wh o str e n gth e n th e h ands o f th e wi cked, th at h e sh o u l d n o t
r e tu r n f r o m h i s wi cked way, by promising him life (Eze. 13:
22). Bu t i n th at f u tu r e age th at sh al l h ave n o e n d th e r e wi l l
be n o r e pr o bate , e i th e r i n Heaven, wh er e Or i ge n h ad pl ace d
th e m, o r i n Hell f o r ever , as T e r tu l l i an h ad co n te n d e d , f o r
th e r e wi l l be a cl e an uni ve r se, br o u gh t to pass i n Go d s way
an d n o t th at o f T e r t u l l i a n s n o r o f Or i ge n s.
4. T wo E qu a l l y I n j u r i o u s P e r ve r s i o n s . So i t was n o t
wi th o u t r e aso n th at th e apo stl e Pau l war n e d agai nst th e su b
tl e ti e s o f h u man ph i l o so ph y (C ol . 2:8; Acts 20:29, 30) an d th e
d e ce pti ve tr ad i ti o n s o f me n , an d pr e d i cte d a gr ave d e par ti n g
f r o m th e apo sto l i c f ai th af te r th e passi ng of th e apostl es (2
T h ess. 2:3). I t was th e ad o pti o n o f o n e al i e n ph i l o so ph i c do gma
th at l e d o n e sch ool o f h i gh l y tr ai n e d me n ,8f o l l o wi ng T e r tu l l i an
o f C ar th age , to overstress divine justice an d to po r tr ay Go d as
a tyr an t o f u n u tte r abl e cr ue l ty.
An d no w an o th e r sch ool of th eo l o gy,8f o l l o wi ng Or i ge n of
Al e xan d r i a, seeki ng to f r ee th e ch ar acte r o f Go d f r o m th e
ch ar ge o f i n ju sti ce an d cr u e l ty swung to th e o ppo si te e x
tr e me . I t str essed the restorative power of God an d gl ossed
o ver th e si nf ul ne ss o f si n. T h i s sch ool became f ul l y as i n ju r i
ous to th e cause o f tr u th an d r i gh teo usness, an d gi l d e d th e
bl ackness of si n wi th se ducti ve l i gh t.
8 I n cl u d i n g Hi ppo l yt u s , C ypr i a n , Ambr o s e , C h r ys o s to m, a n d J e r o me .
I n cl u d i n g Gr e go r y T h a u ma t u r gu s , Pa mph i l u s , Eu s e bi u s , T i t u s , Basi l , Di o d o r u s , Di d y-
mu s , a n d Gr e go r y o f Nyss a.
Bo th d e par tu r e s wer e th e o u tgr o wth of pe r ver si o ns of
Bi bl e tr u th s, de ve l o pe d di versel y bu t u n d e r th e co mmo n
i mpu l se o f th e same ph i l o so ph i c f al l acyun i ve r sal In n ate
Immo r tal i ty. T h e r e vo l ti n g pi ctu r e o f Go d pai n te d by T e r t u l
l i an , wi th h i s po stu l ate o f Ete r n al T o r me n t, cr e ate d an u n
d e r stan d abl e r e vu l si o n . As a r e su l t, a qu ar te r of a ce n tu r y
l ate r Or i ge n h ad ste ppe d f o r war d to co u n te r act i t wi th h i s
co u n te r th e o r y o f universal restoration. Wh i l e T e r tu l l i a n h ad
co nsi gne d r e pr o bate man to Endl ess T o r me n t i n He l l , Or i
gen no w co n ve r te d He l l i n to a vast Pu r gato r y f o r th e pu r i f i ca
ti o n of r e pr o bate me n an d demo ns, wi th u l ti mate r e sto r ati o n
o f al l to jo y at th e r i gh t h an d of Go d f o r e ve r mo r e . I t was th e
o l d sto r y o f th e pe n d u l u m swi ngi ng f r o m o n e e xtr e me to th e
o th e r wi th tr u th l yi ng betwe e n, an d sh ar pl y se par ate d f r o m,
th e two f al se co ncepts.
5. A vo i d s On e P i t f a l l O n l y t o F a l l I n t o A n o t h e r .
T h u s we see th at Or i ge n , e ar l i e st kno wn ch u r ch wr i te r to
f o r mu l ate th e th e o r y of Re sto r ati o n i sm,10pu t i t f o r th i n o p
po si ti o n to wh at h e co n si d e r e d to be th e vi n d i cti ve , co ntr a-
di cti ve, an d f antasti c asserti o ns made by T e r tu l l i an o n th e
Ete r n al T o r me n t of th e wi cked. Bu t h e avo i de d o n e pi tf al l
o nl y to f al l i n to an o th e r . He saw th at T e r tu l l i an , th o u gh l e d
by Pl ato , h ad pl ai n l y f al l e n i n to a th e o l o gi cal di tch .
Bu t Or i ge n , th o u gh n o ti n g th e f al l of T e r tu l l i an i n to an
o bvi o us e r r o r , d i d n o t per cei ve th e cause of th at f al l . So h e
to o k th e h an d o f th e same ph i l o so ph i cal gu i d e , Pl ato , an d
h o l d i n g to th e same pr e mi se of u n i ve r sal In n ate Immo r tal i ty,
f el l i n to a d i f f e r e n t d i tch , bu t o ne ju st as d e e p an d del usi ve,
an d ju st as al i e n to Bi bl i cal tr u th . I t was a d o u bl e tr age dy.
T e r t u l l i a n s d o ctr i n e of an eternal Hell of ceaseless tor
ture h ad pr e se n te d a gl ar i n g tar ge t f o r th e sh af ts of th e pagan
ph i l o so ph e r C el sus, an d f o r h i s f i erce attacks o n such a Go d as
e xecr abl e. T h i s h e l pe d to d r i ve Or i ge n i n to th e o ppo si te f al -
PROJ EC T OR OF UNIVERSAL-REST O RAT I ON T HEORY 1003
10C a n o n C o n s ta bl e r i gh t l y r e ma r ks , We ca n n o t f i n d , e i t h e r a mo n g h e r e t i ca l o r o r t h o
d o x te a ch e r s , t h e name o f a s i n gl e wr i t e r wh o a d vo ca te d t h e th e o r y be f o r e Or i ge n (Duration
and Nature of Future Punishment, p. 228).
l acy. Or i ge n co u n te r e d T e r t u l l i a n s e te r n al He l l po stu l ate
wi th Scr i ptu r e d e cl ar ati o n s co n ce r n i n g th e f i nal e r ad i cati o n of
evi l an d Go d s pr o mi se o f a si nl ess uni ve rse. But, by co n n e ct
i n g th e se pr o mi se s o f a cl e an u n i ve r se wi th h i s pr e co nce i ve d
n o ti o n o f th e i n d e f e asi bl e i mmo r tal i ty o f al l soul s, Or i ge n ar
r i ve d , l o gi cal l y an d i n e vi tabl y e n o u gh , at th e e r r o n e o u s co n
cl u si o n o f a f i nal r e sto r ati o n of even th e mo st i n co r r i gi bl e si n
ne r s, an d n o t o n l y of demo ns bu t of Satan h i msel f .
As mi gh t be expe cte d, wi th such a vi ew Or i ge n u tte r l y
r e je cte d th e i de a of pu n i sh me n t by l i te r al f i re. T o h i m pu n i s h
me n t wo u l d be by process of i n te l l e ctu al an d mo r al f orces,
such as r e mo r se o f consci ence, f i ery tr i al , an d th e l i ke. T h e se
wo u l d pu r i f y th e so ul f r o m si n. An d d e ath was l i kewi se f i gu r a
ti ve, an d th e pr e d i cte d d e str u cti o n was n o t o f si nner s, bu t of
si ns. So th e pu r i f yi n g f i res o f Ge h e n n a wo u l d pu r ge away th e
dross, pr e par i n g th e so ul f o r th e n e ve r -e n d i n g bl i ss of He ave n .
Yet i t was o nl y an i n ge n i o u s so ph i str y, br o u gh t abo u t by d i s
car d i n g th e l i te r al f o r th e metaph ysi cal .
I I I . Pi vo tal C h r i sti an Do ctr i nes Assai l ed by Or i gen
Bef o r e tu r n i n g to d o cu me n te d d e tai l i n th e n e xt secti o ns,
l e t us take a bi r d s-eye vi ew of th e majo r d e pr e d ati o n s mad e
by Or i ge n u po n th e pi vo tal do ctr i n e s o f th e pr i mi ti ve f ai th .
T h i s wi l l br i n g th e l ar ge r pi ctu r e bef o r e us i n br o ad o u tl i n e ,
wi th th e d e tai l s to be f i l l ed i n l ater . He r e ar e n i n e basi c
po i nts.
1. S cr i pt u r e s Ro bbe d o f A u t h o r i t a t i v e F o r ce .As
n o te d , Or i ge n mai n tai n e d th at th e l i te r al sense of Scr i ptu r e i s
n o t i ts tr u e me an i n g. In d e e d , th at was pe r h aps h i s pr i mar y
emph asi s i n exegesi s. Fo l l o wi ng th e al l e go r i cal me th o d of
Pl ato an d Ph i l o , h e so spi r i tu al i ze d th e i n te n t of th e Scr i p
tu r e s as to d e pr i ve th e m o f al l au th o r i ty an d f orce. He d e n i e d
th e l i te r al i ty of th e Bi bl e n ar r ati ve s, such as th e C r e ati o n n a r
r ati ve an d th e Fal l , an d many New T e stame n t h i sto r i cal rec-
o r ds as wel l , d e cl ar i n g th e m actu al l y to be f abr i cati o ns. He
d e cl ar e d th e pr o ph e ci e s to be f i l l ed wi th d ar k sayi ngs, an d h e
mu d d i e d even th e cl e ar e st an d mo st e xpl i ci t state me n ts of
Ho l y Wr i t by h i s mysti ci sm.
2. Swe pt A po s t o l i c F a i t h I n t o D i s ca r d . T h e basi c
do ctr i n e s an d esch ato l o gi cal te ach i ngs of th e apo sto l i c f ai th
th e Second Adve nt, bo d i l y r e su r r e cti o n , catacl ysmi c e n d of th e
wo r l d by d i vi n e i n te r po si ti o n , mi l l e n n i u m, d e str u cti o n of si n
an d si nne r s, an d th e e stabl i sh me n t of th e ki n gd o m of Go d at
th e e n d o f th e agewer e th u s al l swept i n to di scar d by Or i -
ge n s al l e go r i zi ng i n te r pr e tati o n as th e dar kness of mysti c ph i
l o so ph y i ncr e asi ngl y su ppl an te d th e l i gh t of Scr i ptu r e tr u th .
3. P r e - e xi s t e n ce C o u pl e d t o R e s t o r a t i o n i s m. Or i ge n
f e l t a co mpu l si o n to d e ve l o p an d e n u n ci ate wh at h e co nce i ved
to be th e f o u n d ati o n al pr i n ci pl e s co n ce r n i n g th e uni ve r se,
Go d, an d man . T wo d i sti n cti ve f u n d ame n tal s of h i s system
wer e (1) th e pre-existence of th e so ul , an d (2) th e universal
restoration o f al l soul s. Wi th o u t pr e-exi stence h e co u l d n o t e x
pl ai n an d d e f e n d th e pr e se n t state of th i ngs i n th e wo r l d o r
br i n g th e m to acco r d wi th i s vi ew of th e ju sti ce of Go d. An d
wi th o u t un i ve r sal r e sto r ati o n of al l to r i gh teo usness h e co u l d
n o t br i n g h i s system to a f i nal i ssue, h e th o u gh t, wo r th y of
Go d s ju sti ce an d mercy. Mo r eo ver , h i s system mu st e mbr ace
man s f r ee wi l l , wh i ch mu st n o t be co erced. So uni ve r sal r es
to r ati o n became th e keysto ne i n h i s th e o l o gi cal ar ch , wi th o u t
wh i ch h i s wh o l e system wo u l d col l apse.
4. I mpi n ge d V a u n t e d F r e e d o m o f W i l l . Or i ge n
r i gh tl y h e l d th at Go d mad e man capabl e of go o d o r evi l , wi th
po we r to ch oose as h e mi gh t el ect. An d yet Or i ge n wo u l d
make Go d bo u n d to wi n (o r f orce) th at r e spo n si bl e f ree
mo r al age n t back to th e l i f e h e h ad ch o sen to f o rsaketh u s ac
tu al l y vi o l ati n g th e f reedo m-o f -th e-wi l l pr i n ci pl e h e h ad set
f o r th . Go d tr u l y mad e man capabl e of ch o o si ng e i th e r l i f e
an d i mmo r tal i ty o r evi l an d d e ath . Bu t Or i ge n sai d, No , th e
e vi l you ch ose sh al l be r e mo ve d f r o m you, i r r e spe cti ve o f
wh at yo u do, an d th e good th at you d i d n o t ch oose to ch e r i sh
sh al l be e n f o r ce d u po n you. Or i ge n th u s r e d u ce d th e f r ee
mo r al age nt, made to wal k i n th e f r e e d o m of ch oi ce, to a cr e a
tu r e r e gu l ate d by th e i r r e si sti bl e l aw of co n tr o l .
5. R e l a t i o n s h i ps t o t h e E mpi r e R e vo l u t i o n i ze d . In
th e mo r e mu n d an e sph e r e th e te ach i ngs of Or i ge n l i kewi se
l e d l o gi cal l y to an o th e r r e vo l u ti o n of th o u gh t an d atti tu d e o n
a vi tal qu e sti o n l yi ng at th e f o u n d ati o n o f al l th e o l o gi cal an d
soci al d e ve l o pme n tsnamel y, C h r i sti an i tys r e l ati o n sh i p to
th e state, o r e mpi r e . Pr i o r to Or i ge n , th e C h r i sti an co mmu
n i ty abstai n e d f r o m i n vo l ve me n t i n po l i ti cal l i f e, r e f u si n g to
make appe al s to tr i bu n al s an d d e cl i n i n g to par ti ci pate i n mi l i
tar y acti vi ti es. T h e y so ugh t to gu ar d th emsel ves f r o m th e
co n tami n ati o n s o f th e age by th e si mpl e devi ce of se par ati o n .
Bef o r e Or i ge n , th e co nve r si o n o f th e Ro man Empi r e h ad
n o t be e n expe cte d. C h r i sti an s were in bu t n o t of th e wo r l d.
I t h ad be e n ge n e r al l y bel i e ve d th at th e e mpi r e wo u l d be d e
str o ye d by th e speedy r e tu r n of C h r i st, wi th Hi s mi l l e n n i al
r e i gn f o l l o wi ng. Bu t Or i ge n pl an te d th e seed of th e r e vo l u
ti o n ar y co n ce pt of th e gr ad u al co nver si o n o f th e e mpi r e to
C h r i sti an i ty. He r e l e ntl e ssl y expo sed th e ch i l i asti c e xtr ava
gances o f th e day, an d l ai d th e f o u n d ati o n f o r th e r e vo l u ti o n
ar y task o f pr e par i n g C h r i sti an i ty f o r a new de sti nyi ts
e stabl i sh me n t o n e ar th an d th e r e sto r ati o n o f al l soul s to th e
f el l o wsh i p o f Go d an d th e pu r i ty o f h eaven.
IV. Re vo l u ti o n ar y C o ncepts o f Li f e , De ath , an d Desti ny
1. S t r a n ge C o n t e n t i o n s i n A n t h r o po l o gy. I n th e
ar e a of an th r o po l o gy Or i ge n h e l d th at i n th e o r i gi n al C r e ati o n
al l cr e ate d i n te l l i ge n ce s wer e al i ke. But, th r o u gh th e exerci se
o f f r e e do m some d e ve l o pe d i n to a h i gh e r o r d e r , wh ereas
o th e r s f el l i n to si n an d became e i th e r demo ns o r soul s i m
pr i so n e d i n bo di es. De ath , h e h e l d, does n o t f i nal l y de ci de th e
f ate o f th e so ul , wh i ch may tu r n i n to an angel o r a d e mo n
th i s ascent o r descent go i ng o n i n d e f i n i te l y u n ti l th e f i nal
apocatastasis,u wh e n al l cr e atu r e s wi l l be saved. T h i s was pe r
h aps h i s mo st co n tr o ve r si al th e o ry.
2. A d a ms F a l l M a d e A l l e go r i ca l . T h e mate r i al
wo r l d , Or i ge n bel i eved, was cr e ate d o u t of n o th i n g, an d be
came th e abo d e o f th e f al l e n spi r i ts. Bu t Ad ams f al l was r e
gar d e d as o n l y al l ego r i cal , r e pr e se n ti n g th e f ate of th e wh o l e
cl ass o f f al l e n, e mbo d i e d spi r i ts. I t was a type, taki n g pl ace
e ver ywh er e, at al l ti mes. Man, Or i ge n h e l d , i s th r e e f o l d . He
h as a mate r i al body, a so ul , o r vi tal pr i n ci pl e , an d a spi r i t.
T h r o u gh apostasy man s r e aso n was d ar ke n e d an d h e was
d e pr i ve d o f spi r i tu al l i f e, yet h i s wi l l r e mai n e d f r ee to ch oose
evi l . Al l su bse qu e n t ch anges r e su l t f r o m i ts exerci se, an d may
ef f ect th e r e pe ate d r i se an d f al l of al l f i ni te bei ngs. Bu t n o sal
vati o n i s abso l u te l y f i nal , acco r d i n g to Or i ge n . Evi l r e mai n s
as an e te r n al vi ci ssi tude o r th r e at.
3. R e v o l u t i o n a r y C o n ce pt s o f E s ch a t o l o gy. As to
h i s esch atol ogy, a str o n g cu r r e n t of mysti ci sm f l ows al l th r o u gh
h i s tr e ati se De Principiis (On th e Pr i n ci pl e s). Or i ge n th u s
r e je cte d th e d o ctr i n e of th e r e su r r e cti o n o f a mate r i al bo dy,
wh i ch i n ste ad wo u l d be bu t spi r i tu al . An d h e be l i e ve d i n th e
f i nal r e sto r ati o n an d co mpl e te h ar mo n y of th e spi r i tu al wo r l d.
T h e e n d i s to be as was th e be gi n n i n g. T h e d amn e d , th e d e
mo ns, an d even th e d e vi l h i mse l f wi l l , h e suppo se d, af te r d i sci
pl i n i n g pu n i sh me n t be br o u gh t agai n i n to u l ti mate su bje c
ti o n to C h r i st. T h i s, h o wever , was vi go r o usl y ch al l enge d.
4. M ys t i ca l I n t e r pr e t a t i o n I n vo ke d t o E va d e L i t e r
a l i s m.Wh e n co n f r o n te d wi th i n spi r e d passages th at e x
pressl y de cl ar e th e d e str u cti o n o f th e wi cked, Or i ge n si mpl y
i n vo ke d th e ai d o f mysti c i n te r pr e tati o n . Hi s ar gu me n t was
si mpl y th i s: T h e si n n e r wi l l n o t be destr o yed, f o r th e si mpl e
r e aso n th at h e i s i n d e str u cti bl e . He possesses an i mmo r tal i ty
11Gr e e k t e r m f o r t h e d o ct r i n e t h a t al l f r e e mo r a l cr e a t u r e s an ge l s , me n , a n d d e mo n s
wi l l u l t i ma t e l y be s ave d .
12 ODCC, a r t ., Or i ge n , pp. 991-993.
o f wh i ch h e can n o t be d e pr i ve d . I t i s co n se qu e n tl y o nl y th e
s i n n e r s sin th at wi l l be co nsu me d i n th e bapti sm o f f i re. He l l
wi l l o nl y r e tar d , f o r a l o n ge r o r sh o r te r pe r i o d , th e e n tr an ce
o f al l i ts i n h abi tan ts i n to He ave n. In d e e d , u n d e r Or i ge n
He l l became n o l o n ge r Hell, o nl y a vast Pu r gato r y, tr an s
f o r me d i n to a so r t o f ve sti bu l e to th e abo d e o f th e bl essed.1*
T h i s mysti cal i n te r pr e tati o n h as be e n cal l e d th e pest of
exegesi s, 14f r o m wh i ch th e ch u r ch h as n e ve r be e n co mpl e te l y
d e l i ve r e d . Wh i l e th e r e ar e types, symbol s, al l ego r i es, par abl e s,
an d pr o ph e ci e s i n Ho l y Wr i t wh i ch mu st, per f o r ce , be take n
f i gur ati vel y, never th e l e ss th e pr i n ci pl e i s wi del y r eco gni zed
th at th e me taph o r i cal me an i n g i s al l o wed o nl y wh e r e th e l i t
e r al me an i n g i s i nad mi ssi bl e an d absu r d . T h a t pr i n ci pl e
Or i ge n f l au n te d . T o h i s mi n d th e r e was n o th i n g absu r d , f o r
i nstance, i n th e su ppo si ti o n th at a be i n g wh i ch h ad h ad a be gi n
n i n g 15 co u l d n e ve r co me to an e n d de spi te th e seemi ng
co n tr ad i cti o n s o f Ho l y Wr i t.
V. Do cu me n te d Def i ni ti o ns an d Usages
Bef o r e sur ve yi ng Or i ge n s speci f i c teach i ngs, f i rst n o te a
f ew de f i n i ti o n s o f key expr essi o ns an d usages th at pi n po i n t
h i s me an i n g.
1. M e n A r e So u l s i n Bo d i e s .Or i ge n def i nes me n
si mpl y as soul s th at ar e pl aced i n bo d i e s. 16
2. So u l I s I mma t e r i a l , I n vi s i bl e , I mmo r t a l . Or i ge n
r e pe ate d l y r e f e r s to th e so u l as a su bstan ce , 17 par taki n g
of th e e te r n al n atu r e , wh i ch sh o u l d l ast f o r e ve r . I t i s
i mmo r tal an d i n co r r u pti bl e , sh ar i n g th e n atu r e of Go d.
An d ever y su bstance wh i ch par take s o f th at e te r n al n atu r e
13Or i ge n , De Principiis, bo o k 1. ch a p. 6, i n ANF , vo l . 4, pp. 260-262, cf . Or i ge n ,
Against Celsus, bo o k 6, ch a p. 26, i n A NF , vo l . 4, p. 585.
14Pe t a ve l , T h e Problem o f I mmortality, p. 281.
15Y e t Or i ge n h a d s ai d t h a t r a t i o n a l be i n gs we r e cr e a t e d i n t h e be gi n n i n g. T h e y
d i d n o t pr e vi o u s l y e xi s t , o r d i d n o t al ways e xi s t . An d wh a t i s be s to we d ca n be ta ke n
away, a n d d i s a ppe a r (De Principiis, bo o k 2, ch a p. 9, se c. 2, i n ANF , vo l . 4, p. 290).
19Ib id . , bo o k 4, ch a p. 1, se c. 14, p. 362.
17I b id . , bo o k 2, ch a p. 8, se c. 1, p. 286.
PROJ EC T OR OF UNI VERSAL-REST ORAT I ON T HEORY 1009
sh o u l d l ast f o r ever, an d be i n co r r u pti bl e an d e te r n al . 18Be
cause o f th e i mpo r tan ce of th e te r m we ad d two ci tati o n s as
e xampl es:
T h e so u l o ve r wh i ch He exer ci ses th i s pr o vi d e n ti al car e i s i mmo r tal ;
an d as be i n g i mmo r tal an d e ve r l asti n g, i t i s n o t, al th o u gh n o t i mme d i ate l y
car e d f o r , e xcl u d e d f r o m sal vati o n , wh i ch i s po s tpo n e d to a mo r e co n
ve n i e n t ti me . 19
Fo r Go d d e al s wi th so ul s n o t me r e l y wi th a vi ew to th e s h o r t space
o f o u r pr e s e n t l i f e , i n cl u d e d wi th i n si xty year s o r mo r e , bu t wi th r e f e r e n ce
to a pe r pe tu a l a n d n e ve r -e n d i n g pe r i o d , e xe r ci si n g Hi s pr o vi d e n ti al car e
o ve r so ul s th a t ar e i mmo r tal , e ve n as He Hi mse l f i s e te r n al an d i mmo r tal .
Fo r He mad e th e r ati o n al n atu r e , wh i ch He f o r me d i n Hi s o wn i mage
an d l i ke ness, i n co r r u pti bl e ; an d th e r e f o r e th e so ul , wh i ch i s i mmo r tal , i s
n o t e xcl u d e d by th e sh o r tn e ss o f th e pr e se n t l i f e f r o m th e d i vi n e r e me d i e s
an d cu r e s. 20
T h e s e soul s, Or i ge n el sewh ere so ber l y avers, ar e as i m
mo r tal , e te r n al , an d i n co r r u pti bl e as Go d Hi msel f !
3. D e a t h N e i t h e r P e r i s h i n g N o r D e s t r u ct i o n .De ath ,
acco r d i n g to Or i ge n , i s n o th i n g mo r e th an a d e par tu r e . Man,
cr e ate d f o r l i f e, wi l l n o t be destr o yed. De ath pr o duce s o nl y a
ch ange . Its substance ce r tai n l y r e mai n s. An d acco r d i n g to
th e me r i ts of th e i n d we l l i n g so u l , th e f l esh l y bo dy wi l l ad
vance to th e gl o ry of a s pi r i tu al bo d y. n
Fo r d e a th i s n o th i n g el se th a n a d e pa r tu r e f r o m l i f e an d as i t was
n o t to f o l l o w t h a t th o se be i n gs wh i ch h ad o n ce be e n cr e ate d by Go d f o r
th e e n jo yme n t o f l i f e sh o u l d u tte r l y pe r i sh , i t was necessar y th at, be f o r e
d e ath , th e r e sh o u l d be i n e xi ste n ce such a po we r as wo u l d d e str o y th e
co mi n g d e a th . 22
4. D e s t r u ct i o n I s N o t C e a s i n g t o Be.As to d e
s tr u cti o n , Or i ge n deni es th at i t e ve n tu ate s i n n o n e xi ste n ce .
T h e so ul was cr e ate d to l i ve an d can n o t cease to be. I t i s i n d e
f easi bl e.
Its [th e so u l s] d e s tr u cti o n , th e r e f o r e , wi l l n o t be i ts n o n -e xi ste n ce , bu t
i ts ce asi n g to be an e n e my, an d (to be) d e ath . Fo r n o th i n g i s i mpo ssi bl e to
th e Omn i po te n t, n o r i s an yth i n g i n capabl e o f r e s to r ati o n to i ts C r e ato r :
18I b id. , bo o k 4, ch a p. 1. s e c. 36, p. 381.
19I b id ., bo o k 3, ch a p. 1, se c. 13, p. 313.
20 I b id ., p . 314.
21I b i d . , bo o k 3, ch a p. 6, se c. 5, p. 346.
22I b i d . , bo o k 1, ch a p. 2, s e c. 4, p. 247.
f o r He mad e al l th i n gs th a t th e y mi gh t e xi st, an d th o se th i n gs wh i ch wer e
mad e f o r e xi ste n ce can n o t cease to be . 23
T h e n h e adds, co n ce r n i n g th ose th i ngs cr e ate d by Go d
f o r th e pu r po se o f pe r man e n t e xi ste nce , th at
f o r th o se th i n gs wh i ch agr e e abl y to th e co mmo n o pi n i o n ar e be l i e ve d to
pe r i sh , th e n a t u r e e i th e r o f o u r f ai th o r o f th e tr u th wi l l n o t pe r mi t u s to
su ppo se to be d e str o ye d . 24
5. F i r e C o n s u me s F u e l o f Si n . T h e f i re by wh i ch
each wi cked pe r so n i s pu n i sh e d i s h i s o wn f i r e.
Ever y s i n n e r ki n d l e s f o r h i mse l f th e f l ame o f h i s o wn f i re, an d i s n o t
pl u n ge d i n to so me f i re wh i ch h as be e n al r e ad y ki n d l e d by an o th e r , o r was
i n e xi ste n ce be f o r e h i mse l f . 26
Of th i s f i re, h e adds, th e f ue l an d f o o d ar e o u r si n s
th e h ay an d stu bbl e . Evi l boi l s u p to pu n i sh me n t, an d i s
set o n f i re to ch asti se me n ts. 28
6. C o n s u mi n g F i r e Si mpl y R e f i n e s .T h e r e f e r e n ce
to Go d as a co n su mi n g f i r e cal l s f o r u n d e r stan d i n g of th e
d e e pe r me an i n g, says Or i ge n . He wi l l pu r i f y Hi s o wn pe o
pl e , an d th e things wh i ch ar e evi l th e wi ckedne ss
wi l l be co n su me d by Go d . T h u s th i s co n su mi n g f i r e i s to
r ef i ne th e r ati o n al n atu r e , to th o r o u gh l y cl eanse away th e
e vi l . 27
7. E a r t h s C h a n ge I s N o t A n n i h i l a t i o n .Wh e n th e
h eavens an d th e e ar th ar e ch ange d th e y do n o t per i sh . If th e
f ash i o n of th e wo r l d passes away, i t i s by n o means an an n i h i l a
ti o n o r d e str u cti o n , bu t a ki n d o f ch ange of qu al i ty an d
tr an sf o r mati o n of appe ar an ce . Eve r yth i n g i s te n d i n g to th at
go al o f h appi n e ss, i n wh i ch Go d wi l l be al l an d i n al l . 28
8. W o r l d s E n d I s I t s Su bj u ga t i o n .T h e e xpr essi o n,
e n d o f th e wo r l d , i ndi cate s i ts pe r f e cti o n an d co mpl e ti o n .
I t comes to pass wh e n al l enemi es ar e su bd u e d to C h r i st,
23I b id. , bo o k 3, ch a p. 6, se c. 5, p. 346.
21Ibid.
25Ibid ., bo o k 2, ch a p. 10, se c. 4, p. 295.
28Ibid.
27Or i ge n , Against Celsus, bo o k 4, ch a p. 13, p. 502.
28Or i ge n , De Principiis, bo o k 1, ch a p. 6, se c. 4, p. 262.
wh e n al l bei ngs i n He ave n an d e ar th be n d th e kn e e to C hri st.
T h a t i s th e gr e at co n su mmati o n .
9. F a l l C o u n t e r a ct e d i n F u t u r e A ge s .T h o se wh o
f el l f r o m th at pr i me val u n i ty an d h ar mo n y ar e by th e i n
ef f abl e ski l l o f Hi s wi sd o m to be tr an sf o r me d an d r e sto r e d .80
T h o se r e mo ve d f r o m th e pr i mal state of bl essedness ar e
n o t r e mo ve d i r r e co ve r abl y. T h e y may r eco ve r th emsel ves
an d be r e sto r e d to th e i r co n d i ti o n of h appi n e ss. I n th e f u
tu r e wo r l d , an d i n th e ages to come, wh e n th e r e sh al l be th e
ne w h e ave n an d new e ar th , . . . i t may be r e sto r e d to th at u n i ty
pr o mi se d by th e Lo r d J e su s. Al l th o se be i n gs wh o f el l
away may be r e sto r e d u n d e r th e i n str u cti o n o f th e an
gel s. 81
Such i s th e essence o f Or i ge ni sm.
28Ibid . , Se cs. 1, 2, p. 260.
30Ibid ., bo o k 2, ch a p. 1, se cs. 1, 2, p. 268.
31I b id ., bo o k 1, ch a p. 6, se cs. 2, 3, p. 261.
C H A P T E R S I X T Y - O N E
Or i ge n s Mul ti pl e Departures
From th e Fai th
T o some i t may seem usel ess an d wear i so me to agai n
tr ave r se Or i ge n s tan ge n t po si ti o ns, th i s ti me i n d o cu me n te d
f o r m. Bu t i t i s i mpe r ati ve th at we r eal i ze th e star tl i n g i n n o va
ti o ns th at Or i ge n pr o je cte d , an d th e str an ge po si ti o ns take n,
f o r th ese str u ck at th e very h e ar t o f th e C h r i sti an f ai th as pe r
tai n s to man s o r i gi n , n atu r e , an d desti ny. Ne ver th e l ess, th ese
vagar i es wer e ad o pte d by an ar d e n t mi n o r i ty f o r mi n g th e
th i r d sch ool i n th e th e o l o gi cal tr i l e mma. Bu t th ese d e vi ati o ns
d i sco u n t th e tr u stwo r th i n e ss o f h i s u n i ve r sal i st co ncl usi o ns,
sti l l wi del y h e l d today. No te , th e n , f o u r te e n po i n ts i n se
qu e n ce .
I. Adopted Heathen Transmigration Fallacy
1. Di s ca r d s G o d s S o l u t i o n t o Si n P r o bl e m.Acco r d
i n g to tr an sl ato r Fr e d e r i ck C r o mbi e , f o u r f u n d ame n tal e r r o r s
f o r ced Or i ge n to spi r i tu al i ze away Bi bl i cal tr u th . T h e se e r
r o r s were: (1) T h e pr e-exi stence o f al l h u man soul s, an d
th e i r i mpr i so n me n t i n mate r i al bo di e s as pu n i sh me n t f o r si ns
pr e vi o usl y co mmi tte d ; (2) th e pre-exi stence of even th e hu
man so ul o f C h r i st, (3) th e tr an sf o r mati o n of o u r mate r i al
bo di e s i n to abso l u te l y e th e r e al ones at th e r e s u r r e cti o n ,
an d (4) th e u l ti mate sal vati o n o f al l me n , an d even de vi l s,
r e sto r e d th r o u gh th e me d i ati o n o f C h r i st. 1C l i n gi n g to such
1 Fr e d e r i ck C r o mbi e , qu o t e d i n I n t r o d u ct o r y No te to t h e Wo r ks o f Or i ge n , i n ANF,
1012
ORI GENS MUL T I PL E DEPART URES FROM T HE FAI T H 1013
basi c f al l aci es i n h i s co n ce pt of th e pl an an d pr o vi si o ns o f r e
d e mpti o n , Or i ge n co u l d n o t do o th e r th an di scar d th e Ad ve n t
h o pe as th e go al o f th e ages. T h a t was th e basi s.
2. T a u gh t Su cce s s i ve T r a n s mi gr a t i o n s o f t h e So u l .
No te C r o mbi e s f i rst po i n t. Or i ge n d e f i ni te l y tau gh t a succes
si o n o f tr an smi gr ati o n s of th e h u man soul th r o u gh a se que nce
o f exi stences pr i o r to an d f o l l o wi ng th e pr e se n t l i f e, wi th co n
d e mn ati o n an d bo d i l y i mpr i so n me n t i mpo se d to ato n e f o r th e
si ns o f a pr e vi o us exi ste nce an d wi th o n e s status i n th e n e xt
wo r l d d e te r mi n e d by h i s co n d u ct i n th i s l i f e. T h i s was vi tal
to h i s th e o r y o f th e i mmo r tal i ty of th e so ul an d i ts r e sto r ati o n .
Al th o u gh Or i ge n di savo wed th e type of tr an smi gr ati o n , o r
metempsych o si s, h e l d by ce r tai n h er e ti cs, h e ne ver th el ess pe r
so nal l y tau gh t actu al tr an smi gr ati o n . T h u s:
T h e so ul , wh i ch i s i mmate r i al an d i n vi si bl e i n i ts n atu r e , exi sts i n n o
ma te r i al pl ace , wi th o u t h avi n g a bo d y su i te d to th e n atu r e o f th a t pl ace .
Acco r d i n gl y, i t at o n e ti me pu ts of f o n e bo d y wh i ch was necessar y be f o r e ,
bu t wh i ch i s n o l o n ge r ad e qu ate i n i ts ch an ge d state , an d i t e xch an ge s i t
f o r a se co n d ; an d at a n o th e r ti me i t assumes [sti l l ] an o th e r i n ad d i ti o n to
th e f o r me r , wh i ch i s n e e d e d as a be tte r co ve r i n g, su i te d to th e pu r e r e th e r e al
r e gi o n s o f h e ave n . 2
He even we n t so f ar as to assert: Angel s may beco me
me n o r demo ns, an d agai n f r o m th e l atte r th e y may r i se to be
me n o r ange l s. * T h a t i s th e seco nd po i n t.
Or i ge n r easo ne d, by way of h ypo th e si s, th at i f th e same
so ul co u l d be twi ce [i n car n ate d ] i n th e bo dy, th e n wh y
sh o u l d i t n o t be th r i ce , an d r e pe ate d l y i n i t. 4T h e n h e o b
serves, Pu n i sh me n ts f o r th e si ns o f th i s l i f e ar e r e n d e r e d
by th e me th o d of tr an s mi gr ati o n . An d f i nal l y f ol l ows th i s
asto n i sh i n g asser ti o n:
Bu t i f th i s be gr an te d as a co n se qu e n ce , pe r h aps th e r e wi l l n e ve r
be a ti me wh e n a so u l sh al l n o t u n d e r go tr an smi gr ati o n ; f o r al ways becau se
o f i ts f o r me r si ns wi l l i t d we l l i n th e bo d y. 5
vo l . 4, p. 233. Dr . C r o mbi e , t h e t r a n s l a t o r a n d a n n o t a t o r , was pr o f e s s o r o f Bi bl i cal cr i ti ci s m,
St . M a r ys C o l l e ge , St. An d r e ws .
2Or i ge n , Against Celsus, bo o k 7, ch a p. 32, p. 623.
3Or i ge n , Fr a gme n t , f r o m Epi s t l e to Avi tu s , t r a n s l a t e d by J e r o me a n d a ppe n d e d
t o bo o k 1 o f De Principiis, p. 267.
1Or i ge n , Commentary on Matt hew, bo o k 13, s e c. 1, i n ANF, vo l . 9, p. 474.
5Ibid.
T h e n h e e xpl ai n s th at o nl y th e abso l u te l y si nl ess n e e d
n o tr an smi gr ati o n . An d l ate r i n th e same ch apte r h e co n
cl udes, T h e r e wi l l be two ge n e r al f orms of pu n i sh me n t, th e
o n e by way of tr an smi gr ati o n , an d th e o th e r o u tsi d e of a bo dy
o f th i s ki n d . * T h a t i s bo l dl y cl ear.
Or i ge n s str an ge vagar i es even i n cl u d e d th e f o l l o wi ng:
I t wo u l d su r e l y be absu r d to say th a t He [C h r i st] taste d d e ath f o r
h u ma n si ns an d n o t f o r an y o th e r be i n gs besi des man wh i ch h ad f al l e n
i n to si n, as f o r e xampl e th e star s. Fo r n o t e ve n th e star s ar e cl e an i n th e
eyes o f Go d . 7
An d agai n, Fo r th e soul of th e sun i s pl aced i n a bo d y. 8
Such ar e th e l e n gth s to wh i ch h e went.
3. B i bl i ca l T e r ms E xpl a i n e d A wa y by A l l e go r i zi n g.
Ne xt, n o te C r o mbi e s f o u r th po i n t. Or i ge n si mpl y ad d e d to
Pl ato s te ach i n g to make r e sto r ati o n universal by e l i mi n at
i n g Pl ato s f ew i n cu r abl e s, sh o wi ng th at th e y were n o t r e al l y
i n cu r abl e . So pagan ph i l o so ph y f u r n i sh e d th e o r i gi n al resto r a-
ti o n i st i de a to Or i ge n . Bu t now, as a C h r i sti an te ach e r , h e mu st
ad apt an d e nf o r ce i t i n th e l anguage of Scr i ptu r e . Pl ato h ad
tau gh t th at soul s i n th e pu r gati ve f i res d i d n o t per i sh , f o r th e y
wer e i mmo r tal . An d to avo i d th e o bvi o us i n te n t of th e scr i p
tu r al expr essi o ns o f d i e , pe r i sh , de str o y, e t ceter a, Or i ge n
e xpl ai n e d th e m away by d r af ti n g u po n a seco ndar y me an i n g
used i n th e l anguage of po etry, e xagge r ati o n, h ype r bo l e , an d
so forth.T h u s d e ath was made to me an life; l i f e to me an
happiness; an d to be d e str o ye d , to be made miserable. So
h e r easo ned.
Or i ge n e xpe r i e n ce d n o di f f i cul ty i n th i s, f o r h e mai n tai n e d
th at Scr i ptu r e h as a s pi r i tu al , as wel l as a l i te r al , me ani ng,
wh i ch f act escapes th e n o ti ce of mo st. 10T h a t i s th e magi c
6I bid., pp. 474, 475.
7Or i ge n , Commentary on the Gospel of John, bo o k 1, se c 4, i n A NF , vo l . 9, p. 319.
8I bid., se c. 17, p. 306.
Or i ge n , De Principiis, bo o k 1, ch a p. 3, se c. 3, p. 252; Pr e f a ce to De Principiis, pa r . 8,
p. 241.
10Or i ge n , Pr e f a ce to De Principiis, pa r . 8, i n ANF , vo l . 4, p. 241; De Principiis, bo o k
2, ch a p. 10, se c. 6, p. 295.
key. By th i s devi ce h e co u l d assi gn any me an i n g h e ch ose to
Scr i ptu r e bu t, as Mo sh ei m pu ts i t, al ways at th e expense of
t r u t h . 11So th e scr i ptu r al war ni ngs to th e si n n e r th at h e sh o u l d
d i e in person were n e u tr al i ze d by Or i ge n s d i r e cti n g th e i r ac
ti o n agai n st th e si n n e r s sin. Bu t i n d o i n g so Or i ge n pe r ve r te d
th e i n te n t o f Scr i ptu r e as ve r i l y as d i d T e r tu l l i an .
T h e o bje ct of h el l -f i r e, Or i ge n h e l d , i s to destr o y wi cke d
ness. I n i qu i ty becomes th e f u e l of He l l . T h e f ur y o f Go d s
ve nge ance , h e tau gh t, i s f o r th e pu r gati o n of so ul s. It i s
appl i e d by f i r e wi th th e o bje ct o f h e al i n g. 12T i l l th i s evi l
i s bu r n e d o u t an d e r ad i cate d He l l bu r n s on. T h i s process wh i ch
destr o ys evi l i s th at of purgation o f th e e vi l d o e r wh o, i n th e
process, grows into the likeness of God, wh i ch l i keness h ad be e n
def aced. Wh e n th e process i s co mpl e te d h e takes h i s pl ace i n
gl ory.
I I . Al l ego r i zi ng Su bsti tu te d f o r Li te r al i sm
Bu t we r e pe at, th e f o u n d ati o n of i t al l was th e co n ce pt of
th e i n al i e n abl e i mmo r tal i ty of al l soul san d th i s th e pagan Pl a
to n i c ph i l o so ph y h ad pr o vi de d. T h e n e xt essenti al , acco r di ng
to Or i ge n , was l i be r ty to al te r th e o bvi o us i n te n t, o r appl i ca
ti o n , o f Scr i ptu r e to su ppo r t h i s vi ew, wh i ch h e al so exer ci sed.
T h u s h e r e n d e r e d th e Bi bl e wo r th l ess as an au th o r i tati ve
so ur ce o f tr u th by appl yi n g i ts str i ctu r e s agai nst th e sinner
me r e l y to h i s sin.
1. L i t e r a l i s m o f C r e a t i o n N a r r a t i v e S w e p t A s i d e . Ac
co r d i n g to Or i ge n th e pu r po se o f th e Ho l y Spi r i t i s to pr e
serve th e co h e r e nce of th e s pi r i tu al me an i n g of Scr i ptu r e .
T h e l i te r al words, h e decl ares, mu st be u n d e r sto o d i n th e i r
s pi r i tu al me an i n g, el sewh er e i n th e ch apte r cal l ed th e mys
ti cal me an i n g, o r i n n e r me an i n g. As th e y stand, th e o r
d i n ar y me an i n g i s al ways co n ce al i n g th e h i d d e n me an i n g
11Qu o t e d i n C o n s ta bl e , Duration and Nature o f Future Punishment, p. 224.
12Or i ge n , De Principiis, bo o k 2, ch a p. 10, se c. 6, i n A NF , vo l . 4, p. 296.
wi th i n th e h i sto r i cal n ar r ati ve . T h u s , h e asserts, many of th e
events wh i ch l i e o n th e sur f ace can n e i th e r be tr u e n o r use
f u l . C o n se qu e n tl y, we mu st seek f o r th e tr u th th at i s co n
ce al e d , bu t wh i ch i s wo r th y an d i n spi r e d . Oth e r wi se th e y
ar e of l i ttl e use i f take n as wr i tte n .18
Stu mbl i n g-bl o cks, Or i ge n mai n tai n e d , h ave be e n i n tr o
d u ce d , an d ce r tai n i mpo ssi bi l i ti e s an d i n co n gr u i ti e s i n te r
sper sed as o bstacl es to any o r d i n ar y me an i n g. By th i s me ans
th e tr u th seeker i s l e d i n to th e n ar r o w path of a l o f ti e r an d
mo r e su bl i me r o ad o f u n d e r stan d i n g. Passi ng f r o m such h azy
ge n e r al i ti e s to speci f i cs, Or i ge n urges, f o r i nstance, th at th e h i s
to r i cal n ar r ati ve of Creation week be sear ch ed f o r i ts i n n e r
me an i n g.
Wh o i s f o u n d so i gn o r an t as to su ppo se th a t Go d , as i f He h ad be e n
a h u s ban d man , pl a n te d tr e e s i n par ad i se , i n Ed e n to war d s th e east, an d
a tr e e o f l i f e i n i t, i .e., a vi si bl e an d pal pabl e tr e e o f wo o d, so th a t an y
o n e e a ti n g o f i t wi th bo d i l y te e th sh o u l d o btai n l i f e, an d , e ati n g agai n o f
a n o th e r tr e e , sh o u l d co me to th e kn o wl e d ge o f go o d an d evi l ? No o n e ,
I th i n k, can d o u bt th a t th e state me n t th a t Go d wal ke d i n th e af te r n o o n
i n par ad i se , an d th a t Ad am l ay h i d u n d e r a tr e e , i s r e l ate d figuratively i n
Scr i ptu r e , th a t so me mystical meaning may be i n d i cate d by i t. 14
So i n th e l i te r al r e co r d th e r e ar e i n se r te d an d i n te r wo ve n
th i n gs wh i ch can n o t be ad mi tte d h i sto r i cal l y, bu t wh i ch may
be acce pte d i n a spi r i tu al si gn i f i cati o n . 15T h u s th e l i te r al i sm
o f C r e ati o n week, wi th i ts vi tal de cl ar ati o n s o n th e o r i gi n an d
n atu r e of man , si n, an d th e f al l , d e ath , an d th e d e sti n y of man ,
ar e to tal l y swept asi de. Such a po si ti o n h as a vi tal be ar i n g o n
o u r que st.
2. D e n i e s L i t e r a l T r u t h o f B i b l i c a l R e c o r d s . I t i s es
se n ti al th at we u n d e r stan d th e basi s u po n wh i ch th e wh o l e
s tr u ctu r e o f Or i ge n s al l ego r i cal system i s bu i l t, an d wh i ch
was r e spo n si bl e f o r tu r n i n g a l arge segment of th e ch u r ch away
f r o m h e r h i sto r i c po si ti o ns. Its ser i ousness i s i n d i cate d by th e
h i sto r i an Mi l n e r , wh o d e cl ar e d th at no man, n o t al to ge th e r
13 Ib id . , bo o k 4, ch a p. 1, se cs. 10, 14, 15, 23, pp. 358 , 359, 364, 365 , 368, 373.
11Ibid . , se c. 16, p. 365. (I ta l i cs s u ppl i e d .)
15Ibid.
u n so u n d an d h ypo cr i ti cal , ever i n ju r e d th e ch u r ch o f C h r i st
mo r e th an Or i ge n , by i n tr o d u ci n g h i s co mpl i cate d sch eme
of f an ci f u l i n te r pr e ta ti o n wh i ch f o r many ce n tu r i e s o bscu r e d
th e l i gh t o f Scr i ptu r e . 19
An d Ki l l e n adds th at Or i ge n mad e th e Sacred Wr i ti n gs say
an yth i n g o r n o th i n g, acco r d i n g to h i s capr i ce, o f te n mai n tai n
i n g co n f l i cti n g vi e ws.17I n so d o i n g Or i ge n co n stan tl y r e f er s to
th e h i d d e n , co ver e d, co nce al ed, an d s pi r i tu al me an i n gs th at
n e e d th e key of kn o wl e d ge to u n l o ck an d u n co ve r t h e m.18
Or i ge n n o t o n l y d e n i e d th e Old T e s tame n t d e cl ar ati o n s
co n ce r n i n g C r e ati o n week an d th e f al l of man, al r e ad y n o te d ,
bu t ch al l e n ge d th e tr u stwo r th i n e ss of th e New T e s tame n t r e c
or ds, as wel l . As we h ave seen, h e bo l dl y d e cl ar e d th at var i o us
h i sto r i cal n ar r ati ve s ar e wr appe d u p, co n ce al e d , an d cov
e r e d as wi th a vei l ,18i n o r d e r to sti mu l ate cl oser i n ve sti gati o n
an d th u s to br i n g o u t th e i r mysti cal me an i n g.
Fo r exampl e , th e h e ad i n g of secti o n 2 i n h i s Commentary
on John, bo o k te n, states: Li te r al l y Re ad , th e Nar r ati ve s C an
n o t Be Har mo n i ze d : T h e y Must Be I n te r pr e te d Spi r i tu al l y. 20
Secti o n 4 i s h e ad e d , Scr i ptu r e C o n tai n s Many C o n tr ad i cti o n s,
an d Many State me n ts Wh i ch Ar e No t Li te r al l y T r u e , bu t
Mu st Be Re ad Spi r i tu al l y an d Mysti cal l y. 21Agai n, i n secti o n
5 h e says, Pau l Al so Makes C o n tr ad i cto r y State me nts Abo u t
Hi mse l f . 22An d sti l l agai n, i n secti o n 17, Matth e ws Story of
th e En tr y In to J e r u sal e m. Di f f i cul ti es In vo l ve d i n I t f o r T h o se
Wh o T ake I t Li te r al l y. 23
I I I . Spi r i tual i ze s Second Advent, En d of Wo r l d ,
an d Mi l l e n n i u m
1. Se co n d A d ve n t M ys t i ci ze d I n t o D a i l y C o mi n g.
T u r n i n g no w to speci f i c basi c do ctr i n e s, we f i nd th at th e Bi bl e-
18J o s e ph Mi l n e r , The History o f the Church o f Christ, ce n t . 3, ch a ps . 15, 5, vo l . 1,
p p . 221, 156.
17W. D, K i l l e n , T h e An cient Church, pp. 345, 346.
18Or i ge n , De Principiis, bo o k 4, ch a p. 1, se cs. 10, 14, 23, i n ANF , vo l . 4, pp. 358, 363,
373; s e e bo o k 1, ch a p. 3, s e c. 3, p. 252.
19I b i d . , bo o k 4, ch a p. 1, se c. 14, p. 363.
20Or i ge n , Commentary on John, bo o k 10, se c. 2, i n ANF, vo l . 9, p. 382.
21I b id ., s e c. 4, p. 383. 22I bid., se c. 5, p. 384. 23Ibid., se c. 17, p. 395.
pr o mi se d seco nd ad ve n t of C h r i st i n po we r an d gl o r y, vi si
bl e to every eye as o u r Lo r d r e tu r n s i n th e cl o uds o f h eave n, i s
spi r i tu al i ze d away by Or i ge n , as C h r i st i s made to co me d ai l y
i n pr o ph e ti c cl o u d s to every be l i e ve r . He l i kens to ch i l d r e n
th o se wh o nai vel y h o l d to a l i te r al o r co r po r e al u n d e r s tan d
i n g of such passages. T h o u gh pr o l i x, n o te i t:
Wi th mu ch po we r , h o we ve r , there comes daily, to the soul of every
believer, th e se co n d ad ve n t o f th e Wo r d i n th e pr o ph e ti c cl o u d s, th a t i s,
i n th e wr i ti n gs o f th e pr o ph e ts an d apo stl e s, wh i ch r e ve al Hi m an d i n al l
th e i r wo r ds di scl o se th e l i gh t o f tr u th , an d d e cl ar e Hi m as co mi n g f o r th
i n th e i r si gn i f i cati o n s [wh i ch ar e] d i vi n e an d abo ve h u ma n n atu r e . T h u s ,
mo r e o ve r , to th o se wh o r e co gni ze th e r e ve al e r o f d o ctr i n e s i n th e pr o ph e ts
a n d apo stl e s, we say th a t mu ch gl o r y al so appe ar s, wh i ch i s se en i n th e
se co n d ad ve n t o f th e Wo r d . 24
T h u s th e h o pe of th e Ear l y C h u r ch , th e su pr e me e ve n t
o f th e ages, i s mysti ci zed an d al l ego r i zed away, as be i n g o nl y
f o r th e si mpl e .
2. E n d o f W o r l d L o c a l i z e d a n d I n d i v i d u a l i z e d . No t
o n l y does Or i ge n mysti ci ze an d l ocal i ze th e Second Ad ve n t, by
maki n g i t C h r i s ts e n tr y i n to th e so ul , bu t h e co mbi n e s wi th i t
th e e n d o f th e wo r l d , o r e n d of th e age, maki n g i t th e e n d
o f th e wo r l d s d o mi n an ce o ve r th e soul . T h u s h e co mpl e te l y
sets asi de th e h i sto r i c apo sto l i c co n ce pt o f th e catacl ysmi c e n d
o f th e cosmi c wo r l d. T h i s mysti c e n d , acco r d i n g to Or i ge n ,
i s f o r th e matu r e C h r i sti an wh o comes to pe r f e cti o n . T h u s
an o th e r o f th e Ear l y C h u r ch teach i ngs i s su bme r ge d u n d e r th e
r e l e n tl e ss ti d e o f al l e go r i zati o n. He r e ar e h i s wo r dy wo rds:
T h e se co n d ad ve n t o f C h r i st, h o we ve r , i n matu r e me n , co n ce r n i n g
wh o m a d i spe n se r o f Hi s wo r d says: Ho we ve r we spe ak wi sd o m amo n g th e
pe r f e ct. Mo r e o ve r th e se matu r e o n e s . . . pr ai se th e be au ty a n d co mel i ness
o f th e Wo r d ; an d to this second advent is joined the end of the world in
the man who comes to perfection an d says, Far be i t f r o m me th a t I sh o u l d
gl o r y e xce pt i n th e cross o f o u r Lo r d J e su s C h r i st, th r o u gh wh o m th e wo r l d
i s cr u ci f i e d to me a n d I to th e wo r l d . Fo r i f th e wo r l d i s cr u ci f i e d to th e
r i gh te o u s, it has become the end of the age f o r th o se to wh o m th e wo r l d
i s cr u ci f i e d . Necessar i l y, th e r e f o r e , l e t th o se wh o h ave th e f ai th to co me
se par ate l y to C h r i st, i f th e y wi sh to l e ar n th e si gn o f th e ad ve n t o f C h r i st
2<T r a n s l a t e d f r o m Series Commentariorum Origenis in Mattheum (A Se r i e s o f C o m
me n t a r i e s o n M a t t h e w), ch a p. 50, i n Mi gn e , PG, vo l . 13, co l . 1678.
an d th e e n d o f th e wo r l d , sh o w th e mse l ves wo r th y to see Hi s se co n d ad ve n t
an d th e se co n d e n d o f th e wo r l d wh i ch we h ave tau gh t to yo u . 25
3. S u bs t i t u t e s G r a d u a l A d va n ce f o r C a t a cl ys mi c
En d .As ju st n o te d , wh i l e Or i ge n speaks of th e Seco nd Ad
ve n t, h e n e i th e r co nne cts i t wi th th e r e su r r e cti o n n o r recogni zes
i t as mar ki n g th e catacl ysmi c e n d of h u man h i sto r y n o r even
as i n au gu r ati n g th e r e i gn of C h r i st. Rath e r , h e avers, th e u l t i
mate su bje cti o n o f al l th i ngs to C h r i st as ki n g i s br o u gh t abo u t
by a gr ad u al ad van ce th r o u gh successi ve wo rl ds an d l o ng
ages o f pu r i f i cati o n . In th i s way, h e says, wi l l Go d beco me
al l i n al l . T h u s:
At th e co n s u mmati o n an d r e s to r ati o n o f al l th i n gs, th o se wh o make a
gradual advance, a n d wh o asce n d (i n th e scal e o f i mpr o ve me n t), wi l l
arrive in due measure and order at th a t l an d , an d at th a t tr a i n i n g wh i ch
i s co n tai n e d i n i t, wh e r e th e y may be pr e par e d f o r th o se be tte r i n sti tu ti o n s
to wh i ch n o ad d i ti o n can be mad e . Fo r , af te r Hi s age n ts an d se r van ts, th e
Lo r d C h r i st, wh o i s Ki n g o f al l , wi l l Hi mse l f assume th e ki n gd o m; i .e., af te r
i n s tr u cti o n i n th e h o l y vi r tu e s, He wi l l Hi mse l f i n s tr u ct th o se wh o ar e
capabl e o f r e ce i vi n g Hi m i n r e spe ct o f Hi s be i n g wi sdo m, r e i gn i n g i n th e m
u n ti l He h as su bje cte d th e m to th e Fath e r , wh o h as su bd u e d al l th i n gs to
Hi mse l f , i .e., th a t wh e n th e y sh al l h ave be e n mad e capabl e o f r e ce i vi n g
Go d , Go d may be to th e m al l i n al l . 28
J u s t be f o r e th i s h e h ad state d th at Go d wi l l be al l i n al l
wh e n .d e ath sh al l n o l o n ge r anywh e r e exi st, n o r sti ng o f d e ath ,
n o r any evi l at al l . T h e n ver i l y Go d wi l l be al l i n al l . 27
4. D e n i e d M i l l e n n i u m B e ca u s e I n co mpa t i bl e W i t h Hi s
Sch e me . Or i ge n o ppo se d th e mi l l e n n i al co nce pt because i t
was i n co mpati bl e wi th h i s sch eme of th i ngs. Pr i o r to h i s day,
be l i e f i n th e seco nd, per so nal , pr e mi l l e n n i al co mi ng o f C h r i st
h ad be e n th e ge n e r al vi ew, to ge th e r wi th th e mi l l e n n i al r e i gn
of th e sai nts wi th C h r i st, af te r th e i r l i te r al r e su r r e cti o n f r o m
th e d e ad at th e Ad ve n t. Bu t Or i ge n n e ve r spo ke of th e mi l l e n
n i u m exce pt to co n d e mn i t,28an d mi l l e n n i al i sm be gan to wane
f r o m h i s day o n war d .29
28I b id . , ch a p. 32, co l . 1642.
28Or i ge n , De Princittiis, bo o k 3, ch a p. 6, se c. 8, i n ANF , vo l . 4, p. 348.
27I b id . , se c. 3, p. 345.
28Ib id . , bo o k 2, ch a p. 11, s e c. 2,.p. 297.
28Fa r r a r , History o f Interpretation, p. 196; Ha ge n ba ch , A History of Christian Doctrine,
vo l . 1, pp. 305, 306.
5. P r o p h e c i e s D e p r i v e d o f A l l F o r c e . Or i ge n di smi sses
th e Bi bl e pr o ph e ci e s by d e cl ar i n g th e m to be f i l l ed wi th e n i g
mas an d d ar k sayi ngs,30an d of f ers th e e xpl an ati o n , f o r e xam
pl e , th at th e gates o f th e New J e r u sal e m (of Ezeki el 48 an d
Re ve l ati o n 21) ar e th e d i f f e r e n t mo de s by wh i ch soul s e n te r
th e be tte r wo r l d . 31
IV. Ho l d s Every Immo r tal Soul to Be Re sto r e d
1. S o u l I n c a p a b l e o f D e a t h o r D e s t r u c t i o n . Or i ge n
we n t f ar th e r th an any e ar l i e r Fath e r co n ce r n i n g th e o r i gi n of
th e so ul . J e r o me ch ar ge d Or i ge n an d h i s f o l l o wers wi th cl ai m
i n g th e soul s of me n , an d th e angel i c n atu r e s, to be par t of th e
d i vi n e n atu r e an d substance of Go d Hi mse l f .32Or i ge n h e l d ex
al te d n o ti o n s o f th e d i gn i ty an d n atu r e of th e so ul , be l i e vi n g
i t h ad exi sted f r o m e te r n i ty, was wh o l l y e xe mpt f r o m pe r i sh
i ng, an d i n capabl e o f d e ath o r d e str u cti o n because possessed
o f an i mmo r tal i ty o f wh i ch n o th i n g co u l d d e pr i ve i t. In d e e d ,
th i s was h i s pr i mar y po stul ate . An d wi th th i s h e pl ace d a sec
o n d the ultimate abolition of all evil. He l o o ke d f o r war d
f o n d l y to th e ti me wh en al l th i ngs sh o u l d be r e sto r e d to th e i r
pr i sti n e pu r i ty.33
Bu t th i s was n o t to be br o u gh t abo u t by th e d i sappe ar an ce
o f th e wi cked o u t o f th e r eal ms o f th e l i vi ng, l e avi n g o nl y th e
go dl y an d tr u e , n o r by th e r emo val of a si ngl e u n i t f r o m Go d s
cr e ati o n . Wi th h i m l i f e was f r o m e te r n i ty to e te r n i ty, an d once
l i vi ng, al ways to l i ve . He def i ni te l y de cl ar e d th at th ose
th i n gs wh i ch were made f o r exi stence can n o t cease to be . So,
to th e d i vi n e so ul o f man, d e ath an d d e str u cti o n co u l d n o t
co me, f o r th e so ul was str o n ge r th an d e ath an d mi gh ti e r th an
d e str u cti o n . I t was f o r th e pu r po se of pe r man e n t e xi ste n ce . 34
He l l mu st co n se qu e n tl y be ch an ge d i n to a u n i ve r sal , pu r i f yi n g
80Or i ge n , De Principiis, bo o k 4, ch a p. 1, se c. 10 (f r o m t h e Gr e e k), i n ANF, vo l . 4,
p. 358.
31Or i ge n , Against Celsvs, bo o k 6, ch a p. 23, i n ANF , vo l . 4, p. 583.
32Or i ge n , De Principiis, bo o k 4, ch a p. 1 se c. 35, i n ANF, vo l . 4, p. 381.
33 I b i d . , bo o k 3, ch a p. 1, se c. 13, p. 314; cf . bo o k 3, ch a p. 6, s e c. 5, p. 346.
31I b id . , ch a p. 6, se c. 5, p. 346.
ORI GENS MULT I PLE DEPART URES FROM T HE FAI T H 1021
Pu r gato r y, by wh i ch evi l wo u l d be de str o ye d an d th e e vi l d o e r
pu r ge d . Si n wo u l d be bl o tte d o u t, bu t th e si n n e r wo u l d be
pr e se r ve d.35
2. E ve r y R a t i o n a l Be i n g t o Be R e s t o r e d .Or i ge n mai n
tai n e d th at th e f i nal co n su mmati o n wi l l co me wh en al l cr e a
tu r e s ar e r e sto r e d :
T h e e n d o f th e wo r l d , th e n , an d th e f i nal co n su mmati o n , wi l l take
pl ace wh e n eve r y o n e sh al l be su bje cte d to pu n i s h me n t f o r h i s si ns; a ti me
wh i ch Go d al o n e kno ws, wh e n He wi l l be sto w o n each o n e wh at h e deser ves.
We th i n k, i n d e e d , th at th e go o dne ss o f Go d , th r o u gh Hi s C h r i st, may r e
cal l al l Hi s cr e atu r e s to o n e e n d , e ve n Hi s e n e mi e s be i n g co n qu e r e d an d
s u bd u e d . 38
T h a t al l of Go d s e nemi es wi l l be su bd u e d i s r e pe ate d
agai n an d agai n. He r e i s bu t o ne ci tati o n :
Seei ng, th e n , th a t such i s th e e n d , wh e n al l e n e mi e s wi l l be su bd u e d
to C h r i st, wh e n d e ath th e l ast e n e mysh al l be d e str o ye d , a n d wh e n th e
ki n gd o m sh al l be d e l i ve r e d u p by C h r i s t. 37
Or i ge n so ber l y assures us th at th o se wh o h ave l e f t th e pr i
mal state of bl essedness h ave n o t be e n r e mo ve d i r r e co ve r abl y.
T h e y may r eco ve r th emsel ves, an d be r e sto r e d to th e i r co n d i
ti o n of h appi n e ss. An d h e adds th at i t i s appar e n t th at th e
h u man r ace , i n th e f u tu r e wo r l d, o r i n ages to come, . . . may
be r e sto r e d to th at u n i ty pr o mi se d by th e Lo r d J e su s. An d
th i s i ncl ude s th ose wh o h ave even sunk to a d e pth of wi cke d
ness. Bu t such wi l l be r e sto r e d , ad van ci n g to a be tte r
co n d i ti o n . An d th i s i n cl u d e s every r ati o n al n atu r e . T h u s
e ve r yth i n g i s te n d i n g to th at go al h appi n e ss wh e n al l h ave
su bje cte d th emsel ves to Go d an d He i s al l i n al l . 38
3. I mmo r t a l Si n n e r s C o n d u ct e d t o S a l va t i o n S l o w l y.
Or i ge n , taki n g th e two f o l d po si ti o n of (1) th e i n d e f e asi bl e
i mmo r tal i ty o f al l soul s an d (2) th e u l ti mate sal vati o n of al l
soul s, th o u gh t th at i mmo r tal si nne r s wi l l be saved bu t sl owl y.
T h e process i s spr e ad o ver a vast pe r i o d , f o r th e r e i s n o h u r r y.
T h e so ul of th e si n n e r i s i mmo r tal . And, be i n g i mmo r tal
35I bid., bo o k 1, ch a p. 6, se cs. 1-3, pp. 260, 261.
39Ib id ., s e c. 1, p. 260.
37I b id ., se c. 2, p. 260. 38I bid., se cs. 2-4, pp. 261, 262.
an d e ve r l asti n g, i t i s n o t e xcl u d e d f r o m sal vati o n u l ti
matel y, "wh i ch i s po stpo n e d to a mo r e co n ve n i e n t ti me .39He
l i ke n e d th e si tu ati o n to a case of po i so n i n g th at, acco r di ng to
h i s u n d e r stan d i n g, necessi tates a sl ow cur e :
I t i s n o t wi th o u t r e aso n , th e n , th a t h e wh o i s aban d o n e d , i s aban d o n e d
to th e d i vi n e ju d gme n t, an d th a t Go d i s l o n g-su f f e r i n g wi th ce r tai n si n n e r s;
bu t be cau se i t wi l l be f o r th e i r ad van tage , with respect to the immortality
of the soul and the unending world, th a t th e y be n o t qu i ckl y br o u gh t i n to
a state o f sal vati o n , bu t be conducted to it more slowly, af te r h avi n g e x
pe r i e n ce d man y evi l s. Fo r as ph ysi ci ans, wh o ar e abl e to cu r e a man qu i ckl y,
wh e n th e y su spe ct th a t a h i d d e n po i so n exi sts i n th e bo d y, d o th e r e ve r se
o f h e al i n g, maki n g th i s mo r e ce r tai n th r o u gh th e i r ver y d e si r e to h e al , d e e m
i n g i t be t te r f o r a co n si d e r abl e ti me to r e ta i n th e pa t i e n t u n d e r i n f l amma
ti o n an d si ckness, i n o r d e r th a t h e may r e co ve r h i s h e al th mo r e sur el y, th an
to appe ar to pr o d u ce a r api d r eco ver y, an d af te r war d s to cause a r e l apse
a n d (th u s) th a t h asty cu r e l ast o n l y f o r a ti me . 40
4. W e i r d C o n cl u s i o n s t o W h i ch Or i ge n i s m L e a d s .Fo l
l o w th i s co n ce pt th r o u gh to i ts l ogi cal co ncl usi o ns. Acco r di ng
to th e pr i n ci pl e s an d po stul ate s of Or i ge n , wh e n th e ch af f i s
bu r n e d u p wi th u n qu e n ch abl e f i re, th e f i re wi l l not actual l y
co nsume th e ch af f , th e ch af f be i n g so meh o w tr an sf o r me d by
me ans of th e myste r i o us secr et f i re i n to wh e at agai n. An d as
to th e tares, wh i ch ar e se par ate d f r o m th e wh e at an d bo u n d
i n to bu n d l e s to be bu r n e d , Or i ge n wo u l d h ave us bel i eve th at
i n ste ad of be i n g bu r n e d , th ey too ar e so meh o w pl u cke d f r o m
th e f i re an d tr an sf o r me d i n to wh e at f o r ever mo r e .
An d si mi l ar l y wi th th e f r ui tl e ss severed branches th at were
cast i n to th e f i re, an d th e wo rth l ess f i sh th at wer e cast away.
Bu t Or i ge n wo u l d h ave th i s casti ng away n o t an actu al r e je c
ti o n bu t a pr e par ati o n f o r a bl essed i n gath e r i n g an d pr e se r va
ti o n f o r ever . T h e n th e r e was th e h o use o n th e sand, wh ose f al l
wo u l d ce r tai n l y seem to be i ts end. But, acco r d i n g to Or i ge n ,
af te r al l th e o ve r wh e l mi n g i t i s to be r ai se d agai n f r o m i ts
r u i n s an d stan d f o r e te r n i ty.
An d th e e nemy of C h r i st, wh o i s to be gr o u n d to po wder
by th e f al l i n g u po n h i m of th e gr e at Fo u n d ati o n Sto ne an d
39Ibid. , bo o k 3, ch a p. 1, se c. 13, p. 313.
40Ibid. (f r o m t h e Gr e e k), pp. 313, 314.
i r r e tr i e vabl y r u i n e d , i s to be r e co ve r e d an d br o u gh t to bu i l d
f o r e te r n i ty u po n th at wh i ch h ad cr u sh e d h i m to dust. I n th at
way J u d as, of wh o m i t i s wr i tte n , I t h ad be e n go o d f o r th at
man i f h e h ad n o t be e n bo r n , wi l l be r e sto r e d to an e te r n i ty of
h appi ness.
As to th e pe r i sh aspect (Exce pt ye r e pe n t, ye sh al l al l
l i kewi se pe r i sh , Lu ke 13:3), th i s i s to be u n d e r sto o d ju s t of
l o si ng o n e s wel l -bei ng. An d of th e d e cl ar ati o n , Fe ar h i m
wh i ch i s abl e to destr o y bo th soul an d bo dy i n h e l l (Matt.
10:28), Or i ge n asserts th at af te r th e d e str o yi ng comes a restor
ing to bo undl e ss an d bl essed d u r ati o n . An d as to th e war n i n g
abo u t l o si ng th e soul , acco r d i n g to Or i ge n th e soul i s n e ve r
r e al l y l ost, bu t at wo r st o nl y pr o cessed f o r endl ess pu r i ty an d
h appi ness.
Wh at th e n , o n th i s basi s, i s th e di f f er e nce be twe e n th e o ne
wh o gai ns an d th e o ne wh o l oses h i s soul ? Fo r, acco r di ng to Or
i geni sm, th e gai n e r n e ve r becomes th e l oser, an d th e l o ser i n
ti me becomes th e e ve r l asti n g gai ne r . I t i s o nl y th e d i f f e r
e n ti ati o n s th at beco me l ost.
Bu t pe r h aps th e str an ge st ar gu me n t co nce r ns th e seco nd
d e ath , wh i ch Or i ge n i mpl i e s i s r e al l y a second and eternal life.
T h a t i s o n h i s assu mpti o n th at d e ath me ans ceasi ng to l i ve i n
o n e s pr e se n t state an d co mi n g to l i ve i n th e o ppo si te state.
T h u s, i f th e f i rst d e ath i s dying to God i n o r d e r to l i ve i n si n,
th e n th e seco nd d e ath wo u l d be dying to sin i n o r d e r to l i ve
u n to Go d. T h u s, d e ath i s si mpl y e xch an gi n g one l i f e f o r another
l i f e. De ath wo u l d th e r e f o r e si mpl y be se par ati o n f r o m th e l i f e
i n wh i ch o ne h as l i ve d u p u n ti l d e ath , so th at i t may beco me
l i f e agai n i f th at be cl ear! Such wer e th e devi o us r easo ni ngs
o f Or i ge ni sm.
V. Re capi tu l ati o n : T wi n Fal l aci es of T e r tu l l i an an d Or i ge n
1. U t t e r E r a d i c a t i o n o f E v i l P r o m i s e d . Go d h as pr o m
i sed th e co mpl e te te r mi n ati o n of mo r al evi l . As th e In spi r e d
Wo r d h as r e ve al e d th e origin of evi l , so h as i t l i kewi se de-
cl ar e d th at i t wi l l h ave an endan d th at f o r ever . I t d i d n o t
e xi st f r o m al l th e e te r n i ty of th e past, an d i t wi l l n o t per si st
th r o u gh o u t al l th e e te r n i ty of th e f u tu r e . Evi l i s a th i n g o f ti me ,
n o t an i n e vi tabl e par t of e te r n i ty. Evi l wi l l be bl o tte d o u t, an d
n o t co n ti n u e o n i n i nde f e asi bl e def i ance wi th o u t end. Al l of
Go d s attr i bu te s o f mercy, h o l i ness, justi ce , an d po we r ar e
pl e d ge d to i ts e xti r pati o n . T h e necessi ty o f Hi s own n atu r e an d
ch ar acte r de man d s i t. An d He wh o was abl e to cr e ate i s abl e
al so to destr o y.
He l l i s n o t to be th e e te r n al abo d e an d spawni ng pl ace of
endl ess evi l i n te n si f yi n g, i mpr e cati n g, d ar ke n i n g, an d i ne rad-
i cati n gth r o u gh o u t al l f u tu r i ty. T h e He l l th at Go d h as pr e
par e d i s f o r th e u tte r an d e te r n al e r ad i cati o n of al l si n an d
si nner s. T e r t u l l i a n s f antasti c secr et f i re was a pagan i mpo r ta
ti o n . T h e f i re o f Go d s ki n d l i n g o pe nl y an d co mpl e te l y co n
sumes an d u l ti mate l y o bl i te r ate s. T h e evi l o f th e un i ve r se wi l l
be co mpassed by i t, an d be bl o tte d o u t f o r ever . T e r t u l l i a n s
He l l was a mo nstr o si ty, an i magi n ati ve co nco cti o n, a bl o t u po n
th e ch ar acte r of God. Evi l an d mi ser y ar e to be van qu i sh e d
f o r e ve r mo r e . T h a t i s th e seco nd d e ath an d T e r tu l l i a n f o r go t
th at th e gr e ate st pu n i sh me n t f o r th e gr e ate st cr i mes i s to be cu t
of f by d e ath .
Bu t th e r e i s He ave n, as wel l as He l l . He ave n i s f o r si nne r s
wh o h ave be e n r e d e e me d an d beco me sai nts. He l l i s f o r th e i n
co r r i gi bl y wi cked an d acco r di ng to th e i r de se r vi ng wi l l be th e i r
ju s t suf f eri ng. Bu t wh e n th at de si gn ate d ti me i s o ver th e y wi l l
cease to be. Al l wi l l th e n be wr appe d i n th e sl u mbe r of e te r n al
d e ath . Re be l l i o u s l i f e wi l l d i e o u t, an d wi th i t th e co n su mi n g
f i re i n th e ch ar r e d an d bu r n e d -o u t f u r n ace of He l l . Un br o ke n
si l ence wi l l r e i gn th r o u gh o u t i ts conf i nes. T h o se wh o h ave n o t
f o u n d l i f e, so f r eel y of f ered, wi l l h ave f o u n d d e ath . An d th e r e
sul ts wi l l r e mai n u n al te r e d f o r ever . T h e r e wi l l be n o u n e n d i n g
d u al i sti c cl ash o f go o d an d evi l , n o e te r n al jar r i n g n o te , no
u n e xti n gu i sh abl e si n. Ri gh te o usne ss al o ne wi l l f i l l th e u n i
verse. Evi l n o t o n l y wi l l h ave d i e d o u t bu t, acco r d i n g to th e
d e te r mi n ate pr o mi se of Go d, wi l l n e ve r ri se u p agai n.
2. F a l l a c i o u s T h r e a t s a n d D e l u s i v e P r o m i s e s . Or i ge n s
Re sto r ati o n i sm was a r e vo l t agai nst T e r t u l l i a n s Ete r n al T o r
me n t. T e r tu l l i an , i n h i s mi sco n ce pti o n o f He l l an d h u man
desti ny, saw i n every vo l cano a ch i mn e y o f Ge h e n n a, wi th th e
l o st suf f e r i ng i n Ete r n al T o r me n t. T h i s br o u gh t a vi o l e n t r e
acti o n to Or i ge n . Bu t Or i ge n s He l l was e qu al l y f al l aci o us, u n
war r an te d , mi sl e adi ng, an d un-Bi bl i cal . T h e f i res of d e str u c
ti o n wi l l at l ast go o u t because th o se i n co r r i gi bl e s co mmi tte d
th e r e to h ave be e n bu r n e d up.
I t does n o t cease because i ts vi cti ms ar e pu r i f i e d , an d
th u s r el e ase d f o r Heaven. Un r e pe n tan t si nne r s, h u man an d
d e mo ni c, wi l l be o bl i te r ate d , n o t r e sto r e d . He l l i s n o t a ci r cu i
to us back d o o r to He ave n, bu t th e d i r e ct e xi t to o bl i vi o n . Its
f ate f u l wo r k acco mpl i sh ed, i t to o wi l l pass away f o r ever , an d a
cl e an u n i ve r se ensue.
So bo th T e r t u l l i a n s an d Or i ge n s f i re an d He l l ar e al i ke
f al se, f antasti c, an d f atal to tr u e C h r i sti an f ai th , th o u gh i n o p
po si te ways. On e th r e ate n e d wh at Go d h as n e ve r de cr e ed; th e
o th e r pr o mi se d wh at Go d h as n e ve r au th o r i ze d . On e i s as f al se
as th e o th e r . Or i ge n bo l dl y tau gh t th e spi r i tu al pu r gati o n of
al l si n n e r s by th e cl eansi ng f i res of pe r so n al remo r se. T h u s h e
l e f t C h r i st an d Hi s savi ng gr ace l argel y o u t of th e tr an sacti o n
o f r e sto r ati o n . I t was l argel y a process of se l f -pur i f i cati o n.
An d al l th i s, Or i ge n h el d, wo u l d co nsume i n n u me r abl e ages,
an d th u s str i ke agai n at th e h i sto r i c Bi bl i cal be l i e f i n th e pr o ph
esi ed Seco nd Ad ve n t an d th e ju d gme n t.
Go d s l ake o f f i re wi l l be r e al an d ef f ecti ve an d f i nal . I t wi l l
acco mpl i sh i ts de si gn ate d pu r po se th e sai nts al l saf e, th e si n
ner s al l o bl i te r ate d . T h e uni ve rse wi l l be cl e an at th e cl ose of
si n s tr agi c, f u ti l e e xpe r i me n t. T h e ch af f , th e tares, th e severed
br anch e s, wi l l al l be bu r n e d u p, destr o yed, r e d u ce d to ash es,
co me to n o u gh t, be as th o u gh th e y h ad n o t been. T h e wh e at
wi l l be gath e r e d i n to Go d s h eave nl y gar n e r f o r al l e te r n i ty.
T h a t i s th e f i nal e of th e pl an of r e d e mpti o n . Gr ace an d r e t
r i bu ti o n , mercy an d justi ce, wi l l h ave h ad th e i r r i gh te o u s sway.
An d th e r e d e e me d of th e un i ve r se wi l l pr o cl ai m, J u s t an d
33
Later Supporters of Tertullians Eternal-TormentismMinucius Felix, Cyprian
of Carthage, Ambrose of Milan, John Chrysostom, and Jerome.
t r u e ar e th y ways, th o u Ki n g o f s ai n ts (Re v. 15:3). T h a t i s
th e pr e ci se o ppo s i te o f bo th T e r tu l l i a n i s m an d Or i ge n i s m.
VI. Su bs e qu e n t C h u r ch me n Ar e Di vi d e d Be twe e n th e
C o n f l i cti n g Sch o o l s
T h e r e a d e r wi l l i n e vi tabl y wo n d e r as to wh at po si ti o n s
we r e take n by o t h e r pr o mi n e n t ch u r ch me n i n th e t h i r d a n d
f o u r t h ce n tu r i e s a n d th e e ar l y pa r t o f th e f i f th , as r e gar d s th e
f ate o f th e wi cke d . Wh e r e d i d th e y s tan d i n th e gr e at t h r e e
f o l d d i vi si o n t h a t was be co mi n g i n cr e asi n gl y cr ystal l i ze d th i s
th e o l o gi cal tr i l e mma th a t h ad d e ve l o pe d i n th e ch u r ch . We
wi l l n o t a tt e mpt to pr e s e n t a d e tai l e d stu d y o f th e u tte r an ce s
o f th e se var i o u s me n , f o r th e si mpl e r e aso n th a t th e y we r e
l ar ge l y th e r e f l e cto r s o f o n e o r th e o t h e r o f th e co n f l i cti n g
vi ews o f T e r t u l l i a n , h o l d i n g to Ete r n al -T o r me n ti s m, o r o f
Or i ge n wi th h i s co n tr ar y co n ce pt o f Un i ve r sal Re s to r ati o n i sm.
A me r e l i s ti n g o f r e spe cti ve vi ews mu s t suf f i ce f o r th e
two cate go r i e s. T h i s i s pr i mar i l y be cau se o f space l i mi tati o n s .
Bu t i t i s al so , as state d , be cau se th e se ch u r ch me n d i d n o t make
an y pa r ti cu l a r l y n e w co n tr i bu ti o n s to th e qu e s ti o n a t i ssue.
T h e y si mpl y f avo r e d o n e o r th e o th e r po si ti o n . T h e r e i s th e r e
f o r e n o actu al o mi ssi o n o f pe r t i n e n t e vi d e n ce . I t i s l ar ge l y a
qu e s ti o n o f al i gn me n t, i n var yi n g d e gr e e s, wi th o n e o r th e
o t h e r sch o o l . So th e two gr o u ps ar e h e r e gi ve n si mpl y f o r
r e f e r e n ce . (T h e y ar e t abu l a te d i n s e qu e n ce a n d cate go r y i n
th e T a bu l a r C h a r t F, o n page 758.)
1026
Later Favorers of Origens Universal RestorationismGregory Thaumaturgus,
Theognostus, Eusebius of Caesarea, Diodorus of Tarsus, and Theodore of
Mopsuestia.
1. C h u r c h me n W h o Su ppo r t e d T e r t u l l i a n s E t e r n a l -
T o r me n t i s m. T h e co n ce pt o f Ete r n al T o r me n t , as d e ve l o pe d
by T e r t u l l i a n a n d co n s u mmate d by Au gu s ti n e , was s u ppo r te d
by Mi n u ci u s Fe l i x, Hi ppo l ytu s , C ypr i an o f C ar th age , Ambr o se
o f Mi l an , J o h n C h r yso sto m, an d J e r o me o f An ti o ch (wi th
so me r e se r vati o n s). T h e s e we r e ge n e r al l y i n th e West. As
Eman u e l Pe tave l pu ts i t aptl y, C o n d i ti o n al I mmo r ta l i ty was
d r o wn e d i n th e r i s i n g ti d e o f Pl ato n i s m (Problem of I m
mortality, pp. 242, 496). Wi th th i s l i n e -u p C an o n He n r y
C o n s tabl e i s i n e sse n ti al agr e e me n t (Duration and Nature of
Future Punishment, p. 229), as al so J . H. Pe tti n ge l l (The
Life Everlasting, p. 32).
As su gge ste d , th e se ch u r ch me n d i d n o t wr i te e l abo r ate
tr e ati se s th e r e o n . Ra th e r , th e y bu t e ch o e d th e se n ti me n ts o f
T e r t u l l i a n . We h ave n o t th e r e f o r e gi ve n th e m i n d i vi d u al co v
e r age , be cau se th e y d e ve l o pe d n o spe ci al e vi d e n ce , a n d mad e
n o pa r t i cu l a r co n tr i bu ti o n to th e po s i ti o n r e f l e cte d . Bu t th e i r
asse n ti n g s e n ti me n ts n e e d to be pl ace d o n r e co r d i n th i s ge n
e r al way.
2. E c c l es i a s t i c s W h o F a v o r ed O r i g e n s U n i v er s a l R es
t o r a t i o n i s m. Or i ge n i s m, o r Un i ve r sal Re s to r ati o n i sm, l i ke
wi se wo n n u me r o u s par ti san s, e spe ci al l y i n th e East. T h e s e
i n cl u d e d Gr e go r y T h a u ma tu r gu s , bi sh o p o f Ne o cae sar e a,
Pi e r i u s a n d T h e o gn o s tu s (Or i ge n s successo rs i n th e sch o o l at
Al e xan d r i a), Pamph i l u s o f C ae sar e a, Eu se bi u s th e h i s to r i an ,
1027
T i t u s o f Bo str a, Basi l o f C ae sar e a, Gr e go r y o f Nyssa (to a
d e gr e e ), Di o d o r u s o f T ar s u s , a n d T h e o d o r e o f Mo psu e sti a.
Esse n ti al l y th e same l i st i s atte s te d by Pe tave l i n h i s The Prob
lem of Immortality (pp. 281, 496), a n d Pe tti n ge l l , The Life
Everlasting (p. 32).
3. C o n d i t i o n a l i s m G r a d u a l l y F o r c ed I n t o E c l i ps e .
T h e gr e at th e o l o gi cal tr i l e mma to wh i ch we h ave r e f e r r e d
h a d n o w be co me an actu al i ty, as me n to o k si des. Me an wh i l e ,
th e d o ctr i n e o f C o n d i ti o n al i s m, wh i ch h ad h ad br i l l i a n t pr o
po n e n ts , was be i n g cr o wd e d i n to th e backgr o u n d a n d be i n g
pr o gr e ssi ve l y o ve r wh e l me d . Evi d e n tl y th e l esse r cl e r gy si m
i l ar l y r an ge d th e mse l ve s wi th th e o n e gr o u p o r th e o t h e r i n
th i s same ge n e r al way. By th e e n d o f th e f o u r th ce n tu r y th e
ge n e r al d e pa r t u r e f r o m C o n d i ti o n al i s m was f ar ad van ce d .
I ts vi r tu al e cl i pse was n o t f ar away, al o n g wi th th e f i n al s u b
me r ge n ce o f Un i ve r sal Re s to r ati o n i sm.
T h e Ete r n al -T o r me n ti s m o f T e r t u l l i a n a n d Au gu s ti n e
be came se ve r e l y pr e d o mi n an t, a n d d i d n o t r e l ax i ts s tr an gl e
h o l d u n t i l pr e -Re f o r mati o n ti me s, wh e n C o n d i ti o n al i s m be gan
i ts sl o w r e su r ge n ce .
I t i s to be r e me mbe r e d t h a t by th e f o u r th an d f i f th ce n
tu r i e s th e pr e ssu r e s we r e so gr e at, as e xe r te d by th e Ete r n al -
T o r me n t Sch o o l , t h a t th e l ast ch ampi o n s o f C o n d i ti o n al i s m
be gan to f al te r . T h e i r l ate r wr i ti n gs sh o w a co mpr o mi s i n g swi n g
to war d Ete r n a l -T o r me n ti s m t h a t i s tr agi c. So i t was th a t th e
l ast ch ampi o n s o f C o n d i ti o n al i s m wave r e d an d capi tu l ate d .
Fr o m a gr o wi n g u n ce r tai n ty th e y f i n al l y e spo u se d wh at th e y
h ad f o r me r l y r e si ste d an d ch al l e n ge d . Af te r th e m came th e
vi r tu a l bl acko u t o f C o n d i ti o n al i s m f o r se ve r al ce n tu r i e s . I t
was d r i ve n u n d e r gr o u n d u n t i l sh o r tl y be f o r e Pr o te s tan t Re f
o r ma ti o n days, wh e n i t co u l d n o l o n ge r be r e pr e sse d .
C H A P T E R S I X T Y - T W O
Lactan ti u sEmi tti ng Li gh t Ami d
Encroach i ng Darkness
1. R e v o l u t i o n i n R o ma n L i f e a n d T h o u g h t .We h ave
al r e ad y se e n h o w th e tr a n s i ti o n f r o m pagan i sms f i n al a tte mpt
to cr u sh C h r i s ti an i ty, u n d e r Di o cl e ti an , to C o n s ta n ti n e s es
po u sal o f th e C h r i s ti an f ai th , i n tr o d u ce d wi th i n a si n gl e ge n
e r ati o n th e mo st r e mar kabl e r e vo l u ti o n i n th o u gh t, l aws, an d
man n e r o f l i f e r e co r d e d o f an y e mpi r e i n h i sto r y. T h o u gh
sti l l a pagan at h e ar t, C o n s tan ti n e acce pte d th e l o gi c o f e ve n ts
a n d came to te r ms wi th C h r i sti an i ty. Un d e r h i s e d i cts o f to l e r a
ti o n , wo r l d co n d i ti o n s s u d d e n l y ch an ge d . C h r i s ti an i ty was n o
l o n ge r pr o scr i be d a n d pe r se cu te d , an d i ts ad h e r e n ts e me r ge d
f r o m th e i r h i d e -o u ts i n cataco mbs a n d caves. T h e ch u r ch s
ad ve r sar i e s we r e r e s tr ai n e d , a n d tr a n qu i l l i t y r e i gn e d f o r a ti me .
2. St a y i n g t h e T i d e o f D r i f t a n d E r r o r . T h e wo r l d s
f avo r n o w be came th e ch u r ch s n e w pe r i l h e r n e w tr i al o f
f ai th . Mu l ti tu d e s so o n s o u gh t e n tr an ce i n to h e r co mmu n i o n
be cau se i t h ad be co me ad van tage o u s an d was th e po pu l ar
th i n g to do . Wo r l d l i n e s s swe pt i n as a r e s u l t. I n r e acti o n , var i
o u s C h r i s ti an l e ad e r s t u r n e d to asce ti ci sm as a me an s o f stay
i n g th e e bbi n g ti d e o f s pi r i tu a l l i f e . T h i s appe al e d to man y
o f th e pi o u s, an d th e h e r mi tage an d th e mo n aste r y we r e e x
pl o r e d as a po ssi bl e d e te r r e n t. Me an wh i l e , n e w d o ctr i n al e r r o r s
co mmi n gl e d wi th th e o l d . An d Lactan ti u s , to wh o m we n o w
t u r n , wh o h ad f i r st wi tn e sse d th e an gu i sh o f pe r s e cu ti o n , an d
t h e n th e e l e vati o n o f C h r i s ti an i ty to i mpe r i al patr o n age , n o w
u n d e r to o k to stay th e ti d e o f d r i f t an d e r r o r , an d to i n s tr u ct
th e e mpe r o r . T h i s i s i mpo r ta n t to n o te .
1029
Lactantius Speaks Out Amid Apos
tasys Encroaching Darkness and
Paganisms Final Stand.
L a c t a n t i u s Firmian us (c. 250-330), co n spi cu o u s Lati n
Fath e r , was cal l e d th e C h r i s ti an C i ce r o be cau se o f h i s e l e gan ce
o f e xpr e ssi o n a n d th e pu r i ty an d f i n i sh o f h i s styl e th e mi l ky
so f tn e ss o f h i s styl e , as i t h as be e n ph r ase d . He was o n e o f
th e e mi n e n t l i gh ts o f th e f o u r th ce n tu r y. J e r o me cal l e d h i m
th e mo st l e ar n e d man o f h i s ti me . Bo r n o f pagan par e n tage ,
a n d co n ve r te d to C h r i s ti an i ty i n matu r i ty, La cta n ti u s l i f e
r e al l y s pan n e d th r e e e po ch s (1) th e u n e asy tr u ce o f th e
ch u r ch , (2) th e cr o wn i n g pe r s e cu ti o n o f pagan i sm, an d (3)
th e pr e f e r me n t o f C h r i s ti an i ty i n th e C o n s tan ti n i an pe r i o d .
Hi s l i f e l i ke wi se par al l e l e d th a t o f Eu se bi u s, wh o wr o te i n
Gr e e k, wh i l e La cta n ti u s pr o d u cti o n s we r e i n Lati n .
I . Hi s to r i cal Se tti n g o f I n te r e s t i n Ma n s Na tu r e a n d De sti n y
1. S c h o l a r s h i p R e c o g n i z e d by T wo Emp erors.Lactan
ti u s h ad s tu d i e d r h e to r i c u n d e r th e ce l e br ate d Ar n o bi u s,
avo we d C o n d i ti o n al i s t r h e to r i ci a n o f Si cca, i n No r t h e r n Af
r i ca. An d l i ke h i s te ach e r , Lactan ti u s si mi l ar l y came to be l i e ve
i n C o n d i ti o n al I mmo r tal i ty, th o u gh n o t al ways co n si ste n tl y.
Hi s f ame so o n su r passe d t h a t o f h i s te ach e r a n d r e ach e d th e
1030
L I GHT AMID ENC ROAC HI NG DARKNESS 1031
e ar o f Di o cl e ti an , wh o h ad e stabl i sh e d h i s co u r t i n Ni co me d i a,
a n d was e mbe l l i s h i n g th e ci ty wi th n o te d te ach e r s a n d pl ace s
o f l e ar n i n g.
Be cause o f h i s r e pu ta ti o n , Di o cl e ti an aske d h i m to co me
to Ni co me d i a to te ach r h e to r i c, wh e r e h e r e mai n e d a bo u t te n
ye ar s. Bu t u po n h i s acce ptan ce o f C h r i s ti an i ty, Lactan ti u s was
d e pr i ve d o f h i s po st. Late r , C o n s tan ti n e cal l e d h i m to h i s
co u r t a n d e n tr u s te d to h i m th e e d u cati o n o f h i s e l d e st so n
C r i s pu s wh i ch co n tact d o u btl e ss h ad an i n f l u e n ce u po n
C o n s ta n ti n e s pr o f e ssi o n o f C h r i s ti an i ty.
Un d e r Di o cl e ti an , C h r i s ti an i ty h ad be e n f i er cel y assai l e d
by f i re a n d swo r d , as we l l as h ar asse d by ph i l o s o ph e r s r e s o r ti n g
to r i d i cu l e a n d d i s to r ti o n . Po r ph yr y th e so ph i st an d Hi e r o cl e s
h e l d u p C h r i s ti an i ty to sco r n , je e r i n g at Scr i ptu r e as i n co n
s i s te n t a n d pu e r i l e . Scu r r i l o u s r e f l e cti o n s we r e l i ke wi se mad e
u po n C h r i st. Be cause o f al l th i s Lactan ti u s f e l t co mpe l l e d to
d e f e n d C h r i s ti an i ty, an d th r u s t h i s pe n i n to th e co n f l i ct. An d
i t was th i s ve r y d e f e n se o f C h r i s ti an i ty th a t l e d h i m to be co me
a co n ve r t d u r i n g th e ti me o f th e Di o cl e ti an pe r s e cu ti o n . T o
h i s e ve r l as ti n g cr e d i t Lactan ti u s bo l d l y co n f e sse d h i s f ai th d u r
i n g th e h e i gh t o f th i s l ast a n d mo st te r r i bl e o f th e pagan
t r i bu l a ti o n s .
2. F i r s t A t t e m p t a t S y s t e m a t i c C h r i s t i a n T h e o l o g y .
He h ad be e n a maste r o f pagan r h e to r i c an d ph i l o so ph y.
No w h e t u r n e d C h r i s ti an ph i l o s o ph e r an d be came a co n spi c
u o u s ad vo cate o f th e l o f ty mo r al tr u t h s o f C h r i s ti an i ty. De spi te
th e po mp a n d s pl e n d o r s u r r o u n d i n g h i m, h e l i ve d a l i f e o f
gr e at s i mpl i ci tyr e al l y o f au s te r i ty. Do ctr i n e , i t s h o u l d be
r e me mbe r e d , was n o t ye t r i gi d , a n d vi ews o n s u n d r y d o ctr i n e s
var i e d wi th o u t ce n su r e . T h i s spe ci f i cal l y i n cl u d e d th e n a tu r e
a n d d e sti n y o f man . T h i s e xpl ai n s th e co n f l i cti n g vi ews o f
n o te d sch o l ar s at th i s ti me .
L a cta n ti u s mo st n o te d wo r k, The Divine Institutes
(Divinae Institutiones), was co mpo se d be f o r e th e cl o se o f
Di o cl e ti an s pe r s e cu ti o n . I t was a co mpr e h e n si ve apo l o gy,
d e s i gn e d to co mme n d th e C h r i s ti an t r u t h to me n o f l e tte r s.
He f e l t th a t th e pr e s e n tati o n s o f h i s pr e d e ce sso r s h ad n o t be e n
ad e qu ate , a n d was bu r d e n e d o ve r r e ach i n g th e e d u cate d cl asses.
T o th i s e n d h e be n t h i s po we r s o f l an gu age an d pe r su asi o n .
I n e l e gan t L a ti n h e po i n te d o u t th e f u ti l i ty an d f al se h o o d o f
pagan s u pe r s ti ti o n s an d th e van i ty o f h e ath e n ph i l o so ph y a n d
i ts co n te n ti o n s .
I n a way, h e was th e f i r st to a tte mpt a syste mati c C h r i s ti an
th e o l o gy. An d h e d e d i cate d h i s Institutes to Empe r o r C o n
s tan ti n e , as th e f i r st C h r i s ti an Pr i n ce . Su bs e qu e n tl y h e
h i mse l f pr e pa r e d an Epitome o f th i s f u l l e r tr e a tme n t to be
n o te d l ate r f o r th i s abr i d gme n t e mbo d i e s a pi tf al l th at we
mu s t avo i d .
3. C o m p re h e n s i v e C h a r a c t e r o f L a c t a n t i u s I n s t i
t u t e s . L a cta n ti u s o th e r tr e ati se s i n cl u d e d The Anger of God
d i r e cte d agai n st th e te n e ts o f th e Epi cu r e an s a n d Sto i cs, wh o
h ad ma i n ta i n e d th at th e d e e d s o f me n co u l d pr o d u ce n o e mo
ti o n s o f pl e as u r e o r an ge r i n th e De i ty. Sti l l a n o th e r was The
Workmanship of God, or the Formation of Man, o n th e wo n
d e r f u l co n s tr u cti o n o f th e h u man f o r me vi d e n ci n g th e wi s
d o m a n d go o d n e ss o f Go d , wi th th e l atte r pa r t d e al i n g so me
wh at wi th th e o r i gi n , n a tu r e , an d d e sti n y o f th e so u l .
Hi s f amo u s Institutes co mpr i se se ve n se par ate tr e ati se s:
(1) f al se wo r sh i ponly one true God; (2) i d o l atr yth e o r i gi n
o f e r r o r ; d e al i n g wi th C r e ati o n , th e d e ve l o pme n t o f i d o l atr y,
th e d e i f i cati o n o f man , a n d d e mo n i sm; (3) f al se ph i l o so ph y
d i f f e r i n g pagan ph i l o so ph i e s ve r su s Go d s r e ve l ati o n ; (4) t r u e
ph i l o so ph yo n th e pe r so n o f C h r i st, Hi s i n car n ati o n , Me s
si an i c s u f f e r i n g an d d e ath , an d me d i ati o n be twe e n Go d a n d
man ; (5) ju sti ce ; (6) t r u e wo r sh i pth e two ways, o f o be d i e n ce
a n d d i so be d i e n ce , l e ad i n g r e spe cti ve l y to i mmo r tal i ty a n d to
d e s tr u cti o n , o r to He ave n a n d to He l l ; (7) th e ch i e f e n d o f man .
Bo o k 7 d e al s wi th i mmo r tal i ty, th e r e t u r n o f C h r i st, th e r e i gn
o f th e sai n ts f o r th e th o u s an d years, an d th e two r e s u r r e cti o n s .
I n o th e r wo r d s, i t was h i s sch e me o f e sch ato l o gy. He par ti cu l ar l y
str e sse d th e l ast d ays.
4. C o u r s e o f Empire P o r t r a y e d in P r o p h e c y . Lactan
ti u s h ad a br o ad gr asp o f Bi bl e pr o ph e cy, as po r tr aye d i n
Dan i e l a n d th e Apo cal ypse . He h e l d th at i n th e o ve r -al l
pr o ph e ti c o u tl i n e , Ro me th e th e n -e xi s te n t f o u r th wo r l d
po we r d o mi n a n t i n h i s d aywas to be d i vi d e d i n to te n smal l e r
ki n gd o ms. T h e n a po we r f u l n o r th e r n e n e my wo u l d d e str o y
th r e e o f th e se ki n gd o ms, an d th i s d e ve l o pme n t wo u l d be f o l
l o we d by th e e me r ge n ce o f An ti ch r i s ts r u l e . An d Lactan ti u s
ti e d th i s An ti ch r i s t wi th th e r u i n o u s r e i gn o f th e be as t o f
Re ve l ati o n 13. Gr e at wi cke d n e ss, h e u n d e r s to o d , was to ch ar
acte r i ze th e l ast ti me s o f e ar th .1
5. E s c h a t o l o g i c a l C o n c e p t U n v e i l s M a n s D e s t i n y .
I n o r d e r to gr asp L a ctan ti u s vi ew o f th e n a tu r e a n d d e sti n y
o f man , o n e mu s t f i r st u n d e r s ta n d h i s e sch ato l o gi cal co n ce pt
o f th e l ast th i n gs. Lactan ti u s bo r e cl e ar te sti mo n y co n ce r n i n g
th e two ad ve n ts, as vi tal l y i n vo l ve d i n th e pl an o f sal vati o n .
He ske tch e d th e o r i gi n o f si n , th e cr e ati o n o f man , a n d ma n s
pr o bati o n a n d f al l i n Ed e n th e l atte r n e ce ssi tati n g th e i n car
n ati o n a n d d e ath o f C h r i s t.3
Hi s te s ti mo n y was sh ar p a n d cl e ar . He h e l d ste ad f astl y
to th e Se co n d Ad ve n t at th e e n d o f th e wo r l d , a n d to th e
a tt e n d a n t l i te r al r e s u r r e cti o n o f th e sai n ts. T h e san d s i n t i me s
h o u r gl ass wo u l d r u n o u t. T h e n wo u l d co me th e mi l l e n n i al
r e i gn o f th e sai n ts, wi th th e se co n d r e s u r r e cti o n a t th e mi l
l e n n i u ms cl o se, to be f o l l o we d by th e d e s tr u cti o n o f th e
wi cke d a n d th e r e n e wal o f th e e ar th . T h i s o u tl i n e we wi l l
n o te i n so me d e tai l .
6. D ub io u s Passages and Kn own E m e n d a t i o n s . I n co n
tr as t to T h e o ph i l u s , No vati an , a n d ce r tai n o th e r C o n d i ti o n al -
i sts, Lactan ti u s be l i e ve d th a t man was created i mmo r tal n o t
si mpl y a can d i d ate f o r i mmo r tal i tybu t th r o u gh th e Fal l
became mortal. T h i s vi e wpo i n t n a tu r a l l y mo l d e d h i s te r mi n o l -
1 Lactanti us, The Divine Institutes, book 7, ch aps. 14-19, i n ANF, vol . 7, pp. 211-215.
Fo r Lactanti us detai l e d exposi ti on o f pr oph ecy, see L. E. Froom, Prophetic Faith of Our
Fathers, vol . 1, pp. 354-361.
2 Lactanti us, The Epitome of the Divine Institutes, ch aps. 27, 43, 44, i n ANF, vol . 7,
pp. 231, 232, 239.
o gy, an d gave r i se to a mi s u n d e r s tan d i n g o f so me o f h i s
ph r asi n gs.
T h e r e ar e f r an kl y o ccasi o n al e xpr e ssi o n s th a t ar e d i f f i cu l t
to r e co n ci l e wi th L a ctan ti u s pr e po n d e r a n t vi ew so co n stan tl y
r e i te r ate d . I f we ar e to tr u s t th e tr an s l ati o n o f su ch spo r ad i c
e xpr e ssi o n s th e y wo u l d i n d i cate th a t Lactan ti u s was n o t al ways
co n si ste n t. Bu t th e r e i s al so th e f acto r o f so me kn o wn co r r u p
ti o n o f th e te xt. C e r tai n se cti o n s ar e r e co gn i ze d by sch o l ar s
as be ar i n g th e mar ks o f an o th e r h an d .
J u s t wh at be ar i n g th i s h ad o n ce r tai n r e n d i ti o n s we can
n o t o f co u r se kn o w. Bu t i t acce n tu ate s ce r tai n pr o bl e ms as to
co n si ste n cy. As th e e d i to r o f th e tr e ati se A. C l e ve l an d C o xe ,
I n tr o d u cto r y No ti ce (ANF, vo l . 7, p. 4)r e co gn i ze s, ce r tai n
l o o se e xpr e ssi o n s ar e o f te n i n co n s i s te n t o n e wi th a n o th e r .
T h i s we mu s t r e co gn i ze as we e xami n e th e pr e s e n tati o n .
I I . I mmo r tal i tyLo st T h r o u gh Si n; Re sto r e d T h r o u gh C h r i st
Be cause o f th e key po s i ti o n h e l d by Lactan ti u s , we wi l l
co ve r h i s te ach i n g r a t h e r syste mati cal l y.
1. G o d I s E t e r n a l ; M a n s I mmo r t a l i t y C o n d i t i o n a l .
Re f e r e n ce s to th e n a tu r e a n d d e sti n y o f man be gi n wi th bo o k
two , bu t cl i max i n bo o ks si x a n d seven. C h apte r n i n e o f bo o k
two , sets f o r th th i s pr i n ci pl e : Go d , th e r e f o r e , i s th e o n l y be i n g
wh o was n o t mad e ; an d th e r e f o r e He can d e str o y o th e r th i n gs,
bu t He Hi ms e l f can n o t be d e str o ye d . s
T h a t , o f co u r se , i s i n co n tr as t to man . Bu t th e Epi cu r e an s,
Lactan ti u s i n te r je cts , d o n o t a d mi t th a t th e wo r l d was mad e
by Go d . *T h e n i s i n tr o d u ce d an o d d e xpr e ssi o n a h an g-o ve r
o f pagan co n ce pts:
"Fo r we, be i n g a h e a ve n l y a n d i mmo r t a l r ace , make u se o f f i r e , wh i ch
i s gi ve n to u s as a pr o o f o f i mmo r ta l i ty, si n ce f i r e i s o f h e a ve n ; . . . th e
pr i n ci pl e o f l i f e . 8
3The Divine Institutes, book 2, ch ap. 9, i n ANF, vol . 7, p. 55.
I bid., p. 56.
5Ibid., ch ap. 10, p. 58.
C h a pte r t h i r te e n d i f f e r e n ti ate s be twe e n th e f i r st a n d sec
o n d d e ath s, a n d di scusses th e f al l o f o u r f i r st pa r e n ts .
Man , says Lactan ti u s
"co n s i s ts o f s o u l a n d bo d y, t h a t i s, as i t we r e , o f h e a ve n a n d e a r t h : si n ce
t h e s o u l by wh i ch we l i ve , h as i ts o r i gi n , as i t we r e , o u t o f h e a ve n f r o m
Go d , th e bo d y o u t o f th e e a r t h , o f th e d u s t o f wh i ch we h a ve s ai d t h a t
i t [man ] was f o r me d . 8
Lactan ti u s agr e e s i n pa r t wi th T r i s me gi s tu s t h a t
i f th e so u l , wh i ch h a s i ts o r i gi n f r o m Go d , gai n s th e mas te r y, i t i s i m
mo r ta l , a n d l i ve s i n pe r pe t u a l l i gh t; i f , o n th e o t h e r h a n d , th e bo d y s h al l
o ve r po we r th e so u l , a n d s u bje ct i t to i ts d o mi n i o n , i t i s i n e ve r l a s t i n g
d a r kn e s s a n d d e a t h . An d th e f o r ce o f th i s i s n o t t h a t i t a l t o ge t h e r a n n i
h i l a t e s [e xt i n gu i s h e s , n o t e 6] th e so u l s o f th e u n r i gh te o u s , bu t s u bje cts
th e m to e ve r l a s t i n g pu n i s h me n t . 7
T h e cu r i o u s cl o si n g e xpr e ssi o n i s d e ve l o pe d e l se wh e r e .
2. N a t u r e o f F i r s t and S e c o n d D e a t h s . Re f e r r i n g
to th e se co n d d e ath , Lactan ti u s e xpl ai n s th a t we te r m th at
pu n i s h me n t th e se co n d d e ath [f o r th e wi cke d ], wh i ch i s i tse l f
pe r pe tu al , as al so i s i mmo r ta l i ty (f o r th e r i gh te o u s). As to
th e f i r st d e ath h e state s, De ath i s th e d i ss o l u ti o n o f th e
n a tu r e o f l i vi n g be i n gs , o r th e s e par ati o n o f bo d y a n d s o u l .
Lactan ti u s th e n d e f i n e s th e "second d e ath as th e co n d e m
n a ti o n o f so u l s f o r d e se r ts to e te r n al pu n i s h me n ts , wh i ch
te r m h e l ate r e xpl ai n s. T h e so u l , h e ad d s, o u gh t to r i se to
th e i mmo r tal i ty wh i ch i s i n h e ave n . 8
3. Adam E x p e l l e d From Eden and I m m o r t a l i t y . Fr o m
th i s Lactan ti u s l e ad s back to pr i me val man , pl ace d i n par a
d i se to d e vo te h i mse l f e n ti r e l y to th e se r vi ce o f Go d h i s
Fa th e r . Go d gave man f i xe d co mman d s, by th e o bse r van ce
o f wh i ch h e mi gh t co n ti n u e i mmo r tal : o r i f h e tr an sgr e sse d
th e m, be pu n i s h e d wi th d e a th if h e taste d n o t o f th e f o r
bi d d e n tr e e . Bu t th e accu se r appl i e d h i s d e ce i ts a n d ar ti f i ce s
to be gu i l e [o ve r th r o w, n o te 10] th e man , that he might
deprive him of immortality.
6 Ibid., ch ap. 13, p. 61. Empedocl es, and o th e r poets and ph i l osoph er s named, h ad
co ntended th at men ar e composed of f i re, ai r , water , an a e ar th , as noted i n Par t I I I .
7 Ibid. 3 Ibid., pp. 61, 62.
T h e n , man h avi n g tr an sgr e sse d , Go d d r o ve o u t th e man
f r o m th e gar d e n , h avi n g passe d se n te n ce u po n th e s i n n e r . T h u s
man was e xcl u d e d f r o m Par ad i se u n t i l th e e xe cu ti o n o f th e
l ast ju d gme n t, wh e n d e ath wi l l be r e mo ve d , a n d th e r i gh t
e o u s be br o u gh t back to Par ad i se .9
4. I mmo r t a l i t y Is R e w a r d f o r R i g h t eo u s n e s s . Bo o k
th r e e d e al s at th e o u ts e t wi th th e Fal se Wi sd o m o f Ph i l o so
ph e r s . Lactan ti u s h e r e po i n ts o u t th e we akne sse s a n d f al l aci e s
o f th e co n f l i cti n g sch o o l s. I n ch apte r twe l ve , d i scu ssi n g th e o b
je ct f o r wh i ch we ar e bo r n , a n d th e e n e mi e s o f th e so u l , Lac
tan ti u s says th a t th e rewardI f o r r i gh te o u sn e ss i s th e co n ti n u a
ti o n o f i ts e xi s te n ce , o r i mmo r tal i ty, wh i ch can n e i t h e r be
co r r u pt e d n o r d e str o ye d . 10
T h e n , i n ch a pte r t h i r te e n (T h e I mmo r tal i ty o f th e So u l ),
Lactan ti u s state s: On wh i ch su bje ct th e r e i s gr e at d i s pu ta
t i o n amo n g [pagan ] ph i l o so ph e r s; n o r h ave th e y wh o h e l d
t r u e o pi n i o n s r e spe cti n g th e so u l be e n abl e to e xpl ai n o r
pr o ve a n yth i n g. 11An d th e r e aso n ?Be i n g d e s ti tu te o f d i vi n e
kn o wl e d ge [f r o m i n s pi r e d Scr i ptu r e ], th e y n e i th e r br o u gh t f o r
war d t r u e ar gu me n ts , n o r e vi d e n ce by wh i ch th e y mi gh t
co n vi n ce . An d h e ad d s, bo th h e r e a n d e l se wh e r e , th a t this
will be more fully dealt with in book sevenand thus consid
ered later.
5. C o n f u s i o n a n d I gn o r a n ce A mo n g P h i l o s o ph e r s .
Re co gn i zi n g Pl ato (i n ch a pte r se ve n te e n ) as ki n g amo n g
ph i l o s o ph e r s , Lactan ti u s says o f th e co n tr ar y wi tn e ss o f a n o th e r
(e vi d e n tl y Epi cu r u s , wh o l e f t o n r e co r d , De ath do es n o t
e xi s t); Ho w cl e ve r l y h e h as d e ce i ve d u s! 13An d th e Pyth ago
r e an s a n d Sto i cs say, T h e so u l su r vi ve s a f te r d e a th , bu t mi
gr ate s f r o m o n e bo d y to a n o th e r , a n d th a t i t i s n o t po ssi bl e f o r
th e so u l to su r vi ve th e bo d y u n l e ss i t h as e xi ste d pr e vi o u sl y
to th e bo d y. 14Bu t, h e ad d s, e ve n Pl ato , ch ampi o n i n g th e i m-
9 Ibid., p. 62. (Ital i cs suppl i ed.)
10 Ibid., book 3, ch ap. 12, pp. 79, 80.
11 Ibid., ch ap. 13, p. 81.
12 Ibid.
13 Ibid., ch ap. 17, i n ANF, vol . 7, p. 87.
14 Ibid., ch ap. 18, p. 88.
mo r tal i ty o f th e so u l , d i d n o t kn o w by wh o m, a n d h o w, a n d
to wh o m . . . a n d at wh at ti me , i mmo r tal i ty i s gi ve n .
6. F a l l a c i o u s C o n c e p t s o f C i c e r o .C i ce r o an d o th e r
Ro man wr i te r s kn o w n o t h i n g o f th e [r e ve al e d ] t r u t h , n e ve r
th e l e ss th e y r e aso n : I f th e r e i s n o th i n g af te r d e ath , d e ath i s
n o t an e vi l . . . . Bu t i f th e so u l su r vi ve s, d e ath i s e ve n an
ad van tage ; be cau se i mmo r tal i ty f o l l o ws. T h u s th e y af f i rm
th a t d e ath br i n gs i n a be tt e r s tate . On th i s Lactan ti u s
o bse r ve s, Bu t e ach co n cl u si o n i s f al se , f o r rewards and
punishments assuredly follow. T h e wi cke d wi l l n o t e scape
pu n i s h me n t. Su ch f al se r e aso n i n g, h e ad d s, i s base d o n th e
assumption t h a t e ve r y man at h i s bi r t h i s pr e s e n te d wi th
An d Lactan ti u s casti gate s th e n o ti o n th a t i t make s n o
d i f f e r e n ce wh e th e r man i s go o d o r e vi l . T h e tr u e co n ce pt, h e
assur e s us, co me s th r o u gh po ssessi o n o f th e t r u t h . 17 Af te r
d e ath me n ar e e i th e r tr an s l ate d to i mmo r tal i ty o r tr an s f e r r e d
to e ve r l asti n g [aidnion] pu n i s h me n t. An d Lactan ti u s pr o
ce eds to cr i ti ci ze Pl a to s an d So cr ate s jo i n t vi ews.
I I I . C h r i st th e So u r ce o f Ou r I mmo r tal i ty
1. C h r i s t C a m e t o R e s t o r e R i g h t e o u s t o L i f e .I n
bo o k 4 (Of T r u e Wi sd o m a n d Re l i gi o n ) Lactan ti u s pr e se n ts
th e C h r i s ti an f ai th i n s h ar p co n tr as t wi th f u ti l e pagan vi ews,
an d pr e se n ts th e sto r y o f sal vati o n th r o u gh C h r i s t (ch apte r s si x
to te n ). T h e n , i n ch apte r e l e ve n , h e co me s to th e cau se a n d n e ce s
si ty o f th e I n ca r n a ti o n th a t th e r e mi gh t be n o n a ti o n at al l
u n d e r h e ave n to wh i ch th e hope of immortality s h o u l d be
d e n i e d . 18
I n ch apte r twe l ve Lactan ti u s d e al s wi th th e Li f e , De ath ,
an d Re s u r r e cti o n o f C h r i s th o w He was bo r n o f ma n ,
an d h o w He s h o u l d twi ce co me to th e e a r t h , i n two co n-
16I bid., p. 89.
16Ibid., ch ap. 19, pp. 89, 90.
Ibid., p. 90.
18Ibid., book 4, ch ap. 11, p. 110.
tr as ti n g ad ve n tsth e f i r st ti me cl o th e d wi th f l e sh , h avi n g
assu me d th e f o r m o f a man an d th e condition of mortality,
l i ke o t h e r me n . An d al l th i s was th a t He mi gh t su f f e r d e ath
a n d r i se agai n , a n d r e t u r n to Hi s Fa th e r abo ve . T h e n He
sh al l co me agai n wi th maje sty a n d gl o r y to ju d ge e ve r y so u l ,
a n d to restore the righteous to lifean d to i n tr o d u ce th e
go l d e n age , wi th r i gh te o u sn e ss an d pe ace . 19An d al l th i s
i s base d o n th e wo r d o f th e pr o ph e ts as th e Bi bl i cal basi s f o r
h i s po si ti o n .
2. T o o k O u r M o r t a l i t y t o R es t o r e I mmo r t a l i t y .
C h a pte r twe n ty-f o u r te l l s h o w th i s te ach e r s e n t f r o m h e ave n ,
wi th Hi s d i vi n e n a t u r e a n d po ssessi ng i mmo r tal i ty, to o k
to Hi mse l f a mo r tal bo d y, f o r mo r tal eye s co u l d n o t e n d u r e
th e gl o r y o f h e ave n l y maje sty. I t was ne ce ssar y th a t He cl o sel y
r e s e mbl e ma n , to pr o vi d e o ve r co mi n g po we r , f o r i f He
we r e i mmo r ta l , a n d n o t su bje ct to d e ath , He co u l d by n o
me an s pr o po se an e xampl e to man . So He was Go d , bu t
cl o th e d wi th a mo r tal bo d y. Bu t He mu st be su bje ct to
d e ath a n d su f f e r i n g.20T h u s , th o u gh cl o th e d wi th mo r tal f l e sh ,
He was n o t bo r n o f a mo r tal o n bo th si d e s, bu t was h e av
e n l y e ve n i n th e f o r m o f man .
He to o k a pl ace i n th e mi d d l e be twe e n Go d an d ma n ,
an d be came th e me d i a to r (n o te 6), th a t He mi gh t be abl e
to l e ad back me n to Go d t h a t i s, to immortality Man mu s t
e ar n [obtain, n o te 1] i mmo r tal i ty. I t i s n o t h i s i n h e r e n tl y.
An d C h r i s t bestows o n th o se wh o co n qu e r [si n, a n d th e f l esh ],
th e crown and reward o f i mmo r tal i ty. 21
Go d d e te r mi n e d to se t man f r e e , a n d se n t Hi s ambas
sad o r [J esus] to th e e a r t h t h a t He mi gh t o pe n th e way o f
r i gh te o u sn e s s , an d th at man mi gh t a tta i n to e te r n al l i f e .
An d al l th i s th a t He mi gh t h o l d o u t th e h o pe o f saf e ty,
l ayi n g d o wn Hi s l i f e a n d o f taki n g i t agai n . 22 An d o n ce
19 Ibid., ch ap. 12, p. 111. (Ital i cs suppl i ed.)
20 Ibid., ch ap. 24, pp. 125, 126.
21Ibid., ch ap. 25, pp. 126, 127. (Ital i cs suppl i ed.)
22 Ibid., ch ap. 26, pp. 128, 129.
agai n , i n bo o k f i ve Lactan ti u s r e f e r s to th e l o f ty reward o f
i mmo r ta l i ty. 23 Hi s e mph asi s i s u n mi s takabl e .
3. I mmo r t a l i t y Is O f f e r e d t o A l l . I n bo o k si x (Of
T r u e Wo r s h i p) Lactan ti u s d i r e ctl y ad d r e ssi n g Empe r o r
C o n s tan ti n e , ad ve r ts to th e we l l -kn o wn two waysth e o n e
wh i ch l e ad s to h e ave n , th e o t h e r wh i ch si n ks to h e l l , o r o f l i f e
a n d d e a th . T h i s i s be cau se i mmo r tal i ty i s pr o mi s e d to th e
r i gh te o u s , a n d e ve r l asti n g pu n i s h me n t i s t h r e a te n e d to th e
u n r i gh te o u s . 24T h e s e ar e th e i n e vi tabl e r e war d s a n d pu n
i s h me n ts . An d i n i t al l Go d d e n i e s i mmo r tal i ty to h o h u man
be i n g wh o ch o o ses ar i gh t. T h i s Lactan ti u s r e f e r s to as th e
r e war d o f i mmo r tal i ty. He wh o f o l l o ws t r u t h an d r i gh te o u s
n e ss wi l l be r e war d e d wi th pe r pe tu al l i gh t wh i l e th o se
wh o ch o o se e vi l mu st be bo r n e to th e s e tti n g o f th e su n , an d
to d ar kn e s s . 25
4. C o n t r a s t i n g E n d s o f t h e T wo W a y s .Bu t Lactan ti u s
war n s o f passi n g th e po i n t f r o m wh i ch th e r e i s n o w n o
r e t u r n , a n d o f f al l i n g h e ad l o n g i n to a d e e p abyss. Such
as f o l l o w af te r d e a th , h avi n g t u r n e d away f r o m Go d , tr u l y
wi l l be cast d o wn to h e l l , a n d be co n f i n e d to e ve r l asti n g
[aionion] pu n i s h me n t. Bu t th e h e ave n l y way, l e ad i n g u p
war d , e xte n d s h o pe be yo n d th e pr e s e n t, wh i l e th e r o ad o f
th e wi cke d a n d th e u n r i gh te o u s i s d o wn war d a n d o n th e
d e cl i n e . 28
T h e s e ar e th e ways Go d h as assi gn e d to h u man l i f e
te mpo r al evi l s f o l l o we d by e te r n al go o d s, o r te mpo r al go o ds
f o l l o we d by e te r n al e vi l s. Bu t th e e n e my, amo n g o th e r
d e te r r e n ts , d ash e s ph i l o so ph y be f o r e t h e i r eyes, t h a t h e may
bl i n d th e m wi th th e appe ar an ce o f l i gh t, l e st an y o n e s h o u l d
gr asp an d h o l d f ast th e t r u t h . 27Su ch we r e L a ctan ti u s cl e ar
co n ce pts.
I n ch a pte r se ve n (T h e Way o f Er r o r an d o f T r u t h )
L a ctan ti u s war n s agai n st th e way o f d e s tr u cti o n an d d e a th ,
23Ibid., book 5, ch ap. 19, p. 155.
24 Ibid., book 6, ch ap. 3, p. 164.
28 Ibid., p. 165.
26 Ibid., ch ap. 4, p. 165.
27Ibid., p. 166.
wi th i ts d e vi o u s wi n d i n gs, th a t pl u n ge s th e m i n to d e a th .
An d h e u r ge s th e way o f t r u t h , a n d wi sd o m, an d vi r tu e an d
ju s ti ce . 28 T h e way o f l i f e , h e co u n se l s, i s to be se d u l o u sl y
f o l l o we d as a ma r i n e r f o l l o ws h i s co u r se o ve r th e d e e p, o bse r v
i n g th e s u n a n d th e h e ave n l y l i gh ts. So we ar e to f o l l o w th e
e ve r l as ti n g an d u n ch an ge abl e l aw o f Go d an d th e gr e at
Maste r a n d Ru l e r o f al l , Go d . 29
IV. I mmo r tal i ty No t I n h e r e n t , bu t a Gi f t
1. P r o v i s i o n f o r A t t a i n i n g I m m o r t a l i t y . Bo o k se ve n
(Of a Happy Li f e ) d e al s (i n ch apte r two ) wi th T h e Er r o r o f
t h e Ph i l o s o ph e r s , a n d i n ch apte r th r e e wi th a C e n su r e o f th e
Sto i cs a n d Epi cu r e an s . I t af f i rms, T h a t i s mo r e co r r e ct wh i ch
th e y d e r i ve d f r o m Pl a to . Lactan ti u s th e n su mmar i ze s Pl a to s
ar gu me n t as af f i r mi n g th at th e wo r k o f Go d wo u l d r e mai n
f o r e ve r . An d h e po ses th e qu e s ti o n , I f i t was mad e f o r th e
sake o f me n , a n d so mad e as to be e te r n al , wh y th e n ar e n o t
th e y o n wh o se acco u n t i t was mad e e te r n al ? 30He ad d s th a t
Go d d i d n o t make th e wo r l d f o r Hi s o wn sake, si n ce He can
e xi st wi th o u t th e wo r l d . 31
C o mi n g to th e po si ti ve si d e , a n d th e myste r y o f ma n
a n d h o w th e wo r l d was cl e ar l y mad e f o r th e sake o f ma n ,
Lactan ti u s asks, Wh y d i d He make h i m [man ] s u bje ct to
d e a th a n d d e cay? Lactan ti u s asse r ts th a t Go d , th e Make r o f
al l th i n gs , pl ace d me n i n th e mi d s t be twe e n go o d a n d e vi l ,
t h a t th e y mi gh t n o t attain to i mmo r tal i ty by a d e l i cate an d
easy co u r se o f l i f e , bu t mi gh t arrive at th a t u n s pe akabl e r e
war d o f e te r n al l i f e wi th th e u tmo s t d i f f i cu l ty a n d gr e at
l abo u r s . 32 T h a t i s th e h e ar t o f h i s ar gu me n ti mmo r tal i ty
an a tta i n me n t, a r e war d .
2. So P l a c e d a s t o A t t a i n I m m o r t a l i t y . T h u s Go d ,
f o r me d man f r o m th e e ar th i tse l f , wh i ch He pr e pa r e d f o r h i m
28Ibid., ch ap. 7, p. 170.
29 Ibid., ch ap. 8, p. 171.
30 Ibid., bo o t 7, ch ap. 3, p. 197.
31Ibid., ch ap. 4, p. 198.
32 Ibid., ch ap. 5, pp. 199, 200.
f r o m th e be gi n n i n g as a h a bi ta ti o n ; th at i s, He cl o th e d a n d
co ve r e d h i s [man s] s pi r i t wi th an e ar th l y bo d y. Man was
f o r me d o f a f r agi l e su bstan ce , an d co u l d n o t e xi st f o r e ve r .
L actan ti u s asks, Wh y, th e n , d i d He make h i m [man ] f r ai l
a n d mortal, wh e n He h ad bu i l t th e wo r l d f o r h i s sake?
He an swe r s, T h a t He mi gh t se t f o r th be f o r e man vi r tu e ,
. . . by wh i ch h e mi gh t be abl e to gai n th e reward o f i mmo r
tal i ty. Man , h e says, co n si sts o f two par ts, bo d y an d s o u l .
T h e n h e ad d s, We r e ce i ve d th e f o r me r at o u r bi r th ; we
attain th e l a t te r by s tr i vi n g, th at i mmo r tal i ty mi gh t n o t e xi st
to man wi th o u t an y d i f f i cu l ty. 33Su ch was h i s r e aso n i n g.
3. I m m o r t a l i t y N o t a C o n s e q u e n c e o f N a t u r e . Lac
tan ti u s co n ti n u e s h i s cl o se l y r e aso n e d ar gu me n t by sayi n g, He
[Go d] h as gi ve n u s th i s pr e s e n t l i f e , th a t we may e i th e r l o se
th a t t r u e an d e te r n al l i f e by o u r vi ces, o r wi n i t by vi r t u e .
Oth e r wi se th i s bo d i l y l i f e wi l l be d e s tr o ye d . Bu t th a t
wh i ch h as an e n d do e s n o t co n tai n th e ch i e f go o d . 34 An d
n o w Lactan ti u s co me s to th e h e a r t o f th e i ssue:
"Fo r o t h e r a n i ma l s i n cl i n e to war d s th e gr o u n d , be cau s e th e y ar e
e a r t h l y, a n d a r e i n ca pa bl e o f i mmo r ta l i ty, wh i ch i s f r o m h e a ve n ; bu t
ma n i s u pr i gh t a n d l o o ks to war d s h e a ve n , be cau se immortality is proposed
to him; which, however, does not come, unless it is given to man by God.
Fo r otherwise t h e r e wo u l d be n o d i f f e r e n ce be twe e n th e ju s t a n d th e
u n ju s t , si n ce e ve r y ma n wh o i s bo r n wo u l d be co me i mmo r ta l . Immortality,
th e n , i s n o t th e co n s e qu e n ce [s e qu e l a , f o o t n o te ] o f n a t u r e , bu t th e
reward and recompense of virtue. 35
Wo r d s co u l d scar ce l y be mo r e e xpl i ci tman i s n o t u n i
ve r sal l y, i n n ate l y i mmo r tal , bu t i s a can d i d ate f o r i mmo r tal i ty,
a n d may be mad e i mmo r tal . T h a t i s th e h e a r t o f L a cta n ti u s
ar gu me n t.
4. God A l o n e Can C o n f e r I m m o r t a l i t y . Fr o m th i s
Lactan ti u s r e ach e s th i s co n cl u si o n :
T h i s a r gu me n t te ach e s t h a t man is born mortal; bu t t h a t h e af te r -
33Ibid., p. 200.
34 Ibid.
35I b id. , p. 201. (I tal i cs su ppl i e d .)
war d s becomes i mmo r tal , wh e n h e be gi n s to l i ve i n co n f o r mi ty wi th th e
wi l l o f Go d , t h a t i s, to f o l l o w r i gh te o u sn e ss. 88
An d h e co n cl u d e s, T h e r e f o r e th i s te mpo r al l i gh t o u gh t
to be s u bje ct to th a t e te r n al l i f e , as th e bo d y i s to th e s o u l .
An d h e ad d s, He wh o pr e f e r s to l i ve we l l f o r e te r n i ty, wi l l
l i ve bad l y [i n d i sco mf o r t, n o te 9] f o r a ti me . . . as l o n g as
h e i s o n e a r t h . C o n tr ar i wi se , h e wh o sh al l pr e f e r to l i ve
we l l f o r a t i me wi l l be co n d e mn e d o f Go d to e te r n al [aionion]
pu n i s h me n t. 37 T h e n h e co n cl u d e s:
"Go d seeks to be wo r s h i ppe d , an d to be h o n o u r e d by man as a
Fath e r , th a t h e may h ave vi r tu e an d wi sdo m, wh i ch al o n e produce
immortality. Fo r be cau se n o o th e r bu t Hi mse l f i s abl e to confer th a t
i mmo r tal i ty, si nce He al o n e possesses i t, He wi l l gr a n t to th e pi e ty o f th e
man , wi th wh i ch h e h as h o n o u r e d Go d , th i s reward, to be blessed to all
eternity, a n d to be f o r e ve r i n th e pr e se n ce o f Go d an d i n th e so ci ety
o f Go d . 38
5. I m m o r t a l i t y I s R e c e i v e d a s R e w a r d .Lactan ti u s
th e n su ms u p h i s wh o l e ar gu me n t to th i s po i n t i n th i s cl o se l y
r e aso n e d , co mpr e h e n si ve par agr aph , th r i ce d e cl ar i n g u n e qu i v
o cal l y t h a t we receive i mmo r tal i ty, an d ar e rewarded wi th
i mmo r tal i ty:
"No w l e t us mar k th e wh o l e ar gu me n t by a br i e f d e f i n i ti o n . T h e
wo r l d h as be e n cr e ate d f o r th i s pu r po se , th a t we may be bo r n ; we ar e
bo r n f o r th i s e n d , th a t we may ackn o wl e d ge th e Make r o f th e wo r l d an d
o f o ur se l ve sGo d ; we ackn o wl e d ge Hi m f o r th i s e n d , th a t we may
wo r sh i p Hi m; we wo r sh i p Hi m f o r th i s e n d , th a t we may receive immor
tality as the reward of our labours, si nce th e wo r sh i p o f Go d co nsi sts
o f th e gr e ate st l abo u r s; f o r th i s e n d we ar e rewarded with immortality,
th a t be i n g mad e l i ke to th e ange l s, we may serve th e Su pr e me Fath e r
an d Lo r d f o r eve r , an d may be to al l e te r n i ty a ki n gd o m to- Go d . T h i s
i s th e sum o f al l th i n gs, th i s th e se cr e t o f Go d , th i s th e myster y o f th e
wo r l d , f r o m wh i ch th e y ar e e str an ge d , wh o . . . h ave d e vo te d th e m
sel ves to th e pu r s u i t o f e ar th l y an d f r ai l go o d s. 39
Such i s th e so u r ce an d th e basi s o f ma n s i mmo r tal i ty. I t
i s f o r th e r i gh te o u s o n l y, Lactan ti u s ave r s.
33 Ibid.
37 Ibi.d-
38 Ibid. (Ital i cs suppl i ed.) (T h r ee par agr aph s f ol l ow h er e wh i ch Bi shop C oxe, th e edi to r,
says [p. 201, no tej are of do ubtf ul auth o r sh i p. T h ey are accor di ngl y no t co nsi der ed, as
th ey h ave no mater i al bear i ng.)
38I b id., ch ap. 6, p. 203.
L a ct a n t i u s Str e s s e s t h e
Pro ph esi ed Last Days of
Ear th , th e Resur recti on of
th e Ri gh teous, and Utte r
Destructi on of th e Wi cked.
V. C o n d i ti o n al i sm Pl ace d i n Esch ato l o gi cal Se tti n g
1. F a l s e P h i l o s o ph i c a l V i ew s o n I mmo r t a l i t y . T h e n ,
s tar ti n g wi th ch a pte r e i gh t, Lactan ti u s be gi n s a r e ci tal o f th e
par al l e l i n g, bu t f al se, te ach i n g o f th e ph i l o so ph e r s t h a t aggr e s
si ve l y pe r si sts o n th e i mmo r ta l i ty qu e s ti o n . Fi r s t, h e says, T h e
o n e ch i e f go o d , th e r e f o r e , i s i mmo r tal i ty, f o r th e reception o f
wh i ch we we r e o r i gi n al l y f o r me d a n d bo r n . T h e n h e take s
u p spe ci f i cal l y th e spe ci o u s ar gu me n ts o f Pl a to , wh o r e as
o n e d t h a t wh ate ve r h as pe r ce pti o n by i tse l f , a n d al ways mo ve s,
i s i mmo r ta l , bu t t h a t wh i ch h as n o be gi n n i n g o f mo ti o n i s
n o t a bo u t to h ave an e n d , be cau se i t can n o t be d e s e r te d by
i tse l f . 40
* Ibid ., ch ap. 8, p. 205.
CLYDE PROVONSHA, ARTI ST 1 9 5 1 BY THE SOUTHERN PUBLI SHI NG ASSN.
1043
Bu t, Lactan ti u s co u n te r s, T h i s ar gu me n t wo u l d gi ve
e te r n al e xi ste n ce e ve n to d u mb an i mal s , wh i ch h e d e n i e s.
Pl ato ad d s th a t th e h u man so u l h as th e ad d i ti o n a l qu al i ti e s
o f r e f l e cti o n , pe r ce pti o n , me mo r y, f o r e si gh t, a n d kn o wl e d ge .
So th e ph i l o s o ph e r co n s i d e r e d th at th e body i s su bje ct to d i s
s o l u ti o n , wh i l e th e soul, wh e n f r e e d f r o m th e bo d y pr i so n ,
f l i es to th e h e ave n , an d to i ts o wn n a t u r e . T h i s , Lactan ti u s
says, i s a br i e f s u mmar y o f th e te n e ts o f Pl a to . 41An d to th i s
Pyth ago r as a n d Ph e r e cyd e s agr e e d .
Lactan ti u s n e xt ci te s Di caear ch us, De mo cr i tu s, an d Epi
cu r u s , as a r gu i n g against su ch an o pi n i o n , wi th T u l l i u s as
wh o l l y u n ce r tai n .42T r i s me gi s tu s i s th e n me n ti o n e d , wi th h i s
va r i a n t vi ew th a t th e so u l do e s n o t pe r i sh , n o r u n d e r go d i s
s o l u ti o n , bu t t h a t i t r e mai n s f o r e ve r . Mo r e o ve r , th e ph i l o s
o ph e r mai n tai n s , th e gi f t o f vi r tu e to man al o n e i s a gr e at
pr o o f t h a t so u l s ar e i mmo r ta l . Lactan ti u s o bse r ve s, Bu t
wh e n d e ath h as be e n u n d e r go n e , wh at f u r t h e r go o d can be
h o pe d f o r e xce pt i mmo r tal i ty. 43
2. P h i l o s o ph i c a l C o n f u s i o n R eg a r d i n g I mmo r t a l i t y .
T o u ch i n g i n ch a pte r te n o n C i ce r o s Disputationsth a t th e
ch i e f go al o f man h appe n s af te r d e ath , an d th a t f o r h i s go o d ,
d e ath do e s n o t e xti n gu i s h man , bu t ad mi ts h i m to th e r e
war d o f vi r t u e , wh i l e th e e vi l wi l l su f f e r e te r n al pu n i s h me n t
Lactan ti u s says th e Sacr e d Wr i ti n gs cal l th i s th e se co n d
d e a th . So, as two l i ves ar e pr o po se d to ma n , so al so ar e
two d e ath s . 44
C o n ti n u i n g th e r e ci tal o f th e ph i l o so ph i cal co n te n ti o n
co n ce r n i n g so u l a n d bo d y, i n r e l a ti o n to th e l ast ti me s
(ch apte r e l e ve n ), Lactan ti u s r e h e ar se s t h e i r co n te n ti o n t h a t
wh e n d e ath i tse l f sh al l be e n d e d , th e i r so u l s wi l l r i se agai n to
e ve r l as ti n g l i f e , a n d r e ce i ve th e f r u i ts o f i mmo r tal i ty, an d
d e ath mu s t be e te r n a l wi th pe r pe tu al pu n i s h me n ts an d
i n f i n i te to r me n ts . T h i s i s h i s f u l l s tate me n t o f th e i r po s i ti o n :
i ibid.
ibid.
43Ibid., ch ap. 9. p. 206.
44 Ibid., ch ap. 10, p. 207.
T h e r e f o r e , wh e n th e ti me s wh i ch Go d h as appo i n te d f o r d e ath
sh al l be co mpl e te d , d e ath i tse l f sh al l be e n d e d . An d because te mpo r al
d e ath f o l l o ws te mpo r al l i f e, i t f o l l o ws t h a t so ul s r i se agai n to e ve r l asti n g
l i f e , be cau se te mpo r al d e ath h as r e ce i ve d an e n d . Agai n, as th e l i f e o f
th e so u l i s e ve r l asti n g, i n wh i ch i t r ecei ve s th e d i vi n e an d u n s pe akabl e
f r u i ts o f i ts i mmo r tal i ty; so al so i ts d e a th mu st be e te r n al , i n wh i ch i t
suf f ers pe r pe tu al pu n i sh me n ts an d i n f i n i te to r me n ts f o r i ts f au l ts. 45
No w, Lactan ti u s says, l e t us r e f u te th e ar gu me n ts th a t
th e bo d y i s mo r t a l a n d th a t th e so u l i s bo r n wi th th e bo d y
an d mu st n e ce ssar i l y d i e wi th th e bo d y, r e f e r r i n g e spe ci al l y
to Lu cr e ti u s .48 An d h e ad d s th a t th e so u l can n o t e n ti r e l y
pe r i sh , si n ce i t r e ce i ve d i ts o r i gi n f r o m th e Spi r i t o f Go d ,
wh i ch i s e te r n a l . 47 T h e s tate me n t i s co n f u se d an d co n f u si n g,
bu t i t i s pa r t o f th e r e co r d .
3. R i g h t eo u s n es s A l o n e P r o c u r es E t e r n a l L i f e .
Af te r pl ayi n g u p th e co n f l i cti n g o pi n i o n s o f th e ph i l o so ph e r s,
Lactan ti u s co n ti n u e s i n ch apte r t h i r te e n by s tati n g th a t man
was cr e ate d f o r th e wo r sh i p o f Go d , an d for receiving immor
tality from H i m 48 He n e xt ci te s He r me s as pl aci n g man i n
a par tl y mo r tal a n d par tl y i mmo r tal po si ti o n , th e n al l u d e s to
se ve r al o th e r ph i l o so ph e r sPo l i te s, Apo l l o o f Mi l e tu s, as we l l
as th e Sibyllinesan d to Ar i sto xe n u s, wh o d e n i e d t h a t th e r e
i s an y so u l at a l l , ma i n ta i n i n g i t i s l i ke th e h ar mo n y, o r
mu si c, o f th e l yr e , pr o d u ce d by th e t i gh te n i n g o f th e s tr i n gs. 4B
T h e n , at th e o u tse t o f ch a pte r f o u r te e n (Of th e Fi r s t an d
Last T i me s o f th e Wo r l d ), Lactan ti u s di scusses how an d
when i t [i mmo r tal i ty] i s gi ve n to man , a n d tu r n s to me e ti n g
th e e r r o r s a n d f o l l y o f th o se wh o i magi n e th a t so me
mo r tal s h ave be co me go ds by th e d e cr e e s an d d o gmas o f
mo r tal s . 50He th e n sets f o r th h i s o wn po si ti o n ;
I t i s r i gh te o u sn e ss al o n e wh i ch procures f o r man e te r n al l i f e , an d
th a t i t i s Go d al o n e wh o bestows the reward o f e te r n al l i f e . Fo r th e y
wh o ar e sai d to h ave be e n i mmo r tal i ze d by th e i r me r i ts, i n asmu ch as
th e y po ssessed n e i th e r r i gh te o u sn e ss n o r an y tr u e vi r tu e , d i d n o t o bta i n
f o r th e mse l ve s i mmo r tal i ty, bu t d e ath by th e i r si ns an d l usts; n o r d i d
45I bid., ch ap. 11, p. 207.
I bid . , ch ap. 12, p. 208.
I bid., p. 209.
w Ibid., ch ap. 13, p. 210.
49Ibid.
60Ibid., ch ap. 14, p. 211.
th e y d e se r ve th e r e war d o f h e ave n , bu t th e pu n i s h me n t o f h e l l , wh i ch
i mpe n d s o ve r th e m, to ge th e r wi th al l th e i r wo r sh i ppe r s. An d I sh o w
th a t th e ti me o f th i s ju d gme n t d r aws n e ar , th a t th e due reward may
be gi ve n to th e r i gh te o u s, an d th e d e se r ve d pu n i s h me n t may be
i n f l i cte d o n th e wi cke d . 51
4. Be g i n n i n g a n d E n d o f t h e W o r l d .De cl ar i n g th a t
Pl ato a n d o t h e r ph i l o so ph e r s ar e i gn o r a n t o f th e pr i mal o r i gi n
o f al l th i n gs , Lactan ti u s state s th a t o n l y th r o u gh Ho l y Scr i p
tu r e can we kn o w th e t r u t h co n ce r n i n g th e be gi n n i n g a n d
th e e n d o f th e wo r l d , r e s pe cti n g wh i ch we wi l l n o w s pe ak.
T h e ph i l o s o ph e r s f al l aci o u sl y e n u me r ate th o u san d s o f ages
f r o m th e be gi n n i n g o f th e wo r l d , wh e r e as th e si x th o u s an d th
ye ar i s n o t ye t co mpl e te d , an d . . . wh e n th i s n u mbe r i s co m
pl e te d th e co n s u mmati o n mu st take pl ace , a n d h u man af f ai r s
be r e mo d e l l e d . T h i s was th e l i te r al Bi bl e basi s o f Lactan
t i u s f ai th . An d , h e af f i rms, Go d co mpl e te d th e wo r l d an d
th e ad mi r abl e wo r k o f n a tu r e i n th e space o f si x days [by f i at
cr e ati o n ], as i s co n tai n e d i n th e se cr e ts o f Ho l y Scr i ptu r e . 52
5. F o r ma t i o n o f M a n a n d R es u l t s o f F a l l .Man ,
Lactan ti u s co n ti n u e s , was mad e o n th e s i xth d ay o f C r e ati o n
we e k. An d h e ad d s th at as th e r e s u l t o f th e Fal l h e be came
a mo r tal an d i mpe r f e ct man , f o r me d f r o m th e e ar th , th a t
h e mi gh t l i ve a th o u s an d ye ar s i n th i s wo r l d . Ne ve r th e l e ss,
i n th i s e ar th l y age i s to be f o r me d a pe r f e ct ma n , th a t
be i n g qu i cke n e d by Go d may be ar r u l e i n th i s same wo r l d
th r o u gh a th o u s an d [mi l l e n n i al ] ye ar s. An d th e pr o ph e ts
an n o u n ce th e e n d an d o ve r th r o w o f al l th i n gs af te r a s h o r t
ti me , i n th e l ast o l d age o f th e we ar i e d an d wasti n g wo r l d . 63
An d h e r e pe ats, i n ch a pte r f i f te e n , th at i n th e l ast co n
s u mmati o n o f th e ti me s, as th e e n d o f th e wo r l d appr o ach e s,
th e co n d i ti o n o f h u man af f ai r s mu st u n d e r go a ch an ge , an d
th r o u gh th e pr e val e n ce o f wi cke d n e ss be co me wo r se . 54Fai th
wi l l wan e , r i gh te o u sn e ss d e cr e ase , ju sti ce be co n f o u n d e d , an d
l aws be d e str o ye d . Pe ace wi l l be su pe r se d e d by t u mu l t an d
war , a n d th e r u l e r s h i p o f th e We st be th r e a te n e d by th e East.
ibid.
32ibid.
53Ibid., p. 212.
64Ibid., ch ap. 15, p. 212.
An d th e ju d gme n ts o f Go d wi l l f al l , f o r th e wo r ks o f mo r tal s
ar e mo r t a l . Eve n th e Si byl s, h e ad d s, r e co gn i ze d t h a t Ro me
i s d o o me d to pe r i s h , u n d e r th e ju d gme n ts o f Go d .
VI. I mmo r ta l i tys Pl ace i n th e Pr o ph e ti c Ou tl i n e
1. R o me s D i v i s i o n , A n t i c h r i s t , a n d C o mi n g C l i ma x .
I n ch a pte r si xte e n (Of th e De vastati o n o f th e Wo r l d ) Lac
tan ti u s pl u n ge s i n to Bi bl e pr o ph e cy, an d te l l s h o w Ro me ,
wh i ch f o l l o we d th e wo r l d ki n gd o ms o f Pe r si a a n d Gr e ci a,
wi l l pass, be i n g d i vi d e d i n to te n s mal l e r ki n gd o ms. T h e n , h e
d e cl ar e s, wi l l a po we r f u l e n e myAn ti ch r i s tar i se t h a t wi l l
h ar ass wi th i n to l e r abl e r u l e , pe r se cu ti n g, an d s u bs ti tu ti n g
h i s o wn l aws, an d pr o f o u n d d i stu r ban ce s wi l l f o l l o w. C e l e sti al
si gn s wi l l al so be se en i n th e su n an d mo o n , an d th e gl i d i n g
o f th e f al l i n g star s.
An d th e n a f al se pr o ph e t wi l l ar i se th a t wi l l d e man d
wo r sh i p, an d cr e ate u n su r passe d d i str e ss an d t r i bu l a t i o n s .
An d An ti ch r i s t wi l l d e so l ate th e wo r l d f o r f o r ty-two
mo n th s , a n d seek to i mpo se h i s mar k. T h e n th e sai n ts wi l l
f l ee i n to th e s o l i tu d e s . An d f i n al l y th e Go d o f He ave n wi l l
d e l i ve r th e m a n d d e str o y al l th e wi cke d . 57
2. Sec o n d A d v en t a n d t h e R e s u r r e c t i o n . C h a pte r n i n e
te e n po r tr ays th e se co n d ad ve n t o f C h r i s t i n po we r a n d gl o r y,
as He d e sce n d s as De l i ve r e r , J u d ge , a n d Ave n ge r . T h e wi cke d
a n d An ti ch r i s t wi l l be d e str o ye d .58 T h u s Lactan ti u s u n f o l d s
h i s r e mar kabl e e sch ato l o gy. T h e d e ad sh al l r i se agai n , o n
wh o m Go d wi l l pass ju d gme n t. T h e sai n ts, h o we ve r , wi l l
be d e l i ve r e d a n d wi l l r e i gn wi th C h r i s t d u r i n g th e th o u s an d
ye ar s.59T h e go o d ar e gi ve n to a l i f e o f bl e sse d n e ss, wh i l e th e
e vi l ar e co n d e mn e d to pu n i s h me n t. 60
55 Ibid., p. 213.
M Ibid., ch ap. 16, p. 213.
57Ibid., ch ap. 17, pp. 214, 215; cf . ch ap. 19, p. 215.
98Ibid., ch ap. 19, p. 215.
Ibid., ch ap. 22, p. 218.
60 Ibid., ch ap. 20, p. 216.
3. P a r a l l e l i n g b u t D i s t o r t e d C o n c e p t s o f P o e t s .Al l
t h r o u gh th i s vi vi d r e ci tal Lactan ti u s i n te r we ave s man y o f th e
s i mi l ar an d f ami l i ar s tate me n ts o f th e po e ts, wh i ch we r e
near to th e t r u t h . 61An d i n t h e i r str an ge co mmi n gl i n g o f t r u t h
a n d e r r o r Lactan ti u s r e ci te s i n ch apte r twe n ty-two , their par tl y
co r r u pt e d 82te ach i n gs co n ce r n i n g th e wi cke d u n d e r go i n g t o r
tu r e s an d e ve r l as ti n g f i r e ,r e f e r r i n g to th e al l e ge d d i vi n e
f i r e o f pagan l o r e , t h a t r e pl ace s o r r e n e ws as i t co n su me s. 93
T h u s h e al l u d e s to th e se f i gme n ts o f th e po e ts. An d wi th
th e se d i s to r te d co n ce pts o f t r u t h th e r e was a mi ssh ape n vi e w
o f co mi n g e ve n ts, f o r th e y d i d n o t kn o w h o w, o r wh e n , th e
l ast th i n gs wo u l d o ccu r .
Le t n o o n e i magi n e , Lactan ti u s says, t h a t so u l s ar e
i mme d i ate l y ju d ge d af te r d e a th . Rath e r , th e y ar e d e tai n e d
u n t i l th e gr e at J u d ge sh al l make an i n ve s ti gati o n o f th e i r
d e s e r ts . T h e n th e pi o u s wi l l r e ce i ve th e reward o f i mmo r
tal i ty, an d si n n e r s be d e s ti n e d to ce r tai n pu n i s h me n t. 84
I t i s to be e spe ci al l y n o te d th at th e ph i l o so ph e r s an d
po e ts ci te d , a n d par ti cu l ar l y Pl ato , al l f an ci e d th e so u l to be
i mmo r tal . Sampl e s o f co n f u si n g a n d co n f l i cti n g ci tati o n s ar e
i n tr o d u ce d f r o m Pyth ago r as, C h r ysi ppu s, a n d C i ce r o . T h e n
Lactan ti u s says i mpr e ssi ve l y, Le t us r e t u r n f r o m h u man to
d i vi n e th i n gs . 85 He h ad al r e ad y d e cl ar e d :
Go d wi l l co me, th at, h avi n g cl e an se d th e e ar th f r o m al l d e f i l e me n t,
He may r e sto r e th e so ul s o f th e r i gh te o u s to th e i r r e n e we d bo d i e s, an d
r ai se th e m to e ve r l asti n g bl e ssedne ss. 46
He h ad al so sai d : We af f i rm th e d o ctr i n e o f th e r e s u r r e c
ti o n , an d te ach t h a t so u l s wi l l r e t u r n to a n o th e r l i f e . An d th e
r e s u r r e cti o n can n o t take pl ace wh i l e u n r i gh te o u sn e s s sti l l pr e
vai l s. T h i s h e pl ace s i n s u bs ti tu ti o n f o r th e u n ce r tai n ti e s a n d
co n f u si o n s o f th e te ach i n g o f th o se wh o mo st f o o l i sh l y be l i e ve d
th e po e ts . 87
61Ibid., ch ap. 21, p. 216.
82 Ibid., ch ap. 22, p. 217.
83Ibid., ch ap. 21, p. 217.
* Ibid.
86Ibid., ch ap. 23, p. 218.
88 Ibid., ch ap. 22, p. 218.
87Ibid.
4. Sa t a n Bo u n d , C i t y P l a n t e d , W i c k ed D es t r o y ed .I n
ch apte r twe n ty-f o u r h e state s t h a t th e So n o f Go d sh al l co me
to ju d ge th e qu i ck an d th e d e ad . Wh e n He sh al l h ave
d e str o ye d u n r i gh te o u sn e s s , a n d e xe cu te d Hi s gr e at ju d gme n t,
a n d sh al l h ave r e cal l e d to l i f e th e r i gh te o u s , He wi l l be
e n gage d amo n g me n a th o u s an d ye ar s. T h e n th e pr i n ce o f
d e vi l s i s bo u n d d u r i n g th e th o u s an d years. T h e sacr e d ci ty
sh al l be pl an te d i n th e mi d d l e o f th e e a r t h . 08An d n o w, h e
af f i rmso n th e basi s o f th e sayi ngs o f th e pr o ph e ts co me s
th e l o o si n g o f th e d e vi l , an d th e si ege o f th e s u r r o u n d e d ci ty
by th e wi cke d . T h e n Go d sh al l u tte r l y d e str o y th e m, an d
th e wi cke d wi l l u tte r l y pe r i s h .
T h i s s e co n d r e s u r r e cti o n , o f th e u n r i gh te o u s , i s f o l
l o we d by e ve r l as ti n g pu n i s h me n ts . Lactan ti u s th e n af f i rms:
T h i s i s th e d o ctr i n e o f th e h o l y pr o ph e ts wh i ch we C h r i sti an s
f o l l o w. 06Su ch , h e af f i rms wi th o u t r e co r d e d co n tr ad i cti o n , i s
th e avo we d te ach i n g o f th e ch u r ch i n th e fourth ce n tu r y. He
was th e o u ts ta n d i n g C o n d i ti o n al i s t spo ke sman o f h i s ti me .
An d n o w, h avi n g f i n i sh e d h i s tr e ati se , a n d ad d r e ssi n g th e
e mpe r o r , h e state s t h a t al l f acti o n s h ave n o w be e n h u s h e d , 70
th e C h r i sti an s ar e al l o we d f r e e d o m, an d t r u t h n o w co me s
f o r th f r o m o bscu r i ty, an d i s br o u gh t i n to l i gh t . 71 T h a t was
th e pu r po se o f h i s tr e ati se . I t was th e cl assi c d e f e n se o f h i s
d ay, n o t to o l o n g be f o r e th e ti d e o f r e ce ssi o n be gan to t u r n ,
wi th i ts h e avy r e pr e s si o n o f C o n d i ti o n al i s m.
5. L a c t a n t i u s C o n d i t i o n a l i s m P r es en t ed t o E mpe r o r .
Su ch i s th e r e mar kabl e wi tn e ss, f o r th e ti me , th a t Lactan ti u s
ad d r e sse d to th e Ro man e mpe r o r , C o n s tan ti n e , a n d to al l
pagan ci ti ze n s. Par al l e l i n g th e f ami l i ar , pa r ti al tr u t h s e n u n
ci ate d by t h e i r o wn ph i l o s o ph e r s a n d po e ts, wh i ch we r e co m
mo n l y u n d e r s to o d an d acce pte d bu t wh i ch o f te n ve e r e d
away f r o m Bi bl i cal t r u t h , an d i ts pr o ph e ti c o u tl i n e co n ce r n
i n g th e l ast th i n gsa n d th e f i n al d e sti n y o f man an d th e
Ibid., ch ap. 24, p. 219.
80I bid., ch ap. 26, pp. 220, 221.
70Ibid., p. 221.
77Ibid.
wo r l d , Lactan ti u s stan d s f o r th as a C o n d i ti o n al i s t spo ke sman
a l be i t i n co n s tan t at ti me s ma i n ta i n i n g th a t i mmo r tal i ty
i s a gi f t f r o m Go d r e ce i ve d by th e r i gh te o u s o n l y at th e Sec
o n d Ad ve n t a n d co n cu r r e n t r e s u r r e cti o n o f th e sai n ts.
An d th i s, be i t n o te d agai n , was wr i tt e n i n th e gr e at
f o u r th -ce n tu r y tr an s i ti o n h o u r o f th e ch u r ch , n o t o n l y as
th e br e a ku p o f Ro me i mpe n d e d bu t as th e ti d e o f I n n a te
I mmo r tal -So u l i s m was ste ad i l y r i si n g i n par ts o f th e e mpi r e .
VI I . Pi tf al l s L u r k i n Abbr e vi ate d Epitome
1. C o n t a i n s C er t a i n D u b i o u s P a s s a g es T h a t M i s l e a d .
Acco r d i n g to th e tr an s l ato r T h e a u th o r s h i p o f th i s a br i d ge
me n t [th e Epitome] h as be e n qu e s ti o n e d i n mo d e r n ti me s . 72
Fl e tch e r ad d s th a t th e gr e ate r par t o f th e wo r k was wan ti n g
i n th e e a r l i e r e d i ti o n s , a n d th e e n ti r e Epitome was o n l y
d i sco ve r e d i n th e be gi n n i n g o f th e n i n e te e n th ce n tu r y i n a
man u s cr i pt at T u r i n .78T h e r e ar e ad mi tte d l y ce r tai n d u bi o u s
passage s. 74Bi sh o p C o xe , th e Ame r i can e d i to r , i n co mme n ti n g
o n su ch d u bi o u s passage s i n th e Institutes, state s th a t th e
mo st i mpo r ta n t o n e i s wan ti n g i n twe n ty-e i gh t Mss., bu t i s
f o u n d i n n i n e t e e n . 75
2. L a c t a n t i u s R ec o g n i z es H a z a r d o f A b r i d g me n t .
I n th e Pr e f ace at th e ve r y o u tse t o f th e Epitome Lactan ti u s
state s th a t i t h ad be e n a l o n g ti me si n ce h e f i r st wr o te h i s
o r i gi n al f u l l Divine Institutes. An d h e f r an kl y state s i n h i s
o pe n i n g ch a pte r th a t a co mpr e sse d e pi to me be co me s l ess
cl e ar by i ts ve r y br e vi ty. Ne ve r th e l e ss, h e wi l l a tt e mpt to
co n tr act t h a t wh i ch i s d i f f u se a n d to s h o r te n th a t wh i ch i s
l o n g. 76T h e e d i to r , C o xe , i n a f o o tn o te i s co n s tr ai n e d to r e f e r
to th e r e d u ce d Epitome as a spe ci me n o f th e abr i d ge me n ts
mad e by au th o r s a n d e d i to r s, o wi n g to th e gr e at e xpe n se o f bo o ks
72 Wi l l i am Fl etch er , Intro ducto r y Noti ce to Lactan ti u s, i n ANF, vol . 7, p. 6.
73 Ibid., note 3.
74 The Divine Institutes, book 7, ch ap. 27, i n ANF, vol . 7, p. 223.
76 On the Workmanship of God, General no te, by th e Amer i can e d i to r , i n ANF, vol .
7, p. 300.
78 The Epitome of Divine Grace, Pre f ace, i n ANF, vol . 7, p. 224.
i n man u s cr i pt. T h e y h ave be e n so u r ce s o f gr e at i n ju r y to
l i t e r a t u r e . 77
T h e pr e ci se ph r asi n gs o f th e Epitome sh o u l d n o t, th e r e
f o r e , be gi ve n to o se r i o u s co n s i d e r ati o n .
3. P r e po n d e r a n t V i e w I s C o n d i t i o n a l i s t .I n th e l i gh t
o f th e f o r e go i n g, to o mu ch cr e d e n ce can n o t be pl ace d o n
ce r tai n e xpr e ssi o n s i n th e Epitome t h a t ar e at var i an ce wi th
th e pr e po n d e r a n t a n d r e pe ate d e mph asi s i n th e te xt o f th e
f u l l Institutions. Bu t i t i s to be bo r n e i n mi n d th a t e ve n i n
th e Epitome Lactan ti u s agai n an d agai n spe aks o f th e reward
o f i mmo r ta l i ty. No te a f ew a n d th e ch apte r se qu e n ce :
T h e h e ave n l y reward o f i mmo r tal i ty f r o m wh i ch th e y f e l l (ch ap
te r 28).
C r o wn th e vi cto r i o u s wi th th e r e war d o f i mmo r tal i ty (29).
T h a t we may o bta i n th a t e te r n al reward (55).
Mi gh t gai n th e reward o f i mmo r tal i ty (41).
T h e be f i tti n g reward o f i mmo r tal i ty (67).
T h a t th e y may r e ce i ve th e reward o f i mmo r tal i ty (69).
Of s i mi l ar i n te n t ar e th e e xpr e ssi o n s
T h e y attain to i mmo r tal i ty (68).
T h e y receive i mmo r tal i ty, th a t th e y may serve Go d f o r e ve r (69).
Man may receive from God i mmo r tal i ty (69).
T h i s co n s tan t e mph asi s i s n o t to be o f f set by th e o th e r
o ccasi o n al co n f l i cti n g e xpr e ssi o n s o f th e Epitome, th e t r u s t
wo r th i n e ss o f wh i ch h as be e n i mpu gn e d . T h e gi st o f th e case
appe ar s i n ch apte r f i f ty-f i ve.
4. P r e s en t ed W i t h G a r me n t o f I mmo r t a l i t y . An
s we r i n g th e qu e s ti o n s as to by wh o m, to wh o m, i n wh at
ma n n e r , an d a t wh at t i me i mmo r tal i ty i s to be given,
Lactan ti u s says i t i s at th e e n d o f th e wo r l d . 78T h e h e ave n
sh al l be o pe n e d i n a te mpe st, an d C h r i s t sh al l d e sce n d wi th
gr e at po we r , i n f i er y br i gh tn e s s an d wi th a co u n tl e ss h o st
o f an ge l s. T h e n He wi l l r ai se th e righteous d e ad to e te r n al
l i f e . 79No w co me s h i s cl i macti c s tate me n t:
Af te r th e se th i n gs Go d wi l l r e n e w th e wo r l d , an d tr an sf o r m th e
r i gh te o u s i n to th e f o r m o f ange l s, th at, be i n g presented with the garment
of immortality, th e y may serve Go d f o r e ve r . 80
Such i s th e mai n Epitome wi tn e ss o f Lactan ti u s .
VI I I . Si gn i f i can ce o f L a cta n ti u s C o n d i ti o n al i s t Wi tn e ss
T h u s we f i n d th e ce l e br ate d Lactan ti u s o f Ni co me d i a,
i n Asi a Mi n o r , ad d r e ssi n g th e Ro man e mpe r o r C o n s tan ti n e
as l ate as th e f o u r th ce n tu r y, sti l l ma i n ta i n i n g th e C o n d i ti o n al
I mmo r tal i ty Sch o o l o f co n vi cti o n , pr e d o mi n an t t h r o u gh o u t
th e bu l k o f th e se co n d ce n tu r y.
Mo r e th an a ce n tu r y h ad n o w passe d si n ce Ath e n ago r as,
a n d T e r t u l l i a n a n d h i s sch o o l h ad pr o je cte d th e co n ce pt o f
u n i ve r sal I n n a te Immo r tal -So u l i sm, h o l d i n g ve h e me n tl y to
th e Ete r n al T o r me n t o f th e i mmo r tal -wi cke d th esi s. (On th i s
l a t te r po i n t Lactan ti u s was co n f u se d .) Fu r th e r mo r e , a ce n tu r y
h ad e l apse d si n ce Or i ge n an d h i s sch o o l , wh i l e mai n ta i n i n g
th e same basi c u n i ve r sal I n n a t e I mmo r tal -So u l i sm po s tu l ate ,
h ad i n tr o d u ce d h i s co u n te r th e o r y o f Un i ve r sal Re s to r ati o n i sm.
So th e se th r e e sch o o l s o f t h o u gh t o n th e o r i gi n , n a tu r e ,
a n d d e sti n y o f man we r e sti l l e xi s te n t an d mi l i ta n tl y vo cal ,
si d e by si d e i n th e f o u r th ce n tu r y as h e r e sh o wn , an d as vi su al l y
po r tr aye d o n T a bu l a r C h ar t F, o n page 759. T h e si gn i f i can ce o f
th i s f act s h o u l d n o t be l o st. T h e n , a ce n tu r y l ate r , th e po we r
f u l Au gu s ti n e , th r o u gh h i s pr e sti ge an d i n f l u e n ce , i mpo se d
th e I n n ate -I mmo r ta l i ty d o gma o n th e d o mi n a n t ch u r ch ge n
e r al l y, a n d C o n d i ti o n al i s m was so o n cr o wd e d i n to e cl i pse .
T h i s vi r tu a l bl acko u t r e ma i n e d as a bl i n d i n g smo g f o r
ce n tu r i e s , u n t i l th e e ar l y d awn o f th e Pr o te s tan t Re f o r mati o n .
On l y i n t e r mi t t e n t vo i ces o r o ccasi o n al gr o u ps co n ti n u e d to wi t
ness to C o n d i ti o n al i s m. T h e d ar kn e ss o f Pl ato n i c I mmo r tal -
So u l i sm we l l -n i gh o ve r wh e l me d th e f l i cke r i n g l i gh t o f apo sto l i c
C o n d i ti o n al i s m, l o n g i n ge n e r al o bscu r i ty. T h a t i s th e tr ai l
we wi l l f o l l o w acro ss th e ce n tu r i e s i n vo l u me two .
80Ib id ., p. 255.
C H A P T E R S I X T Y - T H R E E
Ath an asi u sT h en C ondi ti onal i sm
Into Ecl i pse
As we co me to th e l ast spo ke sme n f o r th e C o n d i ti o n al i s t
a n d I mmo r tal -So u l i s t sch o o l sAth an asi u s a n d Au gu s ti n e , r e
spe cti ve l yt h a t we sh al l tr ace i n vo l u me o n e , l e t us take a
r e tr o spe cti ve vi e w o f th e path we h ave tr ave r se d h e r e i n h i s
to r i cal Pa r t IV, co ve r i n g th e f i r st f i ve ce n tu r i e s o f th e C h r i s
ti an Er a. T h e s e l ast ch apte r s co mpr i se a tr agi c tal e o f s h i f ti n g
r e a l i gn me n t amo n g th e th r e e sch o o l s o f th o u gh t o n th e n a tu r e
a n d d e s ti n y o f man , e ach we l l cr ystal l i ze d by th e f o u r th ce n
tu r y. T h e y r e ve al an i n e xo r abl e s h i f t i n po we r , a n d a f o r e
bo d i n g pa tt e r n f o r th e f u tu r e . I n d u e co u r se , two o f th e se
th r e e sch o o l s o n ma n s n a tu r e a n d d e sti n y be co me s u bme r ge d
by th e as ce n d an t sch o o l str e ssi n g th e d o gma o f Ete r n a l T o r
me n t f o r th e d amn e d . Dar kn e ss d e sce n d e d as th e l i gh t o f
C o n d i ti o n al i s m was i n cr e asi n gl y su ppr e sse d .
We h ave space o n l y f o r th e bar e s t o u tl i n e o f th i s saga o f
tr agi c su ppr e ssi o n . We mu s t r e s tr i ct o u r se l ve s me r e l y to me n
t i o n i n g a f ew r e pr e s e n tati ve n ame s, n o ti n g l i ttl e mo r e th an
t h e i r ch u r ch l y po si ti o n s a n d l o cati o n s, as th e y take th e i r po si
ti o n i n th i s f ate f u l ch an ge -o ve r . Wi t h an eye o n T a bu l a r
C h a r t F we can e asi l y f o l l o w th e d e ve l o pme n ts, n o w mo vi n g
o n wi th acce l e r ati n g mo me n tu m. I t i s actu al l y a po r tr ayal o f
th e r e pr e s si o n o f o ppo s i ti o n ar i d th e e me r gi n g su pr e macy o f
e r r o r . No te f i r st th e two basi c l i n e s o f d e pa r tu r e f r o m th e
apo sto l i c pl atf o r mt h a t i s, o f th e C o n d i ti o n a l i s t Sch o o l . T h e y
r e ve al a tr agi c d e ve l o pme n t.
1053
I . Sh i f ti n g Emph asi s o f th e T h r e e Sch o o l s C o n ce r n i n g th e So ul
1. H i s t o r i c A l i g n me n t s i n A n t e -N i c e n e P e r i o d .T h o u gh
we h ave to u ch e d u po n th e m be f o r e , f o l l o wi n g th e ti me o f
T e r t u l l i a n (d. c. 240)an d th e ste ad y gr o wth o f th e second
sch o o l i n th e th e o l o gi cal tr i l e mma th a t we h ave be e n tr aci n g
we f i n d th a t th e y gai n e d th e s u ppo r t o f H i ppo l y t u s , bi sh o p o f
Po r tu s Ro man u s (d. c. 236) a n d f r i e n d o f Or i ge n , an d C y pr i a n ,
bi sh o p o f C ar th age (d. c. 258) a n d a d mi r e r a n d succe sso r o f
T e r t u l l i a n , as th e y tr o d i n T e r t u l l i a n s f i er y f o o tste ps. T h a t
i s, th e y h e l d to th e u n i ve r sal I n n a t e I mmo r tal i ty o f al l so u l s,
to ge th e r wi th th e d r e ad f u l co r o l l ar y o f th e Ete r n a l T o r me n t
o f th e wi cke d . (An d bo th Hi ppo l ytu s an d C ypr i an l i ve d prior
to th e n o tabl e C o u n ci l o f Ni ce a i n 325.)
I n th e third sch o o l th a t o f th e r i val Un i ve r sal Re s to r a
ti o n i s mar e f o u n d G r eg o r y T h a u ma t u r g u s o f Ne o cae sar e a
(d. c. 270), P a mph i l u s o f C ae sar e a (d. 309), al o n g wi th T h e o g -
n o s t u s (d. c. 282) a n d P i e r i u s , Or i ge n s successo rs i n th e sch o o l
a t Al e xan d r i a. T h e s e me n cl o se th e l i n e o f An te -Ni ce n e Fath e r s
o f th i s sch o o l . An d th e se e ar l i e r wi tnesse s, i t i s to be r e me m
be r e d , we r e pr e d o mi n an tl y Greek.
Me an wh i l e , C o n d i ti o n al i s t N o v a t i a n o f Ni co me d i a (d. c.
258), an d A r n o b i u s o f Si cca (d. c. 330), si mi l ar l y cl o se th e an te -
Ni ce n e l i n e o f th e C o n d i ti o n al i s t o r first sch o o l o f wi tnesse s.
T h e s e me n h ave al r e ad y be e n pr e s e n te d qu i te f u l l y.
2. P o s t -N i c e n e Sh i f t i n g o f G r e a t es t I mpo r t . T h e n
came th e e po ch al ge n e r al C o u n ci l o f Ni ce a i n 325, wi th i ts
mo me n to u s d e ci si o n s co n ce r n i n g th e Go d h e ad . An d a bo u t
th i s ti me appe ar e d th e bo l d C o n d i ti o n al i s t wi tn e ss o f L a c t a n
t i u s o f Ni co me d i a, n o te d i n th e pr e ce d i n g ch apte r . Fo l l o wi n g
h i m co me s th e d i s ti n ct al te r a ti o n i n e mph asi s. By n o w th e
ch u r ch i s pr e d o mi n an tl y Lati n , an d C o n d i ti o n al i s m i s r api d l y
passi n g i n to e cl i pse . T h e l e ar n e d A t h a n a s i u s o f Al e xan d r i a
(d. 373), a bo u t to be co ve r e d , gi ves bu t f e e bl e vo i ce to th e
r e d e mpti ve po si ti o n s str e sse d i n C o n d i ti o n al i s m. An d h i s i s
th e l ast pr o mi n e n t vo i ce be f o r e th e tr an s i ti o n . T h i s gi ves a
bi t o f se tti n g, a n d r e ve al s th e ch an gi n g ti me s.
Me an wh i l e , so me se ven e ccl esi asti cs sti l l s u ppo r t th e
Re s to r ati o n i s t Sch o o l i n i ts l ast h o pe l e ss stan d . Bu t th e y we r e
d i mi n i s h i n g r e ve r be r ati o n s , as i t we r e , me r e l y r e i te r a ti n g wh at
h ad be e n sai d agai n an d agai n . At th e same ti me , th e r i s i n g
ti d e o f th e Et e r n a l -T o r me n t sch o o l o f Immo r tal -So u l i sm a t
tr acte d f o u r stan ch ad h e r e n ts to th e T e r t u l l i a n po si ti o n ,
cl i maxi n g wi th th e r e d o u bta bl e A u g u s t i n e o f Hi ppo i n th e
f i f th ce n tu r y. Su ch i s th e o ve r -al l pi ctu r e . I t i s f r au gh t wi th
d e e p si gn i f i can ce . T h e ba ttl e f o r d o mi n ati o n was n o w o n
i n d e ad e ar n e st. Ete r n al -T o r me n ti s m was o u t to i mpo se i ts
vi e w o n al l .
Af te r Un i ve r sal Re s to r ati o n i s t Ba s i l , bi sh o p o f C ae sar e a
(d. 379), D i o d o r u s , bi sh o p o f T ar s u s (d. c. 390), bl i n d D i d y mu s
(d. 398), o f th e C ate ch e ti cal Sch o o l o f Al e xan d r i a, G r eg o r y ,
bi sh o p o f Nyssa (d. c. 395), a n d T h e o d o r e , bi sh o p o f Mo p-
su e sti a (d. 428), h ad e ach spo ke n , th e Re s to r ati o n i s t l i n e pr acti
cal l y ce ase d a n d r e mai n e d s i l e n t f o r ce n tu r i e s , f o l l o wi n g
su ppr e ssi o n by co n d e mn ati o n o f th e se co n d C o u n ci l o f C o n
s tan ti n o pl e i n 553.
3. U l t i ma t e A s c en d a n c y o f E t e r n a l - T o r me n t Sc h o o l .
As al r e ad y n o te d , i n th e n o w po we r f u l an d e xpan d i n g Et e r
n a l -T o r me n t sch o o l o f po st-Ni ce n e ti me s mu s t be i n cl u d e d
A mb r o s e , bi sh o p o f Mi l an (d. 397), C h r y s o s t o m, bi sh o p o f
C o n s tan ti n o pl e (d. 407), J e r o me o f Be th l e h e m (d. 420), o f
Vu l gate tr an s l ati o n f ame , wi th th e r e n o wn e d A u g u s t i n e , bi sh o p
o f Hi ppo (d. 430), co mi n g a t th e cl i macti c e n d o f th e l i n e .
Hi s po we r f u l vo i ce co n s ti tu te d th e u l ti mate . He f u r n i s h e d th e
i mpr i ma tu r .
T h e s e al l o ppo se d th e Re s to r ati o n i s t sch o o l o f Or i ge n as
we l l as th e C o n d i ti o n al i s t, an d th u s ad van ce d th e n e ve r -e n d i n g-
to r me n t po s tu l ate o f T e r tu l l i a n . An d n o w wi th th e appe ar an ce
o f Au gu s ti n e th e asce n d an t po s i ti o n be came e stabl i sh e d , an d
was h e n ce f o r th d o mi n a n t an d o ppr e ssi ve . I n th i s way Ete r n al -
T o r me n ti s m came to be th e i n e xo r abl e d o gma o f th e C ath o l i c
AFT ER AT HANASIUS C ONDIT I ONALI SM EC LIPSED 1055
Ath anasi us of Al exandr i a Gi ves
bu t Feebl e Voi ce to th e Posi ti ons
of C ondi ti onal i sm.
C h u r ch as i t to o k i ts po s i ti o n as th e co n tr o l l i n g me d i e val
e ccl e si asti cal po we r , su ppr e ssi n g al l o ppo si n g vi ews.
So i t was th at C o n d i ti o n al i s m a n d Re s to r ati o n i sm we r e
bo th , by th e si xth ce n tu r y, vi r tu al l y cr u s h e d a n d d r i ve n u n d e r
gr o u n d . T h e Ete r n a l -T o r me n t sch o o l o f T e r tu l l i a n -Au gu s ti n e
was at l ast pr acti cal l y u n ch al l e n ge d . An d i t co n ti n u e d i n th e
asce n d an cy f o r ce n tu r i e s co n s o l i d ati n g i ts po we r an d br o o k
i n g n o o ppo s i ti o n . Bu t be f o r e we t u r n to Ath an asi u s, a n d th e
mo me n to u s h o u r o f tr a n s i ti o n s tr i ki n g a t th a t ti me , we mu s t
f i r st n o te an i mpe n d i n g mo ve me n t o f a d i f f e r e n t ch ar acte r t h a t
h ad ar i se n , th a t h as a d e f i n i te be ar i n g o n th e s ta tu r e an d
te s ti mo n y o f Ath an asi u s.
I I . T h e Ath an asi u s-Ar i u s C o n tr o ve r sy an d th e Ni ce n e C r e e d
We h e r e d i gr e ss l o n g e n o u gh to se t f o r th th e i ssues i n vo l ve d
i n th e u n h a ppy i r r u pt i o n o f Ar i an i sm, wh i ch br o u gh t th e C h r i s
ti a n C h u r ch to a n o th e r cr i si s o f a d i f f e r e n t n a tu r e , th i s ti me i n
th e f o u r th ce n tu r y. Ar i an i sm, i t s h o u l d be ad d e d , r e appe ar s
pe r i o d i cal l y acro ss th e ce n tu r i e s , a n d th e i ssues i n vo l ve d h ave
a d e f i n i te be ar i n g o n o u r qu e st. He n ce th i s d i ve r ge n ce .
T h e d o ctr i n e o f th e pr e -e xi s te n t Lo go s was th e s u bje ct
1056
AFT ER AT HANASIUS C ONDI T I ONALI SM EC LIPSED 1057
o f pr o l o n ge d co n tr o ve r sy i n th e cr u ci al f o u r th ce n tu r y. Pr e s
su r e s f r o m Gn o sti ci sm wi th i ts e man ati o n th e o r y, a n d f r o m
Ebi o n i s m wi th i ts to tal r e je cti o n o f C h r i s ts d e i ty, f o r ce d th e
ch u r ch to make a d e f i n i ti ve e xpr e ssi o n o f vi e w o n th e i ssues
at stake . So me so u gh t to e scape th e d i f f i cu l ty by abs o l u te i d e n
ti f i cati o n o f Fa th e r an d So n. T h e pr o bl e m was to d i s ti n gu i s h
be twe e n Fa th e r an d So n wi th o u t d e n yi n g e i th e r th e h u man i ty
o r th e abs o l u te d e i ty o f th e l atte r .
Var i o u s d e vi ce s we r e o f f e r e d as by T e r t u l l i a n , a n d by
Di o n ysi u s o f Ro me , a n d th e co n ce pt o f s u bo r d i n a ti o n an d
Sabe l l i an i sm.1Bu t i n th e e ar l y pa r t o f th e f o u r th ce n tu r y d e
ci si o n h ad to be mad e as to wh e th e r th e ch u r ch s h o u l d r e gar d
th e So n as bu t a cr e atu r e , n o t Go d by n a tu r e an d h e n ce n o t
e te r n al , a n d th e r e f o r e n o t i n th e h i gh e st sense d i vi n e ; o r , th a t
He i s u n cr e ate d , e te r n al , tr u l y Go d , a n d o f th e same essence
wi th th e Fath e r th e f amo u s Ni ce n e te r m be i n g homoousios
(o f o n e su bs tan ce )ye t wi th a pe r s o n al i ty d i s ti n ct f r o m th a t
o f th e Fath e r . T h a t was th e cr u x o f i t al l .
1. A b s o l u t e D e i t y o f C h r i s t a t S t a k e . T h e abs o l u te
ness o f th e C h r i s ti an r e l i gi o n , as we l l as th e i n te gr i ty o f th e
pe r so n o f C h r i st, was at stake . C h r i s ti an i ty co u l d n o t r e mai n
co n te n t wi th a co n ce pt th a t i n vo l ve d th e s u bo r d i n a ti o n o f i ts
He ad . I f C h r i s ti an i ty i s th e abs o l u te r e l i gi o n , C h r i s t mu s t be
r e gar d e d as abso l u te l y d i vi n e . I t was th e r e f o r e ne cessar y th a t
th e Ath an as i an f o r mu l a s h o u l d , at Ni ce a, be co me a f u n d a
me n tal pa r t o f th e d e cl ar e d C h r i s ti an i ty o f s u bs e qu e n t ce n tu r i e s .
I t s h o u l d be n o te d t h a t i t was Western C h r i sti an s wh o saw
th e n e e d o f asse r ti n g th e abs o l u te d e i ty o f C h r i st, wh e r e as East
ern C h r i sti an s s pe n t mu ch o f th e i r ti me an d e n e r gy o n spe c
u l ati ve h ai r s pl i tti n g. T h e Ar i an co n tr o ve r sy was wi d e s pr e ad
a n d pr o l o n ge d , a n d r age d f o r n e ar l y a ce n tu r y. I t e n gage d th e
e n e r gi e s o f n e ar l y al l pr o mi n e n t C h r i s ti an spo ke sme n o f th e
^Pr o je cte d by S a b e l l i u s (th i r d -ce n tu r y ch u r ch man ), wh o af f i rmed th at th e r e i s bu t
one divine essence, wh i ch became o per ati ve i n three temporarily successive manifestations. I t
was a tr i ni ty of successi ve r evel ati o ns. Hence h e mai ntai ned th at th e Godh ead reveal s onl y
one member at a ti me-^th e Fath e r i n th e Ol d T estament, th e Son i n th e peri o d o f th e In car n a
ti on, and th e Hol y Spi r i t f ol l owi ng i n i nspi r ati o n. Each , af te r f ul f i l l i ng Hi s mi ssi on, r e tu r n e d ,
h e al l eged, i nto th e abstract monad.
34
ti me , a n d was th e o ccasi o n o f mu ch vi o l e n ce , o f e xpr e ssi o n
a n d o th e r wi se . I t r e n t as u n d e r wh o l e se cti o n s o f C h r i ste n d o m,
a n d pe n e tr ate d o th e r r e l ate d ar e as o f d o ctr i n e as we l l . An d
i t bo r e u po n th e n a tu r e o f man .
2. T h e A r i a n V i e w S u mme d U p. A r i u s (c. 256-336), a
Li byan by bi r th , was a pr e s byte r o f th e Al e xan d r i an ch u r ch ,
wh e r e th e al l e go r i cal i n te r pr e ta t i o n pr e vai l e d . Bu t, cu r i o u sl y
e n o u gh , i n o ppo s i ti o n to th e al l e go r i cal co n ce pt Ar i u s i n t e r
pr e te d th e Bi bl e gr ammati cal l y an d h i sto r i cal l y. He d e man d e d
a cl e ar a n d r ati o n al state me n t. He r e je cte d Or i ge n s e te r n al
ge n e r a ti o n th e o r y. Bu t a l ar ge n u mbe r wh o h e l d wi th Or i ge n
r e je cte d th e Ar i an th e o r y o f s u bo r d i n a ti o n o f th e Pe r so n o f
C h r i st. Ar i u s h e l d th a t J e su s, th e So n o f Go d , was not co
e te r n al wi th th e Fath e r , a n d mu s t be h e l d external to th e
d i vi n e essence, an d o n l y a cr e atu r e . T h e i ssue was basi c. T h e
A r i a n v i e w may be su mme d u p as f o l l o ws:
(1) T h e So n was cr e ate d o u t o f n o th i n g; h e n ce He i s
different in essence f r o m th e Fath e r . He i s th e Lo go s, th e
Wi sd o m, th e So n o f Go d , a n d o f gr ace ; bu t He i s n o t so o f
Hi mse l f .
(2) T h e ch ar acte r i s ti c f o r mu l a was, T h e r e was wh e n
th e So n was n o t ; th at i s, He i s a f i n i te be i n g, a cr e atu r e , a
d e r i ve d be i n g, n o t e te r n al l y pr e -e xi ste n t.
(3) I n th e h i sto r i cal C h r i s t th e h u man e l e me n t i s me r e l y
th e mate r i al aspe ct, wh i l e th e so u l i s th e Lo go s. T h e h i sto r i cal
C h r i s t th e r e f o r e h ad n o h u man so u l , a n d was f i n i te an d
i mpe r f e ct.
(4) Bu t, al th o u gh th e i n car n ate Lo go s i s f i n i te , He was
mad e th e i n s t r u me n t i n cr e ati o n , an d i s to be wo r sh i pe d an d
e xal te d abo ve al l o th e r cr e atu r e s, as th e C r e ato r an d Go ve r n o r
o f th e u n i ve r se , a n d th e Re d e e me r o f man .
3. T h e A t h a n a s i a n V i e w E p i t o m i z e d . T h e ch ampi o n s
o f th e Ath an as i an vi ew we r e d r i ve n to state th e i r co n ce pt o f
th e r e l ati o n s o f th e Go d h e ad i n an swe r to th e asse r ti o n s o f
th e Ar i an s. T h e y we r e co mpe l l e d to r e pu d i a te th e s u bo r d i n ate
po s i ti o n gi ve n by Ar i u s to th e So n, an d to af f i rm th e abs o l u te
an d e te r n al d e i ty o f th e h i sto r i cal C h r i st. T h e A t h a n a s i a n
v i e w o f C h r i s t e mbr ace d th e f o l l o wi n g:
(1) As Go d i s u n ch an ge abl e , th e r e n e ve r was a ti me wh e n
th e So n was n o t wi th th e Fath e r . T h e d i s ti n cti o n be twe e n Fath e r
a n d So n i s th e r e f o r e an eternal d i s ti n cti o n .
(2) T h e So n i s identical in substance (o r be i n g) wi th th e
Fath e r . Hi s d e i ty i s i d e n ti cal wi th th e d e i ty o f th e Fath e r .
Ath an asi u s co n s e qu e n tl y r e je cte d th e Pl ato n i c e xal tati o n o f
Go d abo ve al l r e l ati o n s to th e u n i ve r se , h e l d by Ar i u s an d
Or i ge n . C r e ati o n was th e wo r k o f th e So n, bu t n o t be cau se
i t was be n e ath th e d i gn i ty o f th e Fath e r . Ath an asi u s h e l d th at
i n d e n yi n g th e abs o l u te d e i ty o f C h r i st, th e po ssi bi l i ty o f th e
u n i o n o f Go d wi th man was d e n i e d . I f C h r i s t i s n o t tr u l y an d
f r e e l y Go d , th e r e i s n o tr u e r e d e mpti o n f o r man .
(3) Ath an asi u s e mph asi ze d th e personality o f th e So n
ju s t as mu ch as Hi s i d e n ti ty o f esse nce wi th th e Fath e r . T h e
So n i s n o t a me r e a tt r i bu t e o r mo d e o f man i f e s tati o n o f th e
Fath e r , bu t an i n d e pe n d e n t pe r so n al su bsi ste n ce . Hi s was n o t
a d e r i ve d l i f e . Yet Ath an asi u s wo u l d n o t al l o w a n yth i n g th at
i n vo l ve d a pa r t i ti o n o f th e d i vi n e essence. T h i s h ad be e n
i l l u s tr ate d by th e r e l ati o n o f l i gh t a n d i ts r e f l e cti o n , i n th i s
way s u bo r d i n a ti n g th e So n to th e Fath e r . Ath an asi u s str e sse d
th e same n e ss o f essence an d th e d i s ti n cti o n o f pe r s o n al i ty o f
Fa th e r an d So n. T h a t di scl o ses th e so u n d n e ss a n d th e s ta tu r e
o f Ath an asi u s o n th e qu e s ti o n o f th e Go d h e ad .
4. T h e S e m i - A r i a n o r E u s e b i a n C o n c e p t . On th e o th e r
h a n d th e Semi-Arian, o r Eusebian, party so u gh t to me d i ate
be twe e n th e o th e r two . Su ch r e je cte d th e Ar i an vi e w th a t th e
So n was cr e ate d o u t o f n o th i n g, h e n ce was d i f f e r e n t i n essence
f r o m th e Fath e r , a n d d e n i e d t h a t th e r e was a ti me wh e n th e
So n was n o t . T h e y l i ke wi se r e je cte d th e i d e a t h a t th e So n
i s a cr e atu r e , o r was bo r n i n th e sense th a t o th e r be i n gs
ar e bo r n .
T h e y, o n th e o th e r h an d , d e cl ar e d th a t th e So n was
be go tte n o f th e Fath e r before all time, Go d o f Go d , e n ti r e o f
e n ti r e , pe r f e ct o f th e pe r f e ct, i mage o f th e De i ty, th e essence,
th e wi l l , th e po we r , an d th e gl o r y o f th e Fath e r . Bu t th e y
d e n i e d th e Ath an asi an sameness o f essence, h o l d i n g o n l y to
likeness as to essence.
5. T i d e o f Ba t t l e E n d s i n A t h a n a s i a n V i c t o r y .T h e
i ssue came to a h e ad at th e Ni ce n e C o u n ci l o f 325. As n o te d ,
th e mai n o bje ct o f th i s co u n ci l was to se ttl e th e f ar -f l u n g
Ar i an co n tr o ve r sy th a t th r e a te n e d th e u n i ty o f C h r i sti an i ty.
T h e r e we r e n o w th r e e par ti e s i n th e co n tr o ve r sy. At th e
o pe n i n g o f th e co u n ci l th e Ar i an s pr o po se d a cr e e d , si gn e d
by e i gh te e n n ame s. T h i s was i n d i gn a n tl y r e je cte d , an d as a
co n se qu e n ce al l bu t th r e e aban d o n e d th e Ar i an cause.
Eu se bi u s th e n pr o po se d an an ci e n t Pal e s ti n i an f o r mu l a.
T h e Ar i an s we r e wi l l i n g to su bscr i be to i t, bu t th e Ath an asi an s
wan te d to ch an ge th e cr e e d to wh i ch th e Ar i an s mu st su bscr i be .
T h e y i n si ste d o n th e te r m identical in substance. T h e Ni ce n e
C r e e d i n i ts pr e s e n t f o r m was th e n pr o po se d . T h e e mpe r o r ,
awe d by th e pe r so n al i ty o f Ath an asi u s, cast i n h i s l o t wi th th e
Ath an as i an par ty, a n d f i n al l y th e Se mi -Ar i an s r e l u cta n tl y s u b
scr i be d . Ar i u s an d th e two Egypti an bi sh o ps wh o r e f u s e d to
si gn i t we r e ban i sh e d .
Ho we ve r , i n ti me Ar i u s was r e s to r e d to of f i ce. An d i n
335 an Ar i an Syn o d , co n vo ke d at T yr e , n o w co n d e mn e d th e
Ath an as i an par ty, an d Ath an asi u s was ban i s h e d to T r e ve s .
Bu t wh e n th e e mpi r e was d i vi d e d af te r th e d e ath o f C o n s tan
ti n e i n 337, C o n s tan ti u s i n th e East was an Ar i an , wh i l e
C o n s tan ti n e I I i n th e We st was an a d h e r e n t o f th e Ni ce n e
C r e e d , a n d r e s to r e d Ath an asi u s.
T h u s th e ti d e o f ba ttl e o ve r th e cr e e d s, i n vo l vi n g th e
Go d h e ad , swu n g back a n d f o r th th e We s te r n C h u r ch be i n g
pr e d o mi n an tl y Ni ce an , a n d th e Eas te r n pr e d o mi n an tl y Ar i an .
Fi n al l y th e Ath an as i an par ty pr e vai l e d , a n d Ath an asi an i sm
be came vi cto r i o u s. Wi th th i s ske tch o f th e man a n d th e i ssues,
we ar e n o w r e ad y to co n s i d e r Ath an asi u s, a n d th e n h i s wr i ti n gs,
i n gr e ate r d e tai l .
I I I . Ath an as i u s Po we r f u l De f e n d e r o f De i ty o f C h r i st
A t h a n a s i u s (c. 297-373), bi sh o p o f Al e xan d r i a a n d mo st
pr o mi n e n t th e o l o gi an o f th e f o u r th ce n tu r y, i s co mmo n l y
cal l e d th e d e f e n d e r o f o r th o d o xy, be cau se o f h i s co n spi c
u o u s ch ampi o n s h i p o f th e e te r n al d e i ty o f C h r i st i n th e ba t
tl e o ve r th e Go d h e ad , as agai n st th e pr o l o n ge d attacks o f
Ar i an i sm.
1. T h e C e n t e r o f t h e T h e o l o g i c a l W o r l d . Ath a n a
si u s ch i l d h o o d s pan n e d th e te r r i bl e Di o cl e ti an pe r s e cu ti o n ,
303-313. He was h i gh l y tr a i n e d i n th e f amo u s sch o o l s o f
Al e xan d r i a, a n d was we l l a cqu ai n te d wi th th e Pl ato n i c ph i
l o so ph y, a n d th e var i o u s o th e r systems, al o n g wi th th e te n e ts
o f J u d ai s m. He was a yo u n g d e aco n u n d e r Bi sh o p Al e xan d e r
wh e n th e Ar i an co n tr o ve r sy ar o se a bo u t 320. An d h e was
pr e s byte r o f th e Al e xan d r i a C h u r ch at th e ti me o f th e f i r st
ge n e r al C o u n ci l o f Ni ce a (325), wh e r e h e be came th e ch i e f
d e f e n d e r o f th e T r i n i t a r i a n d o ctr i n e , as agai n st th e h e r e sy
o f Ar i an i sm.
I n 328 th e d yi n g Bi sh o p Al e xan d e r r e co mme n d e d th a t
Ath an asi u s be h i s successo r. Acco r d i n gl y, Ath an asi u s was mad e
n o t o n l y bi sh o p o f Al e xan d r i a i n 328 bu t me tr o po l i ta n o f
al l Egypt a n d Li bya, a n d Pe n tapo l i s as we l l th e h i gh e st
e ccl e si asti cal d i gn i ty i n th e East. T o h i m mo r e t h a n an y
o th e r i n d i vi d u al i s d u e th e t r i u mph o f T r i n i ta r i a n i s m.2 Hi s
l i f e h as be e n d e s cr i be d as an e pi c o f h e r o i sm, f o r ti tu d e , a n d
f ai th . Fo r ty-si x ye ar s a bi sh o p, h e was th e ce n te r o f th e
theological wo r l d as C o n s tan ti n e was o f th e political r e al m
bo th be a r i n g th e t i t l e th e Gr e a t, i n th e i r r e spe cti ve sph e r e s.
T h a t was h i s s tatu r e .
2. F o u r T i m e s B a n i s h e d i n S t o r m y C a r e e r . Fo r ye ar s
pr i o r to Ni ce a th e r e h ad be e n th e o l o gi cal co n tr o ve r sy i n Egypt
o ve r th e co n te n ti o n s o f Ar i an i sm. An d n o w Ath an as i u s posi -
2 T h e so-cal l ed Ath anasi an C r eed was no t, h owever, th e work of Ath anasi us but
was a l ate r cr eati o n.
@ 1 9 6 3 BY THE REVI EW AND HERALD HARRY ANDERSON, A RTI ST
At h a n a s i u s Pr e s e n te d t h e Ete r n a l C h r i s t as C r e ato r , Re d e e me r , So u r ce o f
I mmo r t a l i t y, a n d Uph o l d e r o f t h e Mo r al Law.
ti o n o n th e co e te r n i ty a n d co e qu al i ty o f th e Fa th e r a n d th e
So n h ad br o u gh t th e i ssue to a h e ad at Ni ce a. T h e o ve r
wh e l mi n g majo r i ty vo te d agai n st Ar i u s, wh o was d e po se d a n d
ban i s h e d . Bu t po l i ti cs mi n gl e d wi th th e o l o gy a t Ni ce a, e ach
si d e se e ki n g to wi n i mpe r i al f avo r .
Late r , r e acti o n agai n st th e d e ci si o n s o f Ni ce a r e s to r e d
Ar i u s. Bu t Ath an asi u s, wh o h ad i n cu r r e d Ar i an h atr e d , was
f o u r ti me s ban i s h e d f r o m h i s ch u r ch by Ar i an e mpe r o r s a n d
o n ce by J u l i a n th e Apo state s pe n d i n g mo r e th an twe n ty ye ar s
i n e xi l e . Fi ve ti me s i n h i s sto r my car e e r h e r e t u r n e d to h i s
ch u r ch , s pe n d i n g h i s l ast ye ar s s ti l l d e f e n d i n g o r th o d o xy
a n d o ppo s i n g h e r e sy. He was th u s th e o u ts tan d i n g o bstacl e
to th e t r i u mph o f Ar i an i s m i n th e East. He al so u ph e l d th e
1062
AFT ER AT HANASIUS C ONDI T I ONALISM EC LIPSED 1063
d e i ty o f th e Ho l y Spi r i t. He co n spi cu o u sl y ma i n ta i n e d th at,
at th e I n ca r n a ti o n , Go d Hi mse l f e n te r e d i n to h u man i ty. Such
was h i s e mi n e n ce .
3. C h a mpi o n e d C e r t a i n A s pec t s o f C o n d i t i o n a l i s m.
Bu t h e al so ch ampi o n e d ce r tai n aspects o f C o n d i ti o n al i s m,
co n te n d i n g th a t se cu r i n g i mmo r ta l i ty i s th e ai m o f th e so u l
a n d th a t po si ti o n was take n i n th e ve r y ci ty wh e r e th e
al l e go r i zi n g Ph i l o o f th e J e ws (c. 20 b .c .-c . a .d . 50) h ad l i ve d ,
a n d wh e r e th e Ne o pl ato n i c Or i ge n (d. c. 254) h ad h e l d
f o r th as po we r f u l h e ad o f th e C ate ch e ti cal Sch o o l a ce n tu r y
an d a qu a r t e r pr i o r . Bu t Ath an as i u s vo i ce f al te r e d so me wh at
at th i s po i n t, a n d h e f l u ctu ate d i n h i s wi tn e ss. Ne ve r th e l e ss,
h e h e l d f i r ml y to th e se co n d co mi n g o f C h r i st to r ai se th e d e ad
a n d e stabl i sh Hi s ki n gd o m. T h e s e po i n ts wi l l be n o te d sh o r tl y.
I n h i s De Incarnatione Verbi Dei (On th e I n ca r n a ti o n o f
th e Wo r d ) Ath an asi u s e xpo u n d s h o w Go d th e Wo r d (Lo go s)
by Hi s u n i o n wi th h u man man h o o d r e sto r e s to f al l e n man
th e i mage o f Go d , i n wh i ch h e h ad be e n cr e ate d . An d by Hi s
d e ath a n d r e s u r r e cti o n He me t a n d o ve r came d e ath an d th e
co n se qu e n ce s o f si n . I t i s a po we r f u l pr e s e n tati o n as we sh al l
n o w see.
IV 'j'h e I n ca r n a ti o n i n Re l a ti o n to Ma n s Si n
a n d Re d e mpti o n
1. C l a s s i c P o r t r a y a l o f R es t o r a t i o n o f M a n s L i f e .
Le t us n o w r an ge th r o u gh Ath an as i u s The Incarnation, wr i t
te n wh i l e h e was s ti l l i n h i s twe n ti e san e xpl o i t s i mi l ar to
t h a t o f C al vi n a n d h i s Institutes. He r e i n The Incarnation we
f i n d d e pi cte d th e r e l a ti o n o f th e I n f i n i te So n o f Go d to th e
l o st so ns o f man . He r e i s r e ve al e d Ath an as i u s cl e ar co n ce pt
o f th e h o pe l e ss co n d i ti o n o f man , l o st th r o u gh si n bu t pa r a l
l e l e d by th e wo n d r o u s pr o vi si o n s o f r e d e mpti o n . An d th i s i s
al l po r tr aye d i n th e s e tti n g o f th e s u bl i me d e i ty o f C h r i s t an d
Hi s i n ca r n ati o n f o r th e pu r po se o f d yi n g i n o u r ste ad an d
r i s i n g f o r o u r r e s to r ati o n . Fi n al l y, Ath an as i u s co mpr e h e n s i o n
o f th e pr o ph e ti c ph ase th e i n s pi r e d pr e d i cti o n s o f C h r i s ts
e a r th l y l i f e a n d th e ti mi n g o f Hi s d e ath , to ge th e r wi th Hi s
se co n d ad ve n t to co n su mmate th e r e d e mpti o n i s s i mi l ar l y
pr e s e n te d wi th appe al i n g cl ar i ty.
Ath an as i u s gr asp o f ma n s n e e d an d o f th e pr o vi si o n o f
a Savi o u r i s mo st i mpr e ssi ve . T h e tr e ati s e i s a cl assi c po r tr ayal
o f th e r e s to r ati o n o f man . I t i s r e al l y th e mo st an ci e n t
wo r k o n C h r i s ti an d o gmati cs avai l abl e , an d i s actu al l y a C h r i s
ti an ph i l o so ph y o f th e Go d h e ad . Wh i l e h e was n o t al ways an
o u t-an d -o u t C o n d i ti o n al i s t, Ath an asi u s n e ve r th e l e ss pr e se n ts,
i n th i s se tti n g, ce r tai n d i sti n cti ve C o n d i ti o n al i s t te ach i n gs an d
t h e i r u n d e r l yi n g pr i n ci pl e s. T h a t i s wh y i t i s o f co n ce r n to
us i n co mpassi n g th i s gr ave tr a n s i ti o n h o u r , wh e n C o n d i ti o n al -
i sm was ste ad i l y passi n g f r o m th e pi ctu r e .
2. D i r e c t Q u o t a t i o n s N o t E mpl o y e d W i t h A t h a n a s i u s .
Ath an asi u s i s n o t ci te d h e r e be cau se h e mad e an y n e w o r
spe ci al co n tr i bu ti o n to C o n d i ti o n al i s m, bu t to sh o w th a t a
s ch o l ar o f h i s e mi n e n ce s ti l l h e l d at t h a t cr i ti cal ti me
d e s pi te th e gr o wi n g pr e ssu r e s an d th e s tr o n g swi n g away
f r o m C o n d i ti o n al i s mto ce r tai n ge n e r al u n d e r l yi n g pr i n ci pl e s.
Ath an asi u s was vi r tu al l y th e l ast man o f pr o mi n e n ce so to d o
be f o r e th e po r te n to u s bl acko u t th at l aste d f o r ce n tu r i e s . Ho w
e ve r , h i s l e ar n e d wr i ti n gs, i n th e ch ar acte r i s ti c man n e r o f th e
ti me , ar e so pr o l i x an d i n vo l ve d as to r e qu i r e l ar ge pa r a
gr aph s o f d i r e ct qu o tati o n , we r e su ch to be use d . Bu t th at
wo u l d pr o ve te d i o u s an d bo r i n g to th e mo d e r n r e ad e r , an d
mi gh t be l ai d asi d e . T h a t wo u l d d e f e at th e ve r y pu r po se o f
su ch ci tati o n s.
We h ave th e r e f o r e gi ve n accu r ate s u mmar i zati o n s o f
Ath an as i u s l e n gth y ar gu me n ts an d e xpr e ssi o n s o f be l i e f . I n
d o i n g so, r e co u r se h as be e n h ad to th e of f i ci al an al yti cal s u m
mati o n s o f e ach se cti o n a ppe ar i n g at th e be gi n n i n g o f e ach
se cti o n , pr e par e d by Bi sh o p Ar ch i bal d Ro be r ts o n , th e n o f th e
Un i ve r s i ty o f Du r h am a n d l ate r o f Oxf o r d . T h e s e f ai th f u l l y
se t f o r th Ath an as i u s pr e s e n tati o n i n co n d e n se d f o r m. He n ce
n o d i r e ct qu o te s ar e u se d . Bu t th e th o u gh t h as be e n tr u s two r th
i l y pr e se r ve d . T h a t i s al l th a t i s e sse n ti al f o r o u r pu r po se h e r e .
Ath an asi u s i s n o t cl e ar , f o r ce f u l , o r f u l l o n th e n a tu r e o f
man , as we r e so me t h a t came be f o r e h i m. He i s co n tr ad i cto r y
a n d co n f u se d i n spo ts o n th i s qu e s ti o n . Hi s pr i n ci pal bu r d e n
i s to pr e se r ve th e gr e at t r u t h a n d r e al i ty o f th e co mpl e te
d e i ty o f C h r i st, an d r e l a te d e te r n al ve r i ti e s. T h i s h e d i d mo st
r e mar kabl y. An d i n so d o i n g h e u ph e l d th e f u n d ame n tal pr i n
ci pl e s o f th e r e d e mpti o n o f l o st man .
T h e tr an s l ati o n i s f r o m th e s tan d ar d Sch af f an d Wace
r e n d e r i n g i n th e Post-Nicene Fathers, vo l u me f o u r . No w l e t
us f i l l i n th e pi ctu r e wi th r a pi d str o ke s.
3. M a n N o t C r e a t e d W i t h P e r v e r s e T e n d e n c i e s .
Ath an as i u s I n tr o d u cti o n (i n se cti o n s 1 to 3) be gi n s wi th th e
d o ctr i n e o f cr e ati o n by th e Wo r d , an d ma n s al l o tte d pl ace ,
f o l l o we d by th e abu se o f h i s h i gh pr i vi l e ge s an d r e s u l ta n t
l oss. I t po r tr ays h o w th e Fa th e r h as saved th e wo r l d by Hi m
th r o u gh wh o m He f i r st mad e i t.3 T h e cr e ati o n was o u t o f
n o th i n g. An d , be i t pa r ti cu l ar l y n o te d , wi th man cr e ate d
abo ve th e r e st, bu t i n capabl e o f i n d e pe n d e n t pe r se ve r an ce .4
As i t was by th e Wo r d t h a t man was cal l e d f r o m n o n
e xi ste n ce i n to be i n g, so by th e o n e f au l t wh i ch f o r f e i te d th at
l i f e h e i n cu r r e d co r r u pti o n .3 Havi n g th u s i n cu r r e d r u i n ,
man o f h i mse l f mu st si n k back i n to destr ucti o n. On l y th e
o r i gi n al Be sto we r o f l i f e , Ath an asi u s h e l d , co u l d n o w r e scu e
h i m a n d r e sto r e l i f e.
4. C r e a t o r M u s t B o t h R e n e w a n d R e s t o r e . Ath a n a
si u s pr esses th e po i n t th at, h avi n g i n cu r r e d co r r u pti o n , n o n e
co u l d r e n e w bu t He wh o h ad cr e ate d man . T h e So n al o n e
co u l d r e -cr e ate , su f f e r f o r al l , a n d r e pr e s e n t al l to th e Fath e r .7
So th e Wo r d vi si te d th i s e ar th ,an d to o k a bo d y o f o u r n a tu r e ,
a n d t h a t o f a vi r gi n .8He to o k a mo r ta l bo d y, capabl e o f d e ath ,
u n i ti n g i t wi th Hi s d e i ty, th a t He mi gh t stay th e co r r u pti o n
3 Ath anasi us, On the Incarnation of the Word, sec. 1, i n NPNF, 2d seri es, vol . 4, p. 36.
*Ibid., sec. 3, p. 37.
5 Ibid., secs. 4, 5, p. 38.
8 Ibid., sec. 6, p. 39.
o f th e r ace . Be co mi n g o n e wi th us He cl o th e d us wi th i m
mo r tal i ty 9as a r e s u l t. C r e ate d i n th e i mage o f Go d , man
h ad f al l e n away f r o m Go d .10So Go d r e s to r e d i n us th e gr ace
o f Hi s i mage .
5. B e c a m e M a n t o R e s t o r e L i f e t o U s.Ath an asi u s
te l l s h o w a po r tr a i t o n ce e f f aced mu s t be r e s to r e d f r o m th e
o r i gi n al . T h u s th e So n o f th e Fath e r came to seek, save, a n d
r e ge n e r ate . An d , Ath an asi u s asser ts, th e Wo r d al o n e co u l d d o
so .u So He co n d e sce n d s to take a bo d y.12 An d by Hi s
be co mi n g Man , th e Savi o u r pu t away d e ath f r o m us, r e n e w
i n g us agai n .13 Bi sh o p Ro be r ts o n we l l su mmar i ze s se cti o n
twe n ty th u s co n ce r n i n g C h r i st:
"None, then, could bestow incorruption, but He Who had made,
none restore the likeness of God, save His Own Image, none quicken,
but the Life, none teach, but the Word. And He, to pay our debt of death,
must also die for us, and rise again as our first-fruits from the grave.
Mortal therefore His [C h r i sts] body must be; corruptible, His Body
could not be." 14
So d e ath was br o u gh t to n o u gh t by th e d e ath o f C h r i s t.15
6 . P u r p o s e o f P u b l i c D e a t h a n d T h r e e D a y s i n T o m b .
C o n ti n u i n g, th e So n came to r e ce i ve th e d e ath d u e to o th e r s.
He pai d th e d e bt, d yi n g i n o u r ste ad , so as to r i se agai n as th e
f i r st f r u i ts . T h a t i s wh y C h r i s ti an mar tyr s h ave co n te mpt f o r
d e ath . Mo r e o ve r , Hi s d e ath mu s t be ce r tai n i n o r d e r to gu a r
a n te e th e t r u t h o f Hi s r e s u r r e cti o n .18 T h a t n e ce ssi tate d a
pu bl i c d e ath .17 He d i e d o n th e cross to be ar th e cu r s e f o r
us, qu o ti n g De u te r o n o my 21:23. Bu t He h e l d o u t Hi s h an d s to
us, th u s cl e ar i n g th e way to He ave n an d o pe n i n g f o r us th e e ve r
l as ti n g d o o r s.18
T h e cro ss, o n ce th e i n s tr u me n t o f sh ame , n o w be came th e
tr o ph y o f vi cto r y. He r o se n o t ti l l th e T h i r d Day, so th e
r e al i ty o f Hi s d e ath co u l d n o t be d e n i e d . An d n o t l ate r , so to
gu a r d th e i d e n ti ty o f Hi s bo d y, o r n o t to ke e p Hi s d i sci pl e s to o
l o n g i n su spe n se , o r to wai t ti l l th e wi tn e sse s we r e d i spe r se d .1*
T h e r e al i ty o f th e Re s u r r e cti o n i s pr o ve d by th e f acts.20C h r i s ts
t r i u mph o ve r th e gr ave ch an ge d th e r e l e van cy o f d e ath an d
l i f e . I t i n vo l ve d a mo me n to u s tr a i n o f co n se qu e n ce s.
7. P r o p h e c i e s E s t a b l i s h F a c t s o f I n c a r n a t i o n . Ath a
n asi u s t h e n tu r n s to th e pr o ph e ci e s, r e co r d e d i n Ho l y Wr i t,
sh o wi n g h o w th e J e ws, i n t h e i r i n ve te r ate o bsti n acy, we r e co n
f o u n d e d by t h e i r o wn Scr i ptu r e s by th e pr o ph e ci e s o f C h r i s t s
co mi n g as Go d an d Man .21Ath an asi u s f i r st n o te s th e pr o ph e ci e s
o f Hi s passi o n an d d e ath i n al l i ts ci r cu mstan ce s.22Ne xt we r e th e
pr o ph e ci e s o f th e C r o ss, an d h o w th e y ar e al l f u l f i l l e d i n
C h r i s t al o n e .23T h e n came pr o ph e ci e s o f C h r i s ts so ve r e i gn ty,
f l i gh t i n to Egypt, e t ce te r a.24An d i n Psal m 22 appe ar s th e maj
esty o f Hi s bi r t h an d d e ath .26T h e r e i n i s d i scl o se d Hi s u n i m
pe ach abl e po we r a n d Go d h e ad . Mo r e o ve r , th e y we r e n o t to
l o o k f o r a n o th e r , f o r Dan i e l i n th e pr o ph e cy o f th e se ve n ty
weeks, f o r e te l l s th e e xact ti me o f Hi s d e ath .28
8 . A n s w e r s S c o f f i n g o f G r e e k s R e g a r d i n g I n c a r n a t i o n .
An s we r i n g th e f r i vo l o u s cyn i ci sm an d scof f i ng o f th e Gr e e ks,
Ath an asi u s says t h a t C h r i s ts u n i o n wi th th e bo d y i s base d u po n
Hi s r e l a ti o n to C r e ati o n as a wh o l e . Si nce man al o n e d e par te d
f r o m th e o r d e r o f Hi s cr e ati o n , i t was mans n a tu r e t h a t th e
Wo r d u n i t e d to Hi mse l f , th u s r e pa i r i n g th e br e ach be twe e n
th e cr e a tu r e a n d th e C r e ato r at th e ve r y po i n t wh e r e th e r u p
t u r e h ad o ccu r r e d . He u se d a h u man bo d y, si n ce i t was to man
t h a t He wi s h e d to r e ve al Hi mse l f .27He came to save, a n d man
al o n e o f al l e ar th l y cr e atu r e s h ad s i n n e d .28
He co u l d n o t save man by a me r e f i at, as wh e n He
pr o d u ce d man o u t o f n o th i n g. A bar e co mman d wo u l d n o t
suf f i ce.2* He came a n d l i ve d a n d wo r ke d amo n g th e m as man .30
Fu r th e r , cr e ati o n o u t o f n o th i n g i s d i f f e r e n t f r o m r e pa r a ti o n
o f wh at al r e ad y exi sts. Man h ad a d e f i n i te n e e d , cal l i n g f o r
a d e f i n i te r e me d y. De ath was i n gr ai n e d i n ma n s n a tu r e , a n d
th e Wo r d mu s t me e t an d co n qu e r d e ath i n Hi s u s u r pe d t e r
r i to r y.31 He me t th e speci f i c d i s o r d e r wi th a speci f i c r e me d y,
o ve r co mi n g d e ath wi th l i f e . T h i s po i n t i s so vi tal th a t we
qu o te a par agr aph f r o m Ath an as i u s o wn te xt:
"Fo r th i s cause th e Savi o u r r e aso n abl y pu t o n Hi m a bo d y, i n
o r d e r th a t th e bo d y, be co mi n g wo u n d cl osel y to th e Li f e , sh o u l d n o
l o n ge r , as mo r tal , abi d e i n d e ath , bu t, as h avi n g pu t o n i mmo r tal i ty,
sh o u l d th e n ce f o r th r i se agai n an d r e mai n i mmo r tal . Fo r , o n ce i t h a d
pu t o n co r r u pti o n , i t co u l d n o t h ave r i se n agai n u n l e ss i t h ad pu t o n
l i f e . An d d e ath l i ke wi se co u l d n o t, f r o m i ts ver y n atu r e , appe ar , save
i n th e bo dy. T h e r e f o r e He pu t o n a bo dy, th a t He mi gh t f i n d d e a th i n
th e bo d y, an d bl o t i t o u t. Fo r h o w co u l d th e Lo r d h ave be e n pr o ve d
a t al l to be th e Li f e , h ad He n o t qu i cke n e d wh at was mo r tal ? 32
9. So L i v e a s t o E a t o f T r e e o f L i f e . Fi n al l y, Ath a
n asi u s u r ge s al l to se ar ch th e Scr i ptu r e s an d f i l l i n th i s o u t
l i n e . He cl o ses wi th a po r tr ayal o f th e Se co n d Ad ve n t, d i r e ct
f r o m He ave n , i n po we r an d gl o r y. An d h e te l l s us t h a t we
wi l l l e ar n a bo u t Hi s se co n d gl o r i o u s an d tr u l y d i vi n e a ppe a r
i n g to us, i n Hi s o wn gl o r yn o l o n ge r i n h u mbl e gu i se , bu t
i n Hi s o wn magn i f i ce n ce .33 He wi l l th e n e xe cu te ju d gme n t
o n th e wr o n gd o e r . Ath an asi u s cl o ses, i n se cti o n 57, wi th an
a d mo n i ti o n to so l i ve th at yo u may h ave th e r i gh t to e at o f th i s
tr e e o f kn o wl e d ge a n d l i f e , a n d so co me to e te r n al jo ys.34
Qu o ti n g agai n f r o m th e te xt, Ath an asi u s u r ge s th a t th e
r e a d e r
"may escape th e pe r i l o f th e si n n e r s an d th e i r f i re at th e d ay o f ju d gme n t,
an d r e ce i ve wh at i s l ai d u p f o r th e sai n ts i n th e ki n gd o m o f h e ave n . 45
T h a t i s Ath an as i u s vi e w o f th e vi car i o u s, a to n i n g d e a th
o f C h r i st o n th e cross, i n i ts r e l a ti o n to th e r e d e mpti o n o f
man a n d h i s r e s u r r e cti o n a n d f u tu r e l i f e . I t r e ve al s a mag
n i f i ce n t gr asp o f th e o ve r -al l i ssues a n d a co n ti n u i ty o f t r e a t
me n t th a t was u n su r passe d i n h i s day. On th e actu al n a t u r e
31 Ibid., sec. 44, p. 60.
32 Ibid., pp. 60, 61.
33 Ibid., sec. 56, p. 66.
34 I bid., sec. 57, p. 67.
36Ibid.
a n d d e sti n y o f man Ath an asi u s was at ti me s se l f -co n tr ad i cto r y.3
I t was a tr a n s i ti o n h o u r . He so me ti me s r e pr o d u ce s so me o f
th e ve r y th o u gh ts a n d ph r ase s o f Pl ato t h a t we r e o pe n l y e m
pl o ye d by Ath an ago r as a n d T e r t u l l i a n . Bu t h e d i d n o t f o l l o w
wi th th e m to t h e i r co n cl u si o n s. He passe d o ve r th e f i n al d e s tr u c
ti o n . An d th e s e mi -C o n d i ti o n al i s m h e vo i ce d was, e r e l o n g,
d r o wn e d o u t i n th e swi r l i n g ti d e o f Pl ato n i s m, wh i ch i n ti me
swe pt o ve r C h r i s te n d o m. Bu t h i s was a r e t a r d i n g vo i ce t h a t
was h e ar d , a n d was r e s pe cte d i n h i s day.
Ath anasi us was an avowed Immortal -Soul i st wh en h e was twenty-one, at th e ti me h e
wr o te h i s f i rst book, Contra Gentes (Agai nst th e He ath e n ), abo ut a .d . 318, and th us seven
year s bef ore th e C ounci l of Ni cea i n 325. (Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Seri es, Pro
l ego mena, j>. LXXXVI; Intr o ducti o n, p. 1.) At th at ti me Ath anasi us expressl y decl ar ed th e
soul to be i mmo rtal (sec. 33,_ p. 21), wi th power to co nti nue l i f e outsi de of th e body af te r
death (ibid.). But even i n th i s tr eati se Ath anasi us says, i n hi s cl osi ng par agr aph , Immo r tal i ty
and th e ki ngdo m o f h eaven is th e f r u i t of f ai th and devoti on towards Hi m [Go d], i f onl y th e
soul be ado r ned acco rdi ng to Hi s l awsand r ef e rs to th e pr i ze of l i f e everl asti ng (sec.
47, p. 30).
C H A P T E R S I X T Y - F O U R
Au gu sti n e Immortal 'Soul i sms
Ho ur of Supremacy
I . Pr o je cts Fal l aci o u s Ph i l o so ph y o f Hi sto r y
We cl o se th i s gr o u p su r ve y o f po st-Ni ce n e pe r s o n al i ti e s
wi th a r e l ati ve l y br i e f co mme n t o n A u g u s t i n e , o n e o f th e
ad mi tte d l y gr e at i n te l l e cts o f th e ce n tu r i e s . Hi s l i f e mar ks th e
tr a n s i ti o n h o u r be twe e n th e d e ve l o pi n g th e o l o gy o f th e Po st-
Ni ce n e C h u r ch wi tn e sse s a n d th e l o n g pe r i o d o f th e Mi d d l e
Ages wh e n d o gma h ad be co me f i xed, wi th n o f r e e d o m o f mi n d
al l o we d o u tsi d e th e r i gi d co n f i n e s o f th e C ath o l i c e ccl e si asti cal
system. An d th i s i n cl u d e d pr e -e mi n e n tl y th e n a tu r e a n d d e sti n y
o f man .
1. I n f a l l i b l e Sy s t em o f D o c t r i n e Ba s ed o n A u t h o r
i t y .I t i s we l l , be f o r e co n ti n u i n g, to n o te t h a t th e Ro man
mi n d was by n a tu r e o f a l e gal t u r n , wi th Go d co n ce i ve d o f
as a s te r n l awgi ve r a n d ju d ge , h o l d i n g man to o be d i e n ce
th r o u gh pai n o f pu n i s h me n t. Au gu s ti n e r e al l y h e l d th a t man
co me s to C h r i s t u n d e r th e i n f l u e n ce o f f e ar . Man mu s t t h e r e
f o r e h ave a mediator. An d th i s, h e h e l d , was th e f u n cti o n o f
th e ch u r ch . T h e r e f o r e sal vati o n o pe r ate s wi th i n th e cu sto d y
o f th e ch u r ch .
T h e t h o u gh t o f a ch u r ch wi th an i n f al l i bl e syste m o f d o c
tr i n e , base d u po n au th o r i ty, i n tr i gu e d h i m. T h u s i t was th at
Au gu s ti n e th e ph i l o s o ph e r be came Au gu s ti n e th e th e o l o gi an ,
wi th th i s co n ce pt as f o u n d ati o n al . Hi s vi e w o f th e ch u r ch i s
f o r mu l a te d i n h i s f amo u s tr e ati se , th e City of God, wh i ch i s
1070
Un d e r Au gu s ti n e o f Hi ppo th e Et e r n a l -T o r me n t Po s tu l a te De ve l o pe d by
T e r t u l l i a n Was Fas te n e d Upo n C a th o l i c C h r i s te n d o m.
th e mo st e l abo r ate , a n d e n ti ci n g, ph i l o s o ph y o f h i sto r y e ve r
a tte mpte d . T o h i m al l h i sto r y i s a co n f l i ct be twe e n th e e ar th l y
ci ty, o r co mmu n i ty, be l o n gi n g to th e ch i l d r e n o f th e wo r l d ,
a n d th e C i ty o f Go d , th e ch u r ch an i mpo si n g d r ama e n d
i n g i n th e f i n al vi cto r y o f th e ch u r ch .
2. Ba s i c F a l l a c i e s o f A u g u s t i n i a n C o n c e pt s .Au gu s
ti n e , i n th i s cr u ci al ce n tu r y, was n o w th e mo st po we r f u l a n d
i n f l u e n ti al e xpo n e n t o f u n i ve r s al I n n a t e I mmo r tal i ty, a n d th e
i n d e s tr u cti bi l i ty o f th e h u man so u l . Hi s was an e xte n s i o n a n d
1071
au gme n tati o n o f T e r tu l l i a n i s m. Bu t h i s f u n d ame n tal vi ew was
base d o n a co n tr a d i cti o n that death means endless life. He
co n f u se d e te r n al l o ss o f l i f e wi th an e te r n al l i f e o f l o ss,
as aptl y ph r ase d . Re mo ve t h a t co n te n ti o n a n d th e Au gu s ti n i an
s tr u ctu r e f al l s. Ne ve r th e l e ss, th e i n f l u e n ce o f Au gu s ti n e was
s tr o n g e n o u gh to se cu r e th e pr e val e n ce f o r ce n tu r i e s o f th e
d o ctr i n e o f th e u n i ve r sal , i n d e f e as i bl e i mmo r tal i ty o f al l me n ,
a n d th e co n s e qu e n t e te r n al l i f e o f th e s i n n e r i n e n d l e ss,
ago n i zi n g mi se r y.
Ho we ve r , th e mo st se r i o u s e r r o r o f Au gu s ti n e s th e o r y was
t h a t e vi l f o r a time a n d e vi l f o r eternity ar e e sse n ti al l y o n e an d
th e same . He th e r e by f l o u te d th e s cr i ptu r al d i s ti n cti o n be twe e n
ti me a n d e te r n i ty. Go d pe r mi ts th e t r i u mph o f e vi l f o r a
d e te r mi n e d d u r a ti o n , th e n He wi l l cau se i t to cease f o r e ve r .
Evi l i s bu t tr an s i to r y an d te mpo r ar y, i n co n tr as t wi th Au gu s
t i n e s e n d u r i n g an d e te r n al co n ti n u a ti o n th e o r y, wh i ch ste mme d
back to Pe r si an d u al i sm. T i me i s a r e l ati ve l y br i e f pe r i o d
be twe e n th e two e te r n i ti e s o f th e past a n d th e f u tu r e wi th th e
t r i u mph o f go o d as th e f i n al e n d an d go al . An d i n t h a t f u tu r e
age th a t wi l l h ave n o e n d th e r e wi l l be n o r e pr o bate s . I n
co n tr as t, Or i ge n h ad r e s to r e d th e m al l to He ave n ; wh i l e Au
gu s ti n e h e l d th e wi cke d pe r pe tu al l y i n He l l . Bu t th e i n f l u e n ce
o f Au gu s ti n e pr e vai l e d o ve r t h a t o f Or i ge n . T h a t mo l d e d th e
co u r se o f h i sto r y.
3. A l r ea d y C o mmi t t e d t o I mmo r t a l -So u l i s m B e f o r e
C o n v e r s i o n .I t was th e po we r f u l advo cacy by Au gu s ti n e o f
t h e d o ctr i n e o f th e i n d e f e asi bl e i mmo r tal i ty o f th e so u l an d
i ts l o gi cal co n s e qu e n t, th e d o ctr i n e o f Ete r n al T o r me n t i n
h e l l -f i r e , th a t wo n ge n e r al acce ptan ce i n th e Me d i e val C h u r ch ,
be co mi n g th e d o mi n a n t vi e w f o r a th o u s an d ye ar s. Bu t i t
s h o u l d be n o te d t h a t i n th i s Au gu s ti n e si mpl y br o u gh t wi th
h i m i n to C h r i s ti an i ty th e spe cu l ati o n s o f Gr e e k ph i l o so ph y
t h a t h e h ad ad o pte d i n h i s pr e -C h r i s ti an days.
I t i s al so we l l to r e me mbe r th at, be f o r e h i s co n ve r si o n to
C h r i s ti an i ty, Au gu s ti n e h ad wr i tte n a bo o k gi vi n g si xte e n
I MMORT AL-SOULI SMS HOUR OF SUPREMAC Y 1073
r e aso n s f o r th e i mmo r tal i ty o f th e so u l . So h e was al r e ad y
co mmi tte d to th i s pagan po s tu l ate before h e be came a C h r i s
ti an . C h r i s ti an Ne o pl ato n i s m si mpl y f o r me d th e br i d ge . I n
Au gu s ti n e , Immo r tal -So u l i sm r e ach e d th e h i gh -wate r mar k o f
po st-Ni ce n e ti me s. No w o bse r ve h i s pe r so n al l i f e.
I I . Au gu sti n e Sets I mmo r tal -So u l i st Pa t t e r n f o r T h o u s a n d Year s
Fi e r y A u g u s t i n e (Au r e l i u s Au gu s ti n u s ) ( a .d . 354-430),
mo st i l l u s tr i o u s o f th e L ati n Fath e r s, d o cto r o f th e ch u r ch an d
bi s h o p o f Hi ppo , was bo r n i n Nu mi d i a , No r th Af r i ca. Hi s
mo th e r was a C h r i s ti an , bu t h i s f ath e r a pagan . Af te r a t h o r
o u gh e d u cati o n at Mad au r a a n d C ar th age , i n cl u d i n g ph i l o s
o ph y, Au gu s ti n e be came a te ach e r o f r h e to r i c i n Ro me , an d
th e n Mi l an . Fr o m ad h e r e n ce to Ne o pl ato n i s m h e was co n
ve r te d to C h r i s ti an i ty u n d e r Ambr o se o f Mi l an . He th e n
br o ke wi th th e wo r l d o f h i s pr o f e ssi o n , s pe n d i n g th r e e ye ar s
i n i n te n s i ve stu d y. Fo u r ye ar s af te r h e was mad e a pr e s byte r
h e was ch o se n bi sh o p o f Hi ppo , co n ti n u i n g as su ch f o r th i r ty-
f i ve ye ar s, a n d was th e f o u n d e r o f th e Au gu s ti n i an o r d e r . Hi s
i n f l u e n ce o n th e o l o gy was i mme n se , par ti cu l ar l y u p to th e
t h i r t e e n t h ce n tu r y. (On Au gu s ti n e s ti mi n g see C h a r t F, p. 759.)
Au gu s ti n e s l i f e was cast i n a tr a n s i ti o n h o u r th e sacki n g
o f Ro me by th e Go th s, o ccu r r i n g i n th e mi d s t o f h i s e pi sco pate .
Ro me s f al l , af te r e l e ve n ce n tu r i e s o f t r i u mph a n t pr o gr e ss, l e d
man y to be l i e ve th e e n d o f th e wo r l d to be at h an d . Ro man
ci vi l i zati o n was be i n g swe pt away u n d e r th e f l o o d o f ba r ba r i a n
ad van ce . An d ch u r ch l y t h o u gh t was cr ystal l i zi n g a n d h a r d e n
i n g. Au gu s ti n e d i e d i n th e mi d s t o f th e Van d al i n vasi o n an d
th e si e ge o f Hi ppo .
1. P r o j e c t s N e w P h i l o s o p h y o f H i s t o r y . As n o te d ,
Au gu s ti n e cr e ate d a n e w ph i l o so ph y o f h i sto r y th r o u gh h i s
mo n u me n ta l th e o d i cy, De Civitate Dei (T h e C i ty o f Go d ), po r
tr ayi n g th e t r i u mph a n d r e s to r ati o n o f th e C i ty o f Go d o ve r
th e ci ty o f th e wo r l d , wh i ch l a t te r h e h e l d was d o o me d to
Su ch Sch o o l me n o f th e Mi d d l e Ages as Pe te r L o mba r d , T h o ma s Aqu i n as , a n d
Du n s Sco tu s He l p Fi n i s h th e Ete ma l -T o r me n t a n d Pu r ga t o r y Fabr i cati o n s .
d e s tr u cti o n . T h i r t e e n ye ar s we r e co n su me d i n th e wr i ti n g. As
s tate d , th i s se t f o r th a n e w co n ce pt o f h i sto r ytwo an tago n i s ti c
go ve r n me n ts , th e r e al m o f Go d a n d t h a t o f th e d e vi l . T h r o u gh
th i s po r tr ayal h e atte mpte d to e xpl ai n , th r o u gh a r e vo l u ti o n ar y
pr i n ci pl e o f i n te r pr e ta t i o n , th e h i sto r y o f Go d a n d th e ch u r ch
i n th e wo r l d .
Au gu s ti n e was a co mbi n ati o n o f pr o n o u n ce d o ppo si te s.
Hi s cl e ar po si ti o n o n si n an d gr ace came n e ar e s t o f al l th e
Fath e r s to th e po si ti o n o f Evan ge l i cal Pr o te s tan ti s m, l ate r pr o
f o u n d l y i n f l u e n ci n g Lu th e r . At f i r st an ad vo cate o f r e l i gi o u s
l i be r ty a n d o f pu r e l y s pi r i tu a l me an s o f o ppo s i n g e r r o r , Au
gu s ti n e l ate r t u r n e d to th e f atal pr i n ci pl e o f f o r ci bl e co e r ci o n
a n d ci vi l pe r s e cu ti o n , mi su si n g th e d i r e cti ve , C o mpe l th e m
to co me i n , to su ppr e ss th e Do n ati sts.
2. E v e r y t h i n g T h a t C o n f l i c t s I n t e r pr e t e d Spi r i t u a l l y .
Re pe l l e d by th e l i te r al i n te r pr e ta t i o n o f Scr i ptu r e , Au
gu s ti n e cau gh t u p th e Ph i l o n i c a n d r abbi n i ca l r u l e t h a t e ve r y
th i n g t h a t appe ar s i n co n s i s te n t wi th ch u r ch o r th o d o xy mu s t
be i n te r pr e te d s pi r i tu al l y o r mysti cal l y. An d h i s acce ptan ce
o f th e T i ch o n i a n r u l e s o f i n te r pr e ta t i o n l e d to a system th at
to tal l y bl u r r e d th e o r i gi n al sense. Un d e r Au gu s ti n e th e al l e
go r i cal me an i n g d e ge n e r ate d i n to an al te r n a ti ve d e vi ce f o r
s u ppo r ti n g e ccl e si asti ci sm, an d th e Bi bl e was e mpti e d o f si g
n i f i can ce . I t mu st, h e h e l d , al ways be i n te r pr e te d wi th r e f e r e n ce
1074
IMMORT AL-SOULI SMS HOUR OF SUPREMAC Y 1075
to ch u r ch o r th o d o xy. T h u s i t was th a t Au gu s ti n i an i s m came
l ar ge l y to mo l d th e e sch ato l o gi cal o pi n i o n s o f C h r i s te n d o m f o r
a th o u s an d ye ar s.
3. R e v o l u t i o n a r y P r i n c i p l e s o f I n t e r p r e t a t i o n . Hi s
th e o r y o f th e s pi r i tu a l , al l e go r i cal f i r st r e s u r r e cti o n l i es at
th e f o u n d ati o n o f th e Au gu s ti n i an s tr u ctu r e th e r e s u r r e cti o n
o f d e ad so u l s f r o m th e d e ath o f si n to th e l i f e o f r i gh te o u sn e ss.
As to th e mi l l e n n i u m, h e h e l d th e th o u s an d ye ar s to be a f i g
u r ati ve n u me r a l , e xpr e ssi ve o f th e wh o l e pe r i o d ti l l th e e n d
a r o u n d n u mbe r f o r an i n d e te r mi n a te ti me . Bu t th e cr u x
o f Au gu s ti n e s ar gu me n t i s th a t h e be gi n s th e mi l l e n n i u m f r o m
C h r i s ts first ad ve n t, a n d span s th e pe r i o d be twe e n th e f i r st
an d se co n d ad ve n ts. T h e y we r e al r e ad y l i vi n g, h e h e l d , i n th e
mi d s t o f i t. An d th e s to n e (C h r i st) th a t smi te s th e i mage o f
th e n ati o n s was be co mi n g a ch u r ch l y mo u n ta i n , f o r ci bl y
f i l l i n g th e wh o l e e a r th a n d br i n gi n g al l pe o pl e s i n to s u bmi s
si o n to C h r i s t.1I t was a mi l i t a n t co n ce pt. I t ch an ge d th e wh o l e
co u r se o f th e o l o gi cal th o u gh t.
So i n th e f i f th ce n tu r y th e i n f l u e n ce o f Au gu s ti n e was
po we r f u l e n o u gh to se cu r e th e d o mi n an ce f o r ce n tu r i e s pa r
ti cu l ar l y i n th e We sto f th e d o ctr i n e o f th e n a tu r a l i mmo r
tal i ty o f th e so u l , a n d th e co n s e qu e n t e te r n al l i f e o f th e s i n
n e r i n e n d l e ss mi se r y. Au gu s ti n e o n ce aske d , Wh a t si mpl e
an d i l l i te r a te man o r o bscu r e wo man t h a t do e s n o t be l i e ve
th e i mmo r tal i ty o f th e so u l a n d a f u tu r e l i f e ? a By n o w i t
was we l l -n i gh u n i ve r sal . Bu t co mmo n co n s e n t i s u n s o u n d i f
i n co n f l i ct wi th th e Wo r d .
T h e pa tt e r n was f i xed. T h e d o gma o f I mmo r tal -So u l i sm
was f i r ml y f aste n e d u po n C h r i s ti an i ty. Or th o d o xy pr e vai l e d
a n d pr e vai l e d wi th a ve n ge an ce . Fo r h u n d r e d s o f ye ar s o n l y
spo r ad i c vo i ce s o f d i sse n t we r e h e ar d . Bu t a ch an ge wo u l d
co me , as we sh al l see l ate r , i n vo l u me two .
1 Fo r th e co mpl ete evi dence on Augusti ni an i n ter pr etati o n, see L. E. Fro om, Prophetic
Faith, vol . , pp. 473-491.
2 See Augusti ne, Epi stl e 137, ch ap. 3.
Un d e r J u s t i n i a n i n a .d . 529 th e Pa ga n
T e a ch i n gs o f Wo r l d -So u l , Ema n a t i o n ,
Re s to r ati o n i s m, Du al i s m, a n d Mys ti
ci sm We r e Fo r bi d d e n .
I I I . T h e Fa t a l Fal l acy o f Majo r i ty Or th o d o xy
We h ave ju s t n o te d h o w th e o r th o d o xy o f Au gu s ti n e
tr i u mph e d , be co mi n g e n sco n ce d i n a co n tr o l l i n g po si ti o n f o r
ce n tu r i e s . Bu t i t i s al so to be r e me mbe r e d th a t th e i n vo ki n g
o f th e a u th o r i ty a n d pr e sti ge o f o r th o d o xy i s me r e l y appe al
i n g to human au th o r i ty, a n d th e d u bi o u s we i gh t o f majo r i ty
vi ew. Su ch a pr e car i o u s basi s o f f ai th i s o bvi o u sl y u n s o u n d .
Hi s to r y tr agi cal l y atte sts t h a t majo r i ti e s ar e f r e qu e n tl y
wr o n g. Se ve n te e n th -ce n tu r y An gl i can Wi l l i am C h i l l i n gwo r th
u t te r e d a tr u i s m wh e n h e sai d , T h e Bi bl e a n d th e Bi bl e o n l y
i s th e r e l i gi o n o f Pr o te s tan ts , a n d i s th e so l e f o u n d ati o n o f al l
true o r th o d o xy. T h a t was L u t h e r s pl atf o r m, an d T yn d a l e s.
I t was th e af f i r mati o n o f th e Pr o te s tan t pr i n ce s at th e Pr o te s t
o f Spi r e sa n d h as be e n o f al l s u bs e qu e n t s o u n d e van ge l i cal
Pr o te s tan ts . T h a t i s th e po si ti o n ma i n ta i n e d th r o u gh o u t th i s
pr e s e n t wo r k.
1. B i b l i c a l T r u t h Is R ec o g n i z ed i n T i m e . Hu man -
majo r i ty a u th o r i ty i s bu t s h i f ti n g san d , as th e o r th o d o xy o f
o n e ge n e r a ti o n o f te n co me s to be r e co gn i ze d as th e h e r e sy
o f a su cce e d i n g age o r vi ce ve r sa. T h e wh o l e so me d i ss e n ti e n ts
1076
IMMORT AL-SOULI SMS HOUR OF SUPREMAC Y 1077
o f th e ce n tu r i e s th e Wal d e n se s, Wycl i f f i tes, Hu ssi te s, L u
th e r an s , Re f o r me d , Bapti sts, Pi e ti sts, We sl e yan swe r e e ach , i n
t h e i r d ay o f i n i ti a l wi tn e ss, co n d e mn e d by th e i r co n te mpo r ar i e s
as h e r e ti cal , o r at l e ast as h e te r o d o x. Bu t e ach h ad a s o u n d Bi bl i
cal pr i n ci pl e to ch ampi o n , wh i ch i n ti me came to be wi d e l y
r e co gn i ze d as actu al l y o r th o d o x.
T h e s e ch ampi o n s o f C o n d i ti o n al i sm th a t we ar e tr aci n g
acr o ss th e ce n tu r i e s co n s i d e r e d th e mse l ve s as s i mi l ar l y s ta n d i n g
i n th e l i n e o f su ch d i sse n ti e n ts, wi th a pr o f o u n d co n vi cti o n th a t
th e vi ews th e y h e l d o n th e n a tu r e a n d d e sti n y o f man , th o u gh
cr i ti ci ze d a n d co n d e mn e d by man y o f th e i r co n te mpo r ar i e s as
h e r e ti ca l o r h e te r o d o x, wo u l d u l ti mate l y co me to be r e c
o gn i ze d as acce ptabl e o r at l e ast as o n e o f th e a l te r n ati ve
acce ptabl e vi ews, bo th o f wh i ch wo u l d be r e gar d e d as C h r i s
ti an , wi th o u t i n cu r r i n g th e o ppr o br i o u s e pi th e ts o f h e r e ti ca l
o r h e te r o d o x.
2. O r t h o d o x y D e t e r mi n e d by W r i t t e n W o r d . T r u e
o r th o d o xy i s r i gh t t h i n ki n g a bo u t C h r i s ti an t r u t h . An d n o
th i n ki n g can be tr u l y r i gh t th a t i s n o t i n acco r d an ce wi th th e
Wr i t t e n Wo r d . Mo r e o ve r , o r th o d o xy h as u su al l y be e n r e l a
ti ve , a n d th e r e f o r e d e f e cti ve d e te r mi n e d by me n s pa r ti al
kn o wl e d ge o f th e t r u t h . T h e Ph ar i se e s i n C h r i s ts d ay cl ai me d
to be pr e -e mi n e n tl y o r th o d o x, a n d i n t h e i r smu g co mpl a
ce n cy co n d e mn e d th e Savi o u r o f th e wo r l d th e Pe r so n i f i cati o n
o f T r u t h . T h e Gr e e k C ath o l i c C h u r ch i n co r po r ate s th e te r m
Or t h o d o x i n to h e r n ame . An d th e Ro man C ath o l i c C h u r ch
i mpe r i o u s l y i n si sts th a t sh e al o n e i s o r th o d o x. Obvi o u sl y, n o t
al l su ch assu mpti o n s can be r i gh t.
I n Pr o te s tan ti s m, L u t h e r a n sch o l ar s cl ai me d ad h e r e n ce to
pu r e d o ctr i n e , a n d i n th e n ame o f o r th o d o xy mad e war u po n
th e vi tal pi e ty o f s e ve n te e n th -ce n tu r y Spe n e r an d th e Pi e ti sts.
An d i n th e n ame o f o r th o d o xy Re f o r me d sch o l asti cs d i vi d e d
th e ch u r ch i n to h o sti l e camps. Or th o d o xi s m assume s to pr e -e mpt
th e t r u t h , an d i s u n wi l l i n g to l e ar n o r co n ce d e . Al l to o o f te n
i t i s h au gh ty a n d ar r o ga n t, assu mi n g th e d i vi n e pr e r o gati ve s
o f i n f a l l i bi l i ty a n d i n e r r an cya n d al l to o co mmo n l y h a ti n g
al l t r u t h wi th wh i ch i t i s u n f ami l i ar .
Ne ve r th e l e ss, th e o r th o d o xy o f Au gu s ti n e s I mmo r tal -
So u l i sm a n d Ete r n a l T o r me n t was d e s ti n e d to pr e vai l f o r a
t h o u s an d ye ar s. Er r o r was e n tr e n ch e d an d r i d i n g h i gh . Al l
o ppo se r s we r e u n d e r th e ban a n d we r e l ar ge l y d r i ve n u n d e r
gr o u n d to th e caves, th e se cl u d e d val l eys, th e mo u n ta i n f ast
nesses, to d i s ta n t l an d s. T h e y we r e co mpe l l e d to use gu e r i l l a
tacti cs to ke e p th e C o n d i ti o n al i s t t r u t h al i ve . Bu t i n s pi r i n g
e pi cs we r e to f o l l o w, i n Re f o r mati o n an d Po s t-Re f o r mati o n
ti me s, i n th e u n r e mi tt i n g co n f l i ct o ve r l i f e , d e ath , a n d d e sti n y.
3. T r u t h C r u s h ed t o E a r t h Spr i n g s F o r t h A g a i n .
Af te r th e l e n gth e n i n g sh ad e s o f n i gh t h ad f al l e n , a n d d e e pe st
mi d n i gh t wi th i ts o ppr e ssi ve si l e n ce s h ad co me , th e e ar l y gl o w
o f a n e w d ay pi e r ce s th e d ar kn e ss. Br i gh te r an d br i gh te r i t
be co me s, u n t i l th e f u l l o r b o f n o o n ti d e r e ve al s f ar mo r e th an
a me r e r e s to r ati o n o f th e i n t e r r u pt e d te sti mo n y o f C o n d i ti o n
al i s t wi tnesse s. Mo u n ti n g i n n u mbe r an d o f i mpo si n g pr o m
i n e n ce , a gr o wi n g gr o u p o f s tal war t ch ampi o n s br i n gs th e
te s ti mo n y o f C o n d i ti o n al i s m to th e f o r e f r o n t as n e ve r be f o r e ,
f i r st i n th e Ol d Wo r l d an d th e n i n th e Ne wan d o u t to th e
e n d s o f th e e ar th . An d th e y ad van ce i n t h e i r u n d e r s ta n d i n g
o f th e tr u t h .
T r u t h o n th e n a tu r e a n d d e sti n y o f man , cr u s h e d to e ar th ,
was bo u n d to r i se agai n . An d r i se i t d i d . De spi te th e cr u s h i n g
d o mi n an ce o f th e T e r tu l l i a n -Au gu s ti n i a n Sch o o l th r o u gh o u t
th e me d i e val ce n tu r i e s , me n o f s o u n d tr a i n i n g a n d po we r f u l
co n vi cti o n be gan to spe ak f o r th agai n . T h e te sti mo n y o f th e
C o n d i ti o n a l i s t Sch o o l was o n ce mo r e h e ar d i n e ve r -gr o wi n g
vo i ce th o u gh a t f i r st u n d e r s h ar p r i d i cu l e a n d d u r e ss. Str o n g
me n so me ti me s we n t to pr i so n f o r t h e i r f ai th an d , i n i n stan ce s,
e ve n to d e ath . Bu t th a t to o wo u l d pass.
T r u t h co u l d n o t f o r e ve r be r e pr e sse d , a n d i ts ad vo cate s
bo r e t h e i r wi tn e ss i n e ve r -i n cr e asi n g n u mbe r s a n d ever-
wi d e n i n g ci r cl e s. T h e vi r i l e seeds o f C o n d i ti o n al i s m, pl an te d
d u r i n g th e an te -Ni ce n e days o f J u s ti n Mar tyr a n d I r e n ae u s
I MMORT AL-SOULI SMS HOUR OF SUPREMAC Y 1079
a n d th e po st-Ni ce n e ti me s o f Ar n o bi u s a n d Lactan ti u s , s pr an g
f o r th a n d yi e l d e d t h e i r d e s ti n e d h ar ve st. Wi t h th i s br i e f pr e
vi e w o f th i n gs to co me , we cl o se th i s vo l u me . T h e sto r y o f th e
s u bs e qu e n t ce n tu r i e s i s th e th e me a n d sco pe o f vo l u me two .
Appendi xes
APPENDI X A
Re l a ti o n Be twe e n L ate J e wi sh L i te r a tu r e an d Ear l y C h r i s ti an Fath e r s
(I am i ndebted to Dr . Earl e Hi l ger t, prof essor of New T estament, of Andr ews Uni ve r
si ty, f or suggesti ng th i s i mpo r tant co nnecti ng l i nk; o r bri dge, between th e l ater i nter -T estament
wri ti ngs of th e J ews and th e earl i est patr i sti c C h r i sti an wri ti ngs o f th e second ce ntur y a .d . I t is
based upon th e most r ecent f i ndi ngs, and sheds val uabl e l i gh t on th ese rel ati o nsh i ps. I t was
speci f h cal l y pr epar ed by Dr . Hi l ger t f o r i nserti on h er e.L. E. F.)
Si nce th e d i sco ver y o f th e De ad Sea scrol l s, n e w l i gh t h as be e n sh e d o n
th e r e l a ti o n o f ce r tai n patr i sti c wr i ti n gs o f th e se co n d ce n tu r y a .d . to th e
wr i ti n gs o f l ate J u d ai s m a ppe ar i n g sh o r tl y be f o r e th e C h r i sti an Er a. Pr e
l i mi n ar y wo r k i n th i s d i r e cti o n was d o n e as e ar l y at 1930 by Dr . Oscar
C u l l man n ,1th e n o f Str asbo u r g, wh o saw i n th e Pr e ach i n g o f Pe te r (th e
e ar l i e st s tr atu m o f mate r i al i n th e Pse u d o -C l e me n ti n e l i te r atu r e ), a J e wi sh -
C h r i sti an d o cu me n t, th e r o o ts o f wh i ch co u l d be tr ace d to a ki n d o f J e wi sh
Gn o sti ci sm. H. J . Sch o eps,2wr i ti n g i n 1948, co n cl u d e d th a t th e Ebi o n i te s (a
J e wi sh -C h r i sti an gr o u p i n th e se co n d ce n tu r y a .d . wh o r e co gn i ze d J e su s
as pr o ph e t o r Me ssi ah bu t n o t as So n o f Go d ) h ad gr o wn o u t o f th e Essenes.
I n 1952 a n d 1953, af te r th e pu bl i cati o n o f th e f i rst o f th e De ad Sea
scrol l s, th e Do mi n i can sch o l ar J e an -Pau l A u d e t 3d e mo n str ate d a n u mbe r
o f i mpo r ta n t par al l e l s be twe e n th e Manual of Discipline f r o m Qu mr an , o n
th e o n e h a n d , an d th e e ar l y C h r i sti an Epistle of Barnabas, th e Didache,
th e Doctrina XIII. Apostolorum* an d th e Shepherd of Hermas o n th e
o th e r . Au d e t co n cl u d e d th a t al l o f th e se e ar l y C h r i sti an wr i te r s u l ti mate l y
d e r i ve d i mpo r ta n t f e atu r e s o f th e i r th o u gh t an d e xpr e ssi o n f r o m th e
Manual of Discipline. Al so i n 1953, M. d e J o n ge pu bl i s h e d a stu d y o f th e
Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs.5
T h i s wo r k, h i th e r to ge n e r al l y co n si d e r e d to be a pr e -C h r i sti an J e wi sh
d o cu me n t wi th C h r i s ti an i n te r po l ati o n , was r e -e val u ate d by De J o n ge as
J e wi sh -C h r i sti an , a n d d ate d i n th e se co n d ce n tu r y. Su bse qu e n tl y a n u m
be r o f sch o l ar s h ave agr e e d wi th th i s co n cl u si o n ,8 par ti cu l ar l y i n asmu ch
1 Le problme littraire et historique du roman pseudo-clmentin. tude sur le rapport
entre le gnosticisme et le judo-christianisme, Par i s, 1930.
2 Theologie und Geschichte des Judenchristentums, T bi ngen, 1949.
3 Af f i ni ts l i ttrai r es et do ctri nal es du Manuel de Di sci pl i ne. Revue Biblique, 59
(1952), 219-238; 60 (1953], 41-82.
4 Publ i sh ed by J . Sch l ech t, Fre i burg i . B.. 1900.
6 The Testaments of the XII Patriarchs. Assen, 1953.
8 J . T . Mi l l i k i n Revue Biblique, 62 (1955), p_. 298; J . Dani l ou, Thologie du Judo-
Christianisme, T o u r n ai , 1958, p. 24. However , di ssenti ng vi ews h ave been expressed by K. G.
Ku h n, Di e bei den Messi as Aarons und Isr ael s, New Testament Studies 1 (1955), pp. 171f f .;
and A. S. van d e r Woude, Die messianischen Vorstellungen der Gemeinde von Qumrn, Assen,
1957, p. 215. De J onge h as si nce modi f i ed h i s vi ew, h ol di ng th at wh i l e th e Testaments may be
ori gi nal l y J ewi sh , th ey under went at any r ate a th or ough goi ng C h r i sti an r edacti o n (C h r i sti an
1081
as a T e s tame n t o f Le vi i n Ar amai c an d a T e s tame n t o f Naph ta l i i n He br e w
h ave be e n d i sco ve r e d at Qu mr an d o cu me n ts th a t a ppe ar to be th e basi s
f o r th e Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs as th e y n o w stan d . T h u s
an o th e r co n n e cti o n be twe e n th e De ad Sea scro l l s an d th e C h r i sti an l i t e r a
tu r e o f th e se co n d ce n tu r y seems to h ave be e n di sco ve r e d .
I n 1954 Le o n h ar d Go ppe l t pu bl i s h e d a stu d y o f th e r e l ati o n s be twe e n
J u d ai s m an d e ar l y C h r i sti an i ty,7i n wh i ch h e po i n te d o u t th a t C h r i s ti an i ty,
u n t i l th e mi d d l e o f th e se co n d ce n tu r y, r e mai n e d e sse n ti al l y J e wi sh i n i ts
str u ctu r e . T h i s do e s n o t necessar i l y me an J e wi sh i n th e sense o f th e
e xtr e me l e gal i sm wi th wh i ch Pau l co n te n d e d , bu t J e wi sh i n th e l ar ge r
sense th a t th e C h r i s ti an C h u r ch o f th i s pe r i o d co n ti n u e d to e xpr e ss i tse l f
i n J e wi sh th o u gh t f o r ms.8Go ppe l t n o te s, f o r i n stan ce , th a t bo th 1 a n d 2
C l e me n t, an d He r mas, sense n o r e al br e ak wi th J u d ai sm; th e i r vi e w o f
C h r i s ti an i ty i s n o t t h a t i t h as co me o u t o f J u d ai sm; r ath e r , th e y see th e
ch u r ch as mad e u p o f th e r i gh te o u s bo th be f o r e an d af te r C h r i st, so th a t
Christianity is a continuance of Judaism.9
I n th e same ye ar C u l l man n br o u gh t h i s pr e vi o u s stu d y u p to d ate i n
th e l i gh t o f th e De ad Sea d i sco ver i e s by pr o po si n g th a t d i e Qu mr an sect
mu s t h ave be e n abso r be d i n to th e type o f J e wi sh C h r i sti an i ty r e pr e s e n te d
i n th e Pse u d o -C l e me n ti n e l i te r atu r e .10
Mo st r e ce n tl y th e Fr e n ch J e s u i t sch o l ar J e an Da n i d o u h as pu b
l i sh e d a f ul l -scal e th e o l o gy o f J e wi sh C h r i sti an i ty.11 He r e h e r eco gni ze s a
n u mbe r o f wo r ks as J e wi sh -C h r i sti an wh i ch wer e th o u gh t i n th e past to be
l a te J e wi sh : 2 ("Slavonic) Enoch, th e Testaments of the Twelve Patri
archs, a n d th e Ascension of Isaiah. He n o te s th a t each o f th e se i s cl o sel y
r e l a te d to an au th e n ti cal l y J e wi sh wo r k2 Enoch to 1 ("Ethiopic) Enoch
(par ts o f wh i ch h ave be e n f o u n d at Qu mr an ), th e Testaments to Jubilees
(al so f o u n d at Qu mr an ), an d th e Ascension to th e sto r i e s o f th e ma r tyr
d o ms o f th e pr o ph e ts .12Dan i ^l o u al so i d e n ti f i e s vi r tu al l y al l o f th e C h r i s ti an
wr i te r s be f o r e a . d . 150 as J e wi sh -C h r i sti an : 1 Clement, Barnabas, Didache,
I gn ati u s , He r mas, as wel l as th e Pse u d o -C l e me n ti n e l i te r atu r e an d a n u mbe r
o f apo cr yph al go spel s.
Al l o f th i s e vi d e n ce suggests a n e w e val u ati o n o f th e i mpo r tan ce
o f J e wi sh -C h r i sti an i ty i n e ar l y C h r i sti an h i sto r y. T h e C h u r ch Fath e r s o f th e
f i r st h al f o f th e se co n d ce n tu r y sto o d i n cl ose r e l ati o n s h i p to , an d o f te n
u n d e r th e i n f l u e n ce of , l ate J e wi sh l i te r atu r e an d th o u gh t patte r n s . T h e
l i n e s o f r a ppo r t be twe e n th e m an d th e De ad Sea scr o l l s appe ar to be
e spe ci al l y mar ke d .
I n vi e w o f th e se a ppa r e n t r e l ati o n sh i ps, th e f act t h a t e sse n ti al l y
Inf l uence i n th e T estaments of th e T wel ve Patr i ar ch s, Novum Testamentum 4 (1960), p. 197;
see al so hi s T h e T estaments of th e T wel ve Patr i arch s and th e New T e stame n t, i n K.. Al and
e t al ., eds., Studia Evangelica, Berl i n, 1958).
7 Christentum und Judentum im ersten und zweiten Jahrundert, Gtersl oh , 1954.
8 J u st h ow br oad J udai sm of th i s peri od coul d become h as been ampl y demo nstr ated
by E. R. Goo denough , Jewish Symbols, 6 vol s., New York, 1953 f f .
Ibid., p. 238.
10 Di e neuentdeckten Qumr antexte und das J ude nch ri stentum de r Pseudo kl ementi nen,
Neutestamentliche Studien fr Rudolf Bultmann, Berl i n, 1954, pp. 35f .
11 Dani el o u, ob. cit.
Ibid., p. 21.
APPENDIXES 1083
th e same vi e w i n r e gar d to th e n o n i mmo r tal i ty o f th e so ul o ccur s i n a
n u mbe r o f l ate J e wi sh wo rks, i n cl u d i n g th e De ad Sea scro l l s, an d i n th e
Apo sto l i c Fath e r s, wo u l d seem to h ave ad d e d si gni f i cance. I t wo u l d , o f
co ur se , be to o mu ch to cl ai m th a t th i s vi ew was ch ar acte r i sti c o f al l
J e wi sh -C h r i sti an th o u gh t, as we h ave se e n , f o r i n stan ce , th a t th e Pseudo-
Clementines an d Slavonic Enoch l o o k u po n th e qu e s ti o n o th e r wi se .
J e wi sh -C h r i sti an i ty appe ar s to h ave be e n n o mo r e u n an i mo u s i n th i s r e gar d
th a n was J u d ai sm. Bu t th e ge n e r al tr e n d o f J e wi sh -C h r i sti an th o u gh t seems
to h ave be e n to war d th e vi e w th a t th e so ul was me r e l y mo r tal . T h i s f act
may i n d i cate o n e mo r e l i n k be twe e n th e Apo sto l i c Fath e r s an d l ate J u d a
i sm, an d mo r e par ti cu l ar l y wi th th e De ad Sea scro l l s.
E a r l e H i l g e r t
A PPENDI X B
C o n te n ti o n o f I r e n ae u s T wo Appar e n t C o n tr ad i cti o n s C o l l apse s
So me te n aci o u sl y cl ai m th a t Ir e n ae u s, i n two i n stan ce s i n h i s f i ve-bo o k
T r e ati s e , te ach e s th e i n h e r e n t i mmo r tal i ty o f th e so ul . Bu t we be l i e ve th a t
th i s co n te n ti o n i s n o t val i d , an d r e je ct th e cl ai m f o r th e f o l l o wi n g r e aso n s:
F i r s t , d o u bt can ju stl y be th r o wn u po n th e accur acy o f so me o f th e
tr an s l ate d ph r ase s (f r o m Gr e e k to Lati n , th e n f r o m Lati n to En gl i sh ), th e
Lati n tr an s l ati o n be i n g mad e at a pe r i o d wh e n th e Au gu sti n i an th e si s was
d o mi n a n t i n th e ch u r ch . Bi sh o p A. C . C o xe , r e vi se r o f th e En gl i sh tr an s l a
ti o n , wh o f u r n i s h e d th e I n tr o d u cti o n an d No te s f o r th e s tan d ar d Ro be r ts
a n d Do n al d s o n ANF tr an s l ati o n , qu o te s th e tr an sl ato r s as sayi ng th a t th e
e xact me an i n g o f th e te xt, bo th Lati n an d Gr e e k, i s o f te n mo st u n ce r ta i n ;
a n d th a t o n e o f th e di f f i cul ti es th r o u gh o u t, h as be e n to f i x th e r e ad i n g
we sh o u l d a d o pt. I r e n ae u s styl e i s o f te n i n vo l ve d an d pr o l i x. 1 An d
th e tr an sl ato r s e ve n state th a t so me o f I r e n ae u s di scussi o ns may seem
al mo st u n i n te l l i gi bl e to th e En gl i sh r e ad e r , an d scarcel y mo r e co mpr e
h e n s i bl e to th o se wh o h ave po n d e r e d l o n g o n th e o r i gi n al .
I t i s co n se qu e n tl y o bvi o u s th a t to o mu ch r e l i an ce can n o t be pl ace d
o n th e te ch n i cal wo r d i n g o f th e se two par ti cu l a r passages th a t a ppe ar to
be i n co n f l i ct wi th th e r e st. De pe n d e n ce mu st be pl ace d r a th e r o n th e
co mpl e te , cu mu l ati ve te sti mo n y o f I r e n ae u s o n th e su bje ctth e to tal
e vi d e n ce . On l y th a t can be d e te r mi n ati ve .
Se c o n d , i t i s i l l o gi cal an d u n sch o l ar l y to i n si st th a t two isolated ex
pressions, at l e ast so tr an sl ate d , appa r e n tl y af f i r mi ng u n co n d i ti o n al i mmo r
tal i ty, sh o u l d n u l l i f y two score of positive statements, co n si sti n g o f se ve r al
d i sti n ct an d co mpl e te l i n e s o f e vi d e n ce , cu mu l ati ve l y e stabl i sh i n g C o n d i
1A. C l e ve l an d C o xe, I n tr o d u cto r y No te to I r e n ae u s, Against Heresies, i n ANF , vo l . 1,
pp. 311, 312.
1084 C ONDI T I ONALI ST FAI T H
ti o n al Immo r tal i ty as h i s pr e po n d e r a n t po si ti o n . Fr o m th e massed e vi
d e n ce we h ave ju s t e xami n e d , i t i s o bvi o u s th a t I r e n ae u s e mph ati cal l y d i d
not be l i e ve th a t man h as a n e ve r -d yi n g so ul , d e spi te th e r e l u ctan ce o f so me
to co n ce d e th e f acts. De an Far r a r r i gh tl y says, co n ce r n i n g I r e n ae u s te sti
mo n y, "T h e sense o f twel ve, o r an y n u mbe r o f vague passages i s to be e x
pl ai n e d by o n e d e f i n i te passage; n o t i t by th e m. 2
T h i r d , i n asmu ch as Ir e n ae u s, wi th gr e at f ul l ne ss, f r e qu e n cy, an d
var i e d f o r ms o f e xpr e ssi o n , tau gh t th at man i s not i n n ate l y an d i n d e f e as-
i bl y i mmo r tal acco r d i n g to d i vi n e pu r po se , wo u l d i t n o t be amazi n g i f i n
th e f i ve par ts o f th e o n e si ngl e tr e ati se Bi sh o p I r e n ae u s sh o u l d , wi th th e
same pe n , ma i n ta i n th at th e wi cke d wer e doomed to everlasting suffering
wh e n h e h ad al r e ad y r e pe ate d l y d e cl ar e d th a t such wer e cut off from any
chance of everlasting existence? Yet th i s i s wh at so me cl ai m f o r h i m. Bu t we
af f i rm th at, agai n st th e se two mo st d u bi o u s e xpr e ssi o n s, th e r e i s a mu l t i
pl i ci ty o f d e te r mi n ati ve e vi d e n ce to th e co n tr ar y.
F o u r t h , th e d ati n g o f h i s tr e ati se makes th e co n te n ti o n mo st u n l i ke l y
th a t I r e n ae u s i n Gau l wo u l d h ave d e cl ar e d th e so u l to be i mmo r tal . As
n o te d , h i s tr e ati se was e vi d e n tl y wr i tte n so o n af te r a .d . 180, an d n o t l a te r
th a n 188. Bu t such a d e cl ar ati o n o n Immo r tal -So u l i sm, at th a t ti me , loould
have made him the pioneer herald of a revolutionary concept of the
soul that had not yet been publicly set forth. I t was n o t u n ti l Ath e n ago r as
o f Ath e n s (190), C l e me n t o f Al e xan d r i a (220), Mi n u ci u s Fe l i x o f Af r i ca
(220), an d e spe ci al l y T e r t u l l i a n o f C ar th age (240), th a t th i s co n ce pt was
br o u gh t i n to be i n g i n Christian r an ks.
1. F i r s t C a s e C o l l a ps e s U n d er Sc r u t i n y .No te th e two passages i n
th e ANF tr an s l ati o n . Bo th ar e i n bo o k f i ve. T h e f i rst i s d i r e cte d agai n st
th e Gn o sti c co n te n ti o n th at th e De mi u r ge h ad n o t th e po we r to besto w
i mmo r tal i ty. An d i n th e co n te xt I r e n ae u s r e mar ks th a t th i n gs wh i ch ar e by
n atu r e i mmo r tal n e e d n o ki n d l y h e l p i n o r d e r to l i ve f o r e ve r . T h e f i rst
pe r pl e xi n g passage i s i n ch apte r f o u r , wh i ch o pe n s wi d i r e f e r e n ce to
th o se pe r so n s [Gn o sti cs] wh o f e i gn t h e e xi s te n ce o f a n o th e r Fa t h e r be yo n d th e
C r e a to r [th e De mi u r ge ], a n d wh o te r m h i m th e go o d Go d , d o d e ce i ve th e mse l ve s;
f o r th e y i n tr o d u ce h i m as a f e e bl e , wo r th l e ss, a n d n e gl i ge n t be i n g, n o t to say
mal i gn a n d f u l l o f e n vy, i n as mu ch as th e y ai Fi rm t h a t o u r bo d i e s ar e n o t
qu i cke n e d by h i m. Fo r wh e n they say o f t h i n gs wh i ch i t i s man i f e s t to al l d o
remain immortal, su ch as th e s pi r i t a n d t h e so u l , a n d su ch o t h e r th i n gs , t h a t
th e y a r e qu i cke n e d by th e Fa th e r , bu t t h a t a n o t h e r t h i n g [vi z., th e bo d y] wh i ch
i s qu i cke n e d i n n o d i f f e r e n t ma n n e r t h a n by Go d gr a n ti n g [l i f e] to i t, i s
a ba n d o n e d by l i f e ,[th e y mu s t e i t h e r co nf ess] t h a t t h i s pr o ve s t h e i r Fa t h e r to
be we ak a n d po we r l e ss, o r e l se e n vi o u s a n d ma l i gn a n t . 3
Bu t th e d e te r mi n ati ve they say cl e ar l y pu ts th e co n te n ti o n o n th e
l i ps o f th e Gn o sti cs, an d of f th e sh o u l d e r s o f Ir e n ae u s. He d e n i e d th e i r
f al se an d sl an d e r o u s po si ti o n r e gar d i n g th e C r e ato r , an d th e i r al l e gati o n as
to Hi s i mpo te n ce an d mal i gn i ty. I n a sco r e o f pl ace s I r e n ae u s d e cl ar e s
th a t C h r i st i s o mn i po te n t, Utat He i s C r e ato r an d Re d e e me r , an d the
2Far r ar , Mercy and Judgment, p. 238.
3Irenaeus, Against Heresies, book 5, ch ap. 4, sec. 1, i n ANF, vol . 1, p. 530. (Brackets
i n o r i gi nal ; i tal i cs suppl i ed.)
APPENDIXES
1085
Bestower of immortality on the righteous o n l y a t th e r e su r r e cti o n . T h u s
case n u mbe r o n e co l l apses.
Af te r th i s i n tr o d u cti o n I r e n ae u s co mme n ts f u r th e r :
Fo r si n ce t h e [tr u e ] C r e a to r [C h r i st] d o e s e ve n h e r e qu i cke n [make al i ve ]
o u r mo r ta l bo d i e s, a n d pr o mi s e s th e m r e s u r r e cti o n by th e pr o ph e ts , as I h ave
po i n t e d o u t; wh o [i n t h a t case] i s sh o wn to be mo r e po we r f u l , s tr o n ge r , o r tr u l y
go o d ? Wh e t h e r i s i t t h e C r e a t o r wh o vi vi f i e s t h e wh o l e man , o r i s i t t h e i r Fa t h e r ,
f al se l y so cal l e d ? Fi e [th e Gn o s ti c De mi u r ge ] f e i gn s to be t h e qu i cke n e r o f th o se
t h i n gs wh i ch a r e immortal by nature, to wh i ch th i n gs l i f e i s al ways pr e s e n t by
t h e i r ve r y n a tu r e ; bu t h e d o e s n o t be n e vo l e n tl y qu i cke n th o se th i n gs wh i ch r e
qu i r e d h i s assi stan ce , t h a t th e y mi gh t l i ve , bu t l e ave s th e m car e l e ssl y to f al l
u n d e r t h e po we r o f d e a th . Wh e t h e r i s i t t h e case, t h e n , t h a t t h e i r Fa t h e r d o e s
n o t be sto w l i f e u po n th e m wh e n h e h as t h e po we r o f so d o i n g, o r i s i t t h a t h e
d o e s n o t po ssess t h e po we r ? 4
I r e n ae u s i s si mpl y co n ti n u i n g to e xpo se th e f al si ty o f th e i r co n te n ti o n
o n th e i mpo te n t De mi u r ge . T o i mpu te th e i r f al se po si ti o n to Ir e n ae u s,
wh o i s d e n yi n g an d o ppo si n g i t, i s a gr ave i n ju sti ce , f o r Ir e n ae u s d i d not
so bel i eve . I r e n ae u s i s h e r e ar gu i n g agai n st a f al se Gn o sti c d i s ti n cti o n
be twe e n pe r so n s i n th e Go d h e ad a po wer l e ss De mi u r ge -C r e ato r an d th e
Go o d Fa th e r an d th e i r ar bi tr ar y an d f al se ar gu me n t agai n st th o se
f l esh l y an d an i mal so ul s wh o h ave n o po ssi bl e h o pe o f sal vati o n an d i m
mo r tal i ty. Bu t Go d mad e al l so ul s for e te r n al l i f e. I t i s u n r e pe n ta n t si n
n e r s wh o d e pr i ve th e mse l ves o f th a t gr e at bo o n . T h i s co n te n ti o n i s bo r n e
o u t by th e r e mai n d e r o f th e ch apte r .
2. Se c o n d C a s e M e r e l y St a t e s G n o s t i c P o s i t i o n .T h e o th e r case,
i n ch a pte r seven, spe aks o f th e r e su r r e cti o n . T h e passage sh ows th a t h e
cal l s th e so ul i mmo r tal , n o t abso l u te l y bu t i n co mpar i so n o r co n tr ast wi th
th e bo d y, wh i ch d i e s an d i s di sso l ved. Bu t n o t so wi th th e so ul , o r spi r i t.
I r e n ae u s appa r e n tl y r e gar d e d d e ath as a pr o ce ss o f d i sso l u ti o n f o r th e
mate r i al bo d y, whereas the soul merely comes to an end. No w n o te th e
i n tr o d u cto r y ph r asi n g:
I n t h e same ma n n e r , th e r e f o r e , as C h r i s t d i d r i se i n t h e s u bs ta n ce o f f l esh ,
a n d po i n te d o u t to Hi s d i sci pl e s t h e ma r k o f th e n ai l s a n d th e o pe n i n g i n Hi s
s i d e (n o w th e s e a r e th e to ke n s o f t h a t f l e sh wh i ch r o se f r o m th e d e ad ), so s h a l l
He al s o , i t i s sai d , r ai s e u s u p by Hi s o wn po we r . An d a gai n to t h e Ro ma n s h e
says, Bu t i f th e Spi r i t o f Hi m t h a t r ai s e d u p J e su s f r o m t h e d e ad d we l l i n yo u ,
He t h a t r ai s e d u p C h r i s t f r o m t h e d e ad s h al l al so qu i cke n yo u r mo r ta l bo d i e s . B
T h e n co mes th e cr u ci al passage, d i sti n gu i sh i n g be twe e n bo d y an d so ul ,
an d th e br e ath o f l i f e ":
Wh a t, t h e n , a r e mo r ta l bo d i e s? C an th e y be so ul s? Nay, f o r so u l s ar e i n
co r po r e a l w'h e n pu t i n co mpar i s o n wi th mo r ta l bo d i e s; f o r Go d br e a t h e d i n to
t h e f ace o f man t h e br e a t h o f l i f e , a n d ma n be came a l i vi n g s o u l . No w th e
n o r to t h e s pi r i t, f o r t h e s pi r i t i s si mpl e a n d n o t co mpo s i te , so t h a t i t ca n n o t
ma i n t a i n t h a t th e ve r y br e a t h o f l i f e i s mo r ta l . T h e r e f o r e Davi d says, My so u l
al so s h a l l l i ve to Hi m, just as if i ts s u bs ta n ce we r e i mmo r t a l . a
He r e agai n I r e n ae u s i s ar gu i n g co n ce r n i n g Gn o sti c co n te n ti o n s,
4Ibid. (Br ackets i n o r i gi n al ; i tal i cs s u ppl i e d .)
6I bid., ch ap. 7, sec. 1. p. 532.
6Ib id. , pp. 532, 533. (i tal i cs su ppl i e d .)
"just as if th e y wer e so. Bu t th a t i s a f ar cr y f r o m asse n ti n g to th e i r th e si s
o f th e I n n a te Immo r tal i ty o f th e s pi r i tu a l .
T h i s d i s ti n cti o n h e d e ve l o ps i n th i s f u r th e r co mme n t:
"Ne i th e r , o n th e o t h e r h a n d , can th e y say t h a t t h e s pi r i t i s t h e mo r ta l bo d y.
Wh a t t h e r e f o r e i s t h e r e l e f t to wh i ch we may a ppl y th e te r m mo r ta l bo d y,
u n l e s s i t be th e t h i n g t h a t was mo u l d e d , t h a t i s, t h e f l esh , o f wh i ch i t i s al so sai d
t h a t Go d wi l l vi vi f y i t? Fo r th i s i t i s wh i ch d i e s a n d i s d e co mpo se d , bu t n o t th e
so u l o r t h e s pi r i t. Fo r to d i e i s to l o se vi ta l po we r , a n d to be co me h e n ce f o r th
br e ath l e s s , i n a n i ma te , a n d d e vo i d o f mo ti o n , a n d to me l t away i n to th o se
[co mpo n e n t pa r ts ] f r o m wh i ch al so i t d e r i ve d t h e co mme n ce me n t o f [i ts] s u b
stan ce . Bu t th i s e ve n t h a ppe n s n e i t h e r to t h e so u l , f o r i t i s t h e br e a t h o f l i f e ;
n o r to th e s pi r i t, f o r t h e s pi r i t i s s i mpl e a n d n o t co mpo si te , so t h a t i t ca n n o t
be d e co mpo se d , a n d i s i ts e l f th e l i f e o f th o se wh o r e ce i ve i t. We musi t th e r e f o r e
co n cl u d e t h a t i t i s i n r e f e r e n ce to t h e f l esh t h a t d e a t h i s me n ti o n e d ; wh i ch [f l esh ],
a f t e r t h e s o u l s d e pa r t u r e , be co me s br e ath l e s s a n d i n a n i ma te , a n d i s d e co mpo se d
gr a d u a l l y i n t o t h e e a r t h f r o m wh i ch i t was take n . T h i s , t h e n , i s wh a t i s mo r t a l . 7
I r e n ae u s i s th e r e f o r e h e r e f u r th e r ar gu i n g agai n st th e Gn o sti cs wh o ,
h e h as state d , d e r i ve d th e i r pr i n ci pl e s f r o m Pl ato an d o th e r pagan so ur ce s
as r e gar d s th e so ul . Such h e l d th a t so ul s co u l d be i mmo r tal i ze d o n l y i f
u n cr e ate d , f o r i f th e y h ad a be gi n n i n g th e y mu st d i e , o r cease wi th th e bo d y.
Ir e n ae u s h as co n si ste n tl y mai n tai n e d th a t absolute i mmo r tal i ty i s possessed
o n l y by Go d . T o al l o th e r be i n gs bo th th e i r commencement an d th e i r
continuance d e pe n d s e n ti r e l y o n Go d . T h a t i s, th e wi l l o f Go d mu st
o r i gi n ate an d d e te r mi n e al l th i n gs.
So I r e n ae u s co n si ste n tl y pr o te sts th e Gn o sti c th e o r y o f a n a tu r a l an d
necessar y i mmo r tal i ty o f al l s pi r i tu a l so ul s, i n d e pe n d e n tl y o f th e d i vi n e
wi l l , ye t acce pti n g as Go d s pu r po s e th e mai n te n an ce o f al l r e spo n si ve so ul s
i n e n d l e ss be i n g. Yet so me h ave str an ge l y an d f al l aci o u sl y cl ai me d th a t
I r e n ae u s i s, i n th e se passages, ar gu i n g i n f avo r o f Pl ato s u n i ve r sal I n n ate -
I mmo r tal i ty th esi s. Bu t such i s man i f e stl y u n tr u e . He co n si ste n tl y cl ai me d
i mmo r tal i ty to be th e pe cu l i ar bi r th r i gh t o n l y o f th e r i gh te o u s r e d e e me d .
3. I r e n a e u s U n q u e s t i o n a b l y T a u g h t C o n d i t i o n a l i s m.I t i s th e r e
f o r e cl e ar l y a n d e mph ati cal l y e vi d e n t th at, acco r d i n g to Ir e n ae u s, th e l o ve r
o f th e wo r l d wi l l lose h i s so ul ; th a t such wi l l Go d destroy, bo th bo d y an d
so ul ; th at u n qu e n ch abl e f i re wi l l burn up th e ch af f ; th a t th e wi cke d go i n to
th e e ve r l asti n g (aionion) f i re, an d u n d e r go e ve r l asti n g pu n i sh me n t, wh o m
I r e n ae u s h ad by al mo st eve r y f o r m o f spe ech d e cl ar e d to be u tte r l y be r e f t
o f i mmo r tal i ty an d co n ti n u an ce . He tau gh t th a t e ve r l asti n g pu n i s h me n t
me an s e ve r l asti n g d e s tr u cti o n an d ce ssati o n o f be i n g, an d th a t f i re i s th e
i n s tr u me n t o f th a t d e s tr u cti o n f o r to be d e pr i ve d o f th e be n e f i t o f e xi st
e n ce i s a pu n i s h me n t; an d to be f o r e ve r d e pr i ve d o f i t i s to suf f er an e te r n al
pu n i s h me n t. So, i n o ppo si ti o n to th e Gn o sti cs an d o th e r ki n d r e d h e r e ti cs,
I r e n ae u s d e cl ar e d th a t such i s th e bl e ak pr o spe ct f o r e te r n i ty f o r th o se
wh o l i ve an d d i e wi th o u t Go d.
7I b id . , p. 533. (Br acke ts i n o r i gi n al .)
Bi bl i ograph y
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PERIODIC ALS
De J o n ge , M. C h r i sti an In f l u e n ce i n th e T e stame n ts o f th e T we l ve Patr i ar ch s,
Novum Testamentum 4, 1960. See Appe n d i x A.
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Di e n e u e n td e ckte n Qu mr an te xte u n d d as J u d e n ch r i s te n tu m d e r Pse u d o kl e me n
ti n e n ," Neutestamentliche Studien fr Rudolf Bultmann. Be r l i n , 1954.
See Appe n d i x A.
Journal of Theological Studies. Lo n d o n , 1900-5; Oxf o r d , 1906-49; N.S., Oxf o r d ,
1950 ff. See p. 912.
Ku h n , J . G. Di e Be i de n Messi as Aar o n s u n d Isr ae l s. New Testament Studies
I (1955). See Appe n d i x A.
Ro wl ey, Har o l d He n r y. The Covenanters of Damascus and the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Bulletin of the John Rylands Library, vo l . 35, no . 1, Se pte mbe r , 1952.
Man ch e ste r : Man ch e ste r Un i ve r si ty Press.
Subject Gui de
An An a l yt i ca l Ou t l i n e Is He r e Pr e s e n te d i n L i e u o f a C u s to ma r y I n d e x
P A R T I (C h a pt e r s 1-10)
O l d T e s t a me n t E vi d e n ce
1. C o n d i t i o n a l i s m Ve r s u s I mmo r t a l So u l i s m .......................................................................................
I . Pu r po s e a n d Sco pe o f T h i s V i t a l Q u e s t ________________________________________
1. Fu n d a me n t a l Qu e s ti o n s T h a t De ma n d a n An s we r ....................................................
2. So l e So u r ce o f Re l i a bl e I n f o r ma t i o n ..............................................................................
3. A u t h o r s Pe r s o n a l De cl a r a t i o n o f Fa i t h ............................................. ....................
4. Sco pe o f t h e Gr o u n d C o ve r e d ............................................................. ...........................
5. Bas i c De f i n i ti o n o f C o n d i t i o n a l i s m ..................... .......................................... ................
I I . C o n s i s te n cy a n d Obvi o u s So u n d n e s s o f C o n d i t i o n a l i s m ................................................
1. A d a ms Po t e n t i a l f o r I mmo r t a l i t y Was C o n d i t i o n a l ..........................................
2. C o n d i t i o n a l i s m Ha r mo n i ze s Di vi n e Go o d n e s s Wi t h Hu ma n Fr e e d o m ..............
3. C o n d i t i o n a l i s m Atte s t e d Bi bl i ca l l y, Lo gi cal l y, Hi s to r i ca l l y ....................................
I I I . Et e r n a l T o r me n t In vo l ve s Pa ga n Du a l i s m Po s t u l a t e .............................................
2. Ma n C r e a t e d i n t h e I ma ge o f Go d ..................................... .......................................................... ..
I . I n t r o d u ct o r y Su r ve y o f Re co r d o f C r e a t i o n .......................................... ...........................
I I . C r e a t i o n i n I ma ge o f Go d No t a Va l i d A r gu me n t .................. ...........................
1. I ma ge o f Go d Do e s No t C o n n o te I mmo r t a l i t y f o r M a n ............................
2. No V a l i d Re as o n f o r Si n gl i n g Ou t I mmo r t a l i t y ..._.......................................................
3. Fu n d a me n t a l Fa l l a cy Re ve a l e d by Pa r a l l e l Syl l o gi sms .............................................
I I I . L i vi n g So u l Do e s No t C o n n o t e I mmo r t a l i t y ............................................................
1. L i vi n g So u l No t a Se pa r a t e En t i t y ...........................................................................
2. I n n a t e De ath l e s s n e s s No t Pa r t o f Or i gi n a l En d o wme n t ............................... ...........
I V . Br e a t h o f L i f e Equ a t e d Wi t h Spi r i t a n d Spi r i t o f Go d ..............................
1. Br e a t h Br e a t h o f Go d Spi r i t "Spi r i t o f Go d ..................................
2. Br e a t h o f L i f e , Spi r i t o f L i f e Same Pr i n ci pl e o f L i f e ............................
3. Spi r i t , o r Br e a t h , Ne ve r I d e n t i f i e d Wi t h So u l .............................................
4. Po sse sso r s o f < Br e a th o f L i f e Su bje ct to De a t h ......................................................
V . C l a r i f yi n g Di s ti n cti o n s Be twe e n So u l a n d SDi r i t .............................................................
1. So u l De pe n d e n t Upo n Pr e s e n ce o f Spi r i t ........................................................
2. Spi r i t a n d So u l Ha ve Se r i e s o f C o n tr a s t s ___________________________ _______
3. Spi r i t Re t u r n s to Go d Wh o Gave I t ________________________________
4. T o Save a So u l I s t o Save a M a n ......................................... .............................
5. Bi bl i ca l Po r t r a ya l o f De a t h ............................... ..................... ............................................
3. Pr o h i bi t i o n , Pr o ba t i o n , T e mpt a t i o n , a n d F a l l ...................... ................................ ........ ..................
I . On e Pr o h i bi t i o n Pl ace d Upo n Ma n i n Ed e n ..............................................................
I I . Fr e e d o m o f Wi l l . Is Mo r a l Acco u n t a bi l i ty ........................................................................
1. Fr e e d o m o f Wi l l I s Es s e n ce o f Be i n g ______________________________________
2. En d l e s s De f i an ce Wo u l d T h wa r t Go d ............................................................................. .
3. Ul t i ma t e De s t r u ct i o n f o r I n co r r i gi bl e De f i a n ce ....................... .............................
I I I . T e mpt a t i o n a t T r e e o f K n o wl e d ge o f Go o d a n d Evi l ..................................................
I V . Sa t a n Hi ms e l f t h e Un d e r co ve r T e mpt e r i n Ed e n ............................................................
V . L u ci f e r s Re be l l i o n i n He a ve n T r a n s f e r r e d t o Ea r t h ....................................................
1. Pr i d e a n d J e a l o u s y Fo me n t e d Re be l l i o n i n He a ve n ...............................................
2. Ed e n Be co me s t h e Ne w Ba t t l e gr o u n d ______________________________
3. L u ci f e r : Hi gh e s t An ge l Be co me s Lo we s t De vi l ____________ ________________
4. Sa t a n s Du a l L i e Ha d Bu t Si n gl e Po i n t _______________________________ ____
V I . Es s e n ce o f Fa l l Was Be l i e vi n g Sa t a n s L i e ____________________________________
4. T h e Go s pe l o f Ge n e s i s 3:15 Pr o cl a i me d ........... .....................................................................
I . T h e Do o m o f De a t h a n d t h e Ho pe o f L i f e ...................................................................
1. T h e T e r r o r s o f Di s o be d i e n ce ............................................................................................
2. T h e Fi r s t Gl i mme r o f Ho pe ...................- ..................................... ....................................
I I . Gl o r i o u s Go s pe l Pr o vi s i o n s Be gi n a t Gate s o f Ed e n ___________ _______________
1. Be co me s Fa t h e r o f Race Un d e r Ne w Pr o ba ti o n ....................................................
2. T r e e o f C al var y Be co me s T h i r d T r e e o f Ed e n .......................................... .......... ....
3. Pl a ce d o n Pr o ba ti o n , Gi ve n Se co n d C h a n ce ............................................................
I I I . Pr o mi s e d Se e d Is Ma s te r K e y t o A t o n e me n t Mys t e r i e s ............................................
1. "Hi gh wa y o f t h e Se e d Be gi n s .................................. .................................................
2. C o n f l i ct o f t h e Age s Be gi n s ..... ............................. .
3. Pe r s o n al Appl i ca ti o n o f t h e Fa l l to Us ____ ________________________________
I V . C o at s o f Ski n s T ypi f i e d Ri gh te o u s n e s s o f C h r i s t .....................................................
1. Di vi n e Pr o pi t i a t i o n Pr o vi d e d _______________________ _____________________
2. De e pe r Mys te r i e s o f _A t o n e me n t En f o l d e d ______________ ________ __________
V . C h r i s t s C e n t r a l Pl ace i n Go spe l o f Ed e n --------------------------------------------------------
1. Be co me s So n o f Ma n to Re s to r e L o s t M a n ________________________________
2. Assu me s Hi s T r u e a n d C e n t r a l P l a ce _________________________________
3. Pr o ce s s e s a n d Pr o vi s i o n s o f Re d e mpt i o n a n d Re s t o r a t i o n -----------------------------
4. En a bl i n g Pr o vi s i o n s o f Re d e mpt i o n ______________________________________
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5. T h e Pe n a l t y o f De a t h f o r Di s o be d i e n ce .....;..... - ........... - .....- ------------
I . A Se co n d C h a n ce Pr o vi d e d f o r t h e Si n n e r ....................................- ............. ........................
1. A Re pr i e ve Gr a n t e d Ad a m a n d Eve ................................................................................
2. Si gn i f i can ce o f Pr o ba ti o n f o r Ra ce .....................................- .......................................... ..
I I . Ad am Di e d J u d i ci a l l y o n Da y o f T r a n s gr e s s i o n ......................................................
1. Rh e t o r i ca l Fi gu r e o f Pr o l e ps i s Empl o ye d ...................... - ............................- ...........
2. Ot h e r I n s ta n ce s Ar e No t Mi s u n d e r s to o d ....................................- .................................
3. San d s i n T i me s Ho u r gl as s Be gi n Fa l l i n g .......................................................................
4. Fi n a l i t y o f De a t h I mpo s e d No t Spe ci f i e d ......................................................... ..............
I I I . En co mpas s i n g I n vo l ve me n ts o f De a t h Pe n a l t y .................................................................
1. De a t h Embr a ce s T o t a l Pu n i s h me n t f o r Si n ........................ - .........- -------------------
2. J u s t i ce Re qu i r e s Pe n a l t y Be Un d e r s t o o d .......................................................................
3. Se co n d De a t h C o mpl e te s t h e De a t h Pe n a l t y ....................... ...................................
4. Se co n d De a t h Is Lo ss o f Li f e , No t C o n t i n u a n ce ......................................................
5. Do o m Appl i e s to Ma n as a Wh o l e ...................................- .................................................
I V . Su pr e me A r gu me n t Agai n s t Et e r n a l T o r me n t .................................................................
1. De a t h Pe n a l t y Ste ms Fr o m La w a n d A u th o r i t y ................................... - .......................
2. Qu e s ti o n Se tt l e d a t Hi gh e s t Le ve l .....................................................................................
V . Sl e e p t h e Be a u ti f u l Eu ph e mi s m f o r De a t h .................................- ........................- .....
1. Fi r s t a Sl e e p, Wi t h Re s u r r e ct i o n Awa ke n i n g ..................- ..........................................
2. I mpl i ca ti o n s o f t h e Me t a ph o r o f Sl e e p ......................................................- ......... - .....
3. T i me Obl i t e r a t e d to th e Sl e e pe r .........................................................................................
4. Sl e e p Is Un d e vi a t i n g Syn o n ym f o r De a t h ....................................- ..................
6. Re d e mpti o n i n t h e Pe r i o d o f t h e Sacr i f i ci a l A l t a r ............................................................................
I . C a i n a n d Abe l T e s t e d by Sacr i f i ci a l Of f e r i n g Sys te m .............................................
1. Fa t a l L a ck i n C a i n s Bl o o d l e ss Of f e r i n g ............................................................................
2. L a r ge r I n vo l ve me n t s o f Si n , De a t h , a n d Sal va ti o n ....................................................
I I . Un f o l d i n g Po r tr a ya l to Abr a h a m I n cl u d e d Re s u r r e ct i o n ..............................................
1. A br a h a ms T e s t o f Fa i t h i n Go spe l Pr o vi s i o n ..............................................................
2. Pr o vi s i o n o f Re s u r r e ct i o n Re co gn i ze d by Pa t r i a r ch s .............................................
3. On l y th e Da wn ; No t Y e t t h e No o n ti d e ......................................................................
I I I . T wo Ways to Gl o r yT r a n s l a t i o n a n d Re s u r r e ct i o n ......................................................
1. En o ch a n d El i ja h T r a n s l a t e d Wi t h o u t Dyi n g .......................................................- .....
2. Mo se s Re s u r r e ct i o n : Fi r s t to Br e a k Bo n d s o f De a t h ...............................................
I V . An n u a l Ro u n d o f T a be r n a cl e Se r vi ce s T ypi f i e d Go spe l Re a l i t i e s ..............................
1. Y e a r l y En a ct me n t o f Pl a n o f Re d e mpti o n .....................................................................
2. J u s t i ce a n d Me r cy Me t i n T ype a t t h e Ar k .................................................................
3. Si n a n d Ri gh te o u s n e s s , De a t h a n d L i f e , Po r t r a ye d ..................................................
4. Pe n a l Pu n i s h me n t De a t h No t L i f e I mpr i s o n me n t .........................................................
5. Si n n e r I n cu r r e d Do o m o f De a t h ................................................................................
6. En t i r e Sacr i f i ci al Syste m Fu l f i l l e d i n C h r i s t ...................................................................
7. C h r i s t Actu a l l y a n d T r u l y Di e d i n A to n e me n t ...........................................................
8. De a t h Pe n a l ty Un d e r t h e Di vi n e La w ............................................... ...........................
V. C h r i s t , Pr o ph e s i e d Fi r s t Fr u i t 3, Ro se o n Pr e ci s e Da y ................................................
1. Fi r s t Fr u i t s a Fi xe d Pa r t o f An n u a l Se r vi ce ...............................................................
2. Eve r y Ma n i n Hi s Own Or d e r .....................................................................................
3. Fi r s t Fr u i t s Re s u r r e ct i o n Fu l f i l l e d o n Ve r y Day o f T ype .................................
7. Et e r n a l De s tr u ct i o n Is De cr e e d Do o m o f Wi cke d ........... ._................................................- .........
I . U t t e r De s tr u ct i o n Ul t i ma t e Fa t e o f I n t r a ct a bl y Wi cke d ............................................
1. Sco r e s o f Ol d T e s t a me n t Ve r bs Si gn i f y De s t r o y .................................................
2. I mpo s i n g Ar r a y o f L i t e r a l En gl i s h Equ i va l e n ts ............................................................
3. Ga l a xy o f Fi gu r a t i ve Expr e ss i o n s Su ppo r t th e L i t e r a l ....................................- .........
4. I t e r a t e d a n d Re i t e r a t e d i n K e y C h a pt e r e ......................................................................
I I . Mu l t i pl e T e r ms Si gn i f y C o mpl e t e De s tr u ct i o n o f Be i n g .........................................
I I I . Et e r n a l T o r me n t No Pa r t o f De a t h Pe n a l ty ........................ ...............................................
1. T o r t u r e No Pa r t o f J e wi s h Sacr i f i ci al Ri t e ...................................................................
2. T o r t u r e No Pa r t o f Mo sai c Pe n al C o d e ..........................................................................
I V . Et e r n a l De s ti n y Re vo l ve s Ar o u n d I n t e n t o f L i f e a n d De a t h ............................
1. L i f e a n d De ath -Ke ys T h a t Un l o ck I n s pi r e d I n t e n t ..................................................
2. Pl a t o n i c Pe r ve r s i o n o f De a t h as Pe r pe t u a l L i f e .................................. - ..............
3. I n n a t e -I mmo r t a l i t y Po s t u l a t e Re ve r se s T r u e Exe ge si s ...............................................
4. C h r i s t s De a t h . No t Su f f e r i n gs , C o n s t i t u t e d Ato n i n g Sacr i f i ce ...............................
5. De s t r u ct i o n No t Et e r n a l T o r me n t t h e Pu n i s h me n t ..................................................
V. Sto ck Obje cti o n s I n vo ke d C o l l aps e Un d e r Scr u ti n y ..............................................
1. I s a i a h 33:14C o n t e n t i o n C o l l aps e s Un d e r Scr u t i n y .................................................
2. I s a i a h 66:24C ar cas s e s , Un d yi n g Wo r m, Un qu e n ch a bl e Fi r e ..............................
3. De pr i ve d o f L i f e , No t C o n s i gn e d to Mi s e r y .................................................................
4. Da n i e l 12:2Re s u r r e ct i o n s to L i f e a n d to J u d gme n t ...................... - .......................
5. C o n cl u s i o n : C o n t e n t i o n s o f T h r e e C i t a ti o n s C o l l aps e .............................................
8. Pr o ph e t i c Wi tn e s s C o n ce r n i n g t h e L a s t T h i n gs ..........................................................................
I . T h e T wo Ad ve n ts Fo cal Po i n ts o f Al l Pr o ph e cy ...........................................................
1. Ma s t e r K e y to M a n s De s ti n y ................................................................................................
2. Issu e s o f T i me a n d Et e r n i t y ........................................................................................... ......
3. K e y to Di vi n e Mo ve me n ts o f t h e Age s ............................................................................
4. On l y T r u e Ph i l o s o ph y o f Hi s t o r y ................................................................................. .......
I I . Ou t l i n e Pr o ph e ci e s Ma r k Ou t Hi gh wa y o f t h e C e n t u r i e s ..........................................
1. C o n t i n u i t y, C o mpr e h e n s i ve n e s s , a n d Re pe t i t i o n ......................................................
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2. De s t i n y o f Wo r l d Po we r s o f Hi s to r y Po r t r a ye d ............................................................. 126
3. C o u r s e o f Empi r e Gi ve s Way to Go d s K i n gd o m ...................................................... 127
4. No w L i vi n g i n T i me o f En d ......................................................................................... 127
5. Su bl i mi ty o f Re ve l a t i o n Su r pas se s Hu ma n C o mpr e h e n s i o n ....................................... 128
I I I . Si gn i f i can ce o f Day o f L o r d a n d C o gn a t e T e r ms ......................................................... 131
1. T r a n s ce n d e n t Da y o f t h e L o r d ....................................................................................... 131
2. Se co n d A d ve n t to T e r mi n a t e L a t t e r Days ............................................................... 131
3. Re s u r r e ct i o n Is C l i ma cti c Fe a t u r e o f A d ve n t ............................................................... 132
4. Et e r n a l Re s to r a ti o n Is Re wa r d o f Ri gh te o u s ............................................................... 134
5. Wi cke d to Re ce i ve Pu n i t i ve De s tr u ct i o n ........................................................................ 134
I V . So l e mn Pr o ce s s i o n o f Pr o ph e t i c Wi tn e s s e s T e s t i f y ........................................................ 135
1. Pa n o r a mi c Su r ve y o f Ol d T e s t a me n t Wi tn e s s e s ............................................................. 135
2. C o n s t a n t Su cce ss i o n o f Es ch ato l o gi cal Gl i mps e s ............... 136
V. I s a i a h St a r Wi tn e s s o n I n s pi r a t i o n s Wi tn e s s St a n d ............................................ 138
V I . M a jo r Re s u l t s Spr i n g Fr o m Da y o f th e L o r d ......................................................... 140
1. Sce n e s o f J u d gme n t Do mi n a t e C l o s i n g Po r t r a ya l ........................................................ 140
2. Ne w Ea r t h Be co me s Et e r n a l Ho me o f Re d e e me d ...................................................... 141
3. Obl i t e r a t i o n o f Si n Eve n tu a t e s i n C l e a n Un i ve r s e .................................................... 142
4. Re s u r r e ct i o n a n d Mi l l e n n i u m C l a r i f i e d i n Ne w T e s t a me n t .................................. 142
5. Ba r r e n C o n d i t i o n o f Ea r t h Du r i n g Mi l l e n n i u m ........................................................... 143
9. T e ch n i ca l T e r ms a n d Usage s Pr e cl u d e I n n a t e I mmo r t a l i t y .................................................. 145
I . Mu s t Un d e r s t a n d K e y Ol d T e s t a me n t T e r ms T h r o u gh Us a ge ............................... 145
I I . Me a n i n g o f Ne ph e s h i n t h e He br e w o f t h e Ol d T e s t a me n t .................................. 146
1. Ne ph e s h Ha s Se ve r al C o mmo n Me a n i n gs ............................................................... 146
2. A Ge n e r a l De f i n i ti o n o f Ne ph e s h ....................................................................................... 147
3. Bas i c I d e a T h a t o f I n d i vi d u a l Hi ms e l f ............................................................................ 147
I I I . Ne ph e s h as T r a n s l a t e d i n t h e En gl i s h Ve r s i o n s ................................................................. 148
1. En gl i s h T r a n s l a t i o n Re ve al s Si gn i f i can t Fa ct s ............................................................. 148
2. I n t e r e s t i n g V a r i a t i o n s i n R.S.V ................................................................................ 150
3. Pr o bl e ms C o n f r o n t t h e T r a n s l a to r s ................................................................................... 150
4. T h r e e C l e a r C o n cl u s i o n s C o n ce r n i n g Ne ph e s h ...................................................... 151
I V . Ru a ch a n d Ne s h a ma h Ha ve a V a r i e t y o f Me an i n gs ........................................... 152
1. C o n t e xt Mu s t I n d i ca t e Be s t T r a n s l a t i o n .......................................................................... 152
2. Ne s h a ma h a n d Ru a ch i n Po e ti c Par al l e l i s m ...................................................... 153
3. T h e L i f e , Pr i n ci pl e T h a t Go d I mpa r t s ............................. 154
4. Ru a ch Has No Se pa r a t e C o n sci o u s Exi s te n ce ......................................................... 155
V. Re l a t i o n o f Spi r i t o r Br e a t h to L i f e a n d De a t h .................................................. 155
1. Br e a t h o f L i f e a n d Spi r i t o f Go d t h e C au s e o f L i f e .......................................... 155
2. Spi r i t Di s t i n ct Fr o m L i f e I t Pr o d u ce s ................ 156
3. Re s to r a ti o n o f Spi r i t a t Re s u r r e ct i o n ................................................................................. 157
V I . Fu n d a me n t a l Di s ti n cti o n Be twe e n Ma n a n d Be as t .................................................... 158
1. I mmo r t a l i t y No t C o n f e r r e d by I n br e a t h e d Br e a t h ................................................ 158
2. T o t a l l y Di f f e r e n t Fr o m Br u t e C r e a t i o n .......................................................................... 158
10. We ak Ar gu me n t s Fo r mu l a t e Un wo r t h y Pl a t f o r m .............................................. 160
I . Sh e 61s Mo s t Su i ta bl e Re n d e r i n g Is Gr a ve d o m................................................. 160
1. Di f f i cu l ty C r e a t e d by V a r i a n t T r a n s l a ti o n s .................................................................... 160
2. He l l a Wh o l l y Un s u i ta bl e T r a n s l a t i o n ...................................................................... 161
3. Gr a ve d o mMo s t Su i ta bl e Re n d e r i n g f o r Sh e o l ............................................. 162
4. Su s pe n s i o n o f L i f e i n Sh e o l Awa i ti n g Re s u r r e ct i o n .............................................. 162
5. Dar kn e s s o f Sh e o l Di s s i pa te d by L i gh t o f Re s u r r e ct i o n ..... 163
6. Sh e o l : Pl a ce o f De a t h , No t L i f e .................... 164
7. Sh e o l a n d De a t h Ar e Fr e qu e n t l y Syn o n ymo u s v................................ 164
I I . Or i gi n o f Ge h e n n a (Ge Hi n n o m) Symbo l o f Fi n a l De s t r u ct i o n .......................... 165
1. Hi s to r i ca l Backgr o u n d o f Ge h e n n a ............................................................................... 165
2. As s o ci ate d Wi t h Ups u r ge o f Ne cr o ma n cy .................................................................... 166
3. J o s i a h T r a n s f o r ms va l l e y I n t o Re f u s e Pi t ............... 167
I I I . T h r e e Su ppo r t i n g C i t a ti o n s Br e a k Do wn Un d e r Scr u t i n y .............................................. 168
1. Re co u r s e to We ak Ar gu me n t s a n Un wo r t h y Pr o ce d u r e ........................................... 168
2. J o n a h No t De a d : So C as e Is Di s mi s s e d .......................................... 169
I V . I s a i a h s Pa r a bo l i c T a u n t i n g Od e o n K i n g o f Babyl o n ........ 170
1. Pe r s o n i f i e d T r e e s Re jo i ce Ove r Fa l l e n Mo n a r ch ........................................................... 171
2. Pa t h s o f Gl o r y L e a d bu t to Gr ave ....................................................... 172
V. Eze ki e l s Pa r a bo l i c Di r ge Ove r Ph a r a o h o f Egypt ......................................................... 172
1. Sh e 61 C o n t r a s t e d Wi t h St a t e o f L i vi n g ................................................................... 173
2. Pa r a bo l i c Sco u r ge No t C o n s tr u e d L i t e r a l l y ................................................................. 173
V I . Sau l De ce i ve d by Ne cr o ma n cy o f Me d i u m o f En d o r ......................................................... 174
1. Evi l Spi r i t s Pe r s o n a ti n g th e De a d ....................................................................................... 175
2. Sa u l s Re co u r s e to Fo r f i i d d e n C r a f t o f Ne cr o ma n cy .................................................. 176
3. Sau l De ce i ve d ; Sl ai n f o r Hi s T r a n s gr e s s i o n s ................................................................. 177
4. C r u x o f t h e Wh o l e Po r tr a ya l ............................................................................................... 177
5. C r u e l Ho a x a n d I ts Mo d e r n C o u n t e r pa r t .......................................................................... 179
6. Gr a n d e u r o f Go d s Wo n d r o u s Pr o vi s i o n ................ 179
SUBJ EC T GUIDE 1101
1102
PART I I (C h apte r s 11-28)
Ne w T e s tame n t Evi de nce
11. C h r i s t s I n f a l l i bl e T e s t i mo n y o f L i f e Ve r s u s De a t h ......................... _.......................
I . De f i n i ti ve T e s t i mo n y o f J e s u s , Su pr e me Wi tn e s s o f Al l T i me ------ -----------------
1. J e s u s C h r i s t St a r Wi tn e s s o f Al l T i me ........................ ............................................
2. Fa t a l C l a s h C o me s Ove r M a n s De s t i n y ..------------------------------------------------
I I . T r a n s ce n d e n t Sco pe a n d Si gn i f i can ce o f I n ca r n a t i o n __________________________
1. Ma s t e r K e y to Al l Re d e mpt i ve Hi s to r y --------------- --------------------- -------------------
2. Be co mi n g Ma m He Re t a i n s Hu ma n i t y Fo r e ve r ___________________________ ___
3. Re t a i n s On l y Scar s o f Si n i n Un i ve r s e -------------------------------------------------- -------
4. Pu r po s e o f i n ca r n a t i o n Was Fi ve f o l d ................................................................................
I I I . Et e r n a l L i f e T h r o bbi n g He a r t o f J o h n s Go spe l Sto r y .......................... _............
1. Fr o m Bl e akn e s s o f Si n to Ra d i a n ce o f Sal va ti o n .........................................................
2. Ne w T e s t a me n t a Ne w Re ve l a t i o n o f L i f e ----------------------------------------------------
3. Br o u gh t Abo u t by Ne w Spi r i t u a l I n ge n e r a t i o n ......................................... ................
I V . T wo Pr o ge n i t o r s , T wo Bi r t h s , T wo C o n t r a s t i n g De s ti n i e s _____________________
1. Si gn i f i can ce a n d Sco pe o f t h e T e r m L i f e _................................................................
2. Na t u r a l Dyi n g L i f e ; Su pe r n a t u r a l En d l e s s L i f e ........................... ...................
3. Ni co d e mu s t h e Ph ar i s e e He l d to I n n a t e I mmo r t a l i t y ------------------------------------
4. L i vi n g Wa t e r Spr i n gi n g Up Un t o Eve r l a s t i n g L i f e ------------------------------
5. C e n t r a l Do ct r i n e o f J o h n s Go spe l ............................................................................
6. C o n tr o ve r s y Ove r Br e a d Fr o m He a ve n a n d Re s u r r e ct i o n .....................................
7. J e wi s h C h a l l e n ge o f Ad ve n t, Re s u r r e ct i o n , Da mn a t i o n ---------------------------------
8. Bl i n d e d by Pl a t o n i s m J e ws Re je ct L i f e -T r u t h --------------- ------------- -----------------
9. Ma n y Fo l l o we r s T u r n Away Be cau s e o f C l a i ms ........................................... ........- .....
V . Re je ct i o n C o me s Ove r Amazi n g Z&e -Li f e C l a i ms ..................................................
1. C o n f l i ct De ve l o ps I n t o Su pr e me C r i s i s ........ ..................
2. Agai n So u gh t to Sto n e Hi m Be cau s e o f C l a i ms .......................... .............................
3. Mi r a cu l o u s Rai s i n g o f L a za r u s Fr o m De a t h --------------------------------------------------
4. Bu r d e n o f C h r i s t s Hi gh Pr i e s tl y Pr a ye r -------------------------- -----------------------------
5. L i f e So l e l y i n C h r i s t J o h n s Pa r a mo u n t T h e me .....................................................
6. C o n t i n ge n t I mmo r t a l i t y Gi ve s Ho n o r to C h r i s t ..........................................................
12. C o o r d i n a te s Al l Aspe cts o f L i f e , De a t h , a n d De s ti n y ........................ ..........................................
I . Si gn i f i can ce o f C h r i s t s L i f e a n d De a t h i n Pl a n o f Re d e mpt i o n ....................
1. C h r i s t Re ve a l e r o f Go d a n d Re d e e me r o f Ma n ......................................................
2. L i f e -gi vi n g Sco pe a n d Si gn i f i can ce o f C h r i s t s De a t h ..................................................
3. C h r i s t s De a t h Su mmi t o f Sacr i f i ce f o r Ma n ................ ------------------
4. Re je ct i o n o f C h r i s t s Re d e mpti ve Pr o vi s i o n s Su pr e me Si n ........................ ............
I I . Pi vo ta l Pl ace o f C h r i s t s T e a ch i n gs o n L i f e , De a t h , a n d De s ti n y ........ .................
1. Pr o cl a ma t i o n o f T r u t h a n d C o n f u t a t i o n o f Er r o r ...................... .................................
2. K e y to Un d e r s t a n d i n g C o n f l i cts o f C e n t u r i e s ........... ..........................
I I I . Se ts Pa t t e r n f o r Es ch a to l o gi ca l a n d C h r o n o l o gi cal Se qu e n ce ............................._.....
1. Pr o ph e t i c Re pe t i t i o n f o r Emph as i s a n d Ampl i f i ca ti o n ............................................
2. Re pe t i t i o n C l e a r l y Es ta bl i s h e d Pa t t e r n o f Pr o ph e cy ............................................
3. Fi r s t C o ve r a ge L e ad s Up to t h e En d ........._.............................................................
4. Se co n d C o ve r a ge Li ke wi s e L e ad s to Ad ve n t ......... - ................
5. C e l e s ti a l Si gn s Ar e C h r o n o l o gi cal l y Pl ace d ...................................................................
6. Ho u r No t K n o wn , I mmi n e n ce C a n Be K n o wn ______________________ ____
I V . T r a n s ce n d e n t Eve n ts Ma r k En d o f t h e Wo r l d .....................................................
1. Pr e pa r a t o r y Eve n ts , C o mi n g i n Gl o r y, Fi n a l Se pa r a t i o n s .......................................
2. Wh e a t I n t o Go d s Ga r n e r ; T a r e s I n t o Fi r e .....................................................
V . Apo stl e s De s cr i pt i o n s Agr e e Wi t h C h r i s t s .................. .................................................
1. Se co n d Ad ve n t Us h e r s I n Da y o f t h e L o r d .............................................................
2. Se co n d A d ve n t Is Da y o f Se pa r a t i o n -----------------------------------------------------------
3. Et e r n a l Re s u l ts o f Fi n a l Re a pi n g ........._........... ................
V I . Sl e e p o f De a t h Fo l l o we d by Re s u r r e ct i o n Awa ke n i n g .................. ..................
1. C h r i s t a n d Pa u l Bo th Empl o y M e t a ph o r o f Sl e e p ...................................................
2. No C o n s ci o u s L a ps e o f T i me Be twe e n De a t h a n d Re s u r r e ct i o n ..........................
3. Pr e mi s e o f Sl e e p On l y Way o f Un d e r s t a n d i n g Pa u l ..........................................
4. Sl e e pi n g De a d Do No t Pr e ce d e t h e L i vi n g .......... ......................................................
5. I n t e n t o f t h e Qu i ck a n d t h e De a d ------.---------------------------------------
V I I . T h e Re s u r r e ct i o n Pr o vi s i o n Pi vo ta l i n C h r i s t s T e a ch i n g -----------------------------
1. C h r i s t s Re s u r r e ct i o n Pr e r e qu i s i t e to Ou r s ...................... ...........................................
2. Re s u r r e ct i o n Is o f t h e Wh o l e Pe r s o n .......... ............- ......... ...
3. C e r t i t u d e o f Re s u r r e ct i o n Re s ts o n C h r i s t s I n f a l l i bl e Wo r d .................... ............
4. No t Un i n t e r r u pt e d Su r vi val bu t Re s u r r e ct i o n ...............................................................
13. C h r i s t s Gr e a t Pa r a bl e o f t h e Lo s t Oppo r t u n i t y .......................... ...............................................
I . Pr o bl e m T e xt (L u ke 16:19-31): Pa r a bl e -Fa bl e o f Di ve s a n d L a za r u s --
1. C l e a r l y On e o f C h r i s t s Ma n y Par abl e s _......................... .................................. ............
2. Ut t e r e d Wh e n J e ws De r i d e d Hi s T e a ch i n gs --------------------------------------------------
I I . Si gn i f i ca n t Pl a ce o f Pa r a bl e s i n C h r i s t s T e a ch i n g ..-------------------------------------
1. Pa r a bl e a n d Fa bl e , De f i n i ti o n s a n d Di s t i n ct i o n s ---------------------------------
2. Pa r a bo l i c Me t h o d Ad o pte d t o C i r cu mve n t Pr e ju d i ce ------------------------------------
3. Re ve a l e d to Di s ci pl e s ; C o n ce a l e d Fr o m Ho s t i l e J e w s --------- -------------------
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4. Nu mbe r a n d Sco pe o f C h r i s t s Pa r a bl e s ___________________________________ 241
5. Pa r a bl e s No t a So u n d Basi s f o r Do ct r i n e ___________________________________ 241
I I I . Do ct r i n a l Do gmas o f Ph a r i s e e s i n T i me o f C h r i s t .......................................................... 242
1. Pl a t o n i c Po s t u l a t e s Embr a ce d by T i me o f C h r i s t .............................. ....................... 242
2. Pa r a l l e l i n g Al l e go r i e s i n OT I ma ge r y ............................................. ................................ 243
3. No t Bi o gr a ph i cal Ske t ch bu t Pa r a bo l i c Fa bl e ................................................... ............ 243
I V . C h r i s t s Gr e a t Pa r a bl e o f t h e Lo s t Oppo r t u n i t y ................................ 245
1. Re jo i ci n g i n He a ve n : Re s e n t me n t by Ph ar i s e e s ______________ _____________ 245
2. L o gi cal C l i max o f L o s t Oppo r t u n i t y Pa r a bl e ____________________________ 246
V . Sa l i e n t Po i n ts a n d Pe r pl e xi n g Pr o bl e ms Ou t l i n e d _________________________ 247
1. T e r s e Ou d i n e o f t h e Pa r a bl e ___ ___________________________________________ 247
2. K e y T e r ms a n d Expr e s s i o n s Exa mi n e d ........................................................ 248
3. Su f f i ci e n cy o f Scr i pt u r e } Un wi l l i n gn e s s t o Be l i e ve __________________ 250
14. Gr a vi t y o f As cr i bi n g Fal s e T e a ch i n gs to C h r i s t -------------------- 252
I . J o s e ph u s I l l u mi n a te s Di ve s -L a za r u s Sto r y ............................................................... 252
1. Re pr e s e n t a t i ve C h a r a ct e r o f J o s e ph u s De pi cti o n .................................................... 252
2. Mu l t i pl e Fe a t u r e s o f Ha d e s De s cr i be d ............................. 254
3. J u s t Gu i d e d by An ge l s to Bo so m o f A br a h a m ............. 254
4. Un ju s t Dr a gge d t o Ne i gh bo r h o o d o f He l l ............................................................. 255
5. I mpa s s a bl e Gu l f Se pa r a t e s th e T wo Gr o u ps ....................... 255
6. Et e r n a l T o r me n t f o r Wi cke d A f t e r J u d gme n t ---------------- 256
7. De f l e cti n g I n r o a d s i n I n t e r -T e s t a me n t a l Pe r i o d .......... 257
8. Ad vo cate s I n je ct Un wa r r a n t e d Ad d i ti o n s .............. ...... 258
I I . L i t e r a l i s m Vi o l a te s C o n s i s te n cy; Vi ti a te s C h r i s t s Wi tn e s s , Ove r t u r n s Scr i pt u r e
T e s ti mo n y ..... 259
1. Sco f i e l d Make s Pas s age Wh o l l y L i t e r a l ............. 259
2. I n co n s i s te n ci e s I n vo l ve d i n L i t e r a l I n t e r pr e t a t i o n _...................................................... 260
3. L i t e r a l i s m C o n t r a d i ct s C h r i s t s Expl i ci t De cl a r a ti o n s .............................................. 261
4. L i t e r a l i s m C o n t r a d i ct s I n s pi r e d Re ve l a t i o n s Di ct u ms ..... 262
I I I . Gr a vi t y o f Ascr i bi n g Fal s e T e a ch i n g to C h r i s t, Embo d i me n t o f T r u t h ...... 263
1. Us e o f Pa r a bl e No t En d o r s e me n t o f I ts T h e o l o gy .................................................... 263
2. Gr a vi t y o f I mpl i e d C h a r ge s Agai n s t C h r i s t ...................... 263
3. Make s C h r i s t Gu i l t y o f Pu r ve yi n g Er r o r a n d Pe r ve r s i o n ..................................... 264
4. De ma n d s o f Re s u r r e ct i o n Br o u gh t On C r i s i s ...... 264
I V . M a jo r Ar e a o f Di s a gr e e me n t Be t we e n C h r i s t a n d Ph ar i s e e s ......................................... 265
1. Di f f e r e n ce s as Oppo s i te as L i gh t a n d Dar kn e s s ..................................... 265
2. C h r i s t Mu s t No t Be Ar r a ye d Agai n s t C h r i s t ............ 266
V . C o n cl u s i o n : I mmo r t a l So u l i s m C o l l aps e s Un d e r Scr u t i n y ......................................... 268
1. Fo u r f o l d C as e Aga i n s t Po pu l a r C o n t e n t i o n ................................................................. 268
2. Spe ci f i c C o u n ts Aga i n s t Acce pt a n ce Ar e De t e r mi n a t i ve ............................................ 269
15. C h r i s t s Ma je s t i c An s we r to t h e Pe n i t e n t s Pl e a .................................................................... 270
I . Pr o bl e m T e xt (L u ke 23:43): Pe n i t e n t T h i e f T o d a y a n d Pa r a d i s e ........... 270
1. Se t t i n g o f T h i s Amazi n g Epi s o d e ............................................................. ......... ... 270
2. A cqu a i n t e d Wi th C h r i s t s C l a i ms a n d Of f e r s .......................................................... 272
3. Wh a t , Wh e r e , a n d Wh e n Is Pa r a d i s e ? ......................................... 272
I I . T h r e e He a ve n s a n d Ea r t h s Pa s t, Pr e s e n t , Fu t u r e .................................................. 273
1. No C o n f l i ct Be twe e n Pe t e r s a n d Pa u l s Ve r s i o n s ....................... 274
2. Pa r a d i s e o f Fi r s t Ea r t h Re s to r e d i n T h i r d Ea r t h ...................... - .................. 274
I I I . Pe n i t e n t Ne i t h e r i n K i n gd o m No r i n Pa r a d i s e T h a t Da y ................................................ 275
1. Di d No t Di e o n Sa me Da y ........................... ....... 275
2. T o ge t h e r T h a t Da y On l y o n Ad jo i n i n g C r o sse s .................................................... 275
3. J e s u s We n t to t h e Gr a ve , No t to Pa r a d i s e , T h a t Da y ............................................ 276
4. No t i n He a ve n Du r i n g T h r e e Days a n d Ni gh ts ............................................ 277
I V . Me a n i n g C o mpl e te l y Al t e r e d by Po si ti o n o f C o mma _ 278
1. Pu n ct u a t i o n C o n s ti t u te s Exe ge si sRi gh t o r Wr o n g .................. 278
2. Pl a ci n g o f C o mma De t e r mi n e s Me a n i n g ...................................... 279
V . De t e r mi n i n g Evi d e n ce s o n t h e T e ch n i ca l Si d e ...;.------- 279
1. Pu n ct u a t i o n Bas e d En t i r e l y o n Hu ma n A u th o r i t y _____ 280
2. Pu n cUi a t i o n No t I n t r o d u ce d T i l l T i me o f Re n a i s s a n ce ......................................... 280
3. Re l a t i o n s h i p o f Gr e e k Ad ve r b Se me r o n to Pr o bl e m .................................... 281
V I . Mo s t Su bl i me Epi s o d e o f C h r i s t s Re d e mpt i ve C a r e e r ............... 282
1. Re co gn i ze d i n J e s u s t h e C o mi n g K i n g ............................. 283
2. Symbo l o f Mu l t i t u d e s i n Ea r t h s El e ve n t h Ho u r ....................................................... 284
3. Pr o bl e m Re mo ve d by Sh i f t o f C o mma ........... ._............................................................ 284
4. Be wa r e o f Pu t t i n g Fal s e h o o d o n L i ps o f C h r i s t .......... 284
16. C h r i s t Po r tr a ys Do o m o f Wi cke d as U t t e r De s t r u ct i o n ................. 286
I . Se ve n t e e n Gr a ph i c I l l u s t r a t i o n s o f Do o m o f Wi cke d . 286
1. Si x I l l u s t r a t i o n s Fr o m I n a n i ma t e L i f e .................. 286
2. Se co n d Gr o u p Bas e d o n Hu ma n L i f e .............................................................- ........... 287
3. Al l Po r t r a y T o t a l a n d Fi n a l Ext i n ct i o n ......... 287
I I . C h r i s t s Me a n i n g o f Et e r n a l Fi r e , Pu n i s h me n t , Da mn a t i o n _______________ 288
1. Me a n i n g De t e r mi n e d by No u n to Wh i ch A t t a ch e d _________________________ 289
2. Di vi n e Acti o n s o r Acti vi ti e s Ma y Be T e r mi n a bl e .................... 290
I I I . C h r i s t s Expl i ci t T e a ch i n gs o n He l l Exa mi n e d ...................... 291
1. T wo T e r ms Us e d by C h r i s t ..................... 291
2. C h r i s t s Spe ci f i c T e a ch i n gs o n Ge h e n n a __ 292
3. Expl a n a t o r y No te s o n t h e Se ve n T e xts ___ 293
1104 C ONDIT IONALIST FAI T H
4. I n s pi r e d K e y to Expr e ss i o n Et e r n a l Fi r e ....................................- ................
5. No t Mi s e r y bu t De s t r u ct i o n Is Et e r n a l ......................................................
I V . Ha d e s T r u e Un d e r s t a n d i n g Bas e d o n NT Us a ge , No t Pa ga n -Ro ma n i s t
1. Pa ga n Or i gi n a n d I n f l u e n ce o f Ha d e s ................................................................
2. En gl i s h T r a n s l a ti o n s Mo l d e d by Ro ma n i s t Backgr o u n d s ...............................
3. Ha d e s C o n n e cte d Wi th De a t h , Ne ve r Wi th L i f e ........._........................- ......
4. Ha d e s C l e a r l y t h e Gr ave , o r Gr ave d o m ...........................................................
5. Al l So u l s Re ma i n i n Gr ave d o m Un t i l Re s u r r e ct i o n .......................................
6. Gr a ve d o m: Pl a ce o f Re po s e T h r o u gh o u t De a t h -Sl e e p ...................................
V. Pr o bl e m T e xt (Ma r k 9:43-48): T h e i r Wo r m Di e t h No t .........................
V I . Si n s Pu n i s h me n t Do e s No t C o n t i n u e T h r o u gh Al l Et e r n i t y ........................
17. T h e o l o gi a n Pa u l o n L i f e , De a t h , a n d I mmo r t a l i t y ......................................................
I . C h r i s t Ou r L i f e Is Po s t -Pe n te co s t al T h e me ...................................................
1. Pr o cl a i me d Fi r s t to J e ws , T h e n to Ge n ti l e s .................................................
2. Pa u l Pr e a ch e s Wi t h Fu t i l i t y to Pl a t o n i c Ath e n i a n s .......................................
3. Ro ma n s : I mmo r t a l i t y a Gi f t T h r o u gh C h r i s t ......................................- ..........
4. 1 C o r i n t h i a n s : I mmo r t a l i t y Mu s t Be Pu t On ..............................................
5. 2 C o r i n t h i a n s : C e n t r a l T h e me . C h r i s t Ou r L i f e ...........................................
6. Et e r n a l L i f e T h e me Ru n s T h r o u gh Re ma i n i n g Epi s tl e s ......................
7. Pe t e r , l a me s , a n d J u d e Gi ve Same Emph as i s .................................................
I I . He a r t o f Pa u l i n e T h e o l o gyGi f t o f L i f e I n s te a d o f De s tr u ct i o n .............
1. Re d e mpt i o n o f Ma n Br i n gs L i f e a n d I mmo r t a l i t y .........................................
2. T r e me n d o u s Sco pe o f Sal va ti o n ..............................................................................
3. Ope n i n g Me s sage Is o n Es ch ato l o gy ........_...........................................................
4. Pu n i s h me n t o f Wi cke d Is T o t a l De s tr u ct i o n ...............................................
I I I . Pl ace s Al l Me ssage s i n Gr a ph i c Es ch a to l o gi cal Se t t i n g .......................................
1. Se co n d Ad ve n t I n vo l ve s Re s u r r e ct i o n a n d T r a n s l a t i o n ................................
2. Da y o f t h e L o r d Br i n gs Su d d e n De s t r u ct i o n to Si n n e r s ...................
3. A t t e n d a n t C i r cu ms ta n ce s o f Ad ve n t Po r t r a ye d .............................................
4. C o mi n g Apo stasy Pa u l s Gr ave C o n ce r n .......................................... ...................
5. Di f f e r e n t i a t e s Be twe e n Re s u r r e ct i o n o f Ri gh te o u s a n d Wi cke d ...............
6. Ou r Vi l e Bo d i e s C h a n ge d a t Ad ve n t ..................................................................
7. Se d u ci n g Spi r i t s I mpi n ge o n Go d s Un a ppr o a ch a bl e I mmo r t a l i t y ...............
8. I mmo r t a l i t y Br o u gh t I n t o Fo cu s T h r o u gh Go spe l .............. ._...............- .........
I V . Pa u l i n e Po r t r a ya l a n d Usage o f I mmo r t a l a n d I mmo r t a l i t y .................
1. Abso l u te I mmo r t a l i t y Is A t t r i bu t e o f Go d Al o n e ......................................
2. C h r i s t th e Rcve a l e r o f I mmo r t a l i t y to Ma n ....................................................
3. I mmo r t a l i t y No t Pr e s e n t Po sse ssi o n o f Hu ma n i t y .................- ..................
4. Ma n , No w Mo r t a l , to Pu t On I mmo r t a l i t y ..............................................
5. Re s u r r e ct i o n Is T i me o f Pu t t i n g On I mmo r t a l i t y .............................................
6. T h o s e No t Re ce i vi n g I mmo r t a l i t y Ar e Do o me d .............................................
7. I mmo r t a l i t y Pr e d i ca t e d On l y o f Go d ...................... ..........................................
18. Pa u l s L e a d i n g Pr o bl e m Pas sage (2 C o r . 5:1-9) .................................................................
I . Abs e n t Fr o m th e Bo d y : Pr e s e n t Wi t h t h e L o r d ....... ...............................
1. Pe r i l o f I n vo ki n g t h e I s o l at e d Ve r s e .............................................................
2. C o n t e n t i o n : De a t h On l y a T r a n s i t i o n ............................................................
3. C o n t e n t i o n : So u l No w En jo yi n g C e l e s ti a l L i f e o f Bl i ss ..............................
4. Un kn o wn i n C h r i s t i a n C h u r ch Un t i l Ne ar l y a.d. 200 ..................................
I I . Se t t i n g a n d I n t e n t o f Pa u l s Un u s u a l Po r t r a ya l ................................................
1. T wo Li ve s f o r Be l i e ve r s Pr e s e n t a n d Fu t u r e ................................- .................
2. Ea r t h e n Ve sse l s Mu s t Be Re pl a ce d .............................................. ..................
I I I . Fu l l T e xt o f Pr o bl e m Passage Wi th De f i n i ti o n s ....................................................
I V. Fi ve Basi c C o n s i d e r a ti o n s I n vo l ve d .....................................................- ....................
1. T h r e e C o n s e cu t i ve Stat e s I mpr e s s i ve l y Po r tr a ye d ...........................................
2. Sh r i n ks Fr o m Be i n g Un cl o t h e d i n De a t h ..........................................................
3. Lo n gs f o r Et e r n a l Sta t e ........ ........
4. I n t e r me d i a t e St a t e th e Basi c Qu e s ti o n ..................._.........................................
5. De a t h No t a Po i n t o f T i me , bu t a Pe r i o d .....................................................
6. I n t e r i m De a t h St a t e Ve r s u s Et e r n a l Re s u r r e ct i o n St a t e .............. _...
7. Si gn i f i can ce o f T e r m No t Ma d e Wi th Ha n d s .............................................
8. Exe mpl i f i e d i n C h r i s t s Na t u r a l a n d Re s u r r e ct i o n Bo d y ..............................
9. Ea r t h l y T a be r n a cl e T e mpo r a r y; He a ve n l y T e mpl e Et e r n a l .......................
10. Si mu l ta n e o u s Re u n i o n a n d Re wa r d a t C h r i s t s Re t u r n ............................
V. Gl o ssar y o f K e y Wo r d s a n d Ph r as e s by Ve r s e s ...................- .............................
V I . Expo s i t i o n al Su r ve y o f Passage by Ve r s e s ................................................... .........
1. Ve r s e 1Ea r t h l y Ho me Di s so l ve d ; He a ve n l y Ho u s e Et e r n a l ...................
2. Ve r s e 2Gr o a n i n g f o r I mmo r t a l i t y Be yo n d Re s u r r e ct i o n ..........................
3.. Ve r s e 3-C l o t h e d Agai n A f t e r Nake d , Sta t e o f De a t h ..................................
4. Ve r s e 4Mo r t a l i t y to Be Swal l o we d Up by I mmo r t a l i t y .......................
5. I n d we l l i n g Spi r i t Is Pl e d ge o f Ou r Re s u r r e ct i o n ...........................................
6. Ve r s e 6At Ho me i n Bo d y; Abs e n t Fr o m t h e L o r d .....................................
7. Ve r s e 8I n t e r va l o f De a t h Se pa r a t e s Fr o m Pr e s e n ce Wi t h L o r d ............
8. Re ca pi t u l a t i o n : T h r e e St a t e s f o r Ma n ................................. .............................
19. Pa u l s Ot h e r Pr o bl e m Passage s ..................................................................................................
I . (2 C o r . 12:2-4): Pa u l s Vi s i o n I n o r Ou t o f t h e Bo d y ........................
1. Exa ct Spe ci f i cati o n s o f Passage . ..............................................................................
2. Vi s i o n s Pr o d u ce d by Age n cy o f Ho l y Spi r i t ........................................................
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3. Vi s i o n s I n s e pa r a bl e Pa r t o f Pr o ph e t i c Ro l e .................... 350
4. Pa u l s Vi s i o n o f He a ve n Ma t ch e d by I s a i a h , Da n i e l , J o h n ..................................... 351
5. Abs u r d i ty o f So u l s Se pa r a t i o n T h e o r y ...................................................................... 352
6. Pr e po s te r o u s C o n cl u s i o n s I n vo l ve d ..................................................................................... 353
I I . (Ph i l . l :2d ;24): T o De pa r t , a n d to Be Wi t h C h r i s t ............................................... 354
1. Basi c Pr i n ci pl e s o f So u n d I n t e r pr e t a t i o n .......................................................................... 354
2. Passage Re ga r d e d as Bu l war k o f I mmo r tal -So u l i s m .................................................. 355
3. T h e Pr o bl e m Pas sage i n I t s En t i r e t y ............................................................................. 356
4. Hi s to r i ca l Backgr o u n d f o r Ph i l i ppi a n Epi s t l e ............................................................. 356
5. T h e T wi n Gate ways to Gl o r y ........................................................................................... 358
6. Pa u l s So Pr e cl u d e s Eve r y Ot h e r Me an s ................................................................... 358
I I I . Pa u l Baf f l i n g Di l e mma L i f e o r De a t h ................................... ................................ 359
1. C h r i s t Ma gn i f i e d by Ei t h e r Li f e o r De a t h .............. 359
2. I n vo l ve me n t s a n d Ad van tage s o f De a t h .......................................................................... 360
3. C h r i s t Wi l l C a l l Fo r t h Fr o m Du s t y Be d s ...................................................................... 361
4. On l y T wo De s i gn a t e d Ways to Gl o r y ............................................................................. 361
5. Pa u l s Mu l t i pl e T e s t i mo n y as to Wh e n ...................................................................... 362
6. Re s u r r e ct i o n , No t De a t h , Us h e r s I n t o Pr e s e n ce o f C h r i s t ....................................... 363
I V . Pa u l s Gr e a t T h i r d C h o i ce T r a n s l a t i o n ............................................................................. 364
1. T r a n s l a t i o n Fa r Be t t e r T h a n L i vi n g o r Dyi n g ............................................................. 364
2. De s i r e d to Be Lo o s e d , Se t Fr e e Fr o m Ea r t h ............................................................... 365
3. Re l a ti o n o f Pr o bl e m Passage s to Wh o l e o f Scr i pt u r e .................................................. 366
20. Un i qu e Wi tn e s s o f Epi s tl e s o f Pe t e r a n d J o h n ............................................................................... 368
I . Pe t e r s Po r t r a ya l o f C a tacl ys mi c En d Eve n ts ..................................................................... 368
1. I mpo s i n g Ou t l i n e i n Swe e pi n g Str o ke s ............................. 368
2. C h a r a cte r i s t i cs o f C e n t u r i e s T h a t Pr e ce d e ...................................................................... 370
3. C o mi n g De l u ge o f Fi r e i n Da y o f t h e L o r d ............................................................. 371
I I . Pr o bl e m T e xt (1 Pe t e r 3:19)Pr e a ch i n g to Spi r i t s i n Pr i s o n ............................ 372
1. Do u bt f u l T e xt s I n vo ke d to Su ppo r t Do u bt f u l Po si ti o n s ........................................... 372
2. Pr o f o u n d I mpl i ca ti o n s o f Pa pa l Po si ti o n ....................................................................... 374
3. C h r i s t We n t No wh e r e i n De a t h ; Pr e a ch e d to No On e ........................................... 375
4. C h r i s t Was Ma d e Al i ve ; Di d No t C o n t i n u e Al i ve Du r i n g I n t e r i m ..................... 375
5. Wh e n a n d to Wh o m Di d C h r i s t Pr e a ch ? ........................................................................ 376
I I I . C h r i s t T r u l y Di e d Acco r d i n g to Pr e d i cti o n , Fu l f i l l me n t, A t te s t a ti o n ................. 377
1. Expl i ci t OT Pr o ph e ci e s o f Fo r th co mi n g De a t h ............................................................. 377
2. J e s u s Own Un e qu i vo ca l Pr e d i cti o n s o f Hi s De a t h .................................................... 377
3. I n s pi r a t i o n s Re co r d o f C h r i s t s De a t h .............................................................................. 378
4. Apo sto l i c Wi tn e s s to C h r i s t s De a t h ................................................................................... 379
5. C h r i s t s Po st-As ce n si o n T e s t i mo n y Fr o m He a ve n ....................................................... 381
6. C h r i s t s De a t h Es ta bl i s h e d , C e r i ti f i e d , Atte s t e d ........................................................... 381
7. Al l Is L o s t i f C h r i s t Di d No t Actu a l l y Di e ................................................................... 381
8. Mu l t i pl e Be n e f i ts An n u l l e d i f C h r i s t Di d No t Di e ...................................................... 382
I V . Pr o bl e m T e xt (2 Pe t e r 2:4)Fa l l e n An ge l s De t a i n e d i n T a r t a r u s ........................ 383
1. Pl ace o f De t e n t i o n f o r Fa l l e n An ge l s ............................................................................. 384
2. No Pu n i s h me n t Be f o r e De ci si o n s o f J u d gme n t .............................................................. 384
V. J o h n s Epi s t l e s : L i f e i n a n d T h r o u gh C h r i s t Is C e n t r a l T h o u gh t .......................... 385
1. L i f e Ma n i f e s t e d , Pr o mi s e d , Po sse sse d i n C h r i s t .......................................................... 385
2. Po sse ssi o n o f Et e r n a l L i f e C o n d i t i o n e d o n I n d we l l i n g C h r i s t ................................ 386
21. Re ve l a t i o n I n s pi r a t i o n s Su pr e me Po r t r a ya l o f Hu ma n De s ti n y ....................................... 388
I . T r e me n d o u s Sco pe a n d Gr a n d Fi n a l e o f Bo o k o f Re ve l at i o n .................. .............. 389
1. Swe e ps i n Pa s t, Pr e s e n t, bu t Pr i ma r i l y Fu t u r e ........................................................ 390
2. T r i u mph o f Se e d a n d C r u s h i n g o f Se r pe n t ............................................................... 390
3. Da y o f th e L o r d Is Ma s t e r K e y to Apo cal yps e ...................................................... 391
4. C o ve r s T r a n s i t i o n Fr o m T i me to Et e r n i t y ...................................................................... 393
5. C o mpl e te Vi n d i ca ti o n o f Go d a n d Ri gh te o u s n e s s ........................................................... 394
I I . Da y o f t h e L o r d Go d s Gr e a t Day o f Re cko n i n g Wi t h Ma n .............................. 395
I I I . OT T e xts a n d T e r ms Po r t r a yi n g Da y o f th e L o r d ...............................................- ..... 396
I V . NT Po r t r a ya l o f Day o f t h e L o r d J e su s C h r i s t ............................................................. 398
V . Da y o f t h e L o r d Fu l f i l l s i n Hi s to r i ca l Actu a l i t i e s o f Apo cal ypse ...................... 399
1. Ne w No te Ha s I n cr e a s i n g Vo l u me a n d T e mpo .................................. - ................- ....... 400
2. De t a i l e d Bi l l o f Pa r t i cu l a r s i n Apo cal ypse ................................... ................................. 401
3. Ol d Passe s Fo r e ve r ; Ne w Es ta bl i s h e d Fo r e ve r .................................................... 401
4. C o n s u mma ti n g T e s t i mo n y Se al s Age -o l d Wi tn e s s ........................................................ 402
22. Apo cal yps e Re ve al s Fi n a l Fa t e o f Wi cke d .................................. .............................. ...................... 404
I . T e a ch i n g o f t h e Apo cal yps e o n Fi n a l Pu n i s h me n t ...................................................... 404
I I . Ge h e n n a L a ke o f Fi r e T o t a l l y De s tr o ys Al l Si n n e r s ............................................. 405
1. Se co n d De a t h T i e d I n Wi t h Day o f Wr a t h ................................................... 405
2. L a ke o f Fi r e Equ a t e d Wi t h Se co n d De a t h ....... ....................... 406
3. L a ke o f Fi r e I s Pr e d i ct e d Ge h e n n a o f Fi r e ........... ............................................ 406
4. C o n s ti t u te s I n e xo r a bl e C h a i n o f Evi d e n ce ...................................................................... 408
I I I . Pr o bl e m T e xt (Re v. 14:11)T o r me n t Day a n d Ni gh t ; Smo ke Asce n d i n g Fo r e ve r 409
1. T e r ms o f Re ve l a t i o n 14:11 L i mi t e d to Spe ci f i e cT Gr o u p ................... ....................... 409
2. Smo ke Asce n d s Up Fo r e ve r Fi r e s Bu r n e d Ou t ...................... .................................. 410
3. Ne i t h e r T o r me n t n o r Smo ke Ar e Et e r n a l ......................... ............................. 411
4. Fa t h e r o f Fi r s t No -De a t h L i e L a s t t o Di e i n Ge h e n n a .............................. 412
I V . No Et e r n a l l y Se e t h i n g L a ke o f Fi r e i n C o mi n g Ne w Ea r t h .............................. 413
1. Do gma o f Et e r n a l T o r me n t I n vo l ve s No to r i o u s Du al i s m .................................... 413
2. C e l e s ti a l C o n f l i ct T e r mi n a t e s o n Ea r t h ..................... 414
3. Ne w Ea r t h a n d Ne w J e r u s a l e m Gl o r i o u s l y Re a l ____ 415
4. En d l e s s L i f e i n C h r i s t Un d e vi a t i n g No te o f Apo cal ypse ------- 416
23. Gr e e k T e r ms a n d Usage s Ps u ch e ' (So u l ); Pn e u ma (Spi r i t ) ------- 419
I . C h a r a ct e r i s t i c Ad va n ta ge s , Di s a d va n t a ge s , a n d Pi tf a l l s o f Gr e e k .................. 419
1. I s su e o f I mmo r t a l i t y o f Pa r a mo u n t C o n ce r n _________________________________ 420
2. C o n f l i ct Ove r Pu n i s h me n t o f Wi cke d ___________ 420
I I . Ps u ch e i n Ne w T e s t a me n t Us a ge ---------------- 421
1. He br e w Ba ckgr o u n d o f t h e Ea r l y C h u r ch ............ 421
2. Ho w th e T r a n s l a t o r s Re n d e r e d Ps u ch e __ .................................................... 422
3. Me an i n gs o f Ps u ch e Fa l l I n t o Fo u r C at e go r i e s ............... 423
I I I . Pn e u ma i n Ne w T e s t a me n t Us a ge ---------------------- 425
I V . Exi t a n d Re -e n t r y o f t h e Spi r i t ....................................................................................... 427
1. De pa r t u r e o f Spi r i t Fr o m Bo d y a t D e a t h ............... 427
2. V a r i a n t Ways o f Expr e s s i n g Act o f Dyi n g .......... 428
3. Spi r i t De pa r t s a t De a t h : Re s to r e d a t Re s u r r e ct i o n ............................ 429
24. T e r ms a n d Us a ge s : Ai On a n d Ai o n i o s ............. 431
I . Pr i n ci pl e s Go ve r n i n g t h e Me a n i n g o f "A i d n a n d Ai Oni o s ......... 431
1. De f i n i ti o n s a n d Usage s ...... 431
2. Spe ci f i c Ai d n i o s Us age s Ou t l i n e d ....................... 433
I I . Ai d n a n d Ai o n i o s i n t h e C o n tr a s t s o f Scr i pt u r e ...................................... 433
1. Go l d e n Ru l e : Pe r pe t u i t y Wi th i n L i mi ts ......................................................................... 433
2. T wo De t e r mi n a t i ve Pr i n ci pl e s r e Ai d n i o s .......... 434
3. Ge h a zi s Fo r Eve r -L e pr o s y L a s t e d Un t i l Po s t e r i t y Ext i n ct .......................... 434
4. L e n gt h Go ve r n e d by No u n to Wh i ch A t t a ch e d ............................. 435
5. Bo d y Bl o w to I mmo r ta l -So u l T h e o r y ...... 436
6. Re s t r i ct e d Us e i n t h e Apo cal yps e ............. .......................... - ....................... 436
I I I . T e xt s Exe mpl i f y Di ve r s i f i e d Me an i n gs o f Ai d n a n d Ai o n i o s ......... 436
I V . So u n d I n t e r pr e t a t i ve Pr i n ci pl e s Eme r ge f o r Gu i d a n ce .................................................... 438
1. Va s t Sco pe o f Me a n i n g o f Ai o n Exh i bi t e d .....................................................- ....... 439
2. Go d Has I n f i n i t y; Ma n Do e s No t ....................... 440
3. Ai o n i o s Et e r n a l i n Re s u l ts , No t i n Pr o ce s s .........- ..........................- ...........- ....... 441
4. Re ve l at i o n 20:10Exa mpl e o f L i mi t e d T o r me n t ................ 442
5. Be war e o f Un s cr i pt u r a l Fo u n d a ti o n s a n d Un s o u n d Re a s o n i n g ..........;............. 443
25. T e r ms a n d Us age s : I mmo r t a l , I n co r r u pt i o n , I mmo r t a l i t y, Et e r n a l L i f e 445
I . I mmo r t a l i t ySpr i n gs Fr o m Go d . Be s to we d o n Ma n ......................... 445
1. At h a n a s i a ( I mmo r t a l i t y )Po sse sse d by Go d ; Pu t On by Ma n ................... 445
2. I mmo r t a l i t y Is I mmu n i t y to De a t h o r De s t r u ct i o n .................................................. 446
3. No t Na t u r a l En d o wme n t bu t Spe ci al Be s to wme n t ................................v.................... 446
A t h a n a s i a , A ph t h a r t o s , A ph t h a r s i a Re s t r i ct I n n a t e I mmo r t a l i t y to Go d 447
1. A ph t h a r t o s ( I n co r r u pt i bl e ) Li ke wi s e C o n f i n e d Excl u si ve l y to Go d ...... 447
2. A ph t h a r s i a ( I n co r r u pt i o n )No t I n a l i e n a bl e Po sse ssi o n o f Ma n ................. 448
3. Obs e r va ti o n ............................... 449
I I I . T h e Fi ve En gl i s h Use s o f I mmo r t a l /I mmo r t a l i t y Exa mi n e d ................ - 449
1. Go d t h e Po sse sso r , Ma n t h e Fu t u r e Re ce i ve r ............................................... 449
2. Re ca pi t u l a t i o n o f Fi ve f o l d Wi tn e s s .................. 452
I V . Pr o bl e m Et e r n a l L i f e a n d I mmo r t a l i t yDi f f e r e n ce s , Si mi l a r i ti e s , a n d
Re l a ti o n s h i ps ....................................- ............. 452
1. Pr o bl e m: Ar e Et e r n a l L i f e a n d I mmo r t a l i t y Equ i va l e n ts ? 452
2. Go d s I mmo r t a l i t y Abs o l u te ; M a n s Al ways C o n t i n ge n t ........................ 453
3. Et e r n a l Li f e -Go d s by Na t u r e ; M a n s to Re ce i ve ..................................................... 454
4. Bo th Et e r n a l L i f e a n d I mmo r tal i ty^C e n t e r i n C h r i s t ................................................. 455
5. Et e r n a l L i f e Bas e d o n Du al Re l ati o n s h i ps ......... 455
6. So u n d C o n cl u s i o n s De d u ci bl e Fr o m Scr i pt u r e Evi d e n ce ......... 456
V . Et e r n a l L i f e Pr e s e n t Po sse ssi o n , bu t i n C h r i s t ............. 457
V I . I mmo r t a l i t yGo d s Al o n e , M a n s to Pu t On a t A d ve n t ...................................... 459
V I I . Bas i c T wo f o l d Pr o vi s i o n -C o n d i t i o n o f Et e r n a l L i f e ....................... 459
1. Si mi l a r to C h r i s t s Re l a ti o n s h i p to t h e Fa t h e r ........ 4o l
2. L i f e o f Go d I mpl a n t e d T h r o u gh Ne w Bi r t h .......... 461
V I I I . Be l i e ve r s Pr e d e s ti n e d He i r s o f Et e r n a l L i f e He r e a f t e r . 462
1. Al r e a d y He i r s , Awa i ti n g T i me o f Po sse ssi o n ...... ........................................................ 462
2. Pr o l e pt i c Fi gu r e Empl o ye d r e Et e r n a l L i f e ....................................- ...........- .......... 463
3. Et e r n a l L i f e Ve s te d i n C h r i s t, No t i n Us ....................................... 464
4. Mi n o r He i r Do e s No t Ha ve Po sse ssi o n Un t i l o f Age ..................................- ............ 464
26 T e ch n i ca l T e r ms : Sl e e pi n g, Wa ki n g, Re s u r r e ct i o n .................................................. 466
I . Sl e e pi n g a n d Awa ke n i n gNT T e r ms f o r De a t h a n d Re s u r r e ct i o n ............. 466
1. M u l t i pl e Spe cu l a ti o n s Ove r St a t e i n De a t h ---------- 466
2. Sl e e pC o mmo n T e r m f o r De a d i n C h r i s t ................- ........................- ..... 467
3. Fi gu r e o f Sl e e p Us e d On l y o f Fi r s t De a t h ............................. .... 468
4. Un i f o r m Us a ge De t e r mi n e s t h e Me a n i n g ...................................................- ................... 469
5. Sl e e p I mpl i e s As s u r an ce o f "A wa ke n i n g .............................- .................................. 470
6. "Awa l ce n i n g Fr o m De a t h -Sl e e p Is I n s pi r e d T e r mi n o l o gy .......... 471
7. T r a n s l a ti o n C o n ce al s Re i t e r a t e d Awa ke n i n g Emph as i s ...................... .............. 472
8. Be ar s Vi t a l Re l a t i o n s h i p to Ad ve n t Ho pe .................................... - ............ 474
I I . T wo Se pa r a t e Ge n e r a l Re s u r r e ct i o n s ^>f Ri gh t e o u s a n d Wi cke d . 474
1. T wo Ge n e r a l Re s u r r e ct i o n s Fo l l o w i n Se qu e n ce ............................. - .............................. 474
2. Re s u r r e ct i o n Un i ve r s a l i n Ope r a t i o n --------------------------- 475
I I .
3. Dr a ma o f Re be l l i o n , Si n , a n d De a t h Ove r . .................. 476
I I I . Gl o r y o f Ou r I mmo r ta l i ze d Re s u r r e ct i o n Bo d i e s ......................... 476
1. Re s u r r e ct i o n o f Bo d y I n d i s pe n s a bl e to Fu t u r e L i f e .................................................... 476
2. C o n t i n u i t y o f I d e n t i t y a n d Pe r s o n a l i ty Pr e s e r ve d .................................................. 477
3. Re s u r r e ct i o n Bo d i e s to Be Vas tl y Di f f e r e n t ............. .......... ......................... 478
4. Spi r i t u a l Bo d i e s Pe r f e ct l y Ad a pt e d to Re s u r r e ct i o n L i f e ............................. 479
I V . Ma n y i n He a ve n T h r o u gh Spe ci al Re s u r r e ct i o n o r T r a n s l a t i o n ............................. 480
1. En o ch , Mo se s, a n d El i ja h Ar e Ea r l i e s t T r o ph i e s ........................................................... 480
2. Gl o r i f i e d Mo se s a n d El i ja h A ppe a r a t T r a n s f i gu r a t i o n ....................... 482
3. Spe ci al Re s u r r e ct i o n a t C h r i s t s Re s u r r e ct i o n ................ 483
4. Go d s St i pu l a t e d Wa y f o r I mmo r ta l i za t i o n ................................................................ 483
5. Ge n e r a l Re s u r r e ct i o n a n d T r a n s l a t i o n a t C h r i s t s Re t u r n ............................. 484
27. T e r ms a n d Us a ge s : Fi n a l Di s po s i ti o n o f t h e Wi cke d ....... 486
I . M u l t i pl e T e r ms Af f i r m De s tr u ct i o n , Pe r i s h i n g, Ext i n ct i o n ........................................... 486
1. En gl i s h T r a n s l a ti o n s Si gn i f y U t t e r De s t r u ct i o n ............ 486
2. C o n s t a bl e s C o n s i d e r e d Su ppo r t i n g C o n cl u s i o n s ....................._................................... 488
I I . Gr e e k T e r ms Af f i r m De s t r o y, C o n s u me , Pe r i s h , Obl i t e r a t e ............. 488
1. L e a d i n g Gr e e k T e r ms De f i n e d ................................................. 488
2. No t On e i n L i s t I mpl i e s Et e r n a l T o r me n t ...................................................................... 490
I I I . We ymo u t h s De va s t a t i n g C h a r ge o f Ma n i pu l a t e d Me a n i n gs ................................... 491
. I V . Su cci n ct Su mma r y o f Ove r -a l l Evi d e n ce ......... 494
28. Su mmi n g Up t h e C as e f o r Bi bl i cal C o n d i t i o n a l i s m ......................................................................... 498
I . C o n d i t i o n a l i s m Acce n t u a te d a n d En f o r ce d i n Ne w T e s t a me n t ..................................... 498
1. C o mpl e te Ha r mo n y Be twe e n T e s t a me n t s .............................. 498
2. I mmo r t a l i za t i o n Acce n t u a te d a n d Ampl i f i e d i n Ne w T e s t a me n t ............................ 499
3. I mmo r t a l i t y a n Acqu i s i ti o n , No t I n h e r e n t Po sse ssi o n .............................................. 500
4. C o n t r a s t i n g Po si ti o n s Su cci n ctl y Se t Fo r t h ............ .;......................................................... 500
5. I mmo r ta l -So u l i s m Is I mmo r t a l i t y Wi t h o u t a Savi o u r ...................................... 501
6. C o n d i t i o n a l i s m I s Po s i ti ve , No t Ne ga t i ve .............................................................. 502
7. Mo r e Ga i n e d T h r o u gh C h r i s t T h a n Lo s t T h r o u gh Ad am ------------ 503
I I . Is su e s I l l u mi n a t e d T h r o u gh Si gn i f i can t Se r i e s o f T wo s ............................................ 504
1. T wo Wo r l d s : T e mpo r a l a n d Et e r n a l ..................................... 505
2. T wo Ad a ms : T h e Na t u r a l , T h e n t h e Spi r i t u a l ........................................................... 506
3. Se co n d Ad a m: Pr o ge n i t o r o f I mmo r t a l Ra ce ................................................................. 507
4. T wo Bi r t h s : Fi r s t Fl e s h l y, Se co n d Spi r i t u a l a n d Et e r n a l .................................... 508
5. T wo C o ve n a n ts : Fi r s t o f Wo r ks , Se co n d o f Fa i t h ..... 508
6. T wo C l ass e s : C a r n a l a n d Pe r i s h i n g, He a ve n l y a n d Abi d i n g ..................................... 509
7. T wo K i n gd o ms : Of Go d a n d o f Sa t a n ....................... 509
8. T wo Ad ve n ts : I n th e Fl e s h , a n d i n Po we r a n d Gl o r y .................................................. 510
9. T wo Re s u r r e ct i o n s : T o L i f e a n d to Da mn a t i o n 510
10. Fi n a l i t y o f Se pa r a t i o n Occu r s a t Se co n d A d ve n t .............................. 511
11. T wo De a t h s : Fi r s t De a t h f o r Al l , Se co n d On l y f o r Wi cke d ................................... 512
12. Se co n d De a t h Fo l l o ws Se co n d Re s u r r e ct i o n .................................... 513
13. Se co n d De a t h f o r I r r e cl a i ma bl y Wi cke d On l y ....................................................... 514
14. T h e T wo Wa ys : Way o f L i f e , a n d Way o f De a t h ................................................... 515
15. De s ti n e d En d i n gs o f t h e T wo Ways .................................................................................. 516
I I I . Fu n d a me n t a l Fa l l a cy o f I mmo r ta l -So u l i s t C o n ce pt ...... 517
1. Du a l i s m No t Pa r t o f Di vi n e Pl a n o f t h e Age s ...................................... 518
P A R T I I I (C h a pt e r s 29-43)
T h e P l a t o n i c P o s t u l a t e
29. Gr e e k Ph i l o s o ph y Re a ch e s Su mmi t o f Pa ga n T h i n ki n g ............................... 529
I . Gr e e k T h i n ki n g Exh a u s ts Un i n s pi r e d Spe cu l ati ve Re a s o n i n g ................................. 529
1. I mpr i n t e d I mmo r ta l -So u l i s m o n Wo r l d T h o u gh t ......................................................... 529
2. Fi r s t C o n f i n e d to Po e ts a n d Ph i l o s o ph e r s ; Ne ve r Ge n e r a l l y He l d .......................... 531
3. Ea r l y T e a ch i n g Po r tr a ys J o yl e ss A f te r wo r l d ....................... 531
4. Fi ve Stage s i n Ph i l o s o ph i cal De ve l o pme n t ................................................... 531
5. T h i s C h a pt e r Bas e d o n Re co gn i ze d Au th o r i t i e s .......................................... 533
I I . Pr e l i mi n a r y Stage I n i t i a t e d by Po e ts , C u l t s , a n d Mys te r i e s ............. 534
1. Ho me r : Pe r s i s te n ce o f L i f e Be yo n d De a t h ................................................... 534
2. T r a n s mi gr a t i o n T h e o r y I n t r o d u ce d by Di o n ys i ac C u l t ................. 536
3. Or ph i cs : Pe r me a t e d Wi t h Pa n th e i s m a n d Re i n ca r n a t i o n i s m ............................... 537
I I I . Ph i l o s o ph i cal De ve l o pme n ts I o n i c, El e a t i c, a n d Pyth a go r e a n Po si ti o n s ................. 540
1. I o n i a n Sch o o l : A i r , Wa t e r , Fi r e , I n f i n i t e ................................................ 540
2. El e a t i c Sch o o l : Ph i l o s o ph y Be co me s Pa n t h e i s t i c ....................... 541
3. He r a cl i t u s : So u l I s I mmo r t a l Spa r k Fr o m Et e r n a l Fi r e ............................................ 543
4. Pyth a go r a s : Et e r n i t y o f So u l a n d Su cce ssi ve T r a n s mi gr a t i o n s .............................. 545
30. So ph i s ts Re a ct Agai n s t C o n f l i cti n g Spe cu l a ti ve Sch o o l s ____________ 547
I . Pa r a l l e l i n g T r a gi c a n d L yr i c Po e ts Bu tt r e s s Po s i ti o n s ........ 547
1. T i d e s o f Po e ti c Opi n i o n Ebb a n d Fl o w .................................... 547
2. Pi n d a r : So ul _ Is I ma ge o f Et e r n i t y ............................................................................ 548
I I . I n e vi t a bl e Re a cti o n Un d e r C o mpr o mi s e r s , Ato mi s ts , a n d So ph i s ts .......................... 549
1. Empe d o cl e s : Do o me d by Si n t o T r a n s mi gr a t i o n s .................. 549
2. An axago r as : Du a l i s m a n d Di s s o l u ti o n o f t h e So u l ....................... 551
3. Ato mi s ts : C o n s ci o u s Exi s te n ce Di s a ppe a r s a t De a t h .------------ ------------------------
4. So ph i s ts : Br i n g Spe cu l a ti ve Ph i l o s o ph y to a Sta n d s ti l l ---------------------------------
5. Su ch a Su r ve y J u s t i f i a bl e a n d Es s e n ti al . ---------------------------------------------- - .....
6. Un pa r a l l e l e d I mpa ct o f Gr e ci a n Ph i l o s o ph y ---------------------------------------------------
31. Pl a t o Pa ga n Fo u n t a i n h e a d o f I n n a t e -I mmo r t a l i t y Str e a ms ...................................... ............
I . I n t e r e s t C e n t e r e d i n Or i gi n , Na t u r e , a n d De s ti n y o f So u l .......................................
1. Su pr e me A t t e mpt s to I n t e r pr e t Ri d d l e o f L i f e .......................................................
2. I mpa ct o n J e wi s h a n d C h r i s t i a n T h o u gh t .............................. ...............................
3. Ba ckgr o u n d a n d Es s e n ce o f Pl a t o s I mmo r tal -So u l i s m ...............................................
4. Pr e s e n t L i f e On e Epi s o d e i n En d l e s s Se qu e n ce -------------------------------------------
5. T h r e e Ma i n Ar gu me n t s o f I n d e f e a s i bl e I mmo r t a l i t y ..................................................
I I . C o mpl e x I n vo l ve me n t s o f Pl a t o s I mmo r t a l i t y Po s tu l ate s ................ ...................
1. Or i gi n a n d Na t u r e o f t h e C o smo s ...........- ......................................... ......... ......................
2. C o n f l i cti n g Re ci ta l s o f C r e a t i o n o f Ma n ..........................................................................
3. Epi to me o f Pl a t o s C o n ce pt o f So u l ---------- .;------ ....................................................
4. T wo f o l d So u l s, Fi xe d Nu mbe r , a n d T r a n s mi gr a t i o n ...................... - .
5. We i r d Aggr e gati o n o f Pl a t o n i c C o n ce pts .......................................................................
6. Myth i ca l l a l e o f t h e J u d gme n t I n vo ke d ................................................ ........................
7. Du al i s m I n vo l ve d i n T wo Et e r n a l So ul s .................................. ...............
32. Pa ga n Ph i l o s o ph ys Basi c Ar gu me n t s f o r I mmo r ta l -So u l i s m .................................. ..................
I . T h e Ph a e d o Pe ak o f Pl a t o s T e a ch i n g o n t h e So u l -------------- ..................
1. I mmo r ta l -So u l i s m No t Or i gi n a l l y He l d by Pl a t o ......................................... ..............
2. Di s ti n cti ve An gl e s o f T h r e e Di al o gu e s ................................................................- ..............
3. T h e So u l Is t h e M a n ....... - ...............................................................
4. So cr ate s We l co me s De a t h as I n i t i a t i o n to Af te r l i f e ...........................................
5. De a t h De cl a r e d Fi n a l St e p I n t o T r u e Be i n g ......................................................
6. De a t h : Se pa r a t i o n o f So u l Fr o m Bo d y ....................................- .......... ...............
7. Po pu l a r Vi e w: So u l Pe r i s h e s a t De a t h ............................... - ............
8. L i vi n g Ar e Bo r n On l y Fr o m th e De a d t ...................v..................................................
9. So u l De cl a r e d I mmo r t a l . I n d e s t r u ct i bl e , I n d i s s o l u bl e ..............................
10. Po s t u l a t e o f So u l s Pr e -e xi s te n ce In vo l ve d .....- ..............................................................
11. So u l s Mu s t Ha ve Exi s te d Be f o r e Bi r t h ........................ - ..................
12. So u l I n vi s i bl e , Un ch a n ge a bl e ; Bo d y Vi s i bl e , C h a n gi n g ................................
13. So u l s I mpr i s o n e d i n Su cce ss i o n o f An i ma l Bo d i e s ............... .................................
14. So u l We ar s Ou t Su cce ssi o n o f Ma n y Bo d i e s ...................................................
15. So u l as I n s t r u me n t a l Ha r mo n y A r gu me n t Di s mi s s e d .........................................
16. So u l s I mmo r t a l i t y C o n n o te s I n d e s t r u ct i bi l i t y ....................................................
17. Fa n ci e d Fa te o f I n co r r i gi bl y Wi cke d ............................................................- ..................
18. Dr i n ks t h e He ml o ck a n d Face s J o u r n e y ................................................................
33. I mmo r t a l Hu ma n So u l s Pa r t o f Wo r l d -So u l .. ..................................................................
I . Ph a e d r u s Myt h i ca l Fl i gh ts o f C o mpo s i te Wi n ge d So u l s .......................................
1. C r u ci a l C o n f l i cts Be twe e n Pa r t s o f So u l ............................................... ....................
2. T r i pa r t i t e Di vi s i o n o f So u l Bu i l t o n M yt h ...............................................................
3. Fa u l t i n Wi n gs a n d Bl ack St e e d . _..............................- ................................
4. So u l No t De r i ve d , He n ce No t De s t r u ct i bl e ------------------------------------------
5. T wo So u k : On e Go o d , On e Evi l ......................................................................
6. Se l f -mo ti o n Is Es s e n ce o f So u l ....................... ........................................
7. I mmo r t a l So u l Pl u s Mo r t a l Bo d y Equ a l s L i vi n g Be i n g ...........................
8. Wi n g T h e i r Wa y Wi th t h e Go d s ............. - ...........- .....
9. Vi ci s s i tu d e s o f Di s e mbo d i e d So u k a n d Wi n gs .........................................................
10. T i me Sch e d u l e o f Pr o gr e s si ve I n ca r n a t i o n s -----------------------------------------------------
11. Se co n d I n ca r n a t i o n A f t e r T h o u s a n d Y e ar s -----------------------------------------------------
12. So u k Be co me L i ke t h e Go d s T h e y Fo l l o w .....................................................................
I I . T i ma e u s Hu ma n So u l Di l u t e d Pa r t o f Wo r l d -So u l .................................
1. Pl a t o s T h e o r y o f Un i ve r s e a n d Ma n ............................................ .................... ...............
2. Wo r l d -So u l Wi t h Sta r s as Di vi n e So u k ...............................................................
3. Du a l i s m: Evi l Wi l l Ne ve r C e ase to Be ...........................................................................
4. So u l Is So u r ce o f Al l Mo ti o n ........... ........................................................................
5. I n t e r me d i a t e Exi s te n ce Be twe e n Be i n g a n d Be co mi n g ............................
6. I mmo r t a l Pa r t o f Ma n Fas h i o n e d by Pr i ma l C r e a t o r ...................... - ..
7. Su cce ss i ve Bi r t h s i n Scal e o f T r a n s mi gr a t o r y De gr a d a t i o n .....................................
8. Al l A n i ma te d L i f e I n cl u d e d i n L i vi n g Be i n gs ................ - ..................
9. M a n s I mmo r t a l So u l De cl a r e d Ho u s e d i n He a d ....................................................
34. Ske pti ca l Re a cti o n s Er u pt Agai n s t Pl a t o n km ---- - -----------------------------
I . Ar i s to tl e Aban d o n s Pl a t o s Po s t u l a t e o f Pct s o n a l I mmo r t a l i t y ..........................
1. Qu e s ti o n s Pl a t o s Re a s o n i n g o n I mmo r t a l i t y .................................................................
2. A r kt o t l e i n Sh a r p C o n t r a s t Wi t h Pl a t o ................................... ........................................
3. So u l Is t h e Pr i n ci pl e o f L i f e .............................................................. .
4. On l y Di vi n e Re as o n Is I mmo r t a l ............... .........................................................................
5. Se pa r a t e d So u l Ha s No I n d e pe n d e n t Exi s t e n ce .......................................... ............
6. T r i pa r t i t e Na t u r e : Bo d y, So u l , a n d Mi n d .............................- -----------------------------
7. Ro h d e Su mma r i ze s Ar i s to tl e s Po si ti o n ............................................................... ..........
8. Ze l l e r o n Pr e -e xi s t e n ce , I n ca r n a t i o n s , a n d Pe r s o n a l I mmo r t a l i t y ......... ........
9. We s t co tt Agr e e s Wi t h Ze l l e r , Ro h d e , a n d E)r ape r ......................................................
10. Ot h e r Sch o l ar s Agr e e i n Fo r e go i n g Eva l u at i o n s ................................................ .........
11. C e n t u r i e s -o l d C o n f l i ct Ove r A r kt o t l e s Po si ti o n ..........................................................
I I . Wi d e s pr e a d Oppo s i ti o n by Sto i cs, Epi cu r e a n s , a n d Ske pti cs ------------------- -----
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SUBJ EC T GUIDE 1
1. Sto i ci s m: Ma t e r i a l i s t i c Pa n t h e i s m; Ul t i ma t e Lo ss o f Pe r s o n a l i ty ..........................
2. Pe r i o d i c Re a bs o r pt i o n s I n t o De i t y .....................................................................................
3. T h e So u l a Fr a gme n t o f t h e Di vi n e ....................................................................................
4. Et e r n a l So u l -Es s e n ce Lo se s Pe r s o n a l I n d i vi d u a l i t y ......................................................
5. Ho pe l e ss n e s s a n d I n a d e qu a cy o f Sto i ci s m ..........................................................................
I I I . Epi cu r e a n i s mGr o ss Ma t e r i a l i s m a n d C e s s ati o n o f So u l ...............................................
1. De a t h Br i n gs Pe r ma n e n t C e s s ati o n o f L i f e ...................................................................
2. Wo r l d Fo r ma t i o n s Re s u l t o f Bl i n d C h a n ce ...................................................................
3. Pl e a s u r e C an o n i ze d Wi t h o u t Re s t r a i n t ............................................................................
4. Se pa r a t e d So u l Ut t e r l y C e ase s ................................................................................................
5. May Re a ppe a r as An o th e r Pe r s o n ....................................................................................
6. I r r e co n ci l a bl e C l as h e s Be twe e n Sto i cs a n d Epi cu r e a n s ................................................
I V . Ske pti cs Pyr r h o Un d e r mi n e s Basi s o f I mmo r tal -So u l i s m .............................................
35. Pa t h e t i c De s pa i r Pr e d o mi n a n t Amo n g Ro ma n T h i n ke r s .............................................................
I . Wi d e s pr e a d Re vo l t Agai n s t Pl a t o n i c Po si ti o n s ............................................................
1. Ba r r e n C o mf o r t o f Sto i cs, Epi cu r e a n s , a n d Ske pti cs ..................................................
2. Ma n i l i u s : Ho l d s a Fa t a l i s t i c Pa n th e i s m .........................................................................
3. C i ce r o : Vaci l l at e s Be twe e n Be l i e f a n d Do u bt ...............................................................
I I . L u cr e ti u s Bl e ak Ma te r i a l i s m a n d Et e r n a l De a t h -Sl e e p ..............................................
1. Bo o k Syn o psi s Re ve al s Sta r k Ma te r i a l i s m ........................................................................
2. T h e T e r r i f yi n g Issu e s o f De a t h .....................................................................................
3. T h e I d l e Fa n cy o f Fo o l s ....................................................................................................
4. Ra r i f i e d Wi n d Le ave s Bo d y a t De a t h ........................................................................
5. Bo th Spi r i t a n d Bo d y Ar c Mo r ta l .....................................................................................
6. Ri d i cu l e s I mmo r t a l Spi r i t s Se e ki n g Bo d i e s ...............................................................
7. De a t h : Et e r n a l Sl e e p Wi t h No Awa ke n i n g ...................................................................
I I I . Ske pti ci s m, Pa n t h e i s m, Ema n a t i o n , Re f u s i o n Al l I n t e r mi n gl e d ..........................
1. C a t u l l u s a n d Ho r a ce : De a t h , Sl e e p o f Et e r n a l Ni gh t ................................................
2. V e r gi l : Spa r k o f Wo r l d -So u l Fi r e Re t u r n s to So u r ce .............................................
3. Ovi d : Di vi n e Spa r k Gave Be i n g to Ma n ........................................................................
4. Se n e ca : Un ce r t a i n t y a n d C o n t r a d i ct i o n Ma r k Wi tn e s s .............................................
5. Pl i n y: Pa n t h e i s t i c Un i ve r s e ; Ma n Pa r t o f Go d .............................................................
6. Epi ct e t u s : Re f u s i o n o f So u l I mme d i a t e a t De a t h ......................................................
7. Pl u t a r ch : I d e a o f A n n i h i l a ti o n I s I n to l e r a bl e .............................................................
8. Ma r cu s Au r e l i u s : Se u l Re a bs o r be d I n t o Wo r l d -So u l ..........................................- .......
9. T a ci t u s : Be l i e ve r i n Fa t a l i s t i c Pr i n ci pl e .........................................................................
10. C o n cl u s i o n : Bo th Vi e ws L e a d to Ext i n ct i o n o f Pe r s o n a l i ty ................................
36. Al e xa n d r i a n J e ws Fo r s a ke An ce s tr a l Pl a t f o r m .................................................................................
I . T h e T r a ge d y o f t h e Gr e a t De pa r t u r e ................................................................................
I I . C h a r a ct e r a n d Si gn i f i can ce o f Apo cr yph al a n d Ps e u d e pi gr a ph a l T e a ch i n gs ......
1. Pr o ph e ts Fo l l o we d by Pr i e s ts a n d Pr i e s tl y Str u ggl e s ..................................................
2. Apo cr yph al a n d Apo ca l ypti c Wr i ti n gs A ppe a r .........................................................
3. Ps e u d e pi gr a ph a I n vo ke s Pr e s ti ge o f Fo r me r Pr o ph e ts ................................................
4. I n f l u e n ce d by T h i n ki n g o f Su r r o u n d i n g Nati o n s ........................................................
5. Apo cr yph a Excl u d e d Fr o m Pa l e s t i n i a n C a n o n ...............................................................
6. Exte n s i ve C o ve r a ge J u s t i f i e d a n d I mpe r a t i ve ...............................................................
I I I . Hi s to r i ca l Backgr o u n d o f J e wi s h C a pt i vi t i e s a n d De cl i n e ................................................
1. Su bju ga t i o n by Babyl o n , T h e n by Pe r s i a ........................................................................
2. Syr i an Oppr e s s i o n a n d Ma cca be a n Re vo l t ...................................................................
3. Ro me s Do mi n a n ce , J e r u s a l e ms De s tr u ct i o n , a n d t h e Di a s po r a ..............................
I V . T r i pl e Expo s u r e to I mmo r t a l i t y Po s t u l a t e i n T h r e e C a pt i vi t i e s ....................................
1. Egypt i a n I mmo r ta l -So u l i s m a n d T r a n s mi gr a t i o n ........................................................
2. Pe r s i an Re t r i bu t i o n i s m a n d De a d l y Du al i s m ...............................................................
3. Gr e e k I mmo r ta l i s m Bas e d o n Ph i l o s o ph i cal Spe cu l a ti o n ...........................................
4. An ti o ch u s Se e ks to Re pl a ce J e wi s h Usage s Wi t h Gr e ci a n ........................................
5. Apo cr yph al Wr i ti n gs Eme r ge Du r i n g Ma cca be a n Pe r i o d .........................................
6. Pa ga n Du al i s m Make s I ts I mpr e s s ...................................................................................
V . A l e xa n d r i a I n t e l l e ct u a l C e n t e r o f L e a r n e d Wo r l d .......................................................
1. A l e xa n d e r s Vi s i o n o f Gr e e k I n t e l l e ct u a l Do mi n a n ce ..................................................
2. Pto l e mi e s a n d Se l e u ci d s Str u ggl e f o r Ma s te r y ...............................................................
3. He br e w St u d e n t s I n d u ct e d I n t o Gr e e k L e a r n i n g ........................................................
V I . Pr o c.e p Wh e r e by t h e J e ws C h a n ge d T h e i r An th r o po l o gy .........................................
1. Sh i f t i n g Fr o m t h e An ce s tr al Fo u n d a ti o n s .......................................................................
2. Pr e s e n t e d Re l i gi o u s Vi e ws i n Ph i l o s o ph i cal Se t t i n g ....................................................
3. T r a n s mi t t e d Fr o m J e ws t o C h r i s ti a n s ................................................................................
4. Ph i l o Fu s e s I t I n t o a Syste m ................................................................................................
V I I . So u r ce o f Re vo l u ti o n a r y C o n ce pts o f Un s e e n Wo r l d ....................................................
1. Re vo l u ti o n a r y C o n ce pts De ve l o pe d i n T i me o f Macca be e s ....................................
2. Pe r s i a n I mpa ct St r e n gt h e n s Re s u r r e ct i o n C o n ce pt ......................................................
3. Spe cu l a ti o n s C r ys tal l i ze as to I n t e r me d i a t e St a t e ........................................................
4. C l i ma x Re a ch e d i n Pl a t o n i c C o n ce pts Un d e r Ph i l o ..................................................
5. Et e ma l -He l l C o n ce pt a Pa ga n I n ve n t i o n ..........................................................................
6. Su cce ssi ve Exi l e s L e ave Pe r ma n e n t I mpr e s s ...................................................................
37. Al i e n No te I n je ct e d I n t o I n t e r -T e s t a me n t Wr i ti n gs ......................... ..............................................
I . Pse u d o -Si byl l i n e s M o r t a l M a n s Ro l e i n Dr a ma o f t h e Age s ..........................
1. A Re f l e cti o n o f On e Vi e w o f t h e So u l ............................................................................
2. Po r t r a ye d Dr a ma o f t h e J u d gme n t ............................................................................. ..
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I I . Fa t e f u l De s ti n y o f Al l Ma n ki n d Po r t r a ye d ..............................................................
1. Ma n Is M o r t a l ; Go d Is I mmo r t a l ..............................................................................
2. Fa t e f u l J u d gme n t Da y T r i e s M o r t a l Me n ........................................- .......
3. Re s u r r e ct e d A f t e r Fi r e Re d u ce s to Ash e s .......................................... - ......
4. Fo u r Wo r l d Po we r s a n d Es ch a to l o gi cal En d ...................... - .................
I I I . V a r i a n t Po si ti o n s Pr e s e n te d by Mi n o r Wr i te r s ........................................................
1. T o bi t : Gr a ve Is Et e r n a l i n An n i h i l a ti o n Ef f e cts .........................................
2. Si r a ch : No Re me mbr a n ce i n t h e Gr a ve ............................................................
3. J u d i t h Su ppo r ts Et e ma l -T o r me n t C o n ce pt ................................................
I V . Di f f e r i n g Bo o ks o f Macca be e s Exe mpl i f y Di ve r ge n ci e s ..........................................
1. 2 Ma cca be e s I n n a t e I mmo r ta l i ty Wi t h Pr a ye r s f o r De a d ......................
2. Be l i e ve s Bo th i n I mmo r t a l i t y a n d i n Re s u r r e ci to n ................................................
3. Pr a ye r to a n d Sacr i f i ce s f o r th e De a d C o mme n d e d ..............................................
4. Vi ca r i o u s Su f f e r i n g Expi ate s Go d s An ge r ..............................................................
5. Ho pe o f Se ve n Bi o t h e r s Bas e d o n Re s u r r e ct i o n ............................................
38. I n n a t e I mmo r t a l i t y Es ta bl i s h e d by L a s t C e n t u r y B.C . ...... - ..............
I . T h e Bo o k o f J u bi l e e s So u l Su r vi ve s : Re s u r r e ct i o n Aban d o n e d ....................
1. I n n a t e I mmo r t a l i t y Al r e ad y Fi r ml y Es ta bl i s h e d ................................... - .............
2. Bo d y Re s ts ; Spi r i t Li ve s On I n d e pe n d e n t l y .............................................. - ..........
I I . 4 Macca be e s Pr e sse s I mmo r tal -So u l i s m Be yo n d Al l Pr e d e ce s s o r s ...........
1. Me n Go t o Re s pe cti ve Re wa r d s a t De a t h .............................................................
2. Ri gh te o u s I mme d i a t e l y Re ce i ve d I n t o He a ve n .................................................
3. Wi cke d Pu n i s h e d Wi th Et e r n a l T o r t u r e ...........................................................
I I I . T h e Wi sd o m o f So l o mo n St r a n ge C o mbi n ati o n o f Gl a r i n g C o n tr a d i ct i o n s
1. C u r i o u s Ad mi xt u r e o f T r u t h a n d Er r o r ....................................................................
2. I mmo r t a l i t y Is f o r th e Ri gh te o u s On l y .................................................................
3. T r a n s l a t i o n o f So me Is Al l u d e d to ............. ..........................................................
4. De s t r u ct i o n o f Wi cke d Is U t t e r En d ........................;.................. .............................
5. I mmo r t a l i t y Is Fr u i t o f Ri gh te o u s n e s s a n d Obe d i e n ce .....................................
I V . I n n a t e I mmo r t a l i t y a n d No xi o u s I n vo l ve me n ts .........................................................
1. Un a ba s h e d l y Avo ws I n n a t e I mmo r t a l i t y ....................................................................
2. Wi s d o m t h e So u r ce o f I mmo r t a l i t y .................. - ........
3. T h e Ri gh te o u s On l y Se e m to Di e ...............................................................................
4. Assu me s Pr e -e xi s t e n ce o f t h e So u l ........................ - ................... - ...........................
39. Ma jo r i t y Ad h e r e to Hi s t o r i c C o n d i t i o n a l i s m ................. ._.......................................................
I . Et h i o pi c En o ch Un d e r wo r l d T o r me n t s En d i n An n i h i l a ti o n ..................
1. So mbe r Sce n e s o f J u d gme n t Day De pi ct e d ................................................ - ...........
2. Re s u r r e ct i o n Expr e ss l y Po r tr a ye d ....................... - ...........- .................
3. Wi cke d to Be Ut t e r l y C o n s u me d .............................- ..................................................
4. T o r me n ts o f Accu r s e d i n Un d e r wo r l d ........................................................................
I I . Sl avo n i c En o ch Et e r n a l He a ve n a n d Un e n d i n g He l l f o r I mmo r t a l So u l s
1. Fi r s t J e wi s h Pr o po u n d e r o f Si x-T h o u s a n d -Y e a r T h e o r y .............................
2. So u l s Pr e pa r e d f o r Et e r n i t y Be f o r e Wo r l d s Fo r ma t i o n ...................................
3. Fr e e Wi l l , De a t h , Pu n i s h me n t , a n d Re wa r d .......................................................
4. Ri gh te o u s Li ve Et e r n a l l y i n Pa r a d i s e ......................... ......................................
5. Me r ci l e s s T o r t u r e s Ar e Et e r n a l I n h e r i t a n ce o f Wi cke d v.........
I I I . Syr i a c Ba r u ch C o n d i t i o n a l i s t Vi e w; Ri gh te o u s Sl e e p T i l l Re s u r r e ct i o n ...
1. De a t h , Sl e e p, a n d Re s u r r e ct i o n ...........................................................................
2. Es ch ato l o gi cal Vi e w o f t h e L a s t T h i n .................. - ...............................
3. Ri gh te o u s De a d Sl e e p Un t i l Me s s i ah s Re t u r n .......................................................
I V . Se ts Fo r t h th e C o n d i t i o n a l i s t Sch o o l o f I mmo r t a l i t y ....... - ........
1. Epi to me o f Ba r u ch s Ho pe o f J u d a i s m ..................................................................
2. Pr ays f o r En d o f Mo r ta l i ty a n d C o r r u pt i o n ...........................................................
3. C o mi n g J u d gme n t a n d Me s s i ah s Ad ve n t ................................................................
4. Re s u r r e ct i o n a n d Asse mbl age o f Ri gh te o u s De a d ..............................................
5. T h e Du s t Gi ve s Up t h e De a d .....................................................................................
6. T h e Pu n i s h me n t o f t h e Wi cke d ..........................................- .....................................
7. Bo d y Rai s e d I mmo r t a l a n d I n co r r u pt i bl e ...............................................................
8. A T e r mi n a bl e Re t r i bu t i o n I n d i ca t e d ..................................................................
40. 2 Es d r a s Ma i n t a i n s t h e C o n d i t i o n a l i s t Vi e w ......................................................................
I . 2 Es d r a s I mmo r ta l i za t i o n o f Ri gh te o u s a n d De s tr u ct i o n o f Wi cke d
1. Hi s to r y Expl a i n e d i n L i gh t o f Or i gi n a l Si n .................................................- ........
2. Wo r l d s En d , Fi n a l J u d gme n t , a n d Re s u l ts ..........................................................
3. M o r t a l Wo r l d Su cce e d e d by I mmo r t a l Age .....- .......................................
I I . Do cu me n te d Evi d e n ce o f Ezr a s C o n d i t i o n a l i s t Po s i ti o n .............................
1. Mo r ta l M a n i n a C o r r u pt i bl e Wo r l d .............................................................
2. Ne w Age a n d th e I n t e r me d i a t e St a t e .................................................................
3. Ri gh te o u s to Li ve , Wh i l e Un go d l y Pe r i s h .......................- .......................................
4. Ge n e r a l Re s u r r e ct i o n a n d Fi n a l J u d gme n t ............................................................
5. Sl e e pe r s i n t h e Du s t C a l l e d Fo r t h ...................................................................
6. T h e Wi cke d Ar e Do o me d to De s tr u ct i o n ........................................................
7. Wi cke d , as a Fl a me , Ul t i ma t e l y Ext i n gu i s h e d ...........................................
8. T r e a s u r e s o f I mmo r t a l i t y Ma d e Ma n i f e s t to Ezr a .........................................
9. Wi cke d Br o u gh t to De a t h by T o r me n t ...............................- .............................
10. Wi cke d Pe r i s h Be cau s e o f Di s o be d i e n ce ...................................................- ............
11. Ezr a s Si n gl e Pr o ph e cy De al s Wi t h Es ch ato l o gy .........................- ......................
12. T i me s L a s t Ho u r s , a n d Mo r t a l i t y ...........................................................................
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41. Ne o pl a to n i s ms De ve l o pme n tJ e wi s h , Pa ga n , a n d C h r i s t i a n .................................................. 703
I . Al e xa n d r i a Se at o f T wo Pa r a l l e l i n g Sch o o l s ..................................................................... 703
1. Gr e e k Ph i l o s o ph y T a ke s Ro o t i n Ro ma n Empi r e ..................................................... 703
2. Ne o pl a to n i c Sch o o l Re s u l t o f Ecl e ct i c C h o i ce ............................................................. 704
3. Al e xa n d r i a t h e C e n t e r o f C o n f l i cti n g C u l t u r e s ............................................................. 705
4. Pa ga n Ne o pl a to n i s m Be co me s An t i -C h r i s t i a n ............................................................. 706
I I . Pa ga n Ne o pl a to n i s mGr e e k Ph i l o s o ph ys L a s t St a n d .................................................... 707
1. Ph i l o : Pr e cu r s o r , Bu i l d s Upo n Ema n a t i o n T h e o r y ...................................................... 707
2. L u ci u s : Asse r ts Wo r l d -So u l Pr i n ci pl e ........................................................................ 708
3. Nu me n i u s : I n ca r n a t i o n s Pu n i s h me n t s f o r Pr e vi o u s -Li f e Si n s ................................ 708
4. Ammo n i u s : Lays Fo u n d a ti o n s f o r Ne o pl a to n i s m .................................................... 709
5. Pl o ti n u s : Or i e n t a l i s m. Du a l i s m, Ema n a t i o n , Re a bs o r pt i o n .................................... 709
6. Po r ph yr y: Ske pti c, Y e t Ho l d i n g to Un i ve r s a l So u l ................................................. 713
7. I a mbl i ch u s : Myth o l o gy, Astr o l o gy, Ne cr o ma n cy .......................................................... 713
8. J u l i a n : Su ppr e s se s C h r i s t i a n i t y, Exa l ts Pagan i s m ...................................................... 714
9. Pr o cl u s : Mys ti c Un i o n o f So u l Wi th De i t y ................................................................. 714
I I I . Pa r a l l e l i n g C h r i s ti a n C a t e ch e t i ca l Sch o o l ........................................................................ 715
1. Al e xa n d r i a n C e n t e r Exe r ts Po we r f u l I n f l u e n ce .............................................................. 715
2. C h a r a ct e r i ze d by Spe cu l a ti o n a n d Al l e go r i zati o n ...................................................... 716
3. Sh ad o ws De e pe n I n t o M i d n i gh t o f Mi d d l e Age s .......................................................... 716
42. Ph i l o J u d a e u s Fu se s Pl a t o n i c Ph i l o s o ph y Wi t h J u d a i c Do ct r i n e ............................................... 718
I . A l e xa n d r i a , Se a t o f T wo Pa r a l l e l i n g Sch o o l s ..................................................................... 718
1. On Bo r d e r l i n e o f Ol d a n d Ne w .......................................................................................... 718
2. Bl e n d s Var i o u s Vi e ws I n t o Si n gl e Syste m ..................................................................... 719
3. Pr e -e mi n e n t C h a mpi o n o f I mmo r ta l -So u l i s m ............................................................... 719
I I . Basi c Fe a t u r e s o f Ph i l o s T e a ch i n g C o n ce r n i n g Ma n ........... 720
1. Re ve l a t i o n t h e Di s ti n gu i s h i n g Pr i n ci pl e o f Ne o pl a to n i s m ................................ 720
2. Ph i l o s C o n ce pt o f Go d Was a Syn th e s i s ............................................... ....................... 722
3. Gr e e k a n d He br e w T h o u gh t Bl e n d e d by Al l e go r i zati o n ........................................... 722
4. St r a n ge C o n f l i cti n g C o n ce pts o f Lo go s ............................................................................ 723
5. Fl a s h Pi ct u r e s o f Ph i l o s I mmo r tal -So u l i s m .............. 724
6. Ph i l o s Re s po n s i bi l i ty i n t h e Gr e a t De pa r t u r e ............................................................. 726
I I I . Sco pe a n d Si gn i f i can ce o f Ph i l o s I n n o va t i o n ............ 727
1. C o n tr i ve s A gr e e me n t o f Bi bl i cal a n d Ph i l o s o ph i cal T r u t h ....................... 727
2. Str i ke s a t Or i gi n a n d De s ti n y o f Ma n ............ 728
3. Ge n e s i s Na r r a t i ve o f C r e a t i o n V i t i a t e d ..............................................................- ............ 729
4. L i ke Al l Li vi n g C r e a t u r e s Ma n Has An i ma l So u l .................................................. 730
5. Ma n Al so Has I mmo r t a l Ra t i o n a l So u l ..................................................................... 731
6. C u r i o u s T h e o r y o f Un bo d i e d So u l s .................................................- ........................... 732
7. Ro l e o f Un bo d i e d So u l -An ge l s ................................................................- ........................... 733
8. De f i n i ti o n a n d Fu n cti o n o f Ra t i o n a l So u l ........................................................................ 734
9. I mmo r t a l i t y De f i n e d as Et e r n a l Pe r s i s te n ce ............................................................... 734
10. Re s u r r e ct i o n a n d I mmo r t a l i t y o f So u l ............. 735
11. De f i n i ti ve Me a n i n g o f Fa t h e r l a n d o f So u l ............................................................... 735
12. So u k Re t u r n to Re a l m o f Un bo d i e d ............................................................................ 736
13. Me r ge s I mmo r ta l i ty a n d Re s u r r e ct i o n .............................................................................. 737
14. En d l e s s Pu n i s h me n t o f th e Wi cke d ................................................................................... 737
15. A tte s t e d by Sch o l a r l y Au th o r i t i e s ....................................................................................... 739
16. T wi n Str e a ms Me r ge a t Al e xa n d r i a ................................................................................... 740
43. De a d Se a Scr o l l sPe r me a t e d T h r o u gh o u t Wi th C o n d i t i o n a l i s m ........................................... 741
I . T i mi n g a n d T e a ch i n g o f Es s e n e Br o th e r h o o d ................................................................ 742
1. Vi e ws o f t h e Pe o pl e o f t h e Scr o l k ...................................................... 743
2. L i ke Wal d e n s e s o f Me d i e val T i me s ..................................................................................... 743
3. Appr o a ch i n g En d o f Pr e s e n t Age ................................... 744
4. Ma jo r Empn as i s Is o n L a s t T h i n gs ..................................... 745
5. Pr o mi n e n t Pl a ce Gi ve n to An ge l s ..................................................................... 745
I I . C o mpr e h e n s i ve Wi tn e s s o f Scr o l l s o n M a n s Na t u r e a n d De s ti n y .............................. 746
1. Si n n e r s Pe r i s h ; Ri gh t e o u s De s t i n e d f o r L i f e Et e r n a l .............................. 746
2. Ri gh t e o u s St a n d i n Go d s Pr e s e n ce Fo r e ve r ................................................................. 746
3. Ma n C r e a t e d f o r Et e r n i t y ....................................................................................................... 747
4. No Es ca pe f o r Wi cke d i n Fi n a l Do o m ................................................................. 747
I I I . Fa t e o f Wi cke d Is U t t e r Ext i n ct i o n ......................................................................................... 748
1. Wi cke d to Be Fo u n d No M o r e , C u t o f f , Wi pe d Ou t ..................................... 748
2. Bu r n e d Un t i l T h e y Be De s t r o ye d .............................................................................. 749
3. Ri gh t e o u s Ne ve r Di e ; Wi cke d Wi t h e r ................................................................. 749
4. An ge l s Br o u gh t to J u d gme n t a n d He l l .................................... 750
I V . Et e r n a l Re d e mpti o n a n d U t t e r Ext i n ct i o n ............................................................................ 750
1. Du s t Re t u r n to Du s t ....................................................................................................... 750
2. Pe r d i t i o n Et e r n a l vs. En d u r i n g f o r Al l T i me .................................................. 750
3. I n i qu i t y C a n n o t Exi s t i n Go d s Pr e s e n ce ........................................................................ 751
4. Mo r t a l Fl e s h Re d e e me d Fo r cve r mo r e .......................................................................... 751
V . Wi cke d C e as e a n d Wr o n g Di s a ppe a r s Fo r e ve r ............................................................. 752
1. Wi cke d Wi l l C e ase to Exi s t ................................................................................................ 752
2. Fi n a l C l a s h o f Go o d a n d Evi l ................................................................................................ 752
3. Eve r l a s ti n g Re d e mpt i o n vs. An n i h i l a t i o n ............................................................. 752
4. Wr o n g Wi l l Di s a ppe a r Fo r e ve r ...................................... 753
5. Si gn i f i can ce o f t h e Gr e a t Di gr e s s i o n i n J e wr y ........................................................ 753
1112
P A R T I V (C h a pt e r s 44-64)
T h e T h e o l o gi ca l T r i l e mma
44. Su bapo s to l i c Wr i te r s C o n s i s te n tl y C o n d i t i o n a l i s t ......................................- ..............................
I . Si gn i f i can ce o f T e s t i mo n y o f Apo sto l i c Fa t h e r s ...................................................................
I I . C l e me n t o f Ro me Ne i t h e r I n n a t e I mmo r t a l i t y No r Et e r n a l T o r me n t ...............
1. C l e me n t o n t h e Na t u r e a n d De s ti n y o f Ma n ...................... - ..............
2. Se co n d Ad ve n t a n d Re s u r r e ct i o n .Ho pe Do mi n a n t ........... ........................................
3. T h e me Pe r s i s ts T h r o u gh o u t Ge n u i n e Epi s tl e ......................... .......................................
4. A d ve n t No te Eve n i n Spu r i o u s Se co n d Epi s t l e .............................................................
5. Si gn i f i ca n t Si l e n ce s i n C l e me n t s Wi tn e s s ........................................................................
6. I mmo r t a l i t y a Gi f t o f Go d , to Be So u gh t Fo r ..............................................
7. De a t h Is C e s s ati o n o f Al l L i f e ........................ ................................. ..............................
8. Wi cke d to Pe r i s h , Be De s tr o ye d , C e ase to Exi s t .......... ......... ....................................
9. C o n s t a bl e s Su mma r y o f C l e me n t s Vi e ws ........... - .......;..........................
I I I . I gn a t i u s o f An ti o ch I mmo r ta l i ty So l e l y f o r Sa i n t s ; Si n n e r s to Pe r i s h ............
1. T o t h e Eph e s i a n s : I mmo r ta l i ty Is 4 Gi f t o f C h r i s t .........- .......... .................. .......
2. T o t h e Magn cs i a n s : De a t h Is C e a s i n g to Be ------- - ............
3. T o th e T r a l l i a n s : Li f e T h r o u gh C h r i s t s De a t h ........................................................
4. T o t h e Ro ma n s : Re s u r r e ct i o n Fo l l o ws Sl e e p o f De a t h .............................................
5. Epi s t l e to Po l yca r p: Sl e e p, Re s u r r e ct i o n , I mmo r t a l i t y ...........................................
6. Gi f t o f Go d Ve r s u s Wage s o f Si n ........................................................- ..............................
45. I mmo r t a l i t y Be s to we d a t Ad ve n t; Wi cke d De s tr o ye d ...................................................................
I . Di d a ch e Fo l l o ws St a n d a r d Pa t t e r n o n t h e T wo Ways ...........................................
I I . Es ch a to l o gi cal C o n ce pt o f Ea r l y C h u r ch i n Ou t l i n e .............- .....................................
1. T h e C o mmo n T h e me o f Su bapo s to l i c Age .....................................................................
2. I n vo l ve me n t s o f t h e Wa y o f L i f e ....................................... - ..................
3. Way o f De a t h C o n tr a s t e d Wi t h Et e r n a l L i f e Pr o vi s i o n ..............................
4. Pe r i l s o f C o mi n g Apo stasy Po r t r a ye d ...........................................................................
5. Es ch a to l o gi cal Ou t l i n e o f L a s t T h i n gs ............................................................................
I I I . Ba r n a ba s C o n tr a s t s Et e r n a l L i f e Wi t h Et e r n a l De a t h ...............................................
I V . C o mi n g De s t r u ct i o n o f Sa ta n ,_Si n n e r s , a n d Al l Evi l ................................................ .......
1. Bas i c C o n t r a s t Be twe e n L i f e a n d De a t h ........................................................................
2. L i f e T h r o u gh C h r i s t ; De a t h T h r o u gh Si n ......................................................................
3. De a t h Fr o m Si n In vo l ve s De s tr u ct i o n ...........................................................................
4. T wo Ways : o f Da r kn e s s a n d o f L i gh t ....................................- ...........................
5. Et e r n a l De a t h : Syn o n ym f o r Se co n d De a t h ..............................................................
6. T o "Pe r i s h I s to Exi s t No Mo r e .......................................... - .........
V. Ei gh t L e xi ca l a n d I n e s ca pa bl e C o n cl u s i o n s to Be De d u ce d ...............................
46. I mmo r t a l i t y a Gi f t ; De a t h Is Ut t e r De s tr u ct i o n ..... - .............- .............................
I . T wo De s ti n a ti o n s Po r tr a ye d i n Mu l t i pl e Fo r ms ---------------------------------------------
1. Et e r n a l L i f e a n d Et e r n a l De s t r u ct i o n ......................... - .................- ....................
2. Pa s t Sa i n t s Ha ve Fa l l e n As l e e p .......... ............... - ....................
3. Pe r s e cu t i o n a n d T r i u mph o f C h u r ch Symbo l i ze d ........................................................
4. Ri gh t e o u s Ha ve L i f e ; Wi cke d No L i f e ............ - ................................
5. Wi cke d Ar e to Pe r i s h a t L a s t .................... ........ - ..........
6. Ri gh t e o u s i n L i f e to C o me ; Wi cke d C o n s u me d .............................................................
7. Wi cke d De s ti n e d to Eve r l a s ti n g Ru i n ..............................................................................
8. Pu n i s h me n t Is Pr o po r ti o n a te to Si n .......................................- ...................................
9. I n co r r i gi bl y Wi cke d Di e f o r Eve r ..................................... ............................................
10. C o n cl u si o n s Fr o m No ta bl e Si l e n ce s i n He r ma s .........................................................
I I . Po l yca r pRe s u r r e ct i o n Is I mmo r t a l i t ys^So l e Ga te wa y ..............................................
I I I . C o n d i t i o n a l Re s u r r e ct i o n t h e De t e r mi n i n g Fa ct o r ..........................................................
1. I gn a t i u s Ad mo n i ti o n s Re ga r d i n g I mmo r t a l i t y ...............................................................
2. Re s u r r e ct i o n Pi vo ta l i n M a n s Fu t u r e ...................................- ......................................
3. So l e Basi s o f Ho pe f o r Fu t u r e Wo r l d ..........................................................................
4. St r i ct u r e s o n De n i e r s o f t h e Re s u r r e ct i o n ...................................................................
5. Re s u r r e ct i o n Bo th o f So u l a n d Bo d y ............................................................................
6. No Al l u si o n to Et e r n a l T o r me n t .................................... ....................................................
I V . Epi s t l e o f Ma t h ct e s to Di o gn e t u s I mmo r t a l So u l a n d Et e r n a l Fi r e
Pr o bl e ms .......................................................... ...............................................................
1. Pu t to De a t h ; Re s to r e d T h r o u gh Re s u r r e ct i o n ........... ..................................................
2. T h e Re l a ti o n s h i p o f So u l a n d Bo d y ............ ...;.........................................................
3. Fi r s t Us e o f I mmo r t a l So u l i n C h r i s t i a n Wr i ti n gs ............................................._.
4. C h r i s t Se n t as Go d a n d Sa vi o u r : C o me s L a t e r as J u d ge ..............................
5. Eve r y Bl e ssi n g C o n f e r r e d T h r o u gh C h r i s t ...................................................................
6. C h r i s t , I n co r r u pt i bl e a n d I mmo r t a l ; Ma n ; C o r r u pt i bl e a n d Mo r ta l .................
7. Et e r n a l Fi r e ; Bo th a Pr o ce ss a n d a T e r mi n a t i o n ........................................................
V. Su mma r i zi n g C o n cl u s i o n C o n ce r n i n g t h e Apo sto l i c Fa t h e r s .......................................
47. J u s t i n M a r t yr Au gme n t s Su bapo s to l i c C o n d i t i o n a l i s m .................................................................
I . An t e -Ni ccn e Pe r i o d I n f i l t r a t e d by Pl a t o n i c I mmo r tal -So u l i s m ..............................
1. Fr o n t a l a n d Fl a n ki n g Atta cks De ve l o p .............. .............................................................
2. Gn o s ti ci s m Un d e r mi n e s T e a ch i n g o f Re s u r r e ct i o n ....................................................
3. Ne o pl a to n i c Mys ti ci s m Su ppl a n t s L i te r a l i s m .................................................................
4. Re l e as e o f t h e So u l Fr o m t h e Bo d y .............................................................................
5. I mmo r ta l -So u l i s m We l l -n i gh Ext i n gu i s h e s Bl e sse d Ho pe .........................................
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6. Wr i t e r s Se gr e ga t e T h e ms e l ve s I n t o T h r e e -Wa y Spl i t ....................................... 806
I I . J u s t i n M a r t yr C h a mpi o n s a n d Ampl i f i e s Apo sto l i c C o n d i t i o n al i s m ....................... 807
1. Da wn o f a Ne w Er a i n C h r i s t i a n Hi s to r y .............................................. 808
2. C h a mpi o n s th e On l y T r u e Ph i l o s o ph y ................................................................................. 809
3. Pr o ph e t i c Ou t l i n e , Se co n d Ad ve n t, a n d Re s u r r e ct i o n ............................. 810
I I I . J u s t i n s Pr i ma r y De f i n i ti o n s a n d Us a ge o f Bas i c T e r ms ................................................ 811
1. I mmo r t a l Exi s t e n ce a n d C e as i n g to Exi s t .................................................. ......... 811
2. De s t r u ct i o n Is C e s s ati o n o f Exi s te n ce ........................................................................ 812
3. I mmo r t a l i t y Me an s No t Su bje ct to De a t h .............................................. 813
I V . J u s t i n s De f i n i ti ve Po si ti o n s o n Na t u r e a n d De s t i n y o f Ma n .......................................... 813
1. C o n te n d e d f o r L i t e r a l Re s u r r e ct i o n o f De a d ............................................................... 813
2. So u l s No t T a ke n to He a ve n a t De a t h ............................................................................ 814
3. M a n C o mpo s e d o f Bo th Bo d y a n d So u l ...................... .......................................... 814
4. De n i e s Se pa r a t e I mmo r t a l i t y o f t h e So u l ........................................................................ 814
5. T e a ch e s Ut t e r Ext i n ct i o n o f t h e Wi cke d .......................................................................... 815
48. J u s t i n o n Fi n a l A n n i h i l a ti o n o f t h e Wi cke d ............................................................................................ 816
I . Apo l o gi e s Ampl i f y I n t e n t o f Eve r l a s ti n g Pu n i s h me n t ...................................................... 816
1. C h r i s t s J u d gme n t Pr e ce d e s Pu n i s h me n t o f Wi cke d ............................................... 818
2. Et e r n a l Pu n i s h me n t No t Et e r n a l l y C o n s ci o u s Su f f e r i n g ........................... 818
3. Ri gh t e o u s De e me d Wo r t h y o f I n co r r u pt i o n .................................................................. 819
4. Ea ch Go e s to Pu n i s h me n t o r Sa l va ti o n ....................................................................... 820
5. Pr ays f o r Exi s ti n g Agai n i n I n co r r u pt i o n ................................................................... 820
6. Pu n i s h me n t Is Pr o po r t i o n a t e to Si n ................................................................................... 821
7. Qu e s ti o n o f Se n s ati o n A f t e r De a t h .............................................................................. 821
I I . I n t e n t o f Ai n i o n Fi r e f o r Si n n e r s ...................................................................................... 823
1. Go d l y I mmo r t a l i ze d ; Si n n e r s Pu n i s h e d i n Ai o n i o n .......................................... 823
2. Ext e n t No t K n o wn to M a n ; De t e r mi n e d by Go d ............................................................ 824
3. I mmo r t a l i t y Is Pr o mi s e d ; No t Y e t Po sse sse d ................................................................. 825
4. Ai n i o n Pu n i s h me n t Is by Fi r e ................................................. 825
5. Fi n a l Di s po s i ti o n a t Se co n d Ad ve n t ...................................................................................... 825
I I I . Sch o l a r s Re co gn i ze J u s t i n s Po si ti o n o n De s tr u ct i o n o f Wi cke d ...................................... 826
I V . DialogueRi gh t e o u s to Be I mmo r ta l i ze d , Wi cke d De s tr o ye d ......................................... 827
1. C a t e go r i ca l l y De n i e s I n n a t e I mmo r t a l i t y a n d T r a n s mi gr a t i o n ................................. 827
2. So me Ne ve r Di e ; Ot h e r s Su f f e r De t e r mi n a t e Pu n i s h me n t ................................... 828
3. C r e a t e d Be i n gs Ma y Be Bl o t te d Ou t a n d C e as e to Exi s t ...................................... 828
4. Se pa r a t e d Fr o m Bo d y, So u l C e ase s to Exi s t ....................................................................... 829
5. C h r i s t C o mi n g Agai n to De s tr o y t h e Wi cke d ......................................................... 829
V. Di s po s i ti o n o f Ri gh te o u s a n d Wi cke d .................................................................................... 830
1. So me Pu n i s h e d Wi t h Fi r e ; Ot h e r s Re ce i ve I mmo r t a l i t y .................................. 830
2. Sa i n t s Rai s e d I n co r r u pt i bl e a n d I mmo r t a l ......................................................................... 830
3. So u l No t T a ke n to He a ve n a t De a t h ............................................................................. 831
4. Wi cke d Pu n i s h e d as Go d De e ms Pr o pe r ............................................................................. 831
5. De s t r u ct i o n Is Equ a t e d Wi th De a t h _...................................................................... 832
6. T o r me n t No t I d e n t i ca l Wi t h De s t r u ct i o n ................................................................ 832
7. T h e Re s u r r e ct e d Face C o n tr a s t i n g De s ti n i e s .................................................................. 832
49. T a t i a n , T h e o ph i l u s , a n d Me l i to C o n t i n u e C o n d i t i o n a l i s t Wi tn e s s .......................................... 834
I . T a t i a n T h e So u l Is No t I mmo r t a l bu t M o r t a l ................................................... 834
I I . T a t i a n s C o n f e s s i o n o f Fa i t h o n So u l , He r e , a n d He r e a f t e r ................................... 835
1. No n e xi s te n t i n De a t h , Exi s t e n t Agai n T h r o u gh Re s u r r e ct i o n .................................... 836
2. Si n a n d De a t h C o me T h r o u gh Fr e e C h o i ce ..................................................................... 836
3. So u l No t I t s e l f I mmo r t a l , bu t M o r t a l ....................................................................... 837
4. Pu n i s h me n t o f De mo n s Ve r s u s Pu n i s h me n t o f Me n ................................................... 838
5. Pa ga n C o n f u s i o n Ve r s u s C h r i s t i a n C o n s i s te n cy a n d T r u t h ........................................ 838
6. Pl ace T r u s t i n Scr i pt u r e ; Fo l l o w Fa t h e r o f I mmo r t a l i t y ........................................ 839
I I I . T h e o ph i l u s o f An ti o ch Ma n C r e a t e d a C a n d i d a t e f o r I mmo r t a l i t y ............................. 840
I V . I mmo r t a l i t y C o n f e r r e d o n Ri gh t e o u s ; De s tr u ct i o n Is Fa t e o f Wi cke d ..................... 842
1. M o r t a l i t y Pu t Of f ; I mmo r t a l i t y Pu t On .................................................................. 842
2. Se e k I mmo r t a l i t y; Es cape Et e r n a l Pu n i s h me n t s ................................................. 843
3. Pr e s e n ts Fo u n d a t i o n a l Base s f o r Fa i t h ................................................................................ 844
4. Na t u r e a n d Pe r i l o f Un f a l l e n Ma n i n Ed e n ......................................................................... 844
5. Expe l l e d Fr o m Ed e n L e s t He Re ma i n i n Si n Fo r e ve r ................... 845
6. Re t u r n s to Pa r a d i s e A f t e r Re s u r r e ct i o n a n d I mmo r t a l i za t i o n .................................... 845
7. I mmo r t a l i t y a Re wa r d , No t a n Or i gi n a l Po sse ssi o n ....................................................... 846
8. Ma n C h o o se s Ei t h e r Eve r l a s ti n g L i f e , o r De a t h .................... 847
9. Ri gh t e o u s to Es ca pe Et e r n a l Pu n i s h me n t s .................................................... 847
10. Wi cke d C o n s u me d i n Fi n a l C o n f l a gr a ti o n ............................................... 847
11. Go d s C a r e f o r t h e De a d ............................................................ 848
V . Me l i t o o f Sar d i s De a t h a L o n g Sl e e p; I mmo r t a l i t y Re ga i n e d T h r o u gh C h r i s t .... 848
1. Et e r n a l C h r i s t Was C r e a t o r o f Ma n ...................................................................................... 849
2. C o mi n g Fl o o d o f Fi r e to De s tr o y Ea r t h ................................................................................ 849
3. C h r i s t Di e d T h a t We M i gh t Be Rai s e d ............................................................. 849
4. Sl e e p o f De a t h a Lo n g Si l e n ce .................................................... 850
5. De a t h a n d Di s s o l u ti o n Fr o m Di s o be d i e n ce ......................................... 851
6. C o r r u pt i o n a n d De s t r u ct i o n Fr o m Di s o be d i e n ce ..................................... 851
7. Ran s o ms a n d Re s to r e s Fr o m Gr a ve ...................................................... 852
50. Gn o s t i c-Ma n i ch a e a n Pe r ve r s i o n s C o mpe l Re s t a t e me n t o f T r u t h ................................................ 853
I . Sco pe o f Gn o s t i ci s ms Si n i s te r He r e s i e s ................................................................ 854
1. Bl i gh ti n g C h a r a cte r i s t i cs o f Gn o s ti ci s m .....................................
2. St r a n ge Me d l e y o f Bo r r o we d El e me n ts ...................... ...................
3. "De mi u r ge , "Ema n a t i o n s , a n d "A e o n s .............................
4. Ma n ki n d C a s t I n t o T h r e e Basi c C a t e go r i e s ....................... _.
5. Re d e mpti o n C o n ce i ve d o f as L i be r a t i o n Fr o m M a t t e r ........
6. Gn o s ti c Du al i s m Ve r s u s Apo sto l i c Mo n i s m ..................................
7. Du al i s m I n vo l ve s En d l e s s Du r a t i o n o f Wi cke d ......................
8. Bl asph e mo u s l y De n i e d De i t y o f C h r i s t ............................ ..............
9. Re je ct e d Ol d T e s t a me n t a n d Ma l i gn e d "J e h o va h .................
10. L i ke T e r mi t e s Er o d i n g Basi c St r u ct u r e ........................................
I I . Un d e r l yi n g Un i t y De s pi te Wi d e Di ve r s i t y .....................................
1. V a l e n ti n u s I n je ct s "I n t e r me d i a t e Wa i ti n g Pl ace ........................
2. Fa n t a s t i c De gr a d i n g No ti o n s o f Sa t u r n i n u s ..................................
3. Bas i l i d cs "T r a n s i t o f So u l Fr o m Mi t h r a i s m ............................
4. Ma r ci o n Re je ct s He a r t o f C h r i s t i a n Fa i t h .....................................
5. C a r po cr a te s T a u gh t a Li ce n t i o u s Et h i c ..........................................
6. Gn o s ti c He r e s i e s Fo r ce C h u r ch to De f i n e Fa i t h ........................
I I I . Re ca pi t u l a t i o n o f Pr i n ci pa l Er r o r s o f Gn o s ti ci s m .............................
I V . Me n a ce o f Ma n i ch a e i s m I mpe r i l s Po s t -Ni ce n c C h u r ch .................
1. Or i gi n , C h a r a ct e r i s t i cs , a n d Amazi n g Spr e a d ...............................
2. Esse n ce o f th e Ma n i ch a e a n Mo ve me n t ............................................
3. C h r i s t i a n As pe ct Ema s cu l a t e d a n d Nu l l i f i e d ..................................
4. Fa n t a s t i c C o n ce pts o f Bo d y, So u l , Re d e mpti o n , Re s u r r e ct i o n
5. Bas e d o n a n Abs o l u te Du al i s m .........................................................
6. C h u r ch Ri t e s , Po l i t y, a n d C e r e mo n i e s ............................................
51. I r e n a cu s o f Ga u l C o n d i t i o n a l i s t C h a mpi o n o n We s t e r n Ou t po s t ...........
I . Un i qu e Po si ti o n as C o n t e n d e r f o r Or th o d o xy ..............................
1. Pu pi l o f C o n d i t i o n a l i s t Po l yca r p, o f Smyr n a ................................
2. L i f e l o n g Fo e o f C o n te mpo r a r y He r e s i e s ...... ................................
3. Ge n e r a l Su r ve y o f I r e n a e u s De f i n i ti ve T r e a t i s e ........................
4. Sta n d s as Bu l war k Agai n s t Un i ve r s a l I n n a t e I mmo r t a l i t y ....
5. Wi cke d De s ti n e d to C e s s ati o n o f Be i n g .........................................
6. Es ch a to l o gi cal Ou t l i n e Po r tr ays L a s t Eve n ts ...................................
7. C h r i s t C a me to Un d o Ru i n Wr o u gh t by Ad a m ..............................
I I . I r e n a e u s Basi c Do ct r i n a l Po si ti o n s a n d De f i n i ti o n s ..................
1. Mo r ta l Ma n Mu s t Be I mmo r ta l i ze d a t Re s u r r e ct i o n .................
2. T o Li ve Is to "Exi s t ; to Di e , to C e ase to Exi s t ..................
3. Et e r n a l L i f e Is Be s to we d Et e r n a l Exi s te n ce ...............................
4. I mmo r t a l i t y Re s t r i ct e d t o th e Ri gh t e o u s ........... ..............................
5. Di s o be d i e n ce C a u s e d Lo ss o f M a n s I mmo r t a l i t y .....................
6. Un i o n Wi t h C h r i s t Re s u l ts i n I mmo r t a l i t y ..................................
7. Fu t u r e De s ti n i e s De t e r mi n e d by C o n t r a s t i n g Re s u r r e ct i o n s ....
8. I n co r r u pt i o n Me a n s I n ca pa bl e o f De ca y .....................................
9. I n co r r u pt i o n No w i n Pr o mi s e . No t Y e t i n Po sse ssi o n ...........
10. Re s u r r e ct i o n Bo d i e s Ar c T o t a l l y Di s t i n ct .......................................
11. T o Pe r i s h Me an s Ul t i ma t e No n e xi s te n ce ..............................
12. Pu n i s h me n t I s "Pu n i t i ve , No t "Pu r ga t i ve ............................
13. Et e r n a l Pu n i s h me n t Is Et e r n a l Lo ss o f L i f e ...............................
14. L i f e De pe n d e n t o n Gr a t u i t y o f Go d ..................................................
52. I r e n a e u s Vo i ce s Pr e po n d e r a n t Be l i e f o f C h u r ch ..............................................
I . Fo r e mo s t Se co n d -C e n tu r y C o n t e n d e r f o r C o n d i t i o n a l i s m ...........
1. Gr a ppl e s Wi t h Bas i c Issu e s o f C o n tr o ve r s y ...................................
2. Re ma r ka bl e Sco pe o f An al ysi s o f Er r o r .......................................
I I . De va s ta t i n g Expo s u r e o f Gn o s ti c Er r o r s a n d C o u n t e r i n g T r u t h ....
I I I . I r e n a e u s Pe r s o n al C r e e d T h e n Pr e po n d e r a n t Be l i e f o f C h u r ch ...
1. I r e n a e u s "C r e e d , a n d "C o n f e r r e d I mmo r t a l i t y ......................
2. I r e n a e u s St a t e me n t Ne ve r Agai n T r u e ..........................................
3. Gn o s ti ci s m Is Bu t C amo u f l age d Pagan i s m .....................................
4. Ma d e I n co r r u pt i bl e a n d I mmo r ta l a t Re s u r r e ct i o n .................
5. Et e r n a l C o n t i n u a n ce Is Be s to we d a n d I mpa r t e d ...............
6. "Pe r pe t u a l Du r a t i o n I s Un e n d i n g Exi s t e n ce ......................
I V . Mu l t i pl e Ar gu me n t s f o r C o n d i t i o n a l I mmo r t a l i t y ............................
1. Un i o n Wi t h Go d Pr e r e qu i s i te to I mmo r t a l i t y ...............................
2. Mu s t Se n s e De pe n d e n ce Upo n t h e L i f e -gi vcr ............................
3. Ad am Se pa r a t e d Fr o m T r e e L e s t He Be "I mmo r t a l Si n n e r
4. Be l i e vi n g a n d Obe d i e n t "Ho n o u r e d Wi th I mmo r t a l i t y .........
5. Gi f t o f I mmo r t a l i t y Re s tr i cte d to Be l i e ve r s .................................
6. Et e r n a l Fi r e f o r Sa ta n a n d Hi s Fo l l o we r s .....................................
7. I mmo r t a l i t y Re ce i ve d On l y T h r o u gh C h r i s t ..............................
8. Go d Wh o Gi ve s "Ea r t h l y Li f e , C a n Be sto w I mmo r t a l i t y ...
V. Fa t e o f Wi cke d Is Fi n a l A n n i h i l a ti o n ...............................................
1. Di s ti n gu i s h e s Be twe e n Bo d y a n d So u l .............................................
2. I r e n a e u s De f i n i ti o n o f De a t h ..........................................................
3. Se co n d De a t h He l l , Lake o f Fi r e , Et e r n a l Fi r e ......................
4. Fi n a l A n n i h i l a ti o n o f t h e Wi cke d .....................................................
5. Fr u i t i o n o f Al l Ho pe s a n d Pr o vi s i o n s ..............................................
53. No va ti a n o f Ro me C o n d i t i o n a l i s t Oppo n e n t o f C o r n e l i u s .......................
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I . No va ti a n I mmo r t a l i t y o f Go d a n d Mo r ta l i ty o f Ma n .................................................... 902
I I . Ar gu me n t s Bas e d o n Na tu r e s o f C r e a t o r a n d C r e a t u r e .................................................. 904
1. M a n s Di s o be d i e n ce Br o u gh t Mo r t a l i t y ................................................................. 904
2. Expe l l e d Fr o m Ed e n to Fo r e s ta l l I mmo r t a l i t y o f Gu i l t ..................................... 905
3. Go d , Wi t h o u t Be gi n n i n g o r En d , Is C o n s e qu e n t l y I mmo r t a l .......................... 905
4. Go d I n co r r u pt i bl e a n d T h e r e f o r e I mmo r t a l ...................................................... 906
5. Ma n Ma d e Wi t h Ma te r i a l s o f M o r t a l i t y ................................................................... 906
6. Wo r d o f C h r i s t Af f o r d s I mmo r t a l i t y f o r Ma n .......................................................... 907
7. Ma n De s t i n e d f o r A t t a i n me n t o f Eve r l a s ti n g L i f e ......................................... 907
8. Hu ma n i t y Di e d , No t De i t y, o n th e C r o ss ............................................................... 908
I I I . Ar a bi a n Be l i e ve r s i n So u l s De a t h a n d Re s u r r e ct i o n ......................................................... 909
1. C o n d i t i o n a l I mmo r t a l i t y No Ne w Do ct r i n e ............. 910
2. Or i ge n Es ta bl i s h e d I mmo r ta l -So u l i s m i n Al e xa n d r i a ........ 910
I V . C l e me n t i n e Ho mi l i e s Fi ct i o n a l Vi e ws by C l e me n t s Fa br i ca t e d C h a r a ct e r s 911
1. C l a s h i n g Vi e ws a n d Un ce r t a i n Da t i n g .............................................................................. 912
2. Ra n ge s Ove r C r e a t i o n , L i f e , De a t h , Pu n i s h me n t ...................................................... 913
3. Wi cke d C o n s u me d a n d De s tr o ye d by Fi r e ............................................................ 913
4. C l e me n t Se ts Fo r t h Pe t e r as I mmo r l a l -So u l i s t ...................................................... 914
5. Fr e e Wi l l Expl ai n s Pr e s e n ce o f Si n a n d De a t h ............................................................. 914
6. I mmo r ta l i ze d T h r o u gh C h r i s t s Re i gn ...... .................................................................. 915
7. Su bs e qu e n t Re co gn i ti o n s Su s t ai n Ho mi l i e s Po r t r a ya l .................................. 915
54. Ar n o bi u s o f Af r i ca L a s t An te -Ni ce n e C o n d i t i o n a l i s t Spo ke s man ........................................... 917
- I . Fi n a l Ext i n ct i o n o f I n co r r i gi bl y Wi cke d .............................................................................. 917
1. Me e ts Pagan i s m o n I ts Own Gr o u n d ................................................................................ 918
2. I mmo r t a l i t y f o r Ri gh t e o u s ; Ext i n ct i o n f o r Wi cke d .................................................. 919
3. Ma n C r e a t e d C apa bl e o f Ei t h e r De s ti n y .................................................. 919
I I . C o mpr e h e n s i ve Su r ve y o f Ar n o bi u s Ar gu me n t s a n d Evi d e n ce s ................................... 920
1. Ar n o bi u s Pr e s e n ts th e C as e f o r C h r i s t ............................................................................ 920
2. C h r i s t Ope n e d t h e Ga t e o f I mmo r t a l i t y .......................................................................... 921
3. Se a r ch i n g Qu e s ti o n s o n L i f e , De a t h , a n d He r e a f t e r .................................................. 921
4. A De s t r u ct i o n T h a t Le ave s No th i n g Be h i n d ................................................ - .............. 922
5. Ul t i ma t e A n n i h i l a t i o n Is M a n s Re a l De a t h .................................................. 922
6. Ma n No t I mmo r t a l L i ke Go d ; On l y C r e a t u r e s .................................................. 923
7. Swe e pi n g Su r ve y o f Pa ga n i s ms I n a d e qu a cy ................................................................. 923
8. C l a i ms a n d As s u mpti o n s o f I mmo r tal -So u l i s ts ............................................................. 924
9. En r i ch e d Wi th Et e r n a l L i f e T h r o u gh C h r i s t ........................................................... 924
I I I . Bo o n o f I mmo r t a l i t y Is Go d s Gi f t . .................................................................................... 925
1. As s u r e d I mmo r t a l i t y Ve r s u s Bl o t ti n g Ou t o f Exi s te n ce ......................................... 925
2. Gi f t o f I mmo r t a l i t y Is th e Gr a n t o f Go d ............................................................. 925
3. Ei t h e r Sal va ti o n o r De s tr u ct i o n Awai ts Al l ................................................................. 925
4. Go d Al o n e Is I mmo r t a l a n d Eve r l as ti n g .......................................................................... 926
5. T h e Gr e a t Al te r n a ti ve s Ar e Pl ace d Be f o r e Al l ............................................................. 926
6. Pr i ze o f I mmo r t a l i t y Is Be f o r e Us ................................................................................. 926
55. Ath e n a go r a s Fi r s t Eccl e s i as ti c to Ass e r t I n n a t e I mmo r t a l i t y .................................................... 928
I . Ath e n a go r a s Pa t h f i n d e r o n Re vo l u ti o n a r y Ro ad ......................................................... 930
1. Base s C o n te n ti o n o n Ph i l o s o ph y, No t Scr i pt u r e _......................................................... 931
2. Re pe a t e d l y Use s Pl a t o s I mmo r t a l So u l Ph r a s i n g .................................................. 932
3. Ba t te r y o f Su ppo r t i n g Equ i va l e n ts Empl o ye d ............................................................... 932
I I . Ea r l i e r Pl e a De vo i d o f I n n a t e I mmo r t a l i t y C o n ce pt .................................. 933
1. An ge l s Ar e C r e a t e d Be i n gs ; So me Fe l l ..................................................................... 934
2. Du bi o u s Se t t i n g o f T e r m I mmo r t a l So u l ................................................................. 934
3. He a t h e n Go d s Si mpl y De i f i e d Me n ........................................................................ 935
4. Fa t e o f Si n n e r s Wo r s e T h a n An n i h i l a t i o n ............................................................... 935
5. Ou r Bo d i e s to Be Re co n s t r u cte d a t Re s u r r e ct i o n ........................................................ 935
I I I . T h e Resurrection Wh o l l y C o mmi tt e d to I n n a t e -I mmo r t a l i t y T h e s i s ....................... 936
1. Ma n C r e a t e d f o r Pe r pe t u a l Exi s t e n ce ........................................................................ 936
2. Du a l Pr e mi s e f o r Et e r n a l Exi s te n ce ................................................................................. 937
3. Gi s t o f t h e Re s u r r e ct i o n A r gu me n t ................................................................................... 937
4. Re s u r r e ct e d Bo d i e s Wi l l Be I n co r r u pt i bl e ............. ..................................................... 938
5. De s t i n e d f o r Pe r pe t u a l Du r a t i o n , No t Fi n a l Ext i n ct i o n .................................... 939
6. Un ce a s i n g Exi s te n ce Fo r e s tal l s Ul t i ma t e An n i h i l a ti o n ........................................... 939
7. Pl e d ge d C o n ti n u a n ce o f Be i n g i n I mmo r t a l i t y ...................................................... 939
8. M a n : An I mmo r t a l So u l i n a Pe r i s h abl e Bo d y ..................................................... 940
9. Re s u r r e ct i o n I mpe r a t i ve So Bo d y-So u l May C o n t i n u e Fo r e ve r .......................... 940
10. C o n t i n u i t y o f Be i n g I n t e r r u pt e d by De a t h .............................................................. 941
11. Sl e e p o f De a t h In vo l ve s Bl a cko u t o f C o n s ci o u s n e s s ............................................. 941
12. Re u n i o n o f Bo d y a n d So u l Ne ce s s ar y f o r Re co mpe n s e ........................................... 941
13. M a n s Pu n i s h me n t No t Assi gn e d to So u l Al o n e _........................................................ 942
14. Re co n s t i t u t i o n o f Bo d y a n d So u l I n t o Same Be i n g .............................................. 943
15. T h o s e Fa i l i n g Go d s Obje cti ve Ar e Pu n i s h e d Pr o po r ti o n a te l y .............................. 943
16. De n i e s Ul t i ma t e An n i h i l a ti o n f o r th e Wi cke d ............................................................. 943
17. Di s r e ga r d s a n d Re pu d i a te s t h e Bi bl i cal Pe r i s h ...................................................... 944
I V . L o gi ca l De ma n d s o f Ath e n a go r a s Re a s o n i n g ...................................................................... 944
56. T e r t u l l i a n Pr o je ct o r o f Et e r n a l -T o r me n t C o r o l l ar y ................................................................... 947
I . Fo r mu l a t i o n o f t h e Do gma o f En d l e s s T o r me n t ........................................................... 948
1. T e r t u l l i a n s Es po u s al o f Mo n ta n i s m ................................................................................. 949
2. Fi r s t to Fo r mu l a t e Do gma o f En d l e s s T o r me n t ........................................................ 950
1116
3. Pe r s e cu t i o n Fo r ms Backgr o u n d o f Re t r i bu t i ve T o r me n t .......... ...............................
4. I n f l u e n ce d by Sto i c Ph i l o s o ph y Wh i l e Re je ct i n g I t s T h e o s o ph y .......
5. C h a r a ct e r i s t i cs o f Hi s Di ve r s i f i e d Wr i ti n gs ............... ..................................... .............
6. Sti l l He l d to M a jo r Pr o ph e ti c Ou t l i n e ______ ___________________ ______ ___
I I . T h r e e f o l d Basi s o f Et e r n a l L i f e i n He l l Po s t u l a t e ____________ ___ ______ __
1. T h r e e Axi o ms Un d e r l yi n g Et e r n a l -T o r me n t Po s t u l a t e .................. .......................
2. I n vo ke s Pl a t o i n Af f i r mi n g I mmo r ta l -So u l i s m _____________ ___________ ____
3. Re je ct s Pl a t o s Pr e -e xi s t e n ce C o n t e n t i o n .........................................................................
4. De f i n i ti ve De cl a r a t i o n o f So u l s Or i gi n ___________________________________ __
5. T e r t u l l i a n s De f i n i ti o n o f t h e So u l _______________________________________ __
6. C o n gl o me r a t i o n L e ad s I n t o Ho pe l e s s Pe r pl e xi ty- ......................................................
7. Dr e w Su ppl e me n t a l Su ppo r t Fr o m Mo n t a n i s t Vi s i o n s .........................................
57. T e r t u l l i a n Ho l d s Wi cke d Eve r B u r n bu t Ne ve r C o n s u me ...................................................
I . Mys ti c Eve r l a s ti n g Fi r e T h a t Ne ve r C o n s u me s Vi cti ms ............................. ..............
1. No n co n s u mi n g Fi r e C au s e s En d l e s s T o r t u r e ________ __________ _________
2. Exu l ts Ove r Et e r n a l T o r me n t o f Pe r s e cu t o r s ................................. ..................... .......
3. Et e r n i t y o f Si n I n vo l ve d i n Mo n s tr o u s C o n ce pt ...........................................................
I I . Al te r s Bas i c Scr i pt u r e I n t e n t to Su s t ai n T o r me n t T h e o r y ................................
1. I n co r r u pt i o n Mi s a ppl i e d to Wi cke d i n He l l ..................................... _...
2. I mmo r t a l i t y Wr o n gl y Appl i e d to Wi cke d ................................................................
3. De s t r u ct i o n s Pl ai n I n t e n t Se t Asi d e .........................................................................
4. I mmo r t a l So u l s C a n n o t Pe r i s h i n He l l ......................... ...........................................
5. Bo d y De s ti n e d f o r Et e r n a l K i l l i n g i n He l l ........... ......................... ..................
6. Re s u r r e ct i o n o f Fl e s h Is f o r Et e r n a l K i l l i n g ........................................................
7. Pe r ve r t s Me a n i n g o f De a t h a n d Dyi n g ...........................................................
8. Fo r ce d to Gi ve I mpr o pe r T u r n to T e r mi n o l o gy ........................ ............................
9. Empl o ys De vi o u s Ar ti f i ce o f Di s to r ti o n ..........................................................................
58. Un i ve r s a l Re s to r a ti o n Su bs t i t u t e d f o r Et e r n a l T o r me n t .........................................................
1. Si gn i f i can ce o f t h e Al e xa n d r i a n Sch o o l ..........................................................................
2. C h a r a ct e r i s t i cs o f Ne w Al e xa n d r i a n Sch o o l ................................................................
3. Ho u r o f Pe r i l f o r Expa n d i n g C h u r ch .......................... ................................................
4. Gr a ve I n vo l ve me n t s o f Or i ge n i s m .......................................................................................
5. Ro s e at e Expe cta t i o n s , bu t Gr o ss Pe r ve r s i o n s _____ _____________ ______ ___ ____
6. T h e Pr o gr e s s i ve Pa t h o f De pa r t u r e ...................................................................................
7. Pl a t o n i c I n f l u e n ce Su pe r s e d e s T h a t o f Apo stl e s .......................................................
8. Bal e f u l Ef f e cts o f Acce pt i n g Pl a t o n i s m ..................................................................... .....
9. Or i ge n i s m Ba n n e d Un d e r J u s t i n i a n .............................................................................
59. Ri s e a n d Spr e a d o f Ne o pl a to n i c Re s to r a ti o n i s m ............................................................................
I . C l e me n t o f Al e xa n d r i a Re ve r se s Po si ti o n i n T r a n s i ti o n Ho u r .............................
1. De ve l o ps I n t r o d u ct i o n to Ph i l o s o ph i c C h r i s t i a n i t y .....................................................
2. Me e t i n g Po i n t o f T wo C o n ve r gi n g L i n e s ................................................. ...................
3. Swi n gs to I mmo r ta l -So u l i s m i n L a t e s t T r e a t i s e ........................................................
I I . Ea r l i e r De cl a r a ti o n s C o u ch e d i n C o n d i t i o n a l i s t T e r ms ................... .......................
1. I mmo r t a l i t y a Re wa r d to Be Re ce i ve d ..............................................................................
2. T r u e a n d Su r e I mmo r t a l i t y I s Gi f t o f Et e r n a l L i f e ..............................
3. Go d Is Gi ve r o f Eve r yth i n g Et e r n a l : Oth e r wi s e De a t h ...........................................
4. I mmo r t a l i t y C a me No t T h r o u gh L a w, bu t T h r o u gh C h r i s t ................................
5. T u r n e d Away Fr o m So l e So u r ce o f L i f e .............................. ........ ...............................
6. De s tr u ct i o n Is Pe n a l ty f o r Di s o be d i e n ce .........................................................................
7. I mmo r t a l i t y Se t Ove r Agai n s t De s tr u ct i o n ..................................... ............................
8. Eve r l a s ti n g Ha bi t a t i o n s ; I mmo r t a l i t y; Et e r n a l Man s i o n s .....................................
9. An ge l s C o n d u ct Re d e e me d to Et e r n a l Li f e ..................................................................
10. T h e So u l Is No t Na tu r a l l y I mmo r t a l .....................................................................
I I I . Exhortation to the Heathen Sti l l Str e s s e s L i f e On l y i n C h r i s t .......................................
1. C h r i s t Of f e r s I mmo r t a l i t y ; Si n Br i n gs De s t r u ct i o n .......... ................. ..............
2. C h r i s t Br i n gs L i gh t o f Et e r n a l L i f e ................................................................................
3. Et e r n a l L i f e Ve r s u s Et e r n a l De a t h .................................................................................
4. Pe r f e ct Bo o n o f I mmo r t a l i t y Be s to we d .......................................................................
5. C h r i s t Of f e r s to C o n d u ct Us to I mmo r t a l i t y ...............................................................
I V . The Instructor I n t e r t wi n e s Ou r I mmo r t a l i t y Wi th C h r i s t ............ ................................
1. C h r i s t s C o mma n d s Ar e Pa th s to I mmo r t a l i t y ........................................................
2. Ar e to Pu t On I mmo r t a l i t y o f C h r i s t ............................................................... ..............
3. Pr e s e n t C h a s ti s e me n t De te r s Fr o m Eve r l a s ti n g De a t h ..................................................
4. T o Pu t On Ro be o f I mmo r t a l i t y ................. ....................................................................
V. Swi tch e s i n Stromata to Bal d I mmo r ta l -So u l i s m _________________________ ___
1. Exe mpts Pl a t o n i s m Fr o m Pa u l s St r i ct u r e s ______ ___ __________________ _____
2. Ol d T e s t a me n t L a w L e ad s to I mmo r t a l i t y ..................................................................
3. K n o wl e d ge o f Go d C o mmu n i ca te s I mmo r t a l i t y .............................................................
4. I mmo r t a l i t y o f So u l Ope n l y Avo we d ..............................................................................
5. Al l Pu n i s h me n t Re ga r d e d Re s to r a ti ve .............................................................. ........
6. Pu r ge d by t h e Fi r e o f Wi s d o m ...................................................................................
7. C h r i s t Pr e a ch i n g t h e Go spe l i n Ha d e s ..... ........ ................ ................................
8. Du bi o u s Fr a gme n t s Ass e r t So u l s I mmo r t a l i t y .................................................. ..........
60. Or i ge n Pr o je ct o r o f Un i ve r s a l -Re s t o r a ti o n T h e o r y ........... - ...............
1. Be came He a d o f C a t e ch e t i ca l Sch o o l a t Ei gh t e e n .......... ...........................................
2. Fi n a l l y De po s e d a n d De pr i ve d o f Of f i ce ---------------------- ---------------- ---------------
I . De pr e ci a t e s L i t e r a l i s m; Exal ts Mys ti ca l a n d Spi r i t u a l ____________________ __
951
952
952
953
954
954
954
955
955
956
956
957
959
959
959
960
961
962
962
963
964
964
965
966
966
967
968
969
969
971
971
972
973
974
975
975
976
978
978
979
980
981
982
982
982
983
983
984
984
985
985
986
986
986
986
987
988
988
988
989
989
989
989
990
991
991
992
992
992
993
994
994
994
996
9 %
998
998
1. Ma s t e r Mi n d o f Mys t jca l I n t e r pr e t a t i o n ................................................ 998
2. Al l e go r i zati o n De t e r mi n e d En t i r e Exe ge si s ................................................... 999
3. Or i ge n s T h r e e Se n s e s to Scr i pt u r e ......................................................... 999
I I . Un i ve r s a l Re s to r a ti o n i s m Or i ge n s An s we r t o T e r t u l l i a n s Et e r n a l T o r me n t ...... 1000
1. Di s to r ts a n Obvi o u s Bi bl e T r u t h ....................................................................................... 1000
2. Pl a t o t h e Spo n s o r o f Bo th Vi e ws ................. 1001
3. L i f e Fal s e l y Pr o mi s e d I n s t e a d o f De a t h ................................................................ 1001
4. T wo Equ a l l y I n ju r i o u s Pe r ve r s i o n s ............................................................. .................... 1002
5. Avo i d s On e Pi t f a l l On l y to Fa l l I n t o A n o t h e r ............................................................. 1003
I I I . Pi vo ta l C h r i s t i a n Do ctr i n e s Ass ai l e d by Or i ge n .................................... .......................... 1004
1. Scr i pt u r e s Ro bbe d o f A u t h o r i t a t i ve Fo r ce .......................................... 1004
2. Swe pt Apo sto l i c Fa i t h I n t o Di s ca r d ................................................................................. 1005
3. Pr e -e xi s t e n ce C o u pl e d to Re s to r a ti o n i s m ..................................... 1005
4. I mpi n ge d V a u n t e d Fr e e d o m o f Wi l l .............................................................................. 1005
5. Re l a ti o n s h i ps to t h e Empi r e Re vo l u ti o n i ze d ............................................................. 1006
I V . Re vo l u ti o n a r y C o n ce pts o f L i f e , De a t h , a n d De s ti n y ...................................................... 1006
1. St r a n ge C o n te n ti o n s i n An th r o po l o gy ............................................................ 1006
2. A d a ms Fa l l Ma d e Al l e go r i cal ....................................................................... _............ 1007
3. Re vo l u ti o n a r y C o n ce pts o f Es ch a to l o gy ........ 1007
4. Mys ti cal I n t e r pr e t a t i o n I n vo ke d to Eva d e L i te r a l i s m ................................ 1007
V . Do cu me n te d De f i n i ti o n s a n d Usage s .......................................................................................... 1008
1. Me n Ar e So u l s i n Bo d i e s ...................................................................................................... 1008
2. So u l I s I mma t e r i a l , I n vi s i bl e , I mmo r t a l ......................................................................... 1008
3. De a t h Ne i t h e r Pe r i s h i n g No r De s t r u ct i o n ................................................................... 1009
4. De s t r u ct i o n Is No t C e a s i n g to Be ................................................................................. 1009
5. Fi r e C o n s u me s Fu e l o f Si n ............................................................................................ 1010
6. C o n s u mi n g Fi r e Si mpl y Re f i n e s ..................................................................................... 1010
7. Ea r t h s C h a n ge I s No t A n n i h i l a ti o n ............................................................................ 1010
8. Wo r l d s En d Is I t s Su bju ga t i o n .................................................................... .............. 1010
9. Fa l l C o u n t e r a ct e d i n Fu t u r e Age s .............................................................................. 1011
61. Or i ge n s Mu l t i pl e De pa r t u r e s Fr o m t h e Fa i t h .............................................................................. 1012
I . Ad o pte d He a t h e n T r a n s mi gr a t i o n Fa l l a cy .................. 1012
1. Di s car d s Go d s So l u ti o n to Si n Pr o bl e m .......................................................................... 1012
2. T a u gh t Su cce ssi ve T r a n s mi gr a t i o n s o f t h e So u l .................................................. 1013
3. Bi bl i cal T e r ms Expl a i n e d Away by Al l e go r i zi n g .................................................. 1014
I I . Al l e go r i zi n g Su bs t i tu t e d f o r L i te r a l i s m ................................................................................... 1015
1. L i te r a l i s m o f C r e a t i o n Na r r a t i ve Swe pt Asi d e ............................................................. 1015
2. De n i e s L i t e r a l T r u t h o f Bi bl i cal Re co r d s ...................................................................... 1016
I I I . Spi r i tu al i ze s Se co n d Ad ve n t, En d o f Wo r l d , a n d Mi l l e n n i u m ..................................... 1017
1. Se co n d Ad ve n t Mys ti ci ze d I n t o Da i l y C o mi n g ......... .......................................... 1017
2. En d o f Wo r l d L o cal i ze d a n d I n d i vi d u a l i ze d ............................................................. 1018
3. Su bs t i tu t e s Gr a d u a l Ad va n ce f o r C a tacl ys mi c En d ................................................ 1019
4. De n i e d Mi l l e n n i u m Be cau s e I n co mpa t i bl e Wi t h Hi s Sch e me ................................ 1019
5. Pr o ph e ci e s De pr i ve d o f Al l Fo r ce ....................................................................................... 1020
I V . Ho l d s Eve r y I mmo r t a l So u l to Be Re s to r e d ...................................................................... 1020
1. So u l I n ca pa bl e o f De a t h o r De s t r u ct i o n .................................... 1020
2. Eve r y Ra t i o n a l Be i n g to Be Re s to r e d ............................................................................ 1021
3. I mmo r t a l Si n n e r s C o n d u ct e d to Sa l va ti o n Sl o wl y ............................................... 1021
4. We i r d C o n cl u si o n s to Wh i ch Or i ge n i s m L e a d s ......................................... 1022
V. Re ca pi t u l a t i o n : T wi n Fal l a ci e s o f T e r t u l l i a n a n d Or i ge n ....................................... 1023
1. U t t e r Er a d i ca t i o n o f Evi l Pr o mi s e d .......................................... 1023
2. Fal l aci o u s T h r e a t s a n d De l u s i ve Pr o mi s e s .................. 1025
V I . Su bs e qu e n t C h u r ch me n Ar e Di vi d e d Be t we e n t h e C o n f l i cti n g Sch o o l s ................. 1026
1. C h u r ch me n Wh o Su ppo r t e d T e r t u l l i a n s Et e r n a l -T o r me n t i s m ............ 1027
2. Eccl e s i asti cs Wh o Fa vo r e d Or i ge n s Un i ve r s a l Re s to r a ti o n i s m ............. 1027
3. C o n d i t i o n a l i s m Gr a d u a l l y Fo r ce d I n t o Ecl i ps e .................................... 1028
62. L a ct a n t i u s Emi t t i n g L i gh t Ami d En cr o a ch i n g Dar kn e s s ................ 1029
1. Re vo l u ti o n i n Ro ma n L i f e a n d T h o u gh t ...................................... 1029
2. Sta yi n g t h e T i d e o f Dr i f t a n d Er r o r ........................................................... 1029
I . Hi s to r i ca l Se t t i n g o f I n t e r e s t i n M a n s Na t u r e a n d De s ti n y .............................. 1030
1. Sch o l a r s h i p Re co gn i ze d by T wo Empe r o r s ............................. 1030
2. Fi r s t A t t e mpt a t Sys t e ma ti c C h r i s t i a n T h e o l o gy ......................................................... 1031
3. C o mpr e h e n s i ve C h a r a ct e r o f L a ct a n t i u s I n s t i t u t e s ................................................ 1032
4. C o u r s e o f Empi r e Po r t r a ye d i n Pr o ph e cy ................................................................... 1033
5. Es ch a to l o gi cal C o n ce pt Un ve i l s Ma n s De s ti n y ....................... 1033
6. Du bi o u s Passage s a n d K n o wn Eme n d a t i o n s ................................................... 1033
I I . I mmo r t a l i t yLo s t T h r o u gh Si n ; Re s to r e d T h r o u gh C h r i s t ......................................... 1034
1. Go d Is Et e r n a l ; M a n s I mmo r t a l i t y C o n d i t i o n a l ....................... 1034
2. Na t u r e o f Fi r s t a n d Se co n d De a t h s ...................................................................... 1035
3. Ad am Expe l l e d Fr o m Ed e n a n d I mmo r t a l i t y ........................................................... 1035
4. I mmo r t a l i t y Is Re wa r d f o r Ri gh te o u s n e s s .................................................................... 1036
5. C o n f u s i o n a n d I gn o r a n ce Amo n g Ph i l o s o ph e r s ............................................................. 1036
6. Fal l aci o u s C o n ce pts o f C i ce r o ________________ 1037
I I I . C h r i s t th e So u r ce o f Ou r I mmo r t a l i t y ........................................................ 1037
1. C h r i s t C a me to Re s t o r e Ri gh te o u s to L i f e _______ 1037
2. T o o k Ou r Mo r t a l i t y to Re s to r e I mmo r t a l i t y .............................. 1038
3. I mmo r t a l i t y Is Of f e r e d to Al l .................................................................. 1039
4. C o n t r a s t i n g En d s o f t h e T wo Ways .......... - ..........
I V . I mmo r t a l i t y No t I n h e r e n t , bu t a Gi f t ............................................
1. Pr o vi s i o n f o r A t t a i n i n g I mmo r t a l i t y ____ ______ _______ ___
2. So Pl ace d as to A t t a i n I mmo r t a l i t y ....................... ..........................
3. I mmo r t a l i t y No t a C o n s e qu e n ce o f Na t u r e ________________
4. Go d Al o n e C a n C o n f e r I mmo r t a l i t y ----------------------------------
5. I mmo r t a l i t y Is Re ce i ve d as Re wa r d ...................................- .......
V. C o n d i t i o n a l i s m Pl a ce d i n Es ch ato l o gi cal Se t t i n g ......................
1. Fal s e Ph i l o s o ph i cal Vi e ws o n I mmo r t a l i t y ..................................
2. Ph i l o s o ph i cal C o n f u s i o n Re ga r d i n g I mmo r t a l i t y ..................
3. Ri gh te o u s n e s s Al o n e Pr o cu r e s Et e r n a l L i f e ............................
4. Be gi n n i n g a n d En d o f t h e Wo r l d ----------------------------- --------
5. Fo r ma t i o n o f Ma n a n d Re s u l ts o f Fa l l .......... ...........................
V I . I mmo r t a l i t ys Pl ace i n t h e Pr o ph e t i c Ou t l i n e ........................
1. Ro me s Di vi s i o n , A n ti ch r i s t, a n d C o mi n g C l i ma x .................
2. Se co n d Ad ve n t a n d t h e Re s u r r e ct i o n ..........................................
3. Pa r a l l e l i n g bu t Di s t o r t e d C o n ce pts o f Po e ts ..............................
4. Sa ta n Bo u n d , C i ty; Pl a n t e d . Wi cke d De s tr o ye d .....................
5. L a ct a n t i u s C o n d i t i o n al i s m Pr e s e n te d t o Empe r o r .................
V I I . Pi tf a l l s L u r k i n Abbr e vi a t e d Epi t o me ....................................
1. C o n ta i n s C e r t a i n Du bi o u s Pas sage s T h a t Mi s l e a d ..............
2. L a ct a n t i u s Re co gn i ze s Ha za r d o f A br i d gme n t .........................
3. Pr e po n d e r a n t Vi e w Is C o n d i t i o n a l i s t ...........................................
4. Pr e s e n te d Wi t h Ga r me n t o f I mmo r t a l i t y ................................
V I I I . Si gn i f i can ce o f L a ct a n t i u s C o n d i t i o n a l i s t Wi tn e s s ......................
63. Ath an a s i u s T h e n C o n d i t i o n al i s m I n t o Ecl i ps e ........................................
I . Sh i f ti n g Emph as i s o f t h e T h r e e Sch o o l s C o n ce r n i n g t h e So u l
1. Hi s to r i c Al i gn me n ts i n An te -Ni ce n e Pe r i o d ................................
2. Po s t -Ni ce n e Sh i f t i n g o f Gr e a t e s t I mpo r t ..................................
3. Ul t i ma t e Asce n d an ce o f Et e r n a l -T o r me n t Sch o o l ...................
I I . T h e Ath an a s i u s -Ar i u s C o n tr o ve r s y a n d th e Ni ce n e C r e e d ....
1. Abs o l u te De i t y o f C h r i s t a t Sta ke ....................................................
2. T h e A r i a n Vi e w Su mme d Up ........................................................
3. T h e Ath a n a s i a n Vi e w Epi to mi ze d ________________ _________
4. T h e Scmi -Ar i a n o r Eu s e bi an C o n ce pt .........................................
5. T i d e o f Ba t tl e En d s i n Ath a n a s i a n Vi ct o r y ..........................
I I I . Ath an a s i u s Po we r f u l De f e n d e r o f De i t y o f C h r i s t .....................
1. T h e C e n t e r o f t h e T h e o l o gi cal Wo r l d .........................................
2. Fo u r T i me s Ban i s h e d i n Sto r my C a r e e r ..._.....................................
3. C h a mpi o n e d C e r t a i n Aspe cts o f C o n d i ti o n al i s m ..................
I V . T h e I n ca r n a t i o n i n Re l a ti o n t o M a n s Si n a n d Re d e mpti o n
1. C l ass i c Po r t r a ya l o f Re s to r a ti o n o f M a n s L i f e .....................
2. Di r e ct Qu o ta t i o n s No t Empl o ye d Wi t h Ath an a s i u s ...............
3. Ma n No t C r e a t e d Wi th Pe r ve r s e T e n d e n ci e s ..............................
4. C r e a t o r Mu s t Bo th Re n e w a n d Re s to r e .......................................
5. Be came Ma n to Re s to r e L i f e to Us ...............................................
6. Pu r po s e o f Pu bl i c De a t h a n d T h r e e Days i n T o mb ...............
7. Pr o ph e ci e s Es ta bl i s h Facts o f I n ca r n a t i o n ....................................
8. An swe r s Sco f f i n g o f Gr e e ks Re ga r d i n g I n ca r n a t i o n ...............
9. So L i ve as to Ea t o f T r e e o f L i f e .....................................................
64. Au gu s ti n e I mmo r ta l -So u l i s ms Ho u r o f Su pr e ma cy .................................
I . Pr o je cts Fal l aci o u s Ph i l o s o ph y o f Hi s to r y .................... ._......................
1. I n f a l l i bl e Sys te m o f Do ctr i n e Base d o n A u t h o r i t y ...............
2. Bas i c Fal l aci e s o f Au gu s t i n i a n C o n ce pts ......................................
3. A l r e a d y C o mmi t t e d to I mmo r tal -So u l i s m Be f o r e C o n ve r s i o n
I I . Au gu s ti n e Se ts I mmo r ta l -So u l i s t Pa t t e r n f o r T h o u s a n d Y e ar s ..
1. Pr o je cts Ne w Ph i l o s o ph y o f Hi s to r y ................................................
2. Eve r yt h i n g T h a t C o n f l i cts I n t e r pr e t e d Spi r i t u a l l y ....................
3. Re vo l u ti o n a r y Pr i n ci pl e s o f I n t e r pr e t a t i o n ................................
I I I . T h e Fa t a l Fal l acy o f Ma jo r i t y Or t h o d o xy ...............................
1. Bi bl i cal T r u t h Is Re co gn i ze d i n T i me .......... .................................
2. Or th o d o xy De t e r mi n e d by Wr i t t e n Wo r d ................................
3. T r u t h C r u s h e d to Ea r t h Spr i n gs Fo r t h Agai n ............................
1039
1040
1040
1040
1041
1041
1042
1043
1043
1044
1045
1046
1046
1047
1047
1047
1048
1049
1049
1050
1050
1050
1051
1051
1052
1053
1054
1054
1054
1055
1056
1057
1058
1058
1059
1060
1061
1061
1061
1063
1063
1063
1064
1065
1065
1066
1066
1067
1067
1068
1070
1070
1070
1071
1072
1073
1073
1074
1075
1076
1076
1077
1078
Index of Personal Names
(T h e ma i n d i scu ssi o n o f t h e d i f f e r e n t co mme n t a to r s i s i n d i ca t e d by f i gu r e s i n i tal i cs .)
A br a h a m, 674, 733, 735, 737, 831
Ae s ch yl u s , 532, 547
Agr i ppa , 642
Agr i ppa I I , 742
A h r i ma n , 860
Al e xa n d e r , 644
Al e xa n d e r , Bi s h o p, 1061
Al e xa n d e r th e Gr e a t , 599, 641
A l e xa n d r i a , 903, 947
Al ge r , Wi l l i am R., 549
Ambr o s e , 640, 759. 977. 1055
Ambr o s e o f Mi l a n , 1026, 1027
Ammo n i u s , 709
Ammo n us Saccas, 702
An axago r as , 532, 551. 552. 554, 623
An a xi ma n d e r , 532, 540, 541
An ti o ch u s , 645, 669
An ti o ch u s Epi ph a n e s , 640, 644, 666, 668, 670
An ti o ch u s (I V ) Epi ph a n e s , 641, 648
A n t i pa t e r , 642
An to n i u s Me l i ss a. 994
An to n i n u s Pi u s , 08. 809
Aqu i n as , T h o ma s , 1074
Ar i s to tl e . 523, 529, 532. 533. 556, 558, 561,
599-607, 617, 647, 713, 719, 723, 739, 838
Ar i s to te l i a n , 834
Ar i u s . 1053, 1059. 1060, 1062
Ar n o bi u s , 523, 758, 807, 846, 917-927, 1030,
1079
Ar n o bi u s o f Si cca, 803. 1054
Ath a n a s i u s . 639, 759, 774. 1053-1069
Ath e n a go r a s , 758, 841, 891, 929-946, 979, 1052,
1069
Au gu s t i n e , 561, 640, 759. 765, 766, 801, 868,
879. 883. 943, 949, 952, 971, 974, 1027, 1028,
1052, 1053, 1055, 1070-1076
Au gu s t i n e o f Hi ppo , 528, 930, 947
Au gu s tu s , Empe r o r , 642,
Au r e l i u s , 873
Au to l ycu s , 841, 842, 843
Bal l o u , 826
Ba r n a ba s , 769. 775, 776, 778-784
Ba r n a ba s o f A l e xa n d r i a , 758
Ba r u ch , 691. 692
Ba r u ch , Syr i ac, 687-689
Basi l , 976, 1055
Basi l o f C a e s a r e a , 759, 1028
Bas i l i d cs . 862 , 864, 891
Be e ch e r , Dr . Ed wa r d , 773, 783, 826, 828, 833
Be l i a h , 743
Be n Si r a , 664. 665
Bo n n e r , Dr . C a mpbe l l , 850
Br o wn , 778
C a e s a r . 625
C ai u s Ma n i l i u s , 619
C a l i gu l a , 719
C a r po cr a t e s , 862, 865, 891
C a t o . 616
C a t u l l u s , 616. 621, 625
C e bcs , 567, 577, 578, 581, 582
C e l su s 803, 1003
C e r d o , 891
C h a r l e s . Dr . R. H., 533, 534, 536, 549, 552,
563, 564, 573. 671, 672, 673, 675, 678. 679,
685 , 687 , 688 , 690, 695, 726, 735 , 739
C h i l l i n gwo r th , Wi l l i am, 1076
C h r i s t . 183-302
C h r ys i ppu s , 532, 1048
C h r ys o s t o m, 759, 977, 1026, 1027, 1055
C i ce r o , 561, 616, 619, 620, 625, 626, 644, 704,
1037, 1048.
C l a u d i u s , Empe r o r , 642
C l e a n th e s , 532
C l e me n t , 702, 715, 716, 726, 740, 757, 769, 778,
848, 911-916, 996. 997
C l e me n t o f Al e xa n d r i a , 958, 978-995
C l e me n t o f Ro me , 758, 762-767
C l e me n t , T i t u s Fl avi u s , 981
C o l e t, J o h n , 561
C o n s ta bl e , An gl i can Pr e be n d a r y, 767, 822
C o n s ta bl e , C a n o n He n r y, 765, 801, 802, 823,
884. 961, 1027
C o n s ta n t i n e , 909, 1032, 1049
C o pe r n i cu s . 653
C o r n e l i u s , 903, 909
C o r n e l i u s T a ci t u s , Pu bl i u s , 629
C o r n f o r d , Fr a n ci s M., 597
C o xe , A. C l e ve l a n d , 875, 1034, 1050
C r o mbi e , 1013
C yn i cs, 808
C ypr i a n , 758, 947, 949, 977, 1026, 1027, 1054
C yr i l o f J e r u s a l e m, 639
C yr u s , 641
De ci u s , 998
De mo cr i tu s , 532, 533, 610, 1044
Di ca e a r ch u s , 1044
Di d e r o t , 555
Di o cl e ti a n , 917, 1031
Di o d o r u s o f T a r s u s , 759, 976, 1027, 1028, 1055
Di o gn e t u s , 796
Di o n ys i ac, 532
Di o n ys i u s , 716, 759, 976, 1055, 1057
Do l l i n ge r , Dr ., 602, 603, 606, 621
Dr a pe r , J o h n , 533, 534, 554, 555, 600, 605
Dr u mmo n d , J ame s , 739
Du n s Sco tu s , 1074
El i ja h . 697. 737
Empe d o cl e s . 532 , 549, 550, 551, 554, 623 , 821
En cr a t i t e s , 891
En n i u s , 623
En o ch , 697, 766, 915
En s l i n , 886
Epi cte tu s , 616, 627 , 628
Epi cu r u s , 532 , 610-613 , 622, 838, 924, 1036,
1044
Epi ph a n i u s , 640
Er , 570, 571
Eu d e mu s . 603
Eu o d i u s , 840
Eu r i pi d e s , 532, 548
Eu s e bi u s , 715 , 758 . 759, 762 , 774, 791, 795.
808, 841, 848, 875, 909, 974, 998, 1027, 1028
Ezr a, 641, 696-702
Fa bi a n , 909
Fa i r ba i r n , A. M., 533-535 . 539, 540. 544, 549
Fa r r a r , F. W. 670, 683, 819, 901, 920
Fi s h e r , J o h n , 561
Fr e e r , Fr e d e r i ck A., 844
Ga br i e l . 654
Gai u s Pl i n i u s Se cu n d u s , 627
Ga s l e r , T . H., 745
Gci s e l e r , 826
Ge r ma n He l l e n i s t, 723
Gn o sti cs , 804
Go r gi as , 532, 555
Gr a be . 899
Gr e go r y, 1055
Gr e go r y o f Nazi an zu s , 639, 640
Gr e go r y o f Nyss a, 759, 977, 1028
1119
Gr e go r y o f T h a u ma t u r gu s , 758, 976, 1027, 1028
Gr o t t o . 555
Gr u be , G. M., 533, 537
Ha ga r , 733
Ha ge n ba ch , 826
Ha r n a ck, 980
He l mbo l d , W. C ., 586
He r a cl a s , 702, 716
He r a cl i t u s , 532 . 533, 541, 543, 544, 550, 623,
994
He r n i a s , 757, 758, 785-791
He r o d , 642
He r o d o tu s , 539, 764
He s i o d . 523, 531, 532, 535-537, 541, 561
Hi e r o cl e s , 1031
Hi ppo l yt u s , 758, 883, 998, 1027, 1054
Hi tch co ck, 778
Ho me r , 523, 531, 532, 534, 535, 537, 541, 561,
582
Ho r a ce , 616, 621, 625, 628
Ho bbs , T h o ma s , 561
Hu d s o n , C h a r l e s F., 798, 919
I a mbl i ch u s , 702, 713
I gn a t i u s o f An ti o ch , 758
I r e n a e u s , 523, 757-759, 767-775, 791, 807, 846,
917, 919, 1(578
I r e n a e u s o f Ga u l , 855 , 873-901
I r e n a e u s o f Lyo n s , 803
I s a a c, 674, 733, 831
i
aco b, 674, 733, 737, 831
a mbl i cu s , 713
ame s , 866
aso n o f C yr e n e , 666, 667
e r o me o f An ti o ch , 639. 640, 759, 778, 841,
949. 977, 1020, 1026, 1027, 1030, 1055
J e s u s Be n -Si r a , 664
,'e wr y, 726, 753
J o h a n n i n e . 796
J o h n , 385-418, 791
J o n a h , 894
J o s e ph u s , 642, 658, 673, 718, 742-744
,'o we tt, Be n ja mi n , 561, 564, 566, 594
J u d a s Macca ba e u s , 640, 641, 645, 666, 668, 673
J u l i a n , 702, 714
, u l i u s Af r i ca n u s , 639
J u l i u s C a e s a r , 616
J u s t i n M a r t yr 523, 559, 758, 796, 803-840,
844. 919, 979, 1078
J u s t i n i a n , 559, 616, 715
J u ve n a l , 616, 628
K i n gs l e y, C h a r l e s , 561
K i t t o , 826
K e n n e d y, H. A. A., 739
L a ct a n t i u s , 523, 759, 846, 918, 1029-1052, 1054,
1079
L a i d l a w, Dr . J o h n , 805
L a mbl i ch u s , 532, 616
L a t h a m, Ro n a l d E., 622
L e cu i ppu s , 532, 553, 554
L e o n i d e s , 996
L cs bi a, 621
L e vi n t h a l , Ra bbi I s r a e l , 653, 654
L i t t ma n n , 681
L o mba r d , Pe t e r , 1074
L u ci a n , 616, 629
L u ci u s Apu l e i u s , 629, 702, 708
L u cr e t i u s , 616, 619, 622-625, 628
L u t h e r , 1076
McC r a cke n , Dr . Ge o r ge R., 918, 920
Man e s , 867-869. 952
Ma n i l i u s , 616, 619
Ma r a n u s , 828
Ma r ci o n , 809, 861, 862, 865, 891
Ma r cu s An to n i n u s , 791
Ma r cu s Au r e l i u s , 616, 627, 629, 796-800, 808,
809, 849, 930
Ma r y, 832
Mas s u e t, 899
Ma t h e t e s , 797, 798
Ma u r i ce , F. D., 561
Me l i to , 848-852
Mi ca h . 832
Mi ch a e l , 654
Mi n o s , 818
Mi n u ci u s Fe l i x, 758, 947, 1026, 1027
Mi t h r a s , 870
Mo n ta ms m, 835
Mo r e , T h o ma s , 561
Mo r r o w 594
Mo se s, 708, 723, 733, 734, 743, 780, 781, 839
Ne a n d e r , 909-911
Ne bu ch a d n e zza r , 641, 652
Ne h e mi a h , 641
Ne me s i u s , 759, 846
Ni co l ai t an e s , 891
Ni co me d i a, 903
No vati an o f Ro me , 523, 758, 803, 807, 902-909
1033, 1054
Nu me n i u s , 702, 708, 709
Or i ge n , 528, 561, 564, 592, 606, 702, 706, 709,
715, 716. 726, 740, 758, 759, 762, 778, 805,
828, 910, 911, 943, 947. 948. 971, 972, 974,
975 , 979, 996-1028, 1052, 1054, 1055, 1058
Or i mu zd , 860
Or ph e u s o f T h r a ce , 537
Ovi d , 616. 621. 626
Ovi d i u s Nas o , Pu bl i u s , 626
Pa mph i l u s o f C a e s a r e a , 758, 909, 976, 998, 1028
Pa n ta e n u s , 702, 715, 9/9
Pa pi a s , 757
Papyr u s , Bo d me r X I I I , 850
Pa r me n i d e s . 532, 541, 542
Pa u l , 303-367, 778, 917, 945, 963
Pa u l i n e , 7%
Pe r s i u s , 628
Pe ta ve l . Emma n u e l , 605, 798, 802, 1027, 1028
Pe t e r , 368-385, 866, 915, 916, 963
Pe tt i n ge l l . J . H., 1027, 1028
Ph i l o , 523, 528, 530, 533, 564, 642 , 651, 655,
658 , 659, 673 , 678 , 702 , 703 , 706, 709, 716,
718-740, 742, 753 , 856, 970, 1063
Ph e r e cyd e s , 532, 838
Pi e r i u s , 716, 758, 1028, 1054
Pi l a te . Po n ti u s , 642
Pi n d a r . 532, 548, 549
Pl a t o , 523, 528, 529. 532-534. 546. 555-576,
583, 585, 587-589, 591-596, 598, 599, 600-602,
605, 644, 647, 704. 706, 708, 710, 713, 715,
716, 719, 720, 723, 729, 73-734, 737, 738,
740, 808, 812, 818, 821, 822, 838, 844, 848,
921, 922 , 92I>, 930, 933-935, 944. 953-956,
970, 975. 978, 991, 993. 1001, 1003, 1014,
1036, 1040, 1043, 1044. 1046, 1048, 1069
Pl i n y th e El d e r . 616, 621, 627, 628, 742, 764
Pl o ti n u s , 532, 533, 616, 702, 706, 709, 710, 712,
713, 875
Pl u t a r ch , 532. 561, 616, 628
Po l yca r p o f Smyr n a , 757, 758, 769, 774, 791-
796, 841, 873, 874
Po mpe y, 642
Pr e l l e r , 533
Pr o cl u s , 702, 714, 715
Pyth a go r a s , 529, 532, 533, 544-546, 550, 551,
555, 556, 821. 838, 921, 1048
Pto l e my Ph i l a d e l ph u s , 649
Pyr r h o o f El i s, 532, 614
Po r ph yr y, 616, 702, 713, 1031
Ra ph a e l , 654
Re mi e l , 654
Rh a d a ma n t h u s , 818
Ri d d l e , 913
Ri t t e r , Pr o f . He i n r i ch , 533, 606, 607
Ro be r t s o n , Bi s h o p Ar ch i ba l d , 1064
INDEX OF PERSONAL NAMES 1121
Ro ge r s , A. K ., 717
Ro h d e , Er wi n , 533, 538, 544, 549, 552, 554,
555, 603-605, 609
Ro t h e , 826
Ro u s s e au , 555
Ru n n i n g, Dr . L e o n a , 742
Sa l mo n d , Dr . St e wa r t D. F., 535, 606, 617,
698, 717. 920
Sa r a qa e l , 654
Sa t a n (Ma s t e ma ), 672
Sa t u mi n u s , 862, 863, 891
Sau l o f T a r s u s . 917
Sch af f , Dr . Ph i l i p, 778, 877, 901
Scu r r i o l u s , 1031
Se l e u cu s I V , Syr i an ki n g, 666
Se n e ca. 616, 621, 627
Se pti mi u s Se ve r u s , 979, 9%
Si mmi as , 567, 578, 581
Si mo n ba r -C o ch cba , 643
Si mo n Magu s , 912, 913, 915
So cr ate s , 529, 532, 556, 558, 559, 560, 561 571
574-584, 587, 821 *
So l o mo n , 640
Sti e r e n , 899
Sto i cs, 561, 607, 613, 614, 616, 619
T a ci t u s , 616, 629
T a r t a r u s , 654
T a t i a n o f Assyr i a, 758, 803, 807, 834, 891, 919
T a t i a n i s t s , 835
T e r t u l l i a n , 528, 646, 758, 759, 762, 765, 766,
791, 801. 835 876, 879, 883, 891, 910, 929,
943. 947-968, 971, 974, 975, 981, 994, 996
1001-1004. 1024-1028, 1052, 1054, 1055, 1057,
1069, 1071
T h a l e s , 532, 540
T h a u ma t u r gu s , 1054
T h e o d o r e o f Mo ps u e s t i a, 759, 1027, 1028, 1055
T h e o d o s i u s I I , 713
T h e o gn o s tu s , 716, 758, 1027, 1028, 1054
T h e o ph i l u s o f An ti o ch , 758, 803, 807, 840-848,
919 998. 1033
T h e o ph o r u s , 767
T h r a s yl l u s o f Me n d e s , 708
T i t u s , 642
T i tu s o f Bo s ti a, 759, 976, 1028
T r a ja n , 768
T r i s me gi s tu s , 1044
T yn d a l e , 1076
T r yph o , 809, 810, 831
Ur i e l , 654
Va l e n ti n u s . 862, 863, 888
Ve r gi l , 616, 621, 626
Vo l ta i r e , 555
We s tco tt, B. F., 605
Wo l f so n , H. A., 719, 732, 734, 736
Xe n o ph a n e s , 532, 541, 542
Ze i t l i n , Ra bbi S., 652
Ze l l e r , Dr . Ed u a r d , 533 , 539, 542 , 544, 549,
593, 594. 604, 605 , 610
Ze n o . 529. 541, 613, 647
Ze n o o f C i t i u m. 532. 533, 607
Ze n o o f El e a, 532, 542
Ze ph yr i n u s , 949
Ze r u bba be l , 640, 641
Zo r o a s t e r , 868
Scr i ptu r e Index
Genesi s
1:1 ............. 29, 273
1, 2 ............................ 506
1-3 ....................... 391, 414
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
6-8........................ 428
20 34, 149
20, 21, 24, 30 ............... 34
24 ....................................... 423
26 31, 32, 159
26, 27 ............................ 158
27 ....................... 31, 33, 42
31 .............................. 42 , 506
4 ............................... 61, 63
5 54
7 34, 35, 36, 38, 14.
153, 154, 158, 209, 423,
429, 506
2:8 ................. 273
2:8, 9 ..................................... 42
2:15-17 .................................. 42
2:16, 17 ......................... 69, 77
2:17 ... 54, 71. 73, 74, 110,
115, 209, 382
3:1 ........................................... 52
3:1-6 ....................................... 47
3:3 ........................................... 42
3:4 54, 201, 339, 382, 403,
412, 458
3:7 ................................ 57, 63
3:8 ................................... 57
3:9-13 ..................................... 58
3:14 ......................................... 49
3:15 52, 58, 61, 62, 66, 67,
390. 497
3:16-24 .................................. 70
3:19 .... 35, 73, 77, 110, 165,
209
3:21 ......................................... 63
3:22 34. 35, 416
4:4 ........................................... 85
4:10 ...................................... 171
4:13 ......................................... 85
5:1 31. 32, 159
5:5 71, 412
5:24 92, 132
6:3 376
6:8-10 62
6:17 38, 154
7:4 ........................................... 38
7:7 39
7:14. 15 ................................ 38
7:21, 22 36, 38, 154
7:22 ....................................... 153
9:4 ........................................... 88
9:5 ................................ 171
9:6 31, 158
9:26, 27 ................................ 62
12:1-4 ..................................... 62
12:3 ......................................... 62
12:7 ......................................... 61
17:14 ..................................... 490
17:19-21 ................................ 62
18:20 ....... 171
19:24, 25 ............................ 111
19:28 ..................................... 410
20:3 ......................................... 72
20:7 ....................................... 73
22:7, 8 .................................. 88
22: 11, 12 88
22:13 ....................................... 88
22:14 ........................... 88
22:16 88
22:18 61
25:8 .......................... 378
25:8. 9 ................. 41, 260
28:10-14 ...................... 62
28:12 188
35:18 ......................... 150
37:35 ........... 161, 162, 163
42:38 ......................... 161
44:5. 15 ....................... 49
44:29, 31 .................... 161
48:14 ......................... 171
49:8-10 ....................... 62
49:10 .......................... 62
49:33 .......................... 41
50:13 .......................... 41
Exo d u s
10:28 .......................... 72
12:3-14 ...................... 100
12:33 .......................... 72
12:46 .......................... 62
16:20 118
20:5, 6 ...................... 112
22:20 ......................... 109
23:12 ......................... 147
24:17 ......................... I l l
25:8 .......................... 100
25:40 ......................... 337
29:9 437
29:39-42 .................... 100
29:43-45 .................... 100
30:33 ......................... 490
31:14 ......................... 490
31:17 ......................... 147
32:10 ......................... I l l
Le vi ti cu s
1:4 ............................. 61
3:17 .......................... 437
4-7 ............................ 112
4:32, 33 .................... 100
10:2 .......................... I l l
18:21 166
19:26 .......................... 49
19:28 .......................... 35
19:31 ......................... 175
20:2 112
20:6 .......................... 175
20:27 ......................... 176
21:1 ............................ 35
21:11 .......................... 35
22:4 ............................ 35
23:10, 11 ................. 102
23:11 103
24:14-16 .................... 112
27:29 ......................... 110
Nu mbe r s
5:2 _ 35
6:6 ............................. 35
6:11 35
9:2, 3, 5 .................... 103
9:6. 7, 10 .................... 35
11: 1 .......................... I l l
12:6 350
15:33-36 .................... 112
16 ............................ 377
16:22 37, 155
16:30, 33 ................... 161
17:12 ......................... 72
19:11, 13 .................... 35
21:5-9 ......................... 62
21:6, 9 ....................... 49
22 377
26:35 ......................... I l l
27:16 ............. 37, 155, 159
De u te r o n o my
4:24 .................. I l l
4:40 ........................... 22
5:33 .......................... 22
6:2, 24 ....................... 22
6:6, 7, 11 ................. 282
7:9 ............................ 112
8:1 282
9:3 ............................ I l l
10:13 ......................... 282
11:8, 13, 28 ................ 282
13:18 ......................... 282
17:5 .......................... 112
18:10 .......................... 49
19:9 .......................... 282
22:21 112
23:3, 6 ....................... 439
27:4 .......................... 282
28:39 ....................... 118
28:58, 59, 61, 63 ........ 114
29:20 .......................... 108
30:15 ................... 22, 515
30:15, 1 9 .................... 163
30:16 ......................... 282
30:17, 18 .................... 22
30:18 ......................... 282
30:19 ......................... 515
31:2 ........................... 282
31:16 80, 81, 229, 467, 468
32:22 ......................... 161
32:22, 24 ................. I l l
32:47 22
32:48-51 ...................... 80
34:1-6 ......................... 94
34:5 .......................... 260
34:5, 6 ....................... 482
34:5-7 ......................... 80
34:10 ........................... 94
J o s h u a
1:1, 2 80
8:28 .......................... 437
J u d ge s
9:8-16......................... 243
9:8-15 ......................... 173
Ru th
1:1 ............................ 257
1Samue l
2:6 161, 164
2:6-9 ......................... 163
22:16 ......................... 73
28:7 .......................... 176
28:8 .......................... 176
28:9, 1 0 ...................... 176
28:13 ......................... 177
28:13, 14 ................... 178
28:14 ......................... 177
2 Samuel
7 .......................... 62
1123
7:12 _______________ 61, 81 J o b
7:15-17............................. 62 J
16:14 -------------- 147 1- 21 327
22:6 ------------------------------ 161 3; i 3 82
22:16 ------------ 153 3:17, 18 .......................... 79
4:9 .......................... 153
1Ki ngs
4:17 ................. 450
7:9 .................... 161. 163
1:21 _______________ 81,467 7 : 2 1............. 81,82,229,469
2:6, 9 ________________ ! 161 1f t
2:9 .................. 161
10:9 ......................... 156
11:8 161
2-10 41 81 469 12:7 156, 171
- - - ........ - - 12:9, 10 209
12:10 .................................... 159
2:37 72
2:37 42 ................... 73 14.12 .......... ?9 g2 132 4?1
U 43 ....... ..............4i 81 14:12> 13 .................... 163
1 1 ; ...... J 14.12.15.............. 136
14.QI " " o f 14:13 161, 360
15-8 81 14:14 133> 479
s. 94....... .....................81 14:15 ........ 133
{ 6.6 81 17:13 - - 162
fcioft ........................... 8 1 7 :13,16...................... 161
{ 7:17 .......................... , k} 17:13-16 164, 165
0. 9 99 ..... ........... 17:14 ......................... 118
99.40..... .................... Hi 17:16 ............................ 79
92-50 .......................... 81 18:5 .................. 108, 109
M .......................... 18:5, 6 ...... 110
18:6 108
2 K i n g s 18:12 ......................... 108
18:13.......................... 108
1:12 .......................... I l l 18:16 108, 110
2:11 ................ 482 18:17 . 108
2:12 .......................... 482 18:18 .................. 108, 109
5:27 .......................... 435 19:25............................ 131
6:17 ........ 482 19:25-27.. .................... 132
8:24 ----------------------- 81 19:26 118, 133
10:35 ...... 81 20:7 .................. 110
13:9 81 20:9 108. 110
13:13 ~ ~ 81 2 1 :1 3 ........ 161, 163
14:9 ......... 243 21:17............................ 109
14:16 ......... 81 22:20______ 109
14:22 .......................... 81 24:19... ........................ 161
14;29 81 24:20 ................... 118, 133
15:7 ....................... 81 26:6 ........................... 161
18:22 .................. 81 27:3 . 36, 37, 153, 156
15:38 ... ....... ....... ........ 82 30:15 .......................... 149
16:20 --------------------------- 82 32:8 ........................... 154
17:17 ------------------------- 49 33:4 36, 154, 155, 156,
20:21 82 209, 428
21:6 ....................... 49 33:15, 16 .................... 350
21:J8 ........................... 82 34:14............................ 156
23:10 ................. 165, 166 34:14, 15 .... 36, 37, 154, 159
24:6 ........................ . 82 34:15 ............. 156
, , 34:24 . .................... 109
1 C h r o n i c l e s 38:7 .......................... 53
10 : 1 3 , 1 4 ................... 177 P s a l m s
28:9 .................... 109 r s a i m s
^ , 1:4 ............ 109
2 C h r o n i c l e s 2:9 109
6:5 ......... 80, 161, 163, 262
9:31 ______ 82 9:5 .................... 109, 110
12:16 82 9:17 ............... 110, 161
14:1 82 11:6 ..._ 110, 136
16:13 .......................... 82 13:3 ............ 79,82, 92 , 469
18:19-22 ..................... 177 16 ............................... 62
21:1 ............................ 82 16:9. 10 361
26:2 ......................... 82 16:10 .90, 161, 163, 276,
26:23 .......................... 82 299, 375, 423
27:9 .................. 82 16:11 ...... 134, 141, 364
28:3 ........................... 166 17:15 132. 472
28:27 ........................... 82 18:5 ...... 153, 161
32:33 ........................... 82 21:4 ............................ 22
33:1-10 ........................ 166 21:9 ...... 109, 110. I l l , 488
33:6 49, 166, 167 21:10........................... 109
33:20 ...................... 82 22 ............................. 62
33:32 ..................... 166 28:5 ............................ 76
30:3 ......... 161
31:5 .... 37
, 307, 375,, 378, 427
31:5. 6 .... 157
31:1* ........
l bl , 262
33:6 .........
29
33:7 .........
29
31
33:9 ......... 31
33:19 .....
29
31
33:20-27 .. 31
34:16 ....... 109
34:21 ....... 110
35:10 ....... 171
36:9 ......... 209
36:12 ....... 109
37:1. 2 ... 108
37:2 .........
109, 110
37:9 ......... 108
37:9, 22, 28, 34 ... 109
37:9. 34 ... 488
37:9-11 ... i :34
37:10 ........ ........ 108, 109. 110
37:10, 36 . 134
37:11 ....... 141
37:20 ..... 108, 109, 110, i :34,
411, 488
37:22 ....... 108
37:22, 34 . K34
37:28 .......... 108. 111, 134
37:34 ...... 108, 141
37:36 ....... 108
37:38 ...... 76 108
40:6 ......... 65
41:9 ......... 62
45:12 ....... 171
49:14 ...... 163
49:14, 15 161
49:15 ....... 134
49:19 ....... 163
49:20 ....... 110
50:3 ......... 109
50:3-5 ..... 132
50:3-6 .... 141
50:22 ....... 110
52:5 ................ 76, 109 110
55:15 ....... 161
55:23 .............. 109, 111, 488
58:7 ......... 109
59:13 ...... 109
60:12 ....... 110
62:3 ......... 110
66:8, 9 ... 209
68:2 ......... 109 134
68:10 ....... 488
68:17 ....... 482
68:17, 18 483
68:18 .... 62
69:28 ........ 76 108
72:19 ...... 110
73:18 ....... 109
75:3 ......... 109
76:5 ......... 82
76:6 ......... 82
85:10 ........ 97 171
86:13 ....... 161
88:3 ......... 161
88:11 ......
262
89:3. 4 .... 61
89:48 . . 161 164
90:2 ....... 454
90:5 ......... 82
92:7 ......... 109. 111
92:9 .......... 110, 499
94:23 .................. 22, 109, 134
96:13 ......
......... 132, 141, 143
97:3 ......... 111
98:9 ......... 143
102:26 .... 371
SC RIPT URE INDEX
1125
104:4 ................ 482
104:29 .................... 110
104:29, 30 ....... 40, 159, 429
104:35 108, 109
110:1 62
115:17 80, 262
116:3 .....................161, 164
118:12 110
118:22, 23 .................... 62
119:11 ....................... 110
139:8 .......................... 161
139:19 ........................ 110
139:24 ........................ 515
140:10 ........................ I l l
141:7 .......................... 161
145:20 .... 109, 111, 134, 488
146:4 39, 40, 80, 179. 203,
204, 262, 277, 428, 429
146:19 ....................... 179
150:6 ......................... 428
Pr o ve r bs
1:12 161
2:22 109, 110
3:1, 2, 16 .................... 22
5:5 ............... 161, 163, 164
7:27 .............. 161, 163, 164
9:11 ............................ 22
9:18 .......................... 161
10:25 108, 110
10:27 .......................... 22
11:31 ......................... 141
12:7 .......................... 109
13:9 ......................... 109
13:13 ......................... 109
14:12 ......................... 515
15:11, 24 .................... 161
16:25 ......................... 515
23:14 ......................... 161
24:20 ......................... 109
27:20 ......................... 161
30:16 ......................... 161
Eccl esi astes
3:19 .......................... 158
5:15 ......................._... 327
7:14 .......................... 257
8:8 .........................40, 155
9:5 36!
9:5-10 ....................... 163
9:6 361
9:6. 10 ....................... 262
9:10 ....... 161, 163, 277, 361
12:7 37, 38 . 40, 158, 159,
307 . 429, 430
12:13, 1 4 .................... 136
12:14 ......................... 141
So ng o f So l o mo n
8:6 ................._... 161, 163
Is ai ah
1:28 ........ 76
1:28, 31 ...................... I l l
1:31 ........ 109
2:2 ............................ 399
2:12 .............. 131, 391, 395
2:22 .......................... 428
5:14 ..................... ....... 161
5:20-24 ...................... 108
6:1 ............................ 352
6:2 ............................. 49
7:14 .................. 62, 140
8:19, 20 ...................... 176
8:20 .............. 355
9 : 6 ........................ 62, 140
9:18, 19................................ I l l
10:3 ....................................... 396
10:16-18 .............................. I l l
11:1-5 ..................................... 62
11:4 ....................................... 110
11:9 142, 517
13:6 ....................................... 396
13:6, 9 131, 395
13:9-13.................................. 3%
14 ........................................... 164
14:4 ....................................... 172
14:4-11 .... 169, 170, 243, 269
14:8 ....................................... 171
14:8-10 ................................ 171
14:9 ....................................... 172
14:9, 11 ................................ 171
14:9. 11, 15 ..................... 161
14:10, 11 .............................. 172
14:11............................. 118, 172
14:12 ...................................!... 52
14:12. 13 .............................. 53
14:12-18 ................................ 50
14:13, 14 ......................... 50, 53
14:17...... ......................... 53, 404
24 ........................................... 139
24:1 ....................................... 138
24:19, 20 .............................. 371
24:19-22 .............................. 144
25 139
25:6-8 .................................. 443
25:8 .............................. 134. 497
26:19 . 90. 132, 133, 139, 472
26:21 ..................................... 139
27:4 ....................................... 116
28:15 163. 164
28 :15, 18 .............................. 161
29:20 .................................... 109
30:33 ....................... I l l , 167
33:10, 11 ................... 116, 117
33:10-12 .............................. 116
33:11, 12 ........................... I l l
33:12 109, 117
33:14 ................. I l l , 115, 117
34 .......................................... 410
34:2 ....................................... 139
34:8 ....................................... 139
34:9 ....................................... 139
34:9, 10 ........................ 439
34:10. 11 .......................... 410
37:36 ..................................... 116
38:10, 14 ....................... 161
38:17-19 ........................... 262
38:18 ..................................... 163
40:9-11 ................................ 62
40:24 .................................... 110
41:11, 12 ................... 108, 110
42 62
42:1 ......................................... 65
42:5 ....................... 36, 154, 159
43:17 ..................................... 110
45:12 .............................. 209
47:14 .................. I l l
50:6 ....................................... 140
51:6 ..... 139, 371
51:8 ....................................... 109
52:14 ..................................... 140
53 62, 140
53:4-16 ........................... 188
53:6, 7 .................................. 100
53:7 ....................................... 377
53:8 ....................................... 377
53:10 ............................. 377
53:11 ...... 284
53:12 ..................................... 377
54:5 ................................ 416
57:1, 2 ....................... 203
57:9 .......................... 161
57:16 ............ 149
59:20 ........................ 140
60.1, 2 ...................... 139
61:2 .......................... 391
61:10 63
62:11 ......................... 132
63:4 ......................... 391
65:17 .... 139, 142, 274, 402,
415, 506
65:17, 19 .................... 141
66:15, 16 ....... 119, 139, 140
66:15, 16, 24 .............. I l l
66:16 .......................... 76
66:22 ... 134, 140, 141, 274,
415, 506
66:22, 23 ................... 117
66:23, 24 ................... 165
66:24 ...... 76, 115, 117, 119,
120, 168, 301
J e r e mi ah
2:13 .......................... 209
4:4 ........................... I l l
4:23-27 ...................... 143
7:20 .......................... 117
7:31 .................... 165, 166
7:32 .......................... 165
12:3 ............................ 76
18:15, 1 6 .................... 437
19:6 .......................... 165
19:12 ......................... 165
19:13 ......................... 165
20:11 120
21:8 .......................... 515
21:12 ......................... I l l
23:40 ......................... 120
25:12 437
25:31-33 .................... 143
26:8 ............................ 73
27:5 .......................... 209
49:13 ......................... 437
51:39 82, 472
51:57 82, 404
Lame n tati o n s
2:3, 4 ......................... I l l
Ezeki el
3 : 1 8 73, 76
8:3 ............................ 349
11:24 ......................... 349
13:5 ................... 391, 395
15:6, 7 ....................... I l l
18:4 .......................... 136
18:4, 13, 18 ................. 75
18:4. 20 .. 39, 40, 76, 78, 99,
109, 111
18:20 .................... 515
18:21 .......................... 99
18:26 .......................... 75
18:27 ......................... 515
18:32 515, 516
21:31, 32 .................... I l l
22:21, 22, 31 ................ I l l
28:1, 2 ........................ 53
28:3, 10 ....................... 53
28:12 .......................... 53
28:12, 13 .................... 53
28:12-18 ...................... 50
28:13 53, 54
28:13, 15 ...................... 53
28:15 ............... 53
28:16 .................... 53, 488
1126
28:17 ......... 50, 53
28:18 ......................... I l l
28:18, 19 .................... 416
30:3 131, 391, 395
31 ............................. 172
31, 32 ......................... 169
31:15, 16, 17 .............. 161
31:15-17...................... 173
31:18 ......................... 173
32 172
32:18, 24 .................... 173
32:21 ......................... 173
32:21, 27 .................... 161
32:23 ......................... 173
32:27 ......................... 173
32:29 ......................... 173
32:31. 32 ................... 173
33:8, 14 ................. 73
35:9 .......................... 437
37:2 .......................... 157
37:5 ............................ 37
37:5, 6, 14 ........ 137, 157
37:5, 10 ...................... 428
37:6 ............................ 37
37:8 .......................... 157
37:10 ......................... 134
37:14 37, 134
Dan i e l
2 127, 217
2:19 .......................... 351
2:22 126
2:28 .......................... 131
2:28, 29 .................... 126
2:35 .......................... 134
7 ......... 127, 217, 219, 316
7:9, 1 0 ....................... 141
7:9-11 ......................... 352
7:11, 26 .................... 497
7:13 ...................... 66, 186
7:13, 14 .................... 352
7:14, 27 ...................... 142
7:18 134
7:22, 26 ...................... 385
7:23 ............ 351
7:27 134, 141, 510
7:29, 30 ...................... 219
7:31 .......................... 220
7:36 220
7:37-39 ...................... 220
7:37-44 ...................... 220
7:44, 50 ...................... 220
7:51 .......................... 220
8 127, 217
2 ............................ 351
17 .......................... 131
17, 1 9 ...................... 135
9 62, 217
9:26 .......................... 377
10:7 .......................... 351
10:10 .................. 94
10:14 ......................... 131
11 ............................. 217
11:35, 40 .................... 131
12:1 .......................... 131
12-1-3 136
12:2 . 79, 82. 90, 103^ 115,
120. 134, 217, 467, 468,
469, 472, 475
12:3 .......................... 517
12:9 .......................... 131
12:13 .......................... 79
Ho se a
13:14 .. 134, 137, 161, 163,
299, 443
J o e l
395, 3 %
............................ 3 %
2. 11 ................... 137
l i ____________ 395
.................. 131, 396
30 ...................... 137
............ 131, 396
..................... 137, 222
, 14 .............. 223, 395
.......................... 137
1:15
2:1
2:1,
2:1,
2:11
2:28
2:31
3 ...
3:13
3:16
Amos
5:6 ...........- ............... I l l
5:18 131, 137, 396
5:18, 20 ................... 395
8:9 ............................ 137
9:2 ............................ 161
Obad i ah
J o n ah
2 ...
2:2
395
108
169
161
Mi cah
4:8 ............................ 141
5:2 ...................... 62, 140
Nah u m
4
5, 6
9 ....
10 ..
15 ..
Habakku k
171
111
142
109
109
2:5 .............. 161, 163, 165
2:14 .................... 137, 517
Ze ph an i ah
1:7 ............................ 3 %
1:7, 14 (2) ................ 395
1:14 .................... 131, 137
1:14, 15 .................... 396
1:15 .......................... 138
1:15-18 ...................... 131
1:18 .......................... 131
2:2, 3 ......................... 131
2:9 ........................ 437
2:11 .......................... 138
3:8, 9 ......................... 138
3:9 ............................ 142
Haggai
2:7 .
2:13
132
. 35
Ze ch ar i ah
11:1 62
11:13 .......................... 62
12:1 .................... 159, 428
12:10 62
13:7 ..................... 62, 377
14:1 .......................... 131
14:1-7 .................. 395, 396
Mal ach i
3:1 .........- .....- ........................ 62
3:1-3 ..................................... 132
3:2 ...................... 131, 138, 397
4:1 .. 75, 105, 109, 111, 131,
134. 138, 371
4:1, ...................... I l l , 488
4:2 .........- ............................. 138
4:2, 3 ...................................... 116
4 : 3 ................................. 108. 134
4:5 ...................... 131, 395, 398
Matth e w
1 ........................... 498
1:1. 20-23 .............. 62
1:23 188
2:13 ........................................ 492
3:10 ............................. 287, 490
3:10, 12 ................................. I l l
3:12 ........ 224, 487 , 490, 494
5:5 .......................................... 141
5:22 261, 292, 293
5:22, 29, 30 ................ 168, 298
5:26 287
5:27-30 ................................. 293
5:29, 30 (2) ........................ 292
5 :30 ........................................ 407
7:12 ........................................ 287
7:13 .................... I l l , 487, 492
7:13. 14 .............................. 516
7:19 ........................................ 487
7:22 ................................ 52, 398
7:26, 27 ...............................: 286
7:27 ........................................ 487
7:29 ............................. 184, 286
8:12 ............................. 287, 407
8:20 66
8:25 ........................................ 473
9:17 ........................................ 330
9:24.................................. 81, 226
9:24, 25 ................................ 469
9:25 ........................................ 226
10:8 ............................. 226, 474
10:22 ...................................... 464
10:28 75. I l l , 168, 233,
261, 292 , 293 . 298, 407.
409. 425, 487, 489, 492. 514
11:23.............................. 292, 298
12:14 ...................................... 492
12:25 ..................................... 266
12:38 ...................................... 335
12:39, 40 ............................... 335
12:40............................. 277, 377
13:10, 11 ............................... 239
13:24, 25 ............................... 222
13:30.............................. 78. 222
13:30, 40 ................... 286, 487
13:30, 48 ............................. 261
13:38 ...................................... 222
13:39 222, 437
13:39-43 ............................... 223
13:40, 42 ................... I l l , 407
13:42 ...................................... 287
13:42, 48 , 50 ...................... 487
13:43 ..................................... 517
13:48 286
13:49, 50 ............................... I l l
13:50 ...................................... 287
15:13 ...................................... 286
16:16 ..................................... 203
16:18.............................. 292, 298
16:21............................. 335, 377
17:1-8 ................................... 482
17:2 ...................... - ................ 93
17:3 ............................... 95, 260
SC RIPT URE INDEX
1127
17:8 ................ 482
17:9 ................... 227, 474, 482
17:23 335 , 377
18:7, 8 ................................ 293
18:8 290, 294, 407
18:8, 9 .................................. 292
18:9 292 , 294, 298, 407
18:11-17 .............................. 241
18:34 ..................................... 287
19:9 ....................................... 168
19:16 .................................... 456
19:29 ..................................... 327
20:2 ....................................... 378
20:6-16 ................................ 284
20:19 ................. 227, 335, 474
20:28............................ 377, 382
21:19 ..................................... 437
21:39 ..................................... 377
21:40, 41 .............................. 288
21:41 .................. 287, 489, 492
21:44 ..................................... 287
22:7 .................. 487, 489, 492
22:13 287,407
22:23, 28, 30, 31 ........ 227
22:32 ..................................... 229
23:15, 33 ......... 168, 292 , 298
23:33 261
24 218, 223, 316, 368, 371
24:3......... ....................... 221, 223
24:3-14.................................. 218
24:6 ...................................... 218
24:14 219.221
24:15 ..................................... 217
24:22 ............................. 219
24:27 ............................... 219
24:27-31 ............................... 66
24:30 .................. 221, 223, 484
24:30. 31 ............................ 95
24:31 .......................... 223, 485
24:39 ..................................... 186
24:46 ..................................... 221
24:51 287
25:13. 31 .............. 186
25:30 ...................... 287. 407
25:31. 32 ........ 221, 262, 512
25:31-33 ......................... 224
25:31-44 ................................ 261
25:31, 32, 41, 46 ............... 516
25:32, 33, 46 ..................... 262
25:34 ................................. 512
25:41 62, 111. 221. 276,
288, 289, 290, 393, 408, 412
25:41, 46 111, 224, 295
25:46 . 136, 224, 288, 290,
295, 408, 440, 441, 443,
456, 497, 512
26:28 .................. 88, 378. 382
26:38 ..................................... 378
26:41 ..................................... 426
26:64 ..................................... 186
27:20 ..................................... 487
27:38 ..................................... 270
27:39 ..................................... 336
27:40 ..................................... 336
27:45 ..................................... 284
27:46 ..................................... 284
27:50 .................. 428, 429, 378
27:50, 51 ............................. 100
27:51-53 .............................. 483
27:52 ........................ 81, 469
27:52, 53 .............................. 510
27:53 227, 474
27:57, 58 .............................. 378
27:60 .............................. 277
27:63. 64 .................. 226, 474
28:1-6 265
28:5, 6 ............................ 277
28:6 .......................... 232
28:13 ......................... 466
Mar k
1 218
2:22 330
3:24, 25 ......... 266
3:29 ..... 261, 288, 290, 440
4:9-12 241
4:29 .......................... 222
4:38 ......................... 487
5:39 ..................... 81,469
8:31 .......................... 378
8:38 .......................... 186
9:4-10 ....................... 482
9:10 .......................... 482
9:22 .......................... 492
9:31 335, 378
9:42-50 ...................... 294
9:43 ............. 119, 294, 408
9:43. 45 ...................... 118
9:43 , 45 , 47 . .. 168 , 292 , 298
9:43-48 119, 300
9:45, 46 ...................... 294
10:17 ......................... 456
10:30 ................. 456, 506
10:34 .................. 335, 378
12:9 .......................... 487
13:26 186
13:34 ................... 239, 424
14:58 ......................... 336
15:27 ........................ 270
15:29, 30 ................... 336
15:37 ......................... 378
15:37, 38 ................... 428
15:39 ......................... 378
15:43 ......................... 378
15:44 ......................... 378
15:46 ................... 232, 277
Lu ke
1:22 .......................... 351
1:47 .......................... 426
1:51 .......................... 487
1:70 433, 437, 439
2:34 ..................... 227, 474
3:17 .................... 408, 490
3:38 .......................... 158
4:34 .......................... 492
5:37, 38 ...................... 330
6:9 492
6:49 .......................... 487
8:10 .......................... 241
8:52 81, 469
8:55 ..................... 426, 429
9:22 ..................... 335, 378
9:29 .......................... 482
9:31 .......................... 483
9:56 ..................... 492
10:15 292, 298
10:18 50
10:25 ........... 456
10:42 ......................... 510
12:5 ............. 168. 292, 298
12:16-23 ..................... 424
12:40 ......................... 66
13:2, 3 ....................... 287
13:3 .......................... 293
13:4, 5 ................ 287, 293
13:7 .......................... 286
13:7. 9 ...................... 487
13:27-29 .................... 493
13:28 ......................... 287
14:14 . 102, 120, 227, 261,
262, 475
14:17, 18 .................... 266
14:23 ......................... 324
15:2 .......................... 245
15:7 .......................... 245
15:11-32 .................... 236
16:1-13....................... 236
16:9 ............ 246, 247, 416
16:11-13 .................... 250
16:12 ......................... 237
16:14..... ............... 237, 246
16:15 ......................... 246
16:16 ......................... 246
16:17, 18 ................... 246
16:19 ......................... 247
16:19-31 .. 234, 237, 243, 259
16:20, 21 ................... 247
16:22 ......................... 259
16:23 . 247 , 259 , 292 . 298
16:23, 24 .................... 261
16:24 ......................... 247
16:25 ......................... 247
16:26..... ............... 247, 259
16:27 ......................... 247
16:28 ......................... 247
16:29..... .............. 247, 251
16:30..... ................ 247, 265
16:31 ........ 247, 264, 265
17:27 ......................... 287
17:27, 29 ............ 489, 492
17:29 ......................... 287
17:29. 30 .......... I l l
17:32 ......................... 287
18:18 ......................... 456
18:30..... ............... 456, 506
18:33 ......................... 335
19:10 66
19:14, 27 .................... 287
19:27 ......................... 487
19:47 ......................... 492
20:16 ............... 287. 492
20:18 ....................... 487
20:35 ...................... 437
20:35, 36 ............ 103, 475
20:36 ............... 443, 452
20:37 ............... 226, 474
20:37, 38 .................... 233
21 218
21:36 ......................... 186
22:15 ......................... 378
22:32 ......................... 368
23:38 ................ 270
23:39 ......................... 270
23:40, 41 ............. 271
23:42 .............. 271, 276
23:43 . 259, 272, 278, 279,
280, 281, 282
23:46 37. 157. 277. 284
307. 375, 378, 427, 428, 429
23:50, 53 .................... 379
23:53 ......................... 277
24:3 .......................... 231
24:6, 34 .................... 474
24:7. 21. 46 ................ 335
24:10, 34 .................... 226
24:37 ......................... 231
24:39 ......................... 231
24:45 .............. 466, 467
24:46 ......................... 378
24:51 ...................... 484
J o h n
1:1-3, 14 .................... 64
1:1-4, 10 .................... 67
1:4 191, 209, 461
1:4, 5 ......................... 192
1:5 ............................ 240
1:12 507
1:12, 13 461 6:66-68 199 14:2, 3 ................. 484
1:14 .......................... 100, 340 6:68 368 14:3 ................... 232, 364, 474
1:14, 18 188 7:26 286 14:6 191, 199, 209, 231,
1:18 249 7:38 191 232 , 464
1:29 61, 84, 100, 188, 382 7:40-42 61 14:10 ........... 461
1:51 188 8:12 .................... 192, 199, 200 14:11 .................................... 461
2:19........ ..................... 335 8:21 201 14:17, 18 ............................. 461
2:19-21 ................................ 100 8:23 201 14:19 188, 232 , 504
2:20,....21 ....... 335 8:23, 24 201 14:20 ..................................... 461
2:22 335 8:24 487 14:30 ............................. 50, 510
3:2 ......................................... 386 8:41 201 14:23 .................................... 461
3:3 ......................................... 508 8:42 201 15:1, 5 .................................... 199
3:3, 6, 7, 14-17 193 8:44 54, 201, 412 , 458 15:1-6....................................... 462
3:5 461 8:51 ............... 201, 387 15:2 .................. 487
3:3-7 190, 426 8:56 ....................... 88, 89 15:6 ............................ 287, 464
3:3-15 461 8:58 201 15:13 ...................................... 378
3:6, 7 508 8:59 202 16:11 50, 52 , 510
3:8 426 9:5 199 16:13 ...................................... 467
3:12 ....................................... 386 9:32 ............. 437. 439 16:33 ...................................... 188
3:14, 15 .......... 62, 111, 284 10:7 ......... 199, 201 17 ........................................... 205
3:15 ..................... 456 10:9. 10 ...................... 201, 202 17:1-4 ................................... 205
3:15, 16 ....................... 188, 209 10:10 191, 487, 492 17:2 .............................. 209, 457
3:15, 16,..36 ....................... 193 10:10, 27, 28 209 17:2, 3 ................................... 193
3:16 ... 22 , 45, 63, 185, 189 10:11 ....................... 201, 378 17:3 ............................... 188, 457
191. 291, 382, 456, 490. 500 10:11-14 205 17:6, 26 ............................... 188
3:18 251 10:14-16 202 17:12 487
3:19, 20 240 10:15 ..................................... 378 18:36 ...................................... 510
3:36 ................. 209, 458, 487 10:17 378 19:26 ..................................... 324
4:10-14 ................................ 196 10:18 61 19:30 379, 428, 429
4:11-13 362 10:27, 28 ............................... 504 19:31-33 ............................... 275
4:14 ........... 188, 191, 209, 456 10:28 188, 192, 193, 202, 19:32 ,....33 ............................ 100
4:14, 36 .............................. 193 458, 464 19:33 379
4:36 ......... 456 10:31 ................................... 202 19:40-42 ................._.......... 277
5:11 ......................... 386, 387 10:33 ..................................... 202 19:42 ...................................... 232
5:12 387 10:39 .................................... 202 20:17 .......................... 276, 277
5:13 387 11 264, 265 20:31.............................. 209, 499
5:20 387 11:11 81,467,468,469, 21:7.22 ................................. 375
5:21 .............................. 198, 209 470, 471 21:20 ................. 188
5:24 188, 198, 458, 465, 11:11, 14 ............................ 264
487 11:11-13 ............................... 226
5:24, 25 387 11:11-14 ............................... 471
5:24-29 ................................ 464 11: 12 ..................................... 466 A ct s
5:24, 39................................. 193 11:14 470
5:25 ........... 209, 230, 471,511 11:16,26 .............................. 490 1- 3 4R3
5:26 .............................. 198, 461 11:21 202 1-3 9........................................ 276
5:27............................................. 209 11:23............................. 202, 470 l '9............................................. 484
5:28 471 11:24 90, 200, 202. 204 I Q. 11....................................... i r a
5:28. 29 .... 79, 120, 198, 230, IT T ?* 25 191, 511 1'-10 484
361 0725 199, 231. 464, 469- 1 11 484
5:29 102, 103. 230, 261, 1T 725T ~26'.... 1T O,'21K, So ST 122 ........................................ 227
317. 475, 476, 511 232, 504 2 ........................ 999
5:39, 40 198 11:27 ..................................... 203 2 14........................................... 375
5:40 ......................... 487 11:42 ................................ 487 2:20, 21 .. 398
6 198 11:43 ..................................... 204 2-27 162 163 276 423
6:27 ................. 192, 198, 456 11:43, 44 ...471 2:27 30 .... 375
6:27 , 40. 47, 54, 68 193 11:44 ................ 177, 204, 268 2-27 31 298 299 490
6:33, 47-51 ....................... 209 11:45 ................. 204 2-29 232
6:35 ............................ 191, 199 11:47 .................................... 204 2-31 .....................227 298 375
6:35, 41, 48, 51 199 11:47-54 265 2-34 ................... 298 467
6:39 .............................. 231, 511 11:50 491 2;43 .............................. 423
6'007 L 44 54 20- 204 M l ..................................... 3:15 : z = . 303, 417, 510
227, 474 11:53 ................ 204 9. 1a 070
6:40 ... 200, 209, 231, 232, 12:1, 9, 17 ............. 226, 474 a i 91................................. oVL
456, 460, 464 12:7 ................ 378 o l o V 21 ..............................
6:44 ..........................._ 511 12:24 478 { ,4 o n
6:47 458, 465 12:25 ......................... 457, 478 \ 0, 423>487 49. 494
6:47-50 ................................ 200 12:25, 50 ............................. 193 3:28>26 .................................. 1
6:49, 50 199 12:31 50, 52, 62, 188, 382, 4:12 ........... - ........................... 88
6:50 .............................. 197, 487 487, 510 - ......... 428
6:51 ................................. 200 12:31, 32 ......... 87 8;19...- ..................................... 428
6:53 197 12:32 ............ 378 8:29 ------------------ ............... 303
6:53, 54................................... 200 12:32, 33 ................... 61, 378 8:39 ........................ 60
6:54 .... 197, 387, 458, 465 12:35, 36 ............................. 240 7:48.............................................335
6:56 ........ 460 12:48 200, 204 7:88 ......... 186>37<381
6:57, 58 ................... 197, 200 12:50 ........................- ..... 457 7:89 ...............................- 429
6:61 ....... 199 13:8.......................................... 437 7:89- 60 ............ 467
6:63 ____ 200 14:2 ........................................ 262 7:60 .................... 81, 429, 469
SC RIPT URE INDEX 1129
298
ZZZZ 293, W , 492
........................... 311
......................... 327
.......................... 349
......................... 351
.......................... 351
34 ..................... 368
60
.......................... 229
, 26 ..................... 348
.......................... 466
............... 429
37 ..................... 298
81, 469
.......................... 508
................. 487, 493
304, 457, 487
, 48 ..................... 305
......................... 457
.......................... 368
................... 437, 439
................... 349, 351
........................ 508
................... 379
.......................... 305
.......................... 305
334
, 25, 28 ZZZZ.' 209
......................... 305
192, 440
........................ 159
262, 305
........................... 325
................... 349, 351
.......................... 358
.......................... 358
_... 380
......................... 104
, 18 .................... 349
.......................... 356
........................... 511
.......................... 349
, 31 .................... 487
102, 103, 313, 317,
, 476, 511
.... 102, 229, 380, 475
........................... 357
, 24 .................... 349
Ro man s
1:3 ............................. 61
1:4 ............ 376, 483, 510
1:16 .......................... 306
1:23 ................... 323, 447
1:32 .......................... 515
2:5-7 ......................... 398
2:6 ............................ 487
2:6-9 ......................... 322
2:7 .... 306. 320, 448 , 451,
457, 459
2:12 ........... 305, 490
2:17 ......................... 320
3:2 ............................. 56
3:23 .......................... 304
3:25 ...................... 61, 382
3:26 .......................... 64
4:6 .............. 64
4:17 .......................... 463
4:25 .......................... 376
5:1, 2, 10 ................... 469
5:5 ............................ 487
5:6 ............................ 380
5:7, 8 ......................... 75
5:8 ............................ 380
5:8-11 ....................... 383
5:9 ..................... 206, 382
8:2
8:20
9 ....
9:1-9
9:4-6
9:10
10:11
10: 11-
10:39
10:42
11:25
12:6
12:23
13:34-
13:36
13:39
13:41
13:46
13:47
13:48
15:14
15:18
16:9
16.31
17:3
17:18
17:19
17:24
17:24
17:25
17:28
17:29
17:31
18:3
18:9
20:20
20:27
20:28
21:34
22:17
22:30
23:6
23:11
23:13
24:15
475
26:23
27 ....
27:23
5:9, 1 0 ......................... 61
5:10 ..................... 380 ,382
5:12 ............................ 75
5:12, 15 .................... 209
5:13 .......................... 77
5:14 .............. 94, 305 . 482
5:16 .......................... 306
5:20 .............. 101, 487 , 497
5:21 .......................... 457
6:5 ...................... 299, 380
6:6 .................... 476, 487
6:10 ..................... 75 , 380
6:12 ..................... 307, 320
6:21 .......................... 515
6:21, 23 .................... 487
6:21-23 ...................... 306
6:22 .......................... 457
6:23 45 . 49, 60, 63, 78,
84. 87. 101. I l l , 112, 191,
209, 313, 320, 322, 410,
434, 451, 457 , 463 . 490.
502
5 ............................ 487
6 ........................... 487
6, 10 ...................... 487
11 ...................... 487
12 101, 207
13 .......................... 101
14 ......................... 101
23-27 ...................... 361
I 306, 459
1-4 188
2, 10 ......................... 67
3 ............................. 65
4 - 9 .......................... 426
9 ............................ 459
10 .......................... 459
I I 307, 313, 320. 345,
375, 460, 477
13 ........... 487, 509, 516
13, 34 .................... 490
14 .......................... 306
17 .................... 306, 462
18 .......................... 330
19 .......................... 462
22, 23 ............. 341, 342
23 ....... 306, 362 . 364, 462
29 336, 462
30 .......................... 462
32 ............................ 90
37 .......................... 469
39 .......................... 306
22 .................... 487, 492
10:4 ............................ 64
11:20, 22, 24 .......... 487
13:11 ......................... 473
14:1 .......................... 183
14:9 380
14:10-11 .................... 475
14:17 ......................... 510
15:24. 26 ................... 487
16:20 .............. 487, 497
16:25.... ............... 437 , 440
16:25, 26 .................. . 439
16:26 ........... 439, 440, 441
1C o r i n th i an s
1 7
1 7 8
1 19
1 23
1 30
2 2
2 7
2 14
3 17
487
316
398
487
380
63, 64
322, 323, 490, 493,
5:5 ......................................... 398
5:7 ................... 100, 103, 380
6:2, 3 .................................. 385
6:20 61
7:39 ........................... 81, 469
9:25 .............................. 323, 447
10:9 ....................................... 475
10:11 .................................... 437
11:7 ............................ 158, 159
11:30 ............................... 81, 469
15 288, 299. 300, 316, 338,
443, 470, 472, 473
15:3 ........................................ 380
15:3, 4 ................................. 473
15:3-6 .................................. 228
15:4 ........................................ 380
15:5-7 .................................. 473
15:6 ........................................ 469
15:6, 18, 20 ......................... 81
15:8 ....................................... 473
15:12, 13, 15, 16 ................. 229
15:12, 13, 21, 42 .................. 227
15:12-18 .............................. 473
15:12-18, 20 ....................... 228
15:12-20 .......... 228, 229, 473
15:13, 18 ............................... 364
15:13-23 ................................ 233
15:15 298
15:16, 18 .............................. 346
15:16-18 ................................ 476
15:16-20 .............................. 475
15:17. 18............................... 501
15:17-20 ............................... 226
15:18 307, 343. 469, 492
15:19 ................................... 307
15:20 ............... 467. 470, 473
15:20, 21, 51-55 ................. 203
15:20-23 ..................... 102. 299
15:21-24, 51-57 516
15:22 . 206, 230, 316, 323,
469. 475, 514
15:22. 32................................ 487
15:22-24................................... 475
15:23 102, 120, 317, 475.
511
15:24 ...................................... 476
15:24-28.................................. 317
15:26 .... 302, 317. 416, 476,
490, 497
15:28 ..................... 24, 46, 497
15:32 ......................... 346, 473
15:32, 35. 42, 43, 52 473
15:35 .................... 473, 478
15:36 .......................... 478, 503
15:37................. 307, 331, 478
15:37-49 ........................ 479
15:38 ........................... 307 , 477
15:40 .................................... 479
15:41 ................................... 479
15:42................. 449, 473, 479
15:42, 50, 53. 54 .............. 448
15:42-44 ... 231, 307, 317,
329. 477
15:42-44, 52-55 511
15:44 .... 307, 327. 473, 477,
480
15:45 191, 317, 423, 426,
445
15:45, 47 64, 187, 507
15:45-50 ............................... 503
15:46 ...................................... 507
15:47 ...................................... 336
15:49 158, 317, 336. 480
15:49-53 .............................. 190
15:50 ......................... 449, 480
15:50, 51 ........................ 479
15:51 ...................... 392, 470
1130
15:51,
15:51-
15:51-
15:51-
15:52
15:52,
15:52-
15:52-
15:53
449,
15:53
323
15:54
449
15:54
15:55
15:55
15:56
15:57
52 .... 95, 143, 479
53 .............. 102, 484
54 ....... 317, 344, 364
55 345, 362
447, 452, 473, 511
53 .................... 231
54 ....... 227
55 .................... 307
320, 329, 346, 445,
451, 459. 477
54 .... 307, 319, 320,
313, 322, 329, 446,
452, 459, 487
, 55 .................... 333
298, 299, 329
, 56 .................... 497
......................... 470
......................... 469
2 C o r i n th i an s
1:14 ..........
3:6 ............
4:1, 2, 4, 8,
4:1, 4 ...
4:3
398
487
347
347
490, 491
4:4 ............... 50, 347, 437
4:7-10 ....................... 329
4:11 ................... 307. 320
4:14 ............. 338, 477
4:18 ............. 340, 346, 506
5 ............................... 329
5:1 332, 333. 334, 337,
339, 340, 342 . 380
5:1-9 ........... 324, 330, 339
5:2 ............. 339, 342, 363
5:2, 4 ................ 341, 342
5:3 ............. 325, 339, 342
5:4 307 , 309, 320, 329,
331, 342, 343, 351
5:5 ...................... 339, 345
5:6 ..................... 339, 346
5:8 ............. 324, 339, 346
5:14 ......................... 380
5:15 .......................... 380
5:17 .......................... 461
5:18, 19 ...................... 61
5:21 61, 62 , 64. 86. 88
10:8 .......................... 487
11:3 ............................ 49
11:14 ........ 48
11:23-27 .................... 360
11:24-28 .................... 329
11:27 ......................... 330
12:1 .......................... 348
12:1-4 .................. 259, 348
12:2 .......................... 272
12:2-4 ....................... 348
12:7 .......................... 329
13:10 ......................... 487
15:53 ......................... 308
Gal ati an s
1:4
1:17
2:2 ..
2:3
2:4
2:20
3:8
3:13
3:16
3:16,
3:29
4:1
19
............. 438
.............. 311
.............. 349
.............. 350
.............. 350
455, 460, 461
OQ
:::::z:'6i ;'38o
62
61
.............. 463
.............. 463
4:2 ............................ 463
4:4 ............................ 510
4:7 ............................ 463
5:15 .......................... 487
6:8 310, 457, 487, 490,
502, 516
6:15 ............ 461
Eph e si an s
1:4 Z . ....................... 464
1:5 .......................... 469
1:6 .......................... 382
1:7 61, 380
1:13, 14 .................... 345
1:20 .................... 226. 476
1:21 .......................... 370
2:1, 5 ......................... 487
2:2 ....................... 50, 62
2:7 ............................ 438
2:10 .......................... 461
2:13 ........................... 61
2:14-16 ...................... 100
2:16 ........... 380
3:3-5 ......................... 186
3:6 ............................ 462
3:9 67 , 433
3:10 .......................... 370
4:8 483, 510
4:8-10 ....................... 259
4:24 .................... 461
5:2 .................... 380
5:14 ........... 226, 473, 474
6:11, 12 ....................... 50
6:12 ...................... 50, 370
6:24 ................... 448, 449
Ph i l i ppi an s
1:6 ............................ 398
1:10 .......................... 398
1:20 ................... 359, 360
1:20-24 ... 254, 256, 355, 366
1:21 .......................... 360
1:23 .................. 355. 365
1:24 .......................... 359
1:28 .......................... 491
2:5-8 .......................... 90
2:7 ............................. 65
2:8 ............................ 380
2:9-11 ....................... 476
2:16 .......................... 398
2:27 .......................... 487
3:9 ............................. 64
3:10 .......................... 303
3:18 515
3:19 487, 489, 491, 515
3:20 .......................... 102
3:20, 21 .............. 327, 364
3:21 .... 231, 318. 336, 479,
511
C o l o ssi ans
1 ........... 508
16, 17 ...................... 67
20 ........... 380, 382, 469
21, 22 61
22 ................... 380, 382
26 186
27 455, 461
10, 15 ...................... 370
14 ........................... 100
15 .......................... 483
16, 17 ....................... 100
3 203, 464
4 209, 231, 310, 336,
363, 364, 480
3:15 ....................................... 487
1T h e ssal o n i an s
1:10 ............................. 206. 382
2:19 ....................................... 338
4 338, 470
4:6-17 ...................................... 92
4:13 ....................................... 470
4:13. 14. 15 ........................... 81
4:13-18 203, 338
4:14 104, 380, 466, 469,
470, 471
4:14-17 ................................ 364
4:15 ................. 229, 467, 470
4:15-17 .... 143, 223, 229, 344,
468
4:16 470. 471
4:16.17 95.102,143.206,
314, 359, 363, 365. 510
4:17 ................... 362, 484, 511
5:2 ..................... 391, 395, 399
5:2, 3 ........................... 224, 314
5:3 ................................. 487, 494
5:4 ................................. 314, 391
5:6 ......................................... 466
5:9. 10 .................................. 380
5:10 ....................................... 470
2 T h e ssal o n i an s
1:7, 8 ............ 261
1:7-10 .................................. 315
1:8-10 .................................. 313
1:9 290. 295 . 408. 440. 487,
490, 494, 499
1:10 ....................................... 365
2:1 ......................................... 363
2:1, 2 .................................... 399
2:2 ......................................... 395
2:3 ................................. 316, 487
2:4 ......................................... 316
2:5, 6 .................................... 316
2:7. 8 316
2:8 476, 487 , 489, 490, 497,
512
2:9-11 .................................. 316
2:11, 12 316
1T i mo th y
1:16 209, 310, 457
1:16, 17 ................................ 318
1:17 ... 33, 55, 320. 440, 445,
447, 450, 454, 459
1:19 ....................................... 487
3:16 ...................... 67, 188 , 391
4:1 ................................. 131, 318
4:8 ......................................... 327
6:9 ..................... 487, 489, 494
6:12 ............................. 310, 457
6:12, 14 ................................ 318
6:15: 16 32, 319, 414, 446,
459
6:16 .... 24, 55 , 67, 313, 323,
440, 454
6:19 ............................... 318, 457
2 T i mo th y
1:1 ................................. 209, 464
1:7 ......................................... 426
1:9 ..................... 438, 440, 464
1:10 .... 63, 68, 79. 99, 168,
207, 310, 318, 320, 323,
416, 443, 447, 448 . 449,
451, 459, 463, 487, 497
SC RIPT URE INDEX 1131
1:12 .................... 318, 319
2:8 61
2:15 ....................................... 324
2:18 ....................................... 362
3:1 ......................................... 131
3:2-5 ..................................... 319
4:1 229, 319
4:3, 4 ................................... 319
4:7, 8 .................................... 363
4:8 ...................... 262, 319, 366
T i t u s
1:2 310, 319, 327, 438, 440,
457, 464
2:7 ......................................... 449
3:1 ......................................... 370
3:5, 6 ..................................... 469
3:7 ............ 310, 319, 457, 463
H e b r e w s
1:2 .................................. 67, 438
1:14 ....................................... 463
2:3 ......................................... 514
2:5 ......................................... 506
2:9 ........................ 75 , 299, 380
2:14 67, 188, 380, 382,
416, 476, 487
2:14, 15 ........................ 65, 497
2:15 ....................................... 382
4:14 .............................. 361, 395
4:15 ................................. 67 , 507
5:9 224, 290, 440, 507
6:2 224, 290, 440, 441
6:4-8 ..................................... I l l
6:5 ......................................... 506
6:8 116
6:17 ....................................... 463
6:18 ............................... 157, 285
7. 8, 9 .............................. 509
7:16 ....................................... 66
7:24 ....................................... 433
7:25 ....................................... 101
7:27 ....................................... 380
7:28 ....................................... 433
8:7 ......................................... 508
8:13 ....................................... 487
9:11, 12, 26 ........................ 61
9:12 .......... 224, 380. 440, 442
9:14 ................................ 86, 441
9:15 ....................................... 290
9:22 61, 84. 88
9:24 334
9:25, 26 ................................ 100
9:26 380, 382 . 487
9:27 75, 79
9:28 .......... 188, 380. 383, 510
10:1 22, 100, 508
10:4-9 .................................. 100
10:5 65
10:5-10 .................................. 90
10:10 .................................... 380
10:10-17 ................................ 61
10:12 ............................. 278, 380
10:14 .................................... 383
10:27 301. 313, 487
10:39 .................................... 313
11:3 ....................................... 438
11:4 ....................... 84, 85, 277
11:5 .................... 92, 94, 132
11:8-10, 17 ............................ 88
11:8-19 ................................ 260
11:9 ....................................... 462
11:13, 10 ................................ 90
11:16 506
11:17, 19................................ 89
11:17-19 ............ 90
11:19
11:35
11:35,
12:2 .
12:9 .
12:14
12:29
12:39
13:14
13:20
.......... 102, 364, 475
39, 40 .............. 261
......................... 380
......................... 159
208
I l l , 116, 313, 487
......................... 490
506
104, 229,' 440
J ame s
1:12 .......................... 310
1:15 .............. 78, 434, 513
2:5 ............................ 463
2:26 .......................... 428
3:6 ..................... 168 , 298
4:14 .......................... 493
5:19, 20 ..................... 209
5:20 .......................... 425
1Pe te r
3 ............................. 227
4 369, 443, 447
4, 5 ......................... 508
5 ............................ 369
7 ............................ 369
9 ............................ 425
10, 11 .................... 123
10-12 ....................... 92
11 .......................... 369
13 .......................... 369
18-21 ...................... 369
1 9 ....................... 64, 86
22 .......................... 424
23 .. . 190, 323 , 369, 447
23, 25 .................... 461
24 ... 60, 88, 188, 381, 487
4 323, 447
:7 ............................ 462
3:18 88, 101, 188, 370, 375,
381, 383
3:18-20 373, 374
3:19 372, 373, 377
3:21, 22 ...................... 370
4:1 ............................ 381
4:5 229, 370
4:7 ............................ 370
4:13 .......................... 370
4:17 .......................... 370
4:17, 19 ...................... 370
4:19 .......................... 425
5:4 370, 443
5:8 ............................ 487
2 Pe te r
1:4 370, 461, 487
1:11 ............. 370, 440, 441
1:13. 14 ...................... 340
1:19 .......................... 123
1:19-21 ....................... 370
1:21 .......................... 123
2:1 ............................ 370
2:1, 2 ......................... 487
2:4 .... 50, 270, 291, 383, 408
2:4, 5 ......................... 383
2:6 118, 294
2:9 294, 370, 385
2:12 I l l , 487, 494
2:13 .......................... 370
3:3 ............................ 370
3:3-13 ......................... 94
3:4 81, 470
3:5, 6 ......................... 273
3:5-13 ........... 415
3:6 ............................ 371
3:5, 6 274, 372, 492
3:6, 7, 9 ..................... 371
3:7 ....... I l l , 272, 273, 274
3:7-13 ....................... 139
3:7, 16 ....................... 487
3:10 274, 395, 399
3:10. 12 ...................... 415
3:10-13 ......... 264, 371. 441
3:11, 12 ................ 399, 487
3:12 ........................... 274
3:13 .. 141, 217, 274, 372,
506
3:16 325, 372, 374
3:25 ........................... 371
1J o h n
1:1, 2 .................. 385 , 461
1:1-3 ......................... 209
1:2 ............................ 457
1:5 ............................. 192
1:7 ........................ 61, 383
2:2 ............................. 383
2:17 ........................... 502
2:25 386, 457, 464
3:2 ........ 328, 336, 362 , 478
3:6 ............................. 62
3:8 '..................... 188 . 487
3:14 386, 387
3:15 458, 487
3:16 .......................... 188
5:10-12 ....................... 461
5:11 .................... 345, 458
5:11, 12 ....................... 463
5:11-13 209, 462
5:12 ............. 192 , 458, 487
5:13 .......................... 458
5:20 .......................... 457
J u d e
6 .......................... 50, 408
7 .... I l l , 290, 294, 410, 442
9 94, 260, 482
12 ............................. 487
14 ......................... 92 ,480
14, 1 5 .......................... 132
21 ....................... 310, 457
25 ........................ 438, 439
Re ve l ati o n
1 ............................. 390
5 ............................. 61
6 ............................. 436
7 ............................ 484
8. 1 7 ...................... 390
10 ................. 399
10-20 ....................... 390
17 ........................... 328
17, 18 300, 405
18 231, 298, 376, 381
7 60, 202, 273, 274, 349,
404, 417
2:10 .................... 404, 417
2:10, 11 ....................... 513
2:11 203, 306, 404, 405, 408
2:23 ........................... 487
3:5 ...................... 417, 487
4:9, 10 ........................ 436
5:9 381, 383
5:12 ........................... 381
5:13, 14 ....................... 436
6:8 ....................... 298, 300
6:9 ............................. 425
6:14-17 ....................... 405
7:9 ............................. 417
1132
7 :12 ............. - ........ 436
7:14 _________ 381, 383, 463
7:17 ........................ - 417
9:5 _________ - ...... 411
9:6 ........ 490
9:17 .... 351
10:6 ..... 436
11:10 ......................... 411
11:11 417, 429
11:15 ................... 436, 487
11:18 ..404, 405 , 487, 490,
494
12-14________ 217
12:1-12 ....................... 94
12:2 ........ 411
12:4 .... 50
12:6-9 ....................... 393
12:7 ......... 94
12:7-9 ........ 51, 52
12:7-10 ....................... 50
12:7-12 ........ 414
12:9 .......................... 405
12:12 ......................... 405
13:8 .... 61, 69, 185, 381, 417
13:15 .............. 426
1 4 223, 224
14:3 ...... 94
14:6 ...... 290
14:8 ...... 405
14:9-11 ............... 406
14:10 ...... 408, 411
14:10, 11 .................... 411
14:11 .. 409, 410, 411, 436,
443
14:13 79, 80
14:14 ......................... 186
14:14-19 224, 225
14:15, 1 6 .................... 401
14:19 ................... 225, 401
15:4 ....................- ..... 401
15:7 ............ 436
16:1 .......................... 401
16:3 423, 490
16:17 .................... 401
17 ............................. 354
17:1 ................. 401
17:3 .......................... 349
17:8 .................... 406, 417
17:8, 11 401, 487
17:11 ............ 406
17:16 ............ 401
17-19 ....................... 217
18:2 .......................... 487
18:7 ........ 401, 411
18:8 .................... 412, 487
18:9, 1 0 ...................... 401
18:15 ......................... 401
18:18.................... 401, 411
18:21 ........... 401, 412, 487
19:2, 3 ....................... 406
19:3 ............. 401, 411, 436
19:8 ............................ 63
19:11 ......................... 401
19:11-15 .................... 408
19:15 ......................... 401
19:16 ......................... 476
19:17, 18 .....................119
19:20 .... 168, 401, 406, 497
19:21 .................... 401
20 218
20. 21 ......................... 301
20-22 ......................... 391
20:1-3 ....................... 414
20:1-3, 7 .................... 143
20:3, 7 ....................... 52
20:4 .......................... 425
20:4, 5 ....................... 120
20:5 103, 143, 393 , 475,
511
20:5, 6 75, 102, 103, 142,
317, 475
20:5, 6, 14, 1 5 .............. 80
20:5-15 516
20:6 76, 111, 203, 408, 475,
513
20:6, 14 .............. 490, 512
20:6, 14, 15 ................ 441
20:7-9 ......................... 52
20:7-10 ...................... 415
20:9 ....... 116, 301, 401, 404
20:9, 10 ................ 143
20:9, 10, 15 ....................... I l l
20: l 6 ..... 52, 401, 406, 408,
411, 416, 436, 442
20:10, 14.............................. 412
20:10-14 .............................. 385
20:10, 14, 15 168, 371
20:11-15 513, 514
20:12 401, 417
20:12, 15 ........................ 404
20:13 300, 511
20:13, 14 259, 298
20:13-15 .............................. 406
20:14 75, 264, 300, 313.
343, 410, 416, 442, 476, 497
20:14, 15 .......... I l l , 404, 496
20:15 .... 401, 408 , 410, 417,
442
21 ....................... 141, 273, 415
21, 22 139, 264, 441, 517
21:1 ....... 139, 217, 274, 402,
506
21:4 141, 142, 274, 302
325, 402, 410, 416, 442,
443, 497
21:5 ........... 402
21:6 404, 417
21:8 .... 80, 111, 371, 404,
406. 408, 409. 410, 412,
441, 487, 490, 512, 514
21:12-15 ................................ 475
21:27 403, 404, 417
22 141, 273, 415, 498, 506
22:1 ... 417
22:1, 2 .............. 273, 352, 404
22:2 60, 349, 417
22:2. 14 274, 404
22:3 ................... 410, 416, 497
22:5 ....................................... 436
22:12 262
22:14 416, 417
22:17 ................. 404, 416, 417
22:18, 19 .............................. 389
22:19 404, 417
Apo cr yph a
1 En o ch 22:9-13 ............... 257
Er u bi n 19 ............................ 257
4 Ezr a 4:41 ....................... 257
4 Ezr a 7:85-87, 91-95 257
4 Ezr a 7:86 257
K e t h u bo t h 104 ................. 257
K i d d u s h i n 72 ................... 257
4 Macca be e s 13:17 .......... 257
Wi sd o m o f Sol. 3:1 ........ 257

Le Roy Edwin Froom - Conditionalist Faith of Our Fathers 1965-V01

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