PART IV (Chapters 44-64)
The Theological Trilemma
44. Subapostolic Writers Consistently Conditionalist |
757 |
I. Significance of Testimony of Apostolic Fathers |
757 |
II. Clement of Rome—Neither Innate Immortality Nor Eternal Torment |
762 |
1. Clement on the Nature and Destiny of Man |
763 |
2. Second Advent and Resurrection Hope Dominant |
763 |
3. Theme Persists Throughout Genuine Epistle |
764 |
4. Advent Note Even in Spurious Second Epistle |
764 |
5. Significant Silences in Clement’s Witness |
765 |
6. Immortality a “Gift” of God, to Be Sought For |
765 |
7. Death Is Cessation of All Life |
766 |
8. Wicked to Perish, Be Destroyed, Cease to Exist |
766 |
9. Constable’s Summary of Clement’s Views |
767 |
III. Ignatius of Antioch—Immortality Solely for Saints; Sinners to Perish |
767 |
1. To the Ephesians: Immortality Is “Gift” of Christ |
768 |
2. To the Magnesians: Death Is Ceasing to Be |
771 |
3. To the Trallians: Life Through Christ’s Death |
771 |
4. To the Romans: Resurrection Follows Sleep of Death |
772 |
5. Epistle to Polycarp: Sleep, Resurrection, Immortality |
772 |
6. Gift of God Versus Wages of Sin |
773 |
45. Immortality Bestowed at Advent; Wicked Destroyed |
774 |
I. “Didache”—Follows Standard Pattern on the Two Ways |
774 |
II. Eschatological Concept of Early Church in Outline |
775 |
1. The Common Theme of Subapostolic Age |
775 |
2. Involvements of the “Way of Life” |
776 |
3. “Way of Death” Contrasted With “Eternal Life” Provision |
776 |
4. Perils of Coming Apostasy Portrayed |
777 |
5. Eschatological Outline of Last Things |
777 |
III. Barnabas—Contrasts Eternal Life With Eternal Death |
778 |
IV. Coming Destruction of Satan, Sinners, and All Evil |
779 |
1. Basic Contrast Between Life and Death |
779 |
2. Life Through Christ; Death Through Sin |
780 |
3. Death From Sin Involves Destruction |
781 |
4. Two Ways: of “Darkness” and of “Light” |
781 |
5. “Eternal Death“: Synonym for Second Death |
782 |
6. To “Perish” Is to Exist No More |
783 |
V. Eight Logical and Inescapable Conclusions to Be Deduced |
783 |
46. Immortality a Gift; Death Is Utter Destruction |
785 |
I. Two Destinations Portrayed in Multiple Forms |
786 |
1. Eternal Life and Eternal Destruction |
786 |
2. Past Saints Have “Fallen Asleep” |
786 |
3. Persecution and Triumph of Church Symbolized |
787 |
4. Righteous Have Life; Wicked No Life |
788 |
5. Wicked Are to Perish at Last |
788 |
6. Righteous in Life to Come; Wicked Consumed |
789 |
7. Wicked Destined to Everlasting Ruin |
789 |
8. Punishment Is Proportionate to Sin |
790 |
9. Incorrigibly Wicked “Die for Ever” |
790 |
10. Conclusions From Notable Silences in Hermas |
791 |
II. Polycarp—Resurrection Is Immortality’s Sole Gateway |
791 |
III. Conditional Resurrection the Determining Factor |
792 |
1. Ignatius’ Admonitions Regarding Immortality |
793 |
2. Resurrection Pivotal in Man’s Future |
793 |
3. Sole Basis of Hope for “Future World” |
794 |
4. Strictures on Deniers of the Resurrection |
794 |
5. Resurrection “Both of Soul and Body” |
794 |
6. No Allusion to Eternal Torment |
795 |
IV. “Epistle of Mathetes to Diognetus”—“Immortal Soul” and “Eternal Fire” Problems |
796 |
1. Put to Death; Restored Through Resurrection |
797 |
2. The Relationship of Soul and Body |
797 |
3. First Use of “Immortal Soul” in Christian Writings |
798 |
4. Christ Sent as “God” and “Saviour”; Comes Later as Judge |
798 |
5. Every Blessing Conferred Through Christ |
798 |
6. Christ, Incorruptible and Immortal; Man, Corruptible and Mortal |
799 |
7. Eternal Fire; Both a Process and a Termination |
800 |
V. Summarizing Conclusion Concerning the Apostolic Fathers |
801 |
47. Justin Martyr Augments Subapostolic Conditionalism |
803 |
I. Ante-Nicene Period Infiltrated by Platonic Immortal-Soulism |
803 |
1. Frontal and Flanking Attacks Develop |
803 |
2. Gnosticism Undermines Teaching of Resurrection |
804 |
3. Neoplatonic Mysticism Supplants Literalism |
805 |
4. Release of the Soul From the Body |
805 |
5. Immortal-Soulism Well-nigh Extinguishes Blessed Hope |
806 |
6. Writers Segregate Themselves Into Three-Way Split |
806 |
II. Justin Martyr—Champions and Amplifies Apostolic Conditionalism |
807 |
1. Dawn of a New Era in Christian History |
808 |
2. Champions the Only True Philosophy |
809 |
3. Prophetic Outline, Second Advent, and Resurrection |
810 |
III. Justin’s Primary Definitions and Usage of Basic Terms |
811 |
1. “Immortal Existence” and “Ceasing to Exist” |
811 |
2. “Destruction” Is Cessation of Existence |
812 |
3. “Immortality” Means “Not Subject to Death” |
813 |
IV. Justin’s Definitive Positions on Nature and Destiny of Man |
813 |
1. Contended for Literal Resurrection of Dead |
813 |
2. Souls Not Taken to Heaven at Death |
814 |
3. “Man” Composed of Both “Body and Soul” |
814 |
4. Denies Separate Immortality of the Soul |
814 |
5. Teaches Utter Extinction of the Wicked |
815 |
48. Justin on Final Annihilation of the Wicked |
816 |
I. Apologies Amplify Intent of Everlasting Punishment |
816 |
1. Christ’s Judgment Precedes Punishment of Wicked |
818 |
2. “Eternal Punishment” Not Eternally Conscious Suffering |
818 |
3. Righteous Deemed Worthy of Incorruption |
819 |
4. Each Goes to “Punishment or Salvation” |
820 |
5. Prays for “Existing Again in Incorruption” |
820 |
6. Punishment Is Proportionate to Sin |
821 |
7. Question of “Sensation After Death” |
821 |
II. Intent of “Aionion” Fire, for Sinners |
823 |
1. Godly Immortalized; Sinners Punished in “Aionion” |
823 |
2. Extent Not Known to Man; Determined by God |
824 |
3. Immortality Is Promised; Not Yet Possessed |
825 |
4. “Aionion” Punishment Is by Fire |
825 |
5. Final Disposition at Second Advent |
825 |
III. Scholars Recognize Justin’s Position on Destruction of Wicked |
826 |
IV. Dialogue—Righteous to Be Immortalized, Wicked Destroyed |
827 |
1. Categorically Denies Innate Immortality and Transmigration |
827 |
2. Some “Never Die”; Others Suffer Determinate Punishment |
828 |
3. Created Beings May Be “Blotted Out and Cease to Exist” |
828 |
4. Separated From Body, Soul Ceases to Exist |
829 |
5. Christ Coming Again to Destroy the Wicked |
829 |
V. Disposition of Righteous and Wicked |
830 |
1. “Some” Punished With Fire; “Others” Receive Immortality |
830 |
2. Saints Raised Incorruptible and Immortal |
830 |
3. Soul Not “Taken to Heaven” at Death |
831 |
4. Wicked Punished as God Deems Proper |
831 |
5. “Destruction” Is Equated With “Death” |
832 |
6. “Torment” Not Identical With “Destruction” |
832 |
7. The Resurrected Face Contrasting Destinies |
832 |
49. Tatian, Theophilus, and Melito—Continue Conditionalist Witness |
834 |
I. Tatian—The Soul Is “Not Immortal” but “Mortal” |
834 |
II. Tatian’s Confession of Faith on Soul, Here, and Hereafter |
835 |
1. Nonexistent in Death. Existent Again Through Resurrection |
836 |
2. Sin and Death Come Through Free Choice |
836 |
3. Soul “Not Itself Immortal,” but “Mortal” |
837 |
4. Punishment of Demons Versus Punishment of Men |
838 |
5. Pagan Confusion Versus Christian Consistency and Truth |
838 |
6. Place Trust in Scripture; Follow “Father of Immortality” |
839 |
III. Theophilus of Antioch—Man Created a Candidate for Immortality |
840 |
IV. Immortality Conferred on Righteous; Destruction Is Fate of Wicked |
842 |
1. Mortality “Put Off”; Immortality “Put On” |
842 |
2. “Seek” Immortality; Escape “Eternal Punishments” |
843 |
3. Presents Foundational Bases for Faith |
844 |
4. Nature and Peril of Unfallen Man in Eden |
844 |
5. Expelled From Eden Lest He Remain in Sin Forever |
845 |
6. Returns to Paradise After Resurrection and Immortalization |
845 |
7. Immortality a Reward, Not an Original Possession |
846 |
8. Man Chooses Either Everlasting Life, or Death |
847 |
9. Righteous to Escape Eternal Punishments |
847 |
10. Wicked Consumed in Final Conflagration |
847 |
11. God’s Care for the Dead |
848 |
V. Melito of Sardis—Death a Long Sleep; Immortality Regained Through Christ |
848 |
1. Eternal Christ Was Creator of Man |
849 |
2. Coming Flood of Fire to Destroy Earth |
849 |
3. Christ Died That We Might Be Raised |
849 |
4. Sleep of Death a Long Silence |
850 |
5. Death and Dissolution From Disobedience |
851 |
6. Corruption and Destruction From Disobedience |
851 |
7. Ransoms and Restores From Grave |
852 |
50. Gnostic-Manichaean Perversions Compel Restatement of Truth |
853 |
I. Scope of Gnosticism’s Sinister Heresies |
854 |
1. Blighting Characteristics of Gnosticism |
854 |
2. Strange Medley of Borrowed Elements |
855 |
3. “Demiurge,” “Emanations,” and “Aeons” |
857 |
4. Mankind Cast Into Three Basic Categories |
858 |
5. Redemption Conceived of as Liberation From Matter |
859 |
6. Gnostic Dualism Versus Apostolic Monism |
859 |
7. Dualism Involves Endless Duration of Wicked |
860 |
8. Blasphemously Denied Deity of Christ |
860 |
9. Rejected Old Testament and Maligned “Jehovah” |
861 |
10. Like Termites Eroding Basic Structure |
861 |
II. Underlying Unity Despite Wide Diversity |
862 |
1. Valentinus Injects “Intermediate” Waiting Place |
863 |
2. Fantastic Degrading Notions of Saturninus |
863 |
3. Basilides’ “Transit of Soul” From Mithraism |
864 |
4. Marcion Rejects Heart of Christian Faith |
865 |
5. Carpocrates Taught a Licentious Ethic |
865 |
6. Gnostic Heresies Force Church to Define Faith |
865 |
III. Recapitulation of Principal Errors of Gnosticism |
866 |
IV. Menace of Manichaeism Imperils Post-Nicene Church |
867 |
1. Origin, Characteristics, and Amazing Spread |
867 |
2. Essence, of the Manichaean Movement |
869 |
3. Christian Aspect Emasculated and Nullified |
870 |
4. Fantastic Concepts of Body, Soul, Redemption, Resurrection |
870 |
5. Based on an Absolute Dualism |
871 |
6. Church Rites, Polity, and Ceremonies |
871 |
51. Irenaeus of Gaul—Conditionalist Champion on Western Outpost |
873 |
I. Unique Position as Contender for Orthodoxy |
873 |
1. Pupil of Conditionalist Polycarp, of Smyrna |
873 |
2. Lifelong Foe of Contemporary Heresies |
875 |
3. General Survey of Irenaeus’ Definitive Treatise |
875 |
4. Stands as Bulwark Against Universal Innate Immortality |
876 |
5. Wicked Destined to Cessation of Being |
876 |
6. Eschatological Outline Portrays Last Events |
877 |
7. Christ Came to Undo Ruin Wrought by Adam |
878 |
II. Irenaeus’ Basic Doctrinal Positions and Definitions |
879 |
1. Mortal Man Must Be, Immortalized at Resurrection |
879 |
2. To Live Is to “Exist”; to Die, to “Cease to Exist” |
880 |
3. Eternal Life Is “Bestowed” Eternal Existence |
880 |
4. Immortality Restricted to the Righteous |
880 |
5. Disobedience Caused Loss of Man’s Immortality |
881 |
6. Union With Christ Results in Immortality |
881 |
7. Future Destinies Determined by Contrasting Resurrections |
882 |
8. Incorruption Means “Incapable of Decay” |
882 |
9. Incorruption Now “in Promise.” Not Yet in Possession |
882 |
10. Resurrection Bodies Are Totally Distinct |
883 |
11. To “Perish” Means Ultimate Nonexistence |
883 |
12. Punishment Is “Punitive,” Not “Purgative” |
883 |
13. Eternal Punishment Is Eternal Loss of Life |
884 |
14. Life Dependent on Gratuity of God |
884 |
52. Irenaeus Voices Preponderant Belief of Church |
886 |
I. Foremost Second-Century Contender for Conditionalism |
886 |
1. Grapples With Basic Issues of Controversy |
887 |
2. Remarkable Scope of Analysis of Error |
887 |
II. Devastating Exposure of Gnostic Errors and Countering Truth |
888 |
III. Irenaeus’ Personal Creed Then Preponderant Belief of Church |
889 |
1. Irenaeus’ “Creed,” and “Conferred” Immortality |
889 |
2. Irenaeus’ Statement Never Again True |
891 |
3. Gnosticism Is But Camouflaged Paganism |
891 |
4. Made Incorruptible and Immortal at Resurrection |
892 |
5. Eternal Continuance Is “Bestowed” and “Imparted” |
892 |
6. “Perpetual Duration” Is Unending “Existence” |
893 |
IV. Multiple Arguments for Conditional Immortality |
893 |
1. Union With God Prerequisite to Immortality |
893 |
2. Must Sense Dependence Upon the Life-giver |
894 |
3. Adam Separated From Tree Lest He Be “Immortal Sinner” |
895 |
4. Believing and Obedient “Honoured With Immortality” |
896 |
5. Gift of Immortality Restricted to Believers |
896 |
6. Eternal Fire for Satan and His Followers |
897 |
7. Immortality Received Only Through Christ |
897 |
8. God Who Gives “Earthly” Life, Can Bestow Immortality |
898 |
V. Fate of Wicked Is Final Annihilation |
899 |
1. Distinguishes Between Body and Soul |
899 |
2. Irenaeus’ Definition of Death |
900 |
3. Second Death—Hell, Lake of Fire, Eternal Fire |
900 |
4. Final Annihilation of the Wicked |
900 |
5. Fruition of All Hopes and Provisions |
901 |
53. Novatian of Rome—Conditionalist Opponent of Cornelius |
902 |
I. Novatian—Immortality of God and Mortality of Man |
902 |
II. Arguments Based on Natures of Creator and Creature |
904 |
1. Man’s Disobedience Brought “Mortality” |
904 |
2. Expelled From Eden to Forestall “Immortality of Guilt” |
905 |
3. God, Without Beginning or End, Is Consequently “Immortal” |
905 |
4. God “Incorruptible” and Therefore “Immortal” |
906 |
5. Man Made With “Materials of Mortality” |
906 |
6. Word of Christ “Affords Immortality” for Man |
907 |
7. Man “Destined” for “Attainment” of Everlasting Life |
907 |
8. Humanity Died, Not Deity, on the Cross |
908 |
III. Arabian Believers in Soul’s Death and Resurrection |
909 |
1. Conditional Immortality “No New Doctrine” |
910 |
2. Origen Established “Immortal-Soulism” in Alexandria |
910 |
IV. “Clementine Homilies”—Fictional Views by “Clement’s” Fabricated Characters |
911 |
1. Clashing Views and Uncertain Dating |
912 |
2. Ranges Over Creation, Life, Death, Punishment |
913 |
3. Wicked Consumed and Destroyed by Fire |
913 |
4. Clement Sets Forth “Peter” as Immortal-Soulist |
914 |
5. Free Will Explains Presence of Sin and Death |
914 |
6. Immortalized Through Christ’s Reign |
915 |
7. Subsequent “Recognitions” Sustain “Homilies” Portrayal |
915 |
54. Arnobius of Africa—Last Ante-Nicene Conditionalist Spokesman |
917 |
I. Final Extinction of Incorrigibly Wicked |
917 |
1. Meets Paganism on Its Own Ground |
918 |
2. Immortality for Righteous; Extinction for Wicked |
919 |
3. Man Created Capable of Either Destiny |
919 |
II. Comprehensive Survey of Arnobius’ Arguments and Evidences |
920 |
1. Arnobius Presents the Case for Christ |
920 |
2. Christ Opened the Gate of Immortality |
921 |
3. Searching Questions on Life, Death, and Hereafter |
921 |
4. A Destruction That Leaves Nothing Behind |
922 |
5. Ultimate. “Annihilation” Is Man’s “Real Death” |
922 |
6. Man Not “Immortal” Like God; Only “Creatures” |
923 |
7. Sweeping Survey of Paganism’s Inadequacy |
923 |
8. Claims and Assumptions of Immortal-Soulists |
924 |
9. “Enriched With Eternal Life” Through Christ |
924 |
III. Boon of Immortality Is God’s Gift |
925 |
1. Assured Immortality Versus Blotting Out of Existence |
925 |
2. “Gift” of Immortality Is the “Grant”of God |
925 |
3. Either Salvation or Destruction Awaits All |
925 |
4. God Alone Is Immortal and Everlasting .... |
926 |
5. The Great Alternatives Are Placed Before All |
926 |
6. “Prize of Immortality” Is Before Us |
926 |
55. Athenagoras—First Ecclesiastic to Assert Innate Immortality |
928 |
I. Athenagoras—Pathfinder on Revolutionary Road |
930 |
1. Bases Contention on Philosophy, Not Scripture |
931 |
2. Repeatedly Uses Plato’s “Immortal Soul” Phrasing |
932 |
3. Battery of Supporting Equivalents Employed |
932 |
II. Earlier “Plea”—Devoid of “Innate Immortality” Concept |
933 |
1. Angels Are Created Beings; Some “Fell” |
934 |
2. Dubious Setting of Term “Immortal Soul” |
934 |
3. Heathen “Gods” Simply Deified Men |
935 |
4. Fate of Sinners Worse Than “Annihilation” |
935 |
5. Our Bodies to Be Reconstructed at Resurrection |
935 |
III. The Resurrection—Wholly Committed to Innate-Immortality Thesis |
936 |
1. Man Created for “Perpetual Existence” |
936 |
2. Dual Premise for Eternal Existence |
937 |
3. Gist of the Resurrection Argument |
937 |
4. Resurrected Bodies Will Be Incorruptible |
938 |
5. Destined for “Perpetual Duration,” Not Final Extinction |
939 |
6. Unceasing Existence Forestalls Ultimate Annihilation |
939 |
7. Pledged Continuance of “Being in Immortality” |
939 |
8. Man: An Immortal Soul in a Perishable Body |
940 |
9. Resurrection Imperative So Body-Soul May Continue Forever |
940 |
10. Continuity of Being Interrupted by Death |
941 |
11. “Sleep” of Death Involves Blackout of Consciousness |
941 |
12. Reunion of Body and Soul Necessary for Recompense |
941 |
13. Man’s Punishment Not Assigned to Soul Alone |
942 |
14. Reconstitution of Body and Soul Into Same Being |
943 |
15. Those Failing God’s Objective Are Punished Proportionately |
943 |
16. Denies Ultimate Annihilation for the Wicked |
943 |
17. Disregards and Repudiates the Biblical “Perish” |
944 |
IV. Logical Demands of Athenagoras’ Reasoning |
944 |
56. Tertullian—Projector of Eternal-Torment Corollary |
947 |
I. Formulation of the Dogma of Endless Torment |
948 |
1. Tertullian’s Espousal of Montanism |
949 |
2. First to Formulate Dogma of Endless Torment |
950 |
3. Persecution Forms Background of Retributive Torment |
951 |
4. Influenced by Stoic “Philosophy” While Rejecting Its “Theosophy” |
952 |
5. Characteristics of His Diversified Writings |
952 |
6. Still Held to Major Prophetic Outline |
953 |
II. Threefold Basis of “Eternal Life in Hell” Postulate |
954 |
1. Three Axioms Underlying Eternal-Torment Postulate |
954 |
2. Invokes Plato in Affirming Immortal-Soulism |
954 |
3. Rejects Plato’s Pre-existence Contention |
955 |
4. Definitive Declaration of Soul’s Origin |
955 |
5. Tertullian’s Definition of the Soul |
956 |
6. Conglomeration Leads Into Hopeless Perplexity |
956 |
7. Drew Supplemental Support From Montanist “Visions” |
957 |
57. Tertullian Holds Wicked Ever Burn but Never Consume |
959 |
I. Mystic Everlasting Fire That Never Consumes Victims |
959 |
1. Nonconsuming Fire Causes Endless Torture |
959 |
2. Exults Over Eternal Torment of Persecutors |
960 |
3. Eternity of Sin Involved in Monstrous Concept |
961 |
II. Alters Basic Scripture Intent to Sustain “Torment” Theory |
962 |
1. “Incorruption” Misapplied to Wicked in Hell |
962 |
2. “Immortality” Wrongly Applied to Wicked |
963 |
3. “Destruction’s Plain Intent” Set Aside |
964 |
4. “Immortal Souls” Cannot Perish in Hell |
964 |
5. “Body” Destined for “Eternal Killing” in Hell |
965 |
6. Resurrection of Flesh Is for “Eternal Killing” |
966 |
7. Perverts Meaning of “Death” and “Dying” |
966 |
8. Forced to Give Improper Turn to Terminology |
967 |
9. Employs Devious Artifice of Distortion |
968 |
58. Universal Restoration Substituted for Eternal Torment |
969 |
1. Significance of the Alexandrian School |
969 |
2. Characteristics of New Alexandrian School |
971 |
3. Hour of Peril for Expanding Church |
971 |
4. Grave Involvements of Origenism |
972 |
5. Roseate Expectations, but Gross Perversions |
973 |
6. The Progressive Path of Departure |
974 |
7. Platonic Influence Supersedes That of Apostles |
975 |
8. Baleful Effects of Accepting Platonism |
975 |
9. Origenism Banned Under Justinian |
976 |
59. Rise and Spread of Neoplatonic Restorationism |
978 |
I. Clement of Alexandria—Reverses Position in Transition Hour |
978 |
1. Develops Introduction to Philosophic Christianity |
979 |
2. Meeting Point of Two Converging Lines |
980 |
3. Swings to Immortal-Soulism in Latest Treatise |
981 |
II. Earlier Declarations Couched in Conditionalist Terms |
982 |
1. Immortality a Reward to Be Received |
982 |
2. “True” and “Sure” Immortality Is “Gift of Eternal Life” |
982 |
3. God Is Giver of Everything Eternal: Otherwise Death |
983 |
4. Immortality Came Not Through Law, but Through Christ |
983 |
5. Turned Away From Sole Source of Life |
984 |
6. Destruction Is Penalty for Disobedience |
984 |
7. Immortality Set Over Against Destruction |
985 |
8. Everlasting Habitations; Immortality; Eternal Mansions |
985 |
9. Angels Conduct Redeemed to Eternal Life |
986 |
10. The Soul Is “Not Naturally Immortal” |
986 |
III. Exhortation to the Heathen Still Stresses Life Only in Christ |
986 |
1. Christ Offers “Immortality”; Sin Brings “Destruction” |
986 |
2. Christ Brings Light of Eternal Life |
987 |
3. Eternal Life Versus Eternal Death |
988 |
4. Perfect “Boon of Immortality” Bestowed |
988 |
5. Christ Offers to Conduct Us to Immortality |
988 |
IV. The Instructor Intertwines Our Immortality With Christ |
989 |
1. Christ’s Commands Are “Paths to Immortality” |
989 |
2. Are to Put On Immortality of Christ |
989 |
3. Present Chastisement Deters From Everlasting Death |
989 |
4. To Put On Robe of Immortality |
990 |
V. Switches in Stromata to Bald Immortal-Soulism |
991 |
1. Exempts Platonism From Paul’s Strictures |
991 |
2. Old Testament Law Leads to Immortality |
992 |
3. Knowledge of God Communicates Immortality |
992 |
4. Immortality of Soul Openly Avowed |
992 |
5. All Punishment Regarded Restorative |
993 |
6. Purged by the “Fire of Wisdom” |
994 |
7. Christ Preaching the Gospel in Hades |
994 |
8. Dubious Fragments Assert Soul’s Immortality |
994 |
60. Origen—Projector of Universal-Restoration Theory |
996 |
1. Became Head of Catechetical School at Eighteen |
996 |
2. Finally Deposed and Deprived of Office |
998 |
I. Depreciates Literalism; Exalts Mystical and Spiritual |
998 |
1. Master Mind of Mystical Interpretation |
998 |
2. Allegorization Determined Entire Exegesis |
999 |
3. Origen’s Three “Senses” to Scripture |
999 |
II. Universal Restorationism Origen’s Answer to Tertullian’s Eternal Torment |
1000 |
1. Distorts an Obvious Bible Truth |
1000 |
2. Plato the Sponsor of Both Views |
1001 |
3. Life Falsely Promised Instead of Death |
1001 |
4. Two Equally Injurious Perversions |
1002 |
5. Avoids One Pitfall Only to Fall Into Another |
1003 |
III. Pivotal Christian Doctrines Assailed by Origen |
1004 |
1. Scriptures Robbed of Authoritative Force |
1004 |
2. Swept Apostolic Faith Into Discard |
1005 |
3. Pre-existerice Coupled to Restorationism |
1005 |
4. Impinged Vaunted Freedom of Will |
1005 |
5. Relationships to the Empire Revolutionized |
1006 |
IV. Revolutionary Concepts of Life, Death, and Destiny |
1006 |
1. Strange Contentions in Anthropology |
1006 |
2. Adam’s Fall Made Allegorical |
1007 |
3. Revolutionary Concepts of Eschatology |
1007 |
4. Mystical Interpretation Invoked to Evade Literalism |
1007 |
V. Documented Definitions and Usages |
1008 |
1. Men Are Souls in Bodies |
1008 |
2. Soul Is Immaterial, Invisible, Immortal |
1008 |
3. Death Neither Perishing Nor Destruction |
1009 |
4. “Destruction” Is Not Ceasing to Be |
1009 |
5. “Fire” Consumes Fuel of Sin |
1010 |
6. “Consuming Fire” Simply Refines |
1010 |
7. Earth’s “Change” Is Not Annihilation |
1010 |
8. “World’s End” Is Its Subjugation |
1010 |
9. “Fall” Counteracted in Future Ages |
1011 |
61. Origen’s Multiple Departures From the Faith |
1012 |
I. Adopted Heathen Transmigration Fallacy |
1012 |
1. Discards God’s Solution to Sin Problem |
1012 |
2. Taught Successive Transmigrations of the Soul |
1013 |
3. Biblical Terms Explained Away by Allegorizing |
1014 |
II. Allegorizing Substituted for Literalism |
1015 |
1. Literalism of Creation Narrative Swept Aside |
1015 |
2. Denies Literal Truth of Biblical Records |
1016 |
III. Spiritualizes Second Advent, End of World, and Millennium |
1017 |
1. Second Advent Mysticized Into “Daily” Coming |
1017 |
2. “End of World” Localized and Individualized |
1018 |
3. Substitutes “Gradual Advance” for Cataclysmic End |
1019 |
4. Denied Millennium Because Incompatible With His Scheme |
1019 |
5. Prophecies Deprived of All Force |
1020 |
IV. Holds Every Immortal Soul to Be Restored |
1020 |
1. Soul Incapable of Death or Destruction |
1020 |
2. Every Rational Being to Be Restored |
1021 |
3. Immortal Sinners “Conducted” to Salvation Slowly |
1021 |
4. Weird Conclusions to Which Origenism Leads |
1022 |
V. Recapitulation: Twin Fallacies of Tertullian and Origen |
1023 |
1. Utter Eradication of Evil Promised |
1023 |
2. Fallacious Threats and Delusive Promises |
1025 |
VI. Subsequent Churchmen Are Divided Between the Conflicting Schools |
1026 |
1. Churchmen Who Supported Tertullian’s Eternal-Tormentism |
1027 |
2. Ecclesiastics Who Favored Origen’s Universal Restorationism |
1027 |
3. Conditionalism Gradually Forced Into Eclipse |
1028 |
62. Lactantius—Emitting Light Amid Encroaching Darkness |
1029 |
1. Revolution in Roman Life and Thought |
1029 |
2. Staying the Tide of Drift and Error |
1029 |
I. Historical Setting of Interest in Man’s Nature and Destiny |
1030 |
1. Scholarship Recognized by Two Emperors |
1030 |
2. First Attempt at Systematic Christian Theology |
1031 |
3. Comprehensive Character of Lactantius’ “Institutes” |
1032 |
4. Course of Empire Portrayed in Prophecy |
1033 |
5. Eschatological Concept Unveils Man’s Destiny |
1033 |
6. Dubious Passages and Known Emendations |
1033 |
II. Immortality—Lost Through Sin; Restored Through Christ |
1034 |
1. God Is Eternal; Man’s Immortality Conditional |
1034 |
2. Nature of “First” and “Second” Deaths |
1035 |
3. Adam Expelled From Eden and Immortality |
1035 |
4. Immortality Is “Reward” for Righteousness |
1036 |
5. Confusion and Ignorance Among Philosophers |
1036 |
6. Fallacious Concepts of Cicero |
1037 |
III. Christ the Source of Our Immortality |
1037 |
1. Christ Came to “Restore” Righteous to Life |
1037 |
2. Took Our Mortality to Restore Immortality |
1038 |
3. Immortality Is Offered to All |
1039 |
4. Contrasting Ends of the Two Ways |
1039 |
IV. Immortality Not Inherent, but a Gift |
1040 |
1. Provision for Attaining Immortality |
1040 |
2. So Placed as to Attain Immortality |
1040 |
3. Immortality Not a Consequence of Nature |
1041 |
4. God Alone Can Confer Immortality |
1041 |
5. Immortality Is Received as Reward |
1042 |
V. Conditionalism Placed in Eschatological Setting |
1043 |
1. False Philosophical Views on Immortality |
1043 |
2. Philosophical Confusion Regarding Immortality |
1044 |
3. Righteousness Alone “Procures” Eternal Life |
1045 |
4. Beginning and End of the World |
1046 |
5. Formation of Man and Results of Fall |
1046 |
VI. Immortality’s Place in the Prophetic Outline |
1047 |
1. Rome’s Division, Antichrist, and Coming Climax |
1047 |
2. Second Advent and the Resurrection |
1047 |
3. Paralleling but Distorted Concepts of Poets |
1048 |
4. Satan Bound, City Planted. Wicked Destroyed |
1049 |
5. Lactantius’ Conditionalism Presented to Emperor |
1049 |
VII. Pitfalls Lurk in Abbreviated “Epitome” |
1050 |
1. Contains Certain “Dubious Passages” That Mislead |
1050 |
2. Lactantius Recognizes Hazard of Abridgment |
1050 |
3. Preponderant View Is Conditionalist |
1051 |
4. Presented With “Garment of Immortality” |
1051 |
VIII. Significance of Lactantius’ Conditionalist Witness |
1052 |
63. Athanasius—Then Conditionalism Into Eclipse |
1053 |
I. Shifting Emphasis of the Three Schools Concerning the Soul |
1054 |
1. Historic Alignments in Ante-Nicene Period |
1054 |
2. Post-Nicene Shifting of Greatest Import |
1054 |
3. Ultimate Ascendance of Eternal-Torment School |
1055 |
II. The Athanasius-Arius Controversy and the Nicene Creed |
1056 |
1. Absolute Deity of Christ at Stake |
1057 |
2. The Arian yiew Summed Up |
1058 |
3. The Athanasian View Epitomized |
1058 |
4. The Semi-Arian or Eusebian Concept |
1059 |
5. Tide of Battle Ends in Athanasian Victory |
1060 |
III. Athanasius—Powerful Defender of Deity of Christ |
1061 |
1. The Center of the Theological World |
1061 |
2. Four Times Banished in Stormy Career |
1061 |
3. Championed Certain Aspects of Conditionalism |
1063 |
IV. “The Incarnation” in Relation to Man’s Sin and Redemption |
1063 |
1. Classic Portrayal of Restoration of Man’s Life |
1063 |
2. Direct Quotations Not Employed With Athanasius |
1064 |
3. Man Not Created With Perverse Tendencies |
1065 |
4. Creator Must Both Renew and Restore |
1065 |
5. Became Man to Restore Life to Us |
1066 |
6. Purpose of Public Death and Three Days in Tomb |
1066 |
7. Prophecies Establish Facts of Incarnation |
1067 |
8. Answers Scoffing of Greeks Regarding Incarnation |
1067 |
9. So Live as to Eat of Tree of Life |
1068 |
64. Augustine—Immortal-Soulism’s Hour of Supremacy |
1070 |
I. Projects Fallacious Philosophy of History |
1070 |
1. “Infallible” System of Doctrine Based on Authority |
1070 |
2. Basic Fallacies of Augustinian Concepts |
1071 |
3. Already Committed to Immortal-Soulism Before Conversion |
1072 |
II. Augustine Sets Immortal-Soulist Pattern for Thousand Years |
1073 |
1. Projects New Philosophy of History |
1073 |
2. Everything That Conflicts Interpreted Spiritually |
1074 |
3. Revolutionary Principles of Interpretation |
1075 |
III. The Fatal Fallacy of Majority “Orthodoxy” |
1076 |
1. Biblical Truth Is Recognized in Time |
1076 |
2. Orthodoxy Determined by Written Word |
1077 |
3. Truth Crushed to Earth Springs Forth Again |
1078 |
[CD-ROM Editor’s Note: In the original, the “Index of Personal Names” and “Scripture Index” is located on pages 1119-1132]