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The Conditionalist Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 1

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    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]

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