The Conditionalist Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 1

V. Eight Logical and Inescapable Conclusions to Be Deduced

That is the total testimony of Barnabas, witness of the faith of the church at this early period. This survey has covered the passages relating to our quest. Here follows a series of logical conclusions deduced from the foregoing evidence, both as to clear affirmation and significant omission. CFF1 783.3

1. In the entire epistle Barnabas does not once hint, either by phrase or thought, that man has an innately immortal soul. CFF1 783.4

2. He never once states or infers anything about endless suffering or torment for the wicked. On the contrary, they are to die, perish, be destroyed, be blown away as the chaff, and eaten as by moths. CFF1 783.5

3. He speaks of the sleep of the dead, the coming of the Lord, the resurrection and endless life of the righteous, and definitive retribution of the wicked. Even Dr. Edward Beecher, the restorationist, grudgingly admits that “what he [Barnabas] says may be understood of the annihilation of the wicked.” ³⁷ CFF1 783.6

4. Barnabas speaks of “life”—the hope of the “life which is to come”—and of some who “shall live for ever,” i.e., such as “hear the voice of my servant,” and of Satan depriving others of that life. CFF1 783.7

5. “Death” for the unrepentant sinner is a “punishment” that is eternal—equivalent to the “destruction” of the soul. By “destroy” he expressly meant to die, to perish, to bring to an end—hence “eternal death.” CFF1 783.8

6. As the sinner is “destroyed together with his works,” which definitely come to an end, so the sinner also comes to an end, after appropriate punishment ceasing to be. CFF1 784.1

7. Satan, the wicked one and prince of evil, is to be destroyed along with “all things” evil. But Satan is set forth as existing only for a “time,” the “time of iniquity.” In contrast with the Lord, who is from “everlasting to everlasting,” Satan is simply “the prince” of this passing world of time. CFF1 784.2

8. Thus the ungodly not only “perish” but “justly perish,” whereas the righteous will be eternally saved and glorified by the resurrection at the coming of the Lord, when they will receive incorruptibility. CFF1 784.3

Such was the Conditional Immortality voiced by Barnabas. CFF1 784.4