The Conditionalist Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 1

CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE: Athenagoras—First Ecclesiastic to Assert Innate Immortality

Second of Three Schools of Theological Trilemma Emerges—Crystallizes Dogma of Eternal Torment of the Wicked

Beginning with this chapter we will next trace the revolutionary new Universal Innate-Immortality postulate that henceforth parallels and erelong overshadows the original Conditionalist position (subapostolic and ante-Nicene), which we have been following up to this point. This innovation eventuates in the second school in the theological trilemma, now in process of development. And a few chapters further on the third school in this intriguing theological trilemma will emerge. From thenceforth these three schools continue concurrently in ceaseless conflict. And they persist to this day. CFF1 928.1

The developments may be visualized on Chart F (page 758), as they are allocated and grouped in their respective categories. To this the reader is invited to turn for the chronological placement (in the vertical columns), as well as the categorical arrangement in the paralleling (or horizontal) readings. Identification and classification for each individual and group in the respective categories, or schools of thought, under survey may thus be had. By referring to this comprehensive chart the over-all relationships and the cumulative and massed evidence needed for balanced conclusions may easily be visualized. CFF1 928.2

We now turn to the contrasting side of the picture—a very important side. The concept of the Innate Immortality of the soul as a “Christian” doctrine did not appear in patristic literature until toward the close of the second century. That long lapse of time is highly significant. And then it was introduced by a Greek philosopher who, while nominally accepting Christianity, insofar as it did not invalidate his former views, retained the fundamental philosophic concept of Neoplatonism on the nature and destiny of man—despite its definite conflict with prevalent Christian teachings. The pathfinder on this revolutionary road was Athenagoras—apparently the first ecclesiastic to embrace the Immortal-Soul postulate publicly, and to advocate it on a purely Platonic basis. As stated in the Encyclopaedia Britannica, his theology is “strongly tinged with Platonism.” ¹ CFF1 928.3

Picture 1: Athenagoras, Tertullian of Carthage:
Athenagoras-First Ecclesiastic to Assert Universal Innate Immortality Postulate, Based on Platonism.
Tertullian of Carthage-Projector of Eternal Torment Corollary for Immortal Wicked, With Mystic Fire.
Page 929

However, it was Tertullian of Carthage (d. c. A.D. 240) who gave the great impetus to this emphasis, tying in with it the dogma of the endless torment of the lost. Then finally came Augustine of Hippo (d. A.D. 430), whose great influence brought about the general acceptance by the church at large of the belief in the deathlessness of all souls, and also its fiery corollary of the endless existence and Eternal Torment of the reprobate. (For Athenagoras’ chronological and categorical placement, see Tabular Chart F, on page 758.) CFF1 929.1