The Conditionalist Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 1

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PART IV (Chapters 44-64)

The Theological Trilemma
44. Subapostolic Writers Consistently Conditionalist757
   I. Significance of Testimony of Apostolic Fathers757
   II. Clement of Rome—Neither Innate Immortality Nor Eternal Torment762
      1. Clement on the Nature and Destiny of Man763
      2. Second Advent and Resurrection Hope Dominant763
      3. Theme Persists Throughout Genuine Epistle764
      4. Advent Note Even in Spurious Second Epistle764
      5. Significant Silences in Clement’s Witness765
      6. Immortality a “Gift” of God, to Be Sought For765
      7. Death Is Cessation of All Life766
      8. Wicked to Perish, Be Destroyed, Cease to Exist766
      9. Constable’s Summary of Clement’s Views767
   III. Ignatius of Antioch—Immortality Solely for Saints; Sinners to Perish767
      1. To the Ephesians: Immortality Is “Gift” of Christ768
      2. To the Magnesians: Death Is Ceasing to Be771
      3. To the Trallians: Life Through Christ’s Death771
      4. To the Romans: Resurrection Follows Sleep of Death772
      5. Epistle to Polycarp: Sleep, Resurrection, Immortality772
      6. Gift of God Versus Wages of Sin773
45. Immortality Bestowed at Advent; Wicked Destroyed774
   I. “Didache”—Follows Standard Pattern on the Two Ways774
   II. Eschatological Concept of Early Church in Outline775
      1. The Common Theme of Subapostolic Age775
      2. Involvements of the “Way of Life”776
      3. “Way of Death” Contrasted With “Eternal Life” Provision776
      4. Perils of Coming Apostasy Portrayed777
      5. Eschatological Outline of Last Things777
   III. Barnabas—Contrasts Eternal Life With Eternal Death778
   IV. Coming Destruction of Satan, Sinners, and All Evil779
      1. Basic Contrast Between Life and Death779
      2. Life Through Christ; Death Through Sin780
      3. Death From Sin Involves Destruction781
      4. Two Ways: of “Darkness” and of “Light”781
      5. “Eternal Death“: Synonym for Second Death782
      6. To “Perish” Is to Exist No More783
   V. Eight Logical and Inescapable Conclusions to Be Deduced783
46. Immortality a Gift; Death Is Utter Destruction785
   I. Two Destinations Portrayed in Multiple Forms786
      1. Eternal Life and Eternal Destruction786
      2. Past Saints Have “Fallen Asleep”786
      3. Persecution and Triumph of Church Symbolized787
      4. Righteous Have Life; Wicked No Life788
      5. Wicked Are to Perish at Last788
      6. Righteous in Life to Come; Wicked Consumed789
      7. Wicked Destined to Everlasting Ruin789
      8. Punishment Is Proportionate to Sin790
      9. Incorrigibly Wicked “Die for Ever”790
      10. Conclusions From Notable Silences in Hermas791
   II. Polycarp—Resurrection Is Immortality’s Sole Gateway791
   III. Conditional Resurrection the Determining Factor792
      1. Ignatius’ Admonitions Regarding Immortality793
      2. Resurrection Pivotal in Man’s Future793
      3. Sole Basis of Hope for “Future World”794
      4. Strictures on Deniers of the Resurrection794
      5. Resurrection “Both of Soul and Body”794
      6. No Allusion to Eternal Torment795
   IV. “Epistle of Mathetes to Diognetus”—“Immortal Soul” and “Eternal Fire” Problems796
      1. Put to Death; Restored Through Resurrection797
      2. The Relationship of Soul and Body797
      3. First Use of “Immortal Soul” in Christian Writings798
      4. Christ Sent as “God” and “Saviour”; Comes Later as Judge798
      5. Every Blessing Conferred Through Christ798
      6. Christ, Incorruptible and Immortal; Man, Corruptible and Mortal799
      7. Eternal Fire; Both a Process and a Termination800
   V. Summarizing Conclusion Concerning the Apostolic Fathers801
47. Justin Martyr Augments Subapostolic Conditionalism803
   I. Ante-Nicene Period Infiltrated by Platonic Immortal-Soulism803
      1. Frontal and Flanking Attacks Develop803
      2. Gnosticism Undermines Teaching of Resurrection804
      3. Neoplatonic Mysticism Supplants Literalism805
      4. Release of the Soul From the Body805
      5. Immortal-Soulism Well-nigh Extinguishes Blessed Hope806
      6. Writers Segregate Themselves Into Three-Way Split806
   II. Justin Martyr—Champions and Amplifies Apostolic Conditionalism807
      1. Dawn of a New Era in Christian History808
      2. Champions the Only True Philosophy809
      3. Prophetic Outline, Second Advent, and Resurrection810
   III. Justin’s Primary Definitions and Usage of Basic Terms811
      1. “Immortal Existence” and “Ceasing to Exist”811
      2. “Destruction” Is Cessation of Existence812
      3. “Immortality” Means “Not Subject to Death”813
   IV. Justin’s Definitive Positions on Nature and Destiny of Man813
      1. Contended for Literal Resurrection of Dead813
      2. Souls Not Taken to Heaven at Death814
      3. “Man” Composed of Both “Body and Soul”814
      4. Denies Separate Immortality of the Soul814
      5. Teaches Utter Extinction of the Wicked815
48. Justin on Final Annihilation of the Wicked816
   I. Apologies Amplify Intent of Everlasting Punishment816
      1. Christ’s Judgment Precedes Punishment of Wicked818
      2. “Eternal Punishment” Not Eternally Conscious Suffering818
      3. Righteous Deemed Worthy of Incorruption819
      4. Each Goes to “Punishment or Salvation”820
      5. Prays for “Existing Again in Incorruption”820
      6. Punishment Is Proportionate to Sin821
      7. Question of “Sensation After Death”821
   II. Intent of “Aionion” Fire, for Sinners823
      1. Godly Immortalized; Sinners Punished in “Aionion”823
      2. Extent Not Known to Man; Determined by God824
      3. Immortality Is Promised; Not Yet Possessed825
      4. “Aionion” Punishment Is by Fire825
      5. Final Disposition at Second Advent825
   III. Scholars Recognize Justin’s Position on Destruction of Wicked826
   IV. Dialogue—Righteous to Be Immortalized, Wicked Destroyed827
      1. Categorically Denies Innate Immortality and Transmigration827
      2. Some “Never Die”; Others Suffer Determinate Punishment828
      3. Created Beings May Be “Blotted Out and Cease to Exist”828
      4. Separated From Body, Soul Ceases to Exist829
      5. Christ Coming Again to Destroy the Wicked829
   V. Disposition of Righteous and Wicked830
      1. “Some” Punished With Fire; “Others” Receive Immortality830
      2. Saints Raised Incorruptible and Immortal830
      3. Soul Not “Taken to Heaven” at Death831
      4. Wicked Punished as God Deems Proper831
      5. “Destruction” Is Equated With “Death”832
      6. “Torment” Not Identical With “Destruction”832
      7. The Resurrected Face Contrasting Destinies832
49. Tatian, Theophilus, and Melito—Continue Conditionalist Witness834
   I. Tatian—The Soul Is “Not Immortal” but “Mortal”834
   II. Tatian’s Confession of Faith on Soul, Here, and Hereafter835
      1. Nonexistent in Death. Existent Again Through Resurrection836
      2. Sin and Death Come Through Free Choice836
      3. Soul “Not Itself Immortal,” but “Mortal”837
      4. Punishment of Demons Versus Punishment of Men838
      5. Pagan Confusion Versus Christian Consistency and Truth838
      6. Place Trust in Scripture; Follow “Father of Immortality”839
   III. Theophilus of Antioch—Man Created a Candidate for Immortality840
   IV. Immortality Conferred on Righteous; Destruction Is Fate of Wicked842
      1. Mortality “Put Off”; Immortality “Put On”842
      2. “Seek” Immortality; Escape “Eternal Punishments”843
      3. Presents Foundational Bases for Faith844
      4. Nature and Peril of Unfallen Man in Eden844
      5. Expelled From Eden Lest He Remain in Sin Forever845
      6. Returns to Paradise After Resurrection and Immortalization845
      7. Immortality a Reward, Not an Original Possession846
      8. Man Chooses Either Everlasting Life, or Death847
      9. Righteous to Escape Eternal Punishments847
      10. Wicked Consumed in Final Conflagration847
      11. God’s Care for the Dead848
   V. Melito of Sardis—Death a Long Sleep; Immortality Regained Through Christ848
      1. Eternal Christ Was Creator of Man849
      2. Coming Flood of Fire to Destroy Earth849
      3. Christ Died That We Might Be Raised849
      4. Sleep of Death a Long Silence850
      5. Death and Dissolution From Disobedience851
      6. Corruption and Destruction From Disobedience851
      7. Ransoms and Restores From Grave852
50. Gnostic-Manichaean Perversions Compel Restatement of Truth853
   I. Scope of Gnosticism’s Sinister Heresies854
      1. Blighting Characteristics of Gnosticism854
      2. Strange Medley of Borrowed Elements855
      3. “Demiurge,” “Emanations,” and “Aeons”857
      4. Mankind Cast Into Three Basic Categories858
      5. Redemption Conceived of as Liberation From Matter859
      6. Gnostic Dualism Versus Apostolic Monism859
      7. Dualism Involves Endless Duration of Wicked860
      8. Blasphemously Denied Deity of Christ860
      9. Rejected Old Testament and Maligned “Jehovah”861
      10. Like Termites Eroding Basic Structure861
   II. Underlying Unity Despite Wide Diversity862
      1. Valentinus Injects “Intermediate” Waiting Place863
      2. Fantastic Degrading Notions of Saturninus863
      3. Basilides’ “Transit of Soul” From Mithraism864
      4. Marcion Rejects Heart of Christian Faith865
      5. Carpocrates Taught a Licentious Ethic865
      6. Gnostic Heresies Force Church to Define Faith865
   III. Recapitulation of Principal Errors of Gnosticism866
   IV. Menace of Manichaeism Imperils Post-Nicene Church867
      1. Origin, Characteristics, and Amazing Spread867
      2. Essence, of the Manichaean Movement869
      3. Christian Aspect Emasculated and Nullified870
      4. Fantastic Concepts of Body, Soul, Redemption, Resurrection870
      5. Based on an Absolute Dualism871
      6. Church Rites, Polity, and Ceremonies871
51. Irenaeus of Gaul—Conditionalist Champion on Western Outpost873
   I. Unique Position as Contender for Orthodoxy873
      1. Pupil of Conditionalist Polycarp, of Smyrna873
      2. Lifelong Foe of Contemporary Heresies875
      3. General Survey of Irenaeus’ Definitive Treatise875
      4. Stands as Bulwark Against Universal Innate Immortality876
      5. Wicked Destined to Cessation of Being876
      6. Eschatological Outline Portrays Last Events877
      7. Christ Came to Undo Ruin Wrought by Adam878
   II. Irenaeus’ Basic Doctrinal Positions and Definitions879
      1. Mortal Man Must Be, Immortalized at Resurrection879
      2. To Live Is to “Exist”; to Die, to “Cease to Exist”880
      3. Eternal Life Is “Bestowed” Eternal Existence880
      4. Immortality Restricted to the Righteous880
      5. Disobedience Caused Loss of Man’s Immortality881
      6. Union With Christ Results in Immortality881
      7. Future Destinies Determined by Contrasting Resurrections882
      8. Incorruption Means “Incapable of Decay”882
      9. Incorruption Now “in Promise.” Not Yet in Possession882
      10. Resurrection Bodies Are Totally Distinct883
      11. To “Perish” Means Ultimate Nonexistence883
      12. Punishment Is “Punitive,” Not “Purgative”883
      13. Eternal Punishment Is Eternal Loss of Life884
      14. Life Dependent on Gratuity of God884
52. Irenaeus Voices Preponderant Belief of Church886
   I. Foremost Second-Century Contender for Conditionalism886
      1. Grapples With Basic Issues of Controversy887
      2. Remarkable Scope of Analysis of Error887
   II. Devastating Exposure of Gnostic Errors and Countering Truth888
   III. Irenaeus’ Personal Creed Then Preponderant Belief of Church889
      1. Irenaeus’ “Creed,” and “Conferred” Immortality889
      2. Irenaeus’ Statement Never Again True891
      3. Gnosticism Is But Camouflaged Paganism891
      4. Made Incorruptible and Immortal at Resurrection892
      5. Eternal Continuance Is “Bestowed” and “Imparted”892
      6. “Perpetual Duration” Is Unending “Existence”893
   IV. Multiple Arguments for Conditional Immortality893
      1. Union With God Prerequisite to Immortality893
      2. Must Sense Dependence Upon the Life-giver894
      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 Believers896
      6. Eternal Fire for Satan and His Followers897
      7. Immortality Received Only Through Christ897
      8. God Who Gives “Earthly” Life, Can Bestow Immortality898
   V. Fate of Wicked Is Final Annihilation899
      1. Distinguishes Between Body and Soul899
      2. Irenaeus’ Definition of Death900
      3. Second Death—Hell, Lake of Fire, Eternal Fire900
      4. Final Annihilation of the Wicked900
      5. Fruition of All Hopes and Provisions901
53. Novatian of Rome—Conditionalist Opponent of Cornelius902
   I. Novatian—Immortality of God and Mortality of Man902
   II. Arguments Based on Natures of Creator and Creature904
      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 Man907
      7. Man “Destined” for “Attainment” of Everlasting Life907
      8. Humanity Died, Not Deity, on the Cross908
   III. Arabian Believers in Soul’s Death and Resurrection909
      1. Conditional Immortality “No New Doctrine”910
      2. Origen Established “Immortal-Soulism” in Alexandria910
   IV. “Clementine Homilies”—Fictional Views by “Clement’s” Fabricated Characters911
      1. Clashing Views and Uncertain Dating912
      2. Ranges Over Creation, Life, Death, Punishment913
      3. Wicked Consumed and Destroyed by Fire913
      4. Clement Sets Forth “Peter” as Immortal-Soulist914
      5. Free Will Explains Presence of Sin and Death914
      6. Immortalized Through Christ’s Reign915
      7. Subsequent “Recognitions” Sustain “Homilies” Portrayal915
54. Arnobius of Africa—Last Ante-Nicene Conditionalist Spokesman917
   I. Final Extinction of Incorrigibly Wicked917
      1. Meets Paganism on Its Own Ground918
      2. Immortality for Righteous; Extinction for Wicked919
      3. Man Created Capable of Either Destiny919
   II. Comprehensive Survey of Arnobius’ Arguments and Evidences920
      1. Arnobius Presents the Case for Christ920
      2. Christ Opened the Gate of Immortality921
      3. Searching Questions on Life, Death, and Hereafter921
      4. A Destruction That Leaves Nothing Behind922
      5. Ultimate. “Annihilation” Is Man’s “Real Death”922
      6. Man Not “Immortal” Like God; Only “Creatures”923
      7. Sweeping Survey of Paganism’s Inadequacy923
      8. Claims and Assumptions of Immortal-Soulists924
      9. “Enriched With Eternal Life” Through Christ924
   III. Boon of Immortality Is God’s Gift925
      1. Assured Immortality Versus Blotting Out of Existence925
      2. “Gift” of Immortality Is the “Grant”of God925
      3. Either Salvation or Destruction Awaits All925
      4. God Alone Is Immortal and Everlasting ....926
      5. The Great Alternatives Are Placed Before All926
      6. “Prize of Immortality” Is Before Us926
55. Athenagoras—First Ecclesiastic to Assert Innate Immortality928
   I. Athenagoras—Pathfinder on Revolutionary Road930
      1. Bases Contention on Philosophy, Not Scripture931
      2. Repeatedly Uses Plato’s “Immortal Soul” Phrasing932
      3. Battery of Supporting Equivalents Employed932
   II. Earlier “Plea”—Devoid of “Innate Immortality” Concept933
      1. Angels Are Created Beings; Some “Fell”934
      2. Dubious Setting of Term “Immortal Soul”934
      3. Heathen “Gods” Simply Deified Men935
      4. Fate of Sinners Worse Than “Annihilation”935
      5. Our Bodies to Be Reconstructed at Resurrection935
   III. The Resurrection—Wholly Committed to Innate-Immortality Thesis936
      1. Man Created for “Perpetual Existence”936
      2. Dual Premise for Eternal Existence937
      3. Gist of the Resurrection Argument937
      4. Resurrected Bodies Will Be Incorruptible938
      5. Destined for “Perpetual Duration,” Not Final Extinction939
      6. Unceasing Existence Forestalls Ultimate Annihilation939
      7. Pledged Continuance of “Being in Immortality”939
      8. Man: An Immortal Soul in a Perishable Body940
      9. Resurrection Imperative So Body-Soul May Continue Forever940
      10. Continuity of Being Interrupted by Death941
      11. “Sleep” of Death Involves Blackout of Consciousness941
      12. Reunion of Body and Soul Necessary for Recompense941
      13. Man’s Punishment Not Assigned to Soul Alone942
      14. Reconstitution of Body and Soul Into Same Being943
      15. Those Failing God’s Objective Are Punished Proportionately943
      16. Denies Ultimate Annihilation for the Wicked943
      17. Disregards and Repudiates the Biblical “Perish”944
   IV. Logical Demands of Athenagoras’ Reasoning944
56. Tertullian—Projector of Eternal-Torment Corollary947
   I. Formulation of the Dogma of Endless Torment948
      1. Tertullian’s Espousal of Montanism949
      2. First to Formulate Dogma of Endless Torment950
      3. Persecution Forms Background of Retributive Torment951
      4. Influenced by Stoic “Philosophy” While Rejecting Its “Theosophy”952
      5. Characteristics of His Diversified Writings952
      6. Still Held to Major Prophetic Outline953
   II. Threefold Basis of “Eternal Life in Hell” Postulate954
      1. Three Axioms Underlying Eternal-Torment Postulate954
      2. Invokes Plato in Affirming Immortal-Soulism954
      3. Rejects Plato’s Pre-existence Contention955
      4. Definitive Declaration of Soul’s Origin955
      5. Tertullian’s Definition of the Soul956
      6. Conglomeration Leads Into Hopeless Perplexity956
      7. Drew Supplemental Support From Montanist “Visions”957
57. Tertullian Holds Wicked Ever Burn but Never Consume959
   I. Mystic Everlasting Fire That Never Consumes Victims959
      1. Nonconsuming Fire Causes Endless Torture959
      2. Exults Over Eternal Torment of Persecutors960
      3. Eternity of Sin Involved in Monstrous Concept961
   II. Alters Basic Scripture Intent to Sustain “Torment” Theory962
      1. “Incorruption” Misapplied to Wicked in Hell962
      2. “Immortality” Wrongly Applied to Wicked963
      3. “Destruction’s Plain Intent” Set Aside964
      4. “Immortal Souls” Cannot Perish in Hell964
      5. “Body” Destined for “Eternal Killing” in Hell965
      6. Resurrection of Flesh Is for “Eternal Killing”966
      7. Perverts Meaning of “Death” and “Dying”966
      8. Forced to Give Improper Turn to Terminology967
      9. Employs Devious Artifice of Distortion968
58. Universal Restoration Substituted for Eternal Torment969
      1. Significance of the Alexandrian School969
      2. Characteristics of New Alexandrian School971
      3. Hour of Peril for Expanding Church971
      4. Grave Involvements of Origenism972
      5. Roseate Expectations, but Gross Perversions973
      6. The Progressive Path of Departure974
      7. Platonic Influence Supersedes That of Apostles975
      8. Baleful Effects of Accepting Platonism975
      9. Origenism Banned Under Justinian976
59. Rise and Spread of Neoplatonic Restorationism978
   I. Clement of Alexandria—Reverses Position in Transition Hour978
      1. Develops Introduction to Philosophic Christianity979
      2. Meeting Point of Two Converging Lines980
      3. Swings to Immortal-Soulism in Latest Treatise981
   II. Earlier Declarations Couched in Conditionalist Terms982
      1. Immortality a Reward to Be Received982
      2. “True” and “Sure” Immortality Is “Gift of Eternal Life”982
      3. God Is Giver of Everything Eternal: Otherwise Death983
      4. Immortality Came Not Through Law, but Through Christ983
      5. Turned Away From Sole Source of Life984
      6. Destruction Is Penalty for Disobedience984
      7. Immortality Set Over Against Destruction985
      8. Everlasting Habitations; Immortality; Eternal Mansions985
      9. Angels Conduct Redeemed to Eternal Life986
      10. The Soul Is “Not Naturally Immortal”986
   III. Exhortation to the Heathen Still Stresses Life Only in Christ986
      1. Christ Offers “Immortality”; Sin Brings “Destruction”986
      2. Christ Brings Light of Eternal Life987
      3. Eternal Life Versus Eternal Death988
      4. Perfect “Boon of Immortality” Bestowed988
      5. Christ Offers to Conduct Us to Immortality988
   IV. The Instructor Intertwines Our Immortality With Christ989
      1. Christ’s Commands Are “Paths to Immortality”989
      2. Are to Put On Immortality of Christ989
      3. Present Chastisement Deters From Everlasting Death989
      4. To Put On Robe of Immortality990
   V. Switches in Stromata to Bald Immortal-Soulism991
      1. Exempts Platonism From Paul’s Strictures991
      2. Old Testament Law Leads to Immortality992
      3. Knowledge of God Communicates Immortality992
      4. Immortality of Soul Openly Avowed992
      5. All Punishment Regarded Restorative993
      6. Purged by the “Fire of Wisdom”994
      7. Christ Preaching the Gospel in Hades994
      8. Dubious Fragments Assert Soul’s Immortality994
60. Origen—Projector of Universal-Restoration Theory996
      1. Became Head of Catechetical School at Eighteen996
      2. Finally Deposed and Deprived of Office998
   I. Depreciates Literalism; Exalts Mystical and Spiritual998
      1. Master Mind of Mystical Interpretation998
      2. Allegorization Determined Entire Exegesis999
      3. Origen’s Three “Senses” to Scripture999
   II. Universal Restorationism Origen’s Answer to Tertullian’s Eternal Torment1000
      1. Distorts an Obvious Bible Truth1000
      2. Plato the Sponsor of Both Views1001
      3. Life Falsely Promised Instead of Death1001
      4. Two Equally Injurious Perversions1002
      5. Avoids One Pitfall Only to Fall Into Another1003
   III. Pivotal Christian Doctrines Assailed by Origen1004
      1. Scriptures Robbed of Authoritative Force1004
      2. Swept Apostolic Faith Into Discard1005
      3. Pre-existerice Coupled to Restorationism1005
      4. Impinged Vaunted Freedom of Will1005
      5. Relationships to the Empire Revolutionized1006
   IV. Revolutionary Concepts of Life, Death, and Destiny1006
      1. Strange Contentions in Anthropology1006
      2. Adam’s Fall Made Allegorical1007
      3. Revolutionary Concepts of Eschatology1007
      4. Mystical Interpretation Invoked to Evade Literalism1007
   V. Documented Definitions and Usages1008
      1. Men Are Souls in Bodies1008
      2. Soul Is Immaterial, Invisible, Immortal1008
      3. Death Neither Perishing Nor Destruction1009
      4. “Destruction” Is Not Ceasing to Be1009
      5. “Fire” Consumes Fuel of Sin1010
      6. “Consuming Fire” Simply Refines1010
      7. Earth’s “Change” Is Not Annihilation1010
      8. “World’s End” Is Its Subjugation1010
      9. “Fall” Counteracted in Future Ages1011
61. Origen’s Multiple Departures From the Faith1012
   I. Adopted Heathen Transmigration Fallacy1012
      1. Discards God’s Solution to Sin Problem1012
      2. Taught Successive Transmigrations of the Soul1013
      3. Biblical Terms Explained Away by Allegorizing1014
   II. Allegorizing Substituted for Literalism1015
      1. Literalism of Creation Narrative Swept Aside1015
      2. Denies Literal Truth of Biblical Records1016
   III. Spiritualizes Second Advent, End of World, and Millennium1017
      1. Second Advent Mysticized Into “Daily” Coming1017
      2. “End of World” Localized and Individualized1018
      3. Substitutes “Gradual Advance” for Cataclysmic End1019
      4. Denied Millennium Because Incompatible With His Scheme1019
      5. Prophecies Deprived of All Force1020
   IV. Holds Every Immortal Soul to Be Restored1020
      1. Soul Incapable of Death or Destruction1020
      2. Every Rational Being to Be Restored1021
      3. Immortal Sinners “Conducted” to Salvation Slowly1021
      4. Weird Conclusions to Which Origenism Leads1022
   V. Recapitulation: Twin Fallacies of Tertullian and Origen1023
      1. Utter Eradication of Evil Promised1023
      2. Fallacious Threats and Delusive Promises1025
   VI. Subsequent Churchmen Are Divided Between the Conflicting Schools1026
      1. Churchmen Who Supported Tertullian’s Eternal-Tormentism1027
      2. Ecclesiastics Who Favored Origen’s Universal Restorationism1027
      3. Conditionalism Gradually Forced Into Eclipse1028
62. Lactantius—Emitting Light Amid Encroaching Darkness1029
      1. Revolution in Roman Life and Thought1029
      2. Staying the Tide of Drift and Error1029
   I. Historical Setting of Interest in Man’s Nature and Destiny1030
      1. Scholarship Recognized by Two Emperors1030
      2. First Attempt at Systematic Christian Theology1031
      3. Comprehensive Character of Lactantius’ “Institutes”1032
      4. Course of Empire Portrayed in Prophecy1033
      5. Eschatological Concept Unveils Man’s Destiny1033
      6. Dubious Passages and Known Emendations1033
   II. Immortality—Lost Through Sin; Restored Through Christ1034
      1. God Is Eternal; Man’s Immortality Conditional1034
      2. Nature of “First” and “Second” Deaths1035
      3. Adam Expelled From Eden and Immortality1035
      4. Immortality Is “Reward” for Righteousness1036
      5. Confusion and Ignorance Among Philosophers1036
      6. Fallacious Concepts of Cicero1037
   III. Christ the Source of Our Immortality1037
      1. Christ Came to “Restore” Righteous to Life1037
      2. Took Our Mortality to Restore Immortality1038
      3. Immortality Is Offered to All1039
      4. Contrasting Ends of the Two Ways1039
   IV. Immortality Not Inherent, but a Gift1040
      1. Provision for Attaining Immortality1040
      2. So Placed as to Attain Immortality1040
      3. Immortality Not a Consequence of Nature1041
      4. God Alone Can Confer Immortality1041
      5. Immortality Is Received as Reward1042
   V. Conditionalism Placed in Eschatological Setting1043
      1. False Philosophical Views on Immortality1043
      2. Philosophical Confusion Regarding Immortality1044
      3. Righteousness Alone “Procures” Eternal Life1045
      4. Beginning and End of the World1046
      5. Formation of Man and Results of Fall1046
   VI. Immortality’s Place in the Prophetic Outline1047
      1. Rome’s Division, Antichrist, and Coming Climax1047
      2. Second Advent and the Resurrection1047
      3. Paralleling but Distorted Concepts of Poets1048
      4. Satan Bound, City Planted. Wicked Destroyed1049
      5. Lactantius’ Conditionalism Presented to Emperor1049
   VII. Pitfalls Lurk in Abbreviated “Epitome”1050
      1. Contains Certain “Dubious Passages” That Mislead1050
      2. Lactantius Recognizes Hazard of Abridgment1050
      3. Preponderant View Is Conditionalist1051
      4. Presented With “Garment of Immortality”1051
   VIII. Significance of Lactantius’ Conditionalist Witness1052
63. Athanasius—Then Conditionalism Into Eclipse1053
   I. Shifting Emphasis of the Three Schools Concerning the Soul1054
      1. Historic Alignments in Ante-Nicene Period1054
      2. Post-Nicene Shifting of Greatest Import1054
      3. Ultimate Ascendance of Eternal-Torment School1055
   II. The Athanasius-Arius Controversy and the Nicene Creed1056
      1. Absolute Deity of Christ at Stake1057
      2. The Arian yiew Summed Up1058
      3. The Athanasian View Epitomized1058
      4. The Semi-Arian or Eusebian Concept1059
      5. Tide of Battle Ends in Athanasian Victory1060
   III. Athanasius—Powerful Defender of Deity of Christ1061
      1. The Center of the Theological World1061
      2. Four Times Banished in Stormy Career1061
      3. Championed Certain Aspects of Conditionalism1063
   IV. “The Incarnation” in Relation to Man’s Sin and Redemption1063
      1. Classic Portrayal of Restoration of Man’s Life1063
      2. Direct Quotations Not Employed With Athanasius1064
      3. Man Not Created With Perverse Tendencies1065
      4. Creator Must Both Renew and Restore1065
      5. Became Man to Restore Life to Us1066
      6. Purpose of Public Death and Three Days in Tomb1066
      7. Prophecies Establish Facts of Incarnation1067
      8. Answers Scoffing of Greeks Regarding Incarnation1067
      9. So Live as to Eat of Tree of Life1068
64. Augustine—Immortal-Soulism’s Hour of Supremacy1070
   I. Projects Fallacious Philosophy of History1070
      1. “Infallible” System of Doctrine Based on Authority1070
      2. Basic Fallacies of Augustinian Concepts1071
      3. Already Committed to Immortal-Soulism Before Conversion1072
   II. Augustine Sets Immortal-Soulist Pattern for Thousand Years1073
      1. Projects New Philosophy of History1073
      2. Everything That Conflicts Interpreted Spiritually1074
      3. Revolutionary Principles of Interpretation1075
   III. The Fatal Fallacy of Majority “Orthodoxy”1076
      1. Biblical Truth Is Recognized in Time1076
      2. Orthodoxy Determined by Written Word1077
      3. Truth Crushed to Earth Springs Forth Again1078

[CD-ROM Editor’s Note: In the original, the “Index of Personal Names” and “Scripture Index” is located on pages 1119-1132]