The Conditionalist Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 2

V. Bishop Law—Entrance Upon Immortality Only Through Resurrection

Another important witness in this crucial hour was Anglican bishop EDMUND LAW, D.D. (1703-1787), noted scholar and educator, theological and philosophical writer, and Bishop of Carlisle. He received a thorough training at St. John’s, Cambridge, and then was progressively rector of Greystoke, archdeacon of Carlisle, master of St. Peter’s College (Peterhouse), Cambridge, librarian of Cambridge and professor of moral philosophy, archdeacon of Stafford, prebend of Lincoln, and finally bishop of Carlisle. He was highly respected and influential. CFF2 231.4

Law was the contemporary of a group of intellectual giants, with whom he participated in various important discussions—some involving the question of the nature of man. He was a devoted follower of philosopher John Locke, likewise a Conditionalist, editing one edition of Locke’s works. Law was author of numerous treatises, one of which was his Considerations on the State of the World with regard to the Theory of Religion ... With an Appendix, concerning the Use of the Word Soul in Holy Scripture; rind the State of the Dead as there described (1745). Its popularity is attested by the fact that it ran through at least six editions. Significantly, it did not impair his relations with the church. But the issuance of such a treatise by such an illustrious religious leader shook the foundations of complacency in religious circles over the issue of a conscious intermediate state. And it continued to be widely quoted. There was now greater tolerance for Conditionalism. CFF2 232.1

The bishop stoutly held that Christian belief must go on to perfection, and misconceptions in doctrinal teaching that had been improperly introduced into the church in the period of apostasy should be corrected. And this included the widespread misconception as to the nature of man. He held that the soul, or spirit, is not separable from the man; that death is the complete negation of all life; that there is no intermediate, conscious state; that the human soul and life are the same; and that in the grave is silence, oblivion, and darkness, according to Scripture. ²¹ CFF2 232.2

Law maintained that the reign of death entered the world at the time of man’s first trangression back in Eden. And the time of the deliverance therefrom will be dated from the resurrection, at the Second Advent. Death is “a return to dust,” and its reversal is “the resuscitation from that dust.” Paul, he said, puts the contrast between the first Adam and Second Adam in these words: “Since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection from the dead; and as in Adam all die; even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” Law then asserts: CFF2 232.3

1. LIFE NOT INHERENT, BUT A GIFT THROUGH CHRIST

“Life is not an inherent property of our original nature, but a free gift to us, promised and procured by Christ; and accordingly termed the grace, or gift of God, and the gift by grace thro’ Jesus Christ our Lord: who on that account is pleased to stile Himself the resurrection and the life; who is called our life, and said to have the keys of hades and of death: who opens for us the true and only way to immortality, through the gate of the resurrection; and without whom there is no admission to it; but the wrath of God abideth on us.” ²² CFF2 233.1

2. GIVES SEVEN EQUATIONS OF DEATH

In the “Appendix,” Bishop Law equates death, or the state of the dead, with (1) “Sleep,” (2) “A negation of all Life, Thought or Action,” (3) “Rest,” (4) “State of Silence,” (5) “Oblivion,” (6) “Darkness,” and (7) “Corruption.” That, of course, is the accepted platform of Conditionalism. CFF2 233.2

3. RESURRECTION THE CLIMAX OF HOPE OF IMMORTALITY

In a series of propositions, with proof texts, the bishop holds:
“Prop. I.—That we shall not awake, or be made alive, till the resurrection. Prop. II.—That the wicked shall not be severed from the righteous till the resurrection, the end of the world, the coming, or day of Christ, the day of the Lord, THE day, THAT day, etc. Prop. III.—that, We are upon trial, or in a state of probation, till the resurrection, or the day of Christ. Prop. IX.—that, They shall not have eternal life, or salvation; shall not put on immortality: be received unto Christ; enter into His joy; behold His glory, or be like Him; till the resurrection, etc.” ²³ CFF2 233.3

The final feature of the treatise is the examination of twenty-eight objections brought against the Conditionalist position, based on Scripture texts, Bishop Law giving scriptural evidence to show the unscriptural character of the so-called “orthodox” contentions. ²⁴ Thus another compelling Anglican voice is heard from, and the Advent hope made central in the redemption of man. It was a voice commanding attention and respect, and influenced not a few. CFF2 233.4