The Conditionalist Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 2

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE: Representative Literature Matched by Able Pulpiteers

I. Pettingell-Major American Writer on Conditionalism in 1880’s

JOHN HANCOCK PETTINGELL (1815-1887, son of a Congregationalist minister, was graduated from Yale in 1837 and studied further at Union Theological Seminary. After a period of teaching in New York City came pastorates in Congregational churches in Massachusetts and in Connecticut, from 1847 to 1852. He next served as district secretary of the American Board of Foreign Missions, visiting numerous mission stations in Asia Minor, Serbia, Turkey, and Greece as part of his assignment. CFF2 495.1

Pettingell was again abroad from 1866 to 1872, stationed in Antwerp, Belgium, as chaplain of the American Seaman’s Friend Society, and traveling extensively on the Continent in behalf of the society. It was during this period in Europe, after he had been in the ministry more than twenty years, that Pettingell became convinced of the soundness of Conditionalism, and wrote out his new-found faith, bringing back to the United States the manuscript for his first book. In London he met Dr. Charles L. Ives, of Yale, and called his attention to Life Only in Christ. Ives later became a convert. ¹ And while in Europe, Pettingell became well acquainted with Old World Conditionalist literature, which in turn definitely influenced his thinking. He also became thoroughly conversant with Conditionalism’s historical and philosophical backgrounds and with the Biblical evidences. CFF2 495.2

Picture 1 : John Nahcock Pettingell
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Picture 2: Harriet Beecher Stowe
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Picture 3: Dr. Lyman Abbott
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As stated, in 1872 Pettingell returned to America, residing thenceforth in New York and Philadelphia, where he produced most of his books. He was a prolific writer and came to be known as an author of distinction, with a clear grasp of his subject and blessed with a lucid style. He was a diligent student and an able critic. Indeed, he brought out some of the most important Conditionalist literature to be produced in North America since Hudson’s contributions. It was widely recognized as of permanent value, and was constantly quoted. CFF2 496.1

1. GRADUAL CHANGE FROM OSTRACISM TO ACCEPTANCE

Pettingell steadfastly maintained Conditional Immortality to be the only apostolic and scriptural view of the nature and destiny of man. He had little tune for the philosophical approach, his interests being focused on the eschatological aspect. Pettingell contended that Conditionalism was widely held in the Early Church, until it was corrupted by Greek Platonism. However, his well-buttressed views were at first rejected, and there was acute religious and social ostracism. Pulpits of most denominations were closed to him, as well as the columns of leading religious journals. So he was compelled to return to his former profession of teaching, in New York and Philadelphia. CFF2 496.2

Meanwhile, he was incessantly studying and writing, and in time contributing articles to the Bible Banner and World’s Crisis, and producing tracts for the Scripture Publication Society. He also contributed certain brochures to the Conditional Immortality Association’s The Faith Library in England-No. 22 (“The Two Doctrines of Human Immortality Contrasted,” 1898); and No. 44 (“The Resurrection of the Dead,” 1900). Although he had had great difficulty in getting his first book printed, ² he lived to see a marked change and a steady acceptance of Conditionalism in ever-widening circles. CFF2 497.1

Pettingell’s principal books included The Theological Tri-lemma, published in 1878, though written six years prior; Platonism versus Christianity (1881); Bible Terminology (1881); The Life Everlasting (1882); and The Unspeakable Gift (1884). His works came to have a large circulation on both sides of the Atlantic. And on the Continent they were translated into German, French, and Italian. (Pettingell had crossed the Atlantic eight times in his travels, and was known in Conditionalist circles in Britain.) His best-known book was The Unspeakable Gift, with two British editions. But his The Life Everlasting, written earlier, contained an impressive “Symposium” in which twenty-one representative evangelists, clergymen, scholars, and teachers of Europe and America participated. Pettingell was particularly concerned that Conditionalists around the world uphold one another’s hands, and he labored to that end. CFF2 497.2