The Conditionalist Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 2

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR: Conservatives, Liberals, Even Catholics Speak Out

In the brief three-year period covered by this chapter1956 to 1958-in addition to the words of internationally known figures like Cullmann, of Basel and the Sorbonne; Tillich, of Harvard; and Bultman, of Marburg, we note the unusual statements of two Roman Catholics-an unexpected source for the expressions they record. Again, as to the religious spread, it embraces Reformed, Baptist, Church of Scotland, Quaker, Methodist, Evangelical, and Lutheran, along with a Seventhday Adventist denomination-wide declaration, as well as certain Roman Catholic expressions. Geographically, they come from Switzerland, England, Scotland, France, North America (to the number of ten), Germany, and faraway Ceylon. CFF2 912.1

Vocationally, these witnesses include eight university professors, two priests, two deans, two chaplains, a superintendent, and an editor. In emphasis they stress the pagan origin and character of natural immortality and inveigh against the claims of Spiritualism. The majority, however, emphasize the conflict between Greek Immortal-Soulism, with its “discarnate souls” theory, and the Christian resurrection of the “whole man.” Disavowal of Eternal Torment likewise appears, and the Conditional, or “immortability,” aspect, together with the unitary in contrast with the dualistic character of man. Such is the scope. We first turn to Dr. Cullmann, of Switzerland. CFF2 912.2