The Conditionalist Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 2

II. Amsterdam’s Korff and Van Niftrik-Innatism Alien to Bible

In the Netherlands, in addition to Dr. G. van der Leeuw, already noted, there were two other professors, likewise of the University of Amsterdam, who made similar statements as to the pagan Platonic origin of the Innate Immortality theory. First, there was Dr. F. W. A. KORFF, ¹⁵ who wrote on the unity of man in contrast with the dualism of Platonism. Note these key statements: CFF2 959.3

“The doctrine of the immortality of the soul, which we find in our theology, does not come from a belief in Christ, but from the Greek philosophy, especially that of Plato.... CFF2 959.4

“The doctrine of the immortality of the soul is based on a separation of the body and the soul, but the Bible does not teach this.... CFF2 959.5

“That the cross means victory is evident in the resurrection. Cross and resurrection belong together; the resurrection is the other side of the cross.... The resurrection is the beginning of a new life.... CFF2 959.6

“Both our body and soul become decomposed. But Christ shall raise body and soul and He will give us new, real life.” ¹⁶ CFF2 959.7

That, of course, is precisely what other scholars were teaching in Sweden, Switzerland, France, Britain, and America. That is the unity of the revolt. CFF2 959.8

1. VAN NIFTRIK CONCURS IN DENIAL OF PLATONISM

The other Amsterdam professor was Dr. G. E. VAN NIFTRIK, ¹⁷ who, writing in periodicals in 1948 and 1949, took essentially the same position. First he stresses the Biblically declared mortality of man in conflict with the contention of “heathen, Greek philosophy.” He first wrote in the church paper De Geref ormeerde Kerk: CFF2 960.1

“That anybody is so obstinate as to speak about the mortal remains, only shows that the world and the church fell away from the Bible. CFF2 960.2

“Only a few people seem to understand that this complexity of thoughts [about an immortal soul] is absolutely contrary to the Holy Scriptures. This whole line of thought is heathen, Greek philosophybut in no case Biblical.” ¹⁸ CFF2 960.3

Then, a few months later, in another journal, De Jongeman, Van Niftrik likewise stresses the mortality of the “whole man” and the Bible resurrection provision as against the traditional concept of the natural immortality of the soul and Greek dualism. Note it: CFF2 960.4

“We have to be very careful so that our Christian convictions are not adopted from history and judgment rather than from the Bible. Much too long has theology remained connected with certain conceptions of the world and man. We need Scriptural theology.... CFF2 960.5

“The Bible teaches us to profess the resurrection of the flesh, and this is something quite different from the immortality of the soul.... CFF2 960.6

“When the Bible speaks about the flesh this means not only the body, but also the whole man, with everything belonging to him, his soul included. The soul is not something mysterious, not a spiritual entity which lives inside of me; no, the soul is the life of my entire being.... CFF2 960.7

“Everything that is human is mortal. I am mortal. I am the soul of my body: I (the soul of my body) am mortal. God only, the Bible teaches, is immortal.” ¹⁹ CFF2 960.8

So the same overtone of rejection of the Innate Immortality postulate is heard unequivocally in Holland as in the other countries of the Old World and the New. And now we go back to Britain and an Anglican Keswick chairman. CFF2 960.9