The Conditionalist Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 2

II. Perverts Basic Facts and Fundamentals of Christianity

Converse E. Nickerson, chosen to represent Spiritualism at the 1939-1940 World’s Fair in New York City, says that “all ages” have added “links to the chain of definite truth that man’s immortality is secure.” This, he says, the sacred books of the ages attest. In this way, he explains, “the Bible is one of the central books which have brought courage and inspiration. It recognizes and emphasizes the oneness of this world and the next.” Referring to Jesus as “a great spiritual teacher,” whose teachings, properly understood, are of “supreme importance to the Student of Spiritualism,” Nickerson states: “He [Jesus] identified himself after physical death, confirming immortality’s definite place in the scheure of man’s thoughts and philosophy.” ⁸ CFF2 1095.1

Picture 1: Denies Actual Judgment, Resurrection, Second Advent
Denies Actual Judgment, Resurrection, Second Advent
Page 1096

1. CLAIMS “UPPER ROOM” WAS “SÈANCE” CHAMBER

N ickerson openly asserts that “the firnt message concerning the continued existence of the Christian founder-Jesus-was brought by an exalted spirit.” A spirit, he contends, “in shining garments” at the empty tomb an the resurrection morn “declared that death had been conquered and that their loved teacher still lived.” ⁹ But the climax of Nickerson’s story comes in connection with the “upper room,” which he converts into a séance chamber:
“The séance room was a very sacred place to the disciples of Jesus. Coming through the darkness and bringing with it its own hallowed light, the spiritualized body of Mary’s son revealed itself to the wondering gaze of those who thus received their first definite knowledge of spirit manifestation.” ¹⁰ CFF2 1096.1

Other Spiritualists have made the saure contention. It is a standard position. CFF2 1096.2

2. SUCH SÈANCES NOW ONLY OUTSIDE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Then follows the significant admission that “such a seance today can be found only outside the Aale of the Christian followers of Jesus the Christ.” But aside from the séance, Nickerson claims “there is no other avenue of connection between this mortal existence and our spiritual habitation.” ¹¹ CFF2 1096.3

3. “GENERAL RESURRECTION” REPUDIATED BY SPIRITUALISM

As to the resurrection, Nickerson asserts that “one by one we enter into the Spirit life which concludes the mortal impersonation.” This, he adds CFF2 1097.1

“means to exclude any thought of a general resurrection. Such a [general] resurrection would hold even Peter asleep in his grave till its crashing dawn. Jesus taught the individual resurrection of the soul from the mortal body.” ¹² CFF2 1097.2

So according to Nickerson the resurrection occurs individually, at death. It is an such a basis that the New Testament becomes a convenient “working textbook for the Spiritualist.” ¹³ The device is obvious. CFF2 1097.3

4. “NEW HEAVEN AND EARTH” SIMPLY “SPIRIT WORLD.”

St. John’s apocalyptic description of the new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:22) is, Nickerson holds, simply “the Spirit world with all its wonderful counterpart of this earth experience.” “Death will work the change” and provide the opportunity for us to “continue our celestial pilgrimage.” ¹⁴ It is death, then, he avers, that brings the new heaven and the new earth, and it comes to pass individually. It is not by divine interposition but through Innate Immortality, according to Spiritualism. CFF2 1097.4

5. BIBLICAL SUPPORT SOUGHT FROM PAULS “SPIRITUAL GIFTS.”

Nevertheless, further attempt is made to obtain Biblical support for Spiritualism by frequent appeal to St. Paul’s chapter an spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12), with its “diversities of gifts” and “operations,” which include “healing,” “miracles,” “prophecy,” and “tongues.” These are subtly Set forth as all fulfilled in, and only in, Spiritualism’s modern operations, for they have adopted these terms. Such are some of the specious arguments invoked in a twisted attempt to secure a certain Bible support, completely ignoring the true and historical intent and fulfillment of Holy Writ. CFF2 1097.5

6. PAULINE “SPIRITUAL GIFTS” CLAIMED BY SPIRITUALISTS

The scope of claimed Spiritualist phenomena is listed in the general “Definitions” adopted by the National Spiritualist Association of Churches in 1914. Definition 5 reads: CFF2 1098.1

“The Phenomena of Spiritualism consists of Prophecy, Clairvoyance, Clairaudience, Gift of Tongues, Laying an of Hands, Healing, Visions, Trance, Apports, Levitation, Raps, Automatic and Independent Writings and Paintings, Voice, Materialization, Photography, Psychometry and any other manifestation proving the continuity of li fe as demonstrated through the Physical and Spiritual senses and faculties of man.” ¹⁵ CFF2 1098.2