Immortality Resurrection? : A Biblical Study Human Nature and Destiny

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FOREWORD by Clark H. Pinnock INTRODUCTION Reasons for Writing this Book. Procedure. Method and Style. Author of Foreword. Acknowledgments. Author’s Hope. NOTE TO THE INTRODUCTION Chapter I THE DEBATE OVER HUMAN NATURE AND DESTINY Objectives of This Book. Procedure. 1. Two Basic Views of Human Nature and Destiny Classical Dualism. Biblical Wholism. The Body-Soul Debate. Dualism under Attack. Dualists Are Concerned. Tactics of Harassment. 2. Implications of Dualism Doctrinal Implications. Immortality of the Soul Weakens Second Advent. Misconceptions About the World to Come. Practical Implications. Rise of Modern Secularism. Dualism in Liturgy. 3. Implications of Biblical Wholism Positive View of Physical and Spiritual. Concern for the Whole Person. Cosmic Redemption. Biblical Realism. Conclusion. NOTES TO CHAPTER 1 Chapter II THE OLD TESTAMENT VIEW OF HUMAN NATURE Objectives of the Chapter. PART I: HUMAN NATURE AT CREATION Creation, Fall, and Redemption. The Creation of Man. A Special Creation of God. In the Image of God. Image as Capacity to Reflect God. Genesis 2:7: “A Living Soul.” The Meaning of “Living Soul.” Animals as “Living Souls.” Soul and Blood. The Breath of Life. PART II: HUMAN NATURE AS SOUL Soul as a Needy Person. Soul as Seat of Emotions. The Soul as the Seat of Personality. The Soul and Death. The Departure of the Soul. The Return of the Soul. Conclusion. PART III: HUMAN NATURE AS BODY AND FLESH Body Created by God. Physical Body Is Not Evil. The Flesh as the Substance of the Body. The Flesh as the Whole Man. The Flesh as Human Nature in his Weakness. Conclusion. PART IV: HUMAN NATURE AS HEART The Heart as the Seat of Emotions. The Inner Parts as the Seat of Emotions. The Heart as the Seat of the Intellect. The Heart Communicates with God. Conclusion. PART V: HUMAN NATURE AS SPIRIT The Meaning of “Spirit–Ruach.” The Spirit as Life Principle. The Spirit as God’s Word. The Spirit as Moral Renewal. The Spirit as God’s Enabling Power. The Spirit as the Disposition of an Individual. The Departure of the Spirit at Death. Conclusion. NOTES TO CHAPTER 2 Chapter III THE NEW TESTAMENT VIEW OF HUMAN NATURE Objectives of the Chapter. PART I: HUMAN NATURE AS SOUL Soul as Person. Soul as Life. Saving the Soul by Losing It. The Soul and the Flesh. God Has Power to Destroy the Soul. The Death of the Soul Is Eternal Death. The Soul of a Dead Body. Paul and the Soul. No Natural Immortality. Soul as the Mortal Aspect of Human Nature. Soul and Spirit. “Spirit, Soul, and Body.” The Soul as the Place of Feeling and Reasoning. Conclusion. PART II: HUMAN NATURE AS SPIRIT Christ, the Man of the Spirit. God’s Spirit and the Human Spirit. Spirit’s Activity in Humanity. Human Spirit Capable of Receiving God’s Spirit. The Spirit as Spiritual Rebirth. The Spirit as New Creation. The Flesh and the Spirit. The Flesh as Sinful Human Nature. Conclusion. PART III: HUMAN NATURE AS BODY Christ and the Human Body. Christian Faith Is “Materialistic.” The Body as the Whole Person. The Body as an Instrument of Sin. Conclusion. PART IV: HUMAN NATURE AS HEART The Heart Is the Seat of Emotions. The Heart Is the Seat of Intellectual Activity. The Heart Is the Seat of Religious Experience. Scholarly Support for Wholistic View. Conclusion. NOTES TO CHAPTER 3 Chapter IV THE BIBLICAL VIEW OF DEATH Objectives of This Chapter. PART 1: A HISTORICAL GLIMPSE OF THE BELIEF IN THE SURVIVAL OF THE SOUL “You Will Not Die.” Reformers’ Rejection of Purgatory. Spiritualism and the Revival of Interest in the Soul. Near-Death Experiences. Studies of Near-Death Experiences. New Age Movement. The Channeling Craze. Death as Transition to Higher Existence. Conclusion. PART II: THE NATURE OF DEATH The Death of Socrates and of Christ. Sin and Death. Death as the Separation of the Soul from the Body. Death as Cessation of Life. Old Testament Descriptions of Death. New Testament References to Death. Death as Sleep in the Old Testament. Death as a Sleep in the New Testament. Lazarus Had No Afterlife Experience. Paul and the Sleeping Saints. The Significance of the “Sleep” Metaphor. The Sleep of Death as Unconsciousness. Conclusion. NOTES TO CHARTER 4 Chapter V THE STATE OF THE DEAD Objectives of This Chapter. PART I: THE STATE OF THE DEAD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT Translations and Interpretations of Sheol. Etymology and Location of Sheol. Characteristics of Sheol. Sheol and the Realm of the Dead. The Condition of the Dead in Sheol. The Taunting Ode on the King of Babylon. Parabolic Dirge over Pharaoh of Egypt. The Inhabitants of Sheol. Rephaim and the Dead. The Medium of Endor. Conclusion. PART II: THE STATE OF THE DEAD IN THE NEW TESTAMENT The Meaning and Nature of Hades. Jesus and Hades. The Rich Man and Lazarus. The Problems of a Literal Interpretation. Conflict With Biblical Truths. Current Jewish Concepts. Jesus’ Use of Current Beliefs. Jesus and the Thief on the Cross. What Is Paradise? When Did Jesus Return to Paradise? “To Depart and Be With Christ.” With Christ at His Coming. “At Home With the Lord.” The Intermediate State. A Resurrection Body After Death. Resurrection Body at the Parousia. Heavenly and Earthly Modes of Existence. The Souls Under the Altar. No Representation of Intermediate State. Conclusion. NOTES TO CHAPTER V Chapter VI HELL: ETERNAL TORMENT OR ANNIHILATION? Objectives of This Chapter. PART I: THE TRADITIONAL VIEW OF HELL Graphic Views of Hell. 1. The Witness of the Old Testament Isaiah 66:24: The Fate of the Wicked. Daniel 12:2: “Everlasting Contempt.” 2. The Witness of Intertestamental Literature Eternal Torment. Total Annihilation. Josephus and the Dead Sea Scrolls. 3. The Witness of Jesus Did Jesus Teach Eternal Torment? What Is Hell–Gehenna? Jesus and Hell’s Fire. “Eternal Fire.” Eternal as Permanent Destruction. “Eternal Punishment.” The Meaning of “Eternal.” The Meaning of “Punishment.” “Weeping and Gnashing of Teeth.” 4. The Witness of Paul The Day of Wrath. 5. The Witness of Revelation The Vision of God’s Wrath. Four Elements of the Judgment. The Lake of Fire. “The Second Death.” References to the “Second Death.” Conclusion. PART II: ALTERNATIVE VIEWS OF HELL 1. The Metaphorical View of Hell Figurative Imagery. Evaluation of the Metaphorical View. 2. The Universalist View of Hell Theological and Philosophical Arguments. Purgatorial Process. An Appealing but Unbiblical View. Conclusion. PART III: THE ANNIHILATION VIEW OF HELL “Sectarian Belief.” Tactics of Harassment. 1. Death as the Punishment of Sin “The Wages of Sin Is Death.” Jesus’ Death and the Punishment of Sinners. 2. The Language of Destruction in the Bible The Language of Destruction in the Old Testament. The Destruction of the Day of the Lord. Jesus and the Language of Destruction. Paul and the Language of Destruction. Other Allusions to the Final Destruction of the Wicked. The Language of Destruction Is Metaphorical. 3. The Moral Implications of Eternal Torment Does God Have Two Faces? Hell and the Inquisition. Attempts to Make Hell More Tolerable. 4. The Judicial Implications of Eternal Torment Contrary to the Biblical Vision of Justice. Contrary to the Human Sense of Justice. Gradation of the Punishment. 5. The Cosmological Implications of Eternal Torment Conclusion. Chapter VII THE CONSUMMATION OF REDEMPTION Objectives of the Chapter. PART I: THE SECOND ADVENT 1. Dualism and the Neglect of the Advent Hope Meeting Christ at Death. Immortality or Resurrection? 2. The Manner of Christ’s Coming Christ’s Coming Will Be Personal. Christ’s Coming Will Be Visible. Christ’s Coming Will Be Unexpected. Christ’s Coming Will Be Glorious and Triumphant. 3. The Purpose of Christ’s Coming Completion of Redemption. Gathering of the Redeemed. PART II: THE RESURRECTION 1. The Resurrection of the Believers One Resurrection of Believers. 2. The Resurrection of Unbelievers Fact More Important Than Phases. Two Distinct Resurrections. 3. The Resurrection of the Body Objections to the Resurrection of the Body. “Scientific” Materialism. 4. Characteristics of the Resurrection Body Four Contrasts. A “Spiritual” Resurrected Body. Spirit Led. Physical Body Is Not Evil. Like Angels. Permanence of Relationships. 5. The Meaning of the Resurrection of the Body Body Means Person. The Identity of the Resurrected Persons. Some Practical Implications. PART III: THE FINAL JUDGMENT 1. The Necessity and Scope of the Final Judgment The Denial of the Final Judgment. The Necessity of the Final Judgment. The Scope of the Final Judgment. Everything Will Be Judged. 2. The Standard of the Final Judgment Revelation Received. Response to Christ. Judgment According to Works? Judgment about Faith. Confusion between Method and Standard. The Final Judgment Is Just and Serious. 3. The Seventh-Day Adventist View of the Final Judgment The Great Controversy Concept. Evaluative and Executive Phases. A Glimpse at the Pre-Advent Phase of the Final Judgment. A Glimpse at the Post-Advent Phase of the Final Judgment. The Scope of the Post-Advent Judgment. Comparison between Pre- and Post-Advent Judgments. Two Outcomes. PART IV: THE WORLD TO COME 1. New Earth Fulfills Old Testament Promises Expanded Fulfillment. 2. Annihilation or Renewal of Present Earth? New in Quality not in Origin. Freedom from Decay. Satan’s Defeat. 3. The Biblical View of the New Earth Ethereal Paradise. Biblical Realism. Urban Life. Active, Exciting Life. Urban Life Sanctioned by God. 4. A Preview of Life in the New Earth The Presence of God. Fellowship with All Believers. Absence of Evil. Absence of Fear. Absence of Pollution. Activity and Creativity. Continuity with Present Culture. Regular Worship. Richer Worship. CONCLUSION Religious Dualism. Moral Dualism. Social Dualism. The Need to Recover Biblical Wholism. NOTES TO CHAPTER 7