A soul sleep bibliography

Jefferson Vann provides a list of resources for the study of the intermediate state, particularly suited for either the defense or the refutation of the doctrine of an unconscious intermediate state – popularly known as soul sleep.

The following resources should prove helpful for the study of the intermediate state, for either the defense or the refutation of the doctrine of an unconscious intermediate state – popularly known as soul sleep. Most conditionalist believe that all human beings are unconscious during the period between death and the resurrection. These resources show that this view has been held by many and debated throughout the centuries.

Abrams, M. H. The Norton Anthology of English Literature. New York: Norton, 1974.

Ackrill, J. L. A New Aristotle Reader. Princeton University Press, 2010.

Augustine, and George Gaines Leckie. Concerning the Teacher (De Magistro) and On the Immortality of the Soul (De Immortalitate Animae). New York: D. Appleton-Century Company, Incorporated, 1938.

Amyraut, Moïse, and G. J. The Evidence of Things Not Seen, or, Diverse Scriptural, and Philosophical Discourses; Concerning the State of Good and Holy Men After Death: In Answer to These Following Questions, 1. Whether the Soul After Death, Be Endued with Perception, or Sleeps, Without Exercising Any of Its Faculties, Until the Day of Judgment? … 4. What Will Be the Nature of a Good Mans Happiness in Eternal Glory, After the Resurrection? By That Eminently Learned Divine Moses Amyraldus. Translated Out of the French Tongue, by a Minister of the Church of England. London: printed for Tho. Cockerill at the sign of the Three Legs, in the Poultry, 1700.

Aristotle, et al. The Works of Aristotle: Translated from the Greek with Copious Elucidations from the Rest of His Greek Commentators, Viz. Alexander Aphrodisiensis, Syrianus, Ammonius Hermaeas, Priscianus, Olympiodorus, Simplicius, &C. London: Printed for the translator …, by Robert Wilks, 1812.

Aristotle, and Jonathan Barnes. The Complete Works of Aristotle. Charlottesville, VA: InteLex Corp, 1992

Aristotle, Simplicius, and Thomas Taylor. The Treatises of Aristotle. London: Printed for the translator by Robert Wilks, 1808.

Arnold, David L. A Study of Final Events. Moore, Okla: Ed Smithson Publications, 1968.

Bailey, Robert E. “Life After Death: A New Testament Study in the Relation of Body and Soul.” Thesis (Ph. D.)–University of Edinburgh, 1962.

Balke, Willem. Calvin and the Anabaptist Radicals. Grand Rapids, Mich: Eerdmans, 1981.

Ball, B. W. The Soul Sleepers: Christian Mortalism from Wycliffe to Priestley. Cambridge: James Clarke & Co, 2008.

Barnes, Michael W. “The Intermediate State According to Representative Lutheran Theologicans.” M. Div. Thesis, Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne 1984.

Baxter, Richard. Twenty Arguments against the Mortality and Sleeping of the Soul. New-field [Conn.]: Printed and sold by Beach and Jones, 1795.

Bobo, Truett Etzel. “An Evangelical Theology of the Intermediate State.” Thesis, Fuller Theological Seminary, 1978.

Browne, Thomas. Religio Medici: Or the Religion of a Physician. London: Printed for J. Torbuck, in Clare-Court, near Drury-Lane, 1738.

Brownson, I. K. An Essay on the Post-Mortem Existence of Man: Or, The Intermediate State. Boston: Advent Christian Publication Society, 1892.

Bullinger, E. W. The Rich Man and Lazarus: The Intermediate State. New Berlin, WI, USA: Grace Publications, 1992.

Burton, Neel. Aristotle’s Universe: A Primer on Aristotle. 2011.

Burtt, Milton C., and J. J. Schaumburg. The Rich Man and Lazarus. Burr Oak, Ia: Safeguard and Armory, 1919.

Cairns, Alan. Dictionary of Theological Terms. Greenville, SC: Ambassador Emerald International, 2002.

Calvin, Jean, Théodore de Bèze, and Henry Beveridge. Tracts Relating to the Reformation. Eugene OR: Wipf and Stock, 2002.

Carter, Linden J. The Sleep of Death. Boston: Advent Christian Publication Society, 1930.

Constas, Nicholas. 2002. “”To Sleep, Perchance to Dream”: The Middle State of Souls in Patristic and Byzantine Literature”. Dumbarton Oaks Papers / Dumbarton Oaks Center for Byzantine Studies. 91-124.

Cousineau, Phil. Soul: An Archaeology: Readings from Socrates to Ray Charles. [San Francisco, Calif.]: HarperSanFrancisco, 1994.

Covington, Gary. One Heartbeat Away. [Bloomington, Ind.]: Xlibris Corp, 2010.

Cullmann, Oscar. Immortality of the Soul; or, Resurrection of the Dead?: The Witness of the New Testament. London: Epworth, 1958.

DeHaan, Richard W. The Other Side of Death: [Soul Sleep/Judgment Seat of Christ/Hell/Heaven]. Grand Rapids, Mich: Radio Bible Class, 1978.

Doermann, Ralph W. “Sheol in the Old Testament.” Diss., Duke University 1980.

Dunlap, R. M. The Place of the Dead, Who? Where? What? Linn, Kans: [R.M. Dunlap], 1911.

Eggleston, Burr. Concerning Them Which Are Asleep. Charlotte, N.C.: Advent Christian General Conference, 2004.

Ellingsen, Mark. Martin Luther’s Legacy: Reforming Reformation Theology for the 21st Century. New York: Palgrave Macmillan US, 2017.

Enos, Ralph Gregory. “To Die Is Gain: The Christian’s Intermediate State in Pauline Theology.” Th. D. Thesis, Dallas Theological Seminary 1989.

Fett, Larry C. “A Critique of Those Who Believe in a Second Chance for the Lost Sinner During the Intermediate State.” M. Div. Thesis, Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne 1983.

Fleming, Caleb. A Survey of the Search After Souls, by Dr. Coward, Dr. S. Clarke, Mr. Baxter, Dr. Sykes, Dr. Law, Mr. Peckard, and Others. Wherein The Principal Arguments for and against the Materiality Are Collected: And the Distinction between the Mechanical and Moral System Stated. With An Essay to Ascertain the Condition of the Christian, During the Mediatorial Kingdom of Jesus: Which Neither Admits of a Sleeping, nor Supposes a Separate State of the Soul After Death. London: Printed for C. Henderson, under the Royal-Exchange, 1758.

Fyfe, James. The Hereafter: Sheol, Hades and Hell, the World to Come, and the Scripture Doctrine of Retribution According to Law. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1890.

George, Joykutty Maniattu. “An Exposition of the New Testament Teaching Concerning Life After Death.” Th. D. Diss., Dallas Theological Seminary 1985.

Grant, J. Gordon. “Postmortem Spiritual Development in the Intermediate State and the Final Destiny of the Unevangelised in the Context of Opentheism.” Thesis (Ph.D.)–University of Edinburgh, 2006.

Grant, Miles. The Rich Man and Lazarus: With an Exposition of The Thief on the Cross: Souls Under the Altar : Death of the Soul … : “In the Day …” : and Absurdities of Modern Theology. Boston: Advent Christian Publication Society, 1900.

Gray, James M. The History of the Holy Dead. New York: Fleming H. Revell, 1896.

Green, Joel B. Eschatology and the Nature of Humans: A Reconsideration of Pertinent Biblical Evidence. n.d.

Greene, Oliver B. Where Are the Dead? [Place of publication not identified]: [publisher not identified], 1950.

Grew, Henry, and William Glen Moncrieff. The Intermediate State. London : Edinburgh : Glasgow: Ward & Co., 27, Paternoster Row ; James Kerr, 32, Nicolson Street ; James Smith, 32, Nelson Street, 1851.

Gross, Estelle E. “Soul Sleep Refuted.” Th.M Thesis, Capital Bible Seminary, 1985.

Hall, S. The Bible Theory of the “Good Time Coming”. Hartford [Conn.]: Press of Case, Lockwood & Brainard, 1872.

Hallywell, Henry. A Private Letter of Satisfaction to a Friend: Concerning 1. The Sleep of the Soul, 2. The State of the Soul After Death, Till the Resurrection, 3. The Reason of the Seldom Appearing of Separate Spirits, 4. Prayer for Departed Souls Whether Lawful or No. S.l: [s.n.], 1667.

Hanhart, Karel. “The Intermediate State in the New Testament: Academisch Proefschrift.” Ph.D. Thesis, Franeker [Netherlands]: T. Wever, 1966.

Harbaugh, Henry. Heaven; Or, an Earnest and Scriptural Inquiry into the Abode of the Sainted Dead. Philadelphia: Lindsay and Blakiston, 1849.

Hardison, Edwin C. The Sleep of Death. [United States]: Advent Christian Affiliation, 1900.

Harp, Barbara Tychsen. “The Intermediate State in Pauline Eschatology: An Exegesis of 2 Corinthians 5, 1-10.” M.A. Thesis, McGill University, 1995.

Hass, Robert C. “The State of Death in Modern Theology.” M. Div. Thesis, Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne 1980.

Hastings, H. L. The State of the Dead. 1870.

Havner, Vance, and Dennis J. Hester. The Vance Havner Quotebook: Sparkling Gems from the Most Quoted Preacher in America. Grand Rapids, Mich: Baker Book House, 1986.

Hill, Charles E. “Regnum Caelorum: Patterns of Future Hope in Early Christianity.” Diss., Oxford: Clarendon, 1992.

Hook, Paul G. “An Examination of the Two Compartment Theory Concerning Sheol.” Th. M. Thesis, Dallas Theological Seminary 1981.

Hoste, W. The Intermediate State: A Reply to Dr. Bullinger. Glasgow: Pickering & Inglis, 1910.

Houdmann, S. Michael. Got Questions?: Bible Questions Answered : Answers to the Questions People Are Really Asking. Enumclaw, WA: Pleasant Word, 2009.

Ironside, H. A. After Death, What?: Fifty Pointed Questions for the Consideration of Those Who Deny the Everlasting and Conscious Punishment of the Finally Lost, and the Consciousness of All While in the Disembodied State. New York: Loizeaux, Bible Truth Depot, 1930.

Irvine, Wm. C., and Louis T. Talbot. Heresies Exposed: A Brief Critical Examination in the Light of the Holy Scriptures of Some of the Prevailing Heresies and False Teachings of Today. Neptune, N.J.: Loizeaux Brothers, 1970.

Johnson, Thomas M., and Thomas Taylor. Our Birth Is but a Sleep and a Forgetting. Three Treatises of Plotinus (Two on the Essence of the Soul [the Second Translated by T. Taylor] and One on the Descent of [the] Soul). Translated from the Original Greek … by T. M. Johnson. Osceola, Missouri: The Sun Printing Office, 1880.

Juhász, Gergely. Translating Resurrection: The Debate between William Tyndale and George Joye in Its Historical and Theological Context. 2014.

Keach, C. M. Do the Saints Go to Heaven When They Die?: The Question Scripturally Considered. Charlotte, NC: Advent Christian General Conference of America, 2004.

Kelly, William. The Soul; Neither Mortal, nor to Sleep. London: T. Weston, 1905.

Kendall, R. T. Understanding Theology. Fearn: Christian Focus, 2000.

Kettner, Edward G. “An Analysis of Twentieth Century Lutheran Criticisms of the Immortality of the Soul.” Th. D. Diss., Concordia Seminary, St. Louis 1984.

Kloppman, Earl L. “A Biblical Theology of the Intermediate State for New Testament Believers with an Emphasis Upon 2 Corinthians 5:1-10.” Th. M Thesis, Grace Theological Seminary, 1985.

König, Karl. The Human Soul. Edinburgh: Floris Books, 2006.

Larkin, Clarence. The Spirit World. Philadelphia, Pa: Rev. Clarence Larkin Est, 1921.

Lewis, Eric. Is There Not a Cause?: Or, Revival, Why Does It Tarry? : Also, What and Where Are the Dead? : How I Reached Rock-Bottom Truth on This Question. Glasgow: James Erskine & Sons, Printers, 1928.

Lipe, David. The Patience of Hope: First and Last Things in Thessalonians. Henderson, Tennessee: Freed-Hardeman University, 2013.

Lough, Thomas, and Robert Blakely. The Substance of Two Letters Bearing on the Subject of the Nature of Man, and His Eternal Destiny Under Grace or Under Sin. Belfast: John Reid & Co., printers, 1886.

Love, William De Loss. Future Probation Examined. New York: Funk & Wagnalls, 1888.

Luckock, Herbert Mortimer. The Intermediate State between Death and Judgment: Being a Sequel to After Death. London: Longmans, Green, 1894.

Mackson, Charles. The Blessed Dead with Christ in Heaven, and Not in an Intermediate State: Their Resurrection and Re-Union. Manchester: Brook and Chrystal, 1886.

Montana, Troy. Sinners in the Hands of Just and Merciful God: About Heaven, Hell, and the Soul ; About Death, Resurrection, and Reunion with Loved Ones at Christ’s Second Coming. Minneapolis: Hillcrest Media Group, 2011.

More, Henry. Psychōdia Platonica: or A Platonicall Song of the Soul,: Consisting of Foure Severall Poems; Viz. Psychozōia. Psychathanasia. Antipsychopannychia. Antimonopsychia. Hereto Is Added a Paraphrasticall Interpretation of the Answer of Apollo Consulted by Amelius, About Plotinus Soul Departed This Life. Cambridge: Printed by Roger Daniel, printer to the Universitie, 1642.

More, Henry, Roger Daniel, and Isabelle Brown. A Platonick Song of the Soul;: Treating of the Life of the Soul, Her Immortalitie, the Sleep of the Soul, the Unitie of Souls, and Memoire After Death. Cambridge: Printed by Roger Daniel printer to the Universitie, 1647.

Nelson, James A. “The Eternal State in the Old Testament.” Th. M. Thesis, Dallas Theological Seminary 1947.

Nichol, C. R., A. S. Bradley, and W. W. Golden. The Nichol-Bradley Debate: Held at Rule, Texas, April 20-22, 1906. Abilene, Tex: Abilene Christian University Bookstore, ACU station, Box 8060, 1950.

Norris, La Fayette. What Is Death? Springfield, Mass: Herald of Life Office, 1899.

Onians, Richard Broxton. The Origins of European Thought: About the Body, the Mind, the Soul, the World, Time, and Fate : New Interpretations of Greek, Roman and Kindred Evidence Also of Some Basic Jewish and Christian Beliefs. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000.

Owen, O. M. Are the Dead Asleep? Boston: Advent Christian Publication Society, 1902.

Palmer, A. C. Are the Dead in a State of Conscious Existence? Yarmouth, Me: Scriptural Publication Society, 1889.

Paton, John I. Bible Questions Answered. Lincoln, Neb: Back to the Bible Broadcast, 1969.

Patrick, James A., and William H. Knotts. Synopsis of a Debate Held in Eden Valley, Minnesota, March 12-13, 1902, between James A. Patrick and William H. Knotts. St. Cloud, Minn: Day Dawn Pub. Co, 1902.

Platts, John. Reflections on Materialism, Immaterialism, the Sleep of the Soul, an Intermediate State, and the Resurrection of the Body: Being an Attempt to Prove That the Resurrection Commences at Death. London: Sold by Sherwood, Neely, and Jones, 1813.

Pritchard, Daniel W. “Afterlife Expectations in the New Testament: An Examination of Early Christian Beliefs About the Nature of Life After Death As Reflected in the New Testament Scriptures: a Thesis Submitted for the Degree of Master of Arts (Religious Studies).” M.A. Thesis, University of Otago 1989.

Polwhele, Richard. An Essay, on the Evidence from Scripture, That the Soul, Immediately After the Death of the Body, Is Not in a State of Sleep or Insensibility, but of Happiness or Misery: And on the Moral Uses of That Doctrine. London: Printed by and for J. Nichols and Son, 1819.

Pinter, Joseph K. “Soul Sleep and the Intermediate State.” Th. M. Thesis, Dallas Theological Seminary 1955.

Reeve, John, and Lodowick Muggleton. Joyful News from Heaven, or, The Last Intelligence from Our Glorified Jesus Above the Stars: Wherein Is Infallibly Recorded How the Soul Dieth in the Body : Also Is Discovered I. What Is That Which Sleeps in the Dust, II. The Nature of Its Rest, III. The Manner of Its Waking, IV. The Mystery of the Dispute between Christ and the Woman of Samaria, As Touching the True Point of Worship, Clearly Opened : Wherein You Have Drawn Up a Divine Charge against the Teachers of the Baptists, with All Other Teachers Publick and Private, for Counterfeiting the Commission of the Man Jesus, Being Therein Convicted of Spiritual High Treason against Christ the Great Commissioner of Heaven and Earth : with a True Relation of the Kingdom of Darkness, Prepared for the Cursed Seed of Cain, World Without End. 1984.

Reyes, Benito F. Scientific Evidence of the Existence of the Soul. Wheaton, Ill: Theosophical Pub. House, 1970.

Rhodes, Helen. Psychcoma: Soul-Sleep (Classic Reprint). [S.l.]: Forgotten Books, 2015.

Rhodes, Ron. Reasoning from the Scriptures with the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Eugene, Or: Harvest House, 1993.

Riddall, Walter, and Robert Blakely. The State of the Dead: A Sermon. Belfast: J. Adams, printer, 1892.

Rockwell, L. B. Are the Dead Unconscious? [United States]: [publisher not identified], 1900.

Roe, William M. Bible Vs. Materialism: In Which the Errors and Sophisms of Modern Materialists Are Detected and Fully Exposed and the True Teaching of the Bible Exhibited. Beaumont, TX: Preceptor, 1981.

Roller, John H. Comments on Philippians 1:20-25. [Charlotte, N.C.]: [Advent Christian General Conference], 2004.

Sabiers, Karl George. Where Are the Dead?: The Bible Answer, Fundamental–Orthodox! Los Angeles: Christian Pocket Books, 1900.

Sattler, John. “The immortality of the soul versus the resurrection of the dead.” M. Div. Thesis, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis 2008.

Sceats, F. W. Concerning Them Which Are Asleep. London, Eng: Conditional Immortality Mission, 1940.

Schaumburg, J. J., and H. A. Ironside. After Death, What? Oakland, Calif: Messiah’s Advocate, 1912.

Schaumburg, J. J. Sheol. Oakland, Calif: Messiah’s Advocate, 1922.

Sellers, Otis Q. Sheol, Hades and Destruction. Los Angeles: Word of Truth, 1940.

Sheldon, William. Brief Review of “Bible Vs. Materialism”. Rochester, N.Y.: publisher not identified, 1860.

Sheldon, William. The Disembodied State Examined: With an Exposition of “Our Earthly House” : and the Rich Man’s Hell. Chicago: Western Advent Christian Pub. Society, 1874.

Sheldon, William. The Life Beyond Death in the Home of the Holy: When and Where to Be Enjoyed. Boston: American Advent Mission Society, 1881.

Sheldon, William. The Key of Truth. Live Oak, Fla: American Advent Christian Press, 1920.

Sherrill, George D. Concurrence of Doctrine. Lenoir, N.C.: News Press, 1900.

Smith, Ian Keith. “Between Death and Resurrection: Paul’s Hope in the Event of Death Before the Parousia As Outlined in 2 Corinthians 5:1-10.” Thesis (M.A.)–Australian College of Theology, 1993.

Symington, William. The Souls Under the Altar: Or, The Opening of the Fifth Seal ; a Discourse. Glasgow: Printed for the Committee, 1848.

Tatum, Timothy Clyde. “Soul Sleep and the Intermediate State.” B.D. Thesis, Talbot 1967.

Tavard, George H. The Starting Point of Calvin’s Theology. Grand Rapids, Mich: W.B. Eerdmans, 2000.

Taylor, Richard P. Death and the Afterlife: A Cultural Encyclopedia. Santa Barbara, Calif: ABC-CLIO, 2000.

Thomas, William I. Death and the Hereafter. Grand Saline, Tex: Bibletime Evangelism Assoc, 1971.

Vanzandt, J. C. Prominent Objections to the Sleep of the Dead and the Destruction of the Wicked Carefully Considered and Refuted. Howard Lake, Minn: Day Dawn Pub. Co, 1905.

Varley, Henry. The Rich Man and Lazarus: A Thoughtful Exposition of Christ’s Teaching. London: Alfred Holness, 1895.

Vipperman, Judson L. State and Condition of the Dead, or, A Question of Eschatology. Union, S.C.: Economy Print. Co, 1926.

Wakelin, J. A Serious Inquiry into the Nature, State, and Subsistence of the Human Soul: Immediately After the Death of the Body ; Namely, Whether the Soul Be Immaterial, Subsisting, and Intelligent in a Separate State, After Death ; or Whether It Remains with the Body in a State of Sleep Till the Resurrection ; Which Some Have Believed. Abstracted from the Works of Several Learned Divines, Who Have Ably Treated Upon This Sublime Subject from Various Texts of Scripture, with Other Useful Remarks, &C. To Which Is Added, In Order to Confirm the Opinion of the Soul’s Active State Immediately After Dissolution, a Remarkable Narrative of the Apparition of a Young Lady, to Her Sweetheart. By the Author of the Evening Conference between Christ and Nicodemus. London: Printed by H. Trapp, No. 1, Paternoster-Row, 1783.

Waller, G. A Biblical Concordance on the Soul, The Intermediate State, and the Resurrection. London: Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent, 1906.

Wheeler, Gerald. Beyond Death’s Door: The Hope of Reunion. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Pub. Association, 2009.

Whiston, William. Sermons and Essays Upon Several Subjects. London: Tooke, 1709.

Whiteley, D. E. H. The Theology of St. Paul. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1964.

Willoughby, Stephen P. “2 Cor 5:1-5: Intermediate State or Resurrection Body?” Th.M. Thesis, Capital Bible Seminary, 1989.

Winckler, George W. “The Free Christian” and the Intermediate State. Yarmouth, Me: Scriptural Publication Society, 1891.

Wood, R. Important Truths That Everybody Should Know Concerning the Nature of the Soul, State of the Departed Souls, Doctrine of Resurrection: Comments on Evolution. [British Columbia]: [R. Wood], 1920.

Woodward, John, and William Howley. A Short Exposition of the Creed: The Question Considered, Is Death a Temporary Sleep, or a Passage to a State in Which the Soul Retains the Power of Perception? ; with an Introductory Letter to His Grace the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, on the Established Church, and on the Utility of Creeds. London: J. Hatchard and Son, 1834.

Yates, Stephen. Between Death and Resurrection: A Critical Response to Recent Catholic Debate Concerning the Intermediate State. 2017.

About Jefferson Vann

Jefferson Vann is a teacher, Bible translator, and avid blogger. "My hope is that everyone who reads my writings will have an opportunity to understand the gospel, and will know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior." He has written books on theology and Bible commentary. You can read more of Jeff's writing at Devotions | Jefferson Vann | Commands of Christ | Learning Koine Greek Together

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