In “ACTION seminar 3 notes” Jefferson Vann shares the notes on a seminar he taught on the Unconscious State of the Dead. Other Names for this Advent Christian distinctive doctrine: 1. Soul Sleep: Emphasizing Cessation of Immaterial Function. 2. Sleep of the Dead: Emphasizing Universal Nature of the State. 3. Psychopannychism: Term used by the Reformers. 4. Unconscious … [Read more...]
ACTION seminar 2 notes
In “ACTION seminar 2 notes” Jefferson Vann shares the notes on a seminar he taught on the Potential Immortality of Man. This Advent Christian distinctive doctrine is often referred to by four other names. 1. Conditional Immortality (or conditionalism) 2. Conferred Immortality 3. Future Immortality 4. Life Only in Christ Each of these names accentuate a particular … [Read more...]
ACTION seminar 1 notes
In “ACTION seminar 1 notes” Jefferson Vann shares the notes on a seminar he taught on the exclusive immortality of God. After several years of ministry as a missionary in the Philippines, I became convinced that many members of our Advent Christian Churches needed help communicating the distinctive conditionalist doctrines of our denomination. The result was a five session … [Read more...]
Hebrews 2·14 and conditionalism
In "Hebrews 2·14 and conditionalism" Jefferson Vann explains why Hebrews 2:14 is better suited as a defense of conditional immortality than inherent immortality. I recently encountered a question about this verse. It appears that traditionalists appeal to this verse as proof that only flesh and blood can die, thus the spirit lives on after the body dies. “Since therefore … [Read more...]
Yes, people are unconscious at death (part 3)
In “Yes, people are unconscious at death (part 3)” Jefferson Vann reacts to an article by Don Stewart which affirms that the dead are conscious during the intermediate state. This is the third part of my reaction to Don Stewart’s “Are People Unconscious at Death? (Soul Sleep).” Here is a link to the article in … [Read more...]
Yes, people are unconscious at death (part 2)
In “Yes, people are unconscious at death (part 2)” Jefferson Vann reacts to an article by Don Stewart which affirms that the dead are conscious during the intermediate state. This is the second part of my reaction to Don Stewart’s “Are People Unconscious at Death? (Soul Sleep).” The article is part of a resource that is tied to the Blue Letter Bible, an online Bible Study … [Read more...]
Yes, people are unconscious at death (part 1)
In “Yes, people are unconscious at death (part 1)” Jefferson Vann reacts to an article by Don Stewart which affirms that the dead are conscious during the intermediate state. The Blue Letter Bible is one of a number of good, practical, free online resources for Bible study. A friend introduced me to that resource a few years ago, and I use it occasionally. I particularly … [Read more...]
Basar in Genesis (a study of meaning in context)
In “Basar in Genesis (a study of meaning in context)” Jefferson Vann traces instances of the Hebrew word usually translated “flesh” and shows how they attest to the natural mortality of human beings. Many English biblical terms are so common that we rarely stop to examine their meaning. In such cases, significant meaning behind the words can be lost – hidden in plain sight. … [Read more...]
Psalm 82 (a verse-by-verse commentary)
In "Psalm 82 (a verse-by-verse commentary)" Jefferson Vann shows that the gods condemned in this psalm are demonic beings. Most commentators are quick to put quotation marks around the word gods in this psalm. Some don’t ever translate the word. They take this as a prophecy against unjust human rulers. They claim that Jesus implied this in John 10:34-35. But Jesus only … [Read more...]
instances of ἐγείρω in Romans
In “instances of ἐγείρω in Romans” Jefferson Vann examines the concept of resurrection as a waking from the sleep of death throughout the book of Romans. In a recent article, I showed that Paul used the Greek verb egeirō (ἐγείρω) which means to “wake up” when he referred to the resurrection in 1 Corinthians. In today’s study, I will look at the uses of ἐγείρω in Romans. … [Read more...]