In Was Adam created immortal? Jefferson Vann examines the claim that our human ancestor was born with physical immortality. We conditionalists are usually comfortable with the idea that our human ancestor Adam was created mortal, albeit with the possibility of achieving immortality. In other words, he was created mortal but immortable. Arthur C. Custance Canadian scientist … [Read more...]
Immortality
Articles in this subcategory focus on the subject of immortality, and particularly whether human beings or angels possess this attribute. Afterlife contributors hold the view of conditional immortality, which teaches that immortality is not innate or naturally inherent within any beings except God. We also teach that God promises to confer immortality upon the saved after their resurrection by Christ when he returns. This view is also called potential immortality because the good news of the gospel includes the fact that although humans are mortal now, they can become immortal in the future by trusting in Christ now.
presently prohibited
Jefferson Vann invites readers to study the Edenic prohibition to immortality. presently prohibited In the garden of Eden, after Adam and Eve sinned, God said that they “must not reach out and take the fruit from the tree of life and eat. Then (they) would live forever” (Genesis 3:22). While many people think that human beings have immortal souls, the Bible is clear … [Read more...]
Testing Pink’s presupposition
Testing Pink’s presupposition. Jefferson Vann reviews all the occurrences of the Greek phrase εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα in the New Testament. He tests Arthur Pink’s presupposition that the Bible uses that phrase to teach universal innate immortality and a perpetual hell. When traditionalist theologian Arthur W. Pink argued for the perpetual duration of hell, he conceded that the terms … [Read more...]
never see death?
Never see death? Jefferson Vann shares his translation notes on John 8:51. He clarifies what Jesus actually promised as recorded in that verse. He shows that what Jesus actually said made it clear that he was promising rescue from the second death; he was not teaching universal innate immortality. “Truly I tell you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death." … [Read more...]
demon mortality and Revelation 20:10
In demon mortality and Revelation 20:10, Jefferson Vann responds to questions about his interpretation of Revelation 20:10. Pastor Corey McLaughlin recently wrote an article which suggested that angels and demons are exceptions to Paul’s statement in 1 Timothy 6:16 that God alone is immortal. (( Revelation 20:10...a Devil of a Dilemma for Advent Christians )) Much of his … [Read more...]
“only potentially immortal”
In “only potentially immortal” Jefferson Vann discusses the relative merits of the phrase “only potentially immortal” as it applies to biblical anthropology, and the gospel. The other day while listening to the Rethinking Hell Podcast, I was struck by the phrase quoted by a traditionalist in reference to the conditional immortality position. The moment I heard the phrase, … [Read more...]
why conditionalism matters – exposing the lie
We are living in the age of the photo-post and video-byte. Newspapers and books seem to be dying out, because nobody wants to investigate ideas anymore. People are interested in promoting their side of an argument, but not in wrestling over the details of discussion to find the actual truth. The apostle Paul struggled with a similar thing, when the believers in Corinth … [Read more...]
the unsatisfied artist
The very first image we have of God in the Bible is that of an unsatisfied artist. Moses wrote in the first two verses of Genesis, “At first, God created the sky and the land, but the land was unformed and unfilled, and the deep space was dark, and God’s spirit was shaking up the water.” ((Genesis 1-2 {my translation} )) The image these words convey to my mind’s eye is that of … [Read more...]
let my soul live
Let my soul live, and it shall praise You; And let Your judgments help me. (Psalm 119:175 NKJV). In a long acrostic poem which mostly praises the word of God, an unknown psalmist asks the LORD to keep him alive, so that he can continue praising him, and continue learning from him. It seems a simple request, and most commentators ignore it. Yet, it has a surprise for the … [Read more...]
Benjamin Franklin Wrong About Immortality
Benjamin Franklin said, “Fear not Death; for the sooner we die, the longer shall we be immortal.” He couldn't have been further from the truth. The Bible states clearly that human beings are mortal and no one will receive immortality until the the time of the resurrection at the second coming of Christ (John 5:28, 29, 1Cor. 15:51-55). Better that we follow the … [Read more...]