Propagated from Earliest Times—It Is Not Taught in the Bible—God Is the Only Source of Immortality—Then Can Man Possess an Immortal Soul?
By W. A. GOSMER
This is the first of five articles by Professor Gosmer on the relation of man to the question of immortality. His article next week will consider the terms “soul” and “spirit” as used in the Bible; the creation of man, and his relation to immortality at that time; will touch upon a vision of the resurrection given to one of the ancient prophets; and present an important testimony of Luther on the subject of the immortality of the soul. EDITOR.
THE doctrine of an immortal soul, of a separate, conscious, immaterial existence apart from the body, is almost coeval with the world itself. Even before the fall of man, it was enunciated in Eden by that one who reassuringly said to the woman, “Ye shall not surely die.” Those words, spoken with a sinister motive, had effect. They were destined to exert an influence upon humanity to the end of time.
History had scarcely shed its first faint ray of light upon the world, when the doctrine of the immortal soul as a separate, immaterial entity was already found filling a large place in the rites and practices of the ancients. Says one well-known historian: “The first need of the soul was the possession of the old body, upon the preservation of which the existence or at least the welfare of the soul was thought to depend. Hence the anxious care with which the Egyptians sought to preserve the body against decay.” It was thought that at some future time, the soul would return to the body. This idea explains the great pains taken by the Egyptians to embalm the dead.
It is a true saying, that error is a hardy plant, and flourishes in every soil; and there is not to-day upon the face of the globe a nation where this theory regarding the soul, in some phase, has not been received either in whole or in part. And, strange as it may seem, this ancient superstition has found credence among the most enlightened nations of earth. Scholars, statesmen, philosophers, and even multitudes of Bible students in Christian lands, have embraced this belief.
CHRISTIANS HOLDING PAGAN DOCTRINE
How passing strange that the vast majority of the Christian world, even in this enlightened day, should so ardently cleave to a theory which is held in common by the hordes of pagan fetish worshipers of the Dark Continent, and by the millions of devotees of heathenism in its subtler forms in India and China!
We may therefore pertinently inquire: Is the doctrine Christian? If so, how came the ancient Chinese empire in possession of it ages before a herald of Christianity had set foot upon those benighted shores?
A PAGAN SUPERSTITION INGRAFTED
As soon as we investigate, we find that in the early centuries of our era, the teaching was foisted upon Christendom by men who were themselves only half converted from paganism, but who posed as teachers in the church. And as the Bible does not set forth any such theory, nor in any way sanction it, we are forced to the conclusion that it is a pagan superstition, ingrafted upon the theology of the Christian world. Such it can be shown to be.
The light shining from God’s word dispels the darkness and the mist of ages. This Word is the detector of error, and the vindicator of truth. We therefore take for granted that God’s revelation is the supreme test, and that all true doctrine finds its origin and counterpart in the Scriptures.
IMMORTALITY NOT INHERENT
Armed with this thought, we take the unequivocal position, that nowhere in all revelation is inherent immortality, or deathlessness, attributed to man; that there is not so much as one text to prove it, either in the original, or in any accepted translation. But, contrariwise, the whole tenor of Scripture shows conclusively that man is altogether mortal, and that the divine edict, “Thou shalt surely die,” has never been revoked.
Surely, that dread sentence was not a call to immortality. It was a forecast of oblivion; for “dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” “By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.”712Rom. 5:12. The vision of Paradise had faded, and man was lost. In place of the glad immortality with which Jehovah would have crowned the Eden pair had they stood the test, a life of sorrow confronted them, and death at last.
THE SOURCE OF IMMORTALITY
But man was not to be abandoned to his fate. The mighty Redeemer Himself had covenanted to undertake his cause; and “In Him was life.” John 1:4. Thus was fulfilled the grace and the purpose of God, “which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began”; for He “brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” 2 Tim. 1:9, 10. Hence it is true, glorious and triumphant, that “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. 6:23. And “he that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” 1 John 5:12.
The foregoing texts show, (1) that Christ, through the gospel, puts immortality within the reach of man; and (2) that eternal life is the gift of God through Christ; and (3) that apart from the Son of God, there is no enduring life, no everlasting existence. From these considerations, it is clear that immortality is conditional, and that it is not inherent in man.
WHY SEEK IT IF WE HAVE IT?
Furthermore, the Scripture is consistent with itself, for it speaks specifically of “mortal man.” Job 4:17. It states clearly that “this mortal must put on immortality.” 1 Cor. 15:53. Only a mortal being can put on immortality, or have any need of doing so.
Writing to the Romans, Paul speaks of those “who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality.” Rom. 2:7. Why should we seek for that which we already possess, if so be that we have immortality? It is unmistakably evident that those who are obedient to God, will at last receive the heavenly gift.
GOD “ONLY HATH IMMORTALITY”
Searching farther, we find that immortality is an attribute of God Himself. Says the inspired apostle, “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever.” 1 Tim. 1:17.
Moreover, it is an attribute of God alone; for the eternal Word declares that God “only hath immortality.” 1 Tim. 6:16.
Thus it is seen that God is the one immortal being; and poor mortal man should ponder long before claiming for himself that which is an attribute belonging to God.
IF IMMORTAL, THEN CONSCIOUS IN DEATH
If man be immortal, he must then be conscious in death. And if conscious, he must know, and feel, and think, and love, and praise, as he does in life, else there is no force whatever in the theory of life separate from the body. But opposed to this view are the words of inspiration: “The dead know not anything. . . . Their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished.” Eccl. 9:5, 6.
Were the soul in heaven, could it possibly refrain from praise in an atmosphere surcharged with glory and adoration? In the presence of Him who gave His life for man, and in whose sight the angels rest not day nor night, but ever cry, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts,” would not the soul be lost in adoration, love, and praise? Surely, so it must seem. Yet the Scriptures plainly state that “the dead praise not the Lord.” Ps. 115:17. And, indeed, so far from praising Him, the dead have even forgotten that God exists; for “in death there is no remembrance of Thee.” Ps. 6:5.
Neither do the dead know the passing of time and events, or the estate of those who on earth are left behind; for “Thou destroyest the hope of man. Thou prevaileth forever against him, and he passeth: Thou changest his countenance, and sendest him away. His sons come to honor, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them.” Job 14:19-21.
DEAD ARE ASLEEP
The dead are said to be asleep, for “David slept with his fathers.” 1 Kings 2:10. There is no consciousness in sleep; consequently the dead are not harassed by the ill fortune, poverty, or crimes, of their living relatives. What a wise and merciful provision is this! It needs no comment.
Now, the theory of conscious existence apart from the body teaches that the soul cannot die; that after death, it lives on and on, either in the abodes of everlasting bliss, or in the shadows of eternal condemnation, torment, and despair. But divine revelation overthrows this doctrine, for it plainly tells us that “the soul that sinneth, it shall die.” Ezek. 18:20. Could an immortal soul die?
