p. 485 | Immortality a Gift by S. P. Bollman

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 12, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 31.

Immortality a Gift.

By S. P. Bollman

WITHOUT entering into a discussion as to what that principle or element denominated the soul of man is, or attempting an analysis of a body so "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Ps. 139:14), I propose to inquire briefly into a few particulars whether the Bible warrants the belief that there is in man a conscious principle or entity, which leaves the body at death, for an eternal existence, either in happiness or misery. This question correctly decided, and that decision cordially received and incorporated into the creeds of the popular Christian denominations, would eliminate from their articles of faith one of the most prolific sources of evil extant within the pale of professedly Christian organizations.

If the Bible be taken as the standard of judgment on this question, we must conclude that there is no such entity as an immortal soul pertaining to any mere man. For in 1 Tim. 6:15, 16, we have this declaration, "The King of kings, and Lord of lords, who only hath immortality." This Bible statement alone ought to be sufficient to forever settle the question in the negative; but when we find this cardinal negation of the soul's immortality corroborated by all other scriptures bearing on this point, and that such a view only harmonizes all parts of Scripture, and makes more clear the wonders of redemption, and the inexhaustible fullness there is in Christ Jesus, who is the Christian's life, we wonder that a fallacy so obvious should ever have gained so wide a currency among denominations of professedly Christian people, whose professed rule of faith and life is divine revelation.

It is somewhat significant that while the word soul is found eight hundred and seventy-three times in the original Scriptures, it is never once called immortal! And yet in sermons, prayers, exhortations, and so-called Christian instruction, "immortal soul," "never-dying soul," and equivalent expressions abound. The word immortality is found in 1 Tim. 1:17, but is applied to God, and not to man. The celebrated Olshausen says: "The doctrine of the immortality of the soul, and the name, are alike unknown to the entire Bible."—Com. on 1 Cor. 15:13.

Seventh-day Adventists teach, that immortality is a gift bestowed upon the righteous at the resurrection; and this view is in perfect accord with the Scriptures. In Romans 2:7 there is a class of persons spoken of, "who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for immortality." This passage is comprehensive, and doubtless includes all true Christians, and conveys the idea of an utter destitution of the thing sought for, as well as an exhortation to earnestly strive for it. How those who believe that man is naturally immortal, can reconcile that idea with an exhortation to seek for immortality, we cannot understand.

In all God's requirements of man, in relation to securing his salvation, there is a beautiful propriety, nothing unnecessary, nothing superfluous. But if man has immortality already, or inherently, why seek for it? The idea is absurd, from a logical point of view, and ought to be rejected because of its antagonism with a line of scriptures which are totally, irreconcilable with man's inherent immortality, but which teach the sad truth that man is mortal, and that even if he is a subject of "the redemption which is in Christ Jesus," he will not receive the boon of immortality until Jesus comes "the second time without sin unto salvation." Heb. 9:28. Compare also Rev. 22:12.

In Job 4:17 we have this expression, "Shall mortal man be more just than God?" If the theory that man is inherently immortal were true, Eliphaz (the speaker in the above quotation) certainly would not have made use of the expression mortal man. Eliphaz evidently intended to draw a sharp contrast between God, who only hath immortality, and man, who hath it not, who is perishable and destined to pass into that state of unconsciousness referred to in Job 14:10, 21; also Eccl. 9:5, 6, and Ps. 6:5; 146:4.

These passages, with many others of like import, are so strong and emphatic in relation to the mortal and perishable nature of man, that we cannot wonder at Paul's inference, if there be no resurrection "then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished." 1 Cor. 15:18. This declaration would be strange and unwarranted if the "souls of believers pass immediately into glory" at death (as popular theology teaches). If the body is only a clog of clay, as Spiritualists and immaterialists would have us believe, why should Paul make such an ado about the body, when the jewel, the immortal (?) soul, escaped from its worthless prison (the body), is safe in Heaven? It may afford a fine foundation for such so-called sacred poetry as, "I want to be an angel;" or, "A never-dying soul to save," but such a theory has no support from the Bible, and seems to have been unknown to those who "spake [and wrote] as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Peter 1:21.

In contradiction of such fine-spun sentimentalism, the solemn truth which the Bible clearly and in various phraseology makes known, remains, "The dead know not anything; . . . neither have they any more a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun." Eccl. 9:5, 6. The Bible assumes that man is only a probationer for immortality; and if it becomes his in actual possession, it will be because of a certain perfection of character, and will be given as a gift from the Lord Jesus ("I give unto them eternal life," John 10:28), who is the life of every Christian; which transaction is thus expressed in the volume of inspiration: "When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." Col. 3:4. This we know, because Christ hath brought to light, or made manifest, life and immortality through the gospel. 2 Tim. 1:10.

Thus we find a line of scriptures bearing on the when and how man becomes invested with the attribute of immortality, which, with the perfection of every Christian grace, launches him on the broad ocean of an endless felicity, in that glorious home which the Saviour has gone before to prepare for them who through "faith and patience inherit the promises;" even the kingdom which the "saints of the Most High are to take and possess forever and ever."

The time when and the manner of this grand consummation, is beautifully set forth in 1 Cor. 15:52-54: "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory."

The complete triumph over the corrupt and perishable condition in which we pass our probation here will then have had a glorious consummation in "an abundant entrance" into the New Jerusalem, from which all evil is forever excluded, and whose grand register is the Lamb's Book of Life. S. P. BOLLMAN.