ORTHODOX TROUBLES by J. O. Corliss

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 21, 1878

ORTHODOX TROUBLES.

By J. O. Corliss

Eastern journals have lately been discussing a certain Hartford minister who rejects the doctrine of eternal torment. An instance of this kind is the signal for a grand rally. One after another marches up, pours in a random shot, and retires to watch its effect, when lo! it is seen that the shot either falls short of the mark altogether, or strikes a portion of the work that is invulnerable, and falls harmless to the ground. In spite of their efforts, the pet theory loses caste, and is rejected. In alluding to the subject, one writer asks with apparent concern, “Is there a hell?” and seems to think that if eternal torment is discarded, there is no alternative but to ignore all punishment and thus have all saved. After deploring the difference of opinion on this point in the bosom of the orthodox church, he says:—

“It is well worth thinking about, what will be the result of these doubts concerning eternal punishment, and this indifference to the subject now prevalent in the Congregational denomination, and in other religious denominations of substantially the same faith. There is a chance for much profitable study here.”

Well may these writers fear the inevitable result of these doubts under the teachings of popular theology. All who read the Bible with any degree of carefulness know that it teaches nothing more plainly than that man will be punished according to his deeds; hence the expressions, “Reward every man according to his works;” “That every one may receive . . . according to that he hath done,” &c. See Matt. 16:27; 2 Cor. 5:10; Luke 12:47, 48. Any one will comprehend at a glance the point taught in the above texts, and be ready to admit its justice. But, asks the logical individual, what will become of one after he has been punished according to his deeds? Does the Lord still punish him to all eternity? or does he release, and restore him to favor? Then reasoning from analogy he says, If a man is condemned for a crime, and serves out his sentence in the penitentiary, then justice demands his release. “Shall mortal man be more just than God?” If he is not, will not God, after punishing men for their sins, restore them to his favor? This thought is far from being a repulsive one, and Universalism gains a convert.

We should be careful where we plant our feet. This is enchanted ground, and one should walk cautiously, lest he step into a pitfall of the enemy and be ensnared in his toils. Does not your reason tell you that if man could have his guilt removed, and be restored to the favor of God through punishment, the work of Christ was a nullity and his death unnecessary? Could the Omniscient One thus mistake? You will certainly answer, Impossible. If man has inherent immortality, and if he actually pays the penalty of his transgressions, then not only does justice demand that there be a release from suffering, but the revelator teaches that there will be a restoration to favor; for he says (Rev. 5:13), that he heard every creature in Heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, giving honor and glory to God and the Lamb, and this could not possibly take place so long as some were suffering punishment. The difficulty with many in trying to solve this question is, they have been taught that man is by nature immortal and must ever live, regardless of his standing in the sight of God; and they cling to this view with wonderful tenacity, although the Bible nowhere warrants it. On the other hand, the Bible teaches that man is mortal (Job 4:17); and that eternal life is a gift of God (Rom. 6:23) which is bestowed only through Christ. 1 John 5:12. This could not all be true were immortality a principle inherent in man. We read that Christ bestows this gift when he comes to earth in glory, attended by all the holy angels. Matt. 16:27. Eternal life cannot be given more than once, as once received it lasts forever; hence if man already has it, Christ cannot give it at his second advent; but if at that time Christ does bestow it upon man, it is positive proof that man never had it before. If at the second coming of Christ each is rewarded according to his deeds, there must be some to whom eternal life will not be given. What will be the reward in their cases? or what will be the result of punishing them according to their deeds? Will that punishment remove their guilt, correct their lives, and give them righteous characters, which are necessary to salvation? No; for these could only be obtained through the blood of Christ. As they lack these necessary qualifications, what then can be done? Can God give them eternal life? No. They have already enjoyed life a long time. All its privileges and blessings were God’s free gift to them, and should continually have reminded them of his goodness, and their obligations to fulfill the conditions upon which the continuation of that life depended.

During all the years of probation, however, they were satisfied to live only for themselves and the things of the world, manifesting no interest in the promises of God and the blessings of the future, but showing, rather, by their daily walk, that they did not care enough about eternal life to accept the offer of God. And now, as they have forfeited all right to that life God has allowed them to retain so long, without the least injustice to them, they are deprived of it, and return to the same condition as before life was first given. The statement of Obadiah (verse 16), that “they shall be as though they had not been,” with similar declarations, will then be fulfilled. Sin and sinners gone, God will have a clean universe, and all creatures can then ascribe blessing and honor to God and the Lamb forever. Thus the Bible is harmonized in all its parts.

J. O. CORLISS.