How Weak! by R. F. Cottrell

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 8, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 26.

How Weak!

By R. F. Cottrell

A RECENT writer who has learned that it is unscriptural to talk of "the undying soul," "the immortal soul," and "the deathless principle in man," after repudiating these phrases, still sets himself at the task of sustaining the same unscriptural theory to express which these very phrases were coined. The well-informed know that these phrases are unscriptural; and all ought to know that it is unscriptural doctrines that demand unscriptural words and phrases, and call them into existence. They are needed to express the doctrine; and if they are repudiated, the theory which called them into existence should be repudiated also.

The writer quotes, "All souls are mine; the soul that sinneth, it shall die," and in explanation says, "In other words, 'it shall be separated from me.' God said to the children of Israel, 'Your sins have separated between you and your God.'" Still further to explain this threatened death, he quotes, "You hath he quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins."

Is it a death in sins that is meant in the threatening, "The soul that sinneth it shall die"? The sinner is already dead in this sense; and to threaten this death is meaningless. To suit this explanation the text should read, the soul that sinneth is dead. Such expositions are weak. To me they look silly.

The prophet again says, "When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die." Eze. 18:26. It is evident that this threatening relates to a final settlement, after the career of sin is finished. "Sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." Jas. 1:15. Does it simply mean that the judgment shall decree that the man who has spent his life in sin, shall forever be a sinner? Wicked men seem to enjoy such punishment—they love their sins. They do not dread separation from God.

R. F. COTTRELL.