Where is the Bible Evidence?
By R. F. C.
"The immortality of the soul is an acknowledged principle of Christian theology, a cardinal feature of religion, a firmly established truth. This sublime truth is the base and battlement of the stupendous structure of Christianity. Every page of Holy Writ overflows with this great truth, and if there be no immortality of the soul, the Bible becomes a falsity, Jesus Christ an impostor, and God the Father a profound myth. This doctrine of immortality cannot be impeached, and the united thunders of infidel sophistry have ever been powerless to scathe or mar its beauty, lessen its magnitude, or diminish its power."—Cor. Sub. Rec. The above is a specimen of the arguments by which the theory of natural immortality is sustained. It is a very easy matter for one who has more zeal than regard for the truthfulness of what he says, to "talk big," and make broad assertions which he cannot prove. It is easier to say that a doctrine is "firmly established," than to produce the proofs and evidences by which it is established. It is much easier positively to assert that "every page of Holy Writ overflows" with the doctrine of the natural immortality of the soul, than to specify the particular page where it can be found. Easier for men of this character to talk about the Bible being false, Christ an impostor, &c., if this dogma is not the truth, than to show what declaration of Scripture would prove untrue in that case, or to show why Christ would prove an impostor, if he came to offer immortality to mortals. What is "infidel sophistry?" I thought that infidelity was unbelief, and that Christians call those infidels who do not believe the Bible. Now some believe that by the decisions of the judgment, God will render to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life—that the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ; and that, at the resurrection, this mortal shall put on immortality, because the Bible says so. Is this infidelity? Does it not look much more like infidelity to say that if the soul is not immortal, "the Bible becomes a falsity?" Sophistry is defined by Webster, fallacious reasoning. It needs no such reasoning to support the doctrine of immortality through Christ only; it is as positively taught in the Scriptures as language is capable of expressing it. But the opposing doctrine leans more upon reasoning than Scripture for its support; and, as some of its ablest defenders admit, it is rather inferred or taken for granted than expressly taught in Holy Writ. R. F. C.