issue 42

june 2009

bible teaching • life • death • resurrection • eternal destinies

WWW.ACMISSIONZ.ORG.NZ
issue 42
june 2009

Editorial: Conference 2010 p. 4

David Burge
And I Quote ... p. 5
David Burge
This is My Story p. 6
David W. Davis
Resurrection Revealed (Part 10) p. 11
Beryl Ching
Justin Martyr: God’s Philosopher p. 16
David Burge
Resurrection Reflections p. 20
Richard Eric Gunby
Do Animals Have Souls? p. 22
David Burge
This quarterly newsletter is produced, printed and
published by Resurrection Publishing, PO Box
202-162, Southgate, Takanini 2246,
New Zealand.
Subscriptions may be sent to
the above address in the amount
of NZ$15 for four issues or the
magazine may be accessed free
via the internet at
www.afterlife.co.nz
To join the Association see p. 24
or print out & send in the mem-
bership form from our website.
 from death to life page 4

editorial: conference 2010

Conference 2009 has come and sociation, in prayer, financially, by
gone. The first part of our Confer- writing for the magazine, or by oth-
ence address on ―Justin Martyr: erwise giving of time and talents.
God‘s Philosopher‖ is found on Without your help we would not be
page 16 of this magazine. The au- reaching the people that we do.
dio can be found on our website
We are receiving a growing volume
(www.afterlife.co.nz).
of email through our website from
Throughout the year just gone we people all around the world hurt by
have been focusing our efforts in the "traditional view" of eternal tor-
the following areas: ment. Please pray with us that we
will be able to pastor these people
• Developing From Death To Life;
from a distance and provide new
• Developing the Website; light from the Scripture.
• Promoting CI Literature; One suggestion we received regard-
ing Conference 2010 was that we
• Developing a CI “Seminar”;
change from an evening event to a
• Finding Christian magazines and lunchtime conference to enable
periodicals in which to publish those who travel from afar to get
articles; home a little earlier. We also have
some older members who no longer
• Growing our membership and like to drive at night.
executive; and,
We have decided to go with this id-
• Growing our Conference. era for 2010. The date for Confer-
It seems to me that, though we ence next year
have made more progress in some will be Saturday
areas than in others, our Associa- May 8. My con-
tion continues to have an ever in- tact details are in
creasing impact around the world the panel at the
as we seek to action these goals to bottom of page
the glory of God in Jesus Christ. 5. Perhaps we
could arrange a
Once again, we want to thank free lunch for the
those of you who support the As- first reply?
 issue 42 page 5

And I Quote ...

J.H. Pettingell (1815-1887), District Secretary of the Congregational
Board of Foreign Missions, stated: ―It is worthy of remark, that the doc-
trine of eternal torment is found neither in the Apostle's Creed, nor the
Nicene Creed, nor in two of the principal Confessions of Faith of the 16th
century, viz., the otherwise rigid Creed of the French Reformed Church
and the Thirty-Nine Articles of the Anglican Church.‖
This was an oversight on somebody‘s part, if indeed, the doctrine of
―eternal conscious torment‖ is an essential part of Christian faith as
some would have us believe. The absence of this teaching from these
great creeds is, however, understandable once we realise that this
abominable teaching was never part of the original Apostolic Christianity.
HELP! SENDING LETTERS AND PARCELS OVERSEAS
From July 2009 the cost of posting this magazine is set to increase. There
are some people we are posting to overseas that we have not heard from
for many years. In an effort to be good stewards of God‘s resources we
are asking you to let us know if you still want to receive print copies of
this magazine. You can write to us at:

Resurrection Publishing
.
PO Box 202-162
Southgate
Takanini 2246
New Zealand

Alternatively, you can email us at:

respublishing@slingshot.co.nz

If we do not hear from you, you may ―fall off‖ our mailing list. You can
read the magazine online at any time by going to our website at
afterlife.co.nz
If at anytime you wish to go back on the mailing list you can always con-
tact us via the website and request to be put back on the mailing list.
 from death to life page 6

An AC Heritage Beals Advent Christian the Beals Wesleyan

churches, both in Beals, Church, though there
I was born to Ralph
Maine (an island town- were times that I went
Jr. and Phyllis Davis
ship along the north- with my mother to ―her
into a family with gen-
eastern part of the church‖, either at the
erations of Advent
coast). However, be- Alley‘s Bay Advent
Christian heritage. My
cause I spent a great Christian Church or the
maternal grandparents
amount of time with my Beals Advent Christian
(Riley and Elmira Al-
paternal grandparents Church. Please note
ley) were Advent
as I was growing-up, I that Beals was unique
Christians as were
was influenced in my in that it had two Ad-
their parents. My pa-
early years mainly vent Christian
ternal grandparents
through the Alley‘s Bay Churches in the town-
(Ralph Sr. and Velma
Wesleyan Mission and ship. The Alley‘s Bay
Davis) were split. My
father‘s father was
raised an Advent
Christian as was his
mother and as were
her parents. When
my great-grand
mother married a
second time, my
step grandfather and
his parents were Ad-
vent Christians.
However, my father‘s
mother was Re-
formed Baptist (now
part of the Wesleyan
Church). My ances-
tors helped establish
the Alley‘s Bay and Alley’s Bay Advent Christian Church
 issue 42 page 7

Advent Christian
Church building was
constructed first from
an old school house in
the late 1800s or very
early 1900s, and the
Beals Advent Christian
Church building was
constructed in the
early 1900s about two
miles away. Alley‘s
Bay is on Great Wass
Island and Beals is an Alley’s Bay
island, so the two is-
lands make-up the of cars on the island. I started attending
municipality of Beals, Needless to say, in the some of the Advent
Maine. When there mid-1990s, services at Christian youth activi-
was no bridge to the the Alley‘s Bay chapel ties when I was in high
mainland and no cars, were suspended and school. There were
the Advent Christians the Advent Christian times when we would
in Alley‘s Bay would work is now carried on discuss matters of es-
meet in the mornings by the Beals Advent chatology, and one day
at the little chapel and Christian Church, as I was railing on
then walk at night though some of us about dying and going
over to Beals for the continue to meet ir- to Heaven, Pastor Gary
evening worship ser- regularly for monthly challenged me with
vice. They would also services at the Alley‘s how Biblical that
hold their own prayer Bay Advent Christian thought was. He asked
meetings separately. Church facility. me to read through
This tradition contin- CI Beliefs the Bible and see what
ued even for me it said about death and
throughout high I came to believe in the afterlife. At first,
school and college in conditional immortality my teenage mind re-
the 1980s. A bridge by a direct challenge jected this idea as silly,
was built in the 1950s by Pastor Gary Have- but I did finally make
and there is a plethora ner of the Beals Ad- the attempt and I read
vent Christian Church.
 from death to life page 8

through the Bible. I publications about con- man, saying, ‗Of every
was struck by the ditional immortality, tree of the garden you
many places where which also helped me may freely eat; but of
death was described learn how to ―think‖ the tree of the knowl-
as ―sleep‖ and of be- about the message of edge of good and evil
ing awakened through the Scriptures. you shall not eat, for in
―resurrection‖ as well the day that you eat of
Why It Matters
as the ―destruction‖ it you shall surely die.‘‖
of the wicked. I be- Before the first cou-
came convinced of ple‘s expulsion from
the truth of this doc- the Garden of Eden
trine as a result of God said, ―‗Behold, the
reading the Bible man has become like
through. Of course, one of Us, to know
there were other in- good and evil. And
fluencing factors—I now, lest he put out
would spend ex- his hand and take also
tended times in con- of the tree of life, and
versation with my fa- eat, and live forever‘ --
ther‘s brother, ―Uncle therefore the LORD
Danny‖ as well as God sent him out of
with my father‘s great the garden of Eden to
-grandmother Gram- till the ground from
mie Nora‖, both de- which he was taken.‖
vout Advent Chris- Again Moses empha-
tians and believers in Conditional immortality sized in Deuteronomy
conditional immortal- matters greatly to me 30:19-20, ―I call
ity. I would also visit as I believe it is the heaven and earth as
other Advent Chris- ―key‖ to unlocking the witnesses today
tians around Alley‘s truth and message of against you, that I
Bay and engage them Scripture. Namely that have set before you life
in discussions—Myrtle God gave humanity a and death, blessing
and Ernest Libby Jr. ―choice‖ about living or and cursing; therefore
and Isaac and Eulala dying. Genesis 2:16-17 choose life, that both
Seavey are two exam- is the first record of you and your descen-
ples. I would also read such, ―And the LORD dants may live; that
God commanded the you may love the
 issue 42 page 9
LORD your God, that you may have everlasting life. For God did
obey His voice, and that you may not send His Son into the world to
cling to Him, for He is your life and condemn the world, but that the
the length of your days; and that world through Him might be saved.‖
you may dwell in the land which In John 11:25-26 Jesus is comfort-
the LORD swore to your fathers, ing Martha over the loss of Lazarus
to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to who had died. In the face of death
give them.‖ There are many other and seemingly human hopelessness
examples in the poetic books and at the loss of life our Lord declared,
the writings of ―I am the resurrec-
the prophets, tion and the life.
but of course, He who believes in
the focus of this Me, though he
interview is not may die, he shall
to be compre- live. And whoever
hensive in a sur- lives and believes
vey of the entire in Me shall never
Old Testament, die.‖ He make a
but instead to similar declaration
answer why in John 14:6, ―I
conditional im- am the way, the
morality matters truth, and the life.
to me. Never- No one comes to
theless, I do the Father except
want to point through Me.‖ In
out some of the the Revelation Je-
things that Je- sus says, ―I am He
sus said in the who lives, and was
New Testament. dead, and behold,
Is there any greater example of I am alive forevermore. Amen. And
conditional immortality than John I have the keys of Hades and of
3:16-17? Jesus beautifully lays out Death‖ (verse 18). Of course, the
the choice God gives concerning themes of resurrection and eternal
life or death, ―For God so loved life through Jesus Christ, ―the
the world that He gave His only Lamb‖, are two of the important
begotten Son, that whoever be- themes of this ―revelation of Jesus‖,
lieves in Him should not perish but especially in chapters 20-22.
 from death to life page 10
Conclusion choice in Eden, and It is my
why it was necessary firmly held belief in
After surveying the
for Jesus Christ, to ―die conditional immortality
above references, one
in our place‖ and to be that causes me to hold
can see the truth and
―raised to life as the tenaciously to my Sav-
message of Scripture
first fruits from the iour, Jesus, to the Ad-
is that if we love and
dead.‖ We can further vent Christian faith
follow God by turning
understand why death and to give my life in
to him through Jesus
is such a part of life, Christian service for its
in faith and repen-
and why there is such promotion and ad-
tance, we will see life,
grief and pain at the vancement. As said
living forever with
loss of a loved one. For Paul in 2 Timothy 1:1,
God. If we persist in
if Jesus did not hold the I serve in ministry by
sin and in going our
―keys of Hades and of the ―will of God, ac-
own way, we will not
Death‖ there would cording to the promise
see life, but will per-
truly be no hope for hu- of life which is in
ish. Knowing this mes-
manity‘s rescue from Christ Jesus.‖
sage and this truth
the enemy death. Fi-
shows us who we are
nally, we see that even
(mortal creatures of
though cemeteries are
an immortal God). We
eerie in their silence,
come to understand
they are still beds of
the dire straights in
great hope for those
which humanity found
resting there that are
itself after the wrong
―sleeping in Jesus‖.
THE AUTHOR
David is pastor of the Sunshine Advent
Christian Church in Deer Isle, Maine,
where he has served nearly eight years.
He has been in ministry in one form or
another since 1989. He is married to his very loving and suppor-
tive wife Vicki L. Davis and he and Vicki have four children: Kel-
sey, Nathan, Kristyn and Noah. For relaxing, David enjoys
watching the Boston Red Sox, the New England Patriots, the
Boston Celtics, gardening, reading and photography.
 issue 42 page 11

CHRIST’S urrection of Lazarus is the world, it becomes

RESURRECTION concrete evidence that meaningless. It infers
(AND AN EXCURSUS Jesus was the Lord of a resurrection, and the
ON PARABLES) life and the Conqueror dividing of the ―wheat‖
It is because He has of death.‖61 from the ―tares‖ is the
power to raise Himself The Parables of judgement. As we
and others from the the Kingdom have seen, Jesus did
dead, that Christ could not always argue for or
In Matthew 13
say, ―I am the resur- the Lord gives a
rection and the life.‖ series of parables
No-one else could about the king-
make this claim. All dom of God. In
were raised by the vv. 24-29 He gives
power of that One the Parable of the
Who is Himself the life. Tares. The expla-
―In him was life‖ (John nation of the par-
1:4). He it is who able is given in vv.
―brought life and im- 36-43, so we can
mortality to light be very clear that
through the gospel‖ (2 the harvest is the
Tim. 1:10). Speaking end of the world.
of the raising of Laza- Both the wheat
rus, G. E. Ladd says, and the tares are al-
―He was brought back against resurrection,
lowed to grow until
to mortal, physical ex- but just took it for
this time, when the
istence. He could granted. At the end of
Son of Man will send
never say, as Jesus this parable and its ex-
his angels to do the
could, ‗I am the resur- planation, the tares
harvesting. If this is to
rection and the life.‘ are those who do iniq-
mean only those who
Nevertheless, the res- uity, and they are con-
are alive at the end of
 from death to life page 12

demned to the furnace though the disciples, foretold His resurrec-

of fire. because of their for- tion in a cryptic man-
(The ―tares‖ have the gone decision that ner, ―Destroy this tem-
ability to wail and Christ would take up ple, and in three days I
gnash their teeth, the reins of power, de-will raise it up.‖ No-
pointing to the fact feat the Romans, and one at all understood
that they are actually rule, could never take it
this, thinking He was
people.) The ―wheat‖ in. In fact, G. Campbell
talking about the build-
are the righteous who Morgan says, ―It shoulding of a material tem-
will shine as the ple. However, John
sun in the kingdom explains that He
of their Father. was actually refer-
A similar parable ring to the temple
is the Parable of of His body. (John
the Net. In this 2:19-21). It is not
parable also, at the surprising that this
end of the world was not understood
the angels sort out until after His death
the good and the and resurrection
bad, the wicked (John 2:22), in view
and the just, and of the fact that His
the wicked are own disciples could
condemned to the not understand His
furnace of fire, straightforward
with wailing and prophecies of His
gnashing of teeth. resurrection, even
Again, the refer- after they had been
ence to the ―end of ever be remembered with Him for years.
the world‖ infers res-that our Lord is never In Matthew 16:21
urrection (Matthew recorded as speaking of (see Mark 8:31, 32;
13:47-50). his coming Cross with- Luke 9:22), after Peter
The Resurrection out at the same time had confessed that
of Christ foretelling His resurrec- they acknowledged
tion.‖62 Him to be the Christ,
Christ foretold His
own resurrection over Early in His ministry, the Son of the living
and over again, after the first cleansing God, He first informs
of the temple, Christ the disciples of His
 issue 42 page 13

coming death and res- could mean (Matt. taken in what He was
urrection. But instead 17:9; Mark 9:9,10). saying.
of accepting what They did, however, In John 10:17,18 Je-
their Lord said, Peter keep the whole inci- sus speaks of laying
took Him aside and re- dent to themselves at down His life, and tak-
buked Him, saying it that time (Luke 9:36). ing it up again. He de-
would never happen Some time later, in clares that no-one can
to Him! Galilee, Jesus again take His life from Him,
When Christ told Pe- told all the disciples of He lays it down volun-
ter, James and John as His coming death, add- tarily Himself. He has
they descended from ing ―and the third day this power, and He has
the Mount of Trans- he shall be raised the power to take it up
figuration that they again.‖ (Matt. again. This, of course,
should not speak of 17:22,23; Mark 9:31). refers to his rising
this event until after The comment made is from the dead.
He was risen from the that ―they were ex- It was on the last
dead, they could not ceeding journey of Jesus and
understand it, but only sorry‖ (Matt.17:23), His disciples toward
discussed amongst but we can understand Jerusalem, that He
themselves what the from later events that tried to share with
―rising from the dead‖ they had not actually them more fully. He
 from death to life page 14

knew what awaited Him His kingdom! (See ture was going to be ful-
there, but was unable to Mark 10:32-37; Luke filled, ―I will also smite
get the disciples to un- 18:31-34). the shepherd, and the
derstand it, even though Christ still persisted in sheep of the flock will be
He used plain language. trying to inform His scattered abroad.‖ But
In Matthew 20:18,19 He disciples of what was He still added a word,
described exactly what going to happen right which if they could have
would happen - the be- up to within hours of taken it in, would have
trayal to the confirmed what
chief priests, He had been
the death sen- telling them pre-
tence, the viously, that He
mocking, would die, but
scourging and would rise
crucifixion, de- again. ―But after
scribing it in I am risen
the third per- again, I will go
son as hap- before you into
pening to the Gali-
Son of Man. lee.‖ (Matthew
Then He 26:32). At last
added, ―and there seems to
the third day have been a dim
he shall rise understanding
again.‖ The of trouble to
disciples un- come, because
derstood He Peter stood up
was referring to Himself, His being seized. and declared that even if
but they still could not Even after the last everyone else was of-
believe it would really supper, when He had fended, he wouldn‘t be.
happen to Him. It was led them out to the But because it was only a
straightaway afterwards Mount of Olives, He dim understanding, when
that James‘ and John‘s told them that that Christ was on trial, Peter
mother asked Him to very night they would was not prepared, and
ensure that her two be offended because we know that he was of-
sons would sit on His of Him, and that the fended, even to denying
right and left hands in Old Testament scrip- Christ. But still the
 issue 42 page 15

thought of resurrec- resurrection is found in The Author

tion did not enter their Matt. 28:2-4 where the Beryl Joy Ching, spent
heads, because we happenings around the over 40 years on the
know that after the resurrection of the mission field in India.
crucifixion they were Lord are recorded - an Returning to New Zea-
all in utter despair, earthquake, the angel land to ―retire‖, Beryl
hiding behind locked of the Lord coming was for a long time
doors (Matt. 26:31-33; down from heaven and secretary of this Asso-
Mark 14:27-29; John rolling away the stone, ciation. RESURREC-
20:19). and the fear of the TION AS REVEALED IN
Though the disciples guards, who shook THE OLD TESTAMENT
struggled to under- and fell like dead men. AND CONFIRMED IN
stand what He was Later events would THE NEW TESTAMENT
saying (no doubt be- prove that the stone is the full title of her
cause they had the was not rolled away so Thesis presented to
fixed idea that He had that the Lord could the Faculty of the
come to deliver them, come out of the tomb Freelandia Institute
as the Messiah, from (as had had to be Biblical Theological
the Romans, and set done for Lazarus), for College in partial fulfil-
up His kingdom imme- the Lord could pass ment of the require-
diately), His enemies through the closed ments for the Degree
understood what He doors (John 20:19), Master of Biblical Stud-
said as a plain proph- but so that the disci- ies.
ecy! After His death ples could see that
and burial they desired He was no longer in
that Pilate seal the the tomb.
tomb and set guards Beryl Ching
to it, so the disciples Footnotes
could not indulge in
61. Bible Characters
any trickery, taking
and Doctrines. Scrip-
away the body and
ture Union. Vol. 16,
later declaring that He
Study 44.
had risen from the
dead (Matt.27:63, 64). 62. G. Campbell
The fulfilment of all Morgan. Searchlights
these prophecies of from the Word, on
Matt. 28:6. p.308.
 from death to life page 16

Justin Martyr: God’s

Philosopher
PART ONE Justin attached himself his life to explaining
What the early church to a succession of phi- Christianity to the
really believed about losophical schools, fi- Greeks and the Ro-
the immortality of the nally content to be mans and defending
soul, ―hellfire‖ and its called a follower of the faith against its in-
relevance to today, Plato. That was until tellectual opponents.
from the life of Justin (in about AD 130) he During the reign of An-
Martyr — An address met an old man while toninus Pius (AD 138-
delivered to the Asso- walking along the sea- 161), Justin ministered
ciation Conference, shore. This un-
May 2009. known man of
Who Was Justin faith pointed out
Martyr? to Justin some
Justin [AD 110-165] weaknesses in
came from a Greek- his Platonic sys-
speaking Gentile fam- tem. He showed
ily living in Flavia Nea- him how the Old
polis, Biblical She- Testament pre-
chem, in Samaria . dicted the com-
This was near Jacob‘s ing of Christ.
Well where Jesus of- Seeing the cour-
fered another non- age of the mar-
Jewish seeker the tyrs in facing
―living water‖ of eter- death, Justin was con- in Rome. There he de-
nal life, the abundant vinced. Justin drank for fended the faith
life that comes only himself from the water against pagans and
through faith in Jesus of life. Still content to against those Jews
Christ as Saviour wear his philosopher‘s who argued against Je-
(John 4:10, 14). A well cloak, as a token of his sus being the Messiah
educated, well trav- belief that Christianity of the Hebrew Scrip-
elled young man, was ―true philosophy‖, tures. He earned his
searching for truth, he dedicated the rest of surname after he was
 issue 42 page 17
beheaded during the those days and the speculate about death
persecution of Chris- Christians‘ response. and hell. We can learn
tians by the philoso- The Dialogue is the from his example. Our
pher Emperor Marcus first fully worked out task is to present
Aurelius (AD 161-180) exposition of the rea- Christ persuasively, not
in AD 165. sons for regarding Je- to win theological ar-
Introductory sus as Messiah and the guments.
Points first systematic at- 2. As we shall see,
Justin‘s universally ac- tempt to argue against Justin‘s presentation of
knowledged writings the position of the Christian truth is influ-
include his First Apol- Jews in regard to enced by his philoso-
ogy (c. AD 155), his phical background,
Dialogue with Trypho but to give Justin his
(c. AD 158), and his due, his intention was
Second Apology (c. AD to use philosophy as a
161). Several less well tool to spread Christi-
known works may be anity, rather than to
from the hand of turn Christianity into
Justin. We, however, an academic philoso-
will focus only on phical system. Justin
those undisputed took the great truths
works, his Apologies of the faith and tried
and Dialogue. to package them
1. Justin‘s writings are anew, in ways which
counted among the ―connected‖ with the
most important to culture around him.
have survived from We must do likewise
the second century. otherwise we will lose
He was not the first to Christianity. In all of our ability to communi-
write in defence of the his writings Justin cate effectively. At the
Christians, but his shows himself chiefly same time, we must
Apologies are the earli- concerned to establish be careful that the cul-
est that have come the fact that Christ has ture does not so influ-
down to us. They give come in fulfilment of ence the way we pre-
an insight into the rea- the Scriptures, to bring sent the message that
sons for persecution of life and immortality to the truth gets subtlety
Christians by pagans in light through the gos- distorted. Those of us
pel (2Tim. 1:10) not to who believe that Scrip-
 from death to life page 18

ture teaches what we Immortality and oppos- death of Socrates,

call Conditional Im- ing it) and yet avoid be- Plato derived his firm
mortality may judge ing repetitive. We must conviction as to the im-
Justin harshly at this take care. The result, I mortality of the human
point. Overall, how- hope, will be both sur- soul, which he passed
ever, Justin did an ad- prising, enlightening on to his followers. In
mirable job of present- and at the same time his Dialogue with Try-
ing Christ to Greeks avoid the danger of pho, Justin records a
and Romans in ways reading into the pages conversation with an
that made sense to of history exactly what ―old man‖ leading up
them – and he literally to his conversion to
backed up his words Christianity. Even after
with his life. We his conversion, Justin
should wish to do no was influenced by his
less. philosophical back-
3. Lastly, by way of in- ground, particularly by
troduction, in light of the teachings of Plato
the above, Justin does and the Stoics. As a re-
not set out to system- sult, Justin continues
atically address the to believe in the sepa-
doctrines of the soul, rable existence of the
the ―intermediate soul and that the soul
state‖, or the question is conscious between
of final destinies. His death and the resur-
beliefs on these mat- rection (More about
ters must be pieced we want to find there. this latter). Now, in re-
together from com- On the Mortality lating his discourse
ments scattered of the Soul with this unnamed
throughout his works. I now want to look Christian mentioned
Such an approach runs more closely at what above, Justin tells us
the risk of being selec- Justin says on matters that the old man asked
tive. I have tried as related to Conditional if the soul was divine
much as possible to be Immortality and turn and immortal. Justin‘s
complete (quoting first to his view of the immediate answer, re-
passages that show immortality of the soul flecting his back-
Justin supporting as- (or lack thereof). From ground, is, ―Assuredly‖.
pects of Conditional the account of the The old man then laid
 issue 42
out his argument to show
that the soul is not in its
own nature immortal. His
argument is so convinc-
ing that Justin is driven to
conclude that the soul
cannot be immortal by
nature. Justin quotes the
old man at length. His
words are recorded thus:
"Now the soul partakes of
life, since God wills it to
live. Thus, then, it will
not even partake [of life]
when God does not will it
to live. For to live is not
its [the soul's] attribute,
as it is God‘s; but as a
man does not live always,
and the soul is not for
ever conjoined with the
body, since, whenever
this harmony must be
broken up, the soul
leaves the body, and the
man exists no longer;
even so, whenever the
soul must cease to exist,
the spirit of life is re-
moved from it, and there
is no more soul, but it
goes back to the place
from whence it was
taken." (Dialogue,6).
Here, the unnamed Chris-
tian says that the soul is
not immortal but that it
page 19
lives only as long as to require further com-
God wills it to live. He ment. What Justin
speaks of the discon- himself thought will be
nection of soul and gathered from else-
body as causing the where in the Dialogue
man to cease to exist. and in the Apologies,
He also speaks of the but for now I am con-
soul ceasing to exist. tent to put forward
This is conditional im- that this conversation
mortality. suggests that belief in
Justin relates
this conver-
sation as it
took place,
without mak-
ing any com-
ment on the
old man's
words. It
seems to me
that what
the old man
believed,
what we call
conditional immortality, conditional immortality
was not in any way re- (or at least belief in
markable to Justin the the natural mortality of
Christian, though it was the human soul) must
a ―revelation‖ to Justin have been wide spread
the unconverted phi- among Christians in
losopher. That is to say, Justin‘s day, else Justin
Justin did not consider would surely have re-
the old man‘s words so marked that the old
out of order or man was so out of
―heretical‖ from his lat- step with his contem-
ter perspective as an poraries.
―orthodox‖ Christian as David Burge.
 from death to life page 20

Resurrection Reflections
Richard Eric Gunby
I don‘t like the term imputed righteous- In this life: true be-
―conditional immortal- ness. This righteous- lievers are now ac-
ity.‖ I prefer, definite ness is ours now, onlycounted (reckoned,
immortality (in promised, assured)
the same way, Cal- resurrection. This is
vinists prefer a kind of imputed
―definite atone- resurrection. In-
ment‖ to ―limited deed, positionally,
atonement‖). By we have been (past
this term I wish to tense) resurrected
regard God‘s work already. An imputed
of immortality for positional resurrec-
every believer as tion as it were. We
central, individually ―sit in the heavenly
specific, and sure. places with Jesus‖
The clear, teaching now (by legal reck-
of Scripture is that oning, you must un-
every redeemed derstand). We will
person is slated for sit with Jesus in ac-
immortality, hence tual, objectively re-
the term: definite alized, point of fact
immortality. (i.e., rubber meets
the road type ex-
Definite perience) in glorifi-
Immortality cation after or on
In this life: true be- by a kind of legal war- the day of consumma-
lievers are now ac- rant. It will be ours tion.
counted (reckoned, (that warrant will be In this life: true be-
promised, assured) served) by impartation lievers are now ac-
righteousness. This is on the day of consum- counted (reckoned,
known theologically as mation. promised, assured) im-
 issue 42 page 21

mortality. This is im- (legally accounted as only be imparted to us

puted to us now by way being) in Christ Jesus in the resurrection/
of promise–it being re- right now, we are im- transformation
corded in the Bible. We puted immortality – event (1Cor. 15:12-
have the certainty of im- right now. We will only 58) to come.
mortality becoming ours be gifted with imparted Resurrection for true
by way of promise. immortality via our believers will (of
This is why I course) only be
would proclaim imparted to us, as
the Biblical truth an actual return to
that immortal life life, to being a liv-
is definite for ing creature, even
every true be- a new creature, in
liever. It is im- the resurrection/
puted now; and it transformation
is to be imparted event (1Cor.
then. 15:12-58) to
come.
A Resurrection
Life Immortality for
true believers
The Bible explic- will also be im-
itly declares that parted to us in the
God alone has same resurrec-
true immortality tion/
(1 Tim. 6:16). transformation
Man is mortal. He event (1 Cor.
has by creation 15:12-58).
no inherent im-
morality. None. We can God gifts us now
have immortality only by transformation to incor- with promised immor-
virtue of being in Christ ruptibility in that great tality; he will gift us
Jesus. In Christ Jesus resurrection/ with actual immortality
He shares all good transformation in the life to come. But
things with us. Because event to come. this new life will only
in this life, true believ- Righteousness for come by Resurrection.
ers are positionally true believers will
Richard Eric Gunby
from death to life page 22

Do Animals
Have
Souls?
There has been a
'church signs' debate
being played out in a
Southern US town, be-
tween Our Lady of Mar-
tyrs Catholic Church,
and Cumberland Pres-
byterian, a
―fundamentalist‖
church.
A SIGN OF THE
TIMES
The debate went:
Catholics:
―All dogs go to heaven‖
Presbyterians:
―Only humans go to
heaven. Read the Bible.‖
Catholics:
―God loves all his crea-
tions. Dogs included.‖
Presbyterians:
Dogs don‘t have souls.
This is not open for de-
bate.‖
Catholics:
―Catholic dogs go to
Heaven. Presbyterian
dogs can talk to their
pastor.‖
 issue 42 page 23

Presbyterians: mortal souls. animals in the king-

―Converting to Catholi- The truth is that the dom we have no
cism does not magically ―soul‖ is the whole crea- promise from God that
grant your dog a soul.‖ ture. And every crea- individual pets will be
ture, human and animal raised to live forever
Catholics:
alike, is mortal through in God‘s kingdom.
―Free dog souls with
and through. We die and Resurrection seems to
conversion.‖
return to dust (Gen. be humanity‘s unique
Presbyterians:
3:19, Psa. 104:29, Ecc. hope.
―Dogs are animals. There 3:20). Paul tells us mortal
aren‘t any rocks in
ANIMALS IN THE flesh and blood cannot
heaven either.‖
KINGDOM inherit the kingdom of
Catholics: God. However he of-
There will be animals in
―All rocks go to heaven.‖ the kingdom of God fers us this hope: That
The dialogue is a little when Jesus comes. How the trumpet will sound
―tongue in cheek‖ but it else could the wolf and and the righteous
does betray an underly- the lamb feed together dead of humanity will
ing confusion as to the or the lion eat straw like be raised imperish-
nature of the soul and the ox (Isa 65:25). How able. (1Cor.15:50-54).
the Christian‘s hope. else could Zechariah We have mortal souls,
in common with the
]

CONFUSION ABOUT speak of the Day of the

THE SOUL Lord's return saying, On animals. We die and
that day Holy to the return to dust, in com-
Strictly, animals do not
Lord will be inscribed on mon with the animals.
have "souls". They are
the bells of the horses But we have the
living souls (See Gen.
(Zec. 14:20). unique hope that we
1:20; 1:21; 1:24; 1:30).
may yet live again.
Exactly the same thing is However, this is NOT
now and this is NOT Just as Jesus died and
true of human beings
heaven. This is the fu- rose again, so too,
(Gen. 2:7).
ture Kingdom of God on those who have died
Translators often fudge trusting in him will be
earth when Jesus comes
this point. If it were raised from the sleep
again to renew heaven
known that ―soul‖ is of death when Jesus
and earth.
used of animals and it is comes again.
accepted that the soul is HUMANITY’S
RESURRECTION - David Burge
immortal then not only
dogs but fish and birds HOPE
as well must have im- Though there will be
Cut out and return this page to: Statement of Faith
1. We believe in God and His one and only Son, Jesus
the Christ. Heb. 11:6; John 14:1; 3:16; 20:31; Mat.
16:16.
2. We believe in the Holy Spirit. 2Pet. 1:21; 1Cor. 6:19;
PO Box 202-162 Jude 20; Eph. 3:5.
Southgate 3. We believe that Jesus died for us and gave
himself a ransom for all. Rom. 5:8; 1Cor. 15:3; 1Tim.
Takanini 2246
2:6.
New Zealand
4. We believe that God raised Jesus from the dead; that
by resurrection He became Lord of both the dead and
Membership the living, and the first fruits of those who have fallen
asleep; and that whoever believes in Him shall not
I agree with the perish but have eternal life. Rom. 10:9; 14:9; 1Cor.
Statement of Faith & am 15:20; John 3:16.
applying for membership 5. We believe that baptism is commanded by Christ,
in the Association: was practiced by His Apostles, and is taught in the New
Testament. Mat. 28:18,19; Acts 8:12,38.
Name:
_____________________ 6. We believe that all Scripture is God-breathed and is
useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in
_____________________
righteousness, so that the people of God may be
_____________________ thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2Tim.
3:16,17.
Address:
_____________________ 7. We believe that human beings are by nature
_____________________ mortal. Gen. 2:7; 3:19; 1Tim. 6:16; 2Tim. 1:10; Rom.
2:6-7.
_____________________
_____________________ 8. We believe that human beings in death are
unconscious. Psa. 6:5; 115:17; Ecc. 9:5,10. This is
Email: likened to "sleep". Job 14:12; Psa. 13:3; Jer. 51:39;
_____________________ Dan. 12:2; John 11:11-14; 1Cor. 15:51.
9. We believe that immortality is obtained only through
Denomination (if any): faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 1Cor. 15:21-23; 2Tim. 4:7
_____________________ -8; 1John 5:9-12.
_____________________ 10. We believe that there will be a resurrection of both
the righteous and the wicked, to be followed by the
Membership $15.00* Judgment. Acts 24:15; John 5:25,28,29; Rev. 20:12,13.
*$10.00 for non-earners.
11. We believe that evil and evil-doers shall be finally
E-mail: destroyed. Psa. 145:20; Mat. 10:28 Rom. 6:21; Phil.
respublishing@slingshot.co.nz 3:19; Heb. 2:14; 1John 3:8; Rev. 22:3.
Website: 12. We believe in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
www.afterlife.co.nz Acts 1:11; John 14:3; 1Thes. 4:16.