The Argument From Salvation
November 22nd, 2017
Today, I'm going to present an argument for conditionalism. I'll call it the argument from salvation.
(P1) Whatever Christ saves the righteous from is something he doesn't spare the wicked from.
(P2) Christ saves the righteous from the privation of lives (death in the ordinary sense of the term).
(C1) Therefore, he does not spare the wicked from the privation of their lives.
(P3) If the wicked suffer the deprivation of their lives, they cannot be eternally tormented (with pain, shame, whatever).
(C2) Therefore, the wicked cannot be eternally tormented.
What reason is there to think that this is a good argument? Let's examine some key verses given as the scriptural support.
Genesis 3:22 - And the LORD God said, "The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever."
Luke 20:35,36 - But those who are considered worthy to share in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage. In fact, they can no longer die, because they are like the angels. And since they are sons of the resurrection, they are sons of God.
John 6:54 - Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.
John 6:58 - This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.
John 11:25,26 - Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die."
John 12:25 - Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
Romans 2:7 - To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.
This, it is argued, provides pretty good support for (P2), for it shows that only the righteous will, when all is said and done, escape death (that is, the privation of human life).
What of (P1)? The premise is reasonable. The righteous are spared God's anger, because they are saved in Christ. The wicked must face it in is unmitigated fullness, because they are not in Christ. The same is true of honor, joy and glory. So, wouldn't it follow in the case of immortality as well? (P2) seems right as well, as does (P3), and the conclusions follows from (P1) - (P3).[1]
I'll have more to say both for and against this argument later, but I'll leave it at this for now.
I'll have more to say both for and against this argument later, but I'll leave it at this for now.
