why conditionalism matters – exposing the lie

Rev. Jefferson Vann

Jefferson Vann shares an article (originally written in 2017) encouraging Advent Christians to remain committed to conditionalism.

January 25, 2017 

We are living in the age of photo posts and videobytes. Newspapers and books seem to be dying out because nobody wants to explore ideas anymore. People are interested in promoting their side of an argument but not in debating the details to find the real truth.

The apostle Paul faced a similar challenge when the believers in Corinth chose to align with their own group of “super-apostles” instead of following his advice. Paul was deeply worried for them and warned, “…I am afraid that just as the serpent deceived Eve by his treachery, your minds may be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3 NET). His point was that the Corinthians had a decision to make, and their choice to follow the super-apostles was a decision to reject not only him but also to drift away from “a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”

The serpent deceived Eve in Eden by suggesting that she need not worry about staying alive. God had warned Adam not to eat from the forbidden tree, and if he did, death would be the result. The serpent then said to Eve that she and Adam would not really die (Genesis 3:4). Eve was now faced with a decision. She had to choose between two conflicting statements. She had to act in favor of one and against the other.

Conditionalism matters because many have accepted that original lie. It matters because some of those people are sincere Christians who, like the Corinthians, have been deceived and will face the consequences of their poor choices. Despite billions of deaths since that choice in the garden, with cemeteries filling up around them, these people still believe that somehow, humanity always survives death. Despite Jesus, who preached a resurrection to eternal life, they confidently claim that their immortal spirits will continue to live regardless of what happens to their bodies. And they will even twist scripture to support that claim.

Conditionalism matters because both statements cannot be true. Human beings cannot be mortal and immortal at the same time. Our sincere and pure devotion to Christ cannot ignore the serpent’s lie, even when it comes from the pens of major theologians and church leaders. We must expose the lie.

Conditionalism matters because the gospel matters. And, the gospel is not “accept Christ and your immortal soul can go to heaven when you die.” People who believe the lie have crafted statements like that as representing the gospel, but it is sorely deficient. Christ is king, whether you accept him or not.

Conditionalism is important because the return of Jesus Christ is essential. A gospel statement more aligned with the New Testament is “Submit to Christ as king, because he is returning to establish his kingdom on earth, and he will raise the righteous dead to be part of that eternal kingdom.” The second coming of Jesus Christ is necessary because he is the firstfruits – the first raised to immortal life. The rest of us wait for a resurrection, not at our deaths, but at his return (1 Corinthians 15:23).

Conditionalism matters because believers pursue immortality. Paul taught that Jesus broke the power of death and revealed immortality through the gospel (2 Timothy 1:10). He indicated that only God currently possesses immortality (1 Timothy 6:16), but believers can seek this blessing by persevering in good works (Romans 2:7), and we can attain immortality at the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:53-54). Seeking immortality is something believers actively pursue. Assuming that everyone already has immortality is accepting the serpent’s lie.

Refuse to accept that lie. Uncover it for what it truly is.