As I have found Facebook to be an unsuitable platform for this long form objections to a book I am reading that has levied serious charges of heresy against my sovereign grace brethren, I will be using Hive for these publications.
In the realm of theological discourse, the debate between Conditional Immortality (CI) and Eternal Conscious Torment (ECT) stands as one of the most profound and polarizing discussions. At its core, this debate grapples with the nature and duration of divine punishment for the non-elect, those who do not receive salvation.
Conditional Immortality proposes that human souls are not inherently immortal. Instead, immortality is granted as a gift to the saved, while the unsaved face ultimate destruction or annihilation. Proponents argue that after a period of judgment and punishment, the non-elect cease to exist, experiencing an "everlasting punishment" in the form of eternal death—utter cessation of consciousness and existence.
On the other hand, Eternal Conscious Torment posits that the non-elect will face endless, conscious suffering in Hell. According to this view, the soul is inherently immortal, and those who reject God's gospel will endure infinite torment as a manifestation of divine justice.
These theological positions have significant implications for understanding divine justice, the nature of the soul, and the character of God. The following post aims to delve deeper into these perspectives, offering a critical examination of Conditional Immortality as presented by Sonny Hernandez in his book Annihilationism Debunked: An Introduction.
From "Annihilationism Debunked: An Introduction" by Sonny Hernandez page 22:
"According to these views, the non-elect. before death, can enjoy life
under normal circumstances and will experience conscious pain On
earth while they blaspheme God and reject His gospel. But in the afterlife, per annihilationism, the non-elect will never again have to worry about experiencing any conscious punishment because God
will send them to Hell, a place of unconsciousness."
I think this notion of what Annihilationism / Conditional Immortality is precludes the possibility of interim punishment or torment that is of a temporal nature yet culminating into the eternal death that is cessation of existence, the everlasting punishment.
If this was the view being espoused by CIs that the termination of existence is the only punishment that occurs after death, then I would be inclined to disagree. Rather, the Scriptures teach that God will render to every man according to his deeds.
Romans 2:5-10 KJVS - But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
Obviously, tribulation and anguish will be experienced by those who do not obey the truth. There is nothing suggesting that this would not be inflicted in the interim period between resurrection and the second death for reprobates.
In summary, belief in CI does not necessitate that eternal death is the only punishment meted out by God. Rather, it is the final one to the individual.
Other articles on this topic:
https://alienpebble.wordpress.com/2024/12/04/the-pangs-of-death-and-its-relief/