Where Are the Dead? A Repl^ to a Recent Book bj) Rev. E. M . Milligan! By DR. R. A . TORRET
HE FLEMING H. REVELL COMPANY has recently put out a book by Rev. E. M. Milligan, D.D., entitled, “Where Are the Dead?” We have read the book carefully and are surprised
they cannot reconcile with their the ories, when they are confronted with these passages, to inveigh against the use of “ proof texts.” In the introductory part of his work, the writer attacks the “ trichotomic theory” regarding man’s constitution as being composed of body, soul and spirit. He says, “ The distinction which this theory attempts to make between soul and spirit is merely imaginative and speculative; it has no foundation' in Scripture rightly understood.’'’ Of course, those who know their Bibles know it has abundant -foundation in Scripture; that the Apostle Paul says in so many words in 1 Thess. 5:23, “ I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” This plainfy teaches that the entire man isi “ spirit, soul and body.” And agaiE. in Heb. 4:12 we read “ even to the di viding asunder of soul and spirit.” The author tries to get around 1 Thess. 5:23 by saying, “ 1 Thess. 5:23 is either an example of tautology, since spirit and soul have one and the same meaning, or else by spirit, the apostle referred to the temper or disposition of mind or, in general, to the mood ex hibited by a person under any given circumstances.”; We see the author does not hesitate, in order to explain away the passage that contradicts his theory, to impute the great rhetorical error of tautology to the inspired writer. His other explanation is simply absurd. But the word “ spirit” is never so used in the Bible. He attempts to prove his case by parallel columns in which he
that Fleming H. Revell should have put it out at all, but still more surprised that they should put it out with this statement in connection with it: “ A faithful guide to the correct under standing of Scriptural truth as taught everywhere in the Bible. It is a care ful study with copious references af fording true spiritual consolation . to those who place their faith in divine revelation.” The book is nothing of the kind. It is not “ a faithful guide.” . It does not set forth “ scriptural truth as taught everywhere in the Bible.” It is simply a new presentation of the exploded er ror of soul-sleep as set forth by Seventh Day Adventists, Russellites and other errorists. However, there is a weak at tempt in one or two sentences to mod ify the doctrine a little. The arguments used are the old and familiar arguments. The writer, with nauseating iteration, inveighs against the use of “ proof texts,” but his whole book is built upon “ proof texts” ripped out of their connection. The use of “ proof texts” is perfectly legitimate. There is no better line of argument, if the texts are interpreted in their real connection. Our Lord Himself used “ proof texts” (e. g., John 10:34, 35). But it is quite the vogue with people who find passages of Scripture which
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