Immortality

by Loraine Boettner

Publisher:

P&R

, 1956

Overview

Death and the future are by their very nature mysterious. Many people tend to avoid serious discussion or thought on the subject of death, yet every person knows that in the normal course of events, sooner or later, death will happen. Nothing is more certain about life than the fact of death—all human history and experience point to that conclusion. This volume deals with the issue of life after death, not out of fear of the future, but from a natural, God-given desire to enter into the larger life and destiny which we instinctively feel is ahead. Immortality is divided into three sections: one each on physical death, immortality, and the intermediate state. Along the way, Boettner writes on biblical terminology—such as Sheol and Hades—purgatory, soul sleep, and much more. He also weaves numerous Scripture references and commentary from Reformed theologians into his narrative.

Contents

Top Highlights

“Spiritual death means the separation or alienation of the soul from God” (Page 16)

“Physical death means the separation of the soul from the body” (Page 17)

“Truly life is short, death is sure, and eternity is long.” (Page 9)

“Death holds no terrors for the true Christian. He sees it rather as the boundary line between this world and the next, or as the portal through which His Lord entered to prepare the way and through which he now follows. He is prepared, watchful, sober, knowing that his appointed salvation is sure, and that when his Lord comes it will be for the purpose of leading him into his inheritance. The day of his death becomes in fact his coronation day. It means leaving a world of sin and sorrow, of pain and disappointment, of toil and hardship, and entering into a far better world, a world of holiness and blessedness, of happiness and freedom and accomplishment, and of direct fellowship with God. In comparison with the present world the future and eternal world is by all odds to be preferred.” (Page 24)

“The parable of the rich man and Lazarus, which tells so much about the intermediate state and to which we find it necessary to refer so often, answers this question completely.” (Page 112)

Product Details

• Title: Immortality
• Author: Loraine Boettner
• Publisher: P&R
• Publication Date: 1956
• Pages: 161

About Loraine Boettner

Loraine Boettner (1901–1990) a Reformed Theologian, born on a farm in Linden, Missouri. After obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree from Tarkio College in 1925, he attended Princeton Theological Seminary where he studied Systematic Theology under Dr. Casper W. Hodge and received his Th.B. (1928) and Th.M. (1929). He taught Bible for eight years in Pikeville College, Kentucky. In 1933 he received the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity from Tarkio College, and in 1957 the degree of Doctor of Literature. He was a member of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.