Conditional Immortality

Definition and Meaning

Conditional immortality is the view that immortality, the state of not being subject to death, is not a quality human beings possess by nature. Rather, immortality is a gift that God bestows on the condition of faith. Those who hold this view generally believe that after the Last Judgment the unsaved do not suffer endlessly but cease to exist altogether. This position is commonly called "annihilationism," and the two terms are sometimes used almost interchangeably.

Conditional immortality addresses a different question from soul sleep, the view that the soul remains unconscious from death until the resurrection. Soul sleep concerns the "intermediate state" between death and resurrection, whereas conditional immortality concerns the final destiny of human beings. Many groups, however, hold both views.

Biblical and Historical Background

Proponents cite the following passages in support of their view:

• 1 Timothy 6:16, which describes God as the one "who only hath immortality"
• Romans 2:7 and Romans 6:23, which present eternal life as a gift
• John 3:16, which contrasts perishing with everlasting life
• Matthew 10:28, which speaks of God as able "to destroy both soul and body in hell"

Proponents argue that the idea of the soul's inherent immortality derives less from Scripture than from Greek philosophy, particularly Platonic thought.

Opponents point to the "everlasting punishment" of Matthew 25:46 and to the torment that lasts "for ever and ever" in Revelation 14:9–11 and Revelation 20:10, holding that punishment continues eternally. They also interpret the word "destroy" as meaning ruin rather than the cessation of existence.

Historically, the mainstream of the Western church has taught the immortality of the soul and eternal punishment. Some have claimed that certain early Church Fathers held similar views, but scholars disagree about how to interpret their writings. In the modern era, the Seventh-day Adventist Church adopted this teaching as official doctrine. Jehovah's Witnesses likewise reject the idea that the soul is inherently immortal. In the twentieth century, some evangelical theologians, including John Stott, expressed cautious openness to annihilationism, which sparked debate within evangelicalism.

Practice in the Korean Church

No major Protestant denomination in Korea is known to have adopted conditional immortality as official doctrine.

• Presbyterian churches: The Westminster Confession of Faith, which Presbyterian churches use as their doctrinal standard, states that the soul neither dies nor sleeps. It also confesses that the wicked are cast into eternal torment.
• Methodist, Holiness, and Full Gospel churches: These generally follow the traditional understanding of heaven and hell.

In Korea, this view has mainly been discussed alongside soul sleep in contexts that explain or critique Seventh-day Adventist teaching. As a result, ordinary church members often regard it as unfamiliar or as a view to be guarded against. At the same time, some theologians and pastors regard it as a minority view within evangelicalism and hold that it should be treated as a matter of biblical interpretation.