The Problem of Immortality. By C. Petavel, D.D. Translated by
Frederick Ash Freer. (Elliot Stock.)—Dr. Petavel dedicates his book to the Rev. Edward White, the argument of whose work, "Life in Christ," it is intended to support. Briefly stated, the thesis is this, that immortality is not an inherent quality of the human soul, but the gift of God offered to all, and attained by union with Christ. This, it is maintained, is the real teaching of the New Testament, the dogma of an intrinsic immortality being a Platonic corruption. It may be doubted, indeed, whether any philosophical school held the belief in an universal immortality.
ut sapientibus placuit, non extinguuntur cum corpore magnee animm," says Tacitus, where the qualification megan is no doubt essential. It is not exactly fair to describe the teaching of Dr. Petavel by the phrase " annihilation of the wicked." A certain gift is rejected, and the natural consequence of the death of the spirit follows. Certainly the theory removes many difficulties, but causes more, especially to the interpretation of the gospels.
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