Required reading
Systematic Theology by Charles Hodge (Vol 3) (Available from Amazon or free here) - Continue Chapter 1 (State of the soul after death) by reading up to the heading '4. Doctrine of the Church of Rome'.
My summary
Firstly this week, Hodge briefly refuses to accept the doctrine of soul sleep - the soul remaining unconscious from death to the resurrection.
Then Hodge spends the rest of the reading examining the teachings of the church fathers on the intermediate state. We see divergent views but Hodge concludes:
'It appears, therefore, that there is little difference between the advocates of an intermediate state and those who are regarded as rejecting that doctrine. Both admit, (1.) That the souls of believers do at death pass into a state of blessedness. (2.) That they remain in that state until the resurrection. (3.) That at the second coming of Christ, when the souls of the righteous are to be clothed with their glorified bodies, they will be greatly exalted and raised to a higher state of being.'
What grabbed me
Sorry Hodge, nothing grabbed me today.
Next week's reading
Conclude Chapter 1 (State of the soul after death).
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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