Eternal Soul?

Is a soul eternal? Or is it our spirit that can become eternal?

Isn't a soul different than our spirit, and our soul comes from the earth and returns to the earth when we die?
 
Is a soul eternal? Or is it our spirit that can become eternal?

Isn't a soul different than our spirit, and our soul comes from the earth and returns to the earth when we die?

There isn't a consensus about what is the composite nature of a human being. Many think of us as a triune of body, soul and spirit as analogous to Father, Son and Spirit.

Generally speaking, the technical theology as I understand it is that the soul departs from the body upon death, goes to hades for a foretaste of heaven or hell and upon the resurrection and general judgment the soul is reunited with The body to be assigned either to heaven or hell.

As far as the spirit, I'm not certain on its exact purpose but I've come to understand it as action or will. After death the spirit is locked into whatever state it is in making repentance impossible.

For many the exact details of this account are not important because the temporary states are largely inconsequential to where one spends eternity.
 
There was a thread on this subject a while ago. I remember it because I did a bit of study on it at the time. Check out the discussion if you like:

http://www.christianforumsite.com/threads/difference-between-soul-and-spirit.36865/

What I found (to quote from my own post in that thread) is that, when the terms soul and spirit are used in the Bible:

"Spirit is the standard word used for referring to your eternal self, although it's not always used that way, and soul is much more ambiguous, and is often, but not always, used to describe some manner of sense of self or sense of individual."
 
Is a soul eternal? Or is it our spirit that can become eternal?

Isn't a soul different than our spirit, and our soul comes from the earth and returns to the earth when we die?
Here's some scripture to help you out:

Genesis 2:7 (KJV)
And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

So far: dust + water + breath = living soul

John 6:63a (KJV)
It is the spirit that quickeneth...

The word spirit and breath in Hebrew are the same.

Ecclesiastes 12:7 (KJV)
Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

At death the dust returns to the earth and the spirit (the life) back to God... notice no mention of the soul because the destination is one of two.

So my only answer to this question is another question, if we cease to exist at death then why did Jesus die on the cross.
 
Here's some scripture to help you out:

Genesis 2:7 (KJV)
And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

So far: dust + water + breath = living soul

John 6:63a (KJV)
It is the spirit that quickeneth...

The word spirit and breath in Hebrew are the same.

Ecclesiastes 12:7 (KJV)
Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

At death the dust returns to the earth and the spirit (the life) back to God... notice no mention of the soul because the destination is one of two.

So my only answer to this question is another question, if we cease to exist at death then why did Jesus die on the cross.

So my only answer to this question is another question, if we cease to exist at death then why did Jesus die on the cross.

There are 2 deaths. The first is temporary, and Jesus defeated when He rose from the dead, and the second is permanent in the LoF. So one reason Jesus died was to rise again and defeat death.

1Co 15:19-21 KJV If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. (20) But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. (21) For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
 
There isn't a consensus about what is the composite nature of a human being. Many think of us as a triune of body, soul and spirit as analogous to Father, Son and Spirit.

Generally speaking, the technical theology as I understand it is that the soul departs from the body upon death, goes to hades for a foretaste of heaven or hell and upon the resurrection and general judgment the soul is reunited with The body to be assigned either to heaven or hell.

As far as the spirit, I'm not certain on its exact purpose but I've come to understand it as action or will. After death the spirit is locked into whatever state it is in making repentance impossible.

For many the exact details of this account are not important because the temporary states are largely inconsequential to where one spends eternity.

What I have come to understand from a teaching by Herbert W. Armstrong, of which I question, but to some degree seems truthful is that humans and animals have souls and they come from the earth and return there upon death. Also, that animals don't have a spirit; that is what separates us from animals. And our spirit works with our senses and minds giving us the ability to reason and be superior to animals.

I guess I'm just looking for a witness to whether or not I need to unlearn false teaching.
 
What I have come to understand from a teaching by Herbert W. Armstrong, of which I question, but to some degree seems truthful is that humans and animals have souls and they come from the earth and return there upon death. Also, that animals don't have a spirit; that is what separates us from animals. And our spirit works with our senses and minds giving us the ability to reason and be superior to animals.

I guess I'm just looking for a witness to whether or not I need to unlearn false teaching.

Also, that animals don't have a spirit; that is what separates us from animals.

Dumpster it seems animals do have a spirit with the difference being we were created in Yahweh's image. I think a good word for this was used in the KJV when Job said we have both spirit/breath ( ruach ) and inspiration ( neshamah ) from God .

Job 32:8 KJV But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

Both humans and animals have the ruach( spirit/breath) and become nephesh ( living souls/beings ) but only humans have the neshamah ( inspiration of God ) imo. Only one passage that I know of casts doubt on this idea but I think it's inconclusive and can be read as only humans having neshamah.

Gen 7:21-22 KJV And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man: (22) All in whose nostrils was the breath of life ( neshamah ruach ), of all that was in the dry land, died.
 
if we cease to exist at death then why did Jesus die on the cross.

I would say our physical body would cease to exist, but our spirit would live on. So that leaves the soul; if were not breathing, does our soul continue?

I believe Jesus died on the cross to atone for our sin, prepare a place for believers, and be an example for being born again.
 
Dumpster it seems animals do have a spirit with the difference being we were created in Yahweh's image. I think a good word for this was used in the KJV when Job said we have both spirit/breath ( ruach ) and inspiration ( neshamah ) from God .

Job 32:8 KJV But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

Both humans and animals have the ruach( spirit/breath) and become nephesh ( living souls/beings ) but only humans have the neshamah ( inspiration of God ) imo. Only one passage that I know of casts doubt on this idea but I think it's inconclusive and can be read as only humans having neshamah.

Gen 7:21-22 KJV And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man: (22) All in whose nostrils was the breath of life ( neshamah ruach ), of all that was in the dry land, died.

So would you say that God breathed life into the animals too? It looks like God calls the animals 'flesh' and specifies man as having breath(spirit).
 
So would you say that God breathed life into the animals too? It looks like God calls the animals 'flesh' and specifies man as having breath(spirit).

Which scriptures are you refering to ? I see where Yahweh breathed life into man ( neshamah ) Gen 2:7 but but ruach nephesh ( spirit/breath life ) is used for both man and animal. Gen2:7, Gen 1:30 , Ecc 3:21.


I think you were right, Job.

Job 32:8
But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

Yeah the book of Job but Elihu was the speaker I think.
 
Which scriptures are you refering to ? I see where Yahweh breathed life into man ( neshamah ) Gen 2:7 but but ruach nephesh ( spirit/breath life ) is used for both man and animal. Gen2:7, Gen 1:30 , Ecc 3:21.




Yeah the book of Job but Elihu was the speaker I think.

Gen 7:21-22 KJV And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man: (22) All in whose nostrils was the breath of life ( neshamah ruach ), of all that was in the dry land, died.
 
"You don't have a soul, you are a soul. You have a body." -CS Lewis.

Lysander, I'm curious, notwithstanding your post, Catholic theology holds that the body is sacred and in union with one's personage, correct? Does the Church teach anything about the triune of body, soul and spirit?
 
Lysander, I'm curious, notwithstanding your post, Catholic theology holds that the body is sacred and in union with one's personage, correct? Does the Church teach anything about the triune of body, soul and spirit?

The Church teaches that the body reunites with the soul after to second coming of Christ--but of course, that is a privilege for those who are in heaven, not those in hell.
 
I can't believe how many Christians believe that when you die you go to heaven, and that the kingdom of God is in heaven. The Bible clearly teaches we go to the grave to await the resurrection, and that the kingdom of God will be on a new Earth.
 
I can't believe how many Christians believe that when you die you go to heaven, and that the kingdom of God is in heaven. The Bible clearly teaches we go to the grave to await the resurrection, and that the kingdom of God will be on a new Earth.

Many Christians would be equally surprised that some believe that there is a period of sleep. But I recommend either starting a private conversation about this or possibly starting a thread in regards to this for open discussion.
 
I can't believe how many Christians believe that when you die you go to heaven, and that the kingdom of God is in heaven. The Bible clearly teaches we go to the grave to await the resurrection, and that the kingdom of God will be on a new Earth.
I disagree. The body returns to dust, the spirit to God and the soul to it's destination - heaven or hell.
 
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