I previously posted this under one of the threads on the forum, but it has gotten lost amoungst the clutter, so for the sake of those interested we post it here again as a blog post much which we believe is much easier to access.
Upon examining some of the various threads on this forum with regards to the soul I have noticed that there seems to be a lot of speculation upon this subject, not all of which is based upon the scriptures. This subject is considered an important doctrine one which needs to be rightly understood as it affects whether or not one rightly comprehends many other important doctrines. We would say that this is a “fundamental doctrine”, one of the “first principle doctrines” (Heb 6:1) or building blocks in establishing a sure foundation of faith.
With this in mind let us examine this subject of the soul once again that we might be “established in the truth” (2 Pet 1:12) and not in error. Keep in mind the words of the Apostle when he stated that “all scripture is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction (that is in any area in which we may have erred) and instruction… that the man of God (or woman, the meek, the teachable) may be perfect (thoroughly complete). 2 Tim 3:17
Only those rightly exercised who are willing to accept correction where needed are ready to be taught at the feet of our Lord. “Listen to advise and accept instruction and in the end you will be wise (not wise according to this world’s wisdom, but according to that wisdom which comes from above).” Prov 19:20
Now as to our subject,
“Not comprehending the meaning of the word soul, many feel at liberty to use it in a reckless manner, and hence they reverse the Scriptural statement and instead of speaking of man as BEING a soul, they speak of man as HAVING a soul, which is a very different thought altogether. It is necessary, therefore, that each seeker of truth should, so far as possible, divest his mind of prejudice on the subject, and especially with respect to things and features which he admits he does not fully understand; because it is the natural tendency to give attributes and powers to that which is mysterious and not fully comprehended. Thus the general idea of a soul is that it is wonderfully intelligent, possessed of wonderful powers, that it is indestructible, intangible, and incomprehensible.
A Methodist bishop is credited with having given the following definition of a soul, which certainly accords well with so-called "orthodox" theories, even if it is absurd when closely analyzed. He states concerning the soul,
"It is without interior or exterior, without body, shape, or parts, and you could put a million of them in a nutshell."
These various things are predicated of a soul, to help fill out a theory, which is wholly erroneous. The theory is that the soul is the real being, a spark of divinity, possessed of divine quality and intelligent life, etc., separate and apart from the body; and that it inhabits the human body for a time, and uses it for a house, and when the body is worn out, disabled or dies the soul abandons it.
But what foundation is there for such wild speculation? We answer, it is wholly unwarranted. It is the result of man's taking his own theory of a future life, and rejecting the divine theory and plan.
Human theory says there must be something which never dies; else there can be no future life. The divine theory says, the same God who created the individual in the first place is able to resurrect him after he dies. This is the conflict between the Word of God and all the human theories of earth amongst the civilized as well as amongst the heathen: all human theories teach that man does not die, and hence has no need of a Life-giver and a resurrection (In other words they affirm the Adversaries lie, “Thou shall not surely die”, Gen 3:4). The Bible theory is that man does die, and that without the Life-giver, and without a resurrection, death would indeed end all, and there would be no future life.
It is to support this theory that the world, and the majority of works written by professed Christians, teach the doctrine of the immortality of the soul--that there is a soul in man, possessed of a separate life from his body, and that it is immortal, indestructible, and therefore destined to an eternity of pain (eternal life in torment in Hell) or pleasure (eternal life in heaven).”
Continued with next post.
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