Loading…

My Journey to Life - Daily Study Guide

96/398

Q7. If the Bible does not teach that the soul is immortal, where did that theory originate?

Picture: Q7. If the Bible does not teach that the soul is immortal, where did that theory originate? JTLD 99.1

The separation of the soul from the body, a concept known as dualism, stems largely from Greek philosophers Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and the Stoics. Others since the Age of Enlightenment have defined humanity as only a cog in the universal cosmic machine. Unlike dualism, this view does not present the soul as immortal, but neither does it offer hope, since humans exist only in a machine-like universe driven by involuntary forces. JTLD 99.2

Both views are a denial of the biblical account of the origin of life and death and cast doubt on the biblical teachings regarding the resurrection, the final punishment of the wicked, and the reward of heaven for the righteous. Dualism also impacts what we believe about our present life, particularly fostering negative views of the body in contrast with the positive role of the soul. In the dualistic theory, our redemption through Christ becomes merely an internal experience of the soul as opposed to a complete transformation of the whole person. JTLD 99.3

Many belief systems are derived from anthropological dualism. Consider the intercessory roles of Mary and the saints, or popular beliefs about paradise, purgatory, and hell—all unsupported by biblical teachings regarding mortality. Since Plato considered material components of the earth to be evil, the Christian’s hope of ultimate restoration of creation and its creatures (Romans 8:19-23) is reduced to some sort of eternal, ethereal contemplation in a spiritualized heavenly state. In contrast, the Bible’s emphasis on our need to act as God’s steward of our whole person impacts our response to today’s challenges such as war, racism, poverty, and economic imbalance. JTLD 99.4