Creation Ex Nihilo: A doctrine created out of nothing?

[Daniel Marsh]

Romans 4
16 So people get what God promised by having faith. This happens so that the promise can be a free gift. And if the promise is a free gift, then all of Abraham’s people will get that promise. The promise is not just for those who live under the Law of Moses. It is for all who live with faith as Abraham did. He is the father of us all. 17 As the Scriptures say, “I have made you a father of many nations.” This is true before God, the one Abraham believed—the God who gives life to the dead and speaks of things that don’t yet exist as if they are real.

18 There was no hope that Abraham would have children, but Abraham believed God and continued to hope. And that is why he became the father of many nations. As God told him, “You will have many descendants.”[c] 19 Abraham was almost a hundred years old, so he was past the age for having children. Also, Sarah could not have children. Abraham was well aware of this, but his faith in God never became weak. 20 He never doubted that God would do what he promised. He never stopped believing. In fact, he grew stronger in his faith and just praised God. 21 Abraham felt sure that God was able to do what he promised.

From the context, those who did not exist yet was Abraham's Children and their children.

 

[Daniel Marsh]

As I understand the basic argument God commands that which does not exist to come into existence. It boils down to how big is your God? A god who builds things out of existing matter alone is nothing more than a creature.

 

[Daniel Marsh]

A theme I am have been seeing among those our LDS friends have been quoting is they believe in Evolution and are trying to reinterpret the Bible to harmonize with Evolution. I forget which at one the links they gave, one or more are old earth creationists who believes god used evolution.

Those of us who use classical and correct exegesis have the bigger God, not just a creature who is now called a god.

 

[Daniel Marsh]

""In the beginning God created..." Rabbi Tanchuma opened [with the verse (Psalms 86:10),] "For You are great, and you perform wonders...." Rabbi Tanchum said: with a pouch, if you puncture a hole in its side with a pin, all its air comes out of it. Whereas the person is made with all kinds of hollows and holes, and his air does not leave his body. Who could make such a thing? "....You, God, alone."[the second half of the verse] When were the angels created? Rabbi Yochanan said: the angels were created on the second day. Just as it says (in Psalms 104:4), "He sets the rafters of the upper chambers in the water..." [creating the sky in the upper waters which God does on the second day] and then it is written, "He makes the winds his messengers (or, 'his angels')." Rabbi Chanina said: the angels were created on the fifth day, where it is written "and let the bird fly (ye-ofef) across the earth," and (in Isaiah 6:2) it is written, "and with two [wings] he (the Seraphic angel) would fly (ye-ofef)." Rabbi Luliana bar Tavrin said in the name of Rabbi Yitzchak: whether according to the opinion of Rabbi Chanina, or whether according to the opinion of Rabbi Yochanan, all agree that they were not created on the first day - so that they could not say that the angl Michael stretched out the south end of the sky and Gabriel the north end, and the Holy One, Blessed be He, measured out the middle. Rather, (as it says in Isaiah 44:24), "I am God who makes all, and who alone stretches out the heavens...with only Myself (me-iti)" 'Mi iti' (who, with me) is written, meaning, "WHO partnered WITH ME in the creation of the world?!?" Another interpretation: "For You are great and You do wonders..." It is the way of the world that a king of flesh and blood is praised in the land, and the great men of the land are praised with him, for they carry his burden with him. But the Holy One, Blessed be He, is not like this. Rather, He alone created the world. He alone is praised in the world. He alone is glorified in his world. Rabbi Tanchuma said: "For you are great and You do wonders..." Why? Because, "...You, God, alone." You, alone, created the world.

"In the beginning of God's creating..." - Six things preceded the creation of the world; some of them were created and some of them were decided to be created. The Torah and the Throne of Glory were created. How do we know the Torah was? As it says (Proverbs 8:22): "God made me at the beginning of his way." How do we know the Throne of Glory was? As it says (Psalms 93:2): "Your throne is established as of old etc." The Patriarchs, Israel, the Temple, and the name of the Messiah were decided to be created. How do we know the Patriarchs were? As it says (Hosea 9:10): "Like grapes in the wilderness etc." How do we know Israel was? As it says (Psalms 74:2): "Remember your congregation, whom you purchased from old." How do we know the Temple was? As it says (Jeremiah 17:12): "Your throne of glory, on high from the beginning etc." How do we know the name of the Messiah was? As it says (Psalms 72:17): "May his name exist forever etc. [his name shall be Yinnon as long as the sun]." Rabbi Ahavah said in the name of Rabbi Ze'ira: Even repentance was, as it says (Psalms 90:2): "Before the mountains were birthed," and at the same time (Psalms 90:3), "You turned man to contrition etc." However, I do not know which was first--if the Torah preceded the Throne of Glory or the Throne of Glory preceded the Torah. Rabbi Abba Bar Cahana said: The Torah preceded the Throne of Glory, as it says (Proverbs 8:22): "God made me at the beginning of his way, the first of his works of old." This is before that of which it is written (Psalms 93:2): "Your throne is established as of old." Rabbi Hunna and Rabbi Yirmiyah in the name of Rabbi Shmuel the son of Rabbi Yitzchak said: The thought of Israel was before everything. This is like a king who was married to a woman and did not have a son. One time the king was in the market and said: "Take this ink and pen for my son." They said: "He does not have a son." He replied: "Take them; the king must expect a son, because otherwise he would not command that the ink and pen be taken." Similarly, if there was no expectation of Israel receiving it after 26 generations, God would not have written in the Torah: "Command the children of Israel" or "Speak to the children of Israel." Rabbi Bannai said: The world and its contents were only created in the merit of the Torah, as it says (Proverbs 3:19): "God founded the world with wisdom etc." Rabbi Berachiyah said: In the merit of Moses, as it says (Deuteronomy 33:21): "He saw a first part for himself." Rabbi Hunna said in the name of Rabbi Matanah: The world was created in the merit of three things--challah, tithes, and first fruits. The verse "In the beginning God created" refers to challah, as it says (Numbers 15:20): "The beginning of your doughs." It also refers to tithes, as it says (Deuteronomy 18:4): "The beginning of your grains." It also refers to first fruits, as it says (Exodus 23:19): "The beginning of the fruits of the land."

Rabbi Hunna in the name of Bar Kafra opened with (Psalms 31:19): "Let the lying lips be dumb, that speak against the righteous arrogantly with pride and contempt." Let them be bound, made dumb, and silenced. "Let them be bound and made dumb"--as it says (Exodus 4:11): "Or who made one mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Was it not I, God?" and it says (Genesis 37:7): "We were binding sheaves in the field, and my sheaf rose." (The word for 'sheaf' is similar to 'mute'.) "Let them be silenced"--as it sounds. "Which speak against the righteous"--the life of all worlds (God). "Arrogantly"--[on matters] he has hidden from his creatures (The word for 'arrogant' is similar to 'hidden'). "In pride"--to boast and say: "I can explain creation." "And contempt"--to hold My glory in contempt. As Rabbi Yossi Bar Chanina said: One who honor's oneself at the expense of one's friend has no share in the World to Come. How much more so with the honor of God! And it says afterward (Psalms 31:20): "How abundant is Your goodness that you have laid up for those who fear You." Those who fear You and not for those who hold Your awe in contempt. When a king builds a palace in a place of sewers, dunghills, and garbage, everyone who says: "This palace is built on sewers, dunghills, and garbage" discredits it. So too, everyone who says the universe was created from nothingness discredits it. Rabbi Hunna in the name of Bar Kafra said: If it were not written, it would be impossible to say it. "In the beginning God created" from what? "And the earth was empty."

Bereishit Rabbah 1:5

What was Maren R. Niehoff understanding of the above paragraphs? written around 400 CE?

"Let the Wise Listen and add to Their Learning" (Prov 1:5)

 

[Daniel Marsh]

Talmuda de-Eretz Israel page 135

"Introduction: Genesis Rabbah, a Great Beginning," in Genesis Rabbah in Text and Context (Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2016), 1-21, co-authored with David Grossberg

Note table of contents

 

[Daniel Marsh]

Lewis S. Ford, “An Alternative to Creatio ex nihilo” in Religious Studies, Vol. 18, No. 2 (Cambridge University Press, 1983) 207, 210

Process Theism
Lewis S. Ford: A Life In Process – Religion Online

"But perhaps its two most common names are ‘neoclassical theism’ and ‘process theology’, the former because its adherents contend that God is finite and temporal, in contrast to the God of classical theism, the latter because process theists view God as a changing being."
Process theology: a survey and an appraisal - The Gospel Coalition

"DEFINITION
A contemporary non-evangelical theology with a conception of God rooted in the natural world around us. A view of God that claims it is more accurate to reality and to Scripture than the Classical View of God, because its God, though not omnipotent, is said to be changeable and interactive with humanity, unlike the Classical God."
Process Theology - The Gospel Coalition

In short Lewis S. Ford, is a well know false teacher, heretic. Nothing like scraping the bottom of the Cesspool !!!!

 

[natitude]

Since this view contradicts the constant teaching of the Church Fathers, Doctors, Popes and Councils, it is not surprising that Fr. Jaki’s argument for his thesis breaks down quickly under scrutiny.

This statement completely ignores Justin Martyr who I quoted earlier. It ignores that Thomas Aquinas said that all of his writings were as straw. And it ignores that fact that early church councils were collections of Bishop who were not authorized to speak for God to the Church as a whle. That responsibility to given to Jesus, Prophets, and Apostles.

 

[natitude]

Google fr. stanley jaki "eternal matter"
Fr. Stanley Jaki Genesis "creation out of nothing"

0 Third, un-created and eternal matter is unnecessary within the context of true
creation. Creation implies no preexisting matter, the matter, however conceived, relies
on, and has its origin, in God. Fourth, “creation is not an emanation, of the divine substance, not a procession from the divine substance. Creation is not a generation.”41
https://dsc.duq.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2264&context=etd
Strudwick, D. (2008). A Contemporary Consideration of the Role of Metaphysics in Systematic Theology: The Contributions of Pope
John Paul II and Claude Tresmontant (Doctoral dissertation, Duquesne University). Retrieved from A Contemporary Consideration of the Role of Metaphysics in Systematic Theology: The Contributions of Pope John Paul II and Claude Tresmontant

The Pope and Tresmontant lived well after the mid-Second Century AD. It would be expected that they tow the Trinitarian party line.

 

[natitude]

Technology all members of the Trinity had no beginning, nor end.

What else does "All Things" not include?

 

[natitude]

So, do LDS think that God is subject to eternal laws

The short answer is yes. For example, The Book of Mormon teaches that mercy cannot rob justice. And that the purpose of the Atonement was to provide mercy to the truly penitent while answering the demands of justice.

and eternal matter?

A) there is no "non-eternal" matter
B) matter is subject to God

 

[natitude]

Rabbi Saadia Gaon, the great 10th century scholar and philosopher, explains that the term "in the beginning" implies the very first moment of time. Nothing preceded this moment, since with this moment G‑d created time itself.

This chap is well after the mid-second century AD when the doctrine of creation ex nihilo was invented.

 

[natitude]

This, sacred Scripture teaches at the outset, to show that matter, from which God made and fashioned the world, was in some manner created, being produced by God."
CHURCH FATHERS: To Autolycus, Book II (Theophilus of Antioch)

Theophilus of Antioch 166-179 AD. CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Theophilus

He was not an apostle or prophet. Given the time frame he was probably one of the early perpetrators of the new doctrine.

 

[natitude]

further down from one of the quotes our LDS friends gave it says, "Nevertheless, closer examination also shows that the Scrolls and the rabbis do consistently affirm Israel's God as the creator of all things, explicitly including matter itself. Graeco-Roman antiquity axiomatically accepted that ‘nothing comes from nothing’, which also meant the pre-existence of matter."
Creatio ex nihilo in Palestinian Judaism and Early Christianity | Scottish Journal of Theology | Cambridge Core

Which specific quote are you referring to? In which comment was it originally provided (even if indirectly via a link)? Thanks.

 

[natitude]

Spirit is not made of matter.

Based on what?

 

[natitude]

"Moreover, the Church Fathers, though heavily influenced by Greek thought, dug in their heels concerning the doctrine of creation, sturdily insisting on the temporal creation of the universe ex nihilo in opposition to the prevailing Hellenistic doctrine of the eternity of matter. [2] A tradition of robust argumentation against the past eternity of the world and in favor of creatio ex nihilo, issuing from the Alexandrian Christian theologian John Philoponus (d. 580?), continued for centuries in Islamic, Jewish, and Christian thought. [3] In 1215 the Catholic church promulgated temporal creatio ex nihilo as official church doctrine at the Fourth Lateran Council, declaring God to be “Creator of all things, visible and invisible, . . . who, by His almighty power, from the beginning of time has created both orders in the same way out of nothing.” [4] This remarkable declaration not only affirms that God created everything apart from Himself without recourse to any material cause, but even that time itself had a beginning. The doctrine of creation is thus inherently bound up with temporal considerations and entails that God brought the universe into being at some point in the past without any antecedent or contemporaneous material cause."
Creation ex nihilo: Theology and Science | Reasonable Faith

From the link you provided: The biblical writers give us to understand that the universe had a temporal origin and thus imply creatio ex nihilo in the temporal sense that God brought the universe into being without a material cause at some point in the finite past.

Funny how he has to say "imply" instead of "specifically state".

Elsewhere William Craig Lane and Paul Copan write : nowhere in the Old Testament is it explicitly and precisely stated that God created the heavens and the earth out of nothing (ex nihilo); (The New Mormon Challenge (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001), 165, 187)

 

[Daniel Marsh]

This statement completely ignores Justin Martyr who I quoted earlier. It ignores that Thomas Aquinas said that all of his writings were as straw. And it ignores that fact that early church councils were collections of Bishop who were not authorized to speak for God to the Church as a whle. That responsibility to given to Jesus, Prophets, and Apostles.

I was quoting The Sad Legacy of Father Jaki’s Writings on Evolution
April 14, 20180 15 minutes read
by Hugh Owen which refutes Jaki.

 

[Daniel Marsh]

Based on what?

Dictionary

spir·it
/ˈspirit/

1. 1.
   the nonphysical part of a person which is the seat of emotions and character; the soul.
   "we seek a harmony between body and spirit"
   
   Similar:
   soul
   
   psyche
   
   inner self
   inner being
   essential being
   pneuma
   
   anima
   
   ego
   
   id
   
   ka
   
   atman
   
   
   Opposite:
   body
   
   flesh
   
   • 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
   • matter
     [ mat-er ]SHOW IPA
     
     See synonyms for: matter / mattered / mattering / matters on Thesaurus.com
     noun
     the substance or substances of which any physical object consists or is composed:
     the matter of which the earth is made.
     physical or corporeal substance in general, whether solid, liquid, or gaseous, especially as distinguished from incorporeal substance, as spirit or mind, or from qualities, actions, and the like.
     something that occupies space.
     a particular kind of substance:
     coloring matter.
   • 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
   • 
     
     
2. 2.
   those qualities regarded as forming the definitive or typical elements in the character of a person, nation, or group or in the thought and attitudes of a particular period.
   "the university is a symbol of the nation's egalitarian spirit"

https://www.dictionary.com/browse/matter

substance
[ suhb-stuhns ]SHOW IPA

See synonyms for: substance / substances on Thesaurus.com
noun
that of which a thing consists; physical matter or material:
form and substance.
a species of matter of definite chemical composition:
a chalky substance.
controlled substance.
the subject matter of thought, discourse, study, etc.
the actual matter of a thing, as opposed to the appearance or shadow; reality.
substantial or solid character or quality:
claims lacking in substance.

Definition of substance | Dictionary.com

What is matter? Matter is everything around you. Atoms and compounds are all made of very small parts of matter. Those atoms go on to build the things you see and touch every day. Matter is defined as anything that has mass and takes up space (it has volume).

What is mass? Mass is the amount of matter in an object. You might have a small object with a lot of mass such as a statue made of lead (Pb). You might have a large object with very little mass such as a balloon filled with helium (He). You should also know there is a difference between mass and weight. Mass is a measure of the matter in an object while weight is a measure of gravity’s pull on an object.

What is volume? Volume is the amount of space something occupies. Words such as big, little, long, or short are used to describe volumes. A marble takes up a small volume while a star occupies a large volume. Different states of matter will fill volumes in different ways.

Even though matter can be found all over the Universe, you will only find it in a few forms (states) on Earth. We cover five states of matter on the site. Each of those states is sometimes called a phase. There are many other states of matter that exist in extreme environments. Scientists will probably discover more states of matter as we continue to explore the Universe.
Chem4Kids.com: Matter: Definition and Overview

spirit
noun
Save Word
To save this word, you'll need to log in.

Log In

spir·it | \ ˈspir-ət \
Definition of spirit
(Entry 1 of 2)

1: an animating or vital principle held to give life to physical organisms
2: a supernatural being or essence: such as
acapitalized : HOLY SPIRIT
b: SOUL sense 2a
c: an often malevolent being that is bodiless but can become visiblespecifically : GHOST sense 2
d: a malevolent being that enters and possesses a human being
3: temper or disposition of mind or outlook especially when vigorous or animatedin high spirits
4: the immaterial intelligent or sentient part of a person
5a: the activating or essential principle influencing a personacted in a spirit of helpfulness
b: an inclination, impulse, or tendency of a specified kind : MOOD
6a: a special attitude or frame of mindthe money-making spirit was for a time driven back— J. A. Froude
b: the feeling, quality, or disposition characterizing somethingundertaken in a spirit of fun
7: a lively or brisk quality in a person or a person's actions
8: a person having a character or disposition of a specified nature
9: a mental disposition characterized by firmness or assertivenessdenied the charge with spirit
10a: DISTILLATE sense 1: such as
(1): the liquid containing ethanol and water that is distilled from an alcoholic liquid or mash —often used in plural
(2): any of various volatile liquids obtained by distillation or cracking (as of petroleum, shale, or wood) —often used in plural
b: a usually volatile organic solvent (such as an alcohol, ester, or hydrocarbon)
11a: prevailing tone or tendencyspirit of the age
b: general intent or real meaningspirit of the law
12: an alcoholic solution of a volatile substancespirit of camphor
13: enthusiastic loyaltyschool spirit
14capitalized, Christian Science : GOD sense 1b
spirit

verb
spirited; spiriting; spirits
Definition of spirit (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1: to infuse with spiritespecially : ANIMATEhope and apprehension of feasibleness spirits all industry— John Goodman
2: to carry off usually secretly or mysteriouslywas hustled into a … motorcar and spirited off to the country— W. L. Shirer
SynonymsChoose the Right Synonym
Definition of SPIRIT

noun
the principle of conscious life; the vital principle in humans, animating the body or mediating between body and soul.
the incorporeal part of humansresent in spirit though absent in body.

https://www.dictionary.com/browse/spirit

 

[Daniel Marsh]

From the link you provided: The biblical writers give us to understand that the universe had a temporal origin and thus imply creatio ex nihilo in the temporal sense that God brought the universe into being without a material cause at some point in the finite past.

Funny how he has to say "imply" instead of "specifically state".

Elsewhere William Craig Lane and Paul Copan write : nowhere in the Old Testament is it explicitly and precisely stated that God created the heavens and the earth out of nothing (ex nihilo); (The New Mormon Challenge (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001), 165, 187)

funny friend, you overlook rest of the story.

"
Creation out of Nothing: A Biblical, Philosophical, and Scientific Exploration Paperback – Illustrated, June 1, 2004
by Paul Copan William Lane Craig (Author)"

I read this book with the interpretive lens of how theistic thinkers might present the idea of creation ex nihilo (creation out of nothing) in general and looking at the Big Bang. The authors make a strong case that the Big Bang could be seen as a correlate in physics of the theological idea of creation out of nothing. They tend not to make absolute claims, but talk about plausibility. They make a strong case.

The first section of the book deals with Biblical materials. They admit creation out of nothing, in those words per se, is not prominent in the Biblical text. But they contrast Biblical cosmogony with Babylonian and Platonic views. The Biblical tradition portrays God as creating by word or will and not by pre-existing material. Creation ex nihilo does seem to develop quite naturally from the Biblical perspective.

There is a detailed section on post-Biblical Christian and Jewish writers.

Then follows an interesting section of the nature of “abstract objects.” These are Platonic Ideas, universals and mathematical entities. The authors contrast Platonism with the conceptualism of Augustine. This is a very philosophical section that lay readers may want to read quickly. But I think a theory of God as creator does have to address the existence of mathematicals and ideas.

The section on physics is good, and detailed. In particular, I benefited from the clear discussion of entropy. The authors make a strong and interesting argument that: current scientific cosmology could be seen as fulfilling the demands of creation out of nothing. Both of the authors are philosophers and theists, not physicists. But, in some ways, that makes the discussion better. Their perspective is one that is clear, incisive and well-argued.
https://www.amazon.com/Creation-out-Nothing-Philosophical-Exploration/dp/0801027330

 

[Daniel Marsh]

"
In order to properly interpret this epistle, which is sometimes referred to as the “tests of 1 John” or the “tests of life,” three issues must be settled: (1) to whom was the epistle written, Christians or professing Christians, (2) the nature of the Gnostic heresy being confronted, and (3) the intended purpose of the book. The first two concerns may be considered as “context.”



Context



Context refers to the events that surround the book, e.g., why the book was written, the issues that are considered in the book, and the person or persons to whom the book was written. It is fairly universally accepted that the book of 1 John was written primarily to contest the philosophies of Gnosticism as existed in that day."
1 John—Its Context, Purpose, and Specific Passages

 

[natitude]

Dictionary

spir·it
/ˈspirit/

1. 1.
   the nonphysical part of a person which is the seat of emotions and character; the soul.
   "we seek a harmony between body and spirit"
   
   Similar:
   soul
   
   psyche
   
   inner self
   inner being
   essential being
   pneuma
   
   anima
   
   ego
   
   id
   
   ka
   
   atman
   
   
   Opposite:
   body
   
   flesh
   • 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
   • matter
     [ mat-er ]SHOW IPA
     
     See synonyms for: matter / mattered / mattering / matters on Thesaurus.com
     noun
     the substance or substances of which any physical object consists or is composed:
     the matter of which the earth is made.
     physical or corporeal substance in general, whether solid, liquid, or gaseous, especially as distinguished from incorporeal substance, as spirit or mind, or from qualities, actions, and the like.
     something that occupies space.
     a particular kind of substance:
     coloring matter.
   • 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
   • 
     
2. 2.
   those qualities regarded as forming the definitive or typical elements in the character of a person, nation, or group or in the thought and attitudes of a particular period.
   "the university is a symbol of the nation's egalitarian spirit"

Definition of matter | Dictionary.com

substance
[ suhb-stuhns ]SHOW IPA

See synonyms for: substance / substances on Thesaurus.com
noun
that of which a thing consists; physical matter or material:
form and substance.
a species of matter of definite chemical composition:
a chalky substance.
controlled substance.
the subject matter of thought, discourse, study, etc.
the actual matter of a thing, as opposed to the appearance or shadow; reality.
substantial or solid character or quality:
claims lacking in substance.

Definition of substance | Dictionary.com

What is matter? Matter is everything around you. Atoms and compounds are all made of very small parts of matter. Those atoms go on to build the things you see and touch every day. Matter is defined as anything that has mass and takes up space (it has volume).

What is mass? Mass is the amount of matter in an object. You might have a small object with a lot of mass such as a statue made of lead (Pb). You might have a large object with very little mass such as a balloon filled with helium (He). You should also know there is a difference between mass and weight. Mass is a measure of the matter in an object while weight is a measure of gravity’s pull on an object.

What is volume? Volume is the amount of space something occupies. Words such as big, little, long, or short are used to describe volumes. A marble takes up a small volume while a star occupies a large volume. Different states of matter will fill volumes in different ways.

Even though matter can be found all over the Universe, you will only find it in a few forms (states) on Earth. We cover five states of matter on the site. Each of those states is sometimes called a phase. There are many other states of matter that exist in extreme environments. Scientists will probably discover more states of matter as we continue to explore the Universe.
Chem4Kids.com: Matter: Definition and Overview

spirit
noun
Save Word
To save this word, you'll need to log in.

Log In

spir·it | \ ˈspir-ət \
Definition of spirit
(Entry 1 of 2)

1: an animating or vital principle held to give life to physical organisms
2: a supernatural being or essence: such as
acapitalized : HOLY SPIRIT
b: SOUL sense 2a
c: an often malevolent being that is bodiless but can become visiblespecifically : GHOST sense 2
d: a malevolent being that enters and possesses a human being
3: temper or disposition of mind or outlook especially when vigorous or animatedin high spirits
4: the immaterial intelligent or sentient part of a person
5a: the activating or essential principle influencing a personacted in a spirit of helpfulness
b: an inclination, impulse, or tendency of a specified kind : MOOD
6a: a special attitude or frame of mindthe money-making spirit was for a time driven back— J. A. Froude
b: the feeling, quality, or disposition characterizing somethingundertaken in a spirit of fun
7: a lively or brisk quality in a person or a person's actions
8: a person having a character or disposition of a specified nature
9: a mental disposition characterized by firmness or assertivenessdenied the charge with spirit
10a: DISTILLATE sense 1: such as
(1): the liquid containing ethanol and water that is distilled from an alcoholic liquid or mash —often used in plural
(2): any of various volatile liquids obtained by distillation or cracking (as of petroleum, shale, or wood) —often used in plural
b: a usually volatile organic solvent (such as an alcohol, ester, or hydrocarbon)
11a: prevailing tone or tendencyspirit of the age
b: general intent or real meaningspirit of the law
12: an alcoholic solution of a volatile substancespirit of camphor
13: enthusiastic loyaltyschool spirit
14capitalized, Christian Science : GOD sense 1b
spirit

verb
spirited; spiriting; spirits
Definition of spirit (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1: to infuse with spiritespecially : ANIMATEhope and apprehension of feasibleness spirits all industry— John Goodman
2: to carry off usually secretly or mysteriouslywas hustled into a … motorcar and spirited off to the country— W. L. Shirer
SynonymsChoose the Right Synonym
Definition of SPIRIT

noun
the principle of conscious life; the vital principle in humans, animating the body or mediating between body and soul.
the incorporeal part of humansresent in spirit though absent in body.

Definition of spirit | Dictionary.com

By any chance do you any Bible verses that show that spirit is not composed of matter? Do we need to look for religious understanding in a secular dictionary?