What is a soul?

[Boomygrrl]

When I die, my body will rot and I will be worm food. Kind of gross, but really, we all know our bodies are not everlasting. That includes our brains. After I die, I will not be able to think, see, taste, feel pain, love, hate, or do anything...the chemicals in my brain will no longer function and consciousness will cease to exist.

100 years ago...40 years ago...I was non-existent, not as a human at least. For at least 60-something years (the age of my mother), half of my DNA existed inside of my mother (as she was carrying the egg that eventually became fertilized). But I was not a conscious being, could not feel pain, could not think. I was just genetic material. Much like my remains, as it seeps into the soil.

So, how does an afterlife fit in? Whether it's heaven, hell, or anything else, how can we experience the afterlife? Many people say "the soul lives on." But what does that even mean? And was there a "beforelife"?
What is the soul? Was it born when I was born? How did it come to be? How is it considered a "living" being? Does it feel, think, experience through senses, and if so, how?

How do I Boomygrrl live on as an individual being?


Thanks in advance,
Boomygrrl

 

[Control]

The most basic sense of the word "soul" (psuche) denotes the breath or "life." However, the Bible moves beyond this into other areas (Vine, W. 1973) such as the soul being the seat of personality (for example: Luke 9:24 explained soul as = "own self," v. 25); the seat of the sentient element in man, that is by which he perceives, reflects, feels, desires (for example: Luke 1:46; 2:35; Psalm 84:2; Isaiah 26:9); the seat of will and purpose (for example: Matthew 22:37); the immaterial, invisible part of man (for example: Acts 2:27; 1 Kings 17:21); among several other definitions.

I've always believed [reservedly] that generally when we speak of the soul that the term refers to who you are or your essence, that is, your personality, character, etc. It should be noted that this is just merely my personal view. Most other Christians probably have differing views.

As to where it comes from, that's another thing that I do not know. I would guess that it comes into existence at conception and did not exist prior to conception.
I wish that I could help more, but I'm not that knowledgable about this issue. Sorry.

References:
Vine, W. (1973). Expository Dictionary Of New Testament Words. Vol II, p.54. Oliphants: London, England.

 

[Radagast]

... So, how does an afterlife fit in? Whether it's heaven, hell, or anything else, how can we experience the afterlife? Many people say "the soul lives on." But what does that even mean? And was there a "beforelife"?
What is the soul? Was it born when I was born? How did it come to be? How is it considered a "living" being? Does it feel, think, experience through senses, and if so, how?

Many people have believed / do still believe that we have a soul (which lives on) as well as a body (which rots). Read Plato, for example.

Science can't tell us anything about souls, since they're not material. But souls link to bodies (in fact, to brains) in a way we don't really understand.

-- Radagast

 

[revmalone]

When I die, my body will rot and I will be worm food. Kind of gross, but really, we all know our bodies are not everlasting. That includes our brains. After I die, I will not be able to think, see, taste, feel pain, love, hate, or do anything...the chemicals in my brain will no longer function and consciousness will cease to exist.

100 years ago...40 years ago...I was non-existent, not as a human at least. For at least 60-something years (the age of my mother), half of my DNA existed inside of my mother (as she was carrying the egg that eventually became fertilized). But I was not a conscious being, could not feel pain, could not think. I was just genetic material. Much like my remains, as it seeps into the soil.

So, how does an afterlife fit in? Whether it's heaven, hell, or anything else, how can we experience the afterlife? Many people say "the soul lives on." But what does that even mean? And was there a "beforelife"?
What is the soul? Was it born when I was born? How did it come to be? How is it considered a "living" being? Does it feel, think, experience through senses, and if so, how?

How do I Boomygrrl live on as an individual being?


Thanks in advance,
Boomygrrl

Greetings
I'll give you a example. When you look into the mirror and see your fleshly face that is only the outside view of what your soul looks like.

It is your soul that does the looking in this world, behind them. Without a Mirror you can't look at your face nor would you know what you looked like.

The body is like a prison house for the Soul, when death come then that soul is let free but then comes the question of was there sins forgiven or not.

To leave this world without coming to Jesus and asking to be forgiven those wake up burning in Hell.

If they came to him before they died, then as soon as they leave this world they are in a instant present before the Lord.

The Scriptures say it is appointed unto man once to die? Isn't that true, yea. Then it says after this the judgement, the division of the Soul and body, going to Hell or to Heaven.

Does a guy that breaks the Law go straight to prison right after being arrested, NO this would be a unjust action and this is not how it works he go first to a holding cell at the local jail to await all charges to be file against him. Just like in hell(hades), all are equal, no crime greater then another until Judgement day, all await there day in court. This is what Hell is being used for.


Gods mercy is in this fact, the only sin God holds all mankind accountable for right now is rejecting the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ and that's it. He see's every sin we do as being done thru ignorance this allows him to have complete forgivness on every man, women, boy and girl.

No matter what sins you ever did God knows you done them not understanding that they were wrong.

Hell is not the final place that the lost soul will stay, it is were the soul is held after the body dies because the body goes back to the dust. Everyone who dies lost will receives the same torments as all in this temporary place, there is not different degrees personal punishment in hell( hades) right now because it is just the Holding place not the final place.

There is a Day God has set aside to judge every evil work and to pass down the exact required payment that must be paid. This is were God will bring justice to each and every crime and sin ever commited.

When a person dies lost there soul will stay in the holding cell called Hell, it's only until Gods final day of Judgement. At this Judgement every evil, every secret, every deed, every thought, every cuss word, is added to each account. The Bible calls this Judgement, the Great White Throne judgement. When the lost appear at this judgement they will receive there bodies but this time there bodies that aremade just to be able to handle the terrible judgement that will be given.

Christians will have a glorified body to face there judgement, but they receive rewards at there judgement not punishment. The lost will have a soul and body to be cast in alive taking every price and tourment received in judgement into the Lake of Fire.
Just think of how hot it could be if a person get's 1 degree of fire per offence. How many cuss words have you said, then add up the dirty thought, the jokes, all the people that have been affected by every bad thing you did to them, what about for every lie told, It makes me tremble to think of the received punishments.

Here is the Judgement Day recorded in Scripture
Revelation 20:11-15
11. And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
12. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Everything we do is recorded into our minds, your eyes are recording lens God records your whole life from, some who have died explain there whole life flashed before there eyes, your whole life is recorded inside your mind.Man has created great machines some can even trace every phone conversation, great records are stored on a small computer and at the push of a button, entire history of a person can be traced.

Each person as they walk through this life they are recording there own actions for a witness on that day of judgement. If a person denies they did a act that there accused of God will show it to you, he can show the exact second you did it live right before your own eyes and there will be no excuse for you to use, every small thing you have done, on that day it will be shown to all the hosts of heaven and many are going to add on to there punishment that day, because of all the lies they are going to tell him, he will be just because there will not be one thing left in the universe unpunished after this great judgement day.

Jesus said in Matthew 12:36-37;" I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned".
After this great judgement day trial is over, all there will be cast into the Eternal prison known as The Lake of Fire.(Revelation 20:15)

Who is the Judge on that day? It will be none other then Jesus Christ Himself.
John 5:22;" For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:"

Jesus made the way to be saved and because he is the salvation the only way, God commited all judgement to him. He knows all who are his and he knows all who are not his. There will be no mistakes on the Day he judges.
John 10:24-30
24. Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.
25. Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.
26. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
27. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28. And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
30. I and my Father are one.

Being saved is free, all we have to do is ask to be forgiven, no works to be done to get it, it's all paid for and it is Gods free gift. How could God make it anymore simple for us to receive. If anyone searched all the rest of the worlds religions they will have to do this work or that work to go into there so called heaven, but in every other religion there is no assurance, no promises that you will go this way, the truth is you don't, without Jesus you go to the holding cell. That is why Jesus told us nobody can come to heaven except by him.

If I owned a house and I told everybody who wants to enter it they must come thru the front door only or be arrested . Suppose then people said he's not serious and started trying to come through my roof or window, would I be wrong to called the law, no.
Is it my fault they went to jail, NO! Why not? I tried to help let them in, I warned them theres one way in. I made the way to get in invitation, and it wouldn't cost them one thing , but by choosing there own way to get in , they lost it all, but it all came down to there choice on how to get in. This is the same way God has done for all of man kind, he made salvation to be free and every person gets it the same way, asking Jesus.He has told us to come in thru the door and the only door is Jesus, read it.

John 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
Is God just in what he is doing, yes when we see the big picture there is nothing left for him to do, it's up to us to decide to get in, his way or pay our own way, which will you choose.

Matthew 7:13-14. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
John 14:6 6. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Just ask for it, don't miss your invitation.
Rev Malone

 

[Boomygrrl]

I've always believed [reservedly] that generally when we speak of the soul that the term refers to who you are or your essence, that is, your personality, character, etc. It should be noted that this is just merely my personal view. Most other Christians probably have differing views.

As to where it comes from, that's another thing that I do not know. I would guess that it comes into existence at conception and did not exist prior to conception. .

I wish that I could help more, but I'm not that knowledgable about this issue. Sorry.

Thanks for your honesty as well in not knowing for sure. Can you tell me more about your belief concerning personality? Specifically, how you can distinguish the soul from your brain, environment, and any physical process? Is the soul a substance in and of itself?

Boomygrrl

 

[Boomygrrl]

Greetings
I'll give you a example. When you look into the mirror and see your fleshly face that is only the outside view of what your soul looks like.

It is your soul that does the looking in this world, behind them. Without a Mirror you can't look at your face nor would you know what you looked like.

The body is like a prison house for the Soul, when death come then that soul is let free but then comes the question of was there sins forgiven or not.

To leave this world without coming to Jesus and asking to be forgiven those wake up burning in Hell.

If they came to him before they died, then as soon as they leave this world they are in a instant present before the Lord.

The Scriptures say it is appointed unto man once to die? Isn't that true, yea. Then it says after this the judgement, the division of the Soul and body, going to Hell or to Heaven.

Does a guy that breaks the Law go straight to prison right after being arrested, NO this would be a unjust action and this is not how it works he go first to a holding cell at the local jail to await all charges to be file against him. Just like in hell(hades), all are equal, no crime greater then another until Judgement day, all await there day in court. This is what Hell is being used for.


Gods mercy is in this fact, the only sin God holds all mankind accountable for right now is rejecting the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ and that's it. He see's every sin we do as being done thru ignorance this allows him to have complete forgivness on every man, women, boy and girl.

No matter what sins you ever did God knows you done them not understanding that they were wrong.

Hell is not the final place that the lost soul will stay, it is were the soul is held after the body dies because the body goes back to the dust. Everyone who dies lost will receives the same torments as all in this temporary place, there is not different degrees personal punishment in hell( hades) right now because it is just the Holding place not the final place.

There is a Day God has set aside to judge every evil work and to pass down the exact required payment that must be paid. This is were God will bring justice to each and every crime and sin ever commited.

When a person dies lost there soul will stay in the holding cell called Hell, it's only until Gods final day of Judgement. At this Judgement every evil, every secret, every deed, every thought, every cuss word, is added to each account. The Bible calls this Judgement, the Great White Throne judgement. When the lost appear at this judgement they will receive there bodies but this time there bodies that aremade just to be able to handle the terrible judgement that will be given.

Christians will have a glorified body to face there judgement, but they receive rewards at there judgement not punishment. The lost will have a soul and body to be cast in alive taking every price and tourment received in judgement into the Lake of Fire.
Just think of how hot it could be if a person get's 1 degree of fire per offence. How many cuss words have you said, then add up the dirty thought, the jokes, all the people that have been affected by every bad thing you did to them, what about for every lie told, It makes me tremble to think of the received punishments.

Here is the Judgement Day recorded in Scripture
Revelation 20:11-15
11. And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
12. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Everything we do is recorded into our minds, your eyes are recording lens God records your whole life from, some who have died explain there whole life flashed before there eyes, your whole life is recorded inside your mind.Man has created great machines some can even trace every phone conversation, great records are stored on a small computer and at the push of a button, entire history of a person can be traced.

Each person as they walk through this life they are recording there own actions for a witness on that day of judgement. If a person denies they did a act that there accused of God will show it to you, he can show the exact second you did it live right before your own eyes and there will be no excuse for you to use, every small thing you have done, on that day it will be shown to all the hosts of heaven and many are going to add on to there punishment that day, because of all the lies they are going to tell him, he will be just because there will not be one thing left in the universe unpunished after this great judgement day.

Jesus said in Matthew 12:36-37;" I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned".
After this great judgement day trial is over, all there will be cast into the Eternal prison known as The Lake of Fire.(Revelation 20:15)

Who is the Judge on that day? It will be none other then Jesus Christ Himself.
John 5:22;" For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:"

Jesus made the way to be saved and because he is the salvation the only way, God commited all judgement to him. He knows all who are his and he knows all who are not his. There will be no mistakes on the Day he judges.
John 10:24-30
24. Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.
25. Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.
26. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
27. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28. And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
30. I and my Father are one.

Being saved is free, all we have to do is ask to be forgiven, no works to be done to get it, it's all paid for and it is Gods free gift. How could God make it anymore simple for us to receive. If anyone searched all the rest of the worlds religions they will have to do this work or that work to go into there so called heaven, but in every other religion there is no assurance, no promises that you will go this way, the truth is you don't, without Jesus you go to the holding cell. That is why Jesus told us nobody can come to heaven except by him.

If I owned a house and I told everybody who wants to enter it they must come thru the front door only or be arrested . Suppose then people said he's not serious and started trying to come through my roof or window, would I be wrong to called the law, no.
Is it my fault they went to jail, NO! Why not? I tried to help let them in, I warned them theres one way in. I made the way to get in invitation, and it wouldn't cost them one thing , but by choosing there own way to get in , they lost it all, but it all came down to there choice on how to get in. This is the same way God has done for all of man kind, he made salvation to be free and every person gets it the same way, asking Jesus.He has told us to come in thru the door and the only door is Jesus, read it.

John 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
Is God just in what he is doing, yes when we see the big picture there is nothing left for him to do, it's up to us to decide to get in, his way or pay our own way, which will you choose.

Matthew 7:13-14. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
John 14:6 6. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Just ask for it, don't miss your invitation.
Rev Malone

So what is the soul? Is it a substance? How do we know it exists? Does it feel pleasure or pain? You imply it's independent of the body, and in fact is imprisoned in the body. Is it ghostly? What functions does it possess that the body cannot do?

Thanks,
Boomygrrl

 

[The Nihilist]

Also, how do we know a soul exists? Is there any real data for such a thing? Can you open up the brain and see a point to where information goes and from which it comes, but without actually being able to find the immaterial source?
My guess is no, but I'm here to learn.

 

[ERice2nd]

Also, how do we know a soul exists? Is there any real data for such a thing? Can you open up the brain and see a point to where information goes and from which it comes, but without actually being able to find the immaterial source?
My guess is no, but I'm here to learn.

The proof is in the dead body. There really is no difference between a living body and a dead body except that the dead body no longer works. I think it was Einstien (or some scientist anyway) who said that energy can not be destroyed, only transformed. Our brains have neural energy. When this energy disappers that means all brain function has stoped. If energy cant be destroy, where did this energy go? I believe this energy is our soul and when we die, it leaves us and finds itself in the presence of God.

 

[WashedClean]

The soul is our mind, will and emotions. Our spirit is eternal and this is what will live on in the afterlife.

Christians believe in the resurrection of the body when Jesus returns. We will have new bodies that will never die, feel pain, etc. This is all in the Bible.

I'm not sure what Bible Venantius is reading, but most Catholics also believe what I've stated...

 

[BelindaP]

Here is my attempt at a reply.

We are created in God's image. That does not have to do with just our body shape, but also the way we are put together. Just like God, we are triune.

We have a body-the part that everybody here can see. It is exemplified by Jesus in the trinity.

We have a life spirit-the spiritual essence that keeps us alive. All living things have a life spirit. It is exemplified by the Holy Spirit in the trinity.

We have a soul-the part of us that does the thinking and deciding, the part that make us who we are. It is exemplified by God the Father of the trinity.

The brain is simply a processor, very much like that of a computer. It doesn't think for itself; it serves as an interface between the soul and the body. Neurologists can measure and "see" the parts of our brain that light up depending on our emotions and thoughts, but those are just the areas of the processor being used by soul, not the real thoughts.

Since we are locked in a mortal, three-dimensional body, we don't have the ability to sense the other dimensions that exist and in which the spiritual things reside. That is also why science cannot measure or verify anything supernatural. Our science is three-dimensional, as well.

The promise that we have in the Bible is that when we die, and the three parts of us are separated, God will give us a new body and a new life spirit so that we, too, will become immortal. I presume, but don't know for sure, that we will then be able to see and sense each other's souls. Until then, the soul will remain an invisible, untestable entity.

 

[The Nihilist]

The proof is in the dead body. There really is no difference between a living body and a dead body except that the dead body no longer works. I think it was Einstien (or some scientist anyway) who said that energy can not be destroyed, only transformed. Our brains have neural energy. When this energy disappers that means all brain function has stoped. If energy cant be destroy, where did this energy go? I believe this energy is our soul and when we die, it leaves us and finds itself in the presence of God.

The only difference between my car now and a week ago is that it no longer works too. Does my car therefore have a soul?
Our brains do not have neural energy. There is no such thing as neural energy. The brain has electrical energy within it, but no magical neural energy.
Where does this go when we die? It certainly doesn't get destroyed; instead, it dissipates, much in the way that a hot glass of water will cool.

 

[ERice2nd]

The only difference between my car now and a week ago is that it no longer works too. Does my car therefore have a soul?
Our brains do not have neural energy. There is no such thing as neural energy. The brain has electrical energy within it, but no magical neural energy.
Where does this go when we die? It certainly doesn't get destroyed; instead, it dissipates, much in the way that a hot glass of water will cool.

Electrical energy, neural energy, call it what you want.
Your car can be fixed with enough funds, I know, I was a mechanic for 5 years , a dead body cant be fixed.
Water turns to gas, comes back as water...it doesnt go anywhere, it just changes form like I said that energy does in my previous post.

Eternal, unvarifiable, your own existance cant be varified. You are in effect, asking all of us to take your word that you exist, Just as God has done. How many of us in these forums are to believe you are real, simply because we see your text? God has asked all people to believe in him, he has talked to people, just as you are doing, with just words but not his physical self (except in the case with Abraham). So if, by your logic, these eternal things and God does not exist, by what logic do you expect us to believe you exist?

 

[angelsword]

When I die, my body will rot and I will be worm food. Kind of gross, but really, we all know our bodies are not everlasting. That includes our brains. After I die, I will not be able to think, see, taste, feel pain, love, hate, or do anything...the chemicals in my brain will no longer function and consciousness will cease to exist.

100 years ago...40 years ago...I was non-existent, not as a human at least. For at least 60-something years (the age of my mother), half of my DNA existed inside of my mother (as she was carrying the egg that eventually became fertilized). But I was not a conscious being, could not feel pain, could not think. I was just genetic material. Much like my remains, as it seeps into the soil.

So, how does an afterlife fit in? Whether it's heaven, hell, or anything else, how can we experience the afterlife? Many people say "the soul lives on." But what does that even mean? And was there a "beforelife"?
What is the soul? Was it born when I was born? How did it come to be? How is it considered a "living" being? Does it feel, think, experience through senses, and if so, how?

How do I Boomygrrl live on as an individual being?


Thanks in advance,
Boomygrrl

In a way, you answered your own question! When people are dead, did you ever notice that it is called the body? Why. What made it mobile? Machines just function then break down. We as human beings are unique! The love of God is so great for us, that he gave us souls so we could live with Him forever! The soul shouldn't ever die I think! Think of someone you know who is dead. Can you really continue if you ever thought you would never see them again! Because God knew death would be inevitable, he made a history for our bodies, our souls! So we can see that terrific personality again and be with God and them forever!

 

[Boomygrrl]

The proof is in the dead body. There really is no difference between a living body and a dead body except that the dead body no longer works. I think it was Einstien (or some scientist anyway) who said that energy can not be destroyed, only transformed. Our brains have neural energy. When this energy disappers that means all brain function has stoped. If energy cant be destroy, where did this energy go? I believe this energy is our soul and when we die, it leaves us and finds itself in the presence of God.

So the soul is our energy source?
It's what animates us?
I've thought of that before. Why give it a name like soul? It makes is sound so mysterious. Maybe it was due to pre-scientific thought?

You said our souls find themselves in the presence of God. Can you explain this more?

Boomygrrl

 

[Boomygrrl]

The soul is our mind, will and emotions. Our spirit is eternal and this is what will live on in the afterlife.

Christians believe in the resurrection of the body when Jesus returns. We will have new bodies that will never die, feel pain, etc. This is all in the Bible.

I'm not sure what Bible Venantius is reading, but most Catholics also believe what I've stated...

Our mind, will, and emotions...how is that different from brain functions?
How do you know the soul is eternal?

Boomygrrl

 

[The Nihilist]

Electrical energy, neural energy, call it what you want.
Your car can be fixed with enough funds, I know, I was a mechanic for 5 years , a dead body cant be fixed.
Water turns to gas, comes back as water...it doesnt go anywhere, it just changes form like I said that energy does in my previous post.

Eternal, unvarifiable, your own existance cant be varified. You are in effect, asking all of us to take your word that you exist, Just as God has done. How many of us in these forums are to believe you are real, simply because we see your text? God has asked all people to believe in him, he has talked to people, just as you are doing, with just words but not his physical self (except in the case with Abraham). So if, by your logic, these eternal things and God does not exist, by what logic do you expect us to believe you exist?

The reason your dead body can't be fixed is that the brain turns to mush once it's deprived of oxygen for a period of time. There are ways to slow this process, and these are done in some surgeries, but this is not magical or mysterious to even a first year medical student. An explanation involving a soul is not required.

You don't have to believe that I exist. I could be an A.I. program. The point is that I have challenged you, and it is that challenge you answer, rather than another human or machine.

 

[Boomygrrl]

Here is my attempt at a reply.

We are created in God's image. That does not have to do with just our body shape, but also the way we are put together. Just like God, we are triune.

We have a body-the part that everybody here can see. It is exemplified by Jesus in the trinity.

We have a life spirit-the spiritual essence that keeps us alive. All living things have a life spirit. It is exemplified by the Holy Spirit in the trinity.

We have a soul-the part of us that does the thinking and deciding, the part that make us who we are. It is exemplified by God the Father of the trinity.

The brain is simply a processor, very much like that of a computer. It doesn't think for itself; it serves as an interface between the soul and the body. Neurologists can measure and "see" the parts of our brain that light up depending on our emotions and thoughts, but those are just the areas of the processor being used by soul, not the real thoughts.

Since we are locked in a mortal, three-dimensional body, we don't have the ability to sense the other dimensions that exist and in which the spiritual things reside. That is also why science cannot measure or verify anything supernatural. Our science is three-dimensional, as well.

The promise that we have in the Bible is that when we die, and the three parts of us are separated, God will give us a new body and a new life spirit so that we, too, will become immortal. I presume, but don't know for sure, that we will then be able to see and sense each other's souls. Until then, the soul will remain an invisible, untestable entity.

That's an interesting way to think of us, that we are a triune. So the soul uses the brain to do it's dirty work, so to speak?

Boomygrrl

 

[Boomygrrl]

Eternal, unvarifiable, your own existance cant be varified. You are in effect, asking all of us to take your word that you exist, Just as God has done. How many of us in these forums are to believe you are real, simply because we see your text? God has asked all people to believe in him, he has talked to people, just as you are doing, with just words but not his physical self (except in the case with Abraham). So if, by your logic, these eternal things and God does not exist, by what logic do you expect us to believe you exist?

I think it takes a less leap of faith to believe that the people who post on this forum are real.

I hear about the soul a lot, and I guess I need more than a text to say that it's real. Hence the discussion. Which by the way, I have to say there has been some good responses. That's why I'm trying to respond back to y'all, to continue the discussions.

Boomygrrl

 

[Boomygrrl]

In a way, you answered your own question! When people are dead, did you ever notice that it is called the body? Why. What made it mobile? Machines just function then break down. We as human beings are unique! The love of God is so great for us, that he gave us souls so we could live with Him forever! The soul shouldn't ever die I think! Think of someone you know who is dead. Can you really continue if you ever thought you would never see them again! Because God knew death would be inevitable, he made a history for our bodies, our souls! So we can see that terrific personality again and be with God and them forever!

It would be neat to see my dead relatives and friends again, but yes, I could continue if I thought I would never see them again. I now have my memories of them and their influence on me will live on for years, perhaps decades after they are gone.


Boomygrrl

 

[ERice2nd]

So the soul is our energy source?
It's what animates us?
I've thought of that before. Why give it a name like soul? It makes is sound so mysterious. Maybe it was due to pre-scientific thought?

this is a good way to put it.

You said our souls find themselves in the presence of God. Can you explain this more?

Boomygrrl

Our souls will be with God. Right now we cant really be with God in his physical presence, we would die if we were. But our souls can be in his presence after our bodies die.