The Bible says that the soul is MORTAL. The soul has blood, it can die, and it can be counted. (Jeremiah 2:34; Acts 27:37; Ezekiel 18:4) Numerous reference materials like the Lion's Conscise Bible Enclopedia says that the word soul means nothing but us physical humans.
On the other hand, Plato--the famous Greek and Pagan philosopher--says that the soul is immortal.
So, which would you believe and why?
2006-06-17 02:31:29 · 17 answers · asked by Egyptian Prince 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The soul according to many religious and philosophical traditions, is the ethereal substance — spirit (Hebrew:rooah or nefesh) — particular to a unique living being. Such traditions often consider the soul both immortal and innately aware of its immortal nature, as well as the true basis for sentience in each living being.
2006-06-17 02:37:32 · answer #1 · answered by larry g 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the soul is immortal. reference genesis 1:26 made in the image of God. Eternal in nature. Spiritual. Different from all other creatures. A living soul (eternal) in a mortal body (made to return to the dust of the earth from which it came). Genesis 2:7, & 3:19.
your reference to Acts indicates the number of persons aboard the ship, whether counted as mortal bodies or living souls the number would be the same.
your reference to Jeremiah the prophet is condeming the holy nation of Israel for its sin against Jehovah (God). The phrase pertaining to souls there as in Acts 27, is interchangeable with the numbers of people who were living at some point but are now deceased.
the reference to Ezekiel 18:4 speaks of the 2nd death of mankind. After our lives have ended the (Spirit or Soul, made in the Image of God) lives on (Eternal). Our separation from God for eternity is the 2nd death. Refered to throughout the bible.
Reference Matthew 10 :28
2006-06-17 11:24:59 · answer #2 · answered by ricky t 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You better get your priorities right.
Nowhere does the Bible say that soul is mortal.It is the body that is mortal, and and soul, the essence and a part of the CREATOR HIMSELF, goes back to HIM, straight or enroute to HELL.
Philosophers are also learned persons; butin present days when every thing is wanted in a jiffy and fast, the better suggestion is follow the Bible; The Bible is too a simplified version like a hotdog/ pizza compared to PHILOSOPHY which is a 25 course meal at the Castle of the Queen in England.
2006-06-17 09:40:06 · answer #3 · answered by bharat b 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think Plato was going against the conventional wisdom of his time, because his friends in The Republic seemed somewhat surprised when he said the soul was immortal. But doesn't the Bible teach a resurrection of the soul, body and spirit? At least the New Testament does.
2006-06-17 09:38:00 · answer #4 · answered by eschaton 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that neither are wrong. There is no one agreed upon definition of the word 'soul'. It simply means different things to different people. I think of the soul as the doorway between spirit and matter, therefore it would be mortal because we'd have no use for it when we are not in the physical form. But our consciousness, that spark of awareness that defines our individuality, is immortal IMO. Many refer to this as the soul. When we're reading we need to ascertain how the writer defined the word. We may find that there is no disagreement in concepts, only in terminology.
2006-06-17 09:44:17 · answer #5 · answered by CosmicKiss 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok the Bible says the soul is mortal.
That's not what people usually have in mind, when they say soul.
Plato says the soul is Immortal.
Is this a difference in belief, or a difference in terminology?
2006-06-17 09:43:53 · answer #6 · answered by hunter 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The soul is not mortal. but immortal. The reference that you are giving is poetic and not ment to be taken literaly. The word soul can often be used to represent a person. Jeremiah is refering to the blood of innocent people. The Bible is God's word. Philosphy is man's opinion. Never trust man's opinion unless you can back it up with God's word.
2006-06-17 09:41:33 · answer #7 · answered by Preacher 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I will certainly prefer philosophy which is an account of search for the Truth, rather the Bible which is a collection of stories told by persons whose credentials are doubtful. Plato and his predecessor Socrates became pagans because they analysed the untruth in Bible attributed to various prophets as having said revelations just in order to awe the followers and add respectability to sheer blasphemy.
2006-06-17 09:46:03 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to take it in verse... Keep in mind the word soul is translated from Hebrew and Greek... The bible refers to the soul as several things... Heart, inner being, mortal human, etc...
2006-06-17 09:45:29 · answer #9 · answered by dudeabides 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the self is eternal .philosophy is a method of inquiry ,it takes you back to the lord from where you came originally, people confuse the soul with the self ,on one level they are the same
2006-06-17 09:38:38 · answer #10 · answered by gasp 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋