This is impossible, isn't it?

Question

I hear Christians speaking of having eternal life one day.

The thing that bugs me, is that eternity is defined in the dictionary as having no beginning or end.

Problem is..., that we had a beginning. Now, this is a real problem because...,

Even if you get a new spiritual body, or go to another eternal realm, you STILL had a beginning.

This defies the dictionary definition of eternal existence. The dictionary is either wrong in it's definition, or living eternally is impossible because you had a beginning.

So, which is true?

Answer 1

how do you know what our beginning is?
do you think it's birth
what's your definition of life
maybe we don't have beginnings which can be defined

Answer 2

Yes, you're right - that's the dictionary definition.
Maybe it was written by non-Christians? Let's redefine the word and add the new definition to the existing definition:

A Christian definition:
The eternal life that God promises Christians who have faith leads to a life without end, in perfect health!

Deed done - wasn't too hard. Since the Christian faith has been around for nearly 2000 years, it would be a good guess to state that the dictionary is wrong.

Answer 3

Mankind has always been so obsessed with measuring time. I think it's because as mortal beings we only have limited time on this earth.
Consider this:
Though our life in the flesh has a markable beginning, Perhaps we (as spirits, or intelligences or what have you) had no beginning. We have always existed in one form or another (spirit, flesh, etc.). Perhaps this is all a progression towards perfection?(be ye therefore perfect etc.) That would fit eternity both ways (before and after we die) and solve the conundrum of the dictionary definition.
Just a thought.

Answer 4

I hate to ape Clinton, but it depends on the meaning of "or". There are two possible interpretations:
- Eternity has neither a beginning nor an end.
- Eternity has a beginning but no end, or an end but no beginning.
In the context, the first part of the second interpretation is appropriate. But I consider the whole thing to be bogus.

Answer 5

Regardless of our perceived beginning, the foundation for life, the energy that affords us the ability to live is eternal. The spark is of the creator, the creator knows no beginning, knows no end, therefore we, in that likeness, are eternal.

If you take into consideration the fact that we don't seem to recall our births, even in it's translation into the material plane, we know no beginning, we're pretty sure we had one, sometimes it's even videotaped, but that doesn't accurately depict the beginning. Gestation, conception, when does it begin?

Answer 6

well, eternal life would be quite impossible, seeing as how I wasn't alive for the last 14-15 billion years, I am far from eternal. So I guess I'll just have to go with... Christians are wrong/disillusional.

Answer 7

Eternal is the adjective form of eternity, a noun, which truly means that which has no beginning nor end. Right

However, a Christian's interpretation of the word of "eternal" is synonymous with that of everlasting, unending, etc.

"For we worship the Eternal, so that we may live in eternal life."

"For we worship the Everlasting. so that we may live in everlasting life."

It still has the same meaning however it is all on context and interpretation.

Answer 8

That is thought provoking. Have you ever wondered about the 'ashes to ashes, dust to dust' bit, said at funeral services? Maybe the answer lies there. Maybe the Eternity, spoken of, is a metaphor for returning to the eternal - dust. Or ashes. There's so many different ways of interpreting it.

Answer 9

Well how about this..... you existed in God long before you were put on this earth. You existed in His mind and thoughts before you were put on this earth. God told the prophet Jeremiah, "I knew you before you were even in the womb". So, Jeremiah existed in the eternal spirit of God, but he had to wait for his time to be born. God is not shocked or surprised at your existence on this earth. He preordained every person on this earth before it was created.

Answer 10

You wont start the new beginning but the continuation of this life after death.