The Three Biblical Interpretations About Afterlife

[William]

Lately some of us have been arguing from three differing positions is which the bible can be used to defend all three. All three appear to agree that each individual has a "Soul" although there may be disagreement on what the exact function of a "Soul" is.

[1] A "Person" is "Spirit" and temporarily exists as a human being until the body dies then that "Person" enters an afterlife and is judged by "God" and is condemned or saved. Those saved go to "heaven" and those condemned go to "Hell" - or in some variances on this, are "exterminated".

[2] A "Person" a "Human being" and when the human being dies, that is the end of that person unless "God" judges them as "saved" in which case that person is resurrected and given a new body which will last forever more.

[3] A "Person" is an eternal Spirit in human form and when the body dies, that Spirit immediately moves to the next phase and either knowingly or unknowingly creates for their self, their next experience, based upon a combination of mainly what they believe, what their overall attitude is and what they did in the previous phase.

Often any different position which opposes another might logically mean that they both cannot be correct, assuming one or the other is true.

Both [1]&[2] fall into this category as they cannot both be true. [1]&[2] also both agree that [3] is false.

However, [3] Can be true without making the other two false.

And [3] - just as with [1]&[2] can be backed by the bible, depending on what parts of the bible once uses to do so.

The bible is interpreted throughout, based upon which position [1][2] or [3] is being used to interpret it through [the filter].

If [1]&[2] oppose each other but can still be "proven" by using the bible, then this makes the bible something of a contradiction.

But if [3] - although different from [1]&[2] does not oppose either [1]&[2] and can still be "proven" by using the bible just like [1]&[2], then [3] takes away the contradictory aspect of the bible which [1]&[2] create by being in opposition.

Question: Would it be fair to say therefore, that [3] is the best position to assume on the overall biblical script to do with the subject of the next phase [afterlife]?

[William]

Thus [3] is the better choice...

Not for someone that view the bible as the source of religious truth. I could find nothing biblical in it.

See my post #4 for just one such reference of interpreted biblical religious truth. I have offered more, but so far no Christian who believes [1]or[2] [or variations thereof] have wanted to acknowledge my interpretation is correct ..."if [3] - although different from [1]&[2] does not oppose either [1]&[2] and can still be "proven" by using the bible just like [1]&[2], then [3] takes away the contradictory aspect of the bible which [1]&[2] create by being in opposition."

[3] is not in opposition to [1]&[2] but simply see those positions as 'not the whole truth'.

[3] A "Person" is an eternal Spirit in human form and when the body dies, that Spirit immediately moves to the next phase and either knowingly or unknowingly creates for their self, their next experience, based upon a combination of mainly what they believe, what their overall attitude is and what they did in the previous phase.


This sounds a bit like the teaching of "reincarnation" which has no basis in scripture.

While reincarnation is not off the table [can be included in [3]] the OP focuses upon what happens in the next phase once the individual has finished with this phase...so while there are references to reincarnation in the bible, the focus of my argument is not on those.

It seems clear to me that what you shared of your particular belief on the next phase, that you are in position [2] re the OP.

[2] A "Person" is a "Human being" and when the human being dies, that is the end of that person unless "God" judges them as "saved" in which case that person is resurrected and given a new body which will last forever more.

Do you agree that this is your position on the matter JehovahsWitness?

[William]

[Replying to myth-one.com in post #17]

I would hazard a guess that while it appears you and JehovahsWitness share the same position [2] myth-one, there are aspects showing variation regarding said position [2] to which you have both yet to find alignment with.

[2] A "Person" is a "Human being" and when the human being dies, that is the end of that person unless "God" judges them as "saved" in which case that person is resurrected and given a new body which will last forever more.

It's not God's decision anymore. He has already set the criteria for those who will be saved. He will grant everlasting spiritual life to whosoever believeth in Jesus as their Savior.

So yes. With very slight difference, your beliefs on what happens in the next phase is closest to position [2]. The difference is that you believe why they are not saved is because they did not reach the 'criteria' God has set but that it was their 'decision' not to do so. That is the end of that person.
Split hairs much?

[PinSeeker]

[Replying to William in post #33]

Just for the record, William, all three “positions” are quite inaccurate — for many reasons. I would certainly submit a fourth...

Grace and peace to you.

[RightReason]

Question: Would it be fair to say therefore, that [3] is the best position to assume on the overall biblical script to do with the subject of the next phase [afterlife]?

I think I will have to reject all 3 explanations.

Here is a better one . . .


***********

The soul is the subject of human consciousness and freedom; soul and body together form one unique human nature. Each human soul is individual and immortal, immediately created by God. The soul does not die with the body, from which it is separated by death, and with which it will be reunited in the final resurrection.

The human person, created in the image of God, is a being at once corporeal and spiritual. The biblical account expresses this reality in symbolic language when it affirms that “then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” Man, whole and entire, is therefore willed by God.

The human body shares in the dignity of “the image of God”: it is a human body precisely because it is animated by a spiritual soul, and it is the whole human person that is intended to become, in the body of Christ, a temple of the Spirit.

Man, though made of body and soul, is a unity. Through his very bodily condition he sums up in himself the elements of the material world. Through him they are thus brought to their highest perfection and can raise their voice in praise freely given to the Creator. For this reason man may not despise his bodily life. Rather he is obliged to regard his body as good and to hold it in honor since God has created it and will raise it up on the last day.

The unity of soul and body is so profound that one has to consider the soul to be the “form” of the body: i.e., it is because of its spiritual soul that the body made of matter becomes a living, human body; spirit and matter, in man, are not two natures united, but rather their union forms a single nature.

Sometimes the soul is distinguished from the spirit: St. Paul for instance prays that God may sanctify his people “wholly,” with “spirit and soul and body” kept sound and blameless at the Lord’s coming.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 “May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The Church teaches that this distinction does not introduce a duality into the soul. “Spirit” signifies that from creation man is ordered to a supernatural end and that his soul can gratuitously be raised beyond all it deserves to communion with God.

https://www.catholic.com/qa/what-exactly-is-a-soul

[William]

[Replying to William in post #33]

Just for the record, William, all three “positions” are quite inaccurate — for many reasons. I would certainly submit a fourth...

Grace and peace to you.

Go right ahead Pinseeker. The Tanager did so [in another thread] and it was seen therein simply a mix of [1]&[2] in an undecided manner...

I can predict this will be a similar result of any [4] you might submit...an undecided result...a mix of [1]&[2] through a rejection of [3]

[myth-one.com]

The soul is the subject of human consciousness and freedom; soul and body together form one unique human nature. Each human soul is individual and immortal, immediately created by God. The soul does not die with the body, from which it is separated by death, and with which it will be reunited in the final resurrection.

For what purpose is the soul reunited with the body in the final resurrection?

[William]

Question: Would it be fair to say therefore, that [3] is the best position to assume on the overall biblical script to do with the subject of the next phase [afterlife]?

I think I will have to reject all 3 explanations.

Here is a better one . . .


***********

The soul is the subject of human consciousness and freedom; soul and body together form one unique human nature. Each human soul is individual and immortal, immediately created by God. The soul does not die with the body, from which it is separated by death, and with which it will be reunited in the final resurrection.

The human person, created in the image of God, is a being at once corporeal and spiritual. The biblical account expresses this reality in symbolic language when it affirms that “then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” Man, whole and entire, is therefore willed by God.

So this is [1]

[1] A "Person" is "Spirit" and temporarily exists as a human being until the body dies....

The human body shares in the dignity of “the image of God”: it is a human body precisely because it is animated by a spiritual soul, and it is the whole human person that is intended to become, in the body of Christ, a temple of the Spirit.

Man, though made of body and soul, is a unity. Through his very bodily condition he sums up in himself the elements of the material world. Through him they are thus brought to their highest perfection and can raise their voice in praise freely given to the Creator. For this reason man may not despise his bodily life. Rather he is obliged to regard his body as good and to hold it in honor since God has created it and will raise it up on the last day.

Now there is a mix as [2] comes into it..

[2] A "Person" a "Human being" and when the human being dies, that is the end of that person unless "God" judges them as "saved" in which case that person is resurrected and given a new body which will last forever more.

The unity of soul and body is so profound that one has to consider the soul to be the “form” of the body: i.e., it is because of its spiritual soul that the body made of matter becomes a living, human body; spirit and matter, in man, are not two natures united, but rather their union forms a single nature.

Therefore yes - 'two natures united" in order to create a third nature from that unity.

The Church teaches that this distinction does not introduce a duality into the soul. “Spirit” signifies that from creation man is ordered to a supernatural end and that his soul can gratuitously be raised beyond all it deserves to communion with God.

I see nothing in your offering here RR which signifies a distinctly different position of belief than a mix of [1]&[2] - leaning more to [1].

And what of [3]. You do not say why you reject [3].

[myth-one.com]

The soul is the subject of human consciousness and freedom; soul and body together form one unique human nature. Each human soul is individual and immortal, immediately created by God. The soul does not die with the body, from which it is separated by death, and with which it will be reunited in the final resurrection.

https://www.catholic.com/qa/what-exactly-is-a-soul

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

If the "soul" of believers is reunited with their dead human bodies at the final resurrection as you claim, then they cannot inherit the Kingdom of God according to the Bible.

Isn't that a problem?

Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God -- which is the goal and reward of the saved.

Thus the "resurrection of the body" theology blocks believers from their goal.

[RightReason]

For what purpose is the soul reunited with the body in the final resurrection?

The purpose of being the fulfilment of God’s design/plan.

The soul will be reunited with the body in the final resurrection because such is the supernatural accomplishment of our natural state of which we were created in the first place.

We can know via reason the resurrection of the body because we have confidence in God’s omnipotent power. We know that given the first principle of reason the soul is naturally incorruptible and immortal and the soul alone is not man, rather human beings are body AND soul. IOW, the body belongs essentially and not accidentally to man. It is often common for some to make the mistake of thinking the body is less or lower and even the source of sin for man, but that was not the design. God created Adam and Eve prior to the Fall. They were not simply souls. They were body and soul and God created them and saw that it was good. Catholic teaching says the body will not become spirit, but, while remaining body, it will become pliant and obedient to the spirit. Time and space will still remain.


This is also a good explanation and something to think about:

********
What does resurrection of the body mean? It means to come back to life again. We do not say “resurrection of the soul,” for the soul does not die. The soul is immortal; only the body dies. On the last day, our body will come back to life; it will be reunited to our soul, which gives our body life.

Scriptural support of Catholic teaching:

that “then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” Man, whole and entire, is therefore willed by God.


“Christ has been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead came also through a human being. For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life” ( 1 Cor 14:20-22).

“I am the Resurrection and the Life; he who believes in me, even if he die, shall live; and whoever lives and believes in me, shall never die” ( Jn 11:25-26).

The Apostles also found strength to shed their blood for their faith from the Holy Eucharist, of which Christ said: “He that eats my flesh and drinks my blood has life everlasting and I will raise him up on the last day” ( Jn 6:55). Such was the faith of Christ’s first followers; such is our faith! We believe that we, too, shall rise glorious and immortal to join our Lord.


https://catholicspirit.com/news/on-last ... ed-to-soul

[RightReason]

[1] A "Person" is "Spirit" and temporarily exists as a human being until the body dies then that "Person" enters an afterlife and is judged by "God" and is condemned or saved. Those saved go to "heaven" and those condemned go to "Hell" - or in some variances on this, are "exterminated".

I reject #1 because a person is not a spirit. A person is body and soul. And we do not only have a body on earth, and then only a soul in the after life.

[2] A "Person" a "Human being" and when the human being dies, that is the end of that person unless "God" judges them as "saved" in which case that person is resurrected and given a new body which will last forever more.

I reject #2 because a person is not just a body. Again, a person is created body and soul. And not only those saved will live forever. All created human beings are immortal. You will either spend eternity in heaven or hell.

[3] A "Person" is an eternal Spirit in human form and when the body dies, that Spirit immediately moves to the next phase and either knowingly or unknowingly creates for their self, their next experience, based upon a combination of mainly what they believe, what their overall attitude is and what they did in the previous phase.

I reject #3 because a person is not just a spirit in human form. A person was created both body and soul. And while yes, when the physical body dies at death and the soul continues on, the person will receive their glorified body back at the resurrection.